Life Lessons

Right now I should be doing something else I am sure...but don't all mom's feel that way almost all the time. I think back to the day I used to say to my mom, "I'm bored" and I laugh. If only I was ever honestly bored. If I think I am bored it is only because I am choosing to be lazy because in my world there is always PLENTY to do. There is a house to clean, shopping to do, Discovery Toys calls to be made, church callings to work on, Dr's appointments to take kids to, exercise, goals to accomplish, food to be made & cleaned up...and if ALL those things are done there is the leisure list to work on. I have a piano I'd love to sit down and play and improve those skills. I'd love to make a new quilt for my bed, and if I just want to zone out there is a list a movies I'd like to watch on my DVR. So, yes, there is PLENTY to do.

Right now I think I need to take a moment to reflect on all the learning and growth I have been blessed with over the past few months. I think often of the scripture that says there shall not be room enough to receive it (blessings) and I believe that this is true for me. I have been blessed to have an understanding of myself and my life that I cherish. I love understanding that when I am choosing to have a bad day that it is exactly that, choosing. For the past three days I have had a relationship struggle with some family members that came out of left field. As I have tried to understand why, I have realized that it can be attributed to dishonesty & misdirected comments. I am certain that the person who was dishonest didn't intend to be, and I imagine if I told them they were dishonest they wouldn't see it that way. I know when I have taken it upon myself to spread gossip I have never thought it to be dishonest, but I am learning that it is. I have been lucky to learn through my great friends over the years that if you have a problem with someone you HAVE to take it to them and work it out. When you pass along your concerns to someone else it really just becomes gossip. I will not pretend that I am guiltless concerning gossip, but this week I have felt it damaging effects. I hope that through this experience I can learn to be more careful and guarded with what I say so that my words will not become a dagger in someones back.

Another great lesson I have learned over the past few months is again that of positive mental thinking. I have learned that the minute you allow yourself to get sucked into believing someone else negative perspective that you are allowing yourself to be negative. There really are two sides to every story and you can either choose to believe the best in people or believe the worst, but whatever you choose to believe is what you will see. I'll give you a great example...me. I struggle to keep my life balanced and to focus on the things that are important to me. I am easily sidetracked and I often times don't think things through before I say or do them. I sometimes get caught up in unnecessary tasks and ignore my kids. I sometimes do get gossipy & vent to others. You could easily see me as a scatterbrained woman who doesn't have a clue what she is doing.

On the other hand I am good at following through with my commitments. If you ask me to do something you can most likely plan on me to take care of it. When my kids are in need of my attention I am quick to respond in an appropriate manner. If you need a friend to talk to I am a great listener. I think a lot about life and it's deeper meanings. I am constantly thinking about how to better myself and how to conquer my challenges and achieve my goals. I love the opportunity to make life better in any way and that makes me a positive person. Should you choose to see me in this way you will see the traits of my father in me...my Heavenly Father that is.

I truly believe that there is good in all of us. I want to believe that even the most iniquitous of sinners is just a human spirit longing for love and acceptance who doesn't have the right skills to find it. I love my life. I love my challenges and my trials that help me to grow and be shaped according to what my Heavenly Father wants me to become. I feel like I have been blessed with a knowledge and understanding beyond my years. I am thankful to have been blessed with a wonderful family. Both the one I grew up in as well as the one I am raising. I am also thankful for the lessons I learn from both Kent and my extended families. I am so very thankful that I have been blessed through the years with such good friends who have helped me to become the woman I am. My family set my foundation on the Lord and my friends have helped me to stay on His path. For these and all my blessings I am truly grateful!