Comfort Zone

So I had this super great conversation with my mom about learning and growing and becoming the person that we are meant to be. She talked a lot about leaving your comfort zone filled with expectations and head to a place where you have no idea what is going to happen.

 

I feel like that has been my life.

 

Where am I going?

What am I doing?

Who am I becoming?

 

 

 

 

At the end of last semester, I decided that I was going to become certified to become a Zumba instructor over the summer. I LOVE doing Zumba and I just want to stay active over the summer and I thought that this would be such a cool opportunity.

 

I signed up to take a Zumba class here at the University and I told my instructor my plans of becoming an instructor. She was very excited for me and that only got me even more excited. She told me that if I got certified this semester, she would let me lead a couple of the dances in the class. Then she told of places that I could teach Zumba.

 

My heart was so HAPPY!

 

So when I looked up the instructor sessions, I found one for March 6th. I knew it was going to be expensive, so I told myself that I would pray about it and see if I should do it.

 

Time is a fickle thing.

 

The more I waited, the more doubt set in and I didn't think it was such a great idea anymore. I just wanted someone to tell me not to do it, or to just do it. Expenses were a concern as well as the time I was willing to put into it. I was sitting on the fence, feeling like I was going to fall over eventually. I just wanted someone to push me.

 

I went to the temple. I prayed a lot about it. I talked to a lot of people to get their opinions. Nothing seemed to be encouraging. People gave me funny looks but wished me good luck if I did it. My prayers were left somewhat empty. The temple made me feel peaceful that anything I decided would be good.

 

I just wanted a solid YES or NO.

 

Then I had the conversation with my mom. She reminded me of my own experience when I decided to serve a mission. I found it funny that she told me about one of my own experiences to give me advice. But I am glad she did. I had forgotten the feelings I experienced when I auditioned for Nauvoo. It felt so similar to what I was going through right now.

What an answer!

 

Get out of your comfort zone.

It isn't a new idea to me, but it is something that I need to take more seriously.

Step out of yourself and do something that you would never think about doing before!

 

 

 

 

 

When we take that leap of faith in our lives, the doors of possibility open to us.

 

Take a chance and LIVE your life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



"Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

- Gordon B Hinckley

Forgiveness

I swear it wasn't my fault. But yet all the fingers point at me.
I feel like every mistake, every wrongdoing is falling back into my life yelling, no, screaming at me to remember.
Remember when you weren't so perfect.
Remember when you made so many mistakes you couldn't even feel happiness.
Remember when you pretended and faked.
Remember when you lied and cheated.
You're not so great, Emily.
You're really not.

I blame myself. Even if others are pointing their fingers, I am the one that is blaming.

I then am brought to my knees.
I am so low. So humbled.
I stain my sheets with tears and finish a box of tissues.
I don't know if forgiveness is even as option.
But then I get the most amazing feeling that says to me ever so softly,

"My dear one, forgiveness is ALWAYS an option. Never forget that I have suffered for your mistakes and that you can be made whole again through me. Remember ME. Not your wrongdoings."

  President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "To forgive is a divine attribute. It is to pardon or excuse someone from blame for an offense or misdeed. Sin is a heavy burden. It brings the tenseness of guilt and the anguish of knowing that we have acted against the will of our Father in Heaven. It brings lingering remorse as we realize that because of our actions, we may have hurt others and prevented ourselves from receiving blessings our Father has been ready to give us."

There is hope in the Savior, Jesus Christ. Whenever you feel as though all is lost, remember HIM.

His sacrifice made all the difference. I know that because of His sacrifice, I can be made clean and pure in the eyes of my Heavenly Father once more.

And right now, that's all that matters to me.

click here to know more about the blessing of forgiveness,

Try

Everyday we are faced with challenges that help us become the people that we need/want to be. Some are not easy and some make us realize the purpose of this mortal life.

Last night my roommates boyfriend told me that I was rude.
Now it was a little harsh and I didn't know how to respond to the situation. I mean, no one wants to be told that they are rude. But I realized a lot about myself last night.

1. I love to be sarcastic. (Most people can tell that it is all jokes)
2. I get super defensive when I have been called on the carpet.
3. I want to get along with everyone. (I really hate contention)
4. You have to give people the benefit of the doubt when they are trying to improve.
5. We all are trying to be better each day.

Try a little harder to be a little better.

I told my roommate that I am trying to be better. I said I'm sorry for all the times that I might have been rude, but I am still trying.

I will say that I know sarcasm can be rude, and a lot of people get easily offended by it, but I also believe that if you know me, you know that that is just a part of who I am. You can be sarcastic without tearing other people down and belittling them.

"The Apostle Paul taught similar principles to the Ephesians: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). According to this scripture, all our communication should uplift others and strengthen them in the Lord." Gordon B. Hinckley

Laughter cures the wounded spirit. But if it is at the expense of another person, then it should be reconsidered.

I am trying to be better. Each and every day. I need to give the benefit of the doubt to those who I encounter and pray that they would display that same courtesy.

More than just candy and flowers...

A story told by Gordon B. Hinckley,


"When I was a little boy, we children traded paper hearts at school on Valentine’s Day. At night we dropped them at the doors of our friends, stamping on the porch and then running in the dark to hide.

Almost without exception those valentines had printed on their face, “I love you.” I have since come to know that love is more than a paper heart. Love is of the very essence of life. It is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Yet it is more than the end of the rainbow. Love is at the beginning also, and from it springs the beauty that arches across the sky on a stormy day. Love is the security for which children weep, the yearning of youth, the adhesive that binds marriage, and the lubricant that prevents devastating friction in the home; it is the peace of old age, the sunlight of hope shining through death. How rich are those who enjoy it in their associations with family, friends, church, and neighbors.

I am one who believes that love, like faith, is a gift of God. I agree with the expression, “Love cannot be forced, love cannot be coaxed and teased.”"

To quote one of the most amazing movies in history, "to love another is to see the face of God".

Love is a great thing.
I love that we have a holiday that celebrates love.
I know that through love, anything can happen because with love comes trust and understand and faith.

When all feels like it's going down...

“None of us will accomplish all we might wish 

to. But let us do the best we can. I am 

satisfied that the Redeemer will then say, 

‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant’". 

Gordon B. Hinckley



After we have done all we can do, then the 

Lord can take care of the rest. Sometimes it 

feels as though all is lost, but I know with a 

sureity it is not lost, just waiting for us to turn

to our Heavenly Father for help.