[love you]

I think this is such an appropriate topic for this month. LOVE. That's what this whole month is about.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

It's often easier to love other people more then yourself. Don't you agree?

Why can't we love ourselves more? I think its because we are too harsh with ourselves. We tell ourselves we aren't good enough or pretty enough, but of course we wouldn't tell that to anyone else.

As Uchtdorf says, "STOP IT."

...I've always had a strong feeling about one thing:

Beauty is in the heart. Not in the body. 
The world may portray it different but the world is wrong, because beauty will never be on the outside. God loves you just the way you are. He doesn't love/not love you because you are pretty or ugly. Your heart determines your true beauty.

Love the way Stephanie puts this, because it is SO true!

Love YOU right now. 
Because you are perfect the way you are. You are beautiful. You are loved. You are special. You are important. You are absolutely wonderful just the way you are. You have a beautiful heart. You are caring. You are unique. You are happy. You are strong. You are smart. You are inspiring. You are perfect.

Your probably thinking, "But it is SO hard for me to love myself." Pray for help. Its not easy to love, esp yourself. He will help you love yourself. Because He wants want is best for you. He wants to help you grow and become stronger. He wants YOU to be happy with you. He wants to help you gain self esteem. He wants to be happy in your own skin.

Loving yourself is so important for so many reasons. So do it. This month work on becoming less harsh with yourself & learn to love YOU. When you look in the mirror say at least 3 positive things to yourself. Mean it. If you can't find anything to say to your self that is positive then say this, "I am beautiful." Mean it. Because the more you say it it will come true. You will learn to love yourself. And when you do- your world will change.

[h a l e e]

5 Simple to Tips to Improve Your Life Today.

I've found that when I'm doing these five simple things my life is better and I am happier. Try them and tell me your not even a little bit happier. ;) Now remember I'm not claiming to be a happy expert or anything. These are just five things that I know make a big difference in my life, and I bet they would do the same to yours!

1.Reading & studying the scriptures daily. We all know how important this is. It is stressed on us so much. I can tell you that it works amazing wonders. I wrote a post earlier about how to better study your scriptures HERE. I look forward to my "study time" every night.

2. Saying meaningful prayers. This is also something is super important and that is stressed a lot too. But it brings tremendous blessings. Remember that saying, "If you want to speak to Heavenly Father PRAY, if you want him to talk to you, READ your scriptures." Who doesn't want someone to talk to that will listen, no matter what? Try it. Challenge it. It makes you day so much better.

3. Not judging or comparing. This is another life changer. Before you judge remember you have no idea what battle that person is going through. What does comparing do anyway? Hurts peoples self esteem... Just like President Utchdorf said, "STOP IT." This does take some time stop doing because its probably a habit, so try working on it, It will make you feel better about yourself and those around you, sounds like a win win to me!

4. Be grateful. Same here. When you start to become grateful for your challenges + all the wonderful blessings your Heavenly Father has given you, your life will turn around. Its turned mine around for sure! I also wrote a post about this HERE.

5. Serving others. "When you are in the service of your fellow beings you are only in the service of your God." Mosiah 2:17  Its so true. Your not worrying about this, doing something your not supposed to be doing. You are serving your God. And you will be blessed for it. + you become closer to your Savior. Try being more helpful around the house and playing with younger siblings.

If you aren't doing any of these {Or all but a couple} pick one, and try it for a week! See what happens. I know they have make a huge impact on my life, and I bet they will in yours too.

-EM

//Colossians 3:12-17//

I hope you are all having a wonderful week, going back to school and all! ;) Just think. Its half over now! YA!


I came across a passage of scripture while I was doing my Personal Progress (Divine Nature #6) & I absolutely LOVED it. Like it was so perfect. I understood it. It had everything I am striving to become listed in it. + It was easier to understand then Proverbs 31. (Not that I don't love that passage but this spoke to me more!)

+ This one could be for guys too. ;) This passages list it all so clear, makes scene, and it's everything an "Elect of God" would need to become.

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any : even as Christ forgave, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hears, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

I just love it so much. Don't you want to be the person listed in there?! I know I do!

Remember in D&C 25 when Emma Smith got called by God an "Elect Women." She must have possessed all of these qualities to be called that. + many more! I hope and pray that I can become half the lady she was. She went through so much, and yet continued to hold fast to what she knew to be right.

• holy & beloved
• bowels of mercies
• kindness
• humbleness of mind
• meekness
• longsuffering
• forbearing (not holding a grudge, patient)
• forgiving
• charity (pure love of Christ)
• peace of God
• thankful
• word of Christ dwell in you
• teaching
• singing with grace
• glory to God

I think we can all become an "Elect of God" if we will work towards it. Maybe each week you can take one of these, study it, and try to better develop it. (Just think what you could accomplish in a year, and the person you could become!)

