Patience

Patience... what a great topic. I know I am not the only person that struggles with this one. We expect so much of ourselves and want to instant results. It can be very de-motivating when things are not happening as fast as we think they should be. Sometimes it can make us not even want to continue what we were doing.

I am currently 21 years old and still have not learned how to be as patient as I should. I grew up being told that patience is a virtue. I have a daughter now and that has definitely helped me accept this virtue more in the last three years. You never fully understand how hard parenting is until you have a toddler who screams when they do not get their way or says no whenever you tell them to do anything. It is so easy for me to cave in to her and give her what she wants just so I don't have to deal with the after effect. Anyone who has raised a child can understand how hard it is to see them upset. My daughter is in the middle of the phase where she is talking a lot more but it doesn't always come out clear. Therefor you are left guessing at what she is trying to say. Not only does that upset her but me as well. It has taken a lot of practice the last few months for me to stand my ground better and be patient with myself and her in both of these situations. I also struggle with patience a lot when having a conversation with somebody. Especially if we are having an argument and they don't respond or answer a question. I know that things would go a lot smoother sometimes if I gave people more time when talking to them.

I read somewhere wants that patience is really about having the inner strength to stick to your guns, face your fears, repeatedly let go of internal expectations, and have trust that it will all work out in the end. Patience is a hard thing to accomplish and takes time and practice. We can try to stay motivated while dealing with this virtue by striving to achieve, become, and take time with what we are trying to accomplish.

Pick one thing you have struggled with your patience recently on and do your best to try again, share your goal or results with me below.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Knowledge

Knowledge is the forth value in the young women theme. Knowledge is definitely very important. I appreciate it a lot more now then I use to. In high school I definitely did not take it as seriously as I should have. These days I like learning things. This blog has definitely helped me learn. Sometimes I write about subjects that I need more information on. I also love to read. Most of the time I read fiction books. However sometimes I like to read books on World War 2 and major tragedies in the world.

In D&C 130: 18-19 it explains how important knowledge is. It says: Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.

The greatest thing about life is we can constantly learn something new.

During summer people tend to have extra time on their hands. Take this summer to learn something new. Learn to knit scarves/hats and give them away as presents. Learn basic repair of cars, this can save you a whole lot of money on czar repairs. Learn about getting yourself healthy through exercise and better eating habits. Knowledge doesn't do you much good if you don't do anything with it. Take the time to share your new knowledge with someone you know. Let me know in the comments below what you are going to try to learn this summer.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. I always appreciate the feedback and participation with my posts. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Life of The Party

The song this week is Life of The Party by Shawn Mendes. I had never heard this song until this week. He has such a great voice. If you haven't heard this song yet check it out.

The lyrics are:
I love it when you just don't care
I love it when you dance like theres nobody there
So when it gets hard, don't be afraid
We don't care what them people say
i love it when you don't take no
I love it when you do what you want cause you just said so
Let them all go home, we out late
We don't care what them people say
We don't have to be ordinary
Make your best mistakes
'Cause we don't have the time to be sorry
So baby be the life of the party
I'm telling you to take your shot it might be scary
Hearts are gonna break
'Cause we don't have the time to be sorry
So baby be the life of the party
Together we can just let go
Pretend like there's no one else here that we know
Slow dance fall in love as the club track plays
We don't care what them people say
Come out tonight, come out tonight
We don't care what them people say
We don't care what them people say
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Life of the party
So don't let them keep you down
Oh you know you can't give up
'Cause we don't have the time to be sorry
So baby be the life of the party

Let me know what you think of the song in the comments.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Five Minute Friday: Lost

Once again we are back with a Five Minute Friday post. If you would like to join us check out lisajobaker.com

This weeks word is lost...

My life experience is still growing. There are many moments that arrive that leave me lost. The last five years specifically. I went through a period of time where every turn I made seemed to get more more lost then before. I lost a loved one, barely graduated high school, and got pregnant during my first semester of college. Now five years later I finally feel like I am steering my life back onto the path I am not lost on.  I've lived in four different places along this journey as well.

