All These Things

So, you know those times where everything piles up, well, it's been one of those times. Combine that with I've been doing a ton of writing at work, and you get a huge delay in writing. Even now is a rush-write.

Life constantly changes, we all know this. It just keep striking me because this "next phase of my life" is taking quite some time to settle. If you had talked to me in August, every single aspect of life was quantitatively and qualitatively different than it is today.

Imagine if you will, an empty vessel of some kind. Now, pretend that as life's experiences come and go, they fill it up, a little bit at a time. Now, this vessel is an empty version of you--of each one of us. In my life, I've probably filled up my right leg metaphorically, with experiences. As I grow and experience life, I become a little more "full" if you will, I become a little bit more of who I truly am

These changes in my life right now feel so huge and intimidating at times. I just have to remember to take it one step at a time, it's just like starting college, high school, or even going down that tall, scary water slide for the first time and getting to the bottom and realizing truth :). Life keeps moving forward, things change, isn't that great? I read something the other day, about "all things have an end- they give the example of friends ;) cheesy, yes--but fair. Christ does not end, life does not end, eternity does not end (so do many other, non-applicable words, but you get my [and the original author's] point).

We need to remember our purpose. We need to remember that all these things shall work for our good. And, that is wonderful. It's hard to remember. It's hard to take that plunge and then keep waiting for reality to sink in, (you probably got stuck on the metaphorical water slide, but you'll get to the end, twist and turn, push a little harder). Keep filling your life with wonderful experiences, find joy, and try new and exciting things. It's not as scary or stressful as you think it is. It's just the first time you're doing something, but I promise, it will be safe, it will be fun, and you will "make it."


*I just got back from a water park with my dad and little sister, hence the water slide references...but I think they apply anyway.
**In other news, I've been learning how to make websites, and I've been really thinking about making one for me. It won't be anything terribly special, but if I move mine, I'll give you plenty of notice (mostly because it will take me ages to set it up)

Keep Moving Forward

Keep Moving Forward!

Do you remember why that is important? Probably, but regardless. In our swirling, twirling, ever busy lives, it becomes easier and easier to get lost. There comes a time in life, that because of this or that struggle it feels too hard to keep going any further. Somehow, life keeps going, and so do we. Which reminds me of this song, song, reminding us to put one foot in front of the other, keep walking. Quitting is easy. But there are those who are patient with others’ imperfections and choose to resist the winds of temptation and keep moving forward to their goal. They know what temptation feels like to the fullest extent, and they stand firm. With a little practice, we can too. We can give up the vices and temptations, and stand a little higher. The winds will still blow but we can be strong.

I made it to the top of one mountain in my life. Yes, just one. Anyway. It was remarkable. The view was remarkable and as soon as I caught my breath, I forgot the pain. Well, no. I didn’t forget it. But it made it meaningful. Do you know what else? There were so many more mountains ready to be climbed. Temptations, trials, errors to be overcome. Life keeps going, and so do we.

Keep moving forward. The end is in sight. There is a way out of whatever mess you find yourself in. There is always hope. No, I don’t personally know the details, but we all know enough to move forward. We can trust in and find peace that only the Savior of the World truly brings.

Take a minute, one little minute each day, look how far you have come. Are you moving forward? Are you getting better? Or are you getting worse with age? In Isaiah 25:6 the righteous are compared to “wine on the lees.” This wine, depending on the quality of the grapes, will make the wine better or worse if it is left on the lees. Are you getting better as you grow older? If you are not, you are getting worse, more responsible for your actions but no improvement. Most likely, you are at least making little movements forward.

I grew up in a football home, and where I do not play {very well}, I think about it anyway. For instance: 1. If there were no opposition in a football game, no one would watch, and no one would play. Life’s a little like that.  2. The goal is to keep moving forward, through the defenses and struggles, and to keep moving forward. Luckily in life we have a little more control over receivers and the players on our team, but in the same aspect, if we are not careful, we will slip up, and we will be pushed back.

Start today, with the New Year, keep moving forward. Keep climbing, onward and upward. It is hard and sometimes scary. It requires leaps of faith in others and with yourself. I love the quote “try a little harder to be a little better” from President Gordon B. Hinckley, just try a little harder each day to improve in some way. Make it a little farther through the marathon of your life. Don’t go backwards. You have a crucial part to play. You are surrounded by those who love you, you have support in place. Now, keep moving forward, on to bigger and better mountains to climb, for adventure is waiting.

With this New Year, the Resolutions abound, and so does the expectation that they won’t last very long. Right? Well, then don’t label this a “New Year’s Resolution.” Just try a little harder to be a little better, and remember to Keep Moving Forward.