Become - Time Out For Women (TOFW)

As you know, this is my word for 2011... BECOME. This was inspired by the upcoming theme for the 2011 Time Out For Women, a women's conference presented by Deseret Book. Needless to say, when I read this theme, it just stuck with me and I knew it was the word I was looking for to work on for this year. Because of this, I have SO been looking forward to attending this with my sister.



Sadly, our plans were kind of squashed when I found out that my nephew, Nicholas, was getting baptized on the day that I had already paid to attend. I was so disappointed! But we decided to still catch the Friday night session and it was well worth it! President Hinckley's daughter, Virginia Pearce, spoke about Mothers and how we can all have several people in our lives that "mother" us and how we can "mother" other people. She even had Eliza Snow come as a special speaker (actor, of course) - she was amazing! Sister Pearce talked how she was one of her heroes that she had come to know and love in the last year as she studied her.



The music titled "Reflections of Motherhood" was performed by Macy Robinson and was also fabulous! It just reminded me that although we all have trials, we are so blessed to be women - both daughters of Heavenly Father and Mothers! It made me feel better to realize that even though my life has not gone according to my plan, it can still be wonderful, just as Macy described.

I'm just so thankful to have these wonderful conferences and speakers to uplift me, motivate me to be better, and bring me a little closer to Christ. I have had such a passion for them over the past couple of years as a drink in the wonderful spirit that these occasions offer me. I just can't seem to get enough. And I'm especially grateful that I have my sweet sister to go with. We have so much fun! We both miss Mom dearly but I'm just so grateful that Michelle and I can still share so many laughs and soak in the Spirit together as we try to improve our lives.

My word for 2011

"All things are possible to him that believeth"

Mark 9:23

I think I have decided on my word for 2011:


BECOME




I want to become so many things.




I was considering my "word" for 2011 when I received the announcement for Time-Out For Women this year. This is a seminar put on for women by Deseret Book. I went to one last February on Hope and I was hooked! (Little did I know how much I would need that word to carry me through the year.) It was so spiritually uplifting and left me feeling good, not guilty. It made me want to do better and be more, yet enjoy every step of the learning process. It reminded me of those things that matter most. This year, when I read that the theme was Choose to Become, based off the scripture Mark 9:23, it just fit for me right now. I'm so excited to go to the conference and learn but until then, my head is swimming with all of the possibilities that I can work on, that I can become.

"This isn't about New Year's resolutions. This isn't about feeling guilty about not doing enough. This isn't about trying to do the thing you've tried to do a dozen times and failing again.

This is about BECOMING a little closer to the woman you are meant to be. And choosing one thing that will help you get there."

Doesn't that sound fabulous?? That is straight from the conference outline. And as I said, it just fit for me at this time in my life. I want to stop worrying and start living! I want to continue the journey that will lead me where I want to go. I feel like I have buried myself in worry, guilt, and regrets for the past several years. I want to forget that and be what and who I am meant to be... no matter what is happening around me. Does that mean I can just go into denial and ignore problems? Does it mean that I can shirk responsibilities and concentrate on only myself? Absolutely not! In fact, it means quite the contrary. The "me" that I want to be concentrates on others. Serves others. Yet finds happiness despite trials. In spite of the clouds, the light will always shine brighter. I want to feel that again so that I can become who Heavenly Father wants me to be.

I heard a poem by Karen Ravn that I love:

Only as high as I reach can I grow

Only as far as I seek can I grow

Only as deep as I look can I see

Only as much as I dream can I be

This year, I want to discover the possibilities...

