A Life Lived for Others.

I was recently having a conversation with a friend and some of topics that were discussed have made me think and reflect on my own life and on the trials that I have been through. Looking back on my life, I have been through a lot, but pulling myself out of the center of the universe and looking around, my trials seem minuscule compared to those around me.

Each experience that I have been through has been tailored for me. The things that I have learned and am still learning from each event has been specific, extremely difficult, and necessary. With each lesson learned there has been someone who has come to me for help because they know that I survived; because they somehow found out one of my secrets, my weaknesses that I have tried unsuccessfully to keep hidden.

Often times I have wondered the popular question of 'why?'. Why did I have to experience a trial? Why did I have to learn a specific lesson? Looking back, it is safe to assume that some of the lessons that I learned were to help other people and the trials that they would soon face.

We are to live a life of service. A service to others. What is this life for if we are not helping each other along the way. There are too many selfish people in this world. Let us all try to take the time to help another person; to make a difference. Even the smallest act of service can change the world.

If I can make a difference in just one person's life, then all of my trials that I face and my life is worth it.

Firm Foundation

All throughout my life there has only been one thing that has remained forever constant and forever consistent. It is one of the very few places that I have found true happiness as well. This thing, no matter where I go, is always there. It is always the same and it is always something that I have been able to fall back on, lean on, and depend upon.

This thing is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yes, I am a 'Mormon' (aka a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). Let's just get that out of the way. There has been negative light and positive light shined down upon this church by people not of this faith. I urge you to find out for yourself about it, listen to the missionaries or go to www.mormon.org. There is a lot of false information floating around about the church and if you want to know more you need to get the facts. Search for the truth.

 Now, I'm not trying to force my beliefs on anyone reading this. You do you. I'll do me. I just wanted to share with you what I find important and why. To let you inside my mind to help you understand who I am because it plays such a huge role in my little life.

Back to my train of thought. This Gospel is the reason why I am the way that I am. It is my rock. It is the firm foundation by which I live my life. No matter where I am in my life, physically and spiritually, it has always been the same, no matter which LDS church building I go to, the principles that it teaches remain the same. It has always remained constant and consistent. It is something that I depend heavily upon, without it life would be a chaotic disaster, with no direction or organization, whatsoever. And for those of you who personally know me, organization is how I function.

It has been with me in my ups and downs and it always will be. It has lifted me up during my lowest lows and has given me hope when all I could see was darkness. I have seen miracles, as well as blessings and tender mercies from our loving Heavenly Father. I have felt His love at times when I have felt unlovable. I have learned through experiences and trials that I am known to God and Jesus Christ. They know me personally. Just as They know you personally. I have learned what true happiness is and I have learned what pure love is, all because I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Follow Through

There is truth in the words that we all speak and also truth hidden in the actions of what we do or don't do. Words are a beautiful expression of who we are and what we hope to become, but words are just words, empty and hollow, without any action to back them up. Words are just sounds, without meaning or purpose, if there is no backbone to make them stand tall, to make them real.

I have experienced this many times when people tell me things that they will do, but never actually do them. They will tell me that they did something, without ever actually doing it. They spit out words with no thought for what they are saying and with no intention of ever following through. I don't know about you, but if you say you are going to do something, DO IT. Follow through. It is like setting the other person up for disappointment. They will no longer trust the words that flow from your mouth and will just be disappointed in the end. Don't disappoint people, especially those whom you care for and those that care for you. Don't make promises you don't intend to keep.

One quality that I truly admire in people is following through on what you say you will do. Keeping your word is something that isn't as common as I think it should. If you say you will be somewhere at a certain time, be there. If you say you are going to get something done, get it done. If you say you want to do something with a person, follow through. If you make plans, follow through. If you say you love someone, prove it. You get the point, I hope. Words are just words without proof. Don't throw up meaningless words, they will cause more damage than good.