boho bash

i was invited to the most wonderful gathering last night... my friend debra threw a "boho bash" for some of her closest friends and family. it was such an amazing night and i felt so blessed to have been a part of it. the evening was a chance for us to build each other up, to discuss how we all knew each other and are connected and what we like about each other. in short, why we are "spectacular"



as human beings, and especially as women, i know it is often hard to take a compliment. but hearing someone close to you tell you why they love you and what is special about it, was such a wonderful thing and an awesome confidence boost. i left feeling really good about myself and inspired to do more good things, especially boosting those around me!

debra put together this incredible grazing platter, which was absolutely perfect, so many options for me, with fruit, veggies and even some dairy free chocolate (yay!). we all ate our fill and then talked the night away. what a blessing to be amongst friends and friends of friends. ♥

we even got a little take home gift, a frame with this gorgeous quote printed in it.
"she woke up every morning with the option of  being anyone she wished... how beautiful it was that she always chose herself. - tyler kent white"

my favourite talk of all time

when i was a teenager, a friend of mine had a piece of paper in her scriptures, on which she had hand written the second and third paragraphs of the following: 

A few years ago, we knew our Elder Brother and our Father in heaven well. We rejoiced at the upcoming opportunity for earth life that could make it possible for us to have a fullness of joy like they had. We hardly wait to demonstrate to our Father and our Brother, the Lord, how much we loved them and how we would be obedient to them in spite of the earthly opposition of the evil one.

And now we’re here—our memories are veiled—and we’re showing God and ourselves what we can do. And nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar his face is to us. And then, as President Brigham Young said, we’re going to wonder why we were so stupid in the flesh.

God loves us. He’s watching us, he wants us to succeed, and we’ll know someday that he has not left one thing undone for the eternal welfare of each of us. If we only knew it, there are heavenly hosts pulling for us—friends in heaven that we can’t remember now, who yearn for our victory. This is our day to show what we can do— what life and sacrifice we can daily, hourly, instantly bring to God. If we give our all, we will get his all from the greatest of all.

- President Ezra Taft Benson of the Council of the Twelve. Brigham Young University Devotional Address, December 10, 1974

i honestly can't remember a time that i have felt more aware of why we are here and where we are going, and to  who we are going, than the day i read that quote. i copied in down and put it in my scriptures and often read it, especially when i was having a particularly bad day.

years passed, the internet became a thing, and i googled the talk to find out if there was more of it that i was missing... and the whole thing was great! a friend happened to share the part above on facebook this week, so i felt like i should share it here. (you can read the entire thing by clicking here) i can't wait for the day i get to see my father in heaven again... and i'm hoping i'm not too stupid in the flesh while i attempt to give my all ♥

you don't have to

i saw this quote online this week and i was so impressed by it. a simple sentence, that really meant so much more. it's no secret that i find it hard to let go of things and lately i have been really trying to focus on what's important in my life and by so doing, stay out of the dramas in others. i have been choosing not to attend arguments that i have been invited to in the past, that have continued on and choosing to not begin new ones... and the harder i am trying, the easier it is becoming. 

sometimes, we all just need a little reminder.

think

i have often heard people say that when they are given a speaking assignment in church that it's something they really need to work on in their own life. yet again, this was the case - and i found myself with "let us oft speak kind words" handed to me. sigh. upon researching the topic as best as i could, i came across this golden piece of advice on pinterest on someone's board aptly titled "let us oft speak kind words" and oh did it make me think. everytime i go to say something now it goes through my head - which of course is a good thing, so i am very glad that i found it. maybe it will help me in the future to say much better things. one could only hope - as quite often i am convinced that i only open my mouth to change feet.