Monday, April 24, 2017

Discovery; Mindfulness in Visionpursue

For Review #MyHappinessProject Resolutions already executed to continue to build on

NOV
1. Be Healthy  I am putting into action no snacking.   Drink my shakes for meals. Move everyday. 

DEC
2. Family History
4 years one month at a time and continue the search.

JAN
3. Civility
Mostly I am "working" at Keeping it together this month. "KeepItTogether""KeepItTogether""KeepItTogether"!

3b. Scripture study His Words Keep reading everyday everyday everyday.  I can only ___________ Me! (Insert word control, save, etc etc etc!)
4 books and the parables

FEB
4. Joy
I don't know what to do here. Throw it all away, give it all away or garage sell it all?   Keep it or move it? because of my lack of ability to make a choice on this I have only reorganized and re labeled.
The life changing magic of tidying up.  

4b. Repentance
I do need this everyday. 

MAR
5. Mindfulness  BE mindful of what I am "certain of"...  Back to my basic question of yester year "What is the One thing today that I stand for, would fight for, believe in?"  Be Certain what kind of Character I have, portray and want to build on. 
Very excited to report that thru Richards work I have discovered a new app and way to be accountable for mindfulness.  In March I was discouraged with my choice of mindfulness because it didn't really lead me anywhere except to over analyze everything!  The app is called #visionpursue and for the next month I will be doing dailys to further expand #Mindfulness.


5b. Procrastination set some goals.  achieve them.  I got my pocket watch to wear around my neck, like Emmaline!!!  It will remind me of the words "but for a very short time."  Make Time count!

Friday, April 07, 2017

April My Happiness Project Phase 1

April MyHappinessProject

Finances

Interestingly enough taxation and #MyHappinessProject align in the month of April!!!  As I have considered this topic I have arrived at the word Budget which leads me to columns which leads to pluses and minuses or debits and credit or gains and losses.  As I ponder this I am led to all the things that go under these sub headings and into the said columns!  death and taxes, Money and calories, credit cards and cash, weight and self image, sit ups and push ups, walking and running, screen time and what I eat - the columns can go on and on... do you see where I am going with this?

Last month I got lost in the big world of "thinking and considering", without the specific task to do, although I did learn things and I will apply them to my lifestyle and resolutions I continueing to work on them.  I need actual, specific things to budget and account for.  There it is  - the word, the other word I ran into in my pondering - Accountability. Without kids, without a job, without a real schedule to keep, without a chur  ch responsibility well,  I have no accountability!  This silly blog has proven to be my accountability this year giving me the checks and balances of my present circumstance.  And so as I like to say; Thus we see...   I need to get real here and actually be accountable for my columns in life. set some real goals / #resolutions....  her is how I'm going to approach that.

Phase 1 is 21 days  (remember my old blog enteries 21 days 21 days at a time. #Endure
1. track money spent
2. track what I eat   
3. track how much I move 

that is it!   no more than that or I won't do any of it them.  I also realize I am pretty good at tracking.  The next step will be writing down what I AM GOING TO DO and then doing it!  this is where my Sub (spiritual) Happiness Project topic comes in Humility and why I have to track these things first,  because I can't say I'm going to this or that - since I have no accountability. I don't know where to start. I am giving myself 21 days to find a starting point and then to re-evaluate and do the hard thing that is to set the limits and then be accountable. 


Personal side note; I dated a few guys in my time as they fell away no one ever REALLY said why (and thus we see I have a few attachment issues) anyway One young man did say. His name was Glenn and he told me he couldn't marry me because "I wouldn't endure".  Isn't it funny such a small thing would stick with me and echo in my head constantly for all these years.  OR IS IT!        I have always applied it to church, and I hate to admit that ya, maybe I had my non enduring moments, but 98% of the time I always WANTED to ENDURE and that really does help, the "want to", the "desire to".  But this is the other thing I learned in the early month MyHappinessProject research, I don't endure in finances for sure, but I may have other issues I'm not enduring in too, like; diet and exercise.  For instance because of my tracking (Phase 1) I noticed I drink alot of Coke Zero.  Too much soda for me. I came to the conclusion that I needed to STOP.  So I haven't had a soda for a week when I weighed in this morning I had gained 3 pounds.  My thinking is with no soda I should have had a loss in that column not a gain!!! Now I just want to go have a soda, and thus we see my lack of endurance. 
In Phase 2 I will make the accountability happen, after the initial 21 days of tracking and enduring with said topics, I have to evaluate and set reasonable achievable new goals /#resolutions to be accountable for in my ledger of columns with the headings of; budgeting money, calories, movement and time.  

Here we go !!!!  Who knew Finances and humility would lead me here?!!!!




For Review #MyHappinessProject Resolutions already executed to continue to build on

NOV
1. Be Healthy  I am putting into action no snacking.   Drink my shakes for meals. Move everyday. 

DEC
2. Family History
4 years one month at a time and continue the search.

