A Happy Thought in The Midst Of...

 (last year)

Its been a rough week. Like, test who you really are kind of week. Like, if it don't kill ya, it will make you stronger kind of week. And I really believe those things, that when times are tough, one can take great pride in never losing a certain optimism. And when its over, when you overcame, when you look back with the knowledge that you actually smiled and enjoyed moments of the journey because you knew what a funny story it would be to look back on how laughably bad things were, that sense of accomplishment, that pride in yourself will move you up a few notches in the got-this-life-figure-out pole. And that kind of confidence boost is priceless. And when a person gots confidence, a person can do anything. 

I believe that life is like a muscle, lets imagine our life is a bicep. And if you want a stronger, more awesome bicep, you can't just go to the gym everyday for 10 years and lift 10 lbs for a half hour. The strength will remain the same, and it will be easy. You know what you gotta do, you have to increase the weight. You have to push your limits. Because right when it starts to burn. Right when you want to stop because it hurts so bad. THAT is the moment when you grow. 

In short, I truly am grateful for when life teaches me a lesson. I would never give up the rough times I've been through to make my life easier. Looking back at who I was five years ago, I can't believe how little I knew about life! This, is a journey. An Adventure. What adventure movie can you think of where everything went right and easy? (booooooooorrrring!)

I can't wait to see what kind of person I am ten years down the road, with ten more years of muscle-growin under the belt. 

Here is us last Christmas, after the most grueling 3 months of my life (I really think so). Moving from the west coast, leaving all of our friends who had become like family, ditching so many of our loved things that we couldn't bring along, to a scary new, lonely place, with no job. And look at how good things turned out! (I will not allow this week to taint the past year as we come upon our 1 year anniversary here!)

p.s.

To those who are aware of the plumbing incident, that was definitely the straw that prompted this post, but not the only straw on my back at the moment! Thankyou for everyone who has expressed their prayers and concern during this issue and during our flu sufferings! Love you all <3

A Better Me & A Movie

This year I have thought, and worked towards, my New Years resolutions more than ever in my life. I’ve concluded that there are two reasons for this:

1. I’ve finally come to the realization in my life that true happiness comes from personal growth.

2. I set uncomplicated, attainable goals (as if I hadn’t been told that this was the way for like, my whole life. doh)

I don’t really want to talk about all of the goals I’ve worked on, but I do want to talk about how I want to continue to move forward with 2013, and things that inspire me to be a better me.

When I’m working towards bettering myself in this way and that way, I’m usually focused on how being a better person will give me a happier day to day life. However I LOVE LOVE this talk by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, which I’ve read at least five times now, which talks about bettering ourselves more with the purpose of not regretting anything at the end of our life.

“The more we devote ourselves to the pursuit of holiness and happiness, the less likely we will be on a path to regrets.”

Having regrets is painful. I for one do not want to be in the next life, watching the “Movie of Ariel’s Life” and be just totally disappointed that it is such a lame movie. Some things from his talk I especially love that I think will bring everyone greater happiness:

• Let ourselves relax, play, take it slow, with no excuses…

“Isn’t it true that we often get so busy? And, sad to say, we even wear our busyness as a badge of honor, as though being busy, by itself, was an accomplishment or sign of a superior life.”

• “Go swimming” in The Gospel of Jesus Christ…Let Heavenly Father help me become a better me…

“When it comes to living the gospel, we should not be like the boy who dipped his toe in the water and then claimed he went swimming. As sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, we are capable of so much more. For that, good intentions are not enough. We must do. Even more important, we must become what Heavenly Father wants us to be.”

“As we do so, Heavenly Father will reveal to us things we never knew about ourselves. He will illuminate the path ahead and open our eyes to see our unknown and perhaps unimagined talents.”

• Be happy NOW, no matter what goal is just out of reach…

“So often we get caught up in the illusion that there is something just beyond our reach that would bring us happiness: a better family situation, a better financial situation, or the end of a challenging trial.

The older we get, the more we look back and realize that external circumstances don’t really matter or determine our happiness.
We do matter. We determine our happiness.
You and I are ultimately in charge of our own happiness.”
“…it’s not a race; it’s a journey. Enjoy the moment.”

I thought it was SO perfect that Mike and I stumbled upon one of our new favorite movies right after we moved to Austin, where we moved for the purpose of having a better, fuller, more relaxing life, where we would have more time to love our loved ones, and spend more time on things that matter.

So we moved for a better life, watched the movie Defending Your Life, then heard this talk by Pres. Uchtdorf. Coincidence? I think not.

I don’t want to give any spoilers, but go and watch this movie! I also don’t want to talk it up, because then you will be disappointed because I made it sound like the next Star Wars…... So it’s a totally lame movie…BOOORING…..meaningless….

Now go watch Defending Your Life, read this talk by pres. Uchtdorf again and again, and look at life differently. Go about life with meaning and pursue excellence.

Silence

We had a lovely weekend! This is the San Antonio Temple.

SOOOO happy I got to spend some time with my high school bestie Erin!

Rise Up

“…and then shall all the dead awake, for their graves shall be opened, and they shall come forth—yea, even all.”

-Doctrine and Covenants 29:26