One of Many of Life's lessons

This week I was talking with a friend of mine. In our conversation I expressed how I enjoy having friends over, and how I was feeling bad because I felt like some friends weren't reciprocating the way I thought they ought to. She then shared with me how she and her husband are more home bodies, they aren't very social.

After our conversation and on my way home I began thinking. I would have never guessed that she and her husband were home bodies. They have had us over, and they are always having my son over to play with their son. Then I began to think about the other friends I have had over at times. They have been there for me and my family in many situations, maybe that is their way of showing their gratitude or appreciation of our friendship.

Maybe there are others in our circle who don't feel social as well. These people enjoy visiting with others when they are invited but may feel like it is out of their comfort zone to do something simular for one reason or another. It could be like this friend of mine, they simply enjoy being home with family and aren't thinking about who they should have over this up coming weekend.

Then I began to think a little deeper about how this friend seems to have a good time when she comes over. I know I appreciate it when she has my son over. I appreciate my friends who are there to help me in a moments notice or who just listen to me chat their ear off. So there are many ways friends of mine have reciprocated and I just have been unacknowledging.

This whole thing has brought a different perspective on why we are so different and how each of us has something to contribute. I am hoping my friends have enjoyed our get togethers. Because I am beginning to appreciate more the attributes they bring to our circle of friendship, if everyone was like me think of how tiring it would be to get together all of the time. Think of how much this world would be missing, especially in the areas I am lacking.

I am thankful for the patience others have for me as I learn these life lessons.

Modern day Convinience?

It is funny, this afternoon a neighbor was over for only a moment and we were talking. It happens that the subject was about the exact same thing that was talked about in Relief Society this past weekend. The topic was actually broader in Relief Society, but one part stood out for me.

The topic that impressed me was about how impersonal people are becoming. It is easy to IM someone, e-mail, facebook, or even text. While these things are quick and easy it is amazing how impersonal it is. We have people faking identities, and everything out there. It is easier to be a friend from a distance almost.

I find it funny and have to laugh, because while the lesson was being taught, a friend turned to me and said something to the effect "I guess I won't be facebooking you anymore." to which I replied "I was just thinking the same thing, only of myself." The funny thing is I got a message from her a day later asking how things are going... and get this, I replied...lol!

Last week I was talking to a fellow stay-at-home mother and commenting how easy it is to lose track of time when I am away from the children, even for just a moment. I get caught up in relating stories from the week, or just talking about things a two or nearly one year old can't quite grasp.

Any way, my neighbor and I were discussing how important it is the whole personal contact thing. The whole interaction thing, its good. When you are talking face to face you can see their joys, sadness, everything that only body language can tell! besides that, a real hug means so much more sometimes than the *hug* you can get via visual...whatever.

I am ashamed to say that for me, many times I use these modern day conveniences only to simplify. Don't get me wrong, that is what we are instructed to do right? Simplify our lives, that is what we are constantly being told. But sometimes it is easier to send a message than to take the time to call someone up, and chat about the weather, politics or whatever may come to mind. I am only talking for myself, so please don't take this like I am thinking of 'you'.

I do have to say I am not going against this entirely, because, it is so much easier to spend what little precious time I have with my little ones, because I am told time and time again how quickly it will pass. However, I am going to make more of an effort to contact people in person rather than by texting, messaging, etc. I realize this isn't going to be perfect, because of modern day conveniences I live further from my family, and our older children live further from us, but, there are things I can do differently.

I can take a moment to pick up a phone for those distant, and those closer, make an effort to stop by when I am in the area.

There you have it my thoughts as of late, cherio and have a wondermous day!

A Lesson From Life

A lesson and/or thought keeps coming back to me. I thought I would take a moment to share it.

Have you ever found yourself looking at another and wondering why they do things the way they do? What is their motive? or simply, what are they thinking? Now, have you stopped to think that they may look at you with the same questions?

On with my thought. I believe that everyone whether intentionally or not is striving for perfection. In one shape of the word or another. Now bare with me, I know, there are those with "white trash yards"(been there) maybe the always seem frazzled(there too) maybe their shirt is wrinkled(who has that not happened to?) Or they have a sink full of dishes, toys all over their house. Some things we notice may be trivial, others we may feel are life and death. Maybe none have noticed these things. In that case, this blog is not for you, others are thankful for your lack of sight.

Okay, now I have you thinking, you might even be thinking of someone in particular. I am finding at different seasons in my life that I am beginning to understand more and more how these things can happen. But this isn't where I wanted to go, so I will move on.

We all will agree we are striving for perfection right? So what is perfection? For one it may be an immaculate house. For another, happy creative children. Some may want vast amounts of knowledge, while others are wanting to experience it all. Some want the know how, others to teach. There are so many of us out there, it would take me forever to list us all. However, I think you have the idea. Moving on.

Everyone has their own idea of what the perfection is they are trying to reach. I am finding though that there is someone out there who knows better than ourselves, not only what our potential is but how we can obtain even a greater perfection than we can see for our selves. That is our Heavenly Father.

The right is ours to work on perfection for ourselves single handedly, but how realistic is that? With out experiencing life, how can we walk in others shoes, how can we grow to our potential? With out Heavenly Fathers assistance, how can we endure those cruel times (that we can sometimes look back on and laugh at)? With out the Savior how would we be able pick ourselves up after a great fall, brush ourselves off, and return to the race we signed up for long before we can recall?

I find more each day how perfect God's plan is. Not only is it tailored to us as individuals, It is also tailored to us as individuals. I am finding again and again how Heavenly Father knows me better than I do. Not only that, but he really does have our happiness at heart. If this is honestly the case, He definitely knows you just as well. Then comes the difficult part, I have to remind myself "who am I to judge? I don't know what has brought that brother/sister to this point. Nor do I know what Heavenly Father has in store for either of us."

When I have this thought, instead of judging I try to see what I can do to help, and if the help is not wanted, I trust they are putting it in bigger hands than my own and hope that the same would be done if someone is looking my way. By the way, Heavenly Father has blessed me with plenty of hands having been stretched my direction, and I hope I show the appreciation I feel to each of them.

Good-byes to Dear One's

It has always been hard for me when a friend dear to me has to move on in life. If I do there is no problem. However I expect that my friends are always supposed to be there when I return. This had been my philosophy for ages! Up until just a couple of years ago in fact. Then I had an epiphany!

You see, I believe there is a life after this one. Therefore, wouldn't it be safe to plan a Bar-B-Q for the second Saturday after the final Resurrection? I would have to make it pot-luck, but it would be great seeing everyone again! So that is just what I have done! with this plan on my agenda It has made Good-byes temporary, no matter the length of time, because I will get to see all of my friends again!