It is amazing how fast our thoughts and decisions can get of lost at times. All it takes is one wrong turn. But it also can take one right turn to get us right back where we want to be. If you can take one thing away from reading this, know that everything happens with a purpose (and we can't change what has happened). Even though it can make us feel lost, we will find our way again at some point.

What do you most often get lost in? Is it your thoughts or decisions or something else?

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Summer

This week I am thankful for Summer. I love that it stays bright outside later in the day. Tonight I was able to play outside with my daughter when we got home from dinner for a little bit. I know it won't be this way for much longer but everyone should take advantage of it while it lasts. I thin I am going to start running in the afternoon since it will be cooler and still light outside.

Do you enjoy the sun staying out later during the summer?

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

World Cup

The World Cup has been taking place recently. I thought this would be the perfect picture for this week.

Do you watch the World Series? Have you ever played soccer?

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. I always appreciate the feedback and participation with my posts. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Morality Play

Todays prompt is: Where do your morals come from — your family? Your faith? Your philosophical worldview? How do you deal with those who don’t share them, or derive them from a different source?

Morals can be a touchy subject with people. I am only 21 years old and still not sure in everything I believe. My morals definitely came from my family and faith. I grew up in a pretty religious household. However I was not sheltered like a lot of major religious people can be. My dad was not part of the church that we attended but was very supportive of it. He made sure to always attend if we were giving a talk or singing. There are aspects of my religion that I still have not come to an understanding of because of the way my life has been. I believe that everybody has different beliefs. I have always had friends with other beliefs and I don't think any different about them for it. I know that I am still young and have a lot to learn but I think I have a pretty good foundation of morals set for myself and hopefully can pass to my daughter as well.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. I always appreciate the feedback and participation with my posts. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Lack of Clarity

One of the worst de-motivators is having lack of clarity. We have all had those days when we don't know what step is next or why we're doing what we're doing. We can try staying motivated through these periods by setting aside time to revisit your projects, goals, and values. I know I have a constant habit of starting something and not finishing it. Sometimes it can be months before I even start working on it again. You have to take one step at a time. I started with something as simple as reading, which I have written about before. This last month I have done a lot better with finishing a book and not starting any new ones.

Try finishing a project this week you have been working on or accomplish a goal you have had for a while.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. I always appreciate the feedback and participation with my posts. Please leave comments with suggestions or thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Individual Worth

D&C 18:10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of god.

Todays value is individual worth. I found this picture online yesterday and thought it was a perfect explanation of how people feel.

People always make such a big deal of how they look. We just need to remember this picture every time we start losing our self esteem. 

Share a picture in the comments that explains or shows individual worth.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Automatic

This weeks song is Automatic by Miranda Lambert. It has been one have the most played songs on my phone lately. This song is about how life used to be before everything became electronic. Things were very simple and I think sometimes we forget how life has changed in the last ten years.

The lyrics are:
Quarter in a payphone
Drying laundry on the line
Watching Sun Tea in the window
Pocket watch for tellin' time
Seems like only yesterday I'd get a blank cassette
Record the country countdown 'cause I couldn't buy it yet
If we drove all the way to Dallas just to buy an Easter dress
We’d take along a Rand McNally, stand in line to pay for gas
God knows that shifting gears ain’t what it used to be
I learned to drive that 55 just like a queen, three on a tree
Hey, whatever happened to waitin' your turn
Doing it all by hand,
'Cause when everything is handed to you
It's only worth as much as the time put in
It all just seemed so good the way we had it
Back before everything became automatic
If you had something to say
You'd write it on a piece of paper
Then you'd put a stamp on it
And they'd get it three days later
Boys would call the girls
And girls would turn them down
Staying married was the only way to work your problems out
Let's pull the windows down
Windows with the cranks
Come on let's take a picture
The kind you gotta shake

Don't take for granted what you have. Every now and again take a step back and maybe try doing things a little differently like things used to do before it became "automatic".