I love and will probably memorize this passage because it is who I want to become. I hope you will join me in become a Colossians 3 woman too!

//halee {aka EM}

NEW YEAR. NEW YOU.

2015 is HERE! I hope you all had a wonderful 2014 and I wish all of you a better 2015!

{I wanted to post this before the new year so you have time think about your goals & resolutions.}

Each new year just like a new beginning should be started with some goals and dreams. We all want each year to be better than last. We all think about things we want to change & make different so lets write them down & get started on the NEW YOU because after all it IS a new year. New year. New you.

The definition of goal according to http://www.merriam-webster.com/ is
goal: something that you are trying to do or achieve

The definition of resolution also from Merriam-Webster Dictionary
res-o-lu-tion: the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc. :the act of resolving something :the act of determining 

Make a couple of goals/resolutions. I know sometimes it can be hard to come up with some so here are some you can think & pray about:

• being more Christlike- choose an attribute to develop better this year.
• finishing Personal Progress (Post about this coming soon!)
• read your scriptures daily
• say more detailed prayers
• journal more (Post about this too! soon!)
• read more
• try harder in school
• save more money
• exercise & eat healthier
• keep room cleaner
• serve more
• give more compliments
• smile more
• prepare to serve a mission
• use time more wisely
• live in the moment

Try hard to achieve them. Set reminders so you won't forget through out the year. Place a list somewhere where you will see it often. Tell your friends and family so they can help you. Do not forget to pray for help. Remember He is always there to help you, and He WANTS to help you.

Remember not to set your self up to fail.  Don't make SO many that you forget or it's overwhelming. Or something super hard that you may not be able to finish. Now I'm not telling you to not set high goals and achieve them. I'm telling you to consider your goals and resolutions before- make sure that you can achieve them and that you want too. Set as many as you feel is possible.

In the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet under Work and Self-Reliance it says:

"Set high goals for yourself, and be willing to work hard to achieve them. Develop self-discipline, and be dependable. Do your best in your Church callings, schoolwork, employment, and other worthwhile pursuits. Young men [and young women] should be willing to do what is needed to be prepared to serve a full-time mission. Heavenly Father has given you gifts and talents and knows what you are capable of achieving. Seek His help and guidance as you work to achieve your goals."

Have a Happy 2015! Can you believe it's almost 2015 because I can't !? Share your resolutions & goals in the comments- I love to hear from you!

-EM

Decisions Determine Destiny.

Every choice you make will either bring you one step closer or one step (or many) father away from your dreams & your future. We all have dreams and goals that we want to fulfill but in order to do so we must make the right choices. So lets all "Try a little harder to be a little better" {Gordon B. Hinkley} Lets all make some better choices to help us accomplish our goals & dreams in this life.

Thomas S Monson said it the best :"Decisions Determine Destiny."

We made lots & lots of decisions every day. Some big most little. But lets stop & think about ONE situation: You decided to cheat on your math test. So now you need to go tell the teacher, make it right, repent, all that. So you get stressed and worried about how and when to tell her & forget that you have a major English test tomorrow. You cant go to sleep because you so worried. So now you fail you English test. Now your grounded from you iPod so you can't post on your Mormon Instagram account and that one follower that depends on your posts to get through your day & so she has a terrible day!

Do you see where I am going? Just by making the choice to cheat on your math test you failed your English test! Now I'm not trying to say that if you cheat on you math test that you will fail your English test, I'm just trying to point out that one choice could could effect many things & many people.

We never know how that choice will effect us and our future, and WHO it will effect. Sometimes we don't think that our choices will effect other people but they really do.

Stop & think for a moment: If I                     (insert something there. smoking, drinking, cheating, dating this guy...etc) how would that effect my family, friends, relatives, {future}children or spouse, and my eternity? 

So next time you need to make a choice remember that "Decisions Determine Destiny." And that they not only could effect you but they could effect others- some you may not even realize.  Now remember:

 So try a little harder to make better choices. You want to make your Heavenly Father proud don't you?! When you need to make a big one or don't know what do do remember that you can always pray for help. 

-EM

Being Grateful

Being thankful is so important. Many of the apostles and prophets have said that being grateful is so so so important. Here is some proof:

"And in nothing doth man offend God, or against non is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments." D&C 59:21

"Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessing but, it also unlocks the doors of Heaven and helps us feel God's loves." Thomas S. Monson

I could go on and on with quotes and scriptures about how important being grateful is. (I have more quotes & scriptures about being grateful on my Instagram. And some coming soon!) 