JAN
3. Civility
Mostly I am "working" at Keeping it together this month. "KeepItTogether""KeepItTogether""KeepItTogether"!

3b. Scripture study His Words Keep reading everyday everyday everyday.  I can only ___________ Me! (Insert word control, save, etc etc etc!)
4 books and the parables

FEB
4. Joy
I don't know what to do here. Throw it all away, give it all away or garage sell it all?   Keep it or move it? because of my lack of ability to make a choice on this I have only reorganized and re labeled.
The life changing magic of tidying up.  

4b. Repentance
I do need this everyday. 

MAR
5. Mindfulness  BE mindful of what I am "certain of"...  Back to my basic question of yester year "What is the One thing today that I stand for, would fight for, believe in?"  Be Certain what kind of Character I have, portray and want to build on. 

5b. Procrastination set some goals.  achieve them.  I got my pocket watch to wear around my neck, like Emmaline!!!  It will remind me of the words "but for a very short time."  Make Time count!

Thursday, April 06, 2017

My Happiness Project March R&R (Return and Report)

Mindfulness/Procrastionation

And thus we see...
I feel like March went down the drain with all the rain we've had this month!  Between being sick, traveling and Apryls visit I'm afraid I felt tons of Happiness but didn't track it very well!

A Certain Woman
I was very inspired by the talk given this month from Sister Linda Burton here is the link https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/certain-women?lang=eng 

“The New Testament includes accounts of [certain] women, named and unnamed, who exercised faith in Jesus Christ [and in His Atonement], learned and lived His teachings, and testified of His ministry, miracles, and majesty. These women became exemplary disciples and important witnesses in the work of salvation.”1 
I very much loved her reference to "certain women"  she defined - "certain women who bore positive, confident, firm, assured testimonies of the Savior. Though they, like us, were imperfect women, their witness is inspiring ."  I want to be a mindful, certain woman!

"As a certain woman, she testified: “Not only are we here to save others but to save ourselves. And that salvation comes from partnering with Jesus Christ, from understanding His grace and His Atonement and His feelings of love for the women of the Church. That happens through things as simple as brushing someone’s hair; sending a note with an inspired, clear, revelatory message of hope and grace; or allowing women to serve us.9
...we have become distracted, doubtful, discouraged, sinful, sorrowful, or soul-stretched, may we accept the Lord’s invitation to drink of His living water, as did the certain woman at the well, inviting others to do the same as we bear our own certain witness: “Is not this the Christ?”

This is a wonderful reminder to me, I was deeply touched and inspired to be more mindful of others needs, to not be prideful of my own needs and to rekindle what is certainly most important in my day to day life.  This mindfulness project might have turned on me in a way. For instance I was mindful that when we go out to eat I "think" which chair does he want to sit in and I mindfully leave it for him, I recognized that I am constantly thinking about ways to accomplish the goals he talks about after work, and I felt the pain when he adopted out his Winston because he is traveling so much, I was humbled that he was mindful of me, that I don't really want a dog, (video included because it humbled me to watch a man love both the dog and the wife so much) https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=dmwY15ATqsc  and mindful of Winston that poor dog was so bored!!!  What I learned is this; being mindful can be like a strength it can turn on you and become a weakness or it can ripple into a wave a gratitude and love.  And thus we see ... the need of everyday everyday everyday positive affirmation, thoughtful communion and constant need to not procrastinate repenting.
I bought a couple of books (52 lists for Happiness) because I learned last month that I needed lists. We are striving to write in them but it may have been one more thing and have become a distraction to my reading and previously set goals.  I, in the past was always frustrated with my husband accusing him of having  tunnel vision.  Thinking that I could and was the best multi-tasker! These days, in my humble learning, I am not that good at multi tasking realizing I need lists, direction and spiritual motivation to stay on the road that I have mapped out for myself in this the year of 2017!

Monday, March 20, 2017

Happiness Project Mindfulness - Be Prayerful

Yesterday at Church we talked about the need and importance of Prayer.  I felt inspired to "go home and write the impressions I had during this discussion down" and encouraged others to do so too.  And Thus we see here I am.  Testimony is an important thing to have, for if you have a testimony of something you stand for it tooth and nail, come hell or high water.  Once upon a time I was a teacher and a question I liked asking was "What is the One thing you Believe in?"  It was a cool thing for me to see what was important to those I spent everyday with.  Lately, well really I am on a roller coaster with prayer and not just lately.  I have a whole issue with the word submit.  Couple of things I specifically prayed for did not ever happen, some did and then fell apart and thus I then go straight to "why pray when He is going to do what He wants to do anyway". That attitude hasn't ever gotten me anywhere positive I can say for sure, and yet I roll back down speedily on the roller coaster of life at times, well more often than not I hate to admit.  The discussion yesterday was graciously led with the questions What? How? and Why? many personal experiences were shared and that was uplifting and a great reminder to me that Prayer is a mighty powerful source for many reasons in our lives.  So why don't we use it to it's full potential and why isn't it at the TOP of our Things We believe in List all the time or at least more often?   Since My Happiness Project topic is Be more Mindful and don't Procrastinate Here I am. Writing it down does help me remember and learn.  

