Finding Balance in a Digital World

I recognize the irony of sharing this with you digitally.  But there are some positives to living in a digital world,  I'm not an Anti-Digite.  (trying to reference Seinfeld there)

I just agree with the idea there needs to be a balance.

In addition to these checklists, I recommend a talk by Elder Bednar entitled, "Things as They Really Are".  I found this talk while I was feeling a little digitally overwhelmed and wanted some inspiring words to help me.  I love that about our leaders.  They know how to chide, lovingly.   It's like getting a swift kick in the butt and a pat on the head.  :)

10 Signs of Digital Overload 

1. Slipping away from activities with people to check e-mail or social networking sites.
   
2. Checking the same sites repeatedly within a short period of time.
   
3. Spending little time outside.
   
4. Finding it hard to complete a task such as writing a report without frequently breaking away to check e-mail or unrelated websites.
   
5. Spending little time in face-to-face interactions with friends.
   
6. Going online or using a digital device when you feel stressed or want to avoid an unpleasant task.
   
7. Family members spending most of their time at home in separate rooms interacting with screens.
   
8. Frequently using digital devices to entertain a child instead of talking, singing, playing, or reading with him or her.
   
9. Checking the computer first thing in the morning, or getting up during the night to use digital devices.
   
10. Spending long stretches of time surfing for content, often viewing content that is inappropriate or borderline.
    

10 Ways to Cut Back

1. Check and answer e-mail only once or twice a day, at scheduled times.
   
2. Use social networking sites only at scheduled times and for a set number of minutes.
   
3. Practice a “digital Sabbath”—setting aside one or two days each week to “unplug.”
   
4. Leave your cell phone in another room during time with family or friends.
   
5. Call instead of texting.
   
6. Invite children to help search the house for supplies that can be used in nondigital activities: children’s books, board games, art supplies, and equipment for outside play.
   
7. Organize a talent show, art show, or service project with family or friends.
   
8. Use Internet-blocking software to keep on task while working.
   
9. Limit recreational surfing; watch TV and videos selectively and intentionally.
   
10. Keep a gospel-centered perspective, using technology to uplift yourself and people around you.
    

“I raise an apostolic voice of warning about the potentially stifling, suffocating, suppressing, and constraining impact of some kinds of cyberspace interactions and experiences upon our souls. … I plead with you to beware of the sense-dulling and spiritually destructive influence of cyberspace technologies that are used to … promote degrading and evil purposes.”

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Things as They Really Are,” Ensign, June 2010, 20.

Get's me every time.

I often will upload Mormom Messages onto my device and will watch them on my subway ride into work.  I always feel so uplifted after watching messages on gratitude, service, temples, etc.

However, even though the messages are uplifting and thought-provoking,  they are quite often tear-jerking.  So you almost always can find me sitting on the A train going to 59th street blubbering over a 3 minute message.   And each time I see a new one, I upload it to my device, wondering if this one's going to make me blubber.  

Every. Time.

This one is no different.  Maybe you'll do better then me.  Good luck! :)

(The voice over reading reminds me of something out of Dr. Seuss. I  like it.) 

The Wise Men

"There is much we can learn from the Wise Men. Like them, we should study the scriptures and know the signs to watch for as we all prepare the earth for the Savior’s Second Coming. Then, as we search and ponder the scriptures, we will more fully desire to seek the Lord every day of our lives and, as a gift to Him, give up our selfishness, pride, and rebelliousness. When personal revelation comes to alter the plans we have made, we can obey, having faith and trust that God knows what is best for us. And ultimately, through lives of true discipleship, we must fall down and worship the Savior in humility and love.

This discipleship doesn’t necessarily require us to leave our sheep in the fields or to cross deserts. Our journey to Him isn’t physical; it is spiritual and behavioral. It involves accepting and embracing the fact that His Atonement is infinite and covers every aspect of our lives—our sin, weakness, pain, sickness, and infirmity (see Alma 7:11–13). It means that we can let go of those things that hold us down in the gloomy fog of our own inversion and live instead in the warmth and love of the Light of the World. As President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, has taught: “The words ‘come unto Christ’ are an invitation. It is the most important invitation you could ever offer to another person. It is the most important invitation anyone could accept." "

(Come, Let Us Adore Him. Elder Patrick Kearon, Ensign Dec 2011)

image borrowed from MormonSoprano.com

A New Calling

That's right!  I am in Scouts.  Back to Primary! Woot!

My calling is specifically over recruiting.  I get to plan semi-annual events to get kids and parents excited about scouts and spread the word about how awesome it is to be a cub scout.