I think all of those are pretty self explanatory... who would have thought being ungrateful could be so bad but yet when we are it brings so many blessings. 

This week we celebrate a great holiday- Thanksgiving. This day/week should be much more than the big feast, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, no school or work...etc. It should be a time where we reflect on how blessed we are, and time to show this gratitude that we have for Him. I think this is a very important holiday and I think it should be way more than the good food and company, but a time to show thanks to your loved ones, to remember all that he has done for us.

So how do we do that...one way to show gratitude is by not complaining. And doing things with a good attitude. Trust ME. I know how hard this is. But instead of complaining that we have to do something why don't we just thank God for the opportunity we have to do that-that we CAN do it. He has given us many opportunities to show him how grateful we are to him and all he does for us.

Spend a little extra time telling him how grateful you are for all that he has given us. Spend an extra five minutes expressing gratitude to Him this week. It will be worth it I promise!

Another way to help you show gratitude is my making a gratitude journal. Write one thing a day you a grateful for. Just think how cool it will be to look back on after 100 days!

Being grateful is something that can be easily done but is often not or found too hard to do. But when we make it a habit we will be blessed for it. Even when it seems like there is absolutely nothing to be grateful for I promise you there IS something to be grateful for. 

Think about this: If you are reading this then that means you can read. That's something to be grateful for. Many people would love the opportunity to be able to read. You should be very grateful to the person or people who taught you how to read!

If your your reading this than you have access to the internet. That's also some that a lot of people don't even know about. Which means your a lot richer than a lot of people in the world.

If your reading this then you can probably see. Which is a pretty cool thing.

If you are reading this then you probably know of your loving Savior Jesus Christ and your Heavenly Father. Which is AMAZING. You should be so grateful that you have the opportunity to know-to get to know them.

I saw this newspaper clipping once (I posted it not to long ago on Instagram) and it said things to the effect of : That pile of laundry means you have clothes to wear. Those dirty dishes mean that you have food to put on them. Like how cool is that? Go read it if you need some encouragement.

You may have to look a little harder but if you try you can find lots of things to be grateful for.

Try a be a little more grateful this week!

Happy Thanksgiving! 
Love EM.

Now.

Now is the time to start studying and reading your scriptures daily.

Now is the time to start learning.

Now is the time to spend more time with the people you love.

Now is the time to be that blogger. ;)

Now is the time to write a book.

Now is the time to start preparing to go to the temple.

Now is the time to get healthy....etc. etc. etc.

Now is the time to become who you were meant to be. Who Heavenly Father created you to be.

Now is the time to do what you know what you need to be doing. Not next year. Not when someone makes you do it. Not when someone says something. BUT NOW. Right now. Today. 

We do not know when our time on this Earth is up. Or when the Savior is coming. But we do know that when we stand in front of our Heavenly Father that we want to be able to tell him that we did everything we could to follow ALL his commandments. And I know that can and will be hard, but with his help we can do it. {I can do all things through Christ. ~Philippians 4:12} 

So stop and make a list. What are some things in your life that you need to change to become the person you need and want to become? Some of those may include:

•reading and studying my scriptures more. (post coming on this soon!)

•loving everybody!

•eating healthier 

•trying harder on school work 

•praying more sincerely

•preparing to be a missionary

•etc. etc. etc.

This list could go on and on. And that's okay. We all have things we could work on. 

Now take this list and choose 1 or 2 things (depending on what they are) and make a goal to try harder to do those things. Work on them for a week. Put reminders on your phone, put something in your locker, write it on your mirror- somewhere where you will see it often. 

Then after a week evaluate how you've done. Need to work on one more? Put it on next weeks list. Have you done great on the others? Fabulous. Move on to something else. Setting goals is a great way to become a better person. But remember that a goal not written done is merely a wish. (anybody know who said that?..)

Don't get discouraged if these goals are taking longer that you'd like. Some take time and that's okay. The quote says "becoming." Not being. You have to work at being better. You have to try harder everyday! Little by little. You can't do it alone so remember to pray and ask for help. I love this quote by David A. Bednar. Its such a great reminder. I loved it so much. When you get discouraged just remember this wonderful quote.

We will never be perfect. But we need to try harder each day to be better- a more Christlike person because that is our goal in this life-to grow and become better person so we can make it back to him again. {Try a little harder to be a little better. ~Gordon B. Hinckley}

Do it now. Because you never know when you'll be too late. 

Please leave a comment on how you liked this post or ideas for the next one! I LOVE getting comments!!

Love EM