The Power of Music

A few days ago I was in my car driving to the dentist with my mom. I was extremely nervous for the appointment because the dentist's office is my least favorite place. We were listening to music and it calmed my nerves within minutes. That's when I asked myself, what is it about music that can impact my mood so much? I couldn't get my finger on it. So I turned to my mom and we talked about it for a while but could not come to the conclusion.

 If you're anything like me, you can  listen to a song or two and it can change your mood in a matter of minutes. Whether it is from happy to sad or sad to happy, it changes quickly. Some people are impacted by reading words but for me, simply reading the lyrics of a song is not as powerful as listening to the song. I did some research on the internet and got a few scientific answers but the answers I enjoyed most were the answers I got when I asked a handful of people why they thought music is so powerful and I got quite a few different answers. I got  few "I'm not sure why but it is really powerful."Some said that the beat speaks to our souls and songs with words add a special message. Others said it is a form of communication that we don't always understand. Music is a way our Heavenly Father sends messages to us. It is apart of us and somehow speaks to our soul through our brain. I don't have the exact answer how it works and if you have any other ideas I would really love it if you told me about them. (:

Music has been a huge part of my life the past six months. I turn to it whenever I need to be uplifted or if I want to wallow in my sadness, which probably is a horrible idea because sad music can make me so so sad. Anyways, I am honestly so thankful I have seen how positive music can be in my life. I used to not like listening to music, not because I didn't like music but because I didn't like how it made me feel. I hated the fact that I could listen to music and it could change my mood faster than I could. I guess you could call me a control freak, but I wanted to have all control over my emotions and I felt like music took that away from me. Now I turn to music at almost any time, sad, happy,upset, or nervous. Music has saved me in times of sadness, anger, and distress.I know I have my Heavenly Father to thank for creating such an incredible way to deliver messages to me. Music is another way to communicate with Heavenly Father and I will be forever thankful to have music in my life. I know music is a way to express feelings and emotions and I love it. I love listening to people express the way they feel in such a beautiful way. Thank you to those that are musically gifted and use their talents.

My Favorite Feeling

On Tuesday I had the coolest experience! It all started in the morning with basketball practice. At practice I was really frustrated and when I was done I was extremely angry. I was planning on going to the temple after practice but I was fighting myself, which isn't normal because I am always down to go to the temple. I had texted a few people and none could go with me so I thought that maybe I shouldn't go. So I sat down and made me some food and continued being angry. At this point I was annoying myself because I was being so negative, so I thought "I need to stop feeling sorry for myself, what can I do to fix this?" Then it  hit me, I needed to get my lazy self to the temple. I got ready in a hurry, so I wouldn't change my mind and drove to the temple. On the way there I was thinking it wouldn't be super busy because the weather wasn't all that great. I was excited about this because my appearance was not all that wonderful and my outfit was not the cutest. I walked through the doors and I see a handful of people from my early morning seminary class there. So visited with them and then one of my friends said "You have like a two hour wait ahead  of you." I got a little nervous but then I assumed she was exaggerating. So I walk down the steps to the baptistery and realize that she was not joking in any way. The temple worker told me about the wait and I told her that was perfectly fine but on the inside I was a little nervous. I continued to go get my clothes when I saw more of my friends there, and that the temple was completely filled. Seeing the temple filled with so many willing people to serve made me beyond happy. I was thrilled.

When I went into the locker room I ran into a friend who was walking out of the changing area. Whenever I see this friend it makes my day. We immediately hugged and and that is when I was reminded that Heavenly Father is always looking out for me. He knew that if I saw her my mood would be improved. So I finished changing and went and waited. The wait was absolutely amazing. Scripture reading, pondering, and lots of praying. While in the temple I finished The Book of Mormon. At the end it tells you to ask if it is true so I did just that. I prayed and asked and I knew without a doubt, The Book of Mormon is true. Every word. After my two hour wait I got to finish in in the temple and the spirit was so strong. Everyone there was beaming and as you looked around you could tell everyone there wanted to serve. I left the temple that day much happier and spiritually uplifted.

       I love the temple so very much. 