Not having gone through scouts myself, I had to read up on it a bit, as well as go through an online training session.  Scouting IS awesome!  What better place for boys to be than in scouts.  It's aim is to develop young people physically, spiritually and mentally so that youth may take a constructive place in society.  

How 'bout that? 

I'm excited for the task ahead and hope we can get, oh I don't know, 10 new cub scouts by January.

One last quote from Robert Baden-Powell, founder of scouting:

Leave the world a little better than you found it.

Gotta Dance

I want to do another one of these. Who's in?

(wish Debs and Erin were here to play!)

Thanks Mom for reminding me to post this!

Finding Balance

There's a most excellent Q&A on Finding Balance with Sister Julie B. Beck on the Mormon Channel.

I highly recommend listening to it. It's both validating and uplifting. Check it out, here!

Let Us Anew

As promised, I am going to maintain my blog for as long and as often as I can.

To quote Princess Bride:

"You think it'll work?"

"Nah. It'd take a miracle."

Well, hunker down, because I'm about to attempt a few miracles.

***note to self: work on being less campy in your blog introductions**

First of all, can we just talk about this weekend? Three cheers for General Conference weekend! I'm also impressed with how quickly they are able to get the transcripts of conference up already. Remember when it took 2 weeks?

I feel like I've been so supported and inspired the last two weeks with the General Relief Society Broadcast and now General Conference itself. I sort of get that feeling of, "Yes. I can do this. I can be better. I can serve more. I can love more. I can do it!". It's sort of like hitting a restart button sometimes. Erase old goals and prioritize myself, to put the important things on top.

Now, I'm not totally naive to the idea that this won't last forever, but I'm going to keep trying. And that's what conference is about, right? Examining, reflecting, applying the atonement, and trying.

Some other topics that struck me included:

-scriptures illuminate our minds

and open the channel to commune with God

-Testimonies can carry us through hardship

-God loves us (we are never invisible to God)

-Temple Patron Fund (whoo hoo!)

-Look up to Christ

-Master manager of time

-To hope in the Lord in our trials

And so much more!

I know this church is true. I know God lives and speaks to us through both personal revelation and through his prophets and apostles. I know he loves us. And that his son, Jesus Christ, is the Savior of all mankind.

I hope you have a wonderful week!

I did it!

I am updating my blog (don't hold your breath)!!!

Last time I did so, was 9 months ago. Hmmm...it's like I have little blog babies. I go into an incubation period, until I'm ready to pop out a really great story ("great story" is relative. Maybe if you were living in cave with nothing but a tomato can's list of ingredients for reading material).

This experience came post-General Conference, when some sisters from ward got together for a little girl's night in, while the men were at Priesthood Session. So glad we did it.

We visited a couple hours and ate yummy treats. Topics varied from babies to odd subway stories, from human psychology to boob jobs. And as always, some gospel principle would emerge and we would discuss the topics from conference and basically share our own experiences (and inevitably, testimonies).

In talking with two sisters, I realized what a varied group we were, in a group of maybe, 6 women. There were some commonalities between us, but our experiences in life were very individual. I came to realize what Sister Beck means when she refers to Relief Society as having diverse cultures, trials, and backgrounds and yet unified in faith.

She said:

"I have visited many of you this past year, and my heart has been touched as I have looked into your eyes, hugged you, laughed with you, cried with you, and listened to your grief, joy, and triumph. Each of you is precious beyond description and known by our Heavenly Father. As daughters of God, you are preparing for eternal designations, and each of you has a female identity, nature, and responsibility. The success of families, communities, this Church, and the precious plan of salvation is dependent on your faithfulness. Oh, dear sisters, how we love and pray for you!"

This also made me stop and examine, the pre-conceived notions I have of my fellow sisters. And how I should never assume or judge, but rather show love and understanding. Acting with real Charity.

There are so many incredible women in this world. Women who experience hardships and sorrows and yet, try to do their very best each day. They are leaders in their homes, at work, and in their communities. They strive to live faithfully and do what the Lord would have them do. How inspiring! I am so blessed to be part of the Relief Society. I'm so blessed to know you!

Thank you for your example. You are a light in my life.

Love

Me

p.s. more to come. I'm really going to try to keep this up. I wrote down some notes for next time: finding balance, surgery, journaling, roller coasters, purple monkey dishwasher...ah-ha! Just wanted to be sure you were paying attention.

Yappy Hew Near!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Whoah. Have I really not blogged since October? Looks like I found, yet another item to put on the "the list".

What are your resolutions/promises/aspirations to yourself this fine 2011?

Giving up sugar? Practicing greater gratitude?

Learning a new language? Doing your taxes earlier than last year?

Inspire me! You always do. :)

Quote Time!

