Letting Your Light Shine

We learned in Psychology and Communication a few months ago that Extroverts are praised in society while Introverts are made to feel useless and not liked.
This is something that has been on my mind for a while now, and yes, I did have a long conversation with my roommate about it a few days before we all went our separate ways.
But I am not here to condemn the world for being human and and not understanding everyone completely well; I will let others do that for me. What I want to talk about is a little different..
While Extroverts may be praised for their impeccable ability to gain energy by simply being with others, they also have to watch out. If anyone becomes TOO confident, TOO charming, TOO happy, a finger is wagged at them and they are looked down on like a little kid at the library getting in trouble by the librarian for talking too loud. You see, confidence and happiness are only good in certain levels and once that line is crossed all hell breaks loose. Let me tell you a little story:
A spunky, stubborn, and strong little girl, always on the move, loves adventures and has no problem with people. In middle school, like most kids that age, she starts to go through some awkward stages and has a hard time with her appearance and loving who she is inside because of what she has been told is more important: what's on the outside. Although her personality desperately tries to stick with her, she allows herself to become shy, her confidence starts to vanish almost completely, but she still has a compassionate heart and wants to be liked and included. 
High school comes around. She starts thinning out and begins the journey of learning how to do her hair and makeup through trial and error, many times. The "popular" and "pretty" girls have befriended her for years now and have kept her motivated and feeling loved. She becomes involved in cheer leading and school activities with great friends by her side at all times. She is well liked and slowly her confidence grows again. Living in a small town confined her, however, and she still hasn't found who she once was. Or rather, she hasn't realized who she has always been: that same spunky, stubborn, and strong little girl. Graduation day appears, and although it is hard for her to say goodbye to everything she has known for years, everyone she has been around since she was two years old, the memories she will always cherish, it is time for her to move on and to continue to learn, grow, and progress in this life. So she does. She leaves everything and with anxiety in her heart, she begins a new chapter in her life.
College is a fun and thrilling adventure with some crazy twists, turns, and mistakes. It takes her awhile, but after making a slew of friends, she finally finds out who she is and most importantly whose she is. She makes friendships that will last a lifetime and enjoys every minute of her first year of college. She attends church faithfully and surrounds herself with people who share her same standards and encourage her to do good things, while still maintaining a spontaneous and adventurous attitude in life. After her first year of college, she moves back to her hometown before her mission and looks back on the person she was when she left this small town, realizing just how much she has changed.. for the better. Now she can confidently talk about herself in a good way without fear of resentment or worrying that others might think she thinks she is better than those around her. Because that is far from the truth; she just LOVES WHO SHE IS and who she has become thanks to the trials she has gone through and lessons she has learned.
This story sounds oddly familiar.. probably because it is about me. Ten points to Griffindor if you got that right!
Looking back on who I have become, I realized that my confidence is practically through the roof compared to what it was in middle school. One thing that I have realized, is that it is a great feeling when you can love who you are and be happy at all times. When people do find that level of confidence and happiness, an alarm goes off in people's heads telling them that the happy person needs to be judged, talked about, and told that they are bad people, that they are fake. I know that who I was before probably would have joined in because I didn't realize the truth. The truth is that those people just love who they are, and rightfully so! They know that they have talents and beauty, that they are smart, kind and service-oriented. They enjoy the life the live because they aren't worried about what others think. I personally don't think it is bad to be really confident and happy, and people like that should definitely be praised for finding that level of happiness in life, not judged because of it.
I think that Extroverts and Introverts should each be loved, cherised, and accepted in life. I think that people should be able to confidently share their talents, love, and light without judgement from others. Most of all, I think that it is okay if someone talks about the good, positive things that are happening in their lives, and the good qualities they feel they have. There is definitely a point where it can become a little much, and sometimes people do it in an unkind and bragging way. But if we can maintain a sense of humbleness, then feel free to share your goodness with me! Sharing ideas and stories with others is something we all like to do. This life isn't meant for keeping that all in, it truly is for sharing, and in turn, caring about others. 
I know who I am and I would like to share it with all of you because I can FINALLY see it all. I am smart, smarter than I thought I was. I am motivated and hardworking, but yes, I can have those "lazy" days every now and then. I am kind and compassionate towards others and I know that I have been given those traits, along with being a good listener and keeping an open mind, because the Lord knew that I would major in Psychology and work with people as a therapist. I am obedient, trusting, and loyal to a fault. I will try and make any friendship/relationship work no matter the strains that are put on them and me. I'm not stellar at anything in particular, but I am good at a range of things and average at most. I will try anything and because of that, I have become better at many spor
ts and other things. I go in to everything with a positive outlook, and I try to laugh things off when they go wrong. I don't like to make others feel bad and if I do, I will apologize multiple times and do some kind of service for them. I never realized it, but I am actually pretty mature for my age and I have really cool and deep thoughts. I have the strongest testimony of the Gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I don't believe in coincidences. Everything has a purpose and a lesson to be learned. I am beautiful in my own way. Lastly, I am talented and my talents have gotten me some pretty rad jobs so far! I LOVE WHO I AM and I know that I am worth the best in life and that I deserve someone that will love me without trying to change even a freckle on my nose. I am worth fighting for and because I know all of this about me, I will never settle for anyone that treats me less than amazing.

