The year 2011 left and I am still so behind, still not posting enough since I started in 2009.
At the end of the year many do resolutions. I got tired of the idea because I know it just get forgotten within few weeks.. even days. Ironically enough, I was asked by the bishoprick in my ward, to speak last Sunday about the years experiences and lessons learned. However, they were not to be my own. I prayed a lot for inspiration. And what I came up with turned out better than I thought. (At the end of my thoughts is the talk, if you have time and desire to ready it.)
At the end of the year many do resolutions. I got tired of the idea because I know it just get forgotten within few weeks.. even days. Ironically enough, I was asked by the bishoprick in my ward, to speak last Sunday about the years experiences and lessons learned. However, they were not to be my own. I prayed a lot for inspiration. And what I came up with turned out better than I thought. (At the end of my thoughts is the talk, if you have time and desire to ready it.)
Nothing sounds new from what I mentioned on my talk, at least not to me. Therefore, they are not resolutions, they are reminders of what is important, and true.
I think is important for me to be more flexible with my boys, even though, I wasnt raised to be a mom, I was showned a great example. I forget so many times that the importance is not to be so strict that my children wont understand joy but only discipline, that happiness is the goal and love is the Savior's language to parenting. My biggest issue to remind myself this year, is to be more affectionate. As a "latina" I never seemed to have been that "touchy", yet my husband's love language is that particular characteristic I was taught to be a weakness. My husband reminds me so many times, that is ok to be emotional, tears wont hurt anybody, is just water!
Therefore, I do have a resolution for this year and the rest of my life: to let that seed of love in me, grow to the extend of my arms. To hug like a swaddling blanket with the strength of rope, to be a happy space in time that my boys wont want to leave yet to forget, of how much I love them; and how much of that love they should reflect on their actions with one another as well as their future families. As much as I love my husband I dont emotionally show it enough. So, I will do better, to let the love flow and free my tears when needed as well as wanted..
I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father for entrusting me with this little family to guide and help grow into the straight and narrow path. To raise men of truth and love.
I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father for entrusting me with this little family to guide and help grow into the straight and narrow path. To raise men of truth and love.
(my talk)
A year for our new world means 4 seasons, 12 months, 365 days; where school, college, work seems to take 3/4ths of it or may be almost all of it. I would like for you to think quickly on what this year meant to you. As you do, I am sure different things come to mind; physical things probably come up first, like the accomplishments at work, improvements on the house, progress in school, successful potty training or new additions to the family. However, there were disappointments, frustrations, incomplete projects, accidents and even passing of loved ones. Every year, we have thousands of experiences, encounter lots of people, and go many places, not to mention all the times we get sick. All these are classified under challenges and success of the year. In order to review these experiences for last year, we need to have few points into count:
First, the physical aspect in our year. We were able to do all those things partly because of our bodies. In an article by Barbara Lockhart in the February 1985 Ensign, she mentions how “having a body is a blessing. It is a gift we received because of past righteousness.” So, who of you was righteous in the pre-existance? That is right, all of us, because we all have our reward for past righteousness, our bodies.
Second, the mental aspect in our year. We are able to think and plan through our brains, even simple involuntary acts of survival happen because of our brain. In an article by Kathleen Pulsipheron on the March 1980 Ensign, she says, ”the human mind is elastic, able to expand and stretch as information is fed into it; there is no limit to what it can do.” So, we all have that power to expand and stretch our minds.
Third, the spiritual aspect in our year. We are able to have the guidense from Heavenly Father throughout our Spirit, whom the Holy Ghost communicates with. In Moroni 7:16 we read, “For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge..”
Now, we can look at the experiences of 2011, since we understand a little better the control, power and potential we have as human beings.
I am sure in each of you had different possible ways you could have managed each situation, whether a challenge or a success. Therefore, here are some ideas to have a better outcome and hence, a more enriching growth to our lesson during our earthly life, that you can include on your New Year’s resolutions.
• Did you have enough sleep?
Research shows that sleep is vital for learning and memory, as well as physical growth. Also, better mood, less stress, weight control and better looks. Infants require 16 hours a day, teenagers 9 on average and adults 7-8 hours. Short naps count too! Yay for siestas!!
• Did you eat breakfast today?
Studies showed that the benefits of eating breakfast include improving overall nutrition, concentration, alertness, creativity and aids in weight control.
• Did you talk to Heavenly Father yet?
We communite directly with our Savior through Prayer! Pray alone, pray with your spouse and pray with your family.
• Did you inspire your mind yet?
Scripture study is not only for those with a higher education. We are blessed with the fullness of the gospel. Why not expand our knowledge of Heavenly Father’s wisdom and stretch our brain capability with scripture truth. Read scriptures alone, with your spouse and with your family. It can be short but consistent and I promise it will have an eternal result.
• Did you do a good deed today?
Anybody can use a smile on the street, a yield on the road, a thank you anywhere. The simplest thing can go a long way for so many. It doesn’t have to be a service project, just a simple act of kindness.
• Sunday is the day to worship our Heavenly Father, and family.
Come to Church every Sunday, you never know when there are treats, or lessons that will answer your personal prayers. This is your opportunity to renew your baptismal covenants and be clean from your spiritual challenges. If you are not baptized you can still nourish your Spirit and remember the atonement through the sacrament.
• Go to the temple.