I found a small note pad that I used while living in the dorms in school. It was sort of my "Quote of the Day" note pad. Whenever I heard or read a quote or scripture I felt was applicable to my life at the time, I wrote it down in this notebook. Then when I'd wake up in the morning I'd flip open to a quote and display it on my dresser where I could see it. It was sort of my theme for the day.

It's nice to go back and read through these quotes and be reminded of how those quotes impacted me and where I was in my life (why I wrote them down?). Of course, these quotes are still useful to me now as I'm still working to improve and understand myself.

Here is what I found:

"The Lord can do remarkable miracles with a person of ordinary ability who is humble, faithful and diligent in serving the Lord and who seeks to improve himself."

-James E. Faust

"Write it in your heart, that everyday of the year is the most happiest day of your life."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

"SCRUMTRULESCENT"

-Will Ferrell as James Lipton

"When a man is motivated by great and powerful convictions of truth, then he disciplines himself...because of the knowledge within his heart that God lives; that he is a child of God with an eternal and limitless potential."

-Gordon B. Hinckley

"It is our self-image that prescribes our limits."

-Psycho-Cybernetics 2000

..."If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."

-13th Article of Faith

"Your Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son love you perfectly. They would not require you to experience a moment more of difficulty than is absolutely need to your personal benefit or for that of those you love."

-Richard G. Scott

"That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do--not that the nature of the thing is changed, but that our power to do is increased."

-Heber J. Grant

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of sound mind."

-2 Timothy 1:7

"Out of the little efforts of each of us is coming to pass a great and remarkable and wonderful thing. This is not the time to be discouraged. This is the time to think positively...'I have job to do and I CAN DO IT!' I can make it come to pass.' "

-Gordon B. Hinckley

"Courage: The quality of mind which meets danger or opposition with calmness and firmness. Which enables a man to face difficulties that lie in his pathway to righteous achievement."

-David O. McKay

Funny & Random moments

Was walking up Broadway on my way to the grocery store when a somewhat disheveled, older man caught my eye. He was using his two hands to create a telescope, so as to peer at a tall building across the street. He was quite focused on looking through his telescope. That is, until someone bumped into him, knocking his "telescope" off-course. Surprisingly, he looked back, spotted the culprit and quickly yelled , "BINGO!".

"Bingo?"

Well, why not? It's wonderfully random. Someone bumps into you, you yell, Bingo. Okay, sure.

I learn so much from NYC's crazies.

Another Funny/Random moment......

I had just spent the week working with these awesome middle to high school students in our summer dance intensive. We had finished our week up with a final performance followed by a light reception, so we can visit with family members and say our good-byes until next year.

I was saying my final good-byes and was heading out the door, when a student shouted, "Hey we'll miss you!". To which I replied, "Yeah, it'll be great!".

.......Not the most accurate reply. But, that's what came out of my mouth. So instead of stopping to correct myself. I turned and ran.

Hope they didn't notice.

Music (Dance) Videos

I love a good homemade video. Their often goofy, nerdy, quirky and oddball. But always clever.

I couldn't resist sharing some of my favorite music videos, which once compiled into a list I realized they incorporate some dancing. Another reason why I might like them.

So if you have an hour to kill watching youtube videos I recommend the following:

OK GO!

(pretty much all their videos)

This Too Shall Pass (both marching band AND Rube Goldberg)

End of Love

Here it Goes

A Million Ways

Fatboy Slim

Weapon of Choice (Christopher Walken)

Praise You

Weezer

Pork & Beans

Keep Fishin' (one word...muppets)

Buddy Holly (river looks so young)

Daft Punk

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (two robot girls)

Attitude of Gratitude

Gave a lesson on gratitude today. Here are some of my favorites:

"We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins. then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."

(An Attitude of Gratitude Pres. Thomas S. Monson, 2000 Feb Ensign.)

"A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness. It is an expression of humility. It is a foundation for the development of such virtues as prayer, faith courage, contentment, happiness, love and well-being." (Gratitude As a Saving Principle Pres. James E. Faust, 1996 Dec Ensign.)

"Think to Thank. In these 3 words is the finest capsule course for a happy marriage, a formula for enduring friendship, and a pattern for personal happiness" (Thomas S. Monson, Pathway to Perfection, 1973 p.254)

"Hold fast to the blessings which God has provided for you. Yours is not the task to gain them, they are here; yours is the part of cherishing them." (Pres. J. Rueben Clark, Church News, June 1969)

An Xray post surgery

It's amazing! Just amazing. I am so grateful for competent and inspired doctors.

My surgeon is just amazing.

The four screws you see near the front of my mouth are my "Franken Screws" from my previous post.

