Success

"A devoted singleness of purpose can always be depended upon to perform a miracle of achievement." ~From this talk by Elder Sill.

Consistency is the key to any success, with its brothers diligence and true grit. Basically, if you never give and never lose focus, nothing can stop you.

History

My high school teach showed us a portrait of Thomas Paine in AP History and I thought he looked like Richard Gere. He was handsome and so I liked what he wrote and read Common Sense. Strange, but I felt a connection to this person from another era. Actually, not strange at all.

Isn't he attractive?

This is E.M. Hemingway:

I have watched Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris multiple times and cannot get enough. And I totally have a crush on Hemingway's writing, now. Thanks to Corey S_____, I am now thoroughly interested in what the man had to write. A different perspective and suddenly his words make sense and I appreciate the excellent skill of his understated work.

Ironically, this film made me wish I could meet the people of other eras more ardently than I did previously. But the point is that we have to find satisfaction in the HERE and NOW.
So I have been noting any bits of brilliant hemingway-esque attributes in the people I know...none too many so far, but I'm still looking.


I'm in a writing mood. I feel like working on a novel. I think I shall.

Heritage

In Utah, we celebrate Pioneer Day. The pioneers trekked across the plains and founded our state--their stories are inspiring!

I love this holiday: FIREWORKS, barbeques, parades, rodeos and a reminder to live up to my heritage of strength, faith, and courage.

When I was in the MTC preparing for a mission, I remember something one speaker told us: Each of us is the first pioneer of our own lives. Everyday, we decide what we will do with the time that has been given us, and we are going where we have never been before! Inspiring. Comforting.

As the pioneer of my own life, I am exploring new possibilities and breaking all my assumptions. I'm overcoming obstacles and moving forward in faith. My life is awesome and I am deeply grateful for all the blessing I'm receiving and the things I am learning.

Beginnings

I feel happy. I met this guy. He's so handsome and talented and wonderful.

I have that sparky, anticipating-something-great hop in my step. This may all be preemptive, but it's exciting  to feel like this again. *sigh*

Calm. Consistent. Confident

Because the pressure is evenly distributed, the body can support itself upon a bed of nails without damage. However, if all that pressure is consolidated in one solitary nail, you will end up with a puncture wound.

I tend to build huge pressure points in my life, occasionally buckle under the insurmountable expectations, and then despise myself for this inexplicable incapacity to accomplish what I set out to do.

This weekend, the stress completely destroyed my body. Lots of puking and not very much sleep...gross, I know. My dad gave me this bed-of-nails analogy in an attempt to help me understand that no one can handle the kind of expectations I put on myself. Working hard, being diligent, reaching further than you have in the past for a lofty ambition is one thing. Placing your entire self-value and self-worth on the outcome of one tiny event in life is ridiculous. And yet, I do this all the time.

In a somber turn of irony, I went with my dad to visit a little girl in the hospital the next day who was running downhill too fast, fell and punctured her pancreas. Her body has a 5% chance of recovery. This beautiful, thirteen-year-old girl with french braids, a plastic tiara and long legs bunched up to her chin just smiled at me and chattered away about the rain outside.

My life is so amazing. So blessed. My afflictions are light. God is merciful.

I can accomplish more if I slow down and consistenly step in the direction I'm going--the journey is what develops and changes us. Suddenly, I understand what people mean when they tell me I need more patience and calmness. I can still do a million things and be awesome! I just have to do it one step at a time.

Busy busy

Busy preparing for an audition this Saturday. I've been learning about HOPE and eliminating self-doubt in order to have faith:

1 Corinthians 9:10 "...For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope."

Hope should inspire us to work diligently and see the fruition of what we confidently expect to come to pass! Hopefulness enriches our lives. Read this message about hope by Elder Steven E. Snow.

Details about my quick trip to the west coast soon to come...I had a great time. Of all the weekend, Sunday evening was apparently the most memorable, since I keep thinking about this:

THE HEART OF THE WOMAN

O what to me the little room

That was brimmed up with prayer and rest;

He bade me out into the gloom,

And my breast lies upon his breast.

O what to me my mother's care,

The house where I was safe and warm;

The shadowy blossom of my hair

Will hide us from the bitter storm.

O hiding hair and dewy eyes,

I am no more with life and death,

My heart upon his warm heart lies,

My breath is mixed into his breath.

--William Butler Yeats