Thursday, January 12, 2012
You may not have noticed...
I deleted the blog, but then regretted that so now it's back.. It's a good thing blogger has a whoopsie button! Major changes to come!!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Happiness Project November
Psalms 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Obviously with Thanksgiving, Gratitude seemed a natural choice for my focus this month. My three goals this month (one suprisingly challenging) were:
1. Gratitude prayers (do nothing but give thanks) and gratitude journal entries
2. Sing in the mornings
3. Say thank you and mean it
The first goal was interesting, it started out with just little obvious things but somewhere in the middle of the month I seemed to have been assaulted with a bounty of blessings. I don't know if it was because I was looking for them but it seemed that what I was thankful for meant so much more, even if it was on the surface a 'little thing' it effected me even more so. There are 2 things that I think really struck me, things that I am most grateful for.
My parent's testimonies. I had severaly discussions and opportunites to see first hand the influence of righteous/unrighteous parents. I feel as though I can't even do justice to what my parents have done for me. I am filled with a deep gratitude that I was raised in a home that taught correct principles, where I was shown what love was. What love can do. I have never doubted what my Mom and Dad's priorites were because it has always been obvious. On the heart wrenching flip side, it is devistating to see the power parents have to destroy and the far reaching effects it has, because abuse, hard hearts and neglect do not just affect the victim. I also noticed through my scripture study the influence that we have on future generations, not just from parent to child but from siblings, aunts, grandparents, cousins. There are traditions, patterns and beliefs that we hold on to that started with people we have never even met. Once again I can't express enough how thankful I am to be put into a family with such amazing members.
The creature comforts. All of the little things that we have and don't even notice. This was largely because I read Man's search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. I hadn't even made it through the introduction to this book and I was sobbing. This book has had a powerful influence on me, on what I perceive as happiness. It is the thoughts of a jewish psychologist who lived through several concentration camps. He realized with his unique background that he had an opportunity to observe despair and conversly happiness in a way that is unpresidented. Having had his very freedom taken away was enough alone, but to give an honest and open description of the atrocities that went on made me realize just how much I have to be greatful for.
The second goal was by far the hardest. For those who don't know me, I am not a morning person. So much so that my family has taken to calling me queen of the underworld before. I need a good hour or so before I can function as a human being and not some demon. I got the idea from Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project and as much as I didn't want to I knew it would help. This is what I learned:
While my voice is an ok 'choir' voice... at 6:30 in the morning it's more banshee-esque
If you are prepared things go more smoothly
Cold showers (for the hair dye) help you wake up MUCH more quickly than hot
Cold showers are more time efficient (like by half)
Cold showers are miserable and make you sort of hate life
Will I be continuing to sing in the morning? Let's be honest.. Probably not, but I have been trying to make an effort to be aware of others feelings.
Saying thanks and meaning it, probably was my favorite of the goals, I find that for me it's extremely easy to say 'Thanks' without even thinking about it. I found that the best way for me is when I catch myself saying thank you to actually think about why I am grateful for what that person has just done to make my life easier. I think too that this ties in with my prayers of gratitude. I heard the statement a couple of times last month, "What if you woke up with only the things you gave thanks for in your prayers the night before?" Obviously those nights had much longer prayers but it helped me realize that God gives us everything.
I think that gratitude and having an attitude of thanksgiving play an important part of being happy because the things you are grateful for make you happy and the more you have to be grateful the happier your are!
Obviously with Thanksgiving, Gratitude seemed a natural choice for my focus this month. My three goals this month (one suprisingly challenging) were:
1. Gratitude prayers (do nothing but give thanks) and gratitude journal entries
2. Sing in the mornings
3. Say thank you and mean it
The first goal was interesting, it started out with just little obvious things but somewhere in the middle of the month I seemed to have been assaulted with a bounty of blessings. I don't know if it was because I was looking for them but it seemed that what I was thankful for meant so much more, even if it was on the surface a 'little thing' it effected me even more so. There are 2 things that I think really struck me, things that I am most grateful for.
