Faith vs. Worry

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Remember this. I need to remember this. Worry is on the adversary's side of the line not the Savior's. So for today, I choose not to worry. I choose faith. Because faith in him is what will produce amazing results--NOT worry.

Why is it we struggle so often with worry? There's no need. Like my Mom always used to say to say to me growing up: "Worry is like a rocking chair: it uses up a lot of energy, but gets you nowhere." (or something like that).

The Savior has overcome the world. And He lives to help us through every trial we face. Why not choose to push aside the worry trap we so easily fall into, and choose instead the freedom of faith in Jesus Christ? He will help us. And everything will work out for our ultimate good. Of this I know.

Your Happy Challenge for today is to try it and see for yourself. Every single time a worry crosses your mind today, say, "Fear/worry, you do not serve me. I am filled with too much faith and light for you to bother me. You go have a nice day!" And then replace with a scripture or quote that comforts your soul. One of my favorites is: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)

What scriptures or quotes do you use? What is your experience of pushing out worry and filling your mind with faith?

Accept.

When happiness drifts just out of reach, there is always a culprit.  I identified one the other day.

Comparing.

Nothing new.  Or fancy.  Nothing novel or earth-shattering.  Just plain-old-caught-up-in-the-cycle-of-feeling-sorry-for-yourself-comparing.

And it's really hard to stop that downward spiral once it's started.

The trick is to flood those comparisons with a torrent of acceptances.  And while in theory, it's a revolutionary idea, I'm still working on the execution of something so simplistically simple.

In truth, we are all flawed and yet we all have glowing strengths as well.  So, instead of hi-jacking happiness with the comparison culprit, we need to accept ourselves just as we are.

Isn't that what our Father in Heaven does for us?  He accepts and loves us, and yet at the same time, inspires us onward, upward, and in a steady course set for the higher path?

So, on a notecard [which is absolutely the handiest and most essential note-taking tool in my opinion {but you may also substitute any scratch paper, sticky note, journal, or drawing pad...}] list out your strengths.  It might help to get a trusted loved one's opinion about what your core strengths are, seeing as we sometimes have a hard time identifying just what they are.

A Few from my List:
*Love of my Savior, the gospel, and all things spiritual
*Sincere desire to do and be good
*Forever Analytical, and prone to pondering and deep thinking
*Enthusiastic loving of my little children
*Brimming with creativity and passion for a host of hobbies/talents
*Love of reading and all good and inspiring books
*Photography

Next, take a second notecard and record a list of what you can accept about yourself.  This isn't an excuse list for our favorite sins or bad habits.  It's an honest look at who we are, and a sigh of relief for keeping that pesky perfectionism in check.  It doesn't mean we can't change or progress; it's simply way of taking a deep breath, saying, "This is who I am, and that's okay for now."  In all reality, every time I give myself permission to love myself as I am, I ALWAYS automatically want to try harder to be better.  And this is the beauty of acceptance.

A Few from my List:
~I accept that I don't (and can't) know everything about the future and that's okay.  Faith is key here.
~I accept that I am unconfident in just about everything...it's okay that I have a hard time in this area.  I will learn someday how to master this area because I am seeking.
~I accept that I am slow to decorate...The empty spaces overwhelm me, but I need to accept that I need time to find all the right pieces for all the right places.
~I accept my cooking...it's small and simple right now.  Everything is always homemade and healthy (and I think delicious)---but it's hardly a candidate for a table on the cover of Taste of Home.  And that's okay.  I have little ones now and so simplicity is the essence of everything we embrace.  It's all about Comfort Food and comforting hearts.
~I accept that I don't know yet if I'll have a large or a smallish family.  My physical, emotional, and financial capacity is yet to be determined and I'm okay with living life with my three little ones as if our family is complete.  And if the feeling comes that another little one needs to join us, I'll know.
~I accept that I have some health problems and probably always will.

Will you accept the challenge to accept yourself?

Keep your cards and read over them when you're happy, and even more when that comparison culprit comes sneaking around your quiet corners.

Feel the love of a loving Father, and allow yourself to love yourself.

Choose Your Pick.

How will you choose to be happy today??

