The feminist conundrum

Disclaimer:  The following statement should be taken 'generally' not personally.


The feminists run rampant, shouting pleas of "We shall be heard!"  and "We can rise in society just as well as men can!"  All this, whilst prancing about exposing ninety percent of what should be kept personal, their bodies!

It is clinically shown that the parts of a man's brain that lights up when he see's a screw driver or a hammer is the same part of the brain being used when he see's an immodest woman.  His mind registers something like, "tool... to use"

This is a healthy function for men and women, but only in the right setting.  It is good, when it is used in a personal intimate relationship (where a woman has consciously decided to give herself to him, because he has gained her valuable and precious trust). But rather we see, in much of society, flying through internet pages, and yelling at us on screen, complete strangers who have consciously decided to give some of her most precious and sacred parts to the world?  Thus a man may be prone to see all women generally as a tool, to be used however he pleases ... similar to the way he see's a screwdriver or a hammer.  So tell me, how is this accomplishing the feminist goal of showing society that we are individuals, souls of worth, value, compassion and love?  How does this conundrum show society  that through our infinite talents and abilities we have power to influence the world?

So, it comes down to this; with our words we say, 'we are valuable and important", and with our bodies we say, "use and abuse us how you please."

These two opposites (demanding gender equality versus flaunting the body) can be compared to a drunk man, stumbling over his feet.  He grabs you, pins you up to the wall and says (breathing stench into your face), "I deserve respect, now you are going to respect me,  or else!"  Does the fact that he is demanding respect give cause for it, or are his actions speaking louder than his words?

Modesty women!  It's a big deal!  

Modesty SPEAKS the words "respect me" louder than the words "respect me" ever could.  

Thank you for sharing in my flow of thought. 

Feel free to share yours with me.  

Poem: What are they without these?

Here is a poem I wrote recently.  The poem expresses gratitude for life's many faceted emotions.  Varying experiences and emotions have given me ammunition to write poetry, that I'm sure I wouldn't have written had I not had these experiences.  Besides poetry there are many blessings I have gained by means of both good and bad experiences in my life.  Thus, are there really 'bad' experiences?

What are they without these?

I thank you life experiences for giving me the inspiration to bring to life through words the thoughts that fill this poem. 

I thank you hate, anger and ingratitude for filling my soul with feelings that pour onto the page an everlasting memory of painted song 

I thank you apathy for teaching me that being void of feeling seems to feel something too and gives a neglectful edge to each dry word yet still expressing. 

I thank you chalous for rubbing against me just enough to bring a strength I didn't know I had that would yield such forc-ed letters upon a backdrop of white. 

I thank you tenderness, sweetness and love, for brimming up inside me like a fully flowing faucet pouring sillily into an overflowing cup.  Eventually it fills and when it is too full it can't help but escape somewhere, and for me it often finds itself with ink, and splotches, scribbles pouring as the dripping edge of the cups rime is flowing over. 

Thank you choice for affording me the vast difference in the lenses which I see the world which can seem to shift and change so rapidly as it were that each new drifting thoughts desire for a home finds itself in my notebook.   

Duly noted.

That Unseen Sphere

There is an unseen sphere in this world that is very active and alive.  It is a place which is easy to forget about.  It is hidden from our immediate conscience.  It is vast and expansive.  It can be extremely evasive or extremely invasive, depending on how you interact with it.

This sphere is the sphere of souls.  The sphere of spirits.

There are spirits all around us right now, as we speak, which we cannot see. Some are good influences and some are evil.  The new testament affirms this, and alludes to the effect that they do, or rather, can influence us.  This scripture in John also hints that many of these spirits are those lingering here after they have died.

John 4:11 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:  because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 

So consider with me for a moment, if you will, how are the people around you being influenced by these spirits, unknowingly (or perhaps knowingly).  How much do you think spirits interact with us or tell us things that only our spirits are hearing.  When someone makes a rude remark to you, you might pause now to consider if that rude remark was influenced by 5 evil spirits surrounding that person.

The world looks a little different now, doesn't it?

