Were you born to shine in one special way? What makes you really stand out?

I have pondered these questions for years. I think it's something we all ponder. I mean, we're all different, and so we have qualities that make us stand out from one another, but what is the main one?

For some people, this question is simple to answer. Their talents may be easy to display. They could have a talent for singing, dancing, or playing a musical instrument. Others could be less obvious. A good listener, compassionate, peacemaker, or a talent for giving service. All of these talents are special and individually bless the lives of others. And multiple talents are given to multiple people. I imagine a great pianist would have to feel emotions at a deeper level so they could pour their heart into their music, thus making them a very sensitive individual. This can make the question of 'what makes you really stand out?' have multiple answers.

Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has shaped my life for the better in countless ways. With the knowledge of the gospel, I have discovered that each one of us are choice and cherished children of a loving Heavenly Father, who wants us to succeed in life. As such, we all have a divine destiny, purpose, and reason we are born on the earth. It isn't an accident that we have been born now, during this dispensation, in the fullness of times, and as such, we have a sacred duty and responsibility to bring others to know Christ and Heavenly Father. This is a blanket purpose, but we each have individual strengths and talents, that if we develop, we will be blessed and given more talents. And with getting to know our Heavenly Father, our talents become more obvious, not only to us, but to those around us. It's like they're brought to the surface, with the help of the Lord. Maybe it's because we see each other through Christ-like eyes, seeing strengths instead of weaknesses. No matter the reason, we are all important and have a purpose.

If I were asked what makes me shine, the first thing that pops into my mind is my happy disposition. I feel like I have been born with a naturally happy and optimistic outlook on life. I see others as children of Heavenly Father, with divine worth. It is something that has helped me to reach out to those that have been shunned or forgotten, and bring them into a loving circle. I feel like we all need wholesome associations with friends and neighbors to strengthen ties and relationships.

I think my parents realized I had a special talent for making everyone feel loved from a young age, and they always encouraged me to be friends with people who were left out, and to be nice to everyone, no matter their circumstance. Those small life lessons, have taught me that we are all important, and even if it feels like the world has forgotten us, there will always be someone who remembers us, and loves us, even our Heavenly Father. I know this can be challenging at times, because living in the world feels like such a long way from heaven. But as we come closer to Christ and live worthy, we will feel a closeness to our Savior that fills every void in our hearts.

I use Christ and Heavenly Father alternately, because they are one in purpose. They both love us so much, and want us to return to them after this life is over.

In conclusion, to answer the questions today, I would have to say, I am the least intimidating person you'll ever meet, because I love to wear a smile, and that smile is genuine. Because I am happy. It's not just a facade. It's something that is real and tangible, and if I can make a person's life a little better each day, then my purpose in life is fulfilled.

May we all discover our own unique and special talents. Share them with the world. If we all did this, the world would be a better place to be.

　

I wish I had paid more attention when...

Days fly into weeks and weeks into months. Before I know it, I'm switching out another calendar for a new year. The holidays have passed. Celebrations now memories. I'm left with a nostalgic heart, wishing times like these never ended.

How is it that all the planning and preparation took months, but the day of celebration felt like a few small moments. The anticipation built, but the climax didn't last.

The kids are back in school. Doing their routine. I'm at home. Doing my routine. And all the memories will fade, just like yesterday.

It's moments like these when I wish I'd paid more attention to the small details. Like the smile that crossed my son's face. The laugh of my husband. The way a hug warmed my soul.

When my dad passed away eight years ago, only weeks before the holidays, I remember feeling such a deep sense of loss, that I didn't think the holidays would ever be the same again. As a family, we remembered and cried over past family gatherings, and told stories of our favorite memories. My mom suggested many times that we need to write down our memories of dad, and the stories that he shared, before we forget them. With his loss so fresh, I didn't think I'd ever forget him or the things he did. But time has had a way of filling those memories with new ones. And the layers make the memories more faint.

So, I wish I had paid more attention to the details. The stories. The memories shared. I wish I had written them down. Because now, all I have are vague recollections of the man who is my father. And how am I to teach my children about the amazing man he was, if I can't even remember myself?

What did you (or a character) get in trouble for most when you were a kid?

