Serenity

#LightTheWorld 

I have enjoyed so much getting to do this campaign and be simply reminded about the purpose of my life, on a regular basis. There are so many ways I can improve on to get closer to my Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ. I know this year has not been what any of us expected it to be like and yet I know we'll only become stronger as we help each other out, no matter what the circumstances may be. I am grateful for the peace and calmness that I feel when I am out in nature, looking around at how beautiful our world is that surrounds us. I am grateful for my Heavenly Father who created this earth for all of us to enjoy and not ever lose sight of what is really important in life. 

Good Music:

I always love being able to listen to an uplifting song either by a favorite artist of mine or just taking the time to remember who I really am inside & out. I am grateful for the message that music can have in our lives everyday and giving us a chance to know that everything is alright with the world. I am so grateful for the simple reminders that I have come into my heart when I am listening to music, that can put all of my anxiety at ease. 

Volunteer Service:

Over the many years I've always felt peace being able to serve those around me. I have really liked being able to make a difference in the lives of other people and going outside of myself, to do more than I ever imagined possible. I have really missed not being able to do that as much this year as I would like, due to the many obvious reasons that we have had to put up with in 2020- but I feel so thankful for the ways I can put others first instead of myself. I know it has brought me so much joy getting to reach out and not ask for anything else in return, because I know there is no cost when it comes making another person's day a little bit brighter. 

Good Friends:

I am thankful for all of my NINJA friends and others who have given me strength when I really needed it the most. I have always liked being able to trust them and talk about anything that is on my mind---- but also realizing that when we look after each other, it helps me want to be a better friend. I am really grateful for their patience, kindness, and always there to give me a listening ear when I need it the most or just simply giving them someone to talk to about things. They have encouraged and inspired me with looking at the brighter side of life everyday, because it has been at times difficult for me to understand-- what it means (especially with how this year has turned out to become.) I know my life wouldn't nearly be quite the same without them to cheer me on whenever I need a pick me up or just someone to put an extra smile on my face, I know they will always be there for me and each other. 

Book Synopsis

The story book wonder is about this young boy named Auggie Pullman, who despite his challenges in life has never been able to attend a mainstream school. He is starting the fifth grade and with being the brand new kid, I cannot even imagine what it must be like for him to not fit in with everyone else. As his own family members, new classmates and the community around him all struggle to discover their own ways of compassion and acceptance. Auggie's extraordinary journey in this inspiring book is that you cannot blend in when you are born to stand out from the crowd. I am so very grateful for the opportunities that have been given me to me in ways of letting someone know how important they are in this world. I may never clearly quite if you must know understand their experiences of what it feels like to go through what they have to face everyday, but it is not hard to be kind towards other people!!!

If you have not had a chance to read through this story, I would highly recommend that you take a chance to learn about this young boy and his experiences in life. I know it is just simply something you may not relate to in some way or another, but if you really think about what a difference it makes to be kind and not try too hard to be someone that you are clearly not---Your life will be changed. I am hopeful as this unpredictable year in 2020 comes to an end in a few weeks, that we can look back and recognize all of those countless ways we all were able to touch so many people's hearts. I may not clearly have had any kind of experiences like our friend Auggie in this book went through, but I am grateful for his determination to not care about what others think and even though it was really difficult--He definitely made it clear to all of us that we can always do better. 

Free Write

I am so grateful for the thousands of healthcare workers who have put their lives on the line, so they can continuously keep us all safe and healthy this year. I cannot even imagine what it must be like to not see their families nearly as often and having to keep a brave face on everyday, I am sure has not been such an easy job. I wish them all the best as they continue to help save lives of so many people, who are struggling with this virus that does not seem to have an end in sight any time soon. I am grateful for their willingness to push through what has become one of the most difficult years ever and can only hope they can know all the appreciation we have for them on a daily basis. #LightTheWorld

I have really enjoyed getting to be a part of this campaign with my friend and having a chance to refocus on the important things in life. I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to bring a little sense of light into this world and remembering my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am truly blessed for his example in my life-- more than I can even put into words and without him, I would not know where else to turn for comfort as well as guidance in my life. He has always been there with me through the thick and thin-- cheering me on from the sidelines to help me understand the bigger picture, in anything that life hands over. I'd usually not ever get into something like this as much as other people and yet I feel like it is an escape for me, to really ponder on what I can do better in my life everyday. I may not have a perfect life whatsoever and none of us do by any means whatsoever, but I am grateful to know that I can always keep trying to do my part & continue putting my trust in him. 

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.