These are the highlights that prompted remembrance of why I know that Prayer is One thing I believe in.

What to pray for?

  • In Matthew Jesus tells us "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
  • Fathers and Mothers Pray for your children. I'm going to add Kids pray for your parents!  No really I'm so serious. One of my favorite most innocently observed prayers was answered was a miracle was pure it was hearing our son and daughter prayer for their parents.
  • Husbands pray for your wives.
  • Wives pray for your husbands.
  • Pray for Peace on earth. 
  • Pray for wisdom and understanding.
  • Pray for Forgiveness.
  • Ask for blessings.
  • Ask For Righteous Ambitions.
  • the question is what couldn't I pray about?!!!

How to Pray?

  • Individually, pray is personal.
  • Pray with your family.
  • There is something in the very posture of kneeling that contradicts the attitudes described by Paul in 2 Timothy:1-4 https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-tim/3?lang=eng
  • Pray with the expectation of answers.  (which of course requires faith - Yikes!)

Why Pray?

  • "Prayer unlocks the powers of heaven in our behalf."
  • "Be prayerful and the God of Heaven will smile upon you and bless you, and give happiness in your hearts and a sense of peace in your lives.
  • prayer is one of the basic medications that would check the character of our society. 
  • I know of nothing that will help ease the family tensions, bring respect for the parents lead to obedience, ... than will praying together...How tragic is the loss for any family that fails to take advantage of this precious and simple practice of praying together."

The constant thing that I kept remembering through out this discussion was hearing my mother pray.  Knowing that it was an action she took often, more than often. Knowing me and who I am, I know that without her prayers - her Motherhood pulling out all the stops, calling upon angels, her unconditional love Prayers; I first of all would not have even been born and lived, but could never have dug myself out of all the holes I so very quickly dug myself into. Only that miracle and power of a mother on her knees, begging for her daughter could have got me here today. In this I do believe and am grateful today to have been reminded of that pattern she taught me thru her act of prayer.

Many instances did come to my mind and I was reminded in my heart that prayer is good, it works it can be powerful and when you see it happen - you've seen a miracle.  Some things I have learned about prayer is that it is a discussion, a discussion takes more than one person. It's not one sided.  Garth had it right his song "Unanswered Prayer" at times we get what we pray for and well we shouldn't have even ask for that.  It reminds me of bugging my mom tell I got what I wanted, nothing good about that! Prayer is physical as well as spiritual. I'm all about no man being an island but having been on an island for awhile now, it's not all that peaceful! Prayer is mindful for sure and humbling. Both things are awkward in this world when it's moving so fast and we want to have it all and we think we can do it all Alone, for ourselves without submitting to anything or anyone.  In those instances what joy, what fun is there in it, even in achieving, if you are alone.

Friday, March 10, 2017

March! moves forward without me

Mindfulness

Smart  As I reflect and review the resolutions for March, I see it as a month that I'm really going to be in my head, and so far that is all i've done in March is be in my head!!!  WoW.  it is kinda amaZing how this, MyHappinessProject plays out.

Be Still
I am mindful that I don't like it; to be still.  I tend to think of all that I can not control when it is still.  I then become full of anxiety and panic.

Be Aware
I see that it is long into the month and I've lost days and weeks even, both in travel and being sick.  Then I recognize the trigger of paralyzation; the unknown.  Because of this topic making myself aware, I am making myself DO something TODAY to March Forward.

Education
I want to go to school, I talk about it. It is one of my only regrets that I didn't finish college. Then I remember, I'm not a classroom student, I don't actually learn well academically and my fear heightens.

Learn
In the effort to learn I have to really "Work" at it.  These last few months that effort has been being put into reading.  Believe me it is effort, work a big fat challenge!  For as much as I love books, paying attention is laborious.  Reference MyBlessing!

Be Humble  Defined as t
Me: Teachable - right? What I've learned is "if you have learned something you apply it." 
THEDICTIONARY: 
antonyms:proud, overbearing
  let's see what I learn about BeHumble this month!

Procrastination

For this HappinessProjectTopic made in October,  I'm going to concentrate on the resolutions already laid out so far (Nov-Feb).
1. Be Healthy  I am putting into action no snacking.   Drink my shakes for meals. Move everyday. 

2. Family History
4 years one month at a time and continue the search.

3. Civility
Mostly I am "working" at Keeping it together this month. "KeepItTogether""KeepItTogether""KeepItTogether"!

3b. Scripture study His Words Keep reading everyday everyday everyday.  I can only ___________ Me! (Insert word control, save, etc etc etc!)
4 books and the parables

4.Joy
I don't know what to do here. Throw it all away, give it all away or garage sell it all?   Keep it or move it? because of my lack of ability to make a choice on this I have only reorganized and re labeled.
The life changing magic of tidying up.  

4b. Repentance
I do need this everyday. 

