Kelley Barrow Miles shared a link.
Day 3: Today I've been thinking about how what I do affects those around me... or more accurately doesn't affect them. I'm quiet and like to keep to myself. Today I found myself actively making choices that would result in the least amount of people contact possible. Then, I got the lyrics to this hymn in my head:
"Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad
and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed."
And I realized that maybe avoiding people wasn't the best way to serve those around me. I think it is easy to think of ourselves as kind and helpful people, but when it comes to our own comfort we are quick to act in our own interest. We will say something if it makes us look smart, cool, funny, witty... but how often do we say something because we want someone else to feel appreciated, validated, loved? How often do we think in terms of "How can I better help the people around me?" rather than "How can I better help myself today?"
In other words, I feel like I am a generally helpful person, but being a helpful person is more of a special occasion rather than a daily habit. How am I suppose to help those around me, know what they need, be there for them, if I'm not actively reaching out and getting to know them? How much more could I be doing if I woke up in the mornings and instead of thinking only about what I needed done also asking myself what can I do for others today? Often we are answers to each other's prayers so...
"Wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above!
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love."
(P.S. Here is a new "hip" version of this lovely hymn that I kind of like, but it still needs some time to grown on me I think...:http://youtu.be/aIeA_5yYgB4) #40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014
"Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad
and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed."
And I realized that maybe avoiding people wasn't the best way to serve those around me. I think it is easy to think of ourselves as kind and helpful people, but when it comes to our own comfort we are quick to act in our own interest. We will say something if it makes us look smart, cool, funny, witty... but how often do we say something because we want someone else to feel appreciated, validated, loved? How often do we think in terms of "How can I better help the people around me?" rather than "How can I better help myself today?"
In other words, I feel like I am a generally helpful person, but being a helpful person is more of a special occasion rather than a daily habit. How am I suppose to help those around me, know what they need, be there for them, if I'm not actively reaching out and getting to know them? How much more could I be doing if I woke up in the mornings and instead of thinking only about what I needed done also asking myself what can I do for others today? Often we are answers to each other's prayers so...
"Wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above!
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love."
(P.S. Here is a new "hip" version of this lovely hymn that I kind of like, but it still needs some time to grown on me I think...:http://youtu.be/aIeA_5yYgB4) #40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014
Ann Barrow Bradley shared a link.
Day 3: We have been put on this earth to be tested. To be given trials. They hurt. They are often long. They drain us. They make us question. We can not prevent trials. Nope, we need the trials to grow. Let me repeat: We need the trials. We need them to prove who we are.
Below is a video about a woman named Stephanie. I don't know Stephanie. I've never had to deal with anything as hard as she has. But she stands for so much goodness. I can feel her faith. Faith is why we have trials. Will we turn to the Lord, or away from Him? Because of the Atonement, He knows exactly what we are feeling. He knows our pain. That is a bit overwhelming for me to understand. But I feel it to be true. I know He knows us and is willing to help us carry our burdens.
While you watch this, maybe don't try to understand everything in this video. Just sit still and feel it. You will not be disappointed. #40daysoftruth#LentChallenge2014
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHDvxPjsm8E
Below is a video about a woman named Stephanie. I don't know Stephanie. I've never had to deal with anything as hard as she has. But she stands for so much goodness. I can feel her faith. Faith is why we have trials. Will we turn to the Lord, or away from Him? Because of the Atonement, He knows exactly what we are feeling. He knows our pain. That is a bit overwhelming for me to understand. But I feel it to be true. I know He knows us and is willing to help us carry our burdens.
While you watch this, maybe don't try to understand everything in this video. Just sit still and feel it. You will not be disappointed. #40daysoftruth#LentChallenge2014
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHDvxPjsm8E
Day 3: Don't let fear guide your life. Fear is the absence of faith. You have to have faith if you are going to accomplish anything in your life.
I hate heights. I really hate them. If you look at the picture on my timeline It looks like I am sitting on the edge of a cliff looking at the Tetons. Trust me, I am not that close to the edge. I have a lot of space between me and the edge of that mountain because I am so afraid of heights.
But if you look at my profile picture, it looks like I have just climbed up a cliff. That picture is absolutely real. I am hanging on to the edge of a cliff with one hand. Why am I not afraid? Look at my pinky finger on my profile picture, it is pointing at the secret. Tipaleli Fotu is holding onto my rope. I am hooked to a belay system.
When I am in a harnessed belay system, I will jump off of towers, climb crazy high heights, and zip line over canyons.
Take me out of my harness, and I am a whimpering, terrified fool. I hate driving over bridges in my car!
If you are going to move forward in life, you can't let fear guide you. Fear is a prison. You have to have faith in something that is secure, and will not fail you. This belay system will allow you to climb mountains.
For my life I have found faith in Jesus Christ to be my most fail safe belay system. The more securely harnessed I am to His teachings and precepts, the less fear I have in my life. He has never failed me. #40daysoftruth#LentChallenge2014
I hate heights. I really hate them. If you look at the picture on my timeline It looks like I am sitting on the edge of a cliff looking at the Tetons. Trust me, I am not that close to the edge. I have a lot of space between me and the edge of that mountain because I am so afraid of heights.
But if you look at my profile picture, it looks like I have just climbed up a cliff. That picture is absolutely real. I am hanging on to the edge of a cliff with one hand. Why am I not afraid? Look at my pinky finger on my profile picture, it is pointing at the secret. Tipaleli Fotu is holding onto my rope. I am hooked to a belay system.
When I am in a harnessed belay system, I will jump off of towers, climb crazy high heights, and zip line over canyons.
Take me out of my harness, and I am a whimpering, terrified fool. I hate driving over bridges in my car!
If you are going to move forward in life, you can't let fear guide you. Fear is a prison. You have to have faith in something that is secure, and will not fail you. This belay system will allow you to climb mountains.
For my life I have found faith in Jesus Christ to be my most fail safe belay system. The more securely harnessed I am to His teachings and precepts, the less fear I have in my life. He has never failed me. #40daysoftruth#LentChallenge2014
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