CHRISTmas

Christmas season is in full swing and I am pumped. I have always loved Christmas and each year I gain a greater appreciation for the holiday. I love how everyone always seems to be serving others and creating ways to help other people. I even enjoy the commercial side of Christmas, the gift giving, the decorations, and Santa Claus. Lets be real, the best part of this season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.  I have been thinking a lot about it lately and I realized that this is one of the most important days in the history of the world.  The day that we celebrate is the day when the most amazing person to walk the earth entered it. Isn't that crazy? The day He was born  was the day it all started. Because of this day The Savior did so many amazing things, healing the sick and raising the dead. One of the greatest things Jesus Christ did was go into the Garden of Gethsemane and take all of our sins, pains, and afflictions upon Him. I will be eternally grateful for the atonement. I know I would not be functioning without it. I feel like I will be in debt to Him forever. People say the best way to repay him is to live and spread the gospel. I am trying my best to do so because I know that I owe so much to Him. The older I get, the more I realize this.

Since I am becoming more mature, I feel like I am appreciating having the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the gospel in my life. I have been trying to make my life constantly like the Christmas season. Being happy, finding ways to serve, and trying my best to always be kind. I would encourage anyone I talk to, to do these things because we could make this world a better place all the time. (: As this season continues I would encourage everyone to be thinking about The Savior and all He did for us during His life on earth, I know I will be. I know this is totally cliche but if you haven't seen this video you should totally watch it. . If there is anything I can do for you during this busy time please let me know. I hope everyone has a very merry CHRISTmas!! (:

Addicted to Happiness

Hi friends. Everyone loves to be happy right? Recently, I have found that I am a happier person and definitely a more pleasant person to be around. This is because  I have actively  changed my attitude. I have done this because I grasped the concept of: HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE. In any circumstance I can make myself happy. Did you know that there are studies that show if you just smile, you will become happier. Sometimes, I seriously have to "fake it, to make it" but it works. I slap a smile on my face and BOOM I'm so much happier. I love it. I am changing from a pessimist to a realistic optimist. I say realistic because I don't want to get crazy and think things are all fine and dandy when they are not. But when things aren't fine and dandy, my favorite thing to do is to find at least one thing that is positive from the situation. That one positive thought can go a long way, I promise. I encourage whoever is reading this to find those things that make you happy and keep them in your life. Make them common events, people, or things in your daily life. I am addicted to happiness. I can make anywhere my happy place because I have realized that there is no happy place. Happiness is a state of being and anywhere can be your happy place if you want it to be. Choosing to be happy is the best decision I make each morning.
My sources of happiness are infinite but a few things that I can always count on are my friends, family, and the gospel. I know I can always find a member of my family and they will put a smile on my face. I know that I can fall to my knees in prayer and become happy, I know that I can go to the temple and be instantly happy, and I know reading the scriptures and reading conference talks will always make me happy.
Thank you to those that have ever made me happy. Which is probably most of the people reading this because people who read my blog make me happy.

Here is a lovely picture of my wonderful family. They make me so happy and this picture not only makes me happy but makes me laugh and laughing is one of my favorite parts of happiness.  

White Crayons

Today in Young Womens we found a white crayon on the ground. It appeared unused and comments were thrown around like "White crayons are the most useless crayons"and "Why are white crayons even a thing?". I am not sure why but this almost made me angry. Then I stood up for this little white crayon and said  "Its not useless it just depends on how you use it." then we decided that a white crayon is a perfect option for colored paper, especially black, dying eggs, and other activities. This conversation maybe lasted two minutes but it has really stayed in my head for the rest of the day.

Aren't we all just white crayons? During this brief conversation I realized we have quite a bit in common with this white crayon. We can go through life and try to make marks on white paper or we can find our canvas and color our own picture. Make our own impact on the world.  This summer I realized a fraction of what I am here for. I found my colored paper and am now starting to write out my own story. I know Heavenly Father has a plan for me. He has a plan for every single one of us. We just need to let him guide us in the direction that we need to go. Every single one of us is as useful as this white crayon. We just need to realize what we need to do here. I know that sharing our knowledge of this perfect gospel is something we can and should be actively doing. Teach others that they are useful rather than useless. If you have not found what you should be coloring on, I hope you seek to find it, and if you have already found that paper, I hope you are creating something beautiful.  I am thankful to those that have helped me find me find my place to draw.

