Forca means Strength.
Everytime I start a new school year I am amazed at the extra force I am given from above. Yesterday, I spent more than 14 hours on campus doing everything from school assignments to a planned public relations campaign for our college of agriculture week. Today, I spent seven hours in front of a computer screen writing a research analysis and preparing a law presentation.
What amazes me the most about these past few days is the added strength I have felt. It's during these miraculous times that I think of the scripture that reads, "my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me."
In my bible dicitionary grace is defined as, "the divine means of help or strength." I love how Elder David A. Bednar divines the enabling power of atonement through the grace of our Savior Jesus Christ:
"The enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement helps us to see and to do and to become good in ways that we could never recognize or accomplish with our limited mortal capacity," he said.
In my language that means if I continue working my hardest each day, I Heavenly Father will reach down and give me those skills and attributes I desperately need. I know as long as I am trying hardest, He will do the rest.
So when Heavenly Father asks me to pull just like this horse, I just simply thrust with all my might and say, how Far?
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
"Droga"
"Droga" means ARGH, AHHHHHHH, or an expression used for frustration. I think we cannot have "truthful thoughts" without recognizing the sometimes weakening thoughts that come to us.
For example--it's 11:55, and you were suppose to read and comment for a college assignment. Your natural tendency says, "Make something up, nobody will ever know." However, a mind conscious of "truthful thoughts" will tell you being truthful is more important than some lousy points you would get for an assignment.
I once heard a story about a business man who was traveling with some of his colleagues. For lack of memory, I'll call his name Bob. While at the airport, Bob's friend inserted a quarter into a newspaper vendor and proceeded to take a paper for him, and all of his colleagues. However, when the man tried to hand it to Bob, he refused proclaiming, "Sorry, but my integrity is worth more to me than 25 cents."
That story has always stayed with me. To be true to oneself has more value than any college assignment, 25 cent newspaper, or any fame one could acquire through dishonesty.
So yes, I may yell "Druga" when I forget again that one assignment was due, but at least I'm still being true.
For example--it's 11:55, and you were suppose to read and comment for a college assignment. Your natural tendency says, "Make something up, nobody will ever know." However, a mind conscious of "truthful thoughts" will tell you being truthful is more important than some lousy points you would get for an assignment.
I once heard a story about a business man who was traveling with some of his colleagues. For lack of memory, I'll call his name Bob. While at the airport, Bob's friend inserted a quarter into a newspaper vendor and proceeded to take a paper for him, and all of his colleagues. However, when the man tried to hand it to Bob, he refused proclaiming, "Sorry, but my integrity is worth more to me than 25 cents."
That story has always stayed with me. To be true to oneself has more value than any college assignment, 25 cent newspaper, or any fame one could acquire through dishonesty.
So yes, I may yell "Druga" when I forget again that one assignment was due, but at least I'm still being true.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
As licoes de uma crianca
As licoes de uma crianca: Lessons from a small child.
Do you ever find yourself stressing over small things? At the beginning of a new semester, its seems like the smallest things can send my mind into a whirlwind of "oh my gosh" and "will I make it?"
I confess most of my anxiety comes from my personality. I confess I'm a perfectionist and I hate failure.
However, I often notice when I recognize my weakness I become more humble and teachable. For example, tonight I spent the night with an old friend and her two beautiful girls. Hannah, the two year old, became my instant best friend. We had a party of a time chasing each other around my back yard. When she laughed, I laughed, and when she smiled I smiled. What amazed me the most was Hannah was content with her environment despite its unfamiliarity. She was open to me although we had never met.
How often as adults are we so quick to pose judgement, and so quick to fear! A prophet, named Moses recorded in his personal account when he feared he saw the bitterness of hell. Do we often create our own hell because of our judgements and fears?
The lesson I learned today was simple. Be happy with whatever circumstances the Lord decides to place you in. Laugh often. Smile often. For this is how we all used to be before we allowed the smugness of adulthood to take over.
Instead lets choose as Majorie Hinckley did. She once said, "You can either laugh or cry. I like to laugh because crying gives me a headache."
I hope all of us can learn the simple lessons I did today from a two-year old girl.
Do you ever find yourself stressing over small things? At the beginning of a new semester, its seems like the smallest things can send my mind into a whirlwind of "oh my gosh" and "will I make it?"
I confess most of my anxiety comes from my personality. I confess I'm a perfectionist and I hate failure.
However, I often notice when I recognize my weakness I become more humble and teachable. For example, tonight I spent the night with an old friend and her two beautiful girls. Hannah, the two year old, became my instant best friend. We had a party of a time chasing each other around my back yard. When she laughed, I laughed, and when she smiled I smiled. What amazed me the most was Hannah was content with her environment despite its unfamiliarity. She was open to me although we had never met.
How often as adults are we so quick to pose judgement, and so quick to fear! A prophet, named Moses recorded in his personal account when he feared he saw the bitterness of hell. Do we often create our own hell because of our judgements and fears?
The lesson I learned today was simple. Be happy with whatever circumstances the Lord decides to place you in. Laugh often. Smile often. For this is how we all used to be before we allowed the smugness of adulthood to take over.
Instead lets choose as Majorie Hinckley did. She once said, "You can either laugh or cry. I like to laugh because crying gives me a headache."
I hope all of us can learn the simple lessons I did today from a two-year old girl.
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