Day 5: Connect to Heaven.

For the next three days, we are going to focus on "connection."

While mainstream society turns to social media as the primary means of connection and communication, it simultaneously drifts further and further away from the most important connections we can have in this life. Social media has it's place, but there is nothing that can replace good old-fashioned connections that build lasting relationships.

Today we will touch on Connection with Heaven.
Tomorrow we will look into Connection with Ourselves.
And Tuesday we'll explore Connections with Family.


In order for peace to be real and enduring it needs to start from the inside. Even though external factors can contribute to a peaceful environment, situations change from moment to moment and our experiences of daily life are not always of a peaceful nature. Therefore, peace must be a calm and abiding reassurance; a feeling, a warm firelight that burns brightly even when external peace is nowhere to be found. But where does this peace come from? And how do we not only light it from time to time, but keep it forever glowing in the deep parts of our heart?

We reach up and connect with heaven. And as we do, heaven unmistakeably reaches back to us, pouring into our hearts warm rays of sunlight to fuel our fire of peace.

How do you connect to heaven? There are so many ways.

Do you kneel before your Maker morning and night to share with Him all about your day? Do you thank Him for the specific bounties of life you enjoy? Do you align your will to His and ask for the things you need? Do you plead for forgiveness? I remember my Dad teaching me many years ago that we come to know God the Father through prayer. As we do so, He can become our very best friend.

Do you immerse yourself in the living waters of the scriptures and words of modern-day prophets? Do you hear or feel answers to your questions as you feast on this bread that truly satisfies? Do you read of the life of Christ and desire to follow Him? Do you walk through your day with renewed resolve to emulate your Savior? As you do so, you will gain another best friend in your Redeemer. This is what my Father taught me.

Do you listen closely to your heart so you can better hear the whisperings of the Spirit? Do you quiet the noise around you and tune into the voice that will lead you to joy, service, love, and ultimately back to your heavenly home? As you come to know the voice of the Holy Ghost and how He speaks to you individually, you will gain a third best friend. You need this connection to be finely tuned so you can clearly navigate this fallen world.

Did you connect with heaven this past weekend during General Conference? When you heard our living prophet speak did you feel glowing rays of light add fuel to your fire of peace? {#ldsconf #presmonson}

Do you commune with heaven during the Sacrament? Do you connect with heaven in the temple? Do you connect to heaven as you ponder after your personal prayers? Do you feel the connection grow as you pray always in your heart, feel sparks of gratitude throughout your day, serve your neighbor, love your family?  What are your favorite ways to connect with heaven?

Come to him and He will come to you.
One of my favorite scriptures, one that brings peace and comfort to my heart is Revelation 3:20--

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

Can you imagine sitting with the Savior--dining with Him at your very own dinner table? Just imagine it for a moment....

Can you feel the fire of peace that would grow in your heart as you conversed heart to heart? This is the peace we need. This is the warmth that can only come as we bring heaven more fully into day-to-day lives....

31 Days to Peace Index

Day 4: Believe.

Today is the fourth day of our journey to peace. Yesterday we spoke of defining your success. Today I want to emphasize that the real way to succeed is to simply believe...

Do you ever feel like even though you have your definitions firmly in place, you still fail to achieve the success you desire? I feel this way often. Especially when it comes to determining whether or not I'm living up to my heart's desire to be a good mother. There's no measuring stick or grading rubric I face every day letting me know if I've done enough or been enough for my children. (And this feeling can apply to almost any worthy desire we have). Sometimes success in our righteous desires feels nigh unto impossible and we are so afraid to fail.

But then I remember a story from the New Testament. When the ruler of a synagogue, Jairus, fell at the feet of the Savior, imploring him to heal his daughter who was dying, Christ went with him. But on the way, some from the ruler's house met them with the tragic news that she had already passed away. They said to Jairus, "Thy daughter is dead: why troublest the Master any further?"

What happens next is the key:

"As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe." (Mark 5:35-36)

The Savior's response commands courage from even the weakest heart.

If He has all power and an infinite supply of grace from the atonement, is there anything He cannot do? Does He have enough power to create a good mother in me? Does He have enough power to help any of our worthy desires turn to success? Yes. He does.

Believe in Him. Believe that if you have knelt as Jairus and implored the Lord for help or healing or success, He can help you become. Be not afraid, only believe. Herein lies the key to success and to peace.

