Smith Family Ice Cream Scoop: Perspective

Monday, May 23, 2011

Perspective

Yesterday was a hard day. I don't want to talk about it, and I surely don't want to repeat it. Things are looking better today... but I still feel this weight.

After sobbing my life's worries out to Brandon, he said a lot of things that made me think. Hard. And as always, he was right. Then I started thinking about things from a different perspective. I realized almost every single thing I was so upset about could be dismissed with a laugh when looked at slightly differently...

These are things that anybody would say, are you serious? Really? THAT happened? That's so awful! But then... when I looked at it through a different lens, it was funny, sad, no consequence... nothing.

Not everything in life has that opposite side... that side where you can count it as no consequence. Some things just plain hurt, and are just plain hard. But I do think there are lots of things that just need to be looked at through a kinder lens.

Sigh. Still working through it all.

9 comments:

Mike, Sha, Kenna, Kate, & Garrett said...: Love the pictures, awesome perspective. Keep plugging along. That is what this life is all about!;); 9:19 AM
Kandice said...: I hate those moments....a lot. I don't know what it was.. But hopefully you can look back...and soon... and it wont hurt so bad.

On a brighter note. I love love love those pictures. I am thinking when I build my new house you just might have to do nature shots of all the things I love so I will have some new artwork to hang!; 9:20 AM
The Oylers said...: Oh I love all of these pictures. They are so beautiful.; 9:26 AM
Tari said...: Love Love Love the Pictures. If you need to walk again you know you can always call me :); 10:11 AM
Rachel Holloway said...: I LOVE YOU MINDY. :); 10:50 AM
Felicia said...: Hugs!; 3:25 PM
Janice {Run Far} said...: I'm pretty sure I have days like that all the time. Sorry you are in pain, sorrow... and sadness.

Smile... someone in Kentucky loves you.; 8:55 PM
Josh and Kristen said...: I am sorry that you had a bad day. I am sorry that life is hard and that sometimes life hurts. I am glad that you were able to talk to Brandon and to feel a little bit better. The pictures are beautiful. You have such a talent!; 9:21 PM
katers said...: I LOVE the texture on this second picture. ;); 8:07 AM

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