Thursday, February 02, 2017

MyHappinessProject Feb. Updated!

Reposted and Updated Mar 6, 2017


Emmaline B Wells

I'm so excited ... I got my book in the mail!!! 

this is a great read for me so far. I'm a very slow reader.  She is inspiring.  She never stops, she is industrious, and sees the needs of others.  One thing I found inspiring for me was, at age 51 she had a defining moment that sent her off in a direction of hope, work and the cause of the rights of women every where.  Her interest in people motivated her to cross boundaries of all sorts when making friends and building alliances.  She experienced much sorrow but did not wallow in it or express it in public. She was very self reliant. Her ambitions were high and her purposes lofty. (She had purpose, even her last 4 decades - she lived to 92)!  She wore a blue neck scarf and a pocket watch on a chain around her neck. (As an inspiration to be more like her character traits I've been shopping for these items!!!) Her consistent message in both her writings and her speeches was to live up to your potential, embrace the opportunities for development offered, shun traditional but artificial dependencies, that lock women into perpetual childhood (which is how I feel actually as a wife sometimes like another child).  She always urged women to seek the qualities of "real womanhood: an active mind, common sense, knowledge for themselves, respect for individuality and a desire to enlarge their own experience.   I want to be like Emmeline!

The following are Notes to myself along with Action Items

Today's February 1 
I already knew I was a list person I know I think it more so .
At the beginning of the month I make my agenda, my table of contents, my list for #MyHappinessProject lining out the things that I need to do.
I've noticed as I've done this that at the month I go back and see how I feel about each item and write out what I did and what I didn't do with the exception of a few notes throughout the month here and there.  
So this month I am going to apply myself a little differently and make paperless yes I am that person I am a list person and I need the daily list not just the monthly list the daily list! This month I also learned I think I already knew I am a control person I like to control things I've lost control of so many things in my life that I let it get me down knowing that about myself the only thing I can change is me the only list I can control is my own so if it makes me happy to control things I need a daily list!!!  

Joy

joy joi/noun.
a feeling of great pleasure and happiness."tears of joy"
  1. synonyms:  delight, great pleasure, joyfulness, jubilation, triumph, exultation, rejoicing, happiness, gladness, glee, exhilaration, exuberance, elation, euphoria, bliss, ecstasy, rapture
Work.Work

The life changing magic of tidying up I choose to call this months resolution Joy because of the book titled the life-changing magic of tidying up, as I read it a few months ago it stated that as I sort and organize to in fact "tidy up" I will feel joy at the thought of keeping something and if I don't it will be dismissed from my life!!! Or anyway that is how I remembered reading it, so this month is the month of Joy and I feel alot of sorting and organizing ahead, now to prepare myself for the dismissing!!!

Work. Eliminate. Restore. Books. Clothes. Dishes.

remind myself part of my joy and search for happiness is to identify; "Feeling Good Feeling Right in an Atmosphere of Growth."  GR

I very much like the idea of clearing out all my clutter and I'm usually ALL in or not in at all so for this reason I have found some of the things in this book harder to do I really love the additional comment of Gretchinrubin in this blog post http://gretchenrubin.com/happiness_project/2016/05/disagree-marie-kondo-life-changing-magic-tidying/#disqus_thread "KNOW YOURSELF!"  thank you Gretchin!!!

GlimpsesGlimpses into the life and heart of Marjorie pay Hinckley

Questions to ask myself this month...Be myself.  I am Kelly.   find out who I am then separate who I want to be or who I wish I was from who I am! when are my goals not a natural extension of myself?  What do I want to do and like to do and think is important to push myself to do versus what I just don't like to do?  What is an atmosphere of growth FOR ME?

Repent

2-1-17 This is my sub focus for the month of February and it's amazing on cue this morning I literally fell physically and I guess spiritually repentant and my knees asking for help!  I believe that I am learning really learning after having heard for so many years "you have to think it before you do it" because the thought is out there, it's stirring around in my head all these #Myhappinessproject resolutions! last month was a testimony to civility and I am carrying it forward and I could tell you what I have done every month, so it's in there and something about me is changing. I am curious to see what and how it plays out and if I can actually be resolute!

The spiritual side


  • How do you receive revelation - 1. light is just turned on and you just know. (to me that would be an AHA moment!!!)2. It is like a gradual sunrise.  (to me that says slow and steady light)  3. Foggy and just a little lifting our of a darkness you've been in.   Check out this video - it's 3 min!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slTa15a3mp0


