Christ The Savior Is Born

Not much else to say other than that is there?

I love the following arrangement not just because its David.  We all know how I love my Archuleta!
haha


But for those who are members of my church...you might recognize a familiar melody at the end of the song.  Listen carefully.

Did you hear it.
"Come follow me. The Savior said"

A phrase from a frequently sung hymn.

 "Come, follow me," the Savior said.

Then let us in his footsteps tread,

For thus alone can we be one

With God's own loved, begotten Son.

 "Come, follow me," a simple phrase,

Yet truth's sublime, effulgent rays

Are in these simple words combined

To urge, inspire the human mind.

Is it enough alone to know

That we must follow him below,

While trav'ling thru this vale of tears?

No, this extends to holier spheres.

Not only shall we emulate

His course while in this earthly state,

But when we're freed from present cares,

If with our Lord we would be heirs.

We must the onward path pursue

As wider fields expand to view,

And follow him unceasingly,

Whate'er our lot or sphere may be.

For thrones, dominions, kingdoms, pow'rs,

And glory great and bliss are ours,

If we, throughout eternity,

Obey his words, "Come, follow me."

The gift of His example is the best gift we could be given.  He has given us the path and shown us the way to true, unending happiness.

Since its Sunday: Gratitude IN not FOR

I will admit I feel a tad bit guilty for having a little rant about being ok with not loving your trials and sorrows. (see THIS post for more)

I'm always gonna say what I think and not sugar coat it.

Trials and bad stuff...rotten.  Rotten and no fun!

And its ok to think that...

BUT  

(there is always a but isn't there)

It is also important WHAT we do with our feelings.

It can be really really hard to not become bitter, jaded, and cold when the world seems to have nothing good in it.

We have to be careful.  Positivity is a virtue that sheds a ray of sunshine on a difficult time.  And we can't let it hide and negativity take over our attitudes and outlook on life.

But how??  When life super sucks how do we see the positive?

Well one helpful little thing is gratitude.

"But I've tried gratitude" you say.  

And yeah, for a little while thinking of all the things I'm grateful for makes me happier.  But then I start making a lit of all the things I'm SOOOO not grateful for!"

Oh so you are chronic pessimist like me!  Yeah!  Buddies!!!!

Trust me...I know its hard to  not see the negatives outweigh the positives.

A great leader in our church, whom I admire greatly Dieter F Uchtdorf suggested the following....

Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation? In other words, I’m suggesting that instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances—whatever they may be.

Again a truth moment....I'm not sure I get this super well and FOR SURE do not practice it well.

Here is some more of what he said that helps clarify it for me a little.

When we are grateful to God in our circumstances, we can experience gentle peace in the midst of tribulation. In grief, we can still lift up our hearts in praise. In pain, we can glory in Christ’s Atonement. In the cold of bitter sorrow, we can experience the closeness and warmth of heaven’s embrace.

We sometimes think that being grateful is what we do after our problems are solved, but how terribly shortsighted that is. How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?

I think for me the key is this....its helpful to be grateful for things in our lives.  But it is even better to grateful for our circumstances and the situations we are in.

The idea of an attitude of gratitude is kinda cliche.  But I think cultivating a constant state of gratitude in good and bad times is always going to help.

Its easy to get into the habit when things are good.  So take advantage of that time to practice and make it a habit...a part of who you are!

Then hopefully when the rough times come...it stays.

Being grateful in times of distress does not mean that we are pleased with our circumstances. It does mean that through the eyes of faith we look beyond our present-day challenges.

THERE IT IS!!!!  That's what I'm saying!!! 

I am VERY good at not being pleased with my circumstances.  Not as good at looking beyond with eyes of faith though.....

(could talk for posts and posts about faith....but we will leave it at that for now!)

This type of gratitude transcends whatever is happening around us. It surpasses disappointment, discouragement, and despair. It blooms just as beautifully in the icy landscape of winter as it does in the pleasant warmth of summer.

I'm not saying its an easy thing to do.  But I can be very sure that it is helpful.  And that it will bring a contentment and peace to times of trial and times of plenty.

(To read the entire talk I referenced, click HERE)

Since Its Sunday: The Parable of the Elevator

I got to talk to a dear dear friend tonight...tissues and tears abounded.....but I left feeling lifted.


