- I Changed My Thought Process
- This is huge! (For anyone who doesn't know about thought work, I highly recommend to study it for yourself.) I no longer see myself as a victim of circumstance. I see the influence of positive energy. I know that I will be accountable to God for both my thoughts and my actions, so what am I doing with both?
- I Started Bringing Natural Products Into My Home
- The more I've learned about health, to more I realize how everything interacts. We have need of not just changing what we eat, but what we put on our body. After all, what we put on also goes in through the skin, through our airway, etc. It is not cheap, but it is worth it. I'm taking one product at a time, I started with medicine, and I'm evaluating what the total influence of that product is for me and my family. My next step is cleaning products and makeup.
- I Buy Organic Produce
- If we are worried about what we put on our body and into our body then we should also be worried about what our food in grown in and what is brought into their "bodies". I've come to see a taste difference in the produce, including organic meat when I can purchase it.
- I've Started Practicing Self-care
- Take time for yourself! You deserve it, and it is not something that is important only after everything else on the to-do list is done.
- I've Learned that Mental Health is as Important as Physical
- I do mental checks often. Why am I feeling down? Why am I feeling impatient and irritable? In other words, I talk to myself often because I know it's good for me.
- I've Learned to Listen to my Body
- When my body it telling me to slow down, I slow down. Whether the project is done or not. If that means I take my sheets off the bed but need to lay down for half hour before I put clean ones on, then that's what I do. I honor my body and it's need instead of powering ahead just to get through.
- I've Placed a Major Focus on Spiritual Health
- I prioritize my time in the scriptures and time in prayer above all else in my day. I have set out a pattern of Weekly Temple services as well. That is what my time on this earth is meant for. It is not a sacrifice.
- I Have Sought out Great Products
- I've started searching for great quality products that will help me reach the desired health I long for. With each produce I research, I take it to the Lord for confirmation to make sure it is right for my body. Two companies I began using are Juuva and Young Living. Yes, there are other good products out there, but these are what's right for my family.
- I Started to Share my Story
- What good is all this information if I keep it to myself? 😂 I began writing a book this past year and know it is what my mission is at this time.
- Above All, I Trusted God
- I trusted that this was exactly the journey I needed to take to get me where I need to be. It's been a good journey. Here's to continuing the learning this year....
Monday, January 14, 2019
10 Changes: A Year in Review
I'm sure I am just like the majority of you. The new year brings a time of reflection. Did I accomplish what I set off to accomplish this year? What changes do I want to make for the coming year? As I reflect I wanted to share 10 things that I did this year. Each of these have taught me how to take accountability for my health and given me the hope I needed regarding answers I personally needed.
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
January - Serve the Homeless #davidsmission
January.
The beginning of a new year. A time when we often reflect on the year previous and look for ways that we desire to do be, to be better in the year to come. A number of years ago I changed the way I approach the new year, letting go of the traditional goal setting that often was abandoned by the end of the first month. I, instead, started choosing a one word focus, one that deepened the meaning of the changes I hoped to make. Last year I focused on a concept: Come to better know Jesus Christ. Through this, all my "goals" focused on ways to know Him better. I asked myself questions such as, How is my physical health getting in the way with my relationship with Him? What ways can I purify physical self to be more receptive of that relationship? I love the opportunity this affords me to give a more eternal focus to the changes I hope to make for the year.
This year I will also have a concept: Minister as the Savior would minister.
To begin that goal, I decided that the first month of David's mission we would Serve the Homeless. I thought it would be best to start where I feel my weakness lies. I will be the first to admit that I have often been judgmental and lacking in understanding for these individuals. I would pass them as I traveled around Temple square, doing my best to avoid eye contact. I would see them with signs, begging for money on the side of the road, while just down the block was a help-wanted sign. My thoughts were often not thoughts of compassion, seeing as Christ sees them. As I have recognized this in myself, I have tried to do better these last few years to have a more Christlike heart toward all of God's children. Why did I avoid eye contact? Was is discomfort? Fear? Not knowing what I could do? A bit of yes to all of these. I hope in this month we all can bridge the gap between that fear, that discomfort, that unknown and find a way that we can stretch ourselves to Love in a deeper way.
My daughter is involved with the handbell choir in her school. Each year they take a tour of different locations and perform throughout Salt Lake city. As this is one of my favorite Christmas activities, I always choose to chaperone this tour. Last year the choir teacher took them to a location we had never been to before: the Salt Lake County library. For anyone who has never been here before, this public space is filled with homeless individuals seeking a quiet place to rest, to get warmth, and to find a place of normalcy where they can continue to learn. As our group performed their music, the homeless listened. It struck me then that the homeless have lost more than their homes. Many have lost meaningful connections and the feeling of love from their fellow men. They have lost opportunities, such as this, where their hearts can be filled with music, where they can enjoy simple entertainment and not have think about the cares of the world. Their daily life is about survival. They don't often get a break from that burden. I was so, so grateful that this young group of musicians were able to come and give them back something they had lost.
What can we do? More than we think.