  • When I was visiting my babygrands this month I had this revelation.  We went to McDonalds for a meal - for 4 kids meals!!!  the prizes inside were distributed 2 of each, I'm sure the kid thought that was only fair! Well one of the girls DID NOT want the prize she was given. She went kinda CraZy about it. I went and ask for the prize to be exchanged.  On our way home after much playing on the inhouse playground and eating all of their suppers the prizes were in hands!  The Mask vs the cup was given to the one who was not pleased with her cup.  Again NOT HAPPY and wanted to throw it take it back give it up.  Only one of the girls could even put the stupid mask together and then it was Lame, I admit it!  Seemed the only one really ok with this eve was the one with the cup!  Well as you see it's not a tale we haven't heard before or experienced before with our own children.  The thing that was different for me, was the Aha moment the thought, the wonderment, the self reflection - Do I do that?  Am I blessed with prizes, gifts, rewards, talents and then exchange them, have a tantrum about them, refuse them and or throw them out?  This month Repentance is my objective along with Joy I am going to work on this. Seek out my blessings, gifts talents, treat them like prizes and use them vs rejecting and fearing them as is my character standard.  
  • I'm asking myself what should I pray for.  I'm asking that in my prayers everyday now. I feel like the thugs are happening underneath me and I am not sure where I'll fall. Saying that I'd like to Land and not fall! So I need to know what to pray for!  One specific day in deep solace I found myself praying to not hate myself, to forgive me for hating myself from within for so long now.  I pray for children and my childrens children, My nephews and nieces, people I know that are sick and for my friends that I really want to find and feel happiness. I pray for Heavenly Father to not give us this or that just because we keep asking!!!   I think and RIchard will tell you that as kids we got things from our parents because we just kept asking, I don't want that anymore, I want to be smarter than that to not be selfish and greedy!!
  • #DEEP THOUGHT!   Another eye opener was in a Sunday School class the teacher ask the question Do you remember when you were given the priesthood or do any of you parents remember when your boys were given the priesthood and can or would share that spiritual experience with us today? No one had any comments in a chapel filled with (kinda) with people.  it made me think and wonder about my boys and Richard and ask myself what in the world do I journal about?
  • Yes this #HappinessProject stays in my head now 24/7 #DEEPTHOUGHT 2; when I am confused about life and choices I need to keep the "whole Plan in mind",  I really liked this thought when I heard it.  asking myself when I mess up how do I act in that moment? who or where do I turn in THAT moment?  Do I panic? Do I access shame? Guilt? Anger?   One time in my life that I did keep the whole Plan in mind is about marriage! I can testify that that keeps us together, working, in love and moving forward hopefully in and toward the light, sometimes it can be dark and hard and in the moment, in that darkness things get lost and people are hurt so I am SUPER GRATEFUL for the image and my tiny hope, understanding and knowledge of the Whole Plan!   https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/rise-up-in-strength-sisters-in-zion?lang=eng  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/the-great-plan-of-redemption?lang=eng

Habits

Notes to self from #the4tendencies to look back on and study 
#1 how do I respond to expectations?

Upholders
Questioners
Obligers
Rebels

The theme of the 3 goddesses
The fateful tendencies we bring into the world
Colors the way we see the world

Questioners hate to wait in line
Respond to an expectation only if it makes since? Inner expectations questioners resist rules for rules sake come to own conclusion uphold or rebel
Need sound reasons.
Upholders reliable deal with real
Obligers motivated external demands and deadlines make terrific colleagues and friend difficult to self motivate depend on external deadlines external accountability self sacrifice is often need for accountability 
Need to be a role model do for the sake of others key 
Need external accountability.
Rebels own goals in own way high value on authenticity rebels frustrate others if you give an assignment creates a stop mechanism rebels need boundaries rebels resist habits  

We manage what we monitor
If we want something to matter we have to figure out a way to monitor it

Look for an Up Band
"Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good"

"Monitoring whatever is important to me insures that my life reflects my values"

Foundation 4
1.Sleep 
2.move - Start. Consider morning person or night person. Lark or owl? 
*chapter29=3.eat and drink right
4.unclutter outer order contributes to inner calm 

"Begin by addressing big obvious habits"
"Act the way we want to feel"
"The way to loose weight is eating habits"

Essential 7? #4restrelaxrestore

Civility applied from January

Read chapter 3 making a case for morality

Read Apologue the loneliness of moral leadership

Family history from December

Me and him 4 years a month - GO!
I did this. It's really an action item that I must DO everyday a little bit - it's a massive project.

From November Be Healthy

Body in motion I started walking. I traveled alot this month but I started walking and am keeping a daily record.
What I eat I ate terrible with all of the tracking prbly weighing in at the most ever.  MARCH AND APRIL Mindful and not procrastinate will pick this topic up 100% Plus I have a contest of sorts now in play for family pictures in July - Ready Set GO!

Quotes I like this month

"I can only change myself and my behavior"
When I change, the atmosphere around me changes."

President Eyring said the atonement is not a thing, it is a something that Jesus DID for us to be able to repent.  a good reminder for me. He also explained how to share the gospel and your testimony with others to do it boldly with love without judgement with this attitude; "It's not that you are better than they are, it's that you want them to be better than they are."  I like that, I like that alot!!!!  Aren't we all sinners and so aren't we just here to be there for each other?

"We manage what we monitor" this is why I need to track what I eat, weigh and write!!!