Life throws a lot of curve balls and today I felt like I was in a batting cage with no bat....getting pelted by balls right and left.


So I called a friend and luckily he was still awake and alright with me saying through sobs "I'm coming over...I'm halfway there and I'll see you in 7 minutes"


He is a wise and caring friend...and he let me rant and cry and just get it all out.  And then he gave me some lovely advice.

And he told me something that I am now going to call the parable of the elevator.


We all know how an elevator works.  You push the button.  The cart arrives.  The door opens.  You get in and it takes you where you need to go.

But have you ever thought about what would happen if those steps didn't go in that order?

What if the door opened before the cart arrived?
If the door opened and there was no cart, you would step in and fall, potentially to your death.


Sometimes its all about timing.
And sometimes the closed door is protection.

Its hard to see the closed door.  You push and push and push that button, impatient for the cart to arrive.

And sometimes you wait.  You wait for what seems like forever.

But then finally the door opens and you safely get to your destination.

But if that door had opened early....who knows what would have happened.


Its hard to stand and wait.  Its hard to have the perspective that the cart hasn't yet arrived.

So even when its hard.

We have to be grateful for closed doors.

Anyone who has been following me frequently/for a while (ehem...you know who you are) knows I adore this song.

A beautiful song about seeing the beauty in the heart break of closed doors

Invisible......

This post is dedicated to all those on the island of misfit toys...


I hesitate to share a post that is so incredibly personal, but I do in hopes that it gives peace and comfort to some, and motivation to others.....
So this will be a two part series......stay tuned for tomorrow.


When this song first came out, I thought it was cheesy and silly.

But then my life got to a place where it suddenly took on a great deal of meaning.

I don't want this to be a whiny sad, woe-is-me post.

This post is not about me.  Or at least not just about me
Its about anyone who has ever felt left out.
Anyone who has ever felt worthless and not good enough.
Anyone who has ever felt invisible.

I truly believe there is strength in numbers.
There is comfort that comes with shared experience.
You are not the only one.



I've been called abusive, a whore, a self-righteous skank, privileged and spoiled, manipulative, mean.
All by people who supposedly cared.

wishing all it was, was sticks and stones those words cut deep

I've been the only one not invited to parties, game nights, activities or events.
I've had friends walk away from our friendships.
I have been the girl holding up the wall, or sitting in the corner by herself.
I've been cheated on.  I've been used.  I've been treated like I was just a piece of meat.

I've had to fight tooth and nail, use every trick I know to get people (both guys and girls) to notice me, or be my friend.

you've been trying for so long to find out where your place is

You've felt this as well haven't you?  Well....

Trust the one....Who's been where you are

It don't mean you're all alone

And you're not invisible

There's so much more to life than what you're feeling now

Someday you'll look back on all these days

And all this pain is gonna be invisible

I haven't always felt invisible.
Its like a cancer that goes into remission for a while, but pops back up, rearing its ugly head.
Life will seem to be going alright...and then you don't get the invitation all your friends do, or an unkind word is said, or you suddenly feel all alone in a crowded room.

And you begin to wonder... "Is there something wrong with me?"  "Is there a reason they all seem to not like me?"

Its a constant battle.

A battle that, though I want to give up everyday...I refuse to surrender.

you're strong enough to win

If you don't feel it now...I understand.  Its hard to feel the hope when you are in the middle of the muck. 

So if you don't-that is ok.

I don't feel it sometimes either.

Just keep listening to the song.  Listen until you believe it.

You are NOT invisible.  

When the tears don't stop and the loneliness seems to be trying to drown you.

Keep fighting.  Keep being you.

And someday....you won't feel invisible.

If you look past this moment

You'll see you've got a friend

Waving a flag for who you are

And all you're gonna do

Yeah, so here's to you

And here's to anyone who's ever felt invisible

Stress: A Little Suggestion

Since Its Sunday: Reread Your Ensign Articles

So its no secret that...I'm a Mormon!!!!

(see side button for more info...see over there...look....ya see it???)


ANYWAY.  Each of our congregations is led by a fellow church member who is asked to volunteer their time and efforts to lead. (much like a pastor)
In a small congregation like mine (AKA a branch) we have a branch president to lead us and help us stay organized.

I'm lucky to have a pretty great one who works really hard to do his best.