"If we find we cannot help others, the least we can do is desist from harming them" - Dalai Lama
We can change our thought work, the way we think about these individuals. We can ask the Lord to help us see with an understanding heart, to know we don't see the whole picture to understand why they are in the situation they are in. We can take the time to make eye contact, to smile at them and ask them their names and a bit about themselves. Shake their hands, place a comforting hand on their shoulders, send forth love through your words.
Our activity this month will be collecting food and making up sack lunches for the preschool children in the family Homeless shelter in Midvale, Utah. For any locals who would like to contribute time or food to this event, please follow this link: Serve
There will also be a donate button on my author Facebook page for those who live out of state and want to contribute monetarily. Marissa Allen. Look for the Shop-now button. I am also still pondering and researching the idea of having an entertainment night at the Salt Lake County Library near the end of the month. (please leave a message if you would be interested in performing).
There is so much more we can do, if we just get creative. Here are some ideas that you could ponder and pray about with your family to find a way you can help in your area:
I would love to hear what you choose to do this month! Don't forget to include #davidsmission. If you would like to keep your service quiet, that is understandable; I would still love a personal message, and possibly pictures, to include in my personal records.
Happy New Year to you all! May this year be filled with good things, especially for those we reach out to.
The beginning of a new year. A time when we often reflect on the year previous and look for ways that we desire to do be, to be better in the year to come. A number of years ago I changed the way I approach the new year, letting go of the traditional goal setting that often was abandoned by the end of the first month. I, instead, started choosing a one word focus, one that deepened the meaning of the changes I hoped to make. Last year I focused on a concept: Come to better know Jesus Christ. Through this, all my "goals" focused on ways to know Him better. I asked myself questions such as, How is my physical health getting in the way with my relationship with Him? What ways can I purify physical self to be more receptive of that relationship? I love the opportunity this affords me to give a more eternal focus to the changes I hope to make for the year.
This year I will also have a concept: Minister as the Savior would minister.
To begin that goal, I decided that the first month of David's mission we would Serve the Homeless. I thought it would be best to start where I feel my weakness lies. I will be the first to admit that I have often been judgmental and lacking in understanding for these individuals. I would pass them as I traveled around Temple square, doing my best to avoid eye contact. I would see them with signs, begging for money on the side of the road, while just down the block was a help-wanted sign. My thoughts were often not thoughts of compassion, seeing as Christ sees them. As I have recognized this in myself, I have tried to do better these last few years to have a more Christlike heart toward all of God's children. Why did I avoid eye contact? Was is discomfort? Fear? Not knowing what I could do? A bit of yes to all of these. I hope in this month we all can bridge the gap between that fear, that discomfort, that unknown and find a way that we can stretch ourselves to Love in a deeper way.
My daughter is involved with the handbell choir in her school. Each year they take a tour of different locations and perform throughout Salt Lake city. As this is one of my favorite Christmas activities, I always choose to chaperone this tour. Last year the choir teacher took them to a location we had never been to before: the Salt Lake County library. For anyone who has never been here before, this public space is filled with homeless individuals seeking a quiet place to rest, to get warmth, and to find a place of normalcy where they can continue to learn. As our group performed their music, the homeless listened. It struck me then that the homeless have lost more than their homes. Many have lost meaningful connections and the feeling of love from their fellow men. They have lost opportunities, such as this, where their hearts can be filled with music, where they can enjoy simple entertainment and not have think about the cares of the world. Their daily life is about survival. They don't often get a break from that burden. I was so, so grateful that this young group of musicians were able to come and give them back something they had lost.
What can we do? More than we think.
"If we find we cannot help others, the least we can do is desist from harming them" - Dalai Lama
We can change our thought work, the way we think about these individuals. We can ask the Lord to help us see with an understanding heart, to know we don't see the whole picture to understand why they are in the situation they are in. We can take the time to make eye contact, to smile at them and ask them their names and a bit about themselves. Shake their hands, place a comforting hand on their shoulders, send forth love through your words.
Our activity this month will be collecting food and making up sack lunches for the preschool children in the family Homeless shelter in Midvale, Utah. For any locals who would like to contribute time or food to this event, please follow this link: Serve
There will also be a donate button on my author Facebook page for those who live out of state and want to contribute monetarily. Marissa Allen. Look for the Shop-now button. I am also still pondering and researching the idea of having an entertainment night at the Salt Lake County Library near the end of the month. (please leave a message if you would be interested in performing).
There is so much more we can do, if we just get creative. Here are some ideas that you could ponder and pray about with your family to find a way you can help in your area:
- Gather a group to serve dinner at your local soup kitchen
- Donate bedding, hygiene supplies, coats, etc (lists can often be found online for your local shelter)
- Volunteer at the shelter - do crafts with the youth, work the front desk, help with laundry
- Make up "care-kits" that you keep in your car and hand out throughout the month.
- For hairstylist: offer free haircuts
- For dog groomers: offer to bath and groom their pets
- For anyone: Show respect. They are God's children, too.
- Pray for them. Any time a pass a panhandler in my car and don't have cash, I send a prayer heavenward in their behalf.
I would love to hear what you choose to do this month! Don't forget to include #davidsmission. If you would like to keep your service quiet, that is understandable; I would still love a personal message, and possibly pictures, to include in my personal records.
Happy New Year to you all! May this year be filled with good things, especially for those we reach out to.
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