A look-back on being "Proactive"

As you know, my "word" of focus for 2010 was PROACTIVE. As I look back on 2010 and evaluate how I did on accomplishing this goal, I am proud of my efforts. Despite some difficult circumstances and the year turning out differently than I had planned (as usual), I feel that I am learning to put the most important things first. Sometimes that means being surrounded by a messy house and chaos so that I can make a homemade dinner after work. Sometimes it means working late nights so that I can help my kids with something now. This is very hard for me in that I have to feel organized to be at peace. We live in a fast-paced, drive-in, get it now, do more-type world. There are always things to add to the to-do list and always someone to try and keep up with. But once again, I have been reminded what things are most important in my life - and that is my family. Are we perfect? Do we have family prayer and scripture study everyday? Family Home Evening every week? I wish!! But just the fact that I am trying, that I haven't given up, that I still want to - gives me hope. Although there is so much more I want to be, so much more I want to give my children and husband, and so much more I want to give the Lord, I am proud of myself for the efforts I have made. I haven't given up. I still believe in the importance of being proactive. I have tried being more organized so that I can be more proactive and plan opportunities for my family before time slips through my fingers. I continue to try. I still have a long ways to go but I am happy just that I am on the path. I feel I am more conscientious in my mothering, more deliberate, and because of that, more fulfilled. That is what I was striving for.

Perspective

I have been thinking about the trials of life alot lately. We all have them. Some are private, some are public. Some are personal, some are shared. Some have an end in sight and unfortunately, some are ongoing...and going...and going. But we all have them. This life is hard! It's supposed to be that way.

It never ceases to amaze me how 1 day, 1 event, 1 phone call can change our lives. And with those changes, comes instant perspective. Perspective about what matters most in our lives, about what we came to this earth to accomplish. When trials hit, suddenly all those things I used to worry about seem so silly -what we are going to eat for dinner, what time I have to get kids to ballet, soccer, or whatever, what I am going to wear to the Gala on Friday night (that I don't even want to go to, but have to for work) - all of this suddenly seems so unimportant. It is funny, though, how I seem to save a lot of money during these times as my life changes from reactive to reflective. (I'm trying to look at the good side :) As hard as difficult times can be, I am so thankful for them. They have made me who I am and who I am supposed to become. They make be want to try harder and be better.

When I decided on my word for 2010 - proactive - I had no idea how much that would mean. I thought it meant trying to be better and do more, to avoid letting life pass me by as I merely "survived" as a Mother. I wanted to plan ahead, work hard, and do great things! I wanted to have better Family Home Evenings, birthdays, more meaningful conversations with my children, be their listening ear and their shelter from the storm. I wanted to be proactive as a Mom so my children could look back on wonderful memories of their childhood and never wonder if I loved them or if they were the center of my universe. They would know! I wanted to do more than survive the chaos and busyness of this time of life, I wanted to enjoy the journey. Little did I know what the Lord had in store for me. I didn't know that he would "help" me in my quest to be a better Mom, to be proactive. I didn't know that being proactive would mean fighting to protect and lead my children. I didn't know it would mean teaching them that all, and I mean all that matters in this life is our family and our relationship with the Lord. Without that, we are nothing. It is why we are here. We must learn that what other people think of us or our family is not important, that whatever trials we may face, that the way through them is through the Spirit and through our relationship with our Father in Heaven. He is the one that can get us to where we need to be. He is the solution to our problems. So that is my quest. I am taking proactive to the next level. I'm not sure how. But I am going to rise to the occasion and be what I need to be for my family, whatever that is. It is worth the time, it is worth the effort, it is the only way to happiness and I know this to be true.

One word

I was given an great idea-instead of overwhelming yourself with numerous goals to follow throughout the year, decide on a single word that describes what you would like to focus on for that year. in my constant quest to do more, be better, accomplish goals, and yet simply my life, this was the perfect solution for me. i will, no doubt, still have specific items i want to accomplish along with lists to help me do that but for now, i will focus on a yearly "theme."

The word i have chosen for 2010 is PROACTIVE. So many things have led me to this word but particulary, a women's conference that i went to that made me realize even more, that i want to be the best mother and best person that i can be! So much of my life to this point has been been "putting out fires" and just "getting by." I have decided i want more. I don't want to wait until i have more time to do the things i want to do and be the person i want to be. The time is now. With my crazy life - working full-time, chasing (and driving) 3 kids around (well 2 now), church work, family time, piano lessons, ballet, football, soccer, dentist appointments, helping at school, etc., i realize that this will take planning on my part. i don't want to wait until the fires are burning. I want to be proactive, not reactive, so that life does not pass me by. I want to have time to actually enjoy the ride!