To Live With Gratitude In Our Hearts = Heaven.

When life is really good and time seems to come to a standstill of goodness I often say, "This is just like Heaven" I want those beautiful overwhelmingly blessed moments in my life on a daily basis. However, I tend to be a very honest person... Let's face the facts here people...moments like that don't just happen. It's an attitude.  This is the time of year when people tend to reflect more frequently upon their blessings and the insurmountable tender mercies from our Heavenly Father.  Yet, it is so easy to become caught up in the things that we don't have and plans that haven't turned. We can become lost, our light can become dim, and we can really feel depressed and take on a "why me" attitude instead of an "attitude of gratitude".

President Monson said, "When we encounter challenges and problems in our lives, it is often difficult for us to focus on our blessings. However, if we reach deep enough and look hard enough, we will be able to feel and recognize just how much we have been given."

My life has been a very REAL challenge this year. Not any overwhelming "bad thing", but every little thing has seemed SO much harder. I feel like it has been never ending problems, yet when I reach deep, and look hard... a change of heart happens.  I think it is best summed up in a recent journal entry- let me share.

"10.28.14- I keep trying to understand why Heavenly Father has me in a particular place in my life. I guess it never occurred to me I don't need to understand- but to have faith that He knows what he is doing and sees a bigger picture. It's been really hard to just be living in a basement apartment but he must know I would fly the coop if I were able and so he made it financially impossible to do so. I find myself tonight so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who keeps telling me and showing me, "NO! The time is not now." No matter how much I pressure Him. I feel so fortunate to be His daughter and witness His power in my life. One day, I'll look at this trial and say, "Oh my, I didn't get it and you are a very loving Heavenly Father. XOXO- Aly Ann" 

When this happened it was clear to me the blessings of being in my current situation. It didn't feel like a burden or un rewarded effort. I felt so much gratitude for my Heavenly Father, and all those who are in my life helping me and encouraging me. "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. My brothers and sisters, to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven. -President Thomas Monson"

To touch Heaven... This is a wonderful season, and yet if you look for the problems of the world and poor circumstances of your life, you are going to find them. "This is a wonderful time to be on earth. While there is much that is wrong in the world today, there are many things that are right and good. There are marriages that make it, parents who love their children and sacrifice for them, friends who care about us and help us, teachers who teach. Our lives are blessed in countless ways. -President Thomas Monson"

I hope that if you are feeling run down, depressed, un loved, maybe even dark and lost, that you can kneel down in prayer and express your feelings to your Heavenly Father. He knows you, He loves you, and He wants you to recognize all the blessings in your life- one by one. Take some time to write down all those blessings that come to your mind this month. Share your feelings of gratitude with others and for others- for the little things they do for you each day.  By doing so I testify that your light will intensify, happiness will abound, and others will be drawn to you and lifted by your example. 

Monthly Challenge: 

Make a list of things you are grateful for and display it where you can see it. Share on social media with hastags #soulfulBsisterhood #intensifyyourlight #gratitude #sharegoodness

Weekly Challenge: 

Kneel down and sincerely ask for Heavenly Father to help you cultivate in your heart and attitude of gratitude. Then more freely express gratitude to others for the blessings they bring to your life. 

XOXO- Alyssa 

Intensify Your Light with Gratitude!

Sometimes hard things pile up

and dealing with all of it at once

makes me stressed out and just grumpy.

I remember one morning waking up

in a very grumpy mood.

Things were just not going my way that week.

I was tired.

I was tired of being tired.

I got dressed and went to meet

Britt at the gym for our daily workout.

All I did was grumble and complain.

Then my fabulous sister
reminded me of a truth I knew,
but had forgotten.

The best cure for a bad day
or rough trials is GRATITUDE!
She challenged me to fill my
day with gratitude.
Every time I wanted to complain or grumble
I instead expressed gratitude for something
in my life.
At first it was hard,
but as I got farther in the day
my mood got better and better
and by the end of the day
my heart was so full of gratitude
there was no more room
for the yucky thoughts I had been feeling!

It also did something amazing!
I was able to throw out all the yucky thoughts
and be reminded of my 
SOULFUL BRILLIANCE!
I could see myself, my life,
and my soul purpose
better than ever!
GRATITUDE helped me to
INTENSIFY MY LIGHT!

I know that as each of us
expresses gratitude
we can see ourselves as Heavenly Father sees us.
We can take the light we've begun to see in ourselves,
and INTENSIFY it into something brighter!

In Doctrine and Covenants 78: 19 says,

"And he who recieveth all things with 
thankfulness shall be made glorious;..."