A bit ago I was going through a particularly rough time (no way Stephanie isn't that all the time hahaha) and I was meeting with him regarding my church leadership assignment and he gave me some excellent advice.

For a time when he was a young married man he lived with his wife's grandfather.  This man's name was Gordon B Hinckley.  Those Mormons reading will know he was a Prophet and President of our world wide church.

One Saturday when working in the garden my BP noticed that President Hinckley looked very worn down and troubled.  After talking with him for a while about the things troubling him he said "Grandpa what do you do when things are hard and you are discouraged"

And do you know what his reply was????

"I re-read my old Ensign articles" (monthly church magazine with uplifting articles written by leaders)


It was an interesting thought.  Meant to be slightly humorous...but also to teach a valuable lesson.


When we are in the midst of terrible times it seems like life has always been like this.
Studies have shown that people who are less happy do not have less happy memories, they simply have a harder time recalling the happy memories, while happy people have an easier time recalling other happy memories.

With this in mind, re-reading your own journals and looking back on all the memories you have can bring great comfort and peace.  It can break through the clouds of negativity and shine a light down through the end of the tunnel.

As I have done it, I have found things to be grateful for.  I have found ways to help myself be happier and get through the tough times---cause they worked before, and so they will likely work now!!!

Plus with perspective I am even able to look at the difficult times and see the hand of the Lord in my life, blessing me and helping me.


So re-read your old Ensign articles everyone!!!!!!
It might just help ya out :)

Its a Life Makeover

So I am reading this book.....

Its called the Happiness Project.

Wait....lets start from the beginning.

I won't lie and say my life hasn't been lacking bumps lately.
I'm far from depressed....just unhappy.
Unable to truly appreciate the ordinary days.

And I don't like it!  Its no way to live.
So I decided I needed a change.

So I've talked previously about Mara from A Blog About Love.  She has an incredible method for happiness.
But its a hard one. Its about letting go of needs.  But I've given it a shot..and its hard.
I'm not giving up on Mara's plan.
I'm just trying to be realistic about myself.
I can't at this moment.


I'm a list person.  A goal setting person (not always a goal achieving person but I'm GREAT at making them)

So I've started working on a different method.  A systematic approach to happiness.

Taking small bites.  Every months doing something new to make me happy.
External actions that will cause internal change.

And then...I'll be happy.  And then I can work on the contentment and inner peace part.

Very much looking forward to it.

We are going to reframe, we are going to change.
Redo it all.
A Life Makeover.

My own Happiness Project

How This is All Going to Work.....

So I am trying to turn over a new leaf.

AGAIN I know right?????

I feel like for the past 6 months I am saying that to everyone.
I'm gonna change, things are going to be so different.

New habits, new patterns, breaking hold habits, leaving old patterns.


But I've failed....miserably is likely a dramatic overstatement.

But definitely failed.

So I'm starting a process.....yes again.

But this time I am trying to be smart about it.


Lemme tell you something about myself.  I like completeness.
I HATE more than anything when things are unfinished.
Examples you ask?
     Last month it was buying an entire apartment of furniture in one day so that when I moved in-my home would be complete.
     This month it is getting rid of EVERY piece of clothing I own to get and ENTIRELY new wardrobe.


So I figuratively (and occasionally literally) go for broke.  I try to do it all at once to get it done.

And do you know what usually happens?
I end up realizing I DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR THIS!!!!
Or energy, or time, or skill etc etc etc.

So usually what ends up happening is I just shut down and give up.
And nothing gets done!!!

YIKES!!!!!

So we are going to take a new approach.

We are going to try it one at a time.

We are going to go on a journey.
We are going to take it one day at a time.

Its gonna be different than previous gos.

Its gonna be honest...Its gonna be genuine.
(don't read whiny..just actually real)


You ready?  I most certainly AM!!!!!

A Moment To Get Away

As I look back on my life, the times I look back on with the greatest fondness generally focus on a time when I left town.

A time when I got out.
When I left regular life behind and had a little vacation moment.



With the crazy that has been happening in my life lately, I felt like I needed a break.

I had days in a row off, and so I took the middle day and got out of town.

I only really had the day, but I knew exactly where I wanted to go.

Only 3 short hours away and one of my favorite places on earth.



I have always loved this city.

Its an old settlement by the early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, begun after fleeing Ohio and Missouri, and abandoned with the threat of mobs and further persecution.