What of you?  What are you thinking and saying that is being told to you, that your soul is picking up and regurgitating back to the world.  I believe that we are far more intellectual than we even comprehend.  Do you think that we solely cognize with our brains, or do you think part of our knowledge is only known with our soul?  How much of what the brain knows is a result of it's acceptance of information taught to it by the soul?  Think of the phrases "listen to your soul"  or "Listen to your heart"?  Why would we have to "listen" if it was only in our brain and not something separate from it?

Let me simplify this.  Imagine two people, in a room, looking at eachother, but silent.  Silent, at least, to the audible ear.   Are they not still conversing?  Can their spirits, inside their, bodies not understand the others and converse, in whatever way spirits do (which apparently is not with words).   What are our spirits saying to each other?

I believe that the spirit inside us cannot lie, but I do believe it can be deceived and thereby darken.  Pulling away from it's creator.  The more deception is in place the further away from light ones spirit lives.  By choice are we becoming brighter or darker each day.  By choice are we connecting with who we really are or going away from every day.

So, if a spirit is deceived is it still speaking truths to other spirits?
It may be deceiving but it will always reflect it's true intention and it cannot hide it's reality, or it's current state.

It takes effort to reach inward to that creature that we really are.  It takes effort to connect ourselves with our own souls, and in my experience the more we do so, the more clearly and accurately we can recognize this 'unseen sphere', and not be deceived by those parts of this sphere which is deceptive.

God gave us His Holy Spirit to guide us:

Doctrine and Covenants 84: 46 "And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world;  and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit."  

 So how important then is this unseen world?  How important are the spirits in us, around us, for us?
I'd say very important.  Most especially important is the Spirit which I just referenced from Doctrine and Covenants.

Listen to this amazing truth, and try and listen with your soul to the soul of the message.

Moroni 10: 5 "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."  

Wow.
All things.
That is allot of things.

So, tapping into that Spirit is the key to all truth!  The question then is, how can we recognize that Spirit?  Well, lets go back to the conversation of the two people who aren't talking with their words (only their souls).  What means do you think helps you to hear that persons soul?  Would walking away from them help?  Probably not, right?  Would playing loud obnoxious music help, or putting a tv show on in the background? No.  A different kind of attention is required, is it not?

I believe that feeling and listening to the spirit is very close to this kind of listening I just described.  The Bible tells us that the spirit is peaceful, full of love, gentle, meek, kind, and faithful.  The scriptures and words of prophets further enlighten us to know that some of us feel the Spirit as a warmth, with others it fills their minds and hearts with light and knowledge

The Light of Christ is the divine energy, power, or influence that proceeds from God through Christ and gives life and light to all things.  The Light of Christ influences people for good and prepares them to receive the Holy Ghost.  (found on lds.org)

That causes me to ponder the energy that I feel when I am in a forest, or by a tree.  The tree is a living thing, and if the light of Christ is giving life to all things, then the tree is full of the light of Christ.  That is such a beautiful concept!

Can you not feel that energy?  Next time you are by a tree, close your eyes, breath and focus on the energy or the soul of the tree and what it feels like.  You will know what I am talking about.



This is the spirit, this is of God.  His light and love are in all things which are of Him and that serve him.  The scriptures tell us that even mountains obey God.

Ever worshiping, ever loving, let us be aware of this sphere which God operates in.  Let us open our hearts together to take in and drink deeply from the waters of His Spirit and His Son's atoning sacrifice.  Let us feel together the energy and soul that is Christ's, feel the power of His death for us so that we can live again.  Let us become one with His energy, His light, His way.

The Way I Read the Word of God

     I have been absolutely amazed at the power of reading scriptures.  But I don't

mean simply nonchalantly reading, as one would read a novel.  Don’t get me wrong; reading them at all is better than not doing so.  However I must say that lately I think I found my niche with the scriptures!   A routine going along with it that simply makes me crave more.