When I was in third grade, I started a "Club" with some of my friends. I had a little day planner, and I wrote down my friends' names, phone numbers, and their interests. Since I was the leader of the club, I was the first one in charge of the activity the club would do when we got together.
Well, I planned a day with my friends at our Dairy Farm for a tour. I don't know how they convinced their parents to drop them off at the dairy, but they did, and soon, all the members were gathered together in the store front booths.

We began at the calf pens, which is where I had the most experience. My grandma allowed my brother and I to help bottle feed the calves up until they were too old to bucket feed. It was one of our first jobs, aside from washing buckets, and it taught us how to work hard.

Even at the age of eight, I had been helping on the farm long enough to know the process of calf, to heifer, to cow, to milker. My parents had also offered tours of the farm for years to local schools, and since I was a baby, I'd been included on these tours, hence, I knew where to start and what to explain.

As we moved from the calf pens, to the corrals, and on to where the cows got milked, it was the perfect time: Milking time. All my friends got to see the cows being loaded into the stalls and how the milking parlor was ran. I remember the workers casting us funny looks, and my grandparents asking if my parents knew we were over there alone. I assured them that everything was fine, and continued on the tour.

We made it to the ice cream making machine, which was a favorite, since all kids love ice cream. My parents were in charge of making all the ice cream for the dairy, and I had helped since a very young age, and knew the process well. My friends loved looking inside the large drum that churned the cream and flavoring.

The milk processing was harder to explain, with words like homogenize and pasteurize. The mechanisms where huge, and it took our breath away as we went inside the enormous cooler that held thousands of bottles of milk, ready to be moved to the sales front. I loved explaining the difference between the plastic bottles and glass bottles, since glass was much more fragile and needed to be handled with the utmost care.

The end of the tour was quite a delight, as we moved back up to the sales front, and got ourselves some yummy homemade ice cream. I remember feeling extremely accomplished as all my friends asked questions and were amazed at my knowledge of the farm and how their milk got from the cow onto their table at home.

I had done it! Started my own club and shared something of my own with them. I remember us sitting there and arranging who would be in charge of the next month's activity, when my mom came into the store. She was the manager of the dairy, and I later found out one of her employees had called to let her know I was there with a bunch of my friends, eating ice cream unsupervised.

The tour had lasted about an hour and a half, and us kids had planned for that amount of time, so parents started to pick up their kids one at a time. I'm not sure what was said between my friends' parents and my mom, but all I know is, that was the one and only "Club" get together we had. I guess eight years old was too young to have club activities.

This little story is one of many things I did as a kid. I was always getting people together, creating friendships, and starting little organizations where people could feel included. I was very independent, and I think that's what drove my parents most crazy. Because I knew I could do something on my own, I did it. But that didn't always make it right, or responsible. Just because I could do it, didn't mean I should. I had a hard time understanding this, as I felt I was old enough and big enough to handle myself. My parents had to keep teaching me the lesson of asking before I did things, so they would know where I was, and what I was doing, just in case anything went wrong. Luckily, nothing ever did go wrong. In fact, the only times things did go wrong was when one of my parents was there. I must've had extra guardian angels watching over me when I was doing something much too independent for my age.

As I look at my little guy, even at the age of three, I see some very strong similarities between the two of us. I have a feeling I will be teaching him the same lessons my parents taught me. Wish me luck!

Name one thing you (or a character) lied to yourself about. Why did you/they do this?

"Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

I remember repeating that phrase to myself over and over again. Especially when I was a little girl and had a friend who slung mean words better than anyone I've ever met.

A very specific experience was, my parents were making ice cream at our dairy farm, Country Boy Dairy, and my friend and I were playing. I can't remember what was said, but I remember how I felt after my friend said something to hurt me. The pain was much deeper than any flesh wound. It hit my heart like a barbed wire fence, digging in with rusted metal, and squeezing the life out of me. My chest felt like it was collapsing, and I had to escape into the bathroom to save myself from falling all over the floor.

Now, my parents, trying to help me, but not knowing exactly how, had taught me this mantra, so I repeated it to myself, over and over, as I was sitting on the toilet, crying to myself.

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

I stayed in that bathroom and cried until I had no more tears left. The sad thing was, I thought I deserved these words, that they accurately described me, and so I never stood up for myself or retaliated. I guess it goes back to the wise words from Chronicles of Narnia: "You get told you're a dumb animal for long enough, you become one."

It wasn't until a year or so ago, this mantra, which had been long forgotten, after years of healthy relationships, surfaced in my mind. I was talking to my husband about something someone had said, and of course, here it came.

