It's been a while. I have been receiving repeated counsel from many sources lately that I can be more mindful. In fact, the lesson this past Sunday in Relief Society was literally "Be mindful." The sister described it as "thinking about your thinking." She reminded us that we naturally live on autopilot, mindless. She told us it is hard work to be conscious-aware. It takes energy and focus, but its rewards far outweigh the challenge it can be. Being mindful improves our attention, reduces stress, increases our empathy and compassion, gives us confidence and helps us keep perspective. Mindfulness allows us to live fully in the present, in tune with our senses, both physically and spiritually. It allows us to commune more effortlessly with our Creator and hear His will and whisperings in our lives.

I believe that God truly wants us to be happy. There are silly, seemingly unsubstantial things that happen in my life every day that attest to this. When I contemplate how ridiculous they must seem to Heavenly Father, I can't help but laugh. But what is important to us is important to Him. We always have what we need. Everything always works out. I can't think of a time when it hasn't. I believe that in every trial is an opportunity - to grow, to serve, to be served, to obey. Everything has a time and a season. We must struggle if we want to reach our ultimate end goals. Today in a course with John Maxwell he said, "When we are given something it's more difficult to hold onto. It's impossible to lose something you grew into." So I suppose my most difficult moments are my becoming. They are the difference between my success and increase or my moving backward. 

God loves us. He gave His son for us. As a mother of a young son I cannot imagine anything happening to him or giving him up. Our Heavenly Father has already done this for us. That sacrifice means more to me now than at any other time in my life. How do I honor that sacrifice?

I am often too distracted, too busy, afraid or angry. I pick up negativity like static electricity. It deeply affects me. I'm aware of this but often I don't do anything to counter it. Marianne Williamson, on "A Course In Miracles" reflects: "we are far too indulgent of mind-wandering. Meditation disciplines the mind." I must be more mindful and a lot more generous with myself. 

This evening in A Return to Love, Williamson reminded me of my unlimited capacity vs. potential. "Capacity," she said "lies not in what we have inside of us, but rather in what we own that we have inside of us. There is no point in waiting until we are perfect in what we do or enlightened masters, or Ph.D.s in life, before opening ourselves to what we're capable of doing now" (277). She talks about how our ego, by its very nature criminalizes feelings of self worth. It tells us that because someone else is doing something great, we cannot also be great. Williamson reminds us of abundance. We can bless each other and celebrate others' success.

There is more than enough to go around. We are, after all, created in the image of an infinite, omnipotent and loving God. Let's remind each other of that! 

We are here, together for a reason. I cannot die with my fire still inside of me. I refuse to. Williamson lends: "...you don't have to be a virtuoso at everything you do, in order to be a virtuoso at life. Virtuosity in life means singing out - not necessarily singing well" (279). Amen to that. Let's raise our voices and sprinkle kindness around like confetti. 

Love to you all.