Just thinkin

     Obviously, I am not really into this blogging thing anymore. Today I am writing a post to help work through some of my thoughts. Sometimes I just need to let them all out somewhere! I think this is a good place.
     I have had such a blessed life that has been free from major trials, but January was a hard month. I hate watching people I love become discouraged. I hate watching bad things happen to good people. I hate when I get down on myself. I hate pretending like everything is fine, or that I don't care about things when inside, I really do.
     It's easy to sit here and think about all of the things I don't like about myself, my circumstances, or my life. But I am realizing that just sitting here thinking about them isn't going to change anything! I remember when I was giving a talk in church once, I found this quote:

"Comparing yourself or your situation to someone else’s is essentially a waste of time. It changes nothing and affects your attitude for the worse. And it is a difficult habit to overcome.

The big problem with comparing yourself to someone else is that you usually end up comparing your weaknesses against their strengths. You are too willing to brush aside your strengths as unimportant and concentrate on what you don’t have." (August 1995 New Era, emphasis added)

     So, I am starting off February with a fresh start. It's ok that I'm not perfect! It's ok that I'm not good at humanities. It's ok that I have beautiful roommates who get asked out more than me.  It's ok that I say stupid things sometimes. It's ok that I am not like every perfectly dressed girl at BYU.

     I am so thankful for my wonderful family who loves me; they mean more to me than anything! They always manage to make me feel like a million bucks, and they love me no matter what. Sometimes, I wish I could quit going to school, move back home, and just cook and clean and play Just Dance all day. :) 

     I am also so thankful that Heavenly Father still loves me. When President Uchtdorf gave his fabulous "forget-me-not" talk, I loved it. But it wasn't until it was my turn to feel forgotten that I realized how powerful and true his words are:

" . . .wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love.

Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!"

It's so easy to forget this. In fact, I am sure if I tried I could talk myself out of believing this right now. But we can't do this to ourselves! Part of my new goal is to not even let myself start walking down that path. I'm going to be happy, all the time. :) So goodbye discouragement. Goodbye self-pity. Goodbye January!