Dreams to document 
I was in like a High school parking lot - lots of parked cars.
To see a parked car in your dream suggests that you need to turn your efforts and energies elsewhere. You may be needlessly spending your energy in a fruitless endeavor.a parked car may symbolize your need to stop and enjoy life. To dream that no one is driving a moving car suggests that you need to reassess your level of control over your life. You are unwilling to take responsibilities for your actions.

My parked car started up on its own I was in the back seat I was too fat to get over the seat to brake quickly so it kept moving.-

Brakes
To dream that your brakes fail or that you can't reach the brakes forewarns that you lack stability in your life. Now is not the time to take risks. Your life is out of control and you need to make some significant changes. It may also not a bad idea to check out the brakes in your car, as you mind might have picked up subtle cues and is manifesting the problem in your dream.

Storm
To see a storm in your dream signifies some overwhelming struggle, shock, loss or catastrophe in your waking life. The storm also represents unexpressed fears or emotions, such as anger, rage, turmoil, etc. On a more positive note, the storm symbolizes your rising spirituality. It may signal rapid changes ahead for you.
To dream that you take cover in a storm foretells that whatever disturbance or problems is occurring in your life will quickly blow over. Consider also the phrase "weather the storm", which refers to your ability and strength to withstand whatever comes.

I saw someone and I knew her by name 3rd grade teacher maybe?!?!! She didn't know me but she told me something like a warning

Teacher
To see your teacher (past or present) in your dream suggests that you are seeking some advice, guidance, or knowledge. You are heading into a new path in life and are ready to learn by example or from a past experience. Consider your own personal experiences with that particular teacher. What subject was taught? Alternatively, a teacher relates to issues with authority and seeking approval. You may be going through a situation in your waking life where you feel that you are being treated like a student or in which you feel you are being put to a test. Also pay attention to the demeanor and attitude of the teacher in your dream. If the teacher in your dream is mean, then it implies that you may be putting too much pressure on yourself to succeed.


Follow everyone car to house once inside I realize it's strawberryhill house but it wasn't! There was a few horses meandering I assumed to keep out of the storm I found myself wondering around in the house "hinting" to everyone that I used to live in this house. 

Spill
To dream that you spill something represents your carelessness and inconsideration of someone's feelings. You are not paying enough attention to those around you and as a result are offending and upsetting them. Alternatively, the dream may be a metaphor for something that you are dying to say, as in "spill it."
Medicine
To dream that you are taking medicine represents a period of emotional and/or spiritual healing. It also indicates that the troubles you are experiencing are only temporary. Things will work out in the long run.


I spilled my pills into a planter or something when I retrieved them I also had bark dirt rocks and a giant worm... the worm stuck out the most it was red and black and huge and wormy!

Earthworm
To see an earthworm in your dream indicates that you need to go deep into your subconscious in order to unearth your hidden feelings and desires. Alternatively, earthworms symbolize little things that can be beneficial for your growth and well-being. It also represents renewal. Perhaps you need to restore some aspect of yourself.

and another dream...
I also had a dream about moving.  again in a high school parking lot.  i was attempting to fit in to my new congregation at church and the youth invited me to a football game!  I couldn't understand who would put maroon and blue together for school colors and the thought came to me that it was a comfort, a home feeling, an elma feeling- elma and monte merging!!!  How crazy is that!! that would not happen!!!  Anyway the colors gave me peace. I looked up school colors and came up with the Tempe Union School District!!!! Wow!!!

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

My Happiness Project Jan Return & Report

Who knew that this would be "THE" month that I needed to read and learn about Civility? Definitely not me!  But it has surely been what I needed to help me throughout this month. Between The Election, a quest for caring for the elderly or anyone for that matter and attempting to plan a reunion of family members -no a weekend gathering - maybe only a day to take a picture while a baby is blessed and then to top it off all the social media correspondence; YES, I have needed, really needed a guide, a constant, a direction.  #MyHappinessProject is giving me that, this month my focus is civility and my sub topic of hearken to His words.  In addition Gretchen Rubin suggests find a spiritual connection, a person even one to learn of;  follow, study and apply if you will and thus we see I have added my subtopic to each month.  FYI -My person is Emmeline B. Wells, but I'll save that for another day.



Civility

I really like the following paragraph, I think because WORK is my word for the year and it correlated with civility.  
  • " Truly great men and women resolve to dedicate a part of their lives and time to those in distress. Helping hands can lift someone out of the mire of difficulty. Steady voices can provide encouragement for someone who might otherwise simply give up. Skills can change, in a remarkable and wonderful way, the lives of those in need. It is not enough for us to get a job and for virtually work to produce income that leads only to personal comfort. We may gain some recompense in all of this, but we will not gain the ultimate satisfaction... The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired. One of the great ironies of life is this: he or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she is Served...
  • DHOaks said this about civility "......on the subject of public discourse, we should all follow the gospel teachings to love our   neighbor and avoid contention. Followers of Christ should be examples of civility.  We should love all people, be good listeners, and show concern for their sincere   beliefs. Though we may disagree, we should not be disagreeable.  Our stands and communications on controversial topics should not be contentious. We should be wise in explaining and pursuing our positions and in exercising our  influence. In doing so, we ask that others not be offended by our sincere religious  beliefs and the free exercise of our religion. We encourage all of us to practice the  Savior’s Golden Rule: “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even  so to them” matt 7:12.


