Imagine

Imagine.

Imagine a world without sadness, hurt and anguish.

Imagine a world where people are kind and gentle.

Imagine a world where people help one another.

Imagine a world where happiness is abundant.

This could be our world and it begins with me

And you.

It can begin right now and we can spread joy.

Imagine.

xoxo


P.S. It was my first time climbing up to Strawberry Fields in Central Park. It should be a must on everyone's bucket list whether you're a Beatles fan or not!

Sunday Thoughts

I had the opportunity to attend the Brigham City Temple open house a couple of weeks ago. It was a wonderful experience to quietly go early in the morning and enjoy small Brigham City.

I was impressed by the artwork in the temple and continuing theme of peaches throughout the entire building, even on the outside of the temple. Peach blossoms were everywhere from the lighting to the windows. I kept wanting to sing, "millions of peaches--peaches for me" during the tour (though that may not have been reverent).

In my mind, I still have a particular painting of a woman picking peaches. To me, it symbolized the power of work. The Lord wants us to work hard and to know how to work, in order to enjoy the reward.

I know for following Heavenly Father's will, the reward will be more than we can imagine.

Sunday Thoughts

This is what I've been thinking about lately. Some words are hard for me to say to myself. "I am enough. I am beautiful. I am strong."

It's a struggle and a goal of mine to say those words.

"You are enough. You are beautiful. You are strong. You can do anything."

Happy Sunday!

photos taken by me: Tucson night view, Long Island Beach-NJ, NYC night view from the airplane

Sunday Thoughts-Light

Taken one sunny afternoon while walking through Central Park.

When I first moved back to Arizona, I thought it had the brightest sun of anywhere in the world. I loved it and it's warm January weather constantly brought a smile to my face.

Lately, the light has been fading. It feels that even though this is one of the hottest, brightest times of the year--darkness is everywhere. I've never seen the sun and still felt like it was dark outside, until now.

Major life changes have been spiraling downward and all I can do is watch for the most part. You'll have to forgive me for my blogging hiatus.

Yet, even in darkness God knows how to put light into our lives.

Sunset in Sahuarita

He gave me my sweet friend Lauren and a safe place to stay. He gave me the strength that I have needed to organize my things. He gave me the love of a complete stranger who to this day, I've never met or even spoken with.  God has given me the sun and gorgeous sunsets. He gave me love from my family.

When struggling, I believe that one can choose to become closer to God.

"And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." -Doctrine and Covenants 84:88


I am being lifted up. Things will work out. There is light at the end of the storm.

Last night's storm with light at the end in Sahuarita.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." -Martin Luther King, Jr. 

{linking up with}

Sunday Thoughts

"I want to be kind to everyone, 

For that is right, you see.

So I say to myself, "Remember this:

Kindess begins with me." 

-Children's Songbook, 145

I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be kind. I don't think it's something that I've ever struggled with but I wonder if it's something that I haven't done enough of. 

Sure, I've taken meals that I had lovingly prepared for neighbors when they were sick or had a baby or someone died. I have taken dozens of flowers over to friends on their birthday. I have tried to write a handwritten note letting someone know how much I care about them. I have spent hours wiping tears away from sad children for one reason or another. I have always tried to listen and be that stable someone to talk to. 

I still wonder, "Is it enough?"

"Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

-Marjorie Pay Hinckley

As I've watched the news recently, I've only heard about people being unkind. From the children who bullied a bus monitor to the presidential campaign of negative ads. It is such a shame that there are not great examples of kindness. Our world needs this virtue. 

I will forever be striving to be more kind. 

I hope to learn how to be the first to say hello. I hope to always open the door for someone else. I hope to always be inviting and that my home can be a place of peace for those that seek comfort. I hope unkind words will never leave my mouth and that I will always work hard to be kind.  

Yes, kindness begins with me.