     It started out like this:  writing is a medium that seems to influence my brain profoundly, so I figured that somehow I could incorporate writing and scripture reading together.  I read a chapter in the Book of Mormon, or the Bible and I find a quote associated with it from lds.org or scriptures.byu.edu (excellent sources for finding inspired words of prophets).  I look for quotes that directly relate to what I just read.  Then I write my favorite quote (or favorite’s) in the margins of my scriptures.  Yes, I have to write extremely small!  

Aren't God's creations amazing!?

     Sometimes it takes me a half hour reading through different quotes to find my favorite, but meanwhile I am amazed at how enlightened I feel about the scripture chapter I just read.  Often times I find myself thinking “Oh!  That is what that means!”   I have occasionally found myself moved to tears as I feel the spirit touch me.  I am also enlightened to see how the passages correlate with my personal life.  

                     How do you study scriptures?  What helps you to absorb the words and feel the spirit?  If there is anything I have learned in this process it is to do whatever you need to do to feel the spirit from scripture study, not just read them.  I have seen a direct correlation with blessings in my life to this diligent study and receiving of the spirit each day.   

Thank you for sharing in my flow of thoughts.

#OWTS

Thoughts on Ordain Women

I would like to share my thoughts about the ordain women movement, which I understand is a risky endeavor, because I know that it is a 'hot' topic, so to speak.  I do not wish to cause contention or frustration. I only wish to predominantly share what the prophet's are saying and have said pertaining to the subject.

I will also start with this, and this is what it really comes down to:  Is what the prophet's are saying words of God?  If what they are saying is of God, isn't that good?

Amos 3:7  "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."  

There is an order here that was established from the very beginning of the earth and that is that God's doctrine would be revealed to us through his prophets.  Heavenly Father will assure us personally if a prophet is really called of God, by means of prayer.

Moroni 10: 3-5  "Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would  remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.  And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true;  and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.  And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." 

I have experienced the reality of that scripture.  It seems to me it is nothing short of God's prescribed test for finding truth.

So, if I were to protest in anyway against anything, that the church is teaching, I would  also be protesting against the authenticity of it's proclaimed authority of God.  Therefore I would be questioning God.  In other words, I would be either choosing that their words are not of God, or if I affirmed that they were of God, I would be choosing to disobey.

It's really that simple.

I think that so many of us have times when we question what the prophets are saying.  There are certainly times when things they say may 'rub us the wrong way'.  Well, is it not the ultimate point of the gospel to submit our will to God?  God's will be done, not ours.  I know it's not always easy, but Jesus Christ has promised us eternal blessings for following Him and His appointed servants.

John 14:6  Jesus Saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Perhaps as you are reading this, you feel it is wrong for women to not have the priesthood.  Perhaps you feel inferior in the church, or that it is unfair that a women would not have the position of prophet.  It's okay, if you struggle with this concept.  Your thoughts matter just as much as anyone else's.  I again ask the question though, is it of God?  Are the prophets today receiving revelation from God about the subject of priesthood, or the roles of men and women?  And if they are receiving revelation from God, isn't that the right thing? Isn't that right even if it's not what we want it to be?

Sometimes it requires faith (well, often) to remember that God's ways are always good and right.

I share my strong love and understanding that God's ways are always good and right, even when they don't seem to be at first.  Whenever I have been patient and sought for Heavenly Father's understanding about what the prophets have said, He has helped me to understand His purposes in a more perfect way.  He has lead me to answers, lead me to truth.

One of the apostles, Elder Dallin H. Oaks (click on his name for the full speech. Ponder what he says, it will give a better understanding of where the church stands about this movement) said some comforting words on the subject that, I believe, help us to have the Lords perspective.  He actually said these words during the same time that the ordain women group intended to meet.  I feel it shows the Lord's awareness of his beloved daughters and their concerns:

At this conference we have seen the release of some faithful brothers, and we have sustained the callings of others.  In this rotation- so familiar in the Church - we do not "step down" when we are released, and we do not "step up" when we are called.  There is no "up or down" in the service of the Lord. There is only "forward or backward," and that difference depends on how we accept and act upon our releases and our callings."  