And the second key? We must believe in ourselves. 

Wake up each morning and look in the mirror with a bright, hopeful smile on your face, telling that wonderful face in the mirror that you can succeed. You are of infinite worth. No failure is permanent. Success is possible. You are a spirit son or daughter of the great Creator of the universe. You can do this! You are not alone. There is nothing you can't do with the Lord on your side.

Then when the going gets tough, remember your conviction. Because with God's help, you can become an amazing parent, a person who makes a profound difference, or anything else you desire in righteousness.

The last key is something I am still learning. There is no one perfect way to be a mother, or a father, or a friend, or a leader, or a teacher. But there are a thousand ways to be good and successful in your role.

Elder Perry quoted President Hinckley today in the afternoon session of General Conference:

"We cannot begin to measure or calculate the influence of women who, in their own ways, build stable family life and nurture for everlasting good, the generations of the future." (emphasis added)

I love those 4 small words, "in their own ways." What comfort these four small words provide as I contemplate that my own, unique mothering efforts are enough. They are good. I am enough. Just the way I am.

And so are you.

31 Days to Peace Index

Day 3: Define your Success

Today's message is simple. Define your Success.

Some in the world see success rather narrowly. They think success is universally the same for everybody. Bigger, better, more, fame, fortune--these are the world's common definitions of success.

But what is your definition? Do you buy into popular world success because it rings true for you or because it is the common definition?

What does success mean to you? Try on a few of these suggestions and see how they fit. Ask your heart. It could be one of these things or many molded together:

Creating a loving, connected family
Working in your dream job
Bettering the lives of those in your sphere of influence
Impacting the world through your talents
Feeling spiritually connected to God
Experiencing vibrant health
Enjoying every day
Feeling deep gratitude
Being a good husband/wife, mother/father, sister/brother, daughter/son, friend
Living a life of meaning and wonder
Living true to your beliefs
Standing as a witness of Jesus Christ
Living a righteous life
Having sufficient time to be still, or create, or do the things you long to do

There are thousands of small and simple ways to feel successful. Add your own to the mix.

Are you willing to change or tweak your definition just a bit to line it up with what you truly value?

Because if your definition of success aligns with your core values, great inner peace will be yours.

Tomorrow we'll dive a bit deeper into how to be successful, but for today, run the race that has been set for you, redefine your definition of success, and realize that quite possibly, you are already more successful than you think.


31 Days to Peace Index

Day 2: Finding You.

Once upon a time, almost 10 years ago, I stood on a beach in Leça da Palmeira, Portugal watching the waves crash against the rocks. It was time for me to leave the two year mission I had been serving with my family so I could attend college. I remember this night as a gray, bitterly sorrowful night as I said goodbye to all that I held most dear--my family, the country I had grown to love so much, the memories, the missionaries, the Portuguese people.

But I also remember it as a time of stillness. I paused by the rocks for a few minutes to ponder on what the last two years had meant to me, and where I was to go from here. I felt some very special whisperings and a charge to go forth with a new mission for my new life's chapter. During those few special minutes, I felt so close to heaven. You see, in Portugal, I had found out who I really was. And to this day, the quest continues.


Today we are going on a treasure hunt to find you. If I provide the map and you do the digging, I know that together, we can find some priceless treasure.

Have you ever considered that a key to peace is living as your truest self? Do you know what your highest, truest self is? It's that person you are when all labels, honors, and weaknesses are stripped away. It's that you who is a spirit son or daughter of Deity--glowing with all the radiance and love you can imagine.

And even though we each have the same Father in Heaven, we each are unique. And we each have a different part to play.

But when the world crowds in and our schedules fill up and our year seems to be one long, never-ending maze, we start to feel claustrophobic as the suffocating hedges close in around us. And we start to wonder why we live the life we do and how it ever got so crazy and dismal. Waking up each morning is a chore and the day goes uphill from there. Each and every day. Have you ever been in this mindset? I have. Countless times.

Until I decided that since I'm here, I might as well be enjoying my life. Every single day.

And I went on a quest to find out more about what makes me happy. For several years I wrote on a blog called, Quest for Happiness. And it was just that--my search for happiness.

And today I stand here transformed. Many experiences have led me to where I am today. And many more still await me--because there are always more lessons to learn and joy to be found.

