Count Your Blessings, Name Them One By One

Today I was reading a post from my friend Melanie. She was talking about how sometimes we get down on ourselves and want to have a pity party. She shared a quote from the book Tuesdays with Morrie that lets us know that it is okay to cry, but we also need to remember that we are blessed:

"I give myself a good cry if I need it. But then I concentrate on the good things still in my life. I don't allow myself any more self-pity than that. A little each every morning, a few tears, and that's all. "

It got me thinking of how many times I've been down about life and just lingered on the lame feeling instead of counting my blessings. I felt lame for quite awhile. Other times I have just tried to hold it all in, trying to be strong and not show emotion. Yeah, that didn't work. It just made my outburst worse later. I like this quote because it shows me that I need to find a balance between acknowledging+processing my negative emotions and being able to think of the good things in my life.

Earlier this week, I was having a pity party. I felt lame and worthless. I felt like I couldn't stop. It was scary. Then I got the thought to read my patriarchal blessing. I read through it the first, then I got the thought to circle everytime a form of the word "bless" was used. I was surprised by how many times the word was used, and overwhelmed with the love Heavenly Father has for me. After that, I said a prayer and thanked the Father for as many of my blessings as I could think of. I felt so much better, much more grateful, more closer to Father when I was done. I am grateful that I was able to have this experience to remind me how blessed I really am.

Here are but a few of the many blessings I have:

The knowledge of Heavenly Father and Christ's love for me, and God's plan for me

Christ's Atonement

Prophets, Apostles, and other church leaders

The scriptures

My patriarchal blessing

The hymns and church-related music

The beauty of the earth

The temple

Mi familia

My wonderful crazy friends

The Fairbanks 4th Branch

My home and visiting teachers

Institute

My house

A job

Food

Transportation

Health

Word of Wisdom

Music

Good books

Dancing

Fun activities

Cameras to capture memories

School

Clothes

and many more blessings!

Por Favor....

We're going on the temple trip this weekend and we'll be stopping at an LDS bookstore. Here's some things I wouldn't mind getting:

http://deseretbook.com/item/5025397/The_Ties_That_Bind

http://deseretbook.com/item/4933036/_Til_the_Boys_Come_Home_A_World_War_I_Novel

http://deseretbook.com/item/5039816/He_Knows_You

http://deseretbook.com/item/4964366/White_Dresses

http://deseretbook.com/item/4505373/Daughter_of_a_King

http://deseretbook.com/item/5041096/The_Remarkable_Soul_of_a_Woman

http://deseretbook.com/item/374676/Saturday_s_Warrior_Score_

http://deseretbook.com/item/5042469/Spring_Tote

Grateful...

I love my mom. She's taken care of me, loved me, taught me, put up with me.... as well as my brothers and sisters. She rocks. She's amazing. I am so grateful for her.

A New Chapter

Last night was the last Institute Class that Brother Richardson taught in Alaska. I'll miss him. He's been a great teacher. But now the Hardy's will teach. And then a new missionary couple. It'll be interesting to see what they bring to the class. Although it's hard to see him go, I am excited for what lies in store.

Last night reminded me that so many changes happen in life. And you just learn to roll with whatever God sends. God knows what we need in our lifes. He knows what we are capable of, what we need to grow, who we need to help us, who we need to help. He knows all.

A lot of my friends are going different places in life. It happens every year. Friends get married, friends move. Life goes on. I used to be freaked out that all this stuff is going on, but I realized that instead of just sitting around, worrying about everyone, I should be working on being who God wants me to be, what He wants me to do, who He wants me to serve, how He wants me to live. I have so much more confidence knowing that God is behind me 100 %. And that I have a wonderful family and so many great friends. I am definitely looking forward to this summer, all of the change and adventure that lies ahead.