Shine

The sunshine has emerged. I have found light in my life. This light comes from loving others; from truly loving them, giving to them, serving them, and finding the good in them. I was so focused on my self, but as soon as I focused on others, the clouds disappeared and my life was enlightened. I love my life; everything about it. I'm learning to appreciate the small things, I'm learning to see the good, I'm learning to be happy. 

It was one single yellow flower, 10 minutes of my day, one simple little note- 

it made everything change. 

"Be the change you want to see in the world." -Mahatma Gandhi 

My name is Kirsten; my life isn't perfect, I have bad days, things still stress me out and I still complain, but I've turned my life over to the Savior and He is making me better each and every day. I've promised myself that I will smile and appreciate the many blessings I've received. I'm going to try my best, my very very best, and I will be satisfied with that. I will reach out to those that may need my help. I want to become everything I can. Why be anything other than good? I recognize that this road in front of me isn't going to be easy, but it will be worth it. 

My beautiful friend CaLea had this wonderful idea, I would love for you to join us. We're going on a spiritual diet and it goes a little like this:

1. Listen only to music that is uplifting and would allow the Spirit to be present.

2. Read your scriptures in the morning AND in the night. In the morning, just flip to a random verse and read it as a spiritual boost to start your day off the right way. In the nights, before you go to bed, really study the scriptures.

3. NO social networks-- there are just too many bad things scattered on them to really use them without being negatively affected anymore. It's all wearing me down. I'm taking a break for a couple days. Or more, we'll see.

4. A conference talk a day keeps the devil away. Take the time to print out a conference talk that you'd like to study, then sit down and read it with the intent to learn. 

5. Serve a stranger in some way each day-- even if it's just a smile.

6. Carry something you can write in with you at all times, you never know when you'll get a prompting from the spirit to write it down. The Lord can teach us at any point in the day, we've got to be ready to learn.

7. Really focus and work on the relationships in your life. Do your best to exercise patience and to serve those around you.

8. Pray always. Morning, night, before meals, in the hallway for strangers, on the way to school, before a big test, when you feel hurt or upset-- look for every excuse to talk with God.

9. Just cut out anything that doesn't make you feel good.

I need my Heavenly Father. So I'm going to put forth some extra effort.