The world tends to look at outward achievements as being successful, such as positions held (such as religious positions).  But this in not how the Lord see's us.  He desires for us to be obedient.  He is revealing his 'secrets to his servants the prophets' of how to be obedient.

1 Samuel 16:7 "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him:  for the Lord seeth not as a man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."  

The Lord revealed this to the prophet Joseph Smith:

Doctrine and Covenants 1: 38 "Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.  What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.  For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever.  Amen."  

It is my invitation to all who feel discontented on this subject, whether a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or not, to try the words of the Lord for yourself.  Take that leap of faith in following the words of the prophets to see if they are of God.  Pray and ask Heavenly Father if it be right, and good, or of Him.

As far as I understand John Chapter 7, it talks about people going to a feast which apparently Jesus was invited to.  Before he came the Jews where looking for him and asking where he was.  While they were waiting people started talking about him behind his back.  Some said Jesus was a good man, others said he deceives people.  It says that "out of the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught"  The Jews wondered how he could be so smart without having really learned (perhaps this pertained to some form of secular learning at the time)  and this was Jesus' reply:

John 7: 17 "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.  If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether  I speak of myself."

My point in sharing that story is that similar arguments happened clear back when Jesus was on the earth, as they do now.  Although the subject is not specifically ordain women in the bible these men, in essence, were doing the same thing by questioning Christ's authority.   Jesus Christ's response still applies today.

Thank you for sharing in my thoughts.

"Those Crazy Mormons Convention!"

Okay, all my LDS Homies!  I have something to say regarding conference.  My comments are not that it's good to watch conference, because I think that goes without being said.  The word of the Lord spoken to us by a prophet today?  Modern revelation to help us through our live in these current days?  Knowledge poured out to us from Heaven regarding the most imminently important subject that we are currently facing, because the Lord knows we are currently facing them?  I mean, who would want to miss that?

Link to apostle's admonition about the upcoming conference.



What I'm hoping is that you will ponder with me for a moment about the space of time following the final "amen" of a conference session.  Be it the end of the women's conference, the first session on saturday, or the last session on Sunday.  How are we behaving immediately after these sessions.  What are our actions as we leave the conference center.

Look at all those thousands of people.  Just look at them!  You are sitting there thinking, "Oh man, traffic is going to be a nightmare after this!"  or "My son keeps whispering to me how he's 'starving'.  By the time I get to my reservation at applebees they better seat us immediately!"  

Perhaps it would do us well to analyze these thoughts and how we may then act 'less than Christlike' as we leave the conference center if we are feeling anxious about food or travel.

But, what is that showing about the church?

Did those last two, four or six hours of conference give us a way to rise above these human, natural tendencies?  Well, if the answer is yes then I would invite us all to behave accordingly.  The reasons are one: #1 You are a disciple of Jesus Christ.  #2. People are watching you.

Let's look at this from another perspective.  Imagine, I am a waitress named Jessica, at a restaurant near the conference center.  I am a non-denominational Christian.  My co-worker, Linda, who is a lesbian and Catholic, turns to me and says, "So, remember it's conference in 3 days!"  with an exasperated sigh.  I, Jesicca, am suddenly filled with anxiety, "Oh no!  Those crazy mormons are always so demanding.  You know last time I was waiting a table of mormons after conference.  They came in all fancy, with their nice clothes on, and I swear they think that because they came to this 'convention thing', they are something extra special.  This family made reservations but we were backed up and they had to wait a half hour.  The dad was complaining to me for a solid 10 minutes about how they should have a table since they made reservations."

Linda responds, "I know right!?  Last time I waited some guy after that mormon convention.  He told me he was glad I wasn't one of those 'rainbow gay waiters'.  I was like, 'well I'm lesbian, so you have a problem with that?"

There are non-members all over Salt Lake.  As much as we may wish to believe that Salt Lake City is the mecca of mormons, and that we are all of one mind and one heart, this is not so.  But I will tell you one thing, everyone in Salt Lake city, whether religious, atheist, gay, lesbian, or whatever walk of life they are in, all want to be loved.  All people have an innate desire for care, patience and understanding.  Is this not what our prophets are telling us to have more of?