With our busy lives, it is easy to forget those sacred covenants made at such sacred place. If you haven’t had the opportunity to go or don’t have a recommend, please try to live your life in such way that you are worthy to such blessing.
• Have a Family night.
We know it as Family Home Evening. It doesn’t always have to have a lesson, but the importance is the quality time spent together getting to know each other better and connect as a family.
I believe we have heard these suggestions many times before. In Tom Perry’s words from the Oct 2009 General Conference, “I want to go back to the past way of facing the future.”
So, remember the formula:
Daily you need 7 hours of sleep, 1 good breakfast, at least 3 prayers (morning, night, meals, with others), 1 good deed.
Weekly you need 3 hours of Church (without including activities), an 1 hour of Family time.
Monthly you need 1 temple attendance (at least).
I pray that as we set our goals for this new year, we can remember what and who is important in our lives. That we have a physical body, unlimited mind and truthful Spirit. That no matter what it is, including the Savior in our goals and daily challenges can help us focus to continue on that straight and narrow path to go back to Heavenly Father’s presence in the highest degree of glory.
A year for our new world means 4 seasons, 12 months, 365 days; where school, college, work seems to take 3/4ths of it or may be almost all of it. I would like for you to think quickly on what this year meant to you. As you do, I am sure different things come to mind; physical things probably come up first, like the accomplishments at work, improvements on the house, progress in school, successful potty training or new additions to the family. However, there were disappointments, frustrations, incomplete projects, accidents and even passing of loved ones. Every year, we have thousands of experiences, encounter lots of people, and go many places, not to mention all the times we get sick. All these are classified under challenges and success of the year. In order to review these experiences for last year, we need to have few points into count:
First, the physical aspect in our year. We were able to do all those things partly because of our bodies. In an article by Barbara Lockhart in the February 1985 Ensign, she mentions how “having a body is a blessing. It is a gift we received because of past righteousness.” So, who of you was righteous in the pre-existance? That is right, all of us, because we all have our reward for past righteousness, our bodies.
Second, the mental aspect in our year. We are able to think and plan through our brains, even simple involuntary acts of survival happen because of our brain. In an article by Kathleen Pulsipheron on the March 1980 Ensign, she says, ”the human mind is elastic, able to expand and stretch as information is fed into it; there is no limit to what it can do.” So, we all have that power to expand and stretch our minds.
Third, the spiritual aspect in our year. We are able to have the guidense from Heavenly Father throughout our Spirit, whom the Holy Ghost communicates with. In Moroni 7:16 we read, “For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge..”
Now, we can look at the experiences of 2011, since we understand a little better the control, power and potential we have as human beings.
I am sure in each of you had different possible ways you could have managed each situation, whether a challenge or a success. Therefore, here are some ideas to have a better outcome and hence, a more enriching growth to our lesson during our earthly life, that you can include on your New Year’s resolutions.
• Did you have enough sleep?
Research shows that sleep is vital for learning and memory, as well as physical growth. Also, better mood, less stress, weight control and better looks. Infants require 16 hours a day, teenagers 9 on average and adults 7-8 hours. Short naps count too! Yay for siestas!!• Did you eat breakfast today?
Studies showed that the benefits of eating breakfast include improving overall nutrition, concentration, alertness, creativity and aids in weight control.• Did you talk to Heavenly Father yet?
We communite directly with our Savior through Prayer! Pray alone, pray with your spouse and pray with your family.• Did you inspire your mind yet?
Scripture study is not only for those with a higher education. We are blessed with the fullness of the gospel. Why not expand our knowledge of Heavenly Father’s wisdom and stretch our brain capability with scripture truth. Read scriptures alone, with your spouse and with your family. It can be short but consistent and I promise it will have an eternal result.• Did you do a good deed today?
Anybody can use a smile on the street, a yield on the road, a thank you anywhere. The simplest thing can go a long way for so many. It doesn’t have to be a service project, just a simple act of kindness.• Sunday is the day to worship our Heavenly Father, and family.
Come to Church every Sunday, you never know when there are treats, or lessons that will answer your personal prayers. This is your opportunity to renew your baptismal covenants and be clean from your spiritual challenges. If you are not baptized you can still nourish your Spirit and remember the atonement through the sacrament.• Go to the temple.
With our busy lives, it is easy to forget those sacred covenants made at such sacred place. If you haven’t had the opportunity to go or don’t have a recommend, please try to live your life in such way that you are worthy to such blessing.• Have a Family night.
We know it as Family Home Evening. It doesn’t always have to have a lesson, but the importance is the quality time spent together getting to know each other better and connect as a family.I believe we have heard these suggestions many times before. In Tom Perry’s words from the Oct 2009 General Conference, “I want to go back to the past way of facing the future.”
So, remember the formula:
Daily you need 7 hours of sleep, 1 good breakfast, at least 3 prayers (morning, night, meals, with others), 1 good deed.
Weekly you need 3 hours of Church (without including activities), an 1 hour of Family time.
Monthly you need 1 temple attendance (at least).
I pray that as we set our goals for this new year, we can remember what and who is important in our lives. That we have a physical body, unlimited mind and truthful Spirit. That no matter what it is, including the Savior in our goals and daily challenges can help us focus to continue on that straight and narrow path to go back to Heavenly Father’s presence in the highest degree of glory.
