Let It Go

I know the song "Let It Go" has been out for a while but I love it. It speaks to me on so many levels. I have spent so much of my life trying to be something I'm not, perfect. It has caused me so much unhappiness. I have come to learn that striving for perfection is not trying to live as though you make no mistakes and have no flaws. It is not trying to bury those things you don't like about yourself or feel you fall short of deep inside where no one can see it.

Striving for perfection is simply about taking every opportunity to learn and grow from your experiences. It is coming to understand what didn't work and trying something else next time. Einstein's definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome. It is time to stop the insane behaviors and choices that come from trying to be perfect and embrace the gift that striving for perfection gives us, growth.

So let go of trying to be perfect and let God grow something wonderful in you as you strive for perfection.



"Let It Go"

The snow glows white on the mountain tonight
Not a foot print to be seen
A kingdom of isolation,
And it looks like I'm the queen.

The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside
Couldn't keep it in, heaven knows I tried!

Don't let them in, don't let them see
Be the good girl you always have to be
Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know
Well, now they know!

Let it go, let it go
Can't hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door!

I don't care
What they're going to say
Let the storm rage on,
The cold never bothered me anyway!

It's funny how some distance
Makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me
Can't get to me at all!

It's time to see what I can do
To test the limits and break through
No right, no wrong, no rules for me, I'm free!

Let it go, let it go
I am one with the wind and sky
Let it go, let it go
You'll never see me cry!

Here I stand
And here I'll stay
Let the storm rage on!

My power flurries through the air into the ground
My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around
And one thought crystallizes like an icy blast
I'm never going back,
The past is in the past!

Let it go, let it go
And I'll rise like the break of dawn
Let it go, let it go
That perfect girl is gone!

Here I stand
In the light of day
Let the storm rage on,
The cold never bothered me anyway!

Attitude of Gratitude

Today I am grateful for my glasses. I get tired of them at times but without them there are times that I would not be able to see very well.

Quotes to live by

"Stop hating yourself for what you aren't. Start loving yourself for everything you are." ~ Author Unknown

An extra measure of love

As a parent I am often working to find a way to motivate, guide and discipline my children all in the hopes of helping them to be happy. There are many times when my efforts feel in vain. Too often I am left feeling a failure and as though I haven't helped my children but hindered them. 

Often I feel I am intending my efforts to be one way and then they are received in another. I am working to instruct them and they take it as criticism. And on the merry go round we go, where it will stop I sure don't know. Sometimes life at home feels this way and when it does it can feel like it's all there is. No parent's dreams of having a baby entail these frustrating moments.

One of the things I have had a hard time with is making sure that my children know I love them even though I am disciplining them. I find myself pulling away from them when they have done something they shouldn't because I don't want to encourage the behavior. But there is a difference between trying not to condone behavior and with drawing from them. Even though there is a need for discipline there is also a greater need for the reassurance of love.

Reassuring love in the face of making a mistake can be the antidote to a wounded spirit. It can be the difference between repeating the mistake or learning from it. It can be difficult to love yourself when you are making a mistake. But that is exactly what is needed to get back on track. A child isn't going to learn how to do this for themselves if we can't teach it to them by loving them when they mess up.

God can seem like a strict parent at times. But I think those are moments when we are not understanding him. I know there are many stories in the scriptures of God's wrath towards those who repeatedly rebel against him. I am not speaking to those more extreme actions at the moment. Rather I am focusing on those times when one is making unwise decisions without realizing the ramifications of them. In these instances the Lord chastises in love, not with sarcasm or by being demeaning. And he also follows up with an extra measure of love, consoling and guiding, giving instruction on how to improve.

He is to be our example in all things. Isn't he more so in this, a time when we are guiding our children in how to learn from their mistakes rather than becoming one more of the many who turn to self-doubt, self-beat up and self-betrayal by not being able to be loving towards themselves and their imperfections.

I know that I am not perfect and I have made more mistakes than I care for but the real tragedy is not learning from them and repeating them. So whether it is yourself, your child or someone else; make sure you're not reprimanding from anger with sarcasm but do so from love. And follow up with an extra measure of love by reminding them of the goodness that is still within them and supporting them through their growing pains.

Attitude of Gratitude

I am grateful for the things that frustrate me. If it weren't for these things there would be a lot of conversations I wouldn't of had with my heavenly father. Unfortunately there are times I've only turned to him because of my frustrations.

Quotes to live by

"I'd rather regret the things I've done than the things I haven't done." ~ Lucille Ball

Embrace the Sun!

I love the weather. It is spring! It's warm enough to be out all day playing without a coat and cool enough not to need to run for cover to air conditioned environments. Awesome!

So get outside and love that sun. The sun isn't just nurturing the trees, grass and flowers into blossoming and thriving. It is nurturing you. It's healing and sustaining. You are meant to bask in the warmth of it like the daisies and lilies. Enjoy, even if it's only for 5 minutes. Do it. You'll feel better.

The sun is a known anti-depressant, it will improve your mood and help you feel better. Go play and have fun in the sun!

Attitude of Gratitude

Today I am grateful for rain. I have always loved the rain. I love the sound of it. I love the clean feeling it leaves behind. I love being inside reading while it rains.

Quotes to live by

"Life may not be the party we hoped for but while we're here we should dance." ~ Author Unknown

Lessons for a Lighthouse

I went to an LDS Holistic Living Mind Body and Spirit Conference this weekend. I met a lot of wonderful people and was inspired by some amazing speakers. One of them is Kathy Truman. She is a gifted energy worker, life coach and emotional spiritual counselor. She made some powerful statements and shared information that has lifted me and inspired my perspective in life. I want to share with you a snippet of some of the things I gained from seeing her speak.



Lessons from a Lighthouse

By Kathy Truman

One of my favorite quotes is: "Lighthouses don't run all around the island looking for boats to save, they just stand there shining." There are so many lessons to be learned from this quote. We may have loved ones who are out in the stormy seas in one way or another. How often are we chasing all around trying to save them. They may or may not be paddling for shore. This is not something a lighthouse can control. If we are to represent the lighthouse, how much guidance can we give to those in the dark seas if we jump into the water with them? Is the lighthouse the destination or is the ultimate destination the island? Are we the Savior or are we to point the way to the Savior? Lighthouses are often battered by stormy seas. The only reason they don't fall is because they are built upon the rock. We can best shine our light if our foundation is solid on the rock of the gospel. The lighthouse itself doesn't do the shining. It is the source of power and light within that reaches through the foggy night to draw the lost sailors to safety. May we also recognize that it is only when we shine with the true source of power and light in Christ that we can be a guiding light to lost souls. These souls can then choose to find the light of Christ in their own lives and then stand as a lighthouse for others.

Attitude of Gratitude

I am grateful for the opportunity to share my gifts and help people. When I do I am on cloud nine. When I don't I feel like a stick in the mud. If I have a choice, which I do, I choose to be on cloud nine.

Quotes to live by

"Be a blessing as often as you ask for one." ~ Janette Dolores