So if society wants to judge me, let them eat cake. I don't claim to be perfect in any way or better than anyone else, I just claim to be good enough. I encourage all of you to let who you are shine out, and be comfortable in your own skin with that amazing personality you have. Everyone is meant to be different for a reason; don't desire to be anyone else. But don't forget: never stop trying to be a little better because we will never be completely perfect and can always work on achieving greatness.

I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go

I recieved my call Saturday morning and was SO anxious to find out where I was going! I will be serving the people in the Portland, Oregon Mission. I leave for the Provo MTC July 1st and I will be teaching in English!
Some might say that this is an "average" mission call because lets be honest, if you are called to a state that touches your home state, it just isn't quite as cool. I had really hoped to go to my fathers mission in Madrid, Spain and I thought that I would be a little bit disappointed if I was called somewhere else. However, as I read those words, I felt a sense of peace that could only mean that this was no mistake. I am meant to go to Portland, Oregon and I could not be happier!
Finding out who you marry, where you go to college, and what career you will be going into is something everyone would like to know at age 19. However, those are all things that YOU choose. Where you are called to serve a mission is completely out of your hands and the decision comes straight from the Lord. He makes no mistakes.
There are a few twists to where I was called and I was shocked and a little confused by them. I didn't understand, and I'm not sure I will ever understand, why it is that I was called to this mission with these twists, but I'm focusing on what I do know:

• I know that we have a Heavenly Father and I know that He loves me and knows me personally. 
• I know that this church is true and I will preach His truth forever.
• I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God who translated that Book. 
• I know that we have a living prophet upon this Earth, Thomas S. Monson. I also know that we will be blessed if we follow the prophet.
• I know that I am meant to touch the lives of the people in Portland, Oregon and bring happiness to their homes, families, and the many generations to come.
• I know that everything happens for a reason.

I might have wanted to go to Spain, but the Lord knew what was really in store for me and He always has. I trust Him and I trust that He will watch over me and protect me no matter what. "Not my will, but thine."
As I have looked up the weather in Portland, the region, and pictures of this beautiful place, I feel as if I have been there before. I already have a deep rooted love for my mission and the people who live there.  July 1st seems like an eternity! I can not WAIT to get out there to help in His work. This feeling is pure joy and I couldn't have asked for a better life.

It may not be on the mountain height

Or over the stormy sea,

It may not be at the battle's front

My Lord will have need of me.

But if, by a still, small voice he calls

To paths that I do not know,

I'll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:

I'll go where you want me to go.

There's surely somewhere a lowly place

In earth's harvest fields so wide

Where I may labor through life's short day

For Jesus, the Crucified.

So trusting my all to thy tender care,

And knowing thou lovest me,

I'll do thy will with a heart sincere:

I'll be what you want me to be.

                    

                                                                          

Portland, Oregon

Living a life full of meaning.