I believe it is extremely important that we watch our actions.  Always remember who we are and live as examples.  There is something different, however, about this special time of conference.  Those who are not LDS know who the LDS people are.  The LDS people come in armies and throngs on a specific weekend, every six months.  They wear suits and ties, dresses and skirts.  Many times, all these non-members know about mormons is how they act after conference.  That is it!  Think of the impact of the short interactions we have with all those around us who just so happen to know one thing about us, that we are mormon!  Are we reflecting what we are really about?  Are we showing them evidence of the things we were just taught by our actions, which is Christ-like love, having an eye single to the Glory of God, patience and understanding for all mankind, and service?

Some applicable words by President Thomas S. Monson, the prophet of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints.  "Paul's words are applicable to each of us: "Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  .. Neglect not the gift that is in thee.  .. Meditate upon these things."  

If you are not Mormon and are reading this message, I hope you will have patience with us mormons.  Know that we truly are trying to do our best.  We may say some things or do some things that don't reflect our beliefs perfectly, and I ask for your forgiveness in that.  I pray that you may be able to look past what faults we may have and come and see for yourself what this 'convention' is really about. In all truthfulness, the messages that are shared are incredible and inspired. The kind of messages that bring peace and a sense of wholeness and love. They are messages with the ultimate goal of bringing 'souls unto Christ.'

Comment. Follow.  Ask questions.  Smile.  :)  If you wish.

Rhythmic Beauty

There is a rhythmic beauty in the universe that all begins with God. 

A song named "Spiders Web" - By Katie Melua is an intriguing song to me.  The way I see it, she says it is hard for us to know what is right and wrong, and that right and wrong can seem very close to each other.  My favorite line from this song is:

“The piano keys are black and white, but they sound like a million colors in your mind.”

This really illustrates how perception can change everything, and what may seem simple at first can really be something very intricate.   I also think that it means that we can look at something one way, and think that we have all the information we need to determine what is really going on, but in reality there is a whole other dimension to what we are looking at.  

I would like to delve, for a moment, into this "other dimension".  The dimension of thought.  The dimension of who we are and why we are what we are.  The dimension that is all things real which we cannot see, which are the most important realities for life.  

Ponder with me for a moment:

 Why is it disturbing to hear piano keys being banged?  Why is it teeth grinding-ly uncomfortable to hear screeching, or think of a tortured person?  Why is it unnerving to be in a pitch black room, with no knowledge of what is in the room, and nothing but the clothes you are wearing to hold on to?

Why does it disturb us when hate invades us?  Why do we then, so often desire retaliation for such invasions? Why does something within us seem to say that there is a better way to resolve conflict?  

Why does the sound of a sobbing child seem to cause an instinct reaction, within us, of dis-ease wanting to stop the crying, either out of frustration or out of love?  

How can our hearts be broken?  How is this humanly possible?

What makes bad things bad?

The answer is the same for the following questions,

Why does a sweet melody always seem to sooth the soul?

Why does the sound of soft wind, running effortlessly through your hair, send a chill of pleasure down your spine?

Why does walking toward a gorgeously sun lit path, leading you to someone you love, give such  a sense of security and hope?

Why is it that when someone does something kind or generous for you, in a time of great need, it is so natural to react with a heart full of gratitude?

Why is it that when we embrace a child who is crying, giving them all the healing love we can find within us, why then do we have such a blessed feeling inside as we know that our tender influenced touched the child and soothed their tears?  

How can our hearts be in love?  How are they capable of loving?  How is this actually possible?  

What is the answer to all these questions?  

They are all the same answer: Because of God.

Because God exists.

Because God exists these things are so.  

We feel, because God exists.

We experience these things because we are human, and we are only human because God is God. 

Much like a child starts to obtain similar characteristics to his parents, (perhaps he has his mother’s laugh, and his dad's sense of logic) we all have characteristics of God.  Whether we believe in him, or of him, or deny him completely, we cannot escape this reality.  We are his children.  These "instincts" are simply human, but also inhuman.  They are man and God.  They are man's experience entwined with who we really are, God’s literal offspring.   And why do we have a human experience? Because of God.

