Your Dash

I attended a funeral this past weekend, and let me just tell you, although it is a sad and sorrowful event, it is also one of the most spiritual and peaceful. The spirit that was present at this funeral was indescribable. I firmly believe that the knowledge of where we came from, why we're here, and where we're going enables us to feel peace during these times of loss. At this funeral one of the speakers read the following poem:

                                                                      The Dash

                                                                  by Linda Ellis 

                                                               

                                                I read of a man who stood to speak               

                                               At the funeral of a friend.

                                               He referred to the dates on her tombstone

                                               From the beginning to the end.

                                               He noted that first came the date of her birth

                                               And spoke of the following date with tears,

                                               But he said what mattered most of all

                                               Was the dash between those years.

                                               For that dash represents all the time

                                               That she spent alive on earth

                                               And now only those who loved her

                                               Know what that little line is worth.

                                               For it matters not, how much we own,

                                               The cars, the house, the cash,

                                               What matters is how we live and love

                                               And how we spend our dash.

 

                                               So think about this long and hard;

                                               Are there things you'd like to change?

                                               For you never know how much time is left

                                               That can still be rearranged.

                                           

                                               If we could just slow down enough

                                               To consider what's true and real

                                               And always try to understand

                                               The way other people feel. 

                                               And be less quick to anger

                                               And show appreciation more

                                               And love the people in our lives

                                               Like we've never loved before.

                                               If we treat each others with respect

                                               And more often wear a smile,

                                               Remembering that this special dash

                                               Might only last a little while.

                                               So when your eulogy is being read

                                               With your life's actions to rehash

                                               Would you be proud of the things they say

                                               And how you spent your dash? 

                                                                       

There is no guarantee as to how much time we're going to have here on this earth. Each day is truly a gift and what we do with our time and energy each day we live is very important. I often find myself saying these phrases; I'll do better tomorrow, I'll call that person tomorrow, I'll tell that person I love them tomorrow; but that's just it, what if we don't have tomorrow? We need to do and be the best we can TODAY. If you knew that today was your last day on earth would you sleep the day away doing nothing and talking to no one? Or would you wake up early to see the sun rise, visit your family and friends, say the words I love you, eat your favorite meals(yes, eating makes my list), stop to smell the roses, laugh until your stomach hurts, say a kind word to a stranger, etc.? I hope that you would do the latter. Make the most of the time you have here on earth. Fill your 'dash' with the things and people you love. Xoxo

A Grateful Heart

Today I am consumed with an overwhelming amount of gratitude for a few things. Number one: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The blessings that come from being a member of this church are priceless. It is a gospel of hope, forgiveness and love. Number two: The Priesthood and the men who worthily hold and exercise it. The spirit that is felt when these men receive and exercise their priesthood is ridiculously powerful. A major testimony builder for me. Number three: My family. Growing up as the youngest of 7 I wasn't always super close to my older siblings because we were in such different stages of life, but as I have gotten older we have become so much closer. They truly have become my best friends and I don't know what I would do without them. And last but most definitely not least: The Atonement. The cleansing, purifying, and strengthening powers of the Atonement never cease to amaze me. When you feel like there is no one that understands you, no one that you can turn to, remember, you can ALWAYS count on the Savior. He knows you better than you know yourself. He can and will help you anytime you need Him. There is nothing you need more throughout this mortal journey than Jesus Christ. I know that my Redeemer lives. Xoxo

"Jesus Christ is not our last chance. He is our only chance. He will show us the way because He is the way."         -Sheri Dew

It's Your Journey

"Not everyone will understand your journey. That's fine. It's not their journey to make sense of. It's yours." -Zero Dean

I came across this quote on pinterest about a year ago after I had made a decision that a lot of people didn't seem to understand. I hadn't just woken up one day and made this decision, it was something that I had spent a lot of time praying about and discussing with Heavenly Father. He gave me an answer and I was feeling so great about it, then people started questioning it and their questioning made me begin to question it myself. In the end I stuck with my answer and can I just tell you, it was 100% the right decision. The past few weeks I have found myself in a somewhat similar situation and I came across this quote:

"Sometimes you have to do what's best for you and your life, not what's best for everybody else."

It was exactly what I needed to hear. Everybody's journey here on Earth is different and unique. What's best for one person is going to be completely different than what's best for another person. Because of these differences there will more than likely be people along the way that don't understand your journey, but that's okay. I believe if we put our trust in the Lord He will ultimately lead us to happiness. He wants us to find that happiness and He knows how to get us there.

Xoxo

That One Time I Started a Blog...

     Yep. It's true folks. I've started a blog, something I honestly never thought I would do. I decided to start a blog for two reasons. Reason number one: I am terrible at keeping a journal so I thought this might be a good alternative way to document the happenings of my life. Reason number two: To share my testimony of the love that Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ have for not only me, but all of us. In a recent talk by Sister Jean A. Stevens she said: "Wherever we find ourselves on the path of discipleship, whatever our worries and challenges may be, we are not alone. You are not forgotten. We can choose to reach for God's hand in our need. We can face our challenges with prayer and trust in the Lord. And in the process we become more like Him." The power of prayer is real. I know it works because I've seen it work in my life and the lives of others many times. When nothing seems to be going right and all you want to do is give up, remember this: There Is Love.

     Maybe nobody will read this blog, maybe it will be a waste of my time, but hey I'm giving it a shot anyway! Xoxo