Parable of the Pencil

My friend shared this on her Facebook page yesterday, and I loved it, so here it is:

Parable of the Pencil

1. You will be able to do great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held by someone higher than you.
2. It is ok to experience a painful sharpening from time to time.
3. The most important part of you will always be what’s on the inside. Be men and women of honor, relying on your inner core values and morals.
4. You will make mistakes. Everyone does. That is why pencils have an eraser.
5. Make your mark. Make a difference wherever you go.

A Beautiful Landscape

‎"Be willing to look at others without judging, projecting, or telling yourself a story about them. Be neutral, as if you were looking at a beautiful landscape. Simply observe and learn."

~Sonia Choquette

Peace Comes Through Hope

"Everybody in this life has their challenges and difficulties. That is part of our mortal test. The reason for some of these trials cannot be readily understood except on the basis of faith and hope because there is often a larger purpose which we do not always understand. Peace comes through hope."

--James E. Faust, "Hope, an Anchor of the Soul", Ensign, Nov 1999, 59

Weakness Into Strength

"We should not be discouraged or depressed by our shortcomings. No one is without weakness. As part of the divine plan, we are tested to see whether we master weakness or let weakness master us. Proper diagnosis is essential to proper treatment. The Lord gave us this remarkable assurance: "Because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong" (Ether 12:37). But wishing for strength won't make us strong. It takes faith and work to shore up a weakened cord of integrity."
--Russell M. Nelson, "Integrity of Heart", Ensign, Aug. 1995, 19

That's Not What Ships Are For

A ship is safe in harbor - but that's not what ships are for.

-John A. Shedd

You Are Here Meaningfully

"Each person comes into this world with a specific destiny--he has something to fulfill, some message has to be delivered, some work has to be completed. You are not here accidentally--you are here meaningfully. There is a purpose behind you."

-Osho

Your Happily Ever After

"In stories, as in life, adversity teaches us things we cannot learn otherwsie".

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

August Visiting Teaching Message

Another genius idea from MishMashMom for Visiting Teaching this month. 30 days to go!
August's message is titled:

A Society of Holy Women

Sister Silvia A. Allred, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency said, "Relief Society helps us increase our faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families, and seek out and help those in need.

The work of Relief Society is holy, and doing holy work creates holiness in us."

I used an 11x5x2 white pillow box, wrapped a 12x2 inch piece of my favorite fabric around it and then some twine, small sticks, and a note that says "If we stick together, we can do great things!" and inside included the message, a yummy ice cream recipe, a glue stick, and some sticks of gum.

If you don't have a pillow box, you could just print the message and tie any variety of sticks to the front with some twine or ribbon...here are some ideas for "sticky" things to tie to the front:

• Actual sticks
• Glue sticks
• Sticks of gum
• Pixie Sticks
• A roll of tape
• Candy sticks {you know like candy canes but different flavors...}
• Stickers
• Chapstick {Thanks, Jenn!}
• Post-it notes
• etc.

Happy Visiting Teaching!

 

I feel so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful, beautiful sisterhood, and am so thankful for the opportunity that I have to be a visiting teacher.

As Bright As Your Faith

“My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.”

-President Thomas S. Monson

(image taken from MishMashMom's blog:)

Defying Circumstances

"In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world"
(John 16:33)

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'‘You Gotta Keep Dancin' is a book by Tim Hansel, who years ago experienced a near-fatal climbing accident that has left him in constant pain. His book tells how he has learned to deal with this pain by distinguishing between happiness and joy. He says, “There is nothing wrong with happiness, it's wonderful. . . . The only problem is that it is based on circumstances, and circumstances have a tendency to shift. Most people who live with chronic pain [or chronic problems] have a hard time being happy. That is to be expected. Although there are moments of laughter, nothing seems to stay.

Joy on the other hand is something which defies circumstances, and occurs in spite of difficult situations. Whereas happiness is a feeling, joy is an attitude”.

We cannot control some of the circumstances that come into our lives and challenge us. What we can control is how we deal with them. President Kimball summarised this idea beautifully.

“One time or another, we all face adversity's chilling wind. One man flees from it, and like an unresisting kite, falls to the ground. Another yields, not retreating an inch, and the wind that would destroy him lifts him as readily to the heights. We are not measured by the trials we meet, only by those we overcome. It all depends [upon] . . . attitudes”

We will never have to suffer any agony equal to that endured by Christ. As Elder Maxwell so insightfully adds:

"Though our trials are tiny compared to [the Savior's], . . . Jesus was of good cheer because then current conditions did not alter His sources of ultimate joy. Are not our fundamental sources of joy the same as His? . . .
"It remains for us, therefore, to be of good cheer even when . . . current circumstances seem hopeless. .. . The unfolding of God's purposes may require the collapse of other things.
"How often is it necessary for dismantling to occur in order for something better to be put in place? [Even As I Am, pp. 100, 101]
(excerpts from "Selective Attitudes and the Happy Life", REX E. AND JANET G. LEE, BYU Speeches, 12 Jan 1993)

Be Thankful

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."

Oprah Winfrey

The Lord Knows Us

“The Lord knows who we really are, what we really think, what we really do, and who we really are becoming.”

David A. Bednar, “Things as They Really Are,” CES fireside for young adults, May 3, 2009

Respect for Ourselves and Others

“Ask yourself these questions: Am I an example of respect in my home by the way I treat those I love the most? What is my demeanor during a sports event? If my child has a disagreement with a teacher, coach, or peer, do I listen to both sides of the issue? Do I show respect for the property of others as well as take care of my own? How do I respond to others with whom I disagree in matters of religion, lifestyle, or politics?


“As parents and leaders exemplify and teach respect for others, we confirm in the hearts of our children that each of us is truly a child of God and all are brothers and sisters through eternity. We will focus on the things we have in common—on the qualities of heart that bind the family of God together, rather than on our differences.”

Margaret S. Lifferth, “Respect and Reverence,” Ensign, May 2009, 11

Service = Love, Love = Service

"We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good edification".
(Romans 15:1-2)

President Heber J. Grant once said, “The real secret of happiness in life . . . is service” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, 15).

Happiness, really is a by-product of helping others. We have been taught that no one ever finds happiness by thinking of his or herself.
A woman came to Elder S. Dilworth Young at a time he was caring for his invalid wife. The woman said, “I am coming to your house every Friday night from six until ten. You can count on it, so plan to . . . find relief for those four hours.” She didn’t say, “What can I do to help you?” because she knew President Young would say, “I’m handling everything just fine.” But rather, she decided what would be helpful and took action. President Young later commented about this experience: “How blessed she was to me. How good! She blessed both me and my wife with new cheer, new smiles, and new ideas”
(The Love That Never Faileth, Barbara B. Smith,p. 21).
Lastly, Shakespeare wrote: “He does not love, who does not show his love”. Let us look after and love one another.