The world must be a better place for our presence. And the good that is in us must be spread to others. This is the measure of our civility." GBH
Something to Work at everyday!  In my research for civility I have the need to be true, honest, to be Fun, moral and Positive these are also needed in marriage and family relationships.

True.

  • so one of the things that has been hard for me in life is death.  I have had the opportunity to sort thru the "things" of Daddy, Judyann (well not her so much), Tom, Timmy, Otis, Elda and Mom in doing so I found sadness, depression, frustration and much much comfort and joy.  This is how I was able to work thru their loss and hold on to their memories. Today in an effort to help my loved ones with civility I've gone through the house and made a list of "whats what and whos is who".  In death people who are still living can loose their civility, their true selves. To hopefully help my children, nephews and husband avoid questions I made a list of "things" in the house and where/who they came from. I really have seen people do good things in my life I hope to live up to those things I've seen ie; Ellen,Iris,Gladys,Elda,Otis,Tim,Timmy,Toni,Deb,Sis,TomandMary "salute" as they say!  and thank you to them for the "positives" in my life for "people do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character." RWE

The Blind Men and the Elephant

  • Well over one hundred years ago, an American poet put to rhyme an ancient parable. The first verse of the poem speaks about:
    Six men of Indostan
    To learning much inclined,
    Who went to see the Elephant
    (Though all of them were blind),
    That each by observation
    Might satisfy his mind.
    In the poem each of the six travelers takes hold of a different part of the elephant and then describes to the others what he has discovered.
    One of the men finds the elephant’s leg and describes it as being round and rough like a tree. Another feels the tusk and describes the elephant as a spear. A third grabs the tail and insists that an elephant is like a rope. A fourth discovers the trunk and insists that the elephant is like a large snake.
    Each is describing truth.
    And because his truth comes from personal experience, each insists that he knows what he knows.
    The poem concludes:
    And so these men of Indostan
    Disputed loud and long,
    Each in his own opinion
    Exceeding stiff and strong,
    Though each was partly in the right,
    And all were in the wrong!1    (remember tag the footnote to read the rest of the story!)  Please take a listen to this talk.
Honesty.
I need to remember this and use it in conversations in the future! #Religion #politics #FamilyReunion
  • How can you respond to an unwelcome and self-serving invitation to chill out? More or less like this: "No, I'm not going to chill out, and I'm telling you why. By telling me to chill out you are saying that I'm overreacting, which is like saying that I shouldn't feel the way I feel. I hope you'll allow me to have my feelings and express them the way I choose. Since I happen to feel strongly about this issue, there is no reason I should look the other way. I suggest that instead of making me fee bad about my reaction, you come to terms with the seriousness of your actions.” ― P.M. Forni, Choosing Civility: The Twenty-five Rules of Considerate Cond
In turn I'll remember it for them in their beliefs and feelings - just work at being civil about expressing them I say!

Be Fun.  
We went to Breakfast to celebrate our 36th year! it was fun!

Positive.  "Things will Work out!"  "Keep Trying."   "Be Believing."  "Be Happy."  
“I have to plant some trees each spring,” President Gordon B. Hinckley recorded in his journal at age 82. “I think I have done so for at least the last 50 years. … There is something wonderful about a tree. It starts ever so small and grows through the seasons. It affords shade from the hot summer sun. It bears delicious fruit. It carries on the remarkable process of photosynthesis. … A tree is one of the remarkable creations of the Almighty.”1 

Morality.  noun
  1. principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior.
    • a particular system of values and principles of conduct, especially one held by a specified person or society.
      plural noun: moralities
      "a bourgeois morality"
    • the extent to which an action is right or wrong. 
    • All of us should banish hateful communications and practice civility for differences of opinion.


