Elevated

"Counting blessings is far better than recounting our problems."

I am so grateful for the profound message that our prophet shared with us earlier today and simply just being reminded about how much gratitude we can have in our everyday circumstances. I know my life would not be what it is right now if I didn't have the gospel to help me through everything and realize I can look at the bright side a little more often.

279th Post

My favorite television sitcom aired over this many episodes in a decade's worth of time and could not help but feel like this challenge was perfect for me. It is hard for me to even think about how much my life has changed over the course of time and not realizing the impact it would have for me. I am grateful for all of the many blessings that life has thrown at me this year and not because of my new leadership roles, but to know that I can overcome anything that comes in my way. I knew it was going to take a lot of patience on my part in trying to make every post I wrote up--not continuously repetitive about how unfathomably hard this year has continued to be!!!

New YLC Updates: 

My best friend Randi and I have video chatted with each other in the last few weeks, but also having a friend check up on me has been such a treat. I have enjoyed getting to spend time with each other from quite a long distance away and knowing what I need extra advice or help with-- has given me so much comfort in realizing I am never alone. Several nights back-- I took out this Gratitude Jar with a variety of questions inside that were about things we were (Grateful, Thankful, Blessed for in our lives and if you ask me-- I could not let this thought of mine pass itself up.) I simply decided it would be sort of a fun activity to do an icebreaker for everyone to get to know each other, just a little bit better and also give them a chance to reflect on things that they have gotten them through this year. 

I emailed one of the USILC Staff about this creative idea and I am so grateful they agreed with having me put it together. I know it has definitely given me a chance to put things in a much better perspective and trying to refocus on what the rest of this year will be like. I cannot wait to hear the responses of all my friends will have in relations to these questions and hopefully we can lift each others spirits in some way or another. 

Slow Process

 

This year has never been more of a clear reminder to me about what I need to do everyday. I am grateful for the many blessings that have come into my life this year alone and knowing that I am not the only one who has struggled with all of the uncertainty. I have definitely gotten a lot of comfort with knowing that I can turn to my friends or let alone my Savior, Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father who loves me so much & would never leave me in a position that I'd not want to see myself in. 

As I continue to move forward with my life in this epidemic, I am confident things will fall themselves into place when they are supposed to. I may not have all of the answers we need right now, but I am so hopeful things can get better and not continue down the road with only getting worse. I am tired of the endless restrictions and guidelines-even though they are keeping us safe, it makes me wonder about if once I can hug my friends again--whether or not, I will be able to not remember what this year put me through leading up to the moment.

What do I appreciate the most?!

I genuinely appreciate knowing that once this year is over and COVID is behind us-- I can take that breath of relief with the understanding I did my best. I also appreciate my friends who have given me advice to help me feel better about everything and pretending like I cannot take it to heart. I am really grateful for their patience with me during this uncertain time more than anything in the world & I just appreciate how much they are willing to remind me about what is truly important. 

Journal Entry

I had originally gotten done with writing up this blog post and then all of the stuff I wrote up about-- just simply disappeared altogether. I had everything set up and ready to be published on here, but then it has to be a continuous problem with blogger to have on a regular basis??! That was a miniature rant there!!! 

YLC Updates:

One of my friends is about to become a new committee member and I cannot wait for them to have a new opportunity with being able to use their leadership skills. I am grateful for them to be a part of this with so many new friends and getting a chance to share their input on stuff that will be discussed along throughout this coming year. I also have an idea about putting together a workshop with my friends who assist me on my disability committee and informing people about what we do as group-- but also educating them on all of the many things we can do going forward. 

Things I Am Grateful For: (Part One)

- Friends who have stuck with me through the thick and thin of this entire year. I could not have made it through any of the struggles I had without them to give me advice, but also let me know that I am never alone. I am so grateful for those who have given me advice about what to do and in how to handle any kind of situation that comes in my path. I know my life would not be the same without them if I did not have such an incredible support system of people to lead me in the direction that I need to headed into or let alone towards in the distant future!!!

- Nature and the beauty that surrounds us in this world everyday. I love that we can feel the love of our Heavenly Father by looking around at his creations that he made for us to enjoy. I am so grateful for the peace of mind that I have whenever I am able to get away from the noise of this world-because it gives me a reason to know I will be okay, regardless of any situation I am faced up against.

- Good Health and knowing that I can take care of myself-- even when I am not sure when things after 2020 are over will be back into their normal place. I am grateful for the chance to know that I can just heal from anything that over takes me and with the right precautions-- I know it will never be anything that I cannot handle. 

Gentle Heart

It's been such a miraculous change of heart for me as I have tried to think about ways, I need to improve on being a little more kind towards other people. Minus all of the craziness that 2020 has brought along with it-- I am truly grateful for the principle of what it truly means to be kind. I know it has blessed my life immensely when I have reached out to people who needed a kind word or just simply a smile that I could give them to make their day a little bit better. 

I am truly grateful for the many acts of kindness that have been done in my behalf and knowing that it was able to bless my life in ways, I didn't necessarily think I deserved at the time-- I am blessed to know some one else out there in this world is making sure I am okay. It has definitely given me a lot of reasons in just keeping a smile on my face and knowing that I can make a difference in one way or another. I did notice it was more than just being a pageant queen with a crown and sash on (while I was serving the Miss Queen for the year) but realizing that I could impact someone else with volunteering my time to help lend a hand is truly something I will cherish forever. 

Kindness is something that we can throw around like confetti and share our talents with other people who may need a little bit of cheering up at some point down the road. I know my life has never been quite the same after someone has performed an act of service for me or let alone somebody else-- but realizing that you were able to leave an imprint on the heart of another person is indescribable. I know that this year alone has not been the one we hoped for by any means whatsoever--but I am grateful for the friends who have helped me to feel not only needed in this world, but loved unconditionally. It has given me thousands of reasons to believe that everything in life happens for a reason and knowing we can serve those around us even when it is a little bit hard. 