There is a special spirit to this town.
The sacrifice of the former residents of this small city on the banks of the Mississippi makes it even more special.


It was a cold and windy day.  10 degrees colder than forecasted.  And when I say windy, I mean-I LITERALLY was blown over into a bench.

I wandered around for a while, visited the Nauvoo temple, and took a walk down Parley street and sat on the bank of the Mississippi.

It was perfect!

The drive there, suddenly I realized I was smiling and I didn't remember when I started, or what started it.

Its been a long time since that happen.
Spontaneous happiness with no clear rhyme or reason.
Its hard to come by.

And thank goodness for Nauvoo for helping me find that.


Like I said-one of my favorite places on earth!



More on my trip to come!!!!!!!!!

Needs...Causing Me Dysfunction

So I posted a few days ago a small small, vague little blurb about the struggles I have been facing lately.

I hesitated to even put that much up (private, personal people shouldn't have blogs hahaha).  But since then I have been pondering what was making me so unhappy.

NEEDS.

Not actual needs like food, sleep, air and social interaction.

But the
Perfect Job...satisfying and rewarding.  Good paying too
Incredible Friendships....the kind where you never fight, share clothes, finish each others sentences
Poem Worthy Romance...right out of the most recent Chick Flick
Pinterest Inspired Apartment/Home
Glamorous Social Life...free of Awkward Uncomfortable Encounters
Beautiful Children...who are both Well-Behaved AND Adorable



Kinda a hefty list right??
Not only is the list long and full of big stuff.
But the requirements of sheer impossibility added in?
I was setting myself up for complete failure and disaster

I was completely and 100% focused on those needs.
I said they were goals I was working towards.  I had a dream...and in my dream it all was possible.
But I let them become more than that.
I began to base the happiness...no contentment I felt on whether or not I was achieving these goals..aka whether or not my needs were being satisfied.

And so I acted.  But my futile attempts to force my impossible needs into fruition created
unhealthy and dysfunctional situations throughout all areas of my life.

How on earth can I be happy when my happiness is focused on the external?
I was setting myself up for failure.  And then the lack of happiness from not having my needs was only compounded on by the fact that I wasn't happy and couldn't figure out why.


Then I wrote that post about happiness on Sunday..and thought of Mara.
(she's my personal life coach along with Sara Barellies!)

Mara writes A Blog About Love and has frequently talked about happiness despite trials.

So I went back and re-read her thoughts on detaching from needs to find happiness.

She says it better than I ever could...
but basically we have to leave behind our desires for the external and search for kindness, compassion, patience.......

Basically we have to become more Christ-like......
We have to leave behind the anger and disappointment that our life is not what we think we need...and discover what our loving God has in store for us.


Is it easy?
NO

Have I messed up since writing this post?
YES


But I'm gonna try.

Will you???



Be Happy Be Healthy




http://www.ablogaboutlove.com/2013/03/the-work-i-did-to-be-happy.html
http://www.ablogaboutlove.com/2013/06/choosing-happiness-sunday-sermon.html#more

A New Chapter Begins

So I have the ability now to talk about the reason I have been sooooo dreadfully bad at blogging lately.

Lots has been changing in my life and things are all finalized so I can talk about it.
I've had some very "Smile Because It Happened" moments lately

As you all know...I'm a nurse who has been working in an adult cardiac progressive unit.
But you all also know that my passion has ALWAYS been pediatrics.

I have always wanted to help little kiddos feel better and help their parents understand and cope with the healthy issues their family is experiencing.

After being at my current job for a little over a year I began the pediatric search.  I applied and occasionally interviewed nation wide.  But eventually I was lucky enough to apply and interview for a position here in St Louis, at a children's hospital.  (There is a VERY VERY long story that I might tell sometime but....)

It felt like the perfect job from the start and my interview went very well.  It was a speedy process...set up the interview on Monday, interviewed on Tuesday...AND
WEDNESDAY received an OFFER!!!! (Wish I could have made that more of a surprise.....)

I had pretty much already decided to take it but I took a little time to make sure I looked at all my options.
And the next day I accepted and  I met with my current manger and gave her my 2 weeks notice....because if I didn't I wouldn't be able to start at the new job when they needed me to!


I am truly sad to leave my current position.  I have a deep love for the heart.  I adore and admire all my co-workers.  They have trained me and taught me so much.  They have made me a better nurse and helped me be a better person.  I will hate leaving the comfort of what I know.