I know the truth of this statement.
The more grateful we are for
the little things we DO have,
the more we are strengthened
to withstand the fiery darts of Satan.
We are also better able to be happy
and joyful in our lives as they are.
One of the most important things
gratitude does for us is help us
see the brilliance and light
that our Heavenly Father
blessed us with.

Dear sisters, I hope and pray
that as you are able to work towards
filling your days with gratitude,
you will remember to be kind to yourself!
As you are more kind to yourself
and express more gratitude,
you will be able to
INTENSIFY YOUR LIGHT!

We may not be perfect,
but that is one of the amazing
things about the Atonement of the Savior.
He will enable us with his Grace
to become strong through our weakness.

I know He loves each of us individually!
I know that as we turn our hearts to thanks,
He will bless us with more than we ever imagined!

November Challenge

Our challenge for you this month is to start a list.
Start a list of all the little and big things
 you have to be grateful for in your life.
Post your list somewhere where you can
see in frequently and be reminded of all that
Heavenly Father blesses you with!
If you are feeling very adventurous,
post a picture of what you are grateful for
 on Facebook or Instagram!
Use the Hashtags:
 #soulfulbsisterhood
#gratitude
#intensifyyourlight
#sharegoodness

luvz,
Meg:0)

Don't Quit

This past month had some pretty down to earth situations that we all come in contact with at some point in time and I wanted to share some thoughts on the matter. 

So many times in my life I have been in situations where things are going great and I couldn't ask for more. Then someone comes along and puts me in a position that makes me feel inadequate or incapable of performing to the level I know I can. It's happened in sports, schooling, relationships, and many more areas of my life. Each time I listen to what they say and it eventually takes hold of my beliefs and makes me feel less than I am. But that stops now and not just for me but for all of us.

 There is always going to be that one person in your life that will make/has made you feel miserable in the past, present, and/or future. They are going to try and snuff your light out because they don't want you to shine. Don't let them! You are amazing and your light needs to be seen and felt. You have so much to offer this world just by being you. You don't have to be a supermodel, a stay at home mom, a businesswoman, the craftiest girl on the block, or whatever is the "popular thing". You be the woman that God created you to be and use what he gave you to shine brighter than the sun. Don't know what your talents, special qualities, or amazing gifts are? All you need to do is pray to your loving Heavenly Father and he will help you not only recognize your talents but provide opportunities to use them. 

There will always be people that will try to put out your light but nothing rings truer than what Elder Holland said in a previous conference talk. "Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead" (October 1999). 

My challenge is to come out of the darkness. Come out from behind those false statements and thoughts that people have said to you or about you. Let yourself shine and don’t be afraid of what they will say. You have the Lord on your side and that is more than enough to rise above any adversity.  I know that you are amazing and will do great things.  And if you fall... "Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead." -Elder Holland.

More Light

"You know, you do a disservice to all the women around you by doing so much. You know that you make them feel inadequate as they try to measure up to you." Those words were spoken to me as I sat waiting for church to start. He was only trying to encourage me to slow down and take care of myself, but those words hurt, and they made me want to dim my light and hold back from sharing the talents I have to bless the lives of others. They also fueled my post, something I was waiting for my Heavenly Father to help me with all week. 

I used to be in the same boat as many of you. I thought my talents had to be seen to be "talents". I thought if I wasn't the best pianist, singer, or some other showy talent, I had no talents. Divinely this is just NOT the case. Our loving Heavenly Father has placed in each of us talents that are worth so much MORE than we can understand, and talents that he uses to direct his work. 

I happen to pray for a few things nearly every day. Yes it's kind of routine in word but extremely heartfelt and pure, and I feel it's the reason I even exist. I pray that I can listen to the spirit and act promptly, that I can find those people in my life who need to feel his love, and that I can be His hands and serve those who are asking for his help. 

He answers my prayers because I have been blessed with being able to use my talents to be His hands countless times.(which others may see as doing "too much") I go and do what the spirit prompts me to do, I serve with all my mind, might, and heart, and I have watched miracles happen as I have been allowed to use my talents in a way He directs and desires.

It's not that I am trying to "do a disservice" to those women around me, or make them feel "inadequate". It is that I have realized the talents my Heavenly Father has given me and I have gone to work! It is amazing what we are able to accomplish as women when we ask for His help. We can DO SO MUCH MORE when we shine our light and use our talents. Truth is our Heavenly Father needs us to use those talents that is why he has given them to us.

Kenneth Kope's More Lyrics are perfect for this week as we think of what MORE we could do with our talents. Even better if you have the time, listen to it HERE. It's powerful. (I'll post the lyrics at the end of the post)

I know it feels at times that we have nothing MORE to give. That we can do no MORE. I testify that as we use our God given talents, and pray that we might be His hands, we will be the cause of much goodness-even miracles. By shining our lights, and with His help, we can do so much MORE in bringing the light to others. 