But for today I want to focus on the fact that once you find you and what makes you happy and completely in love with life, you've found the key to shifting your entire mindset to a state of bliss. Yes, there will still be trials but that's only because they will be designed to bring you more happiness as you learn from, and triumph over them.

To keep this exercise short and concise, I will focus on three aspects to your treasure map of who you really are. Each aspect has a few questions for you to ponder and think about. I would invite you to write your answers to these questions in a notebook or journal if possible. You can also just think about your responses, but for me, nothing can compare to a tangible record of soul-searching.

So let's begin. Pause your life for just a few minutes and find a quiet space to write in the stillness. It's time to go inward...

Aspect #1: ACTIVITIES

• What activities do you relish? {You know, the ones you enjoy so much you wish your whole day could consist of them?} Include personal activities, as well as family activities, friend activities, etc. Write them down and keep writing until you have completely exhausted your list.
• Are you engaging in the activities that bring you peace on a regular basis?
• If not, how can you more fully bring into your day-to-day life, the activities that light you up inside and spread joy to those around you? {While I believe most of us can find at least an hour to ourselves each day to engage in the activities we love, we may need to creatively merge a hobby with a responsibility...} 

Aspect #2: MOVEMENT

• What is your true movement? If you could craft your ideal lifestyle movement, what would it look like?
• Do you enjoy a fast-paced, goal-driven approach to life and the thrill that comes with each new accomplishment? 
• Or would you choose a slower, more flowing lifestyle that meanders through a flexible rhythm?  
• Maybe you prefer a highly-structured day, a routine that is steady and methodical yet still?
• Or maybe you love to randomly bounce from one task or project to another in a fun, lighthearted fashion?
• Are you living true to the type of movement that brings you peace?
• If not, how can you more fully bring into your lifestyle the type of movement that brings you joy and peace? {Yes, there is a way! Delve deep and you will find answers.}

Aspect #3: PURPOSE

• How is your heart nudging you to make a difference in the world? Is there something you've always longed to do? Spend some time in meditation and prayer. The Lord will reveal to you your purpose(s).
• There is a reason you are here. There are special, unique things for you to accomplish--things only you can do. No other person will ever be just like you. What you present to the world is a gift that only you can give.
• Are you ready to take the first step to fulfilling one of your unique purposes?

Bringing it All Together:

If you weave in your day-to-day life the activities that bring you joy, the lifestyle movement that creates harmony, and your passion to make a difference, each day will hold magic and wonder. You will be living true to yourself and true to exactly what you came to this life to do. 

You will leave the maze behind forever and instead be enraptured with this wide-open journey called life. And undeniably, you will experience a deep, lasting sense of peace.

31 Days to Peace Index

Day 1: Peace in Becoming like Christ

This will be a unique and amazing adventure for me to write. And I hope that in some small way you will be touched as well. Please feel free to leave comments; I will respond as quickly as possible.

This month to peace will highlight various keys I've discovered--both external as well as internal. It will not be an exhaustive list, since peace is one of those bottomless topics, but they are tried and true ways I have found to achieve true and lasting peace.

I've wrestled with my 31 post ideas--trying to determine which one to start with. I had it narrowed down, but last night I received a strong impression to change directions and write about a completely different key than I had planned.

And so today, I present to you the first bright and shining key to lasting peace....
Becoming like the Master, Jesus Christ.

Will this bring peace? Matthew 11:29-30 contains the answer: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

This "rest" which He speaks about is the equivalent of the true peace we need. And how do we acquire it? By learning of Him and taking His yoke upon ourselves.

The learning of Him is the easy part. We can read the stories of His matchless example...

He was obedient as He went about His father's business. He was a miracle worker as He turned water into wine and fed the 5000. He was a healer as He restored sight, health, and life. He was a teacher to the one, like the woman at the well, and to the multitudes like those on the Mount of Olives. He was forgiving to the woman taken in adultery. He was kind and compassionate when he wept with Martha. He was a servant when He washed His apostles' feet. He was humble, submitting to the will of His Father when He took upon Himself the pain and the sins of all.

Learning we can do.

But taking His yoke upon us? Becoming like Him? His yoke is easy and His burden is light?

