Quote: Success

"If you want to be successful, be excellent. If you want the best the world has to offer, offer the world your best." -- Oprah

Being a Mormon

I wanted to share this great blog about being an LDS / Mormon woman in life today. It's a great place to start sharing thoughts about life and religion in our society. There are many anti-Mormon blogs and misunderstandings about being LDS -- we are somehow thought of as being associated with the Amish or polygamist cults. It's not accurate at all, and I think it's nice to get correct information to the public about what we believe -- as well as share our testimonies of Jesus Christ and his Atonement. I'm very happy to support this blogger in her efforts to share her thoughts and feelings - not just about being a Latter-day Saint - but about being a single mom, about coping and staying on top of things in a life that is filled with so many distractions. She also has a blog about simplifying and organizing which is fantastic.

Humor for the Day

Here is a very funny video clip for the TV show "Numbers" -- it's a parody of the PC vs MAC commercials. Thought I'd share. Enjoy!

Tribute to President Gordon B. Hinckley

I just came across a beautiful video tribute to President Gordon B. Hinckley. Thought I'd share it with you.

The Virtue of Patience

"Elder Neal A. Maxwell linked patience and faith together when he taught: 'Patience is tied very closely to faith in our Heavenly Father. Actually, when we are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we know what is best--better than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than His' ("Patience," Ensign, Oct. 1980, 28).

"We can grow in faith only if we are willing to wait patiently for God's purposes and pattern to unfold in our lives, on His timetable."

(Robert C. Oaks, "The Power of Patience," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 16-17)

Taking a Vacation

"It's time to take a vacation!" After the holidays are over -- don't you sometimes feel as though you need a vacation -- just to recover?

Recreation and renewal are extremely important to maintaining a balanced and happy life. I sometimes feel as though we get caught up in the "rat race" too much. I returned from a trip to Hawaii in mid-December -- and it became extremely clear that our society is out of balance. After stepping off the plane, I was just about run over by 10-15 people rushing this way and that with their luggage -- pushing and shoving. No one looking at each other or smiling. No happiness. No friendliness.

It felt very sad to me. Coming from the warmth and openness of the Hawaiian Islands -- back to the rush. What a contrast.

Anyway, I'm very easily caught up in the "thick of thin things" myself -- and have to remind myself to quit working at 10-12 hours per day rather than the 16-18 hours I typically work. So, for New Years -- I've set goals to have mini-vacations throughout the year -- to take breaks and have more fun. Otherwise, life just passes us by.

So, if you feel as I do -- you can change it -- take a vacation, take a step back, look at your life and really ENJOY!

Quote: Overcoming Shortcomings

"We should not be discouraged or depressed by our shortcomings. No one is without weakness. As part of the divine plan, we are tested to see whether we master weakness or let weakness master us. Proper diagnosis is essential to proper treatment. The Lord gave us this remarkable assurance: “Because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong” (Ether 12:37). But wishing for strength won’t make us strong. It takes faith and work to shore up a weakened cord of integrity."

--Russell M. Nelson, "Integrity of Heart", Ensign, Aug. 1995, 19