Everything I Need to Know, I Really DID Learn in Kindergarten.

I started this post when life was a little "cray-cray" and I decided to come back to it now that I am back in the land of the living. Forgive me for being absent for so long, dear readers! Now, without further ado...

I've been in a weird place, stuck between moving on and holding on. I recently graduated with my Bachelor's of Elementary Education, moved in with my mom, and began my career as a fifth-grade teacher. All of this within, like, 10 days. You think I am joking, but I'm not.

With so many things up in the air, I am striving to stick on the sunny side and count my blessings. Number 1: Hello?! I have a job already! How awesome is that? Number 2: I have a myriad of possibilities that lie ahead of me.

There is always hope for the future. Of course, there are so many blessings I could name, but for time and space, I will narrow it down to those two big ones.

Having graduated from college, I have been reflecting a lot on my experience over these six years. Yes, I really was in college for six years. I took two years off to serve a mission, and I don't regret that it set me back a bit, because the stuff I learned while I was out have changed and enriched my life so much. The things I have learned up to this point in my life have turned out to be precisely those things Mrs. Remus tried to teach us on that huge, multi-colored rug back in '93:

Things you learn in Kindergarten (and in Life!):

1. The world is big and you are a part of it.

     Remember to bloom where you are planted. Make a difference where you are, now.


2. Sometimes you can't always have what you want when you want it.

    So, there. Learn to be patient. It is, as they say, a virtue.


3. To make friends, you have to be a friend.

     People don't like to be around people who are gloomy attention-seekers.


4. Sad things happen once in a while, and you are strong enough to cope with them.

    Yes, you really are! You're amazing and strong and powerful, no matter how you may feel at the time.


5. There is so much to learn and do in life, so don't waste your time.

     Focus on the important stuff. Don't be lazy. Get out and experience it all.


6. Play is an essential part of your growth, inside and out.

   Do what you love and life will treat you well!

Following TRUTH: Who Needs Google When You've Got God?

I begin this post with a question. Have you ever been confused about which path you are supposed to take in life? How to fulfill your dreams? How to distinguish what is not right for you from what is?

People always say, "Follow your heart!" That's the way to find true happiness, right? I would like to recommend something else, keeping in mind that this is strictly my opinion only, based on my life experiences: 

Follow TRUTH.

 Don't just follow your heart, for the heart can deceive. Being the imperfect, hardhearted beings we are, the heart on it's own can change. The mind on it's own can change. Let your heart work together with your mind and the Spirit to discern truth- the truth that God would have you live. (a)

God gives us directions all throughout our lives. He wants us to be continuously seeking Him, rather than asking once for guidance and never asking again. Just because He helps us to feel that one decision is right for where you are at in your life right now doesn't mean that that decision will be right for the rest of your life. You have to continue to ask if it's right. A time may come when you are ready to move on, and when it will no longer be right for you. He wants us to keep moving forward, not simply take a step in the right direction and stay there. What good does that do us? We must keep making steps in the right direction!

Example: Time and time again, I have begun dating someone, feeling that it is the right thing because I feel a prompting that it is right. So I take it and begin to follow that road. But after a while, it doesn't feel quite right anymore and I begin to have other desires (as far as the type of person I want to be in a relationship with). I feel confused at how I can think that God wanted me to date that person because I felt a sure feeling of rightness. But I have come to realize that maybe God guided me to that person not so that I could end up with him forever, but so that I could learn specific things from him that I needed to make me a better person, and then to continue on to better things. I know that sounds harsh, or that I think that I'm too good for those I have dated already, but the same can be said on their sides. I know I have gone out with guys, then shortly afterward they find their wives. So I was the last stepping stone on that particular path for him. Great, glad I could help! Glad we could help each other...


In my case, had I simply followed my heart, I would have had to be stuck with someone I didn't really want to be with for eternity. That's no fun.

People, God is truly amazing. He knows who He wants us to become someday. He knows who WE want us to become someday. I think to myself that who He wants me to be is probably a way better person than who I want to become- at least who I think I want to become. Is this making any sense? I know God has His own plan for my life and how it's all gonna go down. I know that He is right now, at this very moment, planning experiences that will be for my ultimate benefit, good or bad, big or small. My job is to seek His truth.

But where do I find it? For one thing, God has given us the scriptures, such as the Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. These sacred books are of such great value in my life, and I can feel a daily dosage of the Spirit every time I read and ponder upon them. We are also incredibly blessed to have a living prophet and twelve apostles on the earth today, just as existed in the times of Jesus Christ. They speak to the world frequently, offering divine guidance and little bits of encouragement that bring me more more peace than anything else I can find on the internet or on the television.