This may seem a little daunting, seeing as the Savior Himself said: "I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven, is perfect." (3 Nephi 12:48)

And when we read this, we kind of think this exhortation may be out of our reach in this mortal lifetime.  But is it? Maybe in the strictest sense of the word "perfect," yes. But what if we look a little deeper?

We know that we are spirit sons and daughters of the Eternal God, which means that Divinity is woven into the threads of our very beings.

Which could mean that the seeds of every perfected Christlike attribute are planted, like little seeds in our souls.

Some of these seeds have already grown into strong healthy plants, and are operating nearly perfectly in our lives. Others, may just be tiny sprouts. Still others are lying dormant in the rich, fertile soil of our hearts, waiting for the right moment to break through and grow. So what if that moment is now?

What if we were to cast off the layers of doubt that say to become like the Savior is a nearly impossible endeavor? What if we were to simply believe?

Believe that underneath all our layers of the natural man and the trials and deception and fog, there is a brightly-lit spirit created by God Himself.

Believe that our spirits are powerful and pure and fully capable of taking the reigns.

Believe that the seeds of Christ are planted within us.

Believe that all we need to do is peel back the layers and let the Sunlight in. So the seeds can sprout and reach for the Light and grow.

Believe that maybe His yoke really is easy and His burden really is light. Because He has all power and grace to lift not only His side of the oxen yoke, but ours as well.

It could be possible.
We could find peace unto our souls as we uncover who we really are....


{To Consider: What quality of Christ have you had a hard time demonstrating? Is there one you have often brushed aside, assuming you would never be able to develop it? Look for this seed within you. Because it is there. It just needs His Light and His Living Water.}

31 Days to Peace Index

Day 2

Writing in the Stillness...It's Here!

It's here!! Finally!!

Here is the link to my new blog and I already have several posts up! I am so excited for this new journey!!!

writinginthestillness.com

On my new website you can also connect to me with all of your favorite social media (Facebook, twitter, pinterest, instagram, google+, youtube).

In order for you to be updated on my posts over there you will have to subscribe to the new website. I won't be updating this blog anymore.

I hope you see you over at my new space, writinginthestillness.com.

It's my small and simple effort to bring a little more goodness into this ever-darkening world.

Thank you for your support and kindness!

Love,
Jamie

Rain on Your Face...

Yesterday it rained peaceful all day. And I looked forward to the evening when a light would shine through the gray.

In my faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we gather every six months for a General Worldwide Conference. The Saturday before the General Conference, we gather for a General Women's Meeting as sisters around the globe to hear the words of the Savior through our General leaders. 

So at 4:00 I drove to the Church to help with a Humanitarian Service Project, eat dinner, and then listen to the proceedings of the meeting.

As the meeting started, I felt so grateful that I belong to this amazing organization...where I can hear the words of God. The meetings are free of charge and open to any who desire to come and be filled.

By the end of the meeting I had my notes all colored in with points that had struck deep chords in my heart--things I want to remember and always treasure. #ldsconf #womensmeeting #presuchtdorf

{To access this special meeting click here.}

One of the most inspiring points for me came in the form of an analogy by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. He succinctly explained that when we think of following the commandments, many of us think that the blessings of heaven are locked up in a cloud, so to speak, and Heavenly Father will only unlock the key when we follow the parental directives He's given.

But in reality, it's not like that at all. The cloud is open and freely pouring down a rainstorm of blessings, but our doubts, fears, and sins act like umbrellas keeping us from the blessed hallowed rain that Heavenly Father is always sending forth.

September 2014 General Women's Meeting

I felt to consider--what is my umbrella? Is it the fear that my small and simple life will be too small to make a difference? Or the fear of fully raising my witness of my beliefs? Is it the doubt that I won't be enough to accomplish all the Lord has in store for me? Or the doubt that grace is not really sufficient for me? Is it my sins of gossiping? Or ingratitude? The list could go on. Because I am an imperfect person with a handful of umbrellas. But the beauty of the matter is, I hold the handles. And I can choose to push the button at any time. The button to pull down my sins and my doubts and my fears--all of which are untrue and all of which can be dispelled through the light of truth.

I decided in my heart, that I didn't want to keep my umbrella open any longer.

So I discarded my umbrella forever, with face upturned to the skies...to soak in the heavenly downpour.

Will you?

Is there a fear or doubt or sin you are holding onto like an illusory umbrella?

Isn't it time you felt the warm rain on your face?