But as we were talking, and the mantra kept chanting itself at me, I had an epiphany. This was one of the deepest rooted lies I'd ever been taught, or told myself. Because, let's be honest, words can and do hurt. They are extremely effective at breaking a person down over time, and with a few well placed words or phrases, one can rob another person of their identity and belonging.

Now, I know this is a shock. Most of us don't go around using words as weapons. But I want us to think about the words that we use to those we are supposed to love the most. I have watched husband and wife use words against each other, that they'd never use to a neighbor or friend. What about with our kids? What kind of words do we use with them?

The thing about words are, they spring from our thoughts. So, in order to say something, we have to think it first. We can never identify or call out a quality in someone else, unless we see it in ourselves first.

But I learned those things much later in life. And the words that my friend used on me, I owned. I took them right into my heart, because I trusted her. I think that's how it is. With people we trust and love the most, we take their words to heart. We own them, just as I did with my friend. That's why we need to be careful with what we say. My dad always told me to, "Think before you say things." It was easier said than done, but I've tried to live by that saying so I would never cause someone unnecessary pain.

May we all take this small lie out of our lives, and let it change our words for the better. Build instead of tear down. Compliment instead of criticize. It's a habit, a thought process that begins with you and how you view yourself. Once you see yourself and others through God's eyes, you will utter words of love and kindness. What a better world could we build with a few well placed, kind words.

Write about something in your life that is 'Worth It'

"It'll all be worth it in the end."

"Endure to the End."

"You will receive blessings in Heaven."

"This life is a time to prepare to meet God."

"We are here to be tested, gain knowledge and wisdom."

Phrases from my life repeat in my mind. When I think of something in my life that is worth it, it's hard to bring it down to one thing. I think all of life is worth it. In fact, I think that just the fact of living is worth it.

Life is not easy. Let's face it, we all have trials, challenges, and temptations that we have to overcome in order to progress. It's easy to ask, 'Why is this happening to me?' and have no answer. Most of the time we don't see why things happen to us until years down the road, or maybe even until we reach Heaven and look back and realize how that trial changed our life for the better.

Trials make us relatable, humble, and often times, more open to help and guidance from our Savior.

One of my dear friends has a son who committed suicide. He was a very bright and popular young man, with an incredible future. But he lost it all by taking doctor prescribed drugs that altered his thinking and caused him to ultimately take his life in the blink of an eye.

This friend of mine has suffered one of the greatest losses a mother could ever have. Losing a child is one thing, but losing a child to suicide is a whole different story. The guilt she carries around with her is not something that can just go away. It takes time and much healing.

She has started a foundation for suicide prevention and awareness. She has given up her career and life to dedicate herself to this foundation. It's a wonderful cause, and one that is very much needed. As it gains support, she is continually traveling and speaking to different audiences, telling her story, trying to prevent others from the pain she has suffered. A noble cause.

As I watch her, I feel sorrow that she's had to go through this trial in order to do what she's doing today. I love what she has done, and I am so proud of her for springing into action instead of getting depressed and following in her son's footsteps.

The rest of her family is suffering and she is struggling to keep them together. It is a heavy burden to carry. One that nobody should have to endure.

I see how this trial in my friend's life has shaped her beliefs in various ways. The platform for her foundation is: "You Matter." And I love this slogan, because each and every person does matter. We are entrusted to each other to find our way through life, and ultimately, back to our Heavenly Father.

One thing we have to remember is, every single person does matter, no matter their background, religion, ethnicity, opinions, beliefs, wealth, or lack thereof. We are all different, and that's a good thing. If we were all the same, there would be no way to progress, change, or challenge ourselves.

Think about your life. What pops into your mind? Usually the really good times. The hard times, and how you made it through them. You came out stronger on the other side. And you probably learned quite a bit on the way.

As I said from the beginning, this life, our trials, our challenges, they are all worth it. Someday we will be able to look back and be proud of what we made it through. Keep going. Stay strong. Don't give up. If you feel like giving up, turn your heart over to the Lord and lay your burdens at His feet. He has gone through each and every one of our pains and sufferings. He knows what it's like, and I guarantee there is another person in the world who has also suffered similar trials. Reach out, help each other. Make this life worth it.

Give your city/town/region where you live a new name that reflects what type of place it is. Explain why you chose that name.