And when all else fails, we can find comfort in knowing that we have access to the ultimate source- our Heavenly Father. I have come to understand that He is the best Father EVER! Seriously. I think of my dad. He loves me so much and I know that he would do anything for me. If I needed him to travel to the end of the world and back for me, I know he wouldn't think twice about doing it. If my dad here on Earth loves me so unconditionally, and he is an imperfect person, how much more does my Father in Heaven, who is infinitely perfect, love me? It's amazing to realize. He is also a true friend. He just wants to hear from us, and He wants to answer our questions.

PRAYER= waaaaay better than Google. 

Just remember, God directs you to certain paths for His own purposes. I recently hear the hymn, "God Moves in a Mysterious Way". To be honest, I was never very interested in this hymn. But this time, some of the lyrics jumped out at me. It was like I'd been asleep in the dark and someone suddenly flipped on the light! I'd like to repeat them for you now:

"The clouds which ye so much dread are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head...His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour. The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower."

I drew a whole lot of comfort from these words. I know they are true. Use your experiences for good. Trust that God has His purposes. Keep making steps in the right direction, and be ready to change direction if- no, when- the storms come. When those dark clouds gather, have patience and know that everything will turn out alright. And always, always, look for the best. (b)

Scripture References:
a. Helaman 12:4
b. 3 Nephi 22:11

A Force for Good

I have been thinking a lot lately about this word:

Potential.

We all have it. Most of us don't fully realize our own, nor do we live up to it. That's a sad truth, but I believe it can change.

You have no idea  of the enormous potential you have for good! You can turn someone's day completely around with something as simple as a smile! You can help bring someone out of their own gloominess by starting a conversation.

Recently I have been participating in Project 365Aware (See more info at project365aware.tumblr.com.), which was started by a friend of mine to motivate people to reach out to strangers and to make a difference. As I have taken on the challenge of getting to know a stranger every day, I have felt myself begin to feel happier and to hope for a better world- one that hearkens to the past when people actually spoke to each other, rather than texting and tweeting.A world where we can truly trust one another!

Have you ever watched the show from the 90's, "Home Improvement" starring Tim Allen? Remember Wilson, the eccentric neighbor who's all upper face and wisdom? Well, I like to hope we could all have the kind of relationship that Tim and Wilson have- they chat over the fence about family issues, work life, and real problems. Now ask yourself: "Do I even know my neighbor's names, let alone trust them with details about my life?" What would happen if we were to actually build friendships with our neighbors? We sure wouldn't be sitting on the couch in our own house every night, alone, that's for sure.

Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone has a history of experiences behind them that have taught them valuable lessons. Everyone has people in their life that have motivated or inspired them in some way. Everyone has dreams for the future.

Everyone has potential for good. Maybe they just need you to ask them about it for them to truly realize it.

Along the way, you may feel, as I have felt, the overwhelming joy that comes from serving, and becoming closer to your own potential as you help others to reach theirs.

Never forget that you have the the power to do good! Never forget that you can change the world! One person, equipped with a good attitude and a little bit of insane courage, can truly improve everything for the better.

Getting Out of a Rut

Roald Dahl is awesome. Let me just begin by saying that. We just finished reading a book of his with my third-graders today. Anyway. I want to write this post for anyone who feels stuck, or in a rut, like your life isn't getting anywhere. Maybe you feel hopeless about the future. I certainly have felt that way before. Here's my key piece of advice for you if you are in this boat:

KEEP MOVING. 

Don't be stagnant. 

Find your passion, and go after it. That's what has brought me the greatest happiness in my life. This past spring I went through a breakup, and as I thought back over the duration of the relationship, I realized that I had hardly taken any of that time to develop my own talents. I had not taken time out for myself and, in a way, I forgot who I really was because I was not doing everything I loved. Over the summer I moved in with my mom, and broke out all my old art supplies. I started drawing again, and painting, and I felt SO GOOD! Finally, I was doing what I loved again and improving myself, both inside and out. This was great therapy for me. 

Get out and SERVE!

I feel happier when I am doing things with my life, when I am searching for ways to serve and help others. Do not ever get too focused on your own life and forget about everyone else. That is precisely what makes you feel lonely!

When I feel like my life is going nowhere, it's usually because it is! So I get out of my apartment, I find a spot on campus to read or do homework. Or I develop my talents. I listen to good, uplifting music

Forget about yourself. When you make an effort to at least talk to those around you, you will be surprised at the things you can learn from them.