With Love, 

Alyssa

Monthly challenge: work on recognizing your light. Write down the talents that you have put it up on your wall or mirror so you see it every day.  Add to your list throughout the month as you recognize your light.

Weekly challenge: Get on your knees, and with your list of talents tell Heavenly Father you want to do MORE with them, ask that you might be His hands and be led to those who need your light.

MORE

More steady, more sure

More trusted, more pure

Some say it doesn’t matter

More trained and more aware

More aim to get me there

I climb this far

You raise the bar

You want my heart

 CHORUS:

More fierce desire

To stand against the wind

More blazing fire

When dark is closing in

More love inspired change within

So there’s more and more of me to give

More words to learn and know

More etched upon my soul

Some say it doesn’t matter

More tried, more true

Less me, and much more You

I stretch this tall

You sound the call

You want my all

REPEAT CHORUS

You keep reaching out—You’re calling out to me for

More strengthened shoulders

To face the war with sin

More wise and bolder

To save the souls of men

A more faithful soldier to the end

You want more and more of me to give

More and more of me to give

More love, more light, more purpose, more serve with all my might

I need more hope, more faith, more patience, each day I pray for more

More and more of me to give

More fire, more zeal, more spirit to know what’s real

More courage, more joy, more, more and more of me to give

More grateful, more true, more humble to trust and do

You call, I hear

I’ll walk the path that’s set in stone

My heart is fixed on getting home

And what on earth could ever matter more?

More and more of me to give

More

Let your light so shine

This month is about recognizing our light. When it comes to recognizing my light I feel like it is a continuing growth process. I found that growth process accelerated about 2 years ago as I surrounded myself with like minded people. As I chipped away at the layers of caked on mud some brilliant light began to shine.  I became aware of my talents and how my light was showing up for me and others around me. I know now that to recognize and use my light is to recognize and honor my Father in Heaven. I have also found that as I hold gratitude for my talents I’m able to stretch and grow new talents.

My Father in Heaven wants me to share and stretch my light and as I do he will use my talents to touch and serve others. You never know how you will serve others as you recognize your light. The Lord wants us to rediscover our divine light because as we do we become valuable instruments in his hands to share and spread his light.   

Monthly challenge: work on recognizing your light. Write down the talents that you have put it up on your wall or mirror so you see it every day.  Add to your list throughout the month as you recognize your light.

Weekly challenge: allow yourself to just say thank you. Don’t try and weasel your way out of the complement just simply say thank you. It will change you I promise that you will recognize more of the light within you as you simply own your talent and your beauty.

Namaste,
Britt 

Recognize Your Light

I had been working hard
to learn to love myself.
I had started eating good foods,
exercising regularly,
and studying the Gospel.
It was a hard road.
Then one day I found
a scripture in Mosiah 4:30,

"But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish.  And now, O man, remember, and perish not."

I had read this scripture so many times.
I had never considered needing to
watch my thoughts and words
about myself.
It started to make sense.
I looked at the path that had
brought me to this place in my life
and noticed that it was the thoughts
and words I had been telling myself
that had led me to limiting beliefs
about myself and my life.
That I wasn't good enough.
That I wasn't pretty enough.
That I was a failure.
These thoughts and so many more
had bee swirling around in my head
for so long that I had started believing
them and had started living as if they were true.

Finding this scripture was a wake up call.
I know the Holy Ghost was trying to teach
me something very important.
That the thoughts I think
and the words I say about myself
needed to be watched.
And if I didn't watch them
I was going to perish
physically,
emotionally,
spiritually.
I wasn't going to be able
to develop my light.
I wasn't going to be able
to live the life Heavenly Father
 needed me to live.

That night I hung this scripture up on my mirror
and worked day and night to better watch
my thoughts and words about myself.
I started to chip away at the dark
negative thoughts surrounding my brilliance
and started letting my light out.
That was the night I truly stepped into
the path of discovering my Soulful Brilliance.
I started gathering proof all around me
that I was enough!
That I was beautiful inside and out.
That I was a successful daughter of God!

The better I did at this the more I was able
to see the brilliance Heavenly Father created me with.
I started to recognize the ME God created me to be!
I discovered that that brilliance was made up
of hundreds of the tiny points of light.
When they came together,
the light was blinding.
The light was a beacon.
A beacon of hope to many people.
Heavenly Father used my newly rediscovered brilliance
to draw people to me.
People who only I could help
with the gifts he had given me.