But I'm not going to cry about it.  I'm just going to be immensely grateful.

I could not have asked for a better first job as a nurse.  I'm not even close to the same nurse as I was a little over a year ago...and that is all thanks to the mentoring and training I received.


But as Dr Suess says...
Don't Cry Cause Its Over....Smile Because It Happened.

Finding Happiness: Vulnerability Also....I'm a NERD

WHY????  Ok...there are many reasons.

First books like this....



are like my favorite books to read!

(PS so totally should blog about both these books....SOOOOO incredible!)



BUT today....its because of this.....
I ADORE TED TALKS

And its not for the inspiring and awesome feelings and stuffs.

I mean those are nice.

But I get crazy about the research!

I love research.  Not actually doing it....I hate that...SOOOO TEDIOUS!!

But reading it???  Using it?????  Having it explain life and those you interact with???

LOVE!!!!!!!!


(Side note....not interested in nursing research....sorry nursing professors but my HUMAN DEVELOPMENT professors got to me first!  And now I'm hooked)



Today I watched this one........oh so interesting!

So to be truly happy....be vulnerable.
Lean into the joy and live whole-heartedly.

I could talk a lot about it...but she does a pretty good job yes?

Be Happy Be Healthy everyone

Finding Happiness: Balance

Remember a while back when I started talking about happiness.
I fell off the wagon a little bit.
But I'm getting back on....and so I'm gonna talk for a bit....if you care to listen!



For a couple of years now I have kind of been living under the assumption that the meaning of life..the purpose of our being here is to find balance.

Balance between work...school...family....spirituality.

Finding that happy medium....not slacking and not being overzealous.

That my friends is the key.


And I think it is the key to happiness too.


I work the night shift...which totally messes with my mind and my body..and my schedule.

I live a life of feast or famine.  I work a lot.  And sometimes I feel like I miss out on all the other aspects of my life...social and otherwise.

So on my days off I go crazy!  I binge on everything....friends, food, shopping, sometimes sleep.

Its no way to live!  Frenetic living isn't any way to live!

Its exhausting..its unfulfilling and frankly I don't get a lot of stuff done!

So I've been trying to have balance,  Its hard because my schedule leads to every day being a little bit different.  BUT  I'm trying to be consistent  I'm trying to form habits and routines.



Its still a work in progress but hey...isn't that life???

As an old friend of mine once said......"Happiness is a journey....Not a destination"

Be Happy Be Healthy everyone! 

......if you want to check out one what one of my happiness guru's has to say about balance.

Finding Happiness: 3 Suggestions

This week I have been working on my happy....

Baby steps...one thing at a time.

This week though-I actually did three!

 (applause applause!)

Confession...they kinda are all connected and kinda all were the same thing...but I feel much more accomplished by saying 3....

1. You've gotta get out of your own way!!!

Life happens...sometimes we are unhappy

Sometimes you can blame situations.  Sometimes you can blame others.

BUT

How often do we blame ourselves?  Probably not as often as we maybe should.....

Gosh we get in our own way soooo much!  We don't let ourselves be happy...by making choices that will CLEARLY make us unhappy

So this week I got out of my own way.

2. Sometimes you have to trade what makes you happy in the moment for what you know will make you happy in the long run.

The easy route is of course the right now happy.  But right now happy doesn't last.  And sometimes it even leads to long run unhappiness.  Long run happiness can be hard in the right now-cause it is hard at first.

But worth it right?

3. SPEAK OUT...SPEAK UP...Say what you want to say

I had a very important conversation this week.  About getting out of my own way...and long run happiness.

It was not a fun conversation.  It meant I had to be vulnerable and open.  Both things I really DON'T like being.  

As I was driving home...trying to distract myself and hold back tears.....this song came on

Thanks universe!

You all know how obsessed with I am this song...

Like CRAZY obsessed.

Pretty sure I have posted it AT LEAST 3 or 4 times!!!!

(I love this video too..the girls are sooooo cute!)