Alma 30:44

"... Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempts your God?  Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets?  The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God;  yeah, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator"

I also witness, that there is a Supreme Creator. 

Thank you for reading, and sharing in my flow of thought.  :)  

Do you have time to read this?

Perhaps you 'don't have time' to read this.  Perhaps you have much to do.  I must say however that if you feel you don't have time, this post may be just for you.  What I have to say may be considered bold, but my hope is that ultimately you can walk away feeling inspired, and having an increased desire to use 'your' time to it's fullest. 

That being said, I'll jump right in to the deep end.

How selfish it is, I feel, to say "I don't have time".  How selfish it seems to me, to utter such a phrase, with how much time that is allotted to us of our great and giving God.  I feel that at it's core, the saying is lacking in gratitude. 

Perhaps, selfishness and ingratitude was never the intended interpretation when using this little phrase.  In fact, I am positive most have no such intentions. Especially whereas the phrase "I don't have time" is so often tossed around like a bean bag, like a game, like an accomplishment! 

Let us not wear the badge of "not having enough time" for it isn't worthy of honor.  The phrase, in my opinion, is disruptive and ungrateful, it is selfish and unkind.  Especially when the object of ones not having time is being generated from ones lack of giving time to another human being, and even heavier, someone we love. 

You and I have time.  We have all the time which is allotted to us that anyone else has.  Every moment is your time, only because God gave it to you, and he can just as easily take it away. 

I think of the time allotted to me as a block of stone or clay, which can me molded, chiseled, shaped or formed into something like 'The Pieta'.

 

"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free" - michelangelo

Or, I can leave it as an unformed block which is both unattractive and stagnant.   If I chisel away hurriedly I risk highly chipping off incorrectly and destroying much of the piece .. leaving it frangmented and incomplete.

If I say I don't have enough clay, then I will never see it's full potential and beauty.

If I say I have all that i Need and love it, I will make it my own, I will make it beautiful.  If I rejoice in it, then it can become womething inspiring, glorious and influential to others.

Let us pray to sculpt out time wisely and with a mind to ultimately please God therein.

2 Nephi 28: 30 "FOr behold, thus sayith the Lord God; I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little;  and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom;  for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, we have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have."

If you are interested, I was thinking of this talk, in conjuction with the things I have shared:  "Of Regrets and Resolutions"    BY PRESIDENT DIETER F. UCHTDORF

Thank you for sharing in these thoughts with me.  I'd love to hear yours, your input, your voice.  Feel free to hsare your blog with me also if you would like, in the comments below.

When I am Rich, I will be Happy!

When I graduate from college, my life will be so much better... and easier!  Oh man, I just need to be in a relationship, then I will be content.  I can't wait until I am just working in my dream job.  That won't be for another three years, what am I even going to do until then?  Just wait, I guess.  Pay my dues.  I'm sick of where I am.  I need to get out, and just be done so I can get on with my life.  If only I wasn't stuck in this rut, can't wait until it's over!  It seems like everyone else just has it easier than me.

Hmm... really?

I think if we take a hard look at all these statements, we at least somewhat instinctively realize that there is great fault therein.  But how often do we think such thoughts?  How natural it is to feel that our present circumstance is not good enough, or that it can always be improved from it's current condition.  How often do we find ourselves ill-contended, wishing we were something, somewhere, or in some time which we are not.  And why is that?

Important side-note: Hope is something we musn't neglect here.  Hope brings us forward, allows us look to the future, lifts our spirits, and enlightens our minds.  Hope accomplishes these things, as long as our hope is pure.  Sure, it's a beautiful thing to hope for any and all grandiose dreams, which our very creative minds may be so inclined to invent.   Please, don't mistake me.  Dreaming of ones own growth in character, of future success' and excitements, and even of happiness, in its beautiful simplicity, is to be encouraged on every hand. Let us continue to fill ourselves with hope!  Even in and for those purest of intentions.