One of the hardest things to do is wait. Believe me, I have had my fair share of waiting lately with college acceptance letters, mission calls, vacations... In fact, I am still waiting for my mission call. I have basically mastered the art of waiting.
A few months ago, a speaker in church at my home ward expressed her anxiety over college applications and decisions that had to be made in order for her to "grow up". She said something along the lines of, "I just can't wait for senior year to be over so that I can finally stop making hard decisions and so I will finally know what I am doing with my life." I remember thinking here I am, a college student visiting home for the weekend, only two months of my freshmen year down and I am no where near done making decisions and I definitely do NOT know exactly what I am doing with my life. That's the thing, life doesn't ever stop. That's why life is worth living! You constantly get to change your life in enormous ways and experience excitement over and over again. I remember being just like that girl thinking that once I got through high school, life would all make sense. We put this crazy notion in our heads that as soon as you graduate, a little light bulb will click on and your whole life will instantly be bright with knowledge of who you are, who your friends will be, and when that attractive man will come into your life. NOT TRUE. Everything starts over. You are now the lowest of the low, a freshmen: slightly naive and very innocent. But that is why college is so dang fun. You get to discover YOU. You get to look at life with a fresh outlook. You get to make mistakes and laugh at them later, maybe date the wrong guys and find out that you have known who the "right guy" for you has always been. Or maybe you will just realize that dating isn't in the cards for you right now. That is a-OK. College isn't the end all, its just the beginning. Graduating from high school is when you REALLY make the hard decisions, the ones that lead you to everything you want down the road. It still might take a few years, you just never know.
I have had some pretty exciting news these past few months. News that is completely changing my life and taking me on whole new paths. I was recently accepted to BYU (I'm telling you, even in college I was still applying to colleges and making hard decisions) and I submitted my mission papers. These past few months have involved a lot of waiting and plenty of anxiousness. But what I realized is that you really can't stop living while you wait because life isn't just about experiencing fancy dinners, lavish vacations, and grand adventures. Life is about enjoying the small moments: swinging under the fullest tree with the afternoon glow above you, chatting with your roommates about the silliest of things, giggling like a school girl as you dance like a ballerina in your kitchen, receiving a small but very kind compliment the day you curl your hair, and waiting for mission calls.. Those are the beautiful moments of life that make you look around and thank God for the wonderful life you live.
Just like that very cliche quote says: "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain." Society has this problem with always wanting more and never being satisfied. You can't wait for the date with that cute guy in your math class and think about it all week, but while you are on the date, think only about when you can see him again. Why not just enjoy the moment? Enjoy the in-between; the time when you have nothing going on. It's good to have something to look forward to, how fun would life be if everything was boringly repetitive? There would be nothing to keep you on your toes. But there is a difference between living your life even through the less busy moments, and only searching for the bigger and better moments. Those "I can't wait for this vacation/weekend" moments are practically rare compared to the waiting periods, and if life was only meant for living with the great adventures and experiences we have to wait for, what is the point? That can't be all life is meant for. So I would challenge you to enjoy the little moments and live your life to the fullest.
We have to experience the more "dull" moments to really appreciate the moments that are worth waiting for. Adam and Eve learned this same principle in the Garden of Eden when they partook of the fruit and were given the knowledge of both good and evil. In 2 Nephi chapter 2 verse 23 it says, "...wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin" and in verse 25, "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."

Live a life full of meaning. Don't merely exist. Wake up each day and be filled with excitement for what the day is going to bring. My favorite book The Power sums it up when it says, "You were not born to live a life where the moments of joy are few and far between. You were not born to toil in your work five days a week, with fleeting moments of happiness on weekends... You are meant to experience life to its fullest and have everything you want and, at the same time, be filled with joy, health, vitality, excitement, and love, because that is an amazing life!"