Happy Challenges

It's Monday again.  Which means, it's time for happy challenges.  This week I'm posting seven--seven choices, one for each day.  You choose which challenges to do on which days, but commit to do each one of these sometime this week.

Perhaps it will boost our happiness levels a little??

1. Do just one thing that has long been on your "procrastination list."  Feel the joy and the lift that comes from checking off or scribbling out that burden!

2. For today, choose to enjoy the moment rather than be efficiently productive each moment.  Then watch your joy grow!

3. Indulge in one simple pleasure for yourself.  We all have small and simple things that make us happy.  Choose one today and just do it!

4.  Think of someone who could use a little extra love today. Whether it be a call, a text, a letter, email, a meal, a visit, a service, a gift, a little extra cash, whatever that special person needs, give it wholeheartedly.

5.  Pick your favorite form of movement (jogging, walking, yoga, dancing, sports, etc.) and do it for 5-10 minutes today.  Don't overwhelm yourself with feeling like you need to engage for hours, or even a half hour.  Just for today, move for enjoyment.

6.  Write out a list of 10 positive character traits that you see in yourself.  If you can't think of any, ask trusted family or friends for what they see in you.  Keep this list by your bed and read it every night for a week.

7.  Try something new!  Whether it is tasting a new food, visiting a new place, developing a new interest, or just doing something completely different than you usually do.


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Happy Challenges.

Monday brings a new week and a fresh start to developing a good and happy character.  I could barely drag myself out of bed this morning with how tired I was feeling.  Perhaps, I should embrace this lazy summer day and just be happy. Especially with the small and simple.

Happy Challenges:

*Walk outside and let the summer morning air refresh and invigorate you.

*Pray for a loved one throughout the day, or for the fires, firefighters, and those whose lives have been adversely affected by the wildfires.

*Dream up your next family vacation with all of the beautiful details.

*Write a letter to someone you love or admire with an I Love You or your favorite scripture (a little idea from my son...what he's been doing this morning)

*Be a good mom.  Make cookies. (Another idea from my son :)

*Eat a slow and savory breakfast.

*Forgive someone who has hurt you.

*Have a spiritual lesson with your little ones or other loved ones and share your testimony of truth. 

Storytelling

I've always admired those wonderful people who could make up stories in their heads, and tell them to their children with adventure and thrilling action.  I've tried.  For a long while, Little Bear's bedtime stories consisted of a little frog named Rupert who did exciting things.  I think he loved them, but after a few months, my creative juices ran dry and I didn't have any more stories about Rupert left.

It has been two or three years since I've attempted to be a storyteller, but yesterday at snack time I tried again.  Our story started with King Romeo, Queen Juliet, and Prince Fabio.  Episode 1 ended with an action-packed bear attack, and today they will find out the exciting next chapter.  I promised them that every day at snack time we would continue the story.  They were sad yesterday when the story ended, but they are readily anticipating today's snack time after their nap.  They even tried to talk me into storytelling at lunch.  I wanted to keep the snack time tradition, but I agreed to tell them a story from when I was little instead.

I hope this becomes a treasured tradition.

Happy Challenge:

Stories have the ability to transport us to new lands and live adventures safely from the comfort of our own homes.  Is there a little one in your life with whom you could begin storytelling?  There's just something magical about watching a child's eyes dance with wonder as you spin for them tales of glory....

Line Upon Line

Yesterday during my scripture study, I read a verse that has always been a favorite, but really spoke to me this time.  2 Nephi 28:30--

For behold, thus saith 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 I wondered what line He would give me today, what precept He would bestow. 

Later in the day, His counsel came.  I have been struggling a bit with Little Bug who just loves Miss Muffin so much that he can't leave her alone.  He hugs her and kisses her and squeezes just a little too hard.  He just doesn't quite understand that because she is a baby he must treat her differently.  Every time he gets near, she starts to cry and I spend the next ten minutes trying to separate them, usually to no avail.

