Smith Family Ice Cream Scoop: This is Me

Friday, October 12, 2007

This is Me

For all of you who have stuck with reading my boring blog for so long... I thought you might want to know a little bit about me. That's me, in the picture. I could pretend that I am 5'8", 110 pounds, and gorgeous. I could pretend that I have big boobs, perfect abs, and long legs. I could pretend that I run every single day, and I ran a half marathon in an hour. I could pretend that I have a masters degree, am working on the cure for cancer, and read intellectual books all the time. I could pretend that I am organized, self-motivated, and have a perfectly clean house. I could pretend that I am a perfect mother, and my home is a sanctuary of peace and harmony. I could pretend that I practice my violin hours a day, and perform all over the world. I could pretend that my volunteering in my church is without flaw, and I read my scriptures all the time. OKAY, enough with the pretending!!! I'm 5'2", 118 pounds, obviously NOT gorgeous, I have no boobs, my abs have been through 3 kids, and how long could my legs be when I'm only 5'2"? I ran a half marathon in BARELY under 2 hours, and if I try hard, I get 3 or 4 days of running in a week. I am a college dropout, and I most enjoy reading fluff. My house is a mess most of the time, and I have a hard time getting myself up off my butt to clean it. Frankly, I suck as a mother, and get exasperated with my kids daily. Hourly. Every stinkin' minute. I get my violin out when I teach lessons, and never practice for myself. I read my scriptures when I remember to, and even then I fall asleep sometimes. That's me in a nutshell. I'm not perfect. I'm not even great, but I actually am pretty happy with myself. I'm a wife and mother. I'm a runner. I'm a violinist. I want to be a good person, and I really try. Those are things to be proud of. Those are some of the things that make me who I am, along with all of the imperfections. And let's face it, what fun would life be if we were all perfect?

7 comments:

Les said...: Melinda~
One of these days I'm sure I'll end up calling you Mindy! Just thought I'd let you know that you ARE gorgeous (though I haven't exactly checked out your boobs), I think you're pretty great and a good person (I don't have friends who aren't.. wink). And I'm really glad that we're becoming friends! Thanks for accepting me with all my imperfections too!!; 1:39 PM
Jess said...: Running a half in under two hours at all would be pretty fast to me. And I'm 5 foot even and 118, so don't get me started. Also, I can't even read music -- despite years of piano lessons.; 2:49 PM
Jes said...: I can only dream of running the half in under 2 hours... And would kill to have any musical talent! (there's a reason as a child in chorus I NEVER got a solo). I think you are an absolutely wonderful person! Thanks for sharing the details! Have a great week!; 4:04 AM
Amy said...: Ok, you're gorgeous.
I love this post...we could be really great friends! You know, two normal people!; 2:09 PM
Ian said...: Everyone thinks it would be great to be perfect, but there are times when I wish I wasn't perfect.

People expect too much from you when you're perfect. ;); 11:07 AM
Brenda said...: Amen, sister!; 2:15 PM
V and Co. said...: and now i love you even more!; 2:45 PM

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To Do Today

* Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks. The covenant with God to which you are true enables you to become enlightened by him, and nothing is impossible for you.
* When you are physically sick, tired, or in despair, steer your thoughts away from yourself and direct them, in gratitude and love, toward God.
* In your life there have to be challenges. They will either bring you closer to God and therefore make you stronger, or they can destroy you. But you make the decision of which road you take.
* First and foremost, you are a spirit child of God. If you neglect to feed your spirit, you will reap unhappiness. Don't permit anything to detract you from this awareness.
* You cannot communicate with God unless you have first sacrificed your self-oriented natural man and have brought yourself into the lower levels of meekness, to become acceptable for the Light of Christ.
* Put all frustrations, hurt feelings, and grumblings into the perspective of your eternal hope. Light will flow into your soul.
* Pause to ponder the suffering Christ felt in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the awareness of the depth of gratitude for him, you appreciate every opportunity to show your love for him by diligently serving in his Church.
* God knows that you are not perfect. As you suffer about your imperfections, he will give you comfort and suggestions of where to improve.
* God knows better than you what you need. He always attempts to speak to you. Listen, and follow the uncomfortable suggestions that he makes to us--everything will fall into its place.
* Avoid any fear like your worst enemy, but magnify your fear about the consequences of sin.
* When you cannot love someone, look into that person's eyes long enough to find the hidden rudiments of the child of God in him.
* Never judge anyone. When you accept this, you will be freed. In the case of your own children or subordinates, where you have the responsibility to judge, help them to become their own judges.
* If someone hurts you so much that your feelings seem to choke you, forgive and you will be free again.
* Avoid at all cost any pessimistic, negative, or criticizing thoughts. If you cannot cut them out, they will do you harm. On the road toward salvation, let questions arise but never doubts. If something is wrong, God will give you clarity but never doubts.
* Avoid rush and haste and uncontrolled words. Divine light develops in places of peace and quiet. Be aware of that as you enter places of worship.
* Be not so much concerned about what you do, but do what you do with all your heart, might, and strength. In thoroughness is satisfaction.
* You want to be good and to do good. That is commendable. But the greatest achievement that can be reached in our lives is to be under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost. Then he will teach us what is really good and necessary to do.
* The pain of sacrifice lasts only one moment. It is the fear of the pain of sacrifice that makes you hesitate to do it.
* Be grateful for every opportunity to serve. It helps you more than those you serve.
* And finally, when you are compelled to give up something or when things that are dear to you are withdrawn from you, know that this is your lesson to be learned right now. But know also that, as you are learning this lesson, God wants to give you something better.

from "Unleashing the Dormant Spirit by F. Enzio Busche