Racism

As I think of all these riots that are going on around the country it makes me so very sad, that we as a human race can be so unkind to one another. If those who are in law enforcement can't do their job, because they have to watch every move they make, it becomes frustrating. If those who live in poverty and are continually harassed because of how they look, it is frustrating. So many people on this earth are good honest people, but a handful that choose to be unkind ruins everything for the rest of us. Then there are the pictures of people walking on my Flag! Now this makes me angry. I want to make a video on Facebook and tell those who don't want to live in this country just how I feel. But then, I think will that do any good, am I one of those that think saying what I want and posting it on social media does any good at all? I think that it doesn't. I believe that it starts with parents that teach kindness and respect. Yes kindness and respect. Imagine a world where there is kindness and respect to all!! Just imagine what that would feel like for everyone. From the rich to the poor, from those in the highest power to those who have nothing. I think we are talking about being Christ like to all. Following our Savior and walking His walk, talking His talk. Think of how much better we would all be if, for example, our law enforcement officers were trained to respond kindly to all those who choose to spit at them, or swear at them. Could it make a difference? No I am not wearing rose colored glasses, I know there are those times when the police have to use force. I understand that. Or they have to treat some in a forceful manner because they refuse to obey commands. What would change if, after that encounter, there was kindness used. No retaliation, no revenge. Thoughts? Am I so ignorant that imagining a world like that makes me unrealistic? No matter, I still believe kindness and respect is the answer to so many of our woes as a society.

So is this a challenge?
I believe our country is being tested and tried. Are we up to the task? Be kinder today than you were yesterday and each day strive to be kinder.

April 28, 2015
I am so amazed at how life is whizzing by. Almost May of 2015. Yesterday I turned 61 years old and I am so not feeling that. Of course I know I am not 21, or 31 or even 41, but 61?? Wow, I am so thankful for my Heavenly Father and the life He has blessed me with. I feel alive, beautiful and needed. Isn't that what life is all about? I love the quote by our beloved prophet, kindness truly makes our lives so wonderful. Even if we are not feeling kind, or happy with someone, if we commit to being kind and refrain from hurtful words, it makes us a better people. I truly believe that the kindness we show to those who don't seem to want it, gives them a chance to see the work of the Gospel in progress. Jesus was truly kind, to everyone, even to those who were the moneychangers in the temple, as we read this account in the Gospels, we can imagine His righteous indignation, but can we also imagine his Love for those who were sinning. There are some members of my family in law that are determined to believe that my husband and I have wronged them, and try as we might, our love for them is rebuffed. So we pray and put their names in the temple. We also have a son who is struggling with life, again, we try to help him, but he doesn't respond to our love, we know he loves us, but he loves his friends and lifestyle more. Recently during a temple session, as I was praying for my son to turn his heart, a voice very clearly said, "He is not ready." This may not seem like an answer to a prayer to some, but to me it spoke volumes. I can only be patient and kind. I can only rely on my Father in Heaven and in His timing. His Timing! This can seem so long, but I know through my faithfulness all things will be all right. Our beautiful daughter and her husband came to visit for my birthday and it was fun. I will post pictures if I ever remember to blog. When I do remember it is quite satisfying. Ta Ta for now.

March 29, 2015
I love quotes. Quotes that give pause, and help me think of other options in my life. I am a bit jealous of people who have simple quotes after their names, because it came up in a talk or other conversation. I would hope that someday there would be a quote that I was famous for. I know I am feeling a bit less than today. Who knows why, just am. The quote I ran into today comes from President Thomas S. Monson, prophet of our church, it was taken from a talk and it says:



Isn't that a cool quote? It is easier to doubt, just like it's easier to be sad, easier to be mad, easier to find fault. It takes work to make good choices that lead to happiness.
Prayer, wow what I have learned this week about prayer. It's not like I didn't know about it, but it was a Aha moment. When I don't pray, and I am not dedicating my life to the Lord, I feel dark and begin to feel sad. Then that becomes more intense, then I am going to bed and with my day to day life, just going through the motions. I am not growing or learning, I am just standing still. I hope this revelation helps me be more dedicated to my Heavenly Father.

 

 

March 27, 2015

It's been a while since I have been on my blog. Life gets away from me, but only because I let it. Everything seems important, more important than ourselves. Family, children, grandchildren, husband, did you notice I put husband last? He really is first in my thinking and prioritizing. My question is why I am always last, why are the thoughts that my needs are not as important as the rest of my life? Is that selfish? I use to think so, but I have come to the conclusion that that is not a true statement. It isn't selfish. So how do I put what I want first without feeling guilty about it? I look at really successful women, and I wonder if they feel guilty or have they conquered the ugly beast. I have decided that all women feel guilty about something everyday, it's how we are wired, or maybe it's how we were conditioned by the women role models we had. I want my daughter to be a women that is sure of herself and loves herself while still taking care of her family. There isn't a need for guilt, there isn't a need for feeling less than. We are strong as women and have been handed some of the greatest work in the world, no, the universe. Raising and loving our families while still being successful in whatever we set out to do. I have changed much since raising children; I have learned to wait, to have patience that things will work out. I have learned that small things are just that, small. If we want, we can make them big, but it's a personal choice. I have learned that the easiest way to forgive others is not to let them live in your head. Things happen, and then life goes on. If we hold on to anger, jealousy, spite, then everyday we get to live that thing over again. Now don't get me wrong, I have learned that letting go takes time and effort, forgiveness takes time and effort. Most of all, forgiving ourselves takes time and effort. I have learned that people are people, just like me. We all make mistakes, we all try our best, and that is all we can do. But we have to keep trying to be better. I have learned that life has a way of teaching us what we need to know, if we get the hint and learn, we get to move on and learn something else. If we don't learn we get to keep getting the same lesson over and over. I recently had a young woman come into my life and she had me convinced that she had been victimized by an ex-husband and the justice system. Not only had me convinced, but my husband and my son. Within a few short months and thousands of dollars later, we found out that she had used our family to get gain and then she moved on. At first I was devastated that I had allowed myself and my family to be played like that. I was angry and made the remark that I would never be caught unawares like that again. Now when I look at it, I can see a very important lesson to be learned, while I don't want to be the kind of person that in untrusting, I have learned that I need to wait to help others until they can prove themselves. I didn't do that, I believed that she was honest and forthcoming. I believed her unconditionally. Why? I don't know. She knew how to manipulate honest people. I am thankful for this lesson I have learned. I'm not angry or bitter. Money is just money and people are people.