Most importantly, LIVE THE GOSPEL! This is happiness. Enroll in an institute or seminary class. Research a gospel subject you've always had questions about. Watch Mormon Messages on YouTube. And do not forget about Christ! Not even for a moment. Try to keep him on your mind, and you will always end up behaving as you would if he were right there beside you. When you do what he would do, you will naturally feel happy.

Think good thoughts! Again, Roal Dahl said it best.

Remember, God can't steer a parked car! Wherever you are trying to go, you just need to start going somewhere. You will be directed to the right path as you show your faith by moving forward. And that's a promise I can make based on my own experience. 

Above all, never forget to keep smiling. :)

My Thoughts on the Contrast Between Worlds

I attended an Institute class tonight called "The Gospel and World Religions". For those foreign to "Institute", it is not a place where they lock up little Mormon girls gone bad, but a program in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for young adults who want to know more about the gospel of Jesus Christ and doctrines of the church. Anyway, I have taken the class before, but I remember having greatly enjoyed it and so I decided to take it again for kicks and giggles. And I'm really glad I did.

Ok, so just know this about me: though I am very devoted in my own faith, I have always been interested in other religions. I find that studying other religions helps me to appreciate mine even more, as well as appreciate my friends' beliefs without casting judgement. I shun ignorance and believe that it is the root of hatred- thus, I like to ask questions to understand the beliefs and motives of others.

I believe that every religion has a certain amount of truth in it. Truth, pure and simple- not according to our view, but God's. The thing about humans, especially in Western society, is that we tend to always think that OUR way is right, and that people on the other side of the world are backward in some way.  But it's just not true! There is a lot to be learned from eastern philosophies. I read a quote in my class tonight that I wanted to share that illustrates the difference between Western and Eastern cultures. (It is from the point of view of an Indian man, so keep in mind that may appear a little biased. When he says "you", he means Westerners; by "we" he means Easterners.)

Observations by Hari Dam, student from India at the University of Minnesota: 

"You live in time; we live in space.  You’re always on the move; we’re always at rest.

You’re aggressive; we’re passive.  You like to act; we like to contemplate.

We always hark back to the past; you always look forward to the future.  We pine for the lost paradise; you wait for the millennium.

We accept the world as it is; you try to change it according to your blueprint.  We live in peace with Nature; you try to impose your will on her.

Religion is our first love; we revel in metaphysics.  Science is your passion; you delight in physics.

You believe in freedom of speech; you strive for [expression].  We believe in freedom of silence; we lapse into meditation.

You first love, then you marry.  We first marry, then we love.  Your marriage is the happy end of romance; our marriage is the beginning of a love affair.  Your marriage is a contract; our marriage is an indissoluble bond.

Your love is vocal; our love is mute.  You delight in showing it to others; we try hard to conceal it from the world.

Self-assertiveness is the key to your success; [self-denial] is the secret of our survival.

You’re urged every day to want more and more; we’re taught from the cradle to want less and less.  [Joy of living] is your ideal; conquest of desires is our goal.

We glorify austerity and renunciation; you emphasize gracious living and enjoyment.  Poverty to you is a sign of degradation; it is to us a badge of spiritual elevation.

In the sunset years of life, you retire to enjoy the fruits of your labor; we renounce the world and prepare ourselves for the hereafter."

Ok, now don't think that I hate Western civilization, because I don't. In fact, I love it and I am grateful that I live in the culture I do because there is so much good. But just think about this for a moment. Did you see any traces of yourself in his remarks? Maybe you were struck by an observation he made about your culture that you have never thought about before. Is there anything you would like to change in your life, or in yourself, based on what he has said? I personally found this quote to be beautifully poignant, and felt that I should pass it along. Why is it that we are always swept up in our busyness? When will we learn to slow down? 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of the LDS Church, stated in his talk entitled "Of Regrets and Resolutions" (Visit http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/of-regrets-and-resolutions?lang=eng to read the whole talk.), 

"Isn’t it true that we often get so busy? And, sad to say, we even wear our busyness as a badge of honor, as though being busy, by itself, was an accomplishment or sign of a superior life.

Is it?

I think of our Lord and Exemplar, Jesus Christ, and His short life among the people of Galilee and Jerusalem. I have tried to imagine Him bustling between meetings or multitasking to get a list of urgent things accomplished.

I can’t see it."

Seriously, folks, it's time to reevaluate. Having desires and hopes and goals for the future is definitely important, and I myself look forward to the future with great anticipation, but I think we need to remember the past as well. After all, we would not be who we are today without it. And the world would not be what it is today- a beautiful, big, interesting place- without the difference of opinion and the balance of beliefs. My new challenge is to try to integrate more of Eastern philosophy for life into my own life, to give myself more of a balance.

Namaste!