Pre-Op: The Painter's Smock

It's true. Look at me. I look like a pro and stylish young painter. My team , helped me put my outfit together and made sure my beret fit just right.

I had a lot of great and positive vibes swirling around me. Mom and Husband kept me entertained and all the doctors/nurses who came by were anxious to help and give me reassurance.

The Anesthesiologist was super cool. She truly put me at ease. She was also the one who led me from Pre-Op to the OR so we had a nice chat.

And I couldn't be more impressed with my Surgeon. He is a great doctor, willing to and open to inspiration. (more on that later)

Mostly, I know that it was because of good doctor's and LOTS AND LOTS of prayers that everything went so well and that I was so at ease. So thank you everyone. Your prayers really helped and pray that you will be blessed for ally our efforts.

Love you!

Post-Op: After the Recovery Room

This is a picture of me about 3 hours after surgery. I was told my lip was bigger just after surgery. So the swelling had already gone down, some.

Around 2pm, they brought me my special liquid diet lunch.

It consisted of:

80z of Apple Juice

6oz of Broth (chicken or beef)

40z of Lemon Ice

4 oz of JELLO!!!!

You'd be surprised how hungry you can get after surgery.

Strawberry Jello

Then after ingesting all that liquid, they wanted to be extra sure I was hydrated, so they had me...ya know....in....well...they called it a "hat". So I couldn't pass up the photo op and took a picture of my "hat" before it made permanent residence in the bathroom.

Getting up to use my hat. Mom was my super-nurse! She knew how to plug/unplug and organize all my IV's when I was mobile and made sure I didn't trip over them or cut them off.

I am so glad she knew what she was doing. I hadn't the foggiest idea what to do.

Day 2: Leaving a Day Early

Believe it or not, I left a whole day early. Doctors expected 2 days in the hospital, but I got out on good behavior. Well, my body was behaving well and healing very quickly. It also helped that I had a little button I could push anytime I wanted pain meds released into my IV.

What service!

You can definitely see a difference from the day of surgery to the second day. My lower lip isn't nearly as huge. Actually it looks pretty normal.

Here is an image of the tiny little cut they had to make on the outside of my face. Just where that little X tape mark is. The surgeon was able to remove diseased bone inter orally (from the inside of my mouth), insert the Titanium joint and screw it all together (or whatever they had to do)

My Franken Screws..

The surgeon had to put screws into my mouth and wire my jaw shut during the surgery, so as to keep my bite in place and jaw in line. Doctor thinks he'll be able to remove them at my appointment on Tuesday. Unless my jaw is deviating in which, he will leave them in and put rubber bands around screws to keep my bite in place.

Say Cheese!

Frowny face

Life Lessons from the HIgh Peaks

I had the opportunity to write a little blip in our ward newsletter.

I chose to write about a quote from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk on patience.

There is something about physical exertion that builds character and teaches you important principles that you wouldn’t typically recognize.

For instance, I recently went on my first backpacking trip to the Adirondacks in upstate NY. This trip taught me plenty. I learned that the trail can be bumpy and arduous. The journey can be tedious. And I also learned there are a few things you can’t predict, such as wet, muddy weather, and old, relentless injuries. Don’t get me wrong, I had a pleasant time, but I couldn’t help but draw comparisons from my own life and path.

Life can be hard, monotonous, and sometimes downright sticky. Which led me to reflect on one particular principle: Patience.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s said, “Patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can---working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed.”

Patience is not sitting on a rock on my pathway to righteousness, simply waiting for the highway of all my desires (even my righteous and worthy desires) to be built. I must stand up, strap on my boots and get to work! I need to move forward, putting one foot in front of the other, hoping that my hard work will bring me to my desired destination. Nor is it about hiking a smooth surface to eternal life. Patience is also about crossing bridges into the unknown or scrambling over the boulders of my fears and insecurities.

When we add the power of prayer and the purifying Atonement, we can face the difficulties of life with confidence. And the Lord will bless us, as we are patient.

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear and shall trust in the Lord.”

(Psalms 40:1-3)

Unplug

I found this article today in the NY Times called "Your Brain On Computers: The Risk of Parenting While Plugged In".

..."talking and explaining things to children, and responding to their questions — remains the bedrock of early childhood learning."

Earlier this week I also read Elder David A. Bednar's talk "Things As They Really Are", from June Ensign.

"Our spirit and our body are combined in such a way that our body becomes an instrument of our mind and the foundation of our character."

It was interesting to me to compare the Times article with Elder Bednar's. It just confirms my testimony of modern day prophets and apostles. These are inspired men. They are the mouthpiece of the Lord.