[professionalmom]

Thanks to you both for the meaningful feedback and perspective-grounding. When I have these moments, it DOES help to feel not so alone and to also remember that in the end, the only thing I can control is me and not others or other organizations. So I will forge ahead focusing on how my heart can be more Christlike and appreciate the beautiful moments when I get to witness that same desire in others….wherever it is found. Hope everyone has a peace-filled week. Blessings!

[professionalmom]

Thank you for this post. This really resonated with me and I will check out Pollard’s work. I think applying his framework to those who grow up in a strong mormon home in the mission field is a fascinating approach.

[professionalmom]

I don’t know that this is the “most beautiful” thing I have ever witnessed, but I was extremely touched and humbled a few months ago as I waited to meet with the Bishop. There were many people who needed to talk with the Bishop/transact various items of business, and as I sat there and watched them come and go I observed a young mother with 4 young children and a stack of bills. She wasn’t a member of our ward and as I started talking with her I came to learn that she was from Bosnia and lived in a different part of our city. Because I had to wait for awhile for the Bishop I was able to witness everything that happened…she met briefly with the Bishop and checks were quietly processed for the stack of utility bills she had in her hand. All of this happened lovingly, quietly, and without anyone really seeing (except for me because I happened to be there for the entire time). I remember feeling like “this is what is all about” and felt incredibly blessed to have witnessed the exchange.

[professionalmom]

“If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, we seek after these things”. This came to mind as I read your beautiful post. Thanks for sharing!

[professionalmom]

Thanks for the great comments….I knew you would provide great perspectives. Amazing how we can sometimes forget simple truths when get caught up in “stuff”.

[professionalmom]

As always I am blown away by the kind and thoughtful responses I receive from all of you. You help me think of things in new and more meaningful ways. Thank you.

[professionalmom]

borninit wrote:

I do feel a calm quiet peace when I go, and it seems that my focus on spiritual things sharpens. I can’t help but feel that it is good and right.

I liked the reminder of the importance of “seasons” Heber, and I appreciated the quote above…I, too, struggle at times with the temple but I feel the same way about attending the temple as you stated above. For that reason I keep going and keep trying to learn more and become more. Important to remember that we are all in our own refining process and that refining takes time.

I haven’t found any experiences yet that equal the peace I am able to find in the temple. There are definitely events in my life that have been spiritual and uplifting outside of the temple (being in nature, listening to beautiful music, moments of connection with my kids), but there is something unique that I find there. Perhaps I just haven’t found the right experience yet (like Mountain climbing or intense meditation)

[professionalmom]

Nothing of substance to add. Just wanted to say I really enjoyed this post and thinking of the slide rule will help keep me from slipping into “black and white” mode.

[professionalmom]

Thanks for bringing up this subject and sharing the great links. I have started listening to Christian music in the past couple of years and love Steven Curtis Chapman. This song (see link) has brought me a lot of peace when I have thought of those who have left this life earlier than expected.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcYRr1dk7wA

This is not at all how

We thought it was supposed to be

We had so many plans for you

We had so many dreams

And now you’ve gone away

And left us with the memories of your smile

And nothing we can say

And nothing we can do

Can take away the pain

The pain of losing you, but …

We can cry with hope

We can say goodbye with hope

‘Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no

And we can grieve with hope

‘Cause we believe with hope

(There’s a place by God’s grace)

There’s a place where we’ll see your face again

We’ll see your face again

And never have I known

Anything so hard to understand

And never have I questioned more

The wisdom of God’s plan

But through the cloud of tears

I see the Father’s smile and say well done

And I imagine you

Where you wanted most to be

Seeing all your dreams come true

‘Cause now you’re home

And now you’re free, and …

We have this hope as an anchor

‘Cause we believe that everything

God promised us is true, so …

So we can cry with hope

And say goodbye with hope

We wait with hope

And we ache with hope

We hold on with hope

We let go with hope

[professionalmom]

Orson wrote:

I somehow knew that the opportunity to live and to love is a tremendous blessing – and to waste any part of it with negative emotions is such a loss.

Loved that! This little gem along with “accept and not expect” are going into my quote treasury. Blessings to all!

[professionalmom]

Welcome! Glad to see you here. I have followed your blog and appreciate you sharing your thoughts and feelings. I hope this forum is as welcoming and comforting to you as it has been to me. Well wishes as you continue your journey of personal growth and development!

[professionalmom]

I just watched the Untold Story last weekend and it brought me to tears. I highly recommend it. I had the privilege of meeting Brother Gray several years ago and my 15 minutes with him changed my life. I wish everyone would have the chance to meet this incredible man who lives his beliefs and shares an incredible love with all his brothers and sisters. Fortunately, through the work of Margaret Young and the amazing blessing of technology, more and more of us are being exposed to the incredible work that has been done in this important area. Thanks for posting this Ray.

[professionalmom]

I would begin by patting yourself on the back for even recognizing your frustration. So many people (and I used to be one of them) would simply internalize the message, beat themselves up, and continue to try and do more…

I love the concept of being a true, blue buffet mormon…because if we try and eat everything at the buffet, we end up being “heavy” and overloaded and then can’t function at our best.

When I start to feel frustrated at the messages and mantras, it has helped for me to turn them around into a more positive statement/reminder for myself (which many individuals have posted already).

My most important job right now is to love myself and take care of myself so I can…

–love the Lord

–love my neighbor

And, I have to take responsibility for living close to the Spirit and communicating with my Heavenly Father so He can guide and direct me to the most important activities for the moment, the hour, the day, week, month, etc…

It is so much easier to have a checklist of “things to do” that make me feel like I am being a “good person”. I believe it is a more difficult (but a more rewarding path) to seek true discipleship by being close to our Heavenly Father and seeking His guidance to know what that good, better, best is for each of us.

When I remember those things, I find that I don’t get frustrated as much by the mantras because I can remind myself that I get to choose what is most important both to me and my Heavenly Father (and I get to let everyone else make their own choices about how they spend their time). Believe me, I am far from being perfect at this, but as I have headed in this direction, I have been amazed at how much more meaningful my daily activities have become and how much easier it is for me to kindly say “no thanks, that doesn’t fit into my schedule right now”.

[professionalmom]

Ray-

Thank you for this beautiful post. I believe you just beautifully summed up the essence of what truly matters most. I am going to keep this post for future reference for days (like today) when I really need to be reminded of this truth. May the Lord bless each and every one of us so that we may find such peace.

[professionalmom]

All I can say is God bless you and yours as you continue to work through the aftermath of what must have been an incredibly difficult situation. I hope you are able to find peace.

[Author]

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