Great Quote
I have this quote, but I'm not sure how the author is.
It says "Christ is the center of our home, A guest at every meal, A silent listener to Every conversation."
If you really ponder this quote, it will change your life, it has mine.
Yoda
"Judge me by my size, do you"-yoda.
Yoda was a short old green guy, but he was one of the wisest jedis ever.
Yoda gives us advice that we should all take to heart. We should all remember that even though we are small or that our circumstances aren't the greatest we can still accomplish great things.
Yoda also said "Do or do not, there is no try". This statement shows us that we can't give up. Because if we keep giving up, we will never succeed.
Yoda can provide us with a lot of strength. We should learn from him.
May the Force Be With You!!!!
In true to the Faith on pages 79-80 it talks about optimism.
It says:
Heavenly Father desires that we find true, lasting happiness. Everything He gives us is designed to bring us happiness.
You will find peaceful, eternal happiness as you strive to keep the commandments.
Pray for strength
Repent
Wholesome activities
Meaningful service
This is a great formula for creating happiness.
If everyone were a little happier our society would be one of the strongest around.
Facebook can be a great way to share information with others:
This week I have heard two different quotes
1. Tough times will go away, but tough people won't.
2. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.
Both of these quotes talk about strength and encouragement which I think is so important to have in today's world.
Linda Lingle
But before looking to the future, let's glance back at the road we've traveled these past two years because that is the source of much of the optimism we are all feeling about the future. -Linda Lingle
Robin Williams
Comedy is acting out optimism.
Robin Williams
The Book of Mormon
In The Book of Mormon, in Moroni chapter 7 we read:
"But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and love God, and serve him, is inspired of God."
I feel strongly that if we as humans could take that verse to heart, we would be made stronger and be able to positively influence others for good!!
Gratitude
"If ingratitude is among the most serious sin, then gratitude takes its place among the most noblest of virtues".-President Monson
Ingratitude is becoming more and more common in our society. In today's world we (especially the younger generation) want to do everything ourselves, or we don't want to recognize that we had help in something.
But, sometimes I think we waste more energy and cause more anger when we don't take the time to say "Thank you or That means so much to me".
I fall in to this trap too, but the fact is thanking someone for what they did or showing your thankfulness in anyway, usually brings personal reassurance to those who received the compliment that they are appreciated and loved. It also becomes a personal strength to you, it helps build you up so you can help build others up.
Gratitude can be shown in many ways. It can be shown through: Hugs, tears, smiles, pats on the back, comforting words, service, helping out around the house, loving gifts, and many more ways.
Gratitude is so easy and it comes in many forms, but it also takes work and concentration. Gratitude takes thought, it takes careful observance and the ability to know when you need to give it out.
Gratitude is personal, but we all need and desire it. By being grateful we can show each other we care about them and want them to succeed. We can show that we are willing to do our part and that we are willing to give credit where credit is due.
By showing gratitude in any form we can strengthen our lives personally, the lives of our families, the lives of our friends, the lives of our neighbors, the lives of those in our communities, and eventual the lives of those in the world.
More Gratitude
Elder L. Tom Perry taught that "When we kneel in family prayer, let us teach our children to express gratitude unto the Lord for His many blessings unto us."
If we want to save this world, we need to teach our children how to express gratitude for every blessing we receive.
No one is entitled to anything and we need to remember that and give thanks for all we have.
In my opinion, one of the quickest ways to destruction is to be ungrateful. By teaching the next generation how important it is to give gratitude for all we have, we can save our society.
Faith
In the Book of Mormon Alma 32:21 it says that "faith is hope for things not seen."
In the Bible in Hebrews 11:1 it says "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen."
In the American Heritage Dictionary it defines faith as a "Confident belief or trust in a person, idea, or thing."
A few quotes from unknown authors say:
"Faith is a principle of power."
"Fear show a lack of faith and trust in the Lord."
"Faith is assurance and confidence."
"Faith is trusting in the Lord without knowing the consequences."
President Joseph Smith said "Faith is a principle of action."
Elder Richard G. Scott said "This life is an experience of trust."
Faith is all those things: it is a principle of action, a principle of power, an assurance, a hope, and many more things. Because it's a principle of action, it requires work.
I think in order to have faith in someone or something you first need to learn about that person or that subject.
Faith is essentially Belief plus Action. Let's use an example given in the Book of Mormon in Alma 32 to illustrate this point. Alma compares the Word of God to a seed and tells us we need faith in order for the Word of God to increase.
Cooking is much the same way, it's easy for anyone to cook or to say they cook. It's also easy for someone to say they believe in God, but just like in cooking in order to become better you need to practice and to learn all you can about which foods go best together, then you are confident or have faith in your ability to cook.
In the same way, in order to have faith in God or whatever you want to gain faith in. You need to learn all you can about that person or subject and continue learning about that person or subject.
The more you learn and practice what you learn. The more faith you will have and the stronger you will become. For example, the more someone learns about driving, the better and safer they'll become at driving, and the better they'll make their community.