My parent's testimonies. I had severaly discussions and opportunites to see first hand the influence of righteous/unrighteous parents. I feel as though I can't even do justice to what my parents have done for me. I am filled with a deep gratitude that I was raised in a home that taught correct principles, where I was shown what love was. What love can do. I have never doubted what my Mom and Dad's priorites were because it has always been obvious. On the heart wrenching flip side, it is devistating to see the power parents have to destroy and the far reaching effects it has, because abuse, hard hearts and neglect do not just affect the victim. I also noticed through my scripture study the influence that we have on future generations, not just from parent to child but from siblings, aunts, grandparents, cousins. There are traditions, patterns and beliefs that we hold on to that started with people we have never even met. Once again I can't express enough how thankful I am to be put into a family with such amazing members.
The creature comforts. All of the little things that we have and don't even notice. This was largely because I read Man's search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. I hadn't even made it through the introduction to this book and I was sobbing. This book has had a powerful influence on me, on what I perceive as happiness. It is the thoughts of a jewish psychologist who lived through several concentration camps. He realized with his unique background that he had an opportunity to observe despair and conversly happiness in a way that is unpresidented. Having had his very freedom taken away was enough alone, but to give an honest and open description of the atrocities that went on made me realize just how much I have to be greatful for.
The second goal was by far the hardest. For those who don't know me, I am not a morning person. So much so that my family has taken to calling me queen of the underworld before. I need a good hour or so before I can function as a human being and not some demon. I got the idea from Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project and as much as I didn't want to I knew it would help. This is what I learned:
While my voice is an ok 'choir' voice... at 6:30 in the morning it's more banshee-esque
If you are prepared things go more smoothly
Cold showers (for the hair dye) help you wake up MUCH more quickly than hot
Cold showers are more time efficient (like by half)
Cold showers are miserable and make you sort of hate life
Will I be continuing to sing in the morning? Let's be honest.. Probably not, but I have been trying to make an effort to be aware of others feelings.
Saying thanks and meaning it, probably was my favorite of the goals, I find that for me it's extremely easy to say 'Thanks' without even thinking about it. I found that the best way for me is when I catch myself saying thank you to actually think about why I am grateful for what that person has just done to make my life easier. I think too that this ties in with my prayers of gratitude. I heard the statement a couple of times last month, "What if you woke up with only the things you gave thanks for in your prayers the night before?" Obviously those nights had much longer prayers but it helped me realize that God gives us everything.
I think that gratitude and having an attitude of thanksgiving play an important part of being happy because the things you are grateful for make you happy and the more you have to be grateful the happier your are!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Quotes from the Weekend: The day late edition
"I had this relationship with black cohosh root that summer."
-Crazy hippie lady, imagine Prof. Trewlany but more earth motherish
"The youngest BeeGee is the 70's Austrailian disco version of Bieber."
-Tyler, who neither likes the BeeGees or the Biebs
"Clearly that man was not born of this earth. He is an alien."
-My Dad, about his views on Steven Tyler
-Crazy hippie lady, imagine Prof. Trewlany but more earth motherish
"The youngest BeeGee is the 70's Austrailian disco version of Bieber."
-Tyler, who neither likes the BeeGees or the Biebs
"Clearly that man was not born of this earth. He is an alien."
-My Dad, about his views on Steven Tyler
Monday, November 21, 2011
Scripture Study: Part 1
Recently a few friends and I have been having a scripture study group. It's been really good to get different points of view, instead of the same tired thoughts in my head. Unfortunatley for the rest of the group I keep choosing the subjects and a couple weeks ago I chose Scripture Study as the topic. I wanted to know their different methods. We agreed that most of our time is spent just reading cover to cover. Which is good but I have been pondering and researching (by research I mean pinterest) other ways. I had done a slightly disturbingly intense Book of Mormon study on my mission and have decided to do it again... Standard Works style! This is the result:
This is what I call the super intense slightly scary method of studying the scriptures. That being said it works really well and helps you focus on what exactly you are reading.
So what you need:
Teeny Tiny labels, I used the Avery 5418 (1/2" x 3/4")
Soft cover versions (binding breaks on hard covers) of the Scriptures
Sharpies in at least 4 colors
Colored Pencils that correspond to the Sharpie colors
White cardstock/paper
Ruler
Glue
Step 1:
Take however many principles you want to study (I did 56 and some have changed already) then write them on the lables,color with colored pencils, line up on a page like below and draw lines across. My color groups are loosely grouped in categories, Red is the Plan of Salvation, Blue is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Green is the Restoration of the Church and Purple is Attributes of Jesus Christ.