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Five Minute Friday: Release

I have been recently thinking of ways to release stress from my life. Trying to look for new hobbies or activities to participate in would be ideal. We get so caught up in all of life that we forget we need time to ourself. I know often I have sat down at my computer to write my blog and wonder why I continue. I am always thinking about who is reading my blog and who is commenting on my posts. I forget the reason I started this blog in the first place. I did it to share my thoughts and possibly put a smile on someones face or get them through a rough day. I did it to have fun. Writing is a great way to just release stress. Take time to release. Even if it is only once a week.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Air Conditioning

This past weekend I was able to go to Arkansas to visit my mother. I forgot how hot it gets in that area. I do not know how people can live without an air conditioner. This is probably why I love winter so much. So this week I am thankful for the air conditioner.

What is your favorite thing to do in the summer? Do you think it ever gets to hot outside?

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Minecraft

Are you creative? Do you like to build things? I love this game.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Shape Up or Ship Out

So today was a really rough subject for me to figure out. I really like the new theme for Tuesdays because they are making me think a lot harder about some of the topics.

Today's prompt is: Shape Up or Ship Out. Write a letter to the personality trait you like least, convincing it to shape up or ship out. Be as threatening, theatrical, or thoroughly charming as is necessary to get the job done.

Dear Laziness,

      As much as I have enjoyed your company lately, I no longer need you hanging out. I have been missing out on quite a bit of activities and products that I need to be getting done. I am tired of sitting around and leaving everything in a major chaos. 

      I spend most of my free time these days playing video games. If I am not of a game console or my computer, I am waiting videos about the games. I could really use this time more wisely by taking my little girl to the park, which she loves. I could also start organizing all the extra stuff I have no that my mom has moved. I am sure there is a lot of stuff I own I could get rid of.

      I am sure if you stopped hanging around so much and let productivity hang out more I would not only feel better about myself but about my surroundings as well. Please give me a break and give me time to get work done.

     Thank you so much for understanding!

                        Yours Truly,

                          Lazy Butt

I challenge everyone to take part in my prompt each tuesday in the comments below. I thank you ahead of time for participating.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Comparison

I am as guilty if not more than everybody when it comes to comparing myself to other. I have always been over weight and the odd one out. Everyone has a day in our life where we do or don't measure up next to our colleagues, family, friends, neighbors or whoever, can only bring on unproductive thinking. Instead of focusing on what others do, focus on your dream, goals, and desires. We need to build the life we want with the things we have not the life someone else has. There is nothing wrong with being an individual. Don't be afraid to stand out.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Devine Nature

Today we are going to talk about Devine Nature. It is the second value for the young women.

The scripture for this value is:
2 Peter 1: 4-7 Be partakers of the divine nature. ... Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and ti knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

What qualities do you have that make you stand out more than other people?

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

I Don't Dance

This weeks sons is I Don't Dance by Lee Brice. When I first saw the title of this song I laughed. Mainly because I hate dancing. I think I look funny when I try. More recently I have stopped caring and I am sure it has to do with me having a kid. This song is not about dancing though. It is about a guy that will do anything for this girl he loves.

In the song it says:
I don't dance, But here I am
Spinning you around and around in circles
It Ain't my style, but I don't care
I'd do anything with you anywhere
Yes, you got me in the palm of your hand
Cause, I don't dance

Love's never come my way,
I've never been this far
Cause you took these two left feet
And waltzed away with my heart

Never be scared to dance. you never know where it will take you.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live from today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Five Minute Friday: Messanger

Oh how we all seem to turn into messengers these days. I remember growing up and playing telephone and never having the message stay the same by the time it was reveled. Oh how simple things would be if only one person would stick to being the messenger. When so many people pass things around so much gets changed. I can not tell you how many time I have received information that was not true just because I did not hear it from the source. I have felt like a messenger lately. With one brother in college, on living with friends, and my mom in another state.... we do not communicate well at all. It is quite entertaining when we all start talking to us all or we all try solving issues. If you are going to be a messenger make sure you have your message right. Write it down if you have to.