That Time When I Ran Cross Country

On October 21st, 2015 I completed my last race of my high school career. I have never felt so relieved after a race, especially since I stayed on my feet. I've ran for Murray High School all four years, and it is one of the hardest things I have done. When I mention that I run cross country, people always ask if I am crazy. Before, during, and right after every race I learned more and more that I am a little insane. Cross country is hard, but so if life. When running a race and running through life I do my best to keep my Heavenly Father right by my side. I know through him I can get through the tough times. Through cross country I learned so many things and met the most amazing people, some who have become my closest friends.

Running is 90 percent mental. I had to break through some major walls in my head to become successful. If it were possible I would just turn my brain off for the 20 minutes. Before every race we pray as a team and I know that because we do that we perform better and have The Spirit with us as we run. There have been times in my races that I heard a whisper that just said "Keep going, I know its hard, but you've got this". Then I would somehow find energy to push through all the pain and keep going. (After all 22 minutes isn't that long right?)  Something I learned from cross country is that our bodies are amazing. They can accomplish so much more than we think they can. I would have never guessed that I could run so many 5K's at the pace that I have. Our bodies are so strong and capable of so much. Do you know why that is? It is because they were designed and crafted by the most powerful being in this universe. I don't know about you but I think that is amazing. Cross country has given my confidence in my body, and in myself. I had the most amazing coaches,
teammates, and all around program. I was never that serious about cross country and honestly, neither is the Murray team. We work hard but its still fun. Our coaches make it so we actually want to come because they are fun, and we are fun.

One of my favorite things about cross country is that we aren't like a normal sports team. We had serious athletes but we also have some of the smartest kids in the school on our team. Yes, we are all awkward but somehow we still manage to get to know each other. I have gotten to know kids I would have never even thought about socializing with. We are like one big family that is all so different, yet we are all the same. I would not trade my time on the cross country team for anything because of how it had brought me closer my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Prayer is so Powerful

Hey there folks! Over the past couple of months I have changed, a lot. Most of it I made an effort to change and then some of it just came a long with my efforts. One of the things I changed in myself was prayer. How I pray, when I pray, where I pray, and what I pray for. I pray more intently, I pray A LOT more often, I pray anywhere, and I pray for basically everything. If I am nervous, I pray. If I am sad or angry, I pray. If I am happy or feeling grateful (which is pretty much always), I pray. If i need help or a friend needs help, I pray. this new habit of mine is so great and I highly recommend we all pray all the time.  Because of all of my prayers I feel the spirit with me, I am so much happier, and I am a lot more aware of what is going on around me. This past week I have had several experiences with prayer. 

One of these times my prayer was answered during the prayer. Isn't that cool? Nothing like this had ever happened to me and it was so awesome. When I knelt down, I was pretty upset and just wanted a way to let my emotions out. So in reality I just wanted to cry. I have a very hard time letting myself cry because I tell myself it is a sign of weakness. So I prayed and cried and it was super awesome and I stood up feeling so much better about life. The next day I had pretty much the opposite experience. I was crying uncontrollably and I felt like Satan was keeping me from thinking about what I needed to think about and I know that he was making me feel super angry and flustered. So there I was kneeling in my room asking for the opposite of what I had asked for the day before. About 30 seconds after I said amen, my crying didn't just fade out, it just stopped. It was insane. When the crying ceased, so did all the feelings of anger and confusion. I immediately knew what I needed to do and everything worked out perfectly. The difference in feeling I had was incredible and I can't even describe it. So the following day I had this super amazing experience with prayer. I had been praying for a few weeks for a friend and for them to be helped with what they needed. I was texting this friend and had casually mentioned they go read a certain conference talk about hope, and they did. (If you would like to read/ listen to this talk click here.) After they read this talk they told me that this talk helped them with exactly what they needed. My prayers were answered and that feeling is so wonderful.  

If you put to much thought into it, like I have, prayer looks strange. Kneeling with your eyes closed and just speaking to air. If you have not prayed, try it!! Once we get over the fact that it looks strange and actually try it, it will work. I love to pray and hope that you do too! Pray wherever and whenever!

Here is a super awesome talk on prayer that everyone should listen to!