All those tiny points of light,
were gifts and talents He had blessed me with!
So many times I hear people say
they don't have any talents.
Perhaps they are looking for
obvious talents like playing an instrument
or making people laugh
or being an amazing artist.

This month I would like to encourage
each of us (myself included) to look deeper!
Moroni has said,
"...deny not the gifts of God, for they are many..."
(Moroni 10:8).

There are so many gifts from our Heavenly Father.
The gift of teaching.
The gift of a testimony.
The gift of comforting others.
The gift of faith.
The gift of healing.
The gift to be healed.
And so many more!

Heavenly Father is willing to help us
discover our gifts and talents.
He wants us to know what they are
so we can use them to build the
Kingdom!

There are people out there
who only you can help,
but if you don't see your
gifts and talents you may miss
the opportunity to help them.

This month the Soulful B Sisterhood would like to challenge you
to start a list of your gifts and talents--the tiny points of light that
make up your Soulful Brilliance!
Start with one or two, hang your list where you can see it often,
and add to it throughout the month!

Some good places to go to find your light:
-your patriarchal blessing
-pray for revelation from Heavenly Father
-ask your sisterhood!
-look at others gifts and talents and see if you can see them in yourself

I know that as we see more of the light
inside ourselves, we will shine brighter
and be able to assist and serve others around us.
Heavenly Father is waiting for us to ask, discover and use
the light He created us with.
So let's start discovering!

Please post pictures of your path of discovery
and your gifts and talents on Facebook and Instagram,
using the hashtags #recognizeyourlight
and #soulfulbsisterhood!

Luvz,
Meg

They Did Have Light Continually....

Megan has graciously allowed me to add my introductory post this week (two weeks late). 

My name is Nancy and I have the honor of being the matriarch to this Soulful “B” Sisterhood. I am 52 years old and Megan and Elizabeth are my daughters. Alyssa is my daughter-in-law but I think of her more as my own daughter. Brittnee and Mikenzy are my nieces.  

A Book of Mormon prophet, who we refer to as the Brother of Jared, took some clear stones to the Lord in prayer. He said, “And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea.” (Ether 3:4). The Lord then touched the stones which then provided light to all the people especially during darkness and storm.

The prophet then wrote, “And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them; and they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water.

These beautiful women that I share this sisterhood with have been such lights to me. I have had some growth opportunities over the years that could have broken me and although I know that mothers are supposed to light the way for children during such storms, it was these brilliant rays of light that created a path for me to safely follow.

Megan – A beacon of light – I have often referred to her as being “born old.” She came instilled with wisdom and light from her infancy. She is immensely loving and nonjudgmental. Her light is so beautiful and bright that it draws you to her just so you can feel its warmth on your face. I particularly love to watch the faces of children light up when she addresses them. She has a smile that lights every dark corner and reminds you that God is there! She is “a beacon upon the top of the mountain, and as an ensign on a hill.”

Brittnee – A light in dark places – I have always loved Brittnee as if she were my own daughter. She found a way to always be strong during difficult circumstances. Family is always first with her. She leads with love and over the past few years, as she has found her center, her leadership has strengthens us all and led us out of dark corners. She has this infectious smile that makes you feel like you are the most important person in the world when you’re around her. She is forgiving and generous and always looks for the good in people.  “Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:”

Alyssa – A light of charity – There are just not words to express my feelings for this angel of light. I wonder how I could be so blessed as to have our circles intersect. She is my light of service. She is always giving all she has and when she gives it is nothing but her best. I have never met anyone more able to maximize every minute of her life for goodness and light. More than once my dimming flame was reignited with the blaze of her light. I am so blessed. “But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with her.”

MIkenzy – A light full of smiles – She is a bright light, continually burning, looking for small ways to make a big difference. She simply loves everything and everyone “that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.” She is patient and kind and I have seen that patience bear miraculous fruit and tasted of its sweetness. I am so blessed to feel the warmth of her smile. 

 

Elizabeth (more commonly y known as Beth) – A light of meekness – “But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” Do you ever watch animals and children and how they are drawn to certain people? Elizabeth is one with that gift. All you really know is that you need to stand in her light. She doesn’t flaunt it. She doesn’t advertise. She just is!  She looks inward to find her center and then stands firmly rooted in truth creating this beautiful life you can look to for strength in the storms.

As you can see, I am so blessed to share light with these amazing women in my life! I challenge you to look at those closest to you and define one aspect of each one’s light and how it has enhanced your own. My life has been greatly blessed through rubbing shoulders with such brilliance and I am so much more than I was because of it. 

Picture by CORE Glow Driveways