What can you do to make sure you relay message to others correctly?

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Ebay

Today I am thankful for Ebay. I have spent way to much time this week trying to find these Frozen dolls for my daughters birthday party. I finally caved and got them off of Ebay. I am getting so excited for her party now because everything is coming together. These dolls have been sold out everywhere.

Husky

I absolutely love this dog. I want one so badly. Maybe one day...

What does this make you think of?

I really hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Theme Change Time

After three months of Trip Tuesdays I think it is time to change things up a bit. There are only so many things I have done so far in my life. Tuesdays are now going to be known as Theme Tuesdays. I will be taking a prompt from The Daily Post's Ebook, 365 Days of Writing Prompts, to write about on Tuesdays.

Today's prompt is: Ripped into the headline. Write about something that happened over the weekend as though it's the top story on your local paper.

Elephant presented the flag while crowd stood
to sing the national anthem.

Tuesday Weekly

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey LEGENDS

Crowds formed Saturday afternoon in the Colorado Springs World Arena hours before the show. Kids and their parents were very excited as they got to take a look at all the animals before the show. Elephants gathered in their pen and ate hay as people walked by to photograph them. The elephants were not the only animals catching peoples eye. There were also many tigers, lions, and... horses. After the doors to the arena opened, people made their way inside. The halls were lined with food, drinks, and memorabilia. I couldn't stop myself from getting my daughter an elephant stuffed animal to add to her collection. As people made their way to their seats there was still action taking place on the floor. Kids of all ages were able to talk and take pictures with some of the performers as they signed autographs. They were also handing out red noses so the audience could be part of all the clown madness. As we waited for the show to start we took many "selfies" in our clown attire. 7 o'clock finally rolls around and the arena goes dark. The ringmaster and clowns come out and the show takes off. There was a lot of music involved which kept the kids pulled in. The clowns did a fun act which placed about seven clowns in one jump rope without missing a beat. They were followed by some bicyclists who made a pyramid on top of two moving bicycles. A loud rumble formed as the motorcyclists came out. They went into a metal sphere starting with three... then five... then SEVEN! The crowd sat amazed as they watched these seven bikes zoom past each other in such a small area. Next came the large cats. This is always one of the

Amber, Adam, and my daughter with one of the clowns.

scariest parts for me to watch. There were many tigers, a few lionesses, and a lion. The lionesses were pushing their limits tonight as one jumped at the performer during a trick. The performer gave a tiger and the lion a kiss. You have to be a very brave person to put your face that close to a wild animal like that. The elephants came out and did tricks. I t was fun to watch them sit like a person and roll over. One of the final performances of the night were the trapeze performers. They did not have the best night. There were many moments I wondered how they were not hitting their heads on the polls above them during their flips. It was a very entertaining show. Definitely a show I hope to see again in future years.

We had a great night full of fun and laughter. If you have never been to a circus before it is something you should try at least once. My favorite part was seeing the big cats try to listen to the performer.

Have you been to a circus? If so, which one and what is your favorite performance?

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Distractions

For the next few weeks I want to talk about things that demotivates us and what we can do to gain that motivation back. Today I want to talk about distractions. When our attention is pulled in too many distractions, we can lose focus and motivation for working on what's most important. In order to try to stay motivated we need to be able to notice our distractions. Are you being interrupted by people, sounds, emails, and phone calls? What can you do during certain times of the day to minimize those distractions? Recently I have turned off the dings and vibrations on my phone. It has limited the amount of time I have spent texting or at least slowed it down. It has definitely shown positive affects on my focus, productivity, and motivation on everything I have done recently.

What are some of the distractions you have been facing? What are you going to try doing to minimizing them?

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learning from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Young Women Values

I have had a hard time trying to figure out what I was going to write about today. Then I realized I have been spending a lot of time thinking about the Young Women program at my church. I loved everything about church when I was in young women. I figured what a better thing to do then talk about one value each week until I finish all eight.