Marriage attitude...my favorite quotes this month;
  • Fun reading about this person (J.Story) learning more about that time in history.  Things our surroundings have changed, but really humans, civility, connections our rights and privileges "Marriage is treated in all civilized societies as a peculiar and favored contract.  It is in it's origin a contract of natural law...it is the parent and not the child of society; the source of civility..." Joseph Story  
  • So in this month of civility Richard and I have had lots of conversations about what we're going to do with the rest of our lives.  We've come up with two things well maybe 3!!  1.The reality that no one's coming here to see us. 2.Yes, we like to go see your kids and 3. because of liking to go see your kids we've lost our adventurous side, meaning we don't go places really for the fun of it, we go places specifically to see our kids and babygrands. We need some fun and adventure! Thus we see our future is...to combine adventure, fun with seeing family. Today, out loud I have said two things I would never have thought I would say -  A. I would move back to Arizona and B.   I would live in a trailer again.  Now what??? from here how do we establish the last year's of our marriage.  Are we snow birds? Are we minimalists? I "feel" like we are the very tail end of the babyboomers, definitely the sandwich generation, but what does that say about us as a couple?  There ya go... in these questions we find adventure, fun, family, and with the application of civility therein we find US, who WE are indivudaully and as a couple. #MyHappinessProject rocks our world!
  • "oh, that my husband could only love me even a little and not seem to be perfectly indifferent to any sensation of that kind...Oh my poor aching heart when shall it rest its burden on the Lord..." EBWells
  • Reading my journals and striving to make them a condensed version causes me to have anxiety! reminding me to write things that bring joy to me vs passing along all of my own weaknesses and anxieties.  But how else do we learn and break cycles but to know them? and to share them?
  • "Putting one’s committed marriage at risk by being involved in emotional infidelity is akin to selling one’s birthright for a mess of pottage (see Genesis 25)." A healthy marriage offers a secure bond and a capacity for quality and depth with which emotional infidelity—when looked at honestly—cannot ultimately compete. However, the secrecy surrounding emotional infidelity through the use of cell phones or computers can seem exciting. In contrast to this fantasy, the practical tasks of marriage—such as bill paying, childcare, and chores—may make marriage seem mundane, clouding judgment. In a technology-based relationship, people can easily control their presentations to the other person." Lori Cluff Schade LMT
  • Elder Walter F. González of the Seventy said, “The power of our covenants is greater than any challenge we face or we may face.”12 (remember tag the footnote to read the rest of the story!)
  • This year we celebrate our love in its 36+years in all it's #WORK and Glory!!! Lots and Lots of blessings and good things have been given us.
One result of these 36 years is - this 3 generations!

Hearken to His Words

  • Define hearken- to listen or give respectful attention : 
  • Isaiah 5:20 ¶Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
  • In hebrews 4:12 God's word is said to be "quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword."  https://www.lds.org/ensign/2017/02/a-two-edged-sword?lang=eng  a Short article to consider when wondering about 'hearkening to His word." and the use, meaning, purpose of the scriptures.
Scripture Study

Doctrine and Covenants
  • This is our study in Sunday School this year. It's a good reminder for me that I do in fact have a belief in a Godhead, and in the need for a Prophet and that thru him and our own prayers we have modern and continual revelation.
New Testament
  • Apply Parables 
  • https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/parable-of-the-good-samaritan?lang=eng
  •  In the concluding days of His mortal ministry, Jesus gave His disciples what He called “a new commandment” (John 13:34). Repeated three times, that commandment was simple but difficult: “Love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12; see also verse 17). The teaching to love one another had been a central teaching of the Savior’s ministry. The second great commandment was “love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:39). Jesus even taught, “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44). But the commandment to love others as He had loved His flock was to His disciples—and is to us—a challenge that was unique. “Actually,” President Thomas S. Monson taught us last April, “love is the very essence of the gospel, and Jesus Christ is our Exemplar. His life was a legacy of love.”1 (tag footnote to read the rest of the story)
Book of Mormon
  • Reading 1 -13 first Nephi.  I didn’t like the nephi and laban story today. not very civil when my word for the month is Civility!!  I Did like how Nephi supports and respects his Father.  That he goes in his own prayer to talk to Heavenly Father. That gives me confidence and supports my own beliefs of both family respect and the respect of own beliefs.
  • Keep reading. I had such a great read of this book last fall I do have more of a desire now to know it better.

and Along the way...
Mom and Dad
you don't understand! I never saw this before!!!

Family History
  • I have connected my dad to the Bennets and Smocks!! I believe this line to finally be correct.
  • Richards line is 3/4 Norway and 1/4 Polish.  I believe to have confirmed that too! Although as I write this I am acknowledging to myself that I can't figure out the lineage of his moms mom.  I do believe to have confirmed her biological father as well as Richards bio father.
  • I've worked a tad bit on the Georg line and will continue to do so. 
  • I am still not positive about the McCoys I still ask;  is Dad from the McCoys and the Hatfields or isn't he?!
  • What is Family History? A pedigree chart? Stories? Traditions? continue i say always this search for self.
Body in Motion
  • Walking wk 1 every other day.
  • walking week 2 faster
  • walking week 3 everyday
  • walking week 4 everyday AND faster!

What I eat
  • Be Healthy. 
  • Knock off snacks. Knock it off I say. I bought valentine chocolate late in the month and have eatin them all. Can't have snacks in the house!!!!!
  • Eat every 14-15 hours. Intermittent fasting works for me - continue this research.
Notes to myself

Had this dream all month these are the objects...


To see or do a jigsaw puzzle in your dream represents a mental challenge or problem that you need to solve in your waking life. If there are pieces missing in the puzzle, then it suggest that you do not have all the facts needed to make an informed decision.

To dream that you are in traffic signifies the frustrations that you are experiencing in your life. Things are not going as smoothly as you would like it to. You feel stuck at where you are in life.


To see dead or barren fields signifies lack, pessimism and your jaded prospects for the future.