So, there is the root. The crux.  What is the intention of this hope? Is your hope rooted in self pity, or sorrow? What can we conclude from this?  I conclude, that a hope grounded in discontentment, for current circumstances, is a hope lost.  Indeed, it is a hope tainted by it's type of feeling.

I wish to share something which may be a surprising concept to you.  That is, that these times in life where we have inclination to resist, are the very times we are shaped and molded into who we really are and who we will become.  For that reason I praise my God for discomfort, for weakness, for sadness, for trial.

This poem came to me recently. I felt liberated as these words filled my heart.

Perspective

I began to really love the flowers, in the winter
That's when they mattered to me.
I began to care about their welfare
When frost and ice roamed free
Engulfing the colors, and swallowing sun
That was when my love begun.

I really learned appreciation
Of all the things I had
When taken by the hands of scorn
I found reason to be glad.
I sang of redemption then, old things renew
And that - was when the flowers grew.

Thorns, bands, chains, and cold
You'd think my fulmination
But I say to you this day
In my humble observation,
Condemn me, oh the darkness cannot do!
These chains were where my freedom grew.

----By Debrah Galloway

Will I be happy when I have money, or that dream career? Will I be more content in a month, a year, in 10 years, or after I die? We must learn to have joy, right now!  To fill our hearts with peace in this very moment.

"Lift up your head and be of good cheer .." - 3 Nephi 1:13

One last thing.  It has recently been impressed upon me, how to receive beautiful and instant joy. What seems to bring me the quickest bit of happiness, is to fill my mind and heart with gratitude.

Think now.  Make a list of 30 things you are grateful for.  Or keep a gratitude journal/notebook. Add one thing new, to it, each day.  Or catch yourself in a moment of stress, and just stop for ten seconds (everyone can spare ten seconds). As you take that moment to stop, think of one thing you are grateful for.  Actually, don't just think of what your are grateful for either ... feel what you are grateful for.

"Find a place inside where there is joy, and the joy will burn out the pain."  - Joseph Campbell

"We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves." - Buddha

" ..men are, that they might have joy" - 2 nephi 2:25

Thank you for sharing in this flow of thought with me.

If you feel so inclined, you may follow me, or 'like' me.  But don't stalk me, that would just be weird!

Please share your stories with me.  I would love to hear about times in your life you have been strengthened or changed for good by hard times.  I would love to hear times you learned to laugh and smile when you could have cried (not that crying is bad).

If you have a blog please share the address below. I would love to check it out!  

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/joy.html ; http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/1.13?lang=eng#12 ; pictures are linked to their original content for acknowledgement.

Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother - Exodus 20:12

I would like to share some thoughts on a topic which I feel is quite often forgotten.  Question: Can you imagine what it would be like in this world if everyone honored their parents?

Now, i'm sure many of you are thinking, 'how can I honor my parents when they have no right to be honored?'  Perhaps you feel they have done nothing to merit even the insinuation of honor.  Unfortunately, the rates of abuse, alcohol use in the home, divorce, and just plain 'being mean', is rather high in homes across America.  I'm sure the rates of some form of abuse, in the home, are despicably high if we looked at the numbers across the globe!

I do not wish to dwell on these sad subjects, I wish only to acknowledge them as I am aware that I am addressing several persons who have been victimized.  In this regard I offer my love and support in your ultimate growth.  I offer my love and support that one day, perhaps, or strewn throughout your life, you can make sense of all those misfortunes that happened.  Whether it be through professional counseling, or friends, or other family members.  Even though I may not know you, I love you and I pray for you.

Again I ask, can you imagine a world where all people honored their parents?  Can you imagine what it would be like?

What does it mean to honor?  Google definition says: noun "high respect, esteem", "A privilege", verb "regard with great respect, 'Fulfill (an obligation) or keep (an agreement).'

So how can we do this in our various forms of being raised?