Hope, ND

As you travel the roads of the midwest, you'll find a community nestled in the southwestern grasslands of North Dakota, called Hope. It's name is fitting, as people have come here on their last hope for success in the oil field. Thanks to North Dakota's oil rich soil, people have come from around the world to find their hope for a better life.

Walking the streets of downtown, be prepared to greet the locals. They'll smile and often wave, giving you a renewed sense of home and belonging. Visit some of the local shops and eateries. You'll be delighted at the unmatched quality of service. The people are what make Hope such a great place to live.

Aside from the people, the location is prime. The last stop before you travel West to Montana, or East to Bismarck, Hope is your last hope for shopping and dining. It boasts new restaurants, including Buffalo Wild Wings. There are also an array of local restaurants that are sure to satisfy your pallet.

If you need home or car supplies, a new Menards is located right off the exit.

Hope also boasts a quaint mall and theater, where you can enjoy some frozen yogurt while you shop.

Need a place to stay for the night? Hope offers a variety of lodging, including some new hotel chains that bring luxury to small town living.

If you stay in town, make sure you take a trip to the Heart River Golf Course, and enjoy the views of Patterson Lake. This recreation area is stocked with fish, if you're up for packing along a fishing pole and tackle.

And those who live in Hope, love to take the scenic drive through Theodore Roosevelt National Park, located only thirty five miles west. If you're up for a day of beauty, go hiking on one of the park's well groomed trails. You will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Little Missouri River, and the Badlands, which make North Dakota famous.

Hope, North Dakota, where small town meets big dreams. Come find renewed hope, in Hope.

You are the wind's interpretor. What does it say?

"Go that way. No that way." Whew...finally got it right.

"Wait, what are you doing? Your classroom isn't in this building." Is that? Oh no.

"Turn around you idiot. Stop staring." She's staring! Why won't she listen to me?

"Stop. Just stop." He's coming this way...why do we have to be inside the school? I need a strong gust of outside air, not the measly heater vent twenty paces away.

"Wait, what did he just say?" I should be listening.

"What is going on here? He is not the one for you. Look at him, he's all wrong. He's bad boy personified. You'll only get into trouble. Big trouble. This isn't the guy you want to write hearts around in your notebook. Or add his last name behind yours. He isn't forever. Why can't you see that?"

Roar..."If I had a foot, I would be stomping it right now, on your left foot. Maybe then I could get your attention."

"Remember when you crushed on Mr. Right in high school? He was good for you. This guy, not so much. Sure, he's cute. Popular. Has big muscles. But that's the end of his good trait list. And all of those things go away with time. Trust me, as your eternal advisor, I've seen the winds of change, and change on this guy isn't going to be good. Find someone else." Sigh.

"Did you just give him your phone number? Oh, you're in for it now. A big heart break, sister. One that will take months to recover from..."

"Oh...Why do the good girls fall for the bad guys. It's not like the movies. You girls can't and shouldn't try to change them. In fact, even if they do make a few good changes for a while, it's temporary. They go back to who they truly are, sooner or later."


What am I going to do? What am I going to do? Come on...think.

Oh, she's going outside. Let's follow her.

Hey, did she see that? That guy just smiled at her. He's kinda cute.

There's another one.

Why can't she see these other options?

Oh, that's right, she's too distracted by Mr. Muscles. I get it...well, I don't, but...
Did someone just brush up against me? "Hey, I'm the one who does the brushing around here. You're going to get a puff of wind up your nose for that one."

Oh my! "Look, it's him! Mr. Right!"


I didn't know you both decided to go to the same college. But, look...there he is.
"Look up! Turn your head! This way! This way!" Fine, I'm sending her a gust. Maybe if she smells him...


He even smells good. Like sweet honey bee nectar. If he isn't heaven sent, I don't know who is.

This is a rare moment. The one time in my life I've wished to be something else. If only she knew how lucky she was.
"He sees you!" She sees him!

"Let me give you a push. There, now go talk to him. No, don't look at your phone to check the time. You have time."


Yes, yes, steady. Keep going.
"There's that winning smile I've been waiting for. Look how he lights up the day. It's like magic, and sunshine, and pink and yellow flowers, and happiness and joy, all wrapped up into a very genuine package. Much better than darkness back there."


He's flirting. She's flirting.
"He just asked you out!"

"Say yes, say yes."


She said yes! High five, wind.

Wow...my work here is done.

Well, for now.