Each sunday when I was in young women's we would recite our theme:
We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, Who loves us, and we love him.
We will stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places.
As we strive to live the young women values, which are: Faith, Devine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, Integrity, and Virtue.
We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values, we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

So today we will start with Faith.
I have talked a little bit about faith before so I won't say to much on it. Faith is a good thing for everyone to have. I gives everyone something to believe in.
I love this quote:
Alma 32:21 Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for thinks which are not seen, which are true.

What does faith mean to you?

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Songwriting

I thought I would change things up a little bit today. Instead of writing about a specific song I want to talk about songwriting. I have always been very jealous of people who write their own songs. I have tried and it is not easy. I would love to learn more piano or guitar so i can sit down and put tunes with lyrics. I have read a few books on song writing and downloaded a couple apps. I think I am going to challenge myself this week to spend at least some time each day putting lyrics together or maybe just melodies.

Does anyone have any tricks that help you start writing? Have you ever written a song? If so, I would love to hear it or read the lyrics. Please share them below.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Five Minute Friday: Hands

Little hands, big hands, clean hands, and dirty hands. My hands seem to always be full. I have a almost three year old that can not keep her hands clean. I feel like most of the time the day flies by.  We rely on our hands for many things. I am a high technology user. I text all the time, I use my computer, and I play video games. Not to mentions basic tasks like cooking and driving. Some people use their hands more then others. I have always wanted to learn sign language. I have a friend who uses sign language on a daily bases. He use to try and teach me some. It is a lot more difficult then it looks. It would be amazing to go a whole day with only communicating with our hands. Everything would be so much more peaceful.

Can you imagine what life would be like if you couldn't use your hands?
Have you ever learned sign language? If so, what is the easiest way to learn?

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Reading

This week I am thankful for the ability to read. I was given a list of books last week that I should read. I have spent a good amount of time this week trying to read more. In the last couple months I have finished many books and stop reading them by the third chapter. So I finally picked one and plan on finishing it within the month.

Some of the books that have been recommended for me are:

Hunger Games Series
Divergent Series
Mortal Instruments Series
Fifty Shades Trilogy
Wicked Series

The reason I picked these series is because I have seen the movies for most of them and loved the movies. Everyone always says the books are always better though. I have started book one of all of these and I plan to start over and finish one series before I continue.

Has anyone read these books? Which series was your favorite?

Art

I went to the chalk art festival in Denver on sunday and this is one of the featured artists. Can you believe this is chalk. Here are a few more of the pictures I took.

Do these pictures make you think of anything specific? Can you draw like this? If so, share your pictures in the comments below.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Alaska

Alaska is one of the few states that I have not visited yet. All pictures that I have ever seen are so pretty. Not to mention I love the cold. I really want to see the Aurora Borealis. It would be fun to hike around and see the many animals you don't find in Colorado. This one is up there on my bucket list.

Have you been to Alaska? If so, what is something I should see or do?

I hope you all enjoy my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

Motivation

A while back someone I follow on Facebook had posted this. I am going to take their words and share them with you. Today I started my INSANITY workout over from the beginning. I am hoping to make it to the end of the program this time. I did not have the motivation at all this time. However I know I would feel better if I got back into it.

This page is about motivation in general. We start our fitness or life journey somewhere and are along that journey now. Wouldn't it be great to help inspire one person today?

Here is what I want from today:
1. In the comments below write something encouraging and motivating.
2. Share this blog with friends and family and ask them to share there comments as well.

If we can inspire one person.... JUST ONE... someone's life will be forever changed.
I can not wait to read the comments. Everyone has days where they still need motivation and today is one of those days for me.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave your comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein

The Key

I saw this video on Facebook this week and thought it was a great analogy. Please watch this video. It really makes you think. I accept his challenge. It is always so easy to blame someone else for things that go wrong in our life. I do it all the time. It is all just part of the plan. None of us would be where we are today without the decisions we have made in the past.

I hope you all enjoy reading my blog. Please leave comments with suggestions and thoughts.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein