Being My Best Self

This weekend I was blest to be able to take some time to learn more about myself, my strengths and weaknesses, what I can do better at and that I am loved. 

I attended a Relief Society Meeting with my mom. Participated in a planning meeting with some of my female mentors. I also was able to go to my own Stake Relief Society meeting. This all occurred on Saturday. Sunday was also wonderful as I got to attend church and a special Youth fireside. Lucky me, I am a Young Women's leader so I get to attend. It was so wonderful, the whole weekend, but I am completely spiritually and emotionally drained. 

When I listen to speakers I don't often remember what they said exactly. I try and listen to what my Heavenly Father wants me to learn. He will tell me if I listen closely. He often gives me a theme. This weekend my Father told me that I need to be my best self.

Often I am hard on myself. I look at my to do list and see the things that I didn't accomplish instead of what I completed. Sometimes I feel like if I can't do it perfect why even try at all. I expect myself to be perfect. Nobody expects this. Why am I so hard on myself? 

I am so glad that my Heavenly Father knows of my struggles and shows me how to improve. He has given me my own special gifts and talents and that is enough. I am enough. I just need to be me, but the best me that I can be at that moment. 

There are many other things that I learned this weekend. I am going to share some of my thoughts so be patient. I am sure this is going to be a long post. 

The theme was A Heart Like His. His being Jesus Christ. As a member of the LDS faith I am always striving to be more like him. It isn't always easy but if I take the time and look for opportunities I know I will find them. I can treat people a little better than they think they deserve.

I can also let my actions speak for me. They tell people who I really am.

After the theme was introduced we were given a list classes to choose from and then attend three.

The first class I went to was in regards to family and how to be unified. Truly "knit" together. We are just starting our family; it's just us, Bee and our little Cupcake on the way. Here are some of the tips they gave us to be focused and unified as a couple and a family. 

1 - Be on the same team as a couple. Stronger together. 

Personal Attitude. Pray daily . Attend the temple. Create a positive environment. Have a purpose for everyday. Start off the day with priorities. Prepare for the week or day before hand, it will help life to flow better and to be prepared for whatever is thrown at me. 

Unity in Marriage. Be an example. Attend the temple. Compromise, different isn't wrong it's just different. Support each others interests. Do things together. Pray together. Make sure that Christ is the foundation and lean on him always.

2. Family. Faith - daily scripture study (try reading at the table so kids don't fall asleep) and prayer. Prayer - keep as a constant companion. Follow prompting and allow prayer to work. Prayer protects. Make a family tradition eg. Families are Forever cheer. Repentance - more than just apologizing, you must improve. Forgive - forgiveness heals both the offender and frees you. Respect - respect self and others. Monitor the media in our home. Praise positive actions. Teach self confidence and respect. Love is spelt T I M E - meals, playing, chores. The idea of a notebook letter swap was shared. A place where kids can write their challenges and struggles and you (parent) can respond. Bedtime, take the time to focus on individual children. Compassion - be present when needed. See the positive. Know love languages and make sure their love tanks are full. Work - we can do hard things. Get chores done. Work before play. Recreation - play together = stay together. 

The most important work I do is between the walls of our home. Follow the council of the prophets and the scriptures. They are given to us as an instruction manual. 

Valiant Hearts. It takes obedience to gain a valiant heart. I have to be willing to do what I can with what I have. Even when I don't know know what is ahead of me I need to keep I keeping on. My Heavenly Father will direct and protect me and my family. I have been given my gift of agency. I determine what my life consists of. I determine what I am known for. My decisions will determine if I recognize my Savior when I see him. 

The story of the 10 virgins was brought up. All 10 of them wanted to be in the presence of The Lord but only 5 were determined to do what was needed. I cannot have a lamp full of oil if I don't add oil daily. Drop by drop. 

I want to be an example to my children. I want them to know without a doubt that I knew. That I tried my best. I want my family to be together forever, my children and those that have gone before us. I must stand strong. Uncompromising when it comes to my standards. Satan is suddle; he leads gently and slowly. Don't let him in. He can do much work with even a slight crack. 

Nurturing a Cheerful Heart. I really loved this lesson because it really tied my thoughts together. I need to see the good in myself, to allow myself to be whom I am meant to be. As a mom my attitude will be passed onto the environment in my home and those whose lives I interact with. I don't have to be superhuman, that's impossible. I just have to do the best with what I have been given and trust in The Lord. 

How in the world can I have a cheerful heart all the time? I'm not sure if it's possible to be cheerful everyday but I do know that everyday has joy in it. Someday see just have to look a little deeper. 

Challenges will always be there but hey help us become a little better. They smooth out the rough edges. Here are some tips on getting through daily challenges. Laugh at yourself and the situation you end up in. Don't take yourself too seriously. Enjoy the sun and dance in the rain. Have a Mary Poppins attitude by putting a positive spin on life. Dance! Be silly! 

Struggles can become our strengths even some of our greatest blessings. Perfection doesn't come automatically or after one try. It takes courage to be imperfect in a world that demands so much. 

Keep what matters most a priority ALWAYS. Daily actions will push us in one direction or another. Where do you want to go and is that destination inline with where you are headed. 

Live so others know I am committed to keeping my covenants and blest as a result. Live so my happiness shows! 

After my inspiring morning and delicious lunch I met with two of my female mentors. It really was a perfect addition. My mind and heart were in a wonderful place and I was ready to make and set plans to achieve my personal, family and business goals. I have learned that every aspect of my life works better when my spiritual self has been properly fed and nourished. I have a lot of work ahead of me to achieve all of our goals. So far I am very glad and blest that I have already been able to quit my job to stay at home with my babies.

My stake had a very different and similar type of meeting. It was entitled "Its A Chick Thing." We had wonderful food, as all Relief Society activities do, goofy skits, spiritual messages and lessons.

This months skit was the story of the Little Red Hen and helping the ward through visiting teaching. All of the animals had different struggles and situations that prevented them from accomplishing their visiting teaching. It was goofy but it showed how important even the little things are in assisting with the work of The Lord.

The classes focused on visiting teaching and how we can be more effective.

First off you need to get to know the sisters that you teach. How can you help someone if you don't know what their needs are? How can you love them as Christ does if they are strangers to you? 

Be persistent. Sometimes it's difficult to get together with those you teach but if you are persistent they will know you will be there when they need you. Be someone they can count on. 

How do you arrange your priorities? There was a object lesson on how to fit everything we need to get done into a day. You may have already seen this lesson. There was a jar, some larger rocks and some smaller rocks. You can put these objects in different ways but can you get them all in? If you put the bigger/more important things in first you can fill in the gaps with the smaller things. I love this because I find that I find the time to squeeze in some things when I have a spare moment. 

I forget what book it was, but I once read about eatting the frog first. Gross I know! If you have to eat a frog when would you rather do it? Get it over with!! Same goes with your duties and priorities. Do what needs to be done in the beginning of the day and the other things that you accomplish are bonus. 

I am a list lady and my lists can get quite daunting. I have changed my list from one huge list to a daily list of five. A few around the house, business, one I will enjoy and scripture study.

 When I read my scriptures in the morning it seems that everything goes smoother. I get the majority of my list done before lunch then I can enjoy my afternoons and even take a nap without feeling guilty.

What a long post! You deserve a ribbon! I wrote this mainly for myself but I hope you were able to learn something. 

As I have focused on these concepts I feel so much better about myself, my roles and what I accomplish daily! 

Remember be the best you that you can be! You are enough!