Kindness Act

#LightTheWorld - Pay It Backwards

One of my amazing NINJA friends and I decided that we would do this kindness campaign together. It has most definitely given me a sense of peace in my heart and a realization that when you focus on helping other people, it makes you feel a little better. 

Several weeks ago-- One of the staff who works for this disability organization sent off a thank you note in an email acknowledging me and my colleague's efforts in presenting on the Self Advocacy Movement for their ALPS program. I simply decided that I would return the favor and write back letting them know how thoughtful it was of them to take the time to do that. At the time, it did seem very simplistic and kind--but the impact it has left me with me is one I know will last forever. 

I have usually done one or two posts on social media about this and called it a day... but this year I felt like it was something I needed to stick with. I have really enjoyed getting to bring some kindness and love into this world again after all we have experienced in 2020, but I am grateful for the opportunity to really think about what I can do in order to put a smile on someone's face. 

Untitled Post

 Best YLC Meeting Ever

YESTERDAY---I had another youth leadership committee meeting over Zoom and what an unforgettable experience it turned out to be!! It was mostly all girls on the call (minus two of the guys who were on the call with us) but we all enjoyed each other's company so much. I also really liked getting to ask everyone two questions so we could all get better acquainted & I am so excited to continue on with it into the next meeting we have scheduled. We discussed a lot of really great topics with each other and got a lot of new ideas that I can only hope will be implemented down the road. It is certainly one of the most rewarding & heartfelt things ever with getting to communicate with my friends about what we can do, in order to better serve youth with disabilities in our state. 

I have so many highlights from this experience yesterday and I would like to share a few of them: 

- Throughout the entire six years that I've attended the Utah Statewide Independent Living Council's NINJA Youth Leadership Conference, has become like my Curtis!!! (Let me explain this a little bit in detail and than you can sort of understand what it is I am trying to get across here!! One of the USILC staff has this really adorable and cute bunny named Curtis who I am dying to meet in person once this craziness is all behind us!!!) He has become my little crush over the last awhile and I cannot even help myself but think of how much unconditional love he has brought into my life!! Anyways, This NINJA Youth Leadership Conference is truly one of the most amazing things ever and has allowed me endless opportunities to grow/stretch myself in ways that I never thought were possible. I never want to all the sudden have this disability conference die itself out of here and not exist anymore, which if you do ask me I would love to see continue to grow and flourish. I have so much complete and utter faith in all of the many people who have made it into what I know it can be down the road-- A program that is gonna change the lives of so many individuals with disabilities!!! #iLoveNINJAThatMuch

- All of us laughed our hearts out until they were tired!! It was truly such a delight to smile and make each other feel good even if it was from a computer screen. I loved being able to hear the giggles of everybody who was participating alongside with us and believe me-- there was never a dull moment during that entire Zoom Call. I am so grateful for the laughter we all shared together and I especially liked being able to get know everyone a little bit better, when I first asked them two questions about what is something that has happened this year and have you learned something new this year? (Like, maybe a talent or skill?) 

(To Be Continued)

Holiday Cheer

 

Final Month of 2020:

I have long awaited for this month to arrive and get 2020 out of here as far away as possible. It has been an absolute struggle for me to keep a smile on my face at times, whenever life has felt more than I could ever possibly handle-- I am very much determined to keep my focus on what lies ahead for me. It has been such an emotional roller coaster of a year for me and not to admit that it has left me being in tears, a lot more if you must know!!! I can only hope none of us have another 2020 again and years to come with activities, events to look forward without the worry about spreading a tiny germ. 

YLC Updates: (Secretary Edition)

I have absolutely loved being able to do this new leadership role!! It has really stretched me in ways that I never least expected it to and quite frankly-- I am hopeful things continue to be successful with not any chances of worrying too often. I absolutely have the best team of ladies that anyone like me-- could ever ask for in this world and they have strengthened me in ways I never thought were possible, but I am grateful for their patience, willingness to step up to the plate whenever it is needed, cheering me on when I feel like I am not doing nearly enough, etc. I am grateful for their friendships in my life more than I could never describe into words and knowing they are always there to lift me up or gently remind me who I really am inside, is such an absolute blessing. 

#LightTheWorldCampaign 

I am so grateful for this time of year and being able to share with others-- so many of the things that I know to be true in my life!! I have only completed one of these miniature tasks today and I am excited for the many more that follow behind. It has definitely been something I only did every once in awhile and didn't really think too much about it at the time, but I am humbled to try a little harder this year. It has so much more meaning to me than I think it ever has before and realizing I can make a difference, regardless of whatever it may be. I am very grateful for the peace of mind this will give me on a daily basis and feeling the much reassurance I have desperately needed throughout a year that has not been much of anything but a pleasant experience. 

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."