You can be amazing You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug

You can be the outcast Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love

Or you can start speaking up

Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do As they settle ‘neath your skin

Kept on the inside and no sunlight Sometimes a shadow wins

But I wonder what would happen if you

Say what you wanna say And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

Everybody’s been there, everybody’s been stared down By the enemy

Fallen for the fear and done some disappearing Bow down to the mighty

Don’t run, stop holding your tongue

Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live

Maybe one of these days you can let the light in

Show me how big your brave is

Say what you wanna say And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

And since, your history of silence Won’t do you any good

Did you think it would?

Let your words be anything but empty Why don’t you tell them the truth?

Say what you wanna say And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

So be brave everybody.....

And be happy...be healthy!

Finding Happiness: Inspiration from Mara and Danny

I have a lot of things that I want this post to be.  I have been thinking and writing/rewriting it in my head for a week or 2 now.  And I suspect this version you are reading now is at least draft 10!

What I want to talk about has been really important to me recently.

And I think it may not end up in one post.  We may be talking about this for weeks!

It has been said that trials come into our lives for 3 reasons

1.We make poor choices that lead to our unhappiness

2. Others make choices that hurt or harm us

3. Life happens and our mortality leads to inevitable grief and sadness

Truth for sure. Its gonna happen...no matter what

BUT

Recently I have better understood our role in our own happiness....in spite of both trials and good times.

There are many reasons why, and I guess that will be where future posts come from.  

But today I want to talk about one inspiration.

Mara and Danny from A Blog About Love

(credits go to their blog...and the photographer Saydi Eyre Shumway...for the photo)

This couple is one of the most inspiration and amazing two people I have ever "met"

Both have experienced extremely deep heartaches in their lives. Their hearts have been truly broken.

They have every right and every reason and every excuse to be bitter, jaded, coarse and unhappy.

But they are exactly the opposite.

When I read THIS I was floored.  The idea that working for happiness was not foreign to me.  

But the idea that we had to let go of the things we think we need to be happy, to truly be happy..that one shook me a bit.

To really get to the place where Mara is, there is a lot of surrendering that has to be done.  A lot of changing of attitudes and priorities and perspective.  A LOT of work!

And I don't want to say that I don't want to do the work.  

Because isn't true happiness worth ALL the work in the world? 

OF COURSE!!!

When talking to one of my best friends about this type of surrender and type of change, I caught myself saying "I'm just not there.  I just can't do that right now."

And I don't believe I was wrong.  I am not yet ready to completely let go.  I'm not in a place where I can relinquish control like that.

But I do think I was too dismissing.  I was too dismissing of the possibility that the ultimate goal could be reached with small baby steps.

My mother is forever saying "you eat an elephant one bite at a time"

But I didn't know where to start.  The complete overhaul I would need to allow myself to truly be happy was so overwhelming, I didn't know where to begin.

But Mara came to my rescue!  She recently posted THIS about her active and intentional gratitude following a very significant trial.

So that is where I have begun.  I have already started here in my blog world, trying to find the positive, and being happy for the simple joys in life.

And can I tell you since I have been trying to do it in my "outside life", amazing things have happened.  

Days that should be terrible aren't so bad.  Hard things seem easier to deal with and move on from.

And it hasn't been as hard as I thought.

It was one simple step.  And once I feel I have it down, I will take another.

Now I always say at the end of my posts Be Happy Be Healthy.

But this time I really want you all to know that I mean it!

Finding Happiness: Beauty is Born From the Ashes

 Isn't this the most incredible phrase?

Aside from its poetic nature...the deep meaning of it is truly beautiful.

Life can knock us down.

The nature of being human and living around other humans leads to inevitable hurt and heartache.

And I never believe in ignoring those feelings.  Those feelings of anger and sadness are normal and completely fine if you ask me!

The Supreme Example, Jesus Christ wept.  He, at times, was angry and upset.  He was tried and wounded.

BUT

What happened after?

He worked.

He forgave.

He taught.

He LOVED.

That was where the beauty came in.

The beauty came in the reaction to the emotion.

Emotions-great.  What we do with our emotions-ESSENTIAL.

When we are able to have productive and healthy reactions to our emotions...that I believe will mean great happiness and contentment in life.


Laughter will cover the grieving.
Fear will be lost in believing.
Hatred will be covered with love.


I love the idea of coming from a dark place to a place of beauty, hope and love.
Its going be a process.  And I hope you won't mind if I share how things are going.

Its always good to take a couple friends on a long trip right?


So as cheesy as it sounds...lets climb guys.

Be Happy Be Healthy!!