Well yesterday was no different.  I was playing referee and prayed to know what the Father would have me do.  After all, He knows more about how to reach my little ones' hearts than I could ever hope to.  The answer came.  I sat Little Bug on my lap and explained to him how he must be ever so gentle with his little sister.  This part was not new; the teaching is ingrained daily.  But this time I added that his little sister is somewhat scared of him and we role-played different ways to be gentle.  I explained that she will love him and be so excited to see him if he is soft and gentle.  He seemed to understand to the best of his 3-year-old ability.  And for the rest of the day, every time he would approach Muffin, I would utter a small reminder, "Remember to be soft so she will love you."  And he was. At least, much more than usual.

It was a line upon line, precept upon precept moment for me, and it made me realize how much the Lord cares about each and every one of our daily needs.  Last night I had the thought to pray for a specific need that I see in each of my children.  Then I pondered what the Lord would have me do.  I can testify that He answered...at least a little line and precept to try for today.  And this morning when I awoke, I thought to myself, "I wonder what line and precept Heavenly Father is going to teach me today."  I happily await the manifestation of His hand....

Happy Challenge:

*Ask the Lord to teach you a small and simple line or precept today, then write it down when it comes.

*Or pray for a specific need you or a loved one may have and wait upon the Lord to give you the line upon line answer you are seeking.

Escape.

Sometimes we just need an escape.  The demands and pressures of the day fill us up and leave us empty.  Worry consumes us.  Our to-do list seems daunting.  Little ones cry out for attention and love.  Our patience sometimes wears thin.  What is a mother, or anyone, to do?  In the rush around of the daily busyness, we ride round and round a never-ending Ferris wheel.  We long for they day when we can get off, for we believe that in a few weeks, or months, or even years, our life will slow down and will be "back to normal."

But does this ever really happen?  In my personal experience, the answer is rarely, if ever.  New circumstances arrive just as old ones disappear, and there will always be problems and busyness to attend to.  But we can't keep going round and round on the Ferris wheel forever without a break.  Everyday life is enough to make one quite dizzy.

But, there is an answer.  And it's rather simple.

We need to slow.  We need to pause for an interlude of time.  We need to savor.

Have you ever noticed that when riding a Ferris wheel, it stops every so often to let new people on?  At times I have been annoyed at the frequent stops, or even a little terrified when we stop at the highest point.  But in this analogy, these stops are necessary and can be so rewarding.

Of course an escape to a quiet island would be ideal.  But realistic? No.  It's important to take a small vacation somewhere, at sometime during the year.  But oftentimes we feel that this annual vacation isn't enough to meet the demands of the daily. 

Sometimes we can get away for just a day on the weekend for an outing to the mountains, to the beach, a lake, a picnic at the park, or a walk in the countryside.  These small pauses bring serenity and new perspective so we are ready to meet the next week's challenges.  But even these seem few and far between when the grind of work and family life wear us down.

Sleep is another vital pause-button to the equation.  But even nighttime can feel so far away when it's 9:30 in the morning and we are already running on low.

But there is a way we can take an escape, a mental vacation, at any time or place.  Simply retreat to the bedroom, the bathroom, the backyard, or another place of peace.  Close your eyes, focus on your breath, and picture in your mind's eye, a place of peace and tranquility.  It can be the same place every time, or the scene can change from time to time depending on your mood.  For a long while, mine has been a quiet forest with fresh air and the scent of pine needles.  Now it's to the ocean I retreat to hear the waves and sit on the rocks.

Imagine every detail, the sounds, and the smells, the feel of the ground on your bare feet...it's a wonderful way to escape, even if it is for only two minutes.

These mental escapes take little time, but our brain can't decipher too well between the real and imagined.  The peace and tranquility bestowed upon you in your small retreat will carry with you throughout your day...it's an amazing way to stop at the top of the Ferris wheel and view the world around you with fresh wonder...


Happy Challenge:

Retreat today.  Even if it is only for two short minutes.  Go on an imagined vacation to a pristine, tranquil place and let your spirit, mind, and body be invigorated...



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Unto the Least of These.

Love is simple, really.  Sometimes it just takes a minute to show just a little extra love.  Like the day not too long ago that after getting my little muffin girl out of her crib, we sat together on the rocking chair for nearly 15 minutes and just rocked.  I gave her a tickle on her arms and legs and face and she sat absolutely motionless.  It was a tender experience for me and I thought how sad it would have been if I had passed over this opportunity and rushed off to the next activity on my to-do list.

