Smith Family Ice Cream Scoop: Life Lessons

Friday, January 11, 2008

Life Lessons

I've hesitated to post about this before now, because it's hard to know what could cause pain to someone you love who is going through one of the worst things anyone could go through. I feel like the time is right, now, so Leslie I hope this is okay.

The Things I've Learned From Leslie
don't take even one day for granted
show how much you love him
family is most important
cherish every moment
look for the good in everything... even dirty socks
keep going
grief takes time
look outside yourself
love
patience
grace
beauty
eternity
faith

and I know I'll keep learning, because Leslie, you are teaching us all. Thank you for sharing your grief with us, so that we can support you, and so that we can learn from your wisdom. Love you.

2 comments:

Felicia said...: Oh my gosh, Mindy! I just clicked on your friend Leslie's link and realized that she is a friend of my neighbor Andrea (the one who's parents are from Vernal). I've been thinking about this girl a lot, and had no idea who she was, except for the things that Andrea has told me. We have had several lengthy conversations and a few tears over Aaron's death, and have realized how small our own problems are.

Leslie, if you see this, please know that I am praying for you--even though I don't know you. Apparently we have a few people in common though, 'cause Mindy and Andrea (Peterson) are two of my very best friends.; 10:43 PM
Lisa said...: that was so beautiful mindy. i love the way you write and i still think of the writings you sent to me during a difficult time in my life...love you.; 12:04 AM

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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