I Am Not Inadequate

         Church today was so spiritually filling and I am so grateful for the Spirit that has been with me. It has been harder and harder for me lately with really feeling the Spirit so strongly and all the time. I've been really stressing over this because I REALLY want to be more spiritual and be like those around me: kind, obedient, happy, and service oriented. But I always feel like I come up short.   I definitely have my weak moments; the moments when getting up to serve another sounds like way too much work and besides, why should I provide them with service when they rarely provide me with service. I try to convince myself that I want to in those moments, but I don’t quite feel it deep down. I feel selfish, unloving, and uncaring. But I never want to be that way. I want to be someone that others look up to and someone that others want to be around because of my kindness and spirit. I hate when I go to church and start feeling bored and look at the clock constantly. It bothers me that I can’t keep my mind focused enough to pay attention and feel the spirit teaching me. I also want to be able to have a super strong spiritual experience when I go to the temple. I want to feel like I am worthy.

         Today I was focused and I felt that Spirit. I felt the Lord’s love and I recognized the messages He was sending me. I felt strong in the gospel and Knowledgeable. I felt like I was spiritually on the same level as those around me. It felt perfect.

          My life might not be all together, but at least I try. The Stake President, President Esplin, said in Sacrament Meeting, “As long as you come to church [or other wholesome/church activities] and you TRY to feel the spirit, the lord will bless you for your efforts.” The important thing is that you are putting forth the effort. I realized that his words were for me because I try and I work hard to be better, yet I always feel inadequate. It doesn't matter if I don’t get results right away because the Lord sees me efforts and He knows that my heart desires the most important thing on the Earth: The Gospel. I just need to continue trying and work towards being the best person I can be. 

          I realized that I just do things my own way and in my own style and that is ok. For example, I LOVE to talk to other people and get down into deep conversations. I love when people open up to me and feel that they can trust me with their problems and/or secrets. I like to help others figure out their feelings and help them solve problems in their lives. I like to listen. This is how I serve others. It might not be baking cookies, raking leaves, or making a quilt, but that is okay because it is how I show my love and support for those around me. I am not inadequate. I am a Daughter of God and he will direct my path.

You are not inadequate. You are loving, kind, and thoughtful. Even if you don’t realize this, I can promise you that others do. You have so many wonderful gifts and talents that you share with the world on a daily basis. Believe it or not, you are changing the world or you are changing someone’s world. Try not to compare your weaknesses to someone else’s strengths. Above all, Remember that God loves you. You can do no wrong. 

Deuteronomy 11: 13-14

 13 And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,

 14 That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.

                                                                             

