Smith Family Ice Cream Scoop: Let it Go

Friday, March 20, 2009

Let it Go

"Be one who nurtures and builds. Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them." (Marvin J. Ashton)

I've been thinking about this quote lately... thinking about how I can apply it to my life. Thinking about how it frees me to be happy, if I follow this counsel. Some people do everything they can to bring someone else down, to do things they know will hurt someone else, to try over and over again to make the other person feel bad. I can let those people bring me down... I can try to retaliate and think of ways to make them feel bad too... or I can let it go. It's hard, but I'm trying.

A long time ago, way back in jr. high, I made a fool of myself. My brother was in jr. high too, and we had the normal sibling spats going on all the time. One day he tripped in the hall at school, fell down, and spilled his books everywhere. I was right there. What did I do? I laughed. I just laughed. I didn't help him pick up his books, I didn't ask if he was okay... I just thought, Ha! My annoying little brother just biffed it! This is hilarious. Over 20 years later, I still regret that day, and I still feel the embarrassment when I realized other people weren't laughing with me, but looking at me with a look of unbelief. I was the fool, not my brother who tripped.

These times might not be so obvious now, but how many times do we secretly laugh when someone else hurts... glad that they got what they "deserved"? Do we ignore their accomplishments, secretly angry that they are doing well in something? How often do we think of ways that we could "show" someone what an idiot they are? How often do we hold a grudge over one incident in our heart, and let that affect how we act towards someone for a very long time? I've been guilty. Are you? Let it go.

7 comments:

leslie mae said...: Thanks Mindy!! Well said!!!; 7:09 AM
Annalee Kelly said...: That's just what I needed today! We have an angry neighbor who is threatening us and It's been hard for me to process the anger I feel.
Sigh. When I feel angry, I lose a portion of the Spirit so it's damaging to me. Great quote and thoughts! Thank you!; 9:11 AM
Shannon said...: Great post Mindy. I think grudges, anger, and unkind acts mostly come when we are being self-centered. It's so hard to see the needs of others and try to uplift them when we are only focused on our own needs that aren't being met. Does that make sense? That's what I see in myself sometimes at least...; 1:49 PM
Jason said...: If it makes you feel better, I have no recollection whatsoever of tripping in jr high. You'd think I would remember something like that. I do remember being annoying though.; 1:50 PM
Rachel Holloway said...: Mindy...you are so amazing. Thanks for these words...you always know how to say the right thing I need to hear, huh??; 7:10 PM
Marci said...: wow...i love that quote and i love what you said. we have a lot of contention and anger in my family and it is so hard. it is the most damaging thing there is to the human spirit...both the giver and the receiver.
good thoughts my friend.; 10:04 PM
carol said...: I have sort of given up on blogging, but I am so happy I stopped by and looked at yours today. This entry is just exactly, EXACTLY what I needed today. Thank you for softening my heart. :); 8:09 AM

Post a Comment

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