Monday, April 21, 2008
Who I am Makes A Difference!
This past weekend, I was able to go to church with my sister and brother in-law. It was so amazing to be there with my little sister as she delivered one of the most powerful talks I have heard in a long time. She spoke about standards and why youth need to uphold them. Personally, I have not had a hard time keeping the standards presented by the church, and knew at a very young age that the guidelines acted as a protection for me.
Lately, I have been thinking about right and wrong. Does it exist? I know, a very random question...but I take a look at people in my life who have done something that I deem as 'wrong,' but then through the power of the Atonement, come back into the 'right.' So, in the long-run, was it wrong? My sister didn't actually touch on that, but the phrases she used weren't necessarily the words 'right' or 'wrong.' She used words like, 'straight and narrow,' 'consequences of misguided decisions,' 'appropriate and inappropriate.' As I have been contemplating the words 'right' and 'wrong' and what they mean, Jamie's talk allowed me to reflect on the truths of the gospel. If I do something in accordance to the will of the Lord, I will reap consequences that leave me feeling enlivened, fulfilled and happy. If I do something that is not in accordance with the truths the Lord has provided for me, I will reap the consequences of those decisions to. Is it wrong? In this representation, maybe 'wrong' is not the most fitting word. Something to think about.
It is interesting to me though, that the general feeling or thought about standards sometimes leave people feeling like they have all these strict rules to follow. What I have found is when I keep my standards, I create a space where I am empowered. Keeping standards allows me to practice something that sets me apart....makes me different.
I received this video from a dear friend talking about 'who I am makes a difference.' I can't remember the exact statistics, but children hear up to 432 words a day that are negative, and only 32 that are positive. At work, I started practicing saying more encouraging words and have noticed a huge difference in the work space. This video is very profound and most certainly accurate when I find that I am trying to balance every day busy loads and forget who I am.
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3 comments:
Oh my gosh! I can't belive that. I just sat here and cryed through that whole clip. I will also be making sure I say more positive things every day! especially to my wonderful children! It is so easy to let life get so crazy that you can get upset over things that are so silly, and then you end up saying hurtful things to someone you love!
This is such a good video. It really reaches home right now. Just this week my sister in laws brother took his own life.He lived in border Wy, just a few miles from Montpelier. When we went and saw his family they said if only he would have knowen how many people were out looking for him and how many people cared. It would have made a differance. It is so crazy how many people just around here in Montpelier have taken there lifes the last couple of months. About six months ago. one of Montpeliers doctors took his life and a couple of weeks ago a 17 years old kid from here did the same. I also heard that in the last couple of weeks a kid from Preston an one from Pocatelo did as well. This is so sad. This video shows that just one person can make a differance in someones life.
Lindsay:
That was the most amazing piece that I have ever seen. I am crying also as it touched my heart and soul.
One day I hope to be able to explain just how I was inspired to read your blog today. The Lord answers prayers in so many ways and this was just another one.
It reminded me of Trudi as I know she tried to live her life that way.
Love you lots,
Valerie
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