My Saviour and Me

"My Savior sees me as worth working for, shouldn't I strive to do the same?

My Savior made the choice to atone for me with the complete and perfect knowledge of every single defect I have... When I approach Him, He meets me where I am.

... these two concepts are critically important to me because they help me begin to grasp what unconditional love is all about.

...my job is to dust myself off when I stumble, reach out and take my Savior's hand, treat myself gently and continue to walk my path.

Just because my fellows are hurling angry, hostile words my way doesn't mean I'm exempt from my Savior's commandment to love others as myself.

... remember we do a lot better as disciples of our Savior when we focus a little more on our own salvation and a little less on everyone else's sins."

Mitch Mayne http://www.wheatandtares.org

At Our Peril

"We ignore the realities of our history at our peril."
"Great things can happen when preparation meets opportunity."
"If you try, if you keep trying, you can punch through."

Backstory - The History of Mormon Film

Choose the Right Way

You cannot bring prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot further brotherhood of men by inciting class hatred.
You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.

Rev William JH Boetcker

(Attributed often to Abraham Lincoln but it now seems not by him.)

Present Stories

"Our stories may not be pleasant as they're being lived.  They can in fact be just the opposite, acquiring a warm hue only in retrospect."

Jennifer Senior

Gratitude

Some Questions...

What am I prepared to do to solve my problem?
What am I not prepared to do to solve my problem?

What am I prepared to do to help someone else solve their problem?
What was I before...?
What was I like?
What do I see when I look in the mirror?

That Bridge of Forgiveness

"Start building that bridge of forgiveness even when the waters of disappointment and anger are still flowing underneath." -Steve Arterburn on Joyce Meyer Ministries

Goals

"Set your goals so high that you can only reach them if you grow."
John Maxwell

Pain

"Pain is a gift that forces us to do good things for ourselves..."
Doreen Virtue, PhD

Guilt

"Guilt is a messy and confusing emotion to handle and it refuses to go away.  It lowers our self-esteem, gnaws away at our sense of strength and alienates us from other people and sometimes it festers away for years and years.  It makes you defensive."

Faith for Daily Living - Tape Aids for the Blind South Africa

Special and Worthy of Respect

"Millions of (people) believe they aren't good enough, feel unsure of themselves and insecure in situations.  Each of us is special and worthy of respect. 

Here are ways to get to know - and like - you:

Start by taking an honest look at your life, and accept what cannot be changed.

Try to understand that other people also have fears and worries.

Don't bottle up your feelings.  (Write them down or talk them out).

Learn to bounce back.

Question the role you are playing in your life.

Don't use the fact that you are (unexceptional looking) as an excuse for failure.

Talk yourself into self-confidence.

Give and you will receive.

Take advantage of opportunities to learn.

Don't try to be completely perfect today, this month, this year.

Dress for yourself.

Let yourself have some fun.

Look after yourself.

Treat others as you would like to be treated.

Learn a few relaxation techniques.

Talk to someone.

Make your own decisions.

Have bold hopes and dreams.

Never compare yourself with other people, (compare yourself with yourself this time last week/month/year).

Remember you aren't going to make changes because you're a FAILURE.

- Angela Willans

Nay-sayers

"There will always be nay-sayers who warn us that we are bound to fail at this or that.  The important question to ask is not "Will I fail?" but "What do I stand to achieve?""
Barbara Bartocci

Unsung Heroes and Heroines

"Some of the unsung heroes and heroines of our day are the faithful home teachers and visiting teachers who feed the Master's sheep."
Dallin H Oaks
"Modern Pioneers" Ensign Nov 1989

Power

"When obedience ceases to be an irritant, and righteousness our desire, we will be endowed with power from on high."
Powell Oketta

Problem

"A problem is a chance for you to do your best."
Duke Ellington

When there is a loadshedding or blackout - enjoy the quiet and reach for your candles and lamps.

When you are planted in a a place that it is difficult to be who you are,
do your best to be who you are anyway!

I was in the parking lot outside Pick 'n Pay Princess crossing where a whole row of neighbouring shops was burnt recently. 
The car-guard was singing quietly
"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine;
this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. 
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine;
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!"

Yeah man!

My Head Held High

"I want to walk off the field with my head held high - win or lose.
Championships are won in everyday preparations.
Don't ever do anything to embarass yourself.
Do your best - No Regrets... You know... I have."

- Larry Gelwix - No Regrets
Rugby coach of the Highland team for over 30 years
BYU Television

Smallest and Most Vulnerable

"We ignore the smallest and most vulnerable among us at our peril."
National Geographic - Death Valley

Superficiality or Serious Living

"The idea of taking your inner world the least bit seriously is easily mocked. Relentless superficiality shrieks for our attention. Doing things that take time, concentration and personal effort is out of favour."
Stephanie Dowrick

First-rate Intelligence

"The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function."
F. Scott Fitzgerald

Hope...

"We hope for a people and a nation in which democracy is made a wonderfully realizable possibility in a pluralistic culture where people bring together a whole variety of life experiences. We hope for a society which is just and free."
Church of the Province of South Africa Minister