peace.

have you every wondered how you got on a topic of conversation and traveled back on your train of thought? if you followed my thought process, you’d probably get lost and confused in my imagination. i was blessed to do a session with my dear friend mill this week. a year ago i was struggling with the thought of going through a session alone. all i had ever known was going through as a wife. it seemed so silly to be frightened to go alone, but with my girlfriends by my side we sat, we cried and we were uplifted. my eyes were opened to the strength that going through the temple with your close friends brings. If you haven't gone through with a girlfriend, try it. i have learned so much from these beautiful women, and there is a closeness it brings that cant be matched. 

ive fought with the thought of sharing this but ive felt so strongly that it could maybe help another woman (or dude i guess) that struggles with the thoughts that go through so many of our minds. this particular session brought to light the importance of speaking kindly of others. And not only speaking kindly, but seeing the positive in everything and everyone. when we let negativity sprout its poisonous roots within us, it becomes a cancer that spreads to all things. When i view others in a negative light i start allowing that negative poison to pulse through my veins and soon my view of life becomes tinted. I become critical of myself, my temper shortens, and it kills the spirit. changing our view and seeing the positive is the cure. it’s so powerful to me that doing something as simple as following Christ's example completely extinguishes all negativity. It’s automatic, you view yourself and others as Gods children instead of only seeing their flaws. Life could be so great if we just loved each other.

Brade and i were discussing this and he brought up “his constitution for life.” I had never seen this document before but im in love. it’s called desiderata. read it, love it, live it. 

 

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender

be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;

and listen to others,

even the dull and the ignorant;

they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,

they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,

you may become vain or bitter;

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;

it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs;

for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;

many persons strive for high ideals;

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.

Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love;

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment

it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,

be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive Him to be,

and whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.