Finding Happiness

I have so many thoughts going through my head, so bare with me..
Over Thanksgiving Break, my mom seemed noticeably happier. She has dealt with a lot these past few months and as if all of that wasn't enough, she recently found out that she has thyroid cancer. I know that she had so much weighing on her and I wouldn't have blamed her for feeling negative or for being unhappy, but like the amazing woman she is, she made a change in her life and I definitely noticed.
When I brought up this change that I saw in her, she started to mention a book called The Power. It talks a lot about giving love and how the universe will bring love back to you if you think happy thoughts. What you give, you receive. And what you think about and who you interact with will set that stage of positivity in your life. At first I wasn't very receptive because, like any teenager, I felt like she was directing all of this towards me, trying to hint that I was doing something wrong in my life and needed to change. However, looking back on it now, I can see that she genuinely just wanted to share this happiness she had found with me. (Anyone else instantly think of missionaries spreading the gospel?) My mom even had to bribe me to take the book home with me to college after the break . But when I started to look at the bigger picture, I realized that it wasn't personal, and I began to read the book. Holy cow am I happy that I did! It has already changed my life.
Let me go back a little in time and explain...
For a while I have felt like I have been stagnate: in life, in relationships, and in the gospel. But I wasn't quite sure what I was doing wrong, or if I was doing anything wrong, and I didn't know how to change. I just couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy. I would look around at church and in school and see people who were achieving so much and growing constantly in knowledge. I felt average at best. I was never sad, but it had been way too long since I felt overjoyed. I was just content with life. I didn't want to be just content. I wanted to feel overwhelming happiness. 
As time went on, I felt like I was on the right path. I mean, I felt happy and I had a lot going for me: good grades, lots of friends, a good job. Until recently, I realized that I wasn't happy the way I wanted to be happy. I began to just accept that that was what happiness was supposed to feel like. Then I met some amazing people, and I tried harder. I let go of the people who weren't helping me progress (though they weren't pulling me back either). I felt motivated to be a better person and to seek personal revelation through scripture study and institute. I had a desire to grow in knowledge and faith, to be on the same level spiritually as them. I knew that this was a good atmosphere and these were good people. I knew that being around them meant that I could find my overwhelming happiness again.
It slowly grew and grew. But that little extra nudge from my mom really pushed me farther ahead. It has been a week since I started reading The Power. This has been the best week of my entire life. This book has been bringing me to the realization of what true happiness is. I already feel more happiness than I ever have. Most of the time I feel so happy and blessed that I literally feel like my heart is going to burst. I can't keep my happiness in; my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. And it's all because of my mom. So thank you mama bear.
Now, I'm sure you are wondering what is so important in this book that would cause me to feel such complete joy after one week. Well honestly, this book brings up nothing new. It explains everything we have already been taught as we have grown up, but there is something about the way this book explains it that just makes you realize how important it truly is. The Power talks about how you need to realize how great your life really is and you also need to have faith that life (and God) will bring about great things as long as you set your mind to those great things. If you believe that it will happen, then it will. And as long as you keep positivity in your heart, mind, words, and actions, then positivity will come back to you in some form or another. Basically, its like karma. You can receive good karma, or you can receive bad karma. You decide which one you will receive based on your thoughts. If you are judging someone, you are not loving them and your thoughts are negative. When you "vent" to a friend, you are surrounding yourself with negativity and negativity will come right back to bite ya in the bum. But on the other hand, when you verbally compliment someone else, first off, your thoughts are positive and you are showing them love in a very positive way. That means that positivity and love will come back to you.
This week, I have kept that in mind and have been trying desperately to change my ways. When I wake up in the morning, I pray and thank my Heavenly Father for all of my many blessings. As I get ready, I say all that I am thankful for once again out loud and I constantly acknowledge how great my life is and how good God has been to me. At the end I say, "And I know that all will go well in my life." This helps reaffirm to me that I should be happy and positive through out my day.  I have been choosing to look at life in a positive way and everyday I strive to find the good in others and keep good thoughts. It might all sound silly, but in some strange way that I don't quite understand, it really has all worked out for me.
In church on Sunday, it was the first time in months that I went to church and didn't look at the clock to see when church would be over. Not that I didn't want to be there, but I just wasn't being very receptive and I found it hard to be attentive. But on this particular Sunday, I was actively participating in all my classes and I was eager to learn and be taught. This might sound so simple to some, but for me, this was a huge accomplishment; something I had been praying for.
Yesterday, after studying and taking finals in the morning, some friends and I got together to play soccer and take a break from all of the stress. As I was driving to the soccer field on campus, I looked down at my windshield and noticed a piece of paper that I had somehow missed earlier. Assuming it was just some kind of flyer, I picked it up and was surprised to find that it was a beautiful and inspiring note from a stranger. I couldn't help but think of what The Power has taught me about giving love and receiving it back. I mean, what are the chances that I would receive somethings so kind and thoughtful out of the blue?
Finally, today I went to the library at 10 this morning and didn't come home until 3 because I was studying with a friend for a math final that I have on Friday morning. I was staying pretty positive all day, even with the stress and the drained feeling that studying left me with. It has been coming much more easily to me to stay happy because I have started to implement that in my life in a very permanent way. I had invited some friends over for dinner at 5:30 and needed quite a bit of time to get everything cooked and cleaned up. When I arrived home, however, I was pretty tired and was thinking that I would just sit in our beautifully decorated-for-Christmas living room and watch a Christmas movie before I started preparing dinner. As I was doing a quick sweeping job, I noticed that outside our window was an older lady in her yard raking leaves. At first I didn't think much of it, but after a couple of minutes and a few glances her way, I couldn't shake the feeling that I should go and offer her some help. I instantly thought of all the reasons that I shouldn't: how it might be weird or awkward, how she might not really want the help, how I didn't have much time on my hands anyways. Then I watcher her shakily sitting down on her porch with an exhausted look on her face. So, before I knew what I was doing, I had my coat and shoes on, keys in hand, and was walking out the door and across the street. Right as I was coming up to her house, an older man got out of a car that was parked in front of her house. I thought that he might be her husband and felt foolish for offering help since he would most likely take over for her. I had so many chances to walk away and this old lady would have never even known what I had to offer. But I kept on going. I walked straight up to her on the stairs and explained that I had seen her from across the street and was willing to rake her leaves for her if she would accept my help. Without a pause, she gratefully handed me the rake and gave me directions. It turns out that the man I had seen walking up to her house was just dropping off some keys for her husband and was not, in fact, the man who would have raked her leaves for her (and to think that I almost didn't help because I jumped to conclusions). She asked me my name and like most people, she responded by saying how unusual it was to hear of a girl with a name like Daryl. We then spoke of the missions that she has served on with her husband and how her nephew is working on the Chapel being built in Logandale. Small world. At the end, this sweet old lady again expressed her gratitude.  She told me that while she was on her mission in Baltimore, she found out that she had cancer. The entire time she spoke of this, she kept repeating how her faith has helped her through this trial and she has never for one second doubted that the Lord would take care of her. She told me that she has some bad back problems to go along with her cancer and as she was raking, she had to take a break because of them. This strong lady told me that she had been trying to get her grandkids to come over and help, or receive help from any relatives, but everyone was too busy during this Christmas season (how ironic that Christmas can so easily be the time when we choose NOT to serve and provide love & help to others.) She then said something that really amazed me: My lovely neighbor confided in me that she had been sitting on those porch steps, hoping that someone would take time out of their day to help her rake her leaves. I wasn't aware of how much help I had provided her and I didn't even see this as something of real importance. To me it was just raking up leaves. To her, it was another blessing. I was so impressed, not of myself, but of the Lord and his timing. What an amazing gift the gospel is.
I was able to cook dinner right after for my friends and I was so happy to do so. My day was so full of goodness, love, and positivity. The rest of my night I have been sitting here feeling overjoyed and blessed.
 I love my family, my college family (roommates) included. I love the gospel. I love my friends. I love my life.
I am overwhelmingly happy. Finally.