I propose these 4 ways:

1. You are alive.  You wouldn't even be here if it weren't for your parents!  No matter who they are, where they came from or what they have done in this life, your parents brought you into this world and that is something to honor and have great thanks for.  Your very existence depends greatly on them.  Your breath from day to day, your beating heart, your brain, although created by God, were facilitated by your parents who gave you an opportunity to be alive!  If you cannot muster any other reason than that, let that be your blessed reason.

2. Honor whatever good they have done.  When we focus on what is good, the good expands.  My parents taught me what love is.  They taught me what support is, by their example.  My mother and father have great talents which I look up to and aspire to emulate.  My invitation to you is to focus on the good your parents do and have done.  Notice their smiles.  Notice their concern for you, even if it doesn't come out exactly like you think it should.  Notice their accomplishments, great or small.  By so focusing our energy in this way, we have a greater capacity to let go of those things we may wish were not so.  This focus helps us to move forward, and upward.

3. Honor your parents by improving yourself.  Live up to your potential.  I don't believe anything creates greater joy in the life of a mother or father than to see their child succeed, or accomplish those things which they, for whatever reason, never did.  A latin proverb I have always loved states, "A wise man learns by the mistakes of others, A fool by his own".  I say I love the quote but I would rephrase it just a bit (as I don't feel you are a fool to learn from your mistakes). I would change it to say, "A wise man learns solely from his own mistakes, a wiser man learns by the mistakes of others also." The point I'm making here is .. so your parents messed up bad?  So? Learn from it.  Improve yourself.  You have been given a good example, or a bad example, great!  What a wonderful thing.  What a blessing it is to be given both good and bad examples.  How can we grow from these situations? How can we come out on top? A good friend of mine says as he looks back on 'misfortunate' events in his life, "It happened for me, not to me."  How can we be filled with gratitude?  Which brings me to my next point.

4. Fill yourself with gratitude towards your parents.  This statement is all encompassing of the first 3 I mentioned.  Be grateful you are alive through them, be grateful for the good they have done, the sacrifices they make for you.  Even be grateful for the bad choices they made, to give you an example of something to grow from.  Be grateful you are here on this earth through the means of your parents giving you the very opportunity to learn and to grow!

I just want to say how grateful I am for my parents. They truly have sacrificed so much for me.  They still do, even though I'm 'all grown up' (so to speak, haha)!  They have taught me the important things in life to value.  They have taught me how to live, love and give.  I know they were not perfect (as no parent is) and therefore I seek to learn from the mistakes they have made and improve myself daily, while being grateful that they even made those mistakes for me to learn from.

Thank you mom and dad!

I hope that I can ever improve my ability to honor more greatly my beloved parents.

So, back to my original question.  What would the world be like if we all honored our Fathers and Mothers?  Well, I imagine that there would be much less if even no crime at all.  I envision a much more peaceful place.  A place where generation after generation would actually grow and improve off of it's previous generation.  I imagine that in a short span of time this whole earth would be a more peaceful place.

We cannot change the world alone but we can change our lives, and one life can have a much more powerful, far reaching, effect than you may ever know.  I think Mother Teresa said this best:

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” ―Mother Teresa

I'd love to know your thoughts or questions.  If you have any more suggestions of what has helped you to honor your parents more, comment below, or send me an email: debzdeb2@live.com

"The love of parents for their children and children for their parents is one of the strongest influences for good in the world"

http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/838305.Mother_Teresa

https://www.lds.org/manual/preparing-for-exaltation-teachers-manual/lesson-42-honor-thy-father-and-thy-mother?lang=eng

https://www.google.com/#q=honor+definition

"Be the change you wish you see in the world." -Gandhi

"Be the change you wish you see in the world." -Gandhi

Okay.  I gave in.  At the suggestion of some dear sweet friends and family, I am now officially making a blog.  The purpose of this blog is to share any thoughts, inspiration and light that comes to me which I feel so inspired to share with the world.  I believe that we each have a special role in life.  We each have power and we each have choice.  The power we have comes from the power of our choice.    "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.."  (Joshua 24:15)  I hope to share some of the light and knowledge that I have been blessed with and seek to ever improve.  God bless, and enjoy!