"If you want to be anything in the world, Be kind." 

Free Write

What is one challenge that you are most grateful for?

Despite how unfathomable and hard this past year alone has been for me, I know it is going to continue to help me learn and grow into the person I need to become. I may not appreciate the struggles that have just come along with 2020 by any means whatsoever and it has given me a lot of extra time to know who I am just a little bit more than usual. I am hopeful that everything can settle down with not only my emotions-- but realizing that it is just simply a part of my life and something I know will be handled over time. It has not been the most ideal of experiences for any of us this year, but we have made it this far into it and I am not planning on giving up any time soon!!! 

What are some things that make you happy in life??

My NINJA friends who make me not only laugh until it hurts---but are such amazing people who I know are going to accomplish so many incredible things in their future. I am so grateful for the legit happiness that we share with each other 

Music has definitely been such an escape for me this year and listening to the messages behind it-- has really helped me to see the clarity that I need in my life. I am grateful for the peace it brings to my heart and knowing that I am not alone, especially during a health epidemic in 2020.

Being a part of two disability councils this year is something I am truly grateful to participate on and it will be a learning experience nonetheless, but I know it will help me to become the person I need to be down the road. I am grateful for the wonderful people who support and guide me along this journey & hoping that I can leave an impact on the world in some way. 

I am truly grateful for my position as the YLC Secretary and getting to keep track of things that need to be taken care of. I know there are only so many more lessons to learn and experiences to teach me what I can do not only just better but also more efficiently. It has only lasted for a short period of time, but it is great that I can volunteer my time to make things run smoothly and be an example to those all of my friends who are involved. 

Untitled Post

 "Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved."

This year alone has been quite a journey to experience for all of us and in ways that we didn't ever think possible. I know it is not clearly up to me when things settle down for good by any means--but I am truly grateful to have so many people that want me to be happy. It has not turned out to be the kind of year any one wanted to see in 2020, but I do have to believe there could be something to learn from this. I am not particularly certain about what kind of lesson I need to apply in my life at the moment, but I do know it's gonna strengthen me in the long run. 

What is one story or book that you are most thankful for?

I am thankful for the story of Cinderella and her perseverance through struggles that I may never have to experience myself, but knowing that she was able to remain strong never ceases to amaze me. I would've most likely crumbled down to the ground with tears in my eyes and not knowing if I'd ever be able to just escape from the situation I would have been faced up against. I know it takes a lot of courage to stand up for what you know is important to you, regardless of anyone else thinks and remembering what a little bit of advocacy can do to make your life better.

True Words

 

I legitimately wish that we had some pixie dust to magically take this pandemic away and we could return back to normalcy. I have really struggled endless times with my anxiety of feeling upset and quite easily irritated by the littlest comments that were given to me from other people. To make this entire blog post fairly short-- I know there is so much more for me to take time being focused on myself and what I need to do in order to feel like my normal self again. It hasn't necessarily been a simple process for me to learn and at times come to understand as to why I feel like my anxiety is never gonna return back to how it used to be long after this year is behind us!!! I have definitely gotten some tough love from a friend who I knew meant well when they mentioned to me something that I didn't need to hear-- but also had to realize that it was only said to me so I could be a little extra patient with this individual. It has given me some extra faith to exercise a little bit more throughout the remainder of this year and knowing that I'm not the one & only person whose been struggling with so much. I am confident there is a light at the end of this tunnel, but if you ask me-- I am not even close to being sure of when that moment is ever gonna come up. 

Next Step:

I have been video chatting with a friend of mine and it has given me so much peace in my heart. It was such an amazing experience for me to know that someone loves and wants me to feel like a very legit-- important person in this world. They talked with me about things that make me happy and let me tell ya that list quite a lengthy one, but it did make me feel as though I was being valued instead of somehow misunderstood. I am grateful for their patience with me and listening whenever I need someone to talk to about anything that is on my mind--but also giving me a chance to express who I am inside and out without being critical or judge mental in anyway. 

New Horizons

Waiting in the Stars - David Archuleta 

My best friend Randi Mecham introduced this song to me earlier today and I am completely obsessed with it more than I can even admit. It has given me a chance to rejuvenate myself with a more positive energy-- let alone a message of hope to be reminded about everyday. I am grateful for the music this Utah artist has shared with the world and especially since all of our lives have been turned upside down-- I know there is a new chapter waiting to be opened up. 

She is truly one of the most genuine and self less people I know in this world. She never fails to amaze me with her unconditional love and caring support, during this year in 2020--especially has been such a difficult experience for me. But she has reminded me about the simplicity of life and not ever trying to lose sight of what is most important in this world--(Keeping a positive attitude and smiling through any of the trials that life throws at you.) I am grateful for her willingness to share quotes of inspiration and letting me know that I will get through this experience with a smile on my face. I am truly blessed with an amazing group of friends who even when times get hard--We are there for each other no matter what the situation may be. I am grateful for the incredible support my NINJA friends have given me through out this year alone and reminding me of what I can do!!! 

Member Orientation (Tomorrow Afternoon)

TOMORROW--- I will be participating on a call with some of the newest members who made it onto the Utah Developmental Disabilities Council. I am excited to be asking many important questions about my leadership role in this new capacity and realizing what my duties are gonna be leading up to events- or let alone to disability conferences that will hopefully take place in the distant future!!! It is definitely gonna be a new experience for me to learn some new skills about becoming a good self advocate along with being a citizen member on this council.