If each of us just had a little more faith in all we do, we would become better citzens, friends, neighbors, and individuals.
More Faith
In the book True to the Faith it talks about faith on pages 54-55.
It says "Whenever you work toward a worthy goal, you exercise faith. You show hope for something you cannot yet see."
It continues "You exercise faith through the way you live. Your faith can lead you to do good works. Your faith can help you overcome temptation."
It concludes by explaining that "You must nurture your faith to keep it strong. If you exercise it, it will grow stronger. You can nurture your faith by praying to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ, keeping the commandments, studying the scriptures and the words of the latter-day prophets."
I think this is one of the best explanations of faith and how we gain more of it. If we stop using faith in our lives we will loose it.
Faith is like a muscle or even better a spiritual muscle, if it just sits there it can't grow or help us become better person. But, if we continue to use it and strengthen it, it will grow and we will be able to serve in a better way.
Faith is a principle of righteousness and the sooner we learn how to use it and strengthen it the sooner we can have a greater positive influence in this world.
Faith Building
Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley-Like a polar star in the heavens . . . there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. . . He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith. In sunshine or in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us.
This quote is so simple, but so profound.
Besides faith, this quote helps us understand that everything on earth testifies of God and His divinity.
If we remember that and start asking ourselves what everything around us has to do with God?
We will gain more power to combat evil and help others.
Happy Thoughts
The unknown author or authors said:
"To win the battle on both fronts you can't be your own worst enemy".
"We choose what influences affect us".
"The Lord expects us to be happy".
"His (the Lord's) paycheck is our happiness".
President Spencer W. Kimball said:
"God is the happiest of all beings".
These quotes are telling us that we are meant to be happy at all times, but it's our choice. We choose what we do everyday, where we go everyday, and who we meet or hang out with everyday.
In my opinion optimism or the ability to be happy all the time is an attitude or a personal choice. If we choose to be happy we need to think happy and continue thinking happy thoughts.
For example, if you're driving along and thinking about how much you love your family or how you're going to surprise your wife or kids, you are less likely to go mad when someone cuts you off.
Or, if you are walking down the street trying to think of ways to serve those around you, you are more likely to have compassion on the guy who sticks a gun in your back and wants money.
It is a proven fact that thinking positively can help relax your mind and be more focused in school or at work. So, why wouldn't positive thinking help us in all aspects of our lives? Why wouldn't it help us in our interactions with those we meet?
In today's day and age, it is so hard to see the good in the world or to keep thinking positively. But, if we just slow down, take a long walk and look at the flowers, go hiking in the mountains, or just sit outside and look up at the stairs. If we just mediate or ponder about what makes us truly happy, we will be able to change not only our lives but those around us as well.
So, just for fun turn off the TV and the radio and go look at what a beautiful world we have, go visit some old friends, or just sit your loved ones down look into their eyes and tell them how much happiness they bring into your life.
Just like Peter Pan in order to fly and continue flying you need a happy thought!!
Modesty
“Many young women dress and act immodestly because they are told that is what you want”. Elder Scott
"Virtuous young men are attracted to virtuous young women."-Unknown
We can't get through life on our own. We need to help each other.
I think it's only through realizing who we are that we will reach our full potential.
In order to find out who we are we need to respect ourselves and one another.
Part of respecting ourselves involves how we dress. If we truly respect our bodies we need to show it by dressing modestly and encouraging others to dress modestly.
If we all dressed a little more modest we would take away some of the angry in this world, and we would think and act in a more positive way.
As humans we are attracted to the positive things in life, and one of those positive things is modesty.
Obedience
Pres. Ezra Taft Benson-The Lord will increase our knowledge, wisdom, and capacity to obey when we obey His fundamental laws.
What else is there to say then that.
The more we obey, the more we want to obey and the stronger we become physically and spiritually.
Hope
“Hope is realistic anticipation taking the form of determination—a determination not merely to survive but to “endure … well” to the end”- Elder Neal A. Maxwell
Hope is important in our lives. Hope gives us something to look forward to, something to work for.
What we hope for reflects our true desires. In this day and age I think we forget what hope means and how to use it. We need to remember to have hope. Hope brings meaning into your lives.
For example, if you hope to get good grades in school, you have something to work at. Or if you hope to be the best soccer player you can be, then you will have something to look forward to, and work at.
If we all hope for something, our lives will be a lot more productive and exciting.
WIN/WIN
I was reading in a book and I saw this formula that I thought I should pass on.
This chapter was talking about Attitudes.
The Author said we should be aware of FADES and try to avoid them.
He defined FADES as the (Failure to Acquire the Desire for Excellent Service)
He said the symptoms of FADES are:
1. Loss of eye-to-eye contact
2. Disappearing smile
3. Negative verbal communication
4. Negative nonverbal language
5. Me-First attitude
and the cure is to thinks of others and what they need-Dr Litchford