Or the day when instead of rushing off to get myself ready, I sat a few extra minutes with my sweetheart on the couch as he studied his scriptures.  He put his arm around me and I snuggled into him.  How tragic if I had missed this small moment of joy.

Or yesterday when my Little Bug was having a hard, tearful day.  He wouldn't talk to me at all about what was bothering him, but just laid on the floor all melancholy.  I prayed as I do every time I have no idea how to reach my little ones' hearts, asking the Father what I should do.  And then an idea came.  "Mommy really needs to blow her nose, it feels all stuffy.  But what should I use to blow my nose?"  No response came from the sad little pile on the floor.  So I continued.  "Maybe...I should use my hairbrush to blow my nose!  Is that a good idea?"  A little grin pulled the corners of his lips upward ever so slightly.  He shook his head just a tiny bit.  "Oh.  Well, then maybe I could use a spoon!  Would that be a good idea?"  This time the smile was real and he shook his head vigorously from his post on the floor.  I continued to suggest silly things until finally I asked him what I should use.  He replied, "Maybe....a paper towel!"  We continued the conversation, me asking him where I could find one and he responding and showing me step by step.  After realizing they were all gone, we had to find more and then the roll wouldn't go on so he showed me how to remove the old tube before trying to put on the new one.  By the time I finally blew my nose, he was full-out laughing and had completely forgotten about whatever it was that was bothering him.

Or lastly, yesterday afternoon when the boredom bug had crept into the household.  Little Bear was playing the iPod and Little Bug was loving Miss Muffin just a little too much.  She was not liking it...what could I do to reach all of their hearts?  I prayed again, then picked up a crinkled-up tin foil ball that was on the floor and asked Little Bug if he wanted to play catch with me.  He lit up and ran to his bean bag to play.  We were laughing and having a grand time playing catch, Muffin was smiling as she watched us, and soon Little Bear came running in to join the fun.  We played for 20 minutes until it was time to get dinner started.

And the scripture that keeps running through my head is Matthew 25:37-40:

 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Happy Challenge:

Is there one of the "least of these" in your life that you could spend a few extra minutes with today?  Nothing arduously planned out or expensive, just some simple love shown in a simple way.

 

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Happy Challenges.

When I first started this blog, my desire was to help others, and to help myself, find the best and happiest things in life.  I ended some of my posts with a "happy challenge," basically a dare to go out and discover some happiness within yourself, your relationships, or the world around you.

And because I loved these little challenges and the adventure of it all, I'll be including one again at the end of every post and a whole list once a week on Mondays...because reading in and of itself isn't enough to produce happiness,  
but doing is.

So, for today, here is a list of happy challenges for you to choose from.  Or even go out and create your own.  Will you take the risk?  For choosing to happify ourselves always involves a bit of risk, but only a risk to leave the state of satisfactory and find the comfort of true contentment.

Today's List of 18 Happy Challenges:

*Make a list of some of the things that make you happy.  Choose one thing and do it!
*Take a step outside, close your eyes, and take 10 deep breaths.  Then open your eyes and see the beauty around you.
*Find a favorite song you own, or one you wish you had (on grooveshare.com or playlist.com) then listen to it twice.
*Do 25 push-ups or 50 crunches or a set of both.
*Eat your favorite treat.  Be present while you eat.
*Find something healthy that you normally don't eat and try it.  Try to savor each bite.
*Meditate for 10 minutes about everything and nothing.  Let you mind take a little mental vacation.
*Take a photo of one thing beautiful and share it with someone.
*Take a lap around the house--or 2 or 3.
*Fall asleep after lunch for a short power nap.
*Take 5 minutes (or 45) and curl up with that book you've been meaning to get to.
*Call your mother just to tell her you love her.
*When you give your loved one a hug today, hold it tight for just a few seconds longer than normal.
*Sit up straight--don't slouch.
*Write that thank you card you've had on the back of your mind for some time now.
*Sing a song when you're alone sometime today--in the shower, driving home from work, on a walk, in your closet...
*Make a handmade gift for someone's birthday or just because.
*Sit and just be still.

Now, go and do one!  Leave a comment with the challenge you chose and the happiness it brought you...good luck!