Step 2:
Glue page onto first page of the book, then draw lines down the pages of the book, get super frustrated and eat ice cream while youtubing funny animal videos. This pretty much is the hardest part if you are slightly OCD.
Step 3:
Color the rest of the lables with the sharpies. This will take forever so pop a movie in. Preferably something funny so the smell from the sharpies enhances your experience.
Now study! Here is how it works, whatever principle you come across in your study you highlight, underline or box in the color coordinating with the principle. Then add a tab to the page.
Tips:
*If you can see in my pictures there are stars on the page which contains the scriptures, this makes it a little easier to find the scripture in question.
*Have a marking system if there are scriptures in the same color category on the same page. Mine is this:
1st: Box the Scripture
2nd: Underline the Scripture
3rd: Fill in the Scripture
4th: Bold Box the Scripture
5th: Bold Underline the Scripture
Did I make a key with all of that so I wouldn't forget? You betcha! It's my bookmark.
I hope this gives you guys some motivation to study! I of course have more to say about scripture study so tune back in to get more ideas!
If you have any questions about this project feel free to email me at sariahthereader at gmail dot com!
This is what I call the super intense slightly scary method of studying the scriptures. That being said it works really well and helps you focus on what exactly you are reading.
So what you need:
Teeny Tiny labels, I used the Avery 5418 (1/2" x 3/4")
Soft cover versions (binding breaks on hard covers) of the Scriptures
Sharpies in at least 4 colors
Colored Pencils that correspond to the Sharpie colors
White cardstock/paper
Ruler
Glue
Step 1:
Take however many principles you want to study (I did 56 and some have changed already) then write them on the lables,color with colored pencils, line up on a page like below and draw lines across. My color groups are loosely grouped in categories, Red is the Plan of Salvation, Blue is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Green is the Restoration of the Church and Purple is Attributes of Jesus Christ.
Step 2:
Glue page onto first page of the book, then draw lines down the pages of the book, get super frustrated and eat ice cream while youtubing funny animal videos. This pretty much is the hardest part if you are slightly OCD.
Step 3:
Color the rest of the lables with the sharpies. This will take forever so pop a movie in. Preferably something funny so the smell from the sharpies enhances your experience.
Now study! Here is how it works, whatever principle you come across in your study you highlight, underline or box in the color coordinating with the principle. Then add a tab to the page.
Tips:
*If you can see in my pictures there are stars on the page which contains the scriptures, this makes it a little easier to find the scripture in question.
*Have a marking system if there are scriptures in the same color category on the same page. Mine is this:
1st: Box the Scripture
2nd: Underline the Scripture
3rd: Fill in the Scripture
4th: Bold Box the Scripture
5th: Bold Underline the Scripture
Did I make a key with all of that so I wouldn't forget? You betcha! It's my bookmark.
I hope this gives you guys some motivation to study! I of course have more to say about scripture study so tune back in to get more ideas!
If you have any questions about this project feel free to email me at sariahthereader at gmail dot com!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Quotes from the Weekend
**Fun DIY/Tutorial/Look at me get my craft on coming soon!!**
'It's more like a Rainbow Bridge.'
-Thor (holy hawtness...)
Kid in Sunday School Class:'So you are making me pray as a punishment?'
(in a questioning my judgement sort of tone)
Me: 'You need the blessings trust me'
Kid: 'Really?'
Me: 'Nope it's a punishment'
'I'm afraid!'
-My brother, curled in fetal position after my dad attacked him for taking pictures of him while he was sleeping...bahahaha
And sometimes Monday comes and pushes all that is good into a spinning vortex of death and destruction... So the hot man poster (which has sported many a beautious man faces) has to be this:
'It's more like a Rainbow Bridge.'
-Thor (holy hawtness...)
Kid in Sunday School Class:'So you are making me pray as a punishment?'
(in a questioning my judgement sort of tone)
Me: 'You need the blessings trust me'
Kid: 'Really?'
Me: 'Nope it's a punishment'
'I'm afraid!'
-My brother, curled in fetal position after my dad attacked him for taking pictures of him while he was sleeping...bahahaha
And sometimes Monday comes and pushes all that is good into a spinning vortex of death and destruction... So the hot man poster (which has sported many a beautious man faces) has to be this:
Friday, November 11, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)