From My Way to His Way

Friday, August 23, 2013 

Author John Ortberg said, "God isn't at work producing the circumstances you want. God is at work in bad circumstances producing the you He wants."

I don't know about you, but for me, it is so easy to forget God. Although I have been told I have strong faith, I am the kind of person who relies a ton upon what she sees. I am curious and I like to know about things. Know, not simply believe. This is a fault of mine. I often forget that God gave me life, and I become so ungrateful.

But, I have great desires- desires that I feel are definitely righteous.  For one, I would love to be married to a worthy man in the temple someday and raise an obedient family. For another, I want to pursue all types of education and expand my talents. Those are pretty general desires that I have always had, and I know that God approves. I wonder, though, if He approves of the specifics. You know, such as the exact guy I've got my eye on for the whole temple marriage thing. I ask, "Why, God? Why can't it just happen the way I want it to? I know that it will make me happy- don't you want me to be happy? Well then, make it happen!"

Then, I realize what a pain in the neck I must be to Him. I mean, I complain A LOT more than I have the right to. Yet being the loving and perfect father that He is, He always reminds me gently of what Mr. Ortberg stated so beautifully. If I can just let go of what I want and trust more fully in my Heavenly Father's plan for my life, I know that I will end up happy, even if- dare I say it- it's not with my current dream guy. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart," David said, "and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)  This is my super scripture right here! You know why I like it so much? Because I need it so much!

God DOES want me to be happy! And I need to trust that He knows me better than I know myself, and He knows what will make me happy.

Sometimes, we are so preoccupied with our own lives, our own desires, dreams, and needs, that we forget about who we are becoming in the process. We complain about the bad circumstances, thinking that God is trying to punish us for some misdeed we have committed, when it's quite the opposite. God is trying to shape us into better people, more compassionate, more understanding, more faithful, more trusting, more obedient servants.

Job said, "When God hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." I know that God's process of trying is a continuous one, that is perfectly tuned to each person's specific needs. I, for example, need to become more selfless and more humble; so He gives me opportunities to look at how I can help others or let go of my pride. These are opportunities that my neighbor probably won't have because his needs are different than mine. I can already pinpoint several specific experiences that have transformed me from an ugly piece of metal into  a shining piece of gold-in the making. I'd like share one such experience with you.

During my fourth year in college, I was called as the Relief Society president in my single student ward. This was something I was not expecting, even though I had been praying for a calling that would help me to be an influence for good in others' lives. Well, ask and ye SHALL receive. Juggling being Relief Society president and full-time student, and not to mention being in a serious relationship simultaneously…. was quite the experience. I know that I often failed in what was expected of me, but I learned and grew so much from it all. I was, in a way, forced to think about others and not zone in on my own life as I usually do. I was also forced to put the things of God first in my life. On top of that, I gained more humility as I came to see that grace made up for everything that I simply could not do. Through this trial, I took one more step on my journey to becoming who God wants me to be. I have a new mantra that goes like this: I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday.

Wouldn't it be great if, rather than complaining about the bad things that happen in life, we could look at our situations and ask, "Heavenly Father, what do I need to learn from this? What do you want me to do here so that I can grow?"

Sometimes, we won't get an answer right away, but that's what the trying process is for.  We might have to lean upon the scriptures every day. We might have to lean upon going to church every week. We might have to rely on our families and their words of wisdom. We might have to rely on losing ourselves in service to others.

And, through it all, we might just find ourselves.

By Erica Perry

The Pledge

Yes, I am actually starting a blog. After all, it's the thing to do these days! I have thought of so many specific things I would like to blog about, but I didn't feel comfortable settling on just one. So, I have decided to create a general blog about my life, my musings, my talents, my struggles, my attempts at success, blah blah blah.

 I have decided name my blog The Sunshine Diaries. Firstly, because I had a great friend who called me sunshine:) Secondly, because in a world that is becoming ever darker, more sinister, cynical, and depressing, I like to find the good things, the "rays of sunshine". Every cloud truly does have a silver lining, and my faith in God sustains me through so many dark times in my life, even given me my own little piece of sunshine when everything else seems cloudy and dismal. I am starting my last semester of college on Monday (that's two days away- oh my gosh!) and for me, it's all student teaching from here.
 
So, I would like to make a pledge to myself and to the world as I step closer toward a new phase of life:

I pledge:

... to always look on the sunny side of life. Look for the positives!
... to BE a ray of sunshine in others' lives when they are in need of comfort.
... to love myself and treat myself with respect.
... to trust in God and let Him light my path.

Thanks for checking out my blog! Please leave a comment if you would like to take the Sunshine pledge with me!

Erica