Good Things Are Going to Happen

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord."- Psalm 27:14

Yesterday was a terrible day. I got home from work, walked straight into my roommates room, immediately sat on her bed, and sighed. Her reply was, "You are having a bad day too? I think it is a universally crappy day." There might have been a few sympathy tears shed, a whole bunch more sighing, a little more than a little yelling at life, and absolute confusion about the future. I left her room feeling worse than before. Misery loves company, but misery + misery = even more misery. That was the moment I decided that I needed to write this post.
Everyone has "crappy days". Some are worse than others, but none are fun. Sometimes these days turn into weeks, into months, into years. It almost feels like you just can never catch a break, right? And you notice that your hope slips away a little more each day. It almost happens without our even noticing. We tend to blame our situations for taking our hope from us and leaving us feeling worthless, alone, and utterly sad. But the truth is that it is our fault that we feel this way. Because when YOU give up hope, YOU give up your happiness. It is your choice. Once you choose hope, anything is possible.
I choose Hope. 
For a grad present, my sister got me the cutest, most inspiring little book of quotes called Encouraging Thoughts for Women: Hope. I love to read out of this book even when I'm in the best of moods because it is seriously perfection. It isn't a very long book and I frequently read the same quotes over and over again, but I always get something new from the little ink marks. One of my favorite quotes from this book reads:
 "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." - Romans 5:3-5
I can have hope for the future because I know that the Lord knows the desires of my heart. I know that what is meant to be will always find a way. A wise man once said, "Hope is putting Faith to work when Doubting might be Easier." This wise man is our loving prophet, Thomas S. Monson. You know what they say: Follow the prophet, he knows the way. This prophet is saying that having hope might not be the easiest, but it will be the most rewarding. I would listen to him if I were you, because he is one amazing man with the sweetest, most selfless soul.

Yeah, yesterday was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. BUT you know what came out of the terrible day? This blog post. And a good read out of my quote book along with an inspiring chapter from the best book ever: The Book Of Mormon. Would you like to know what this chapter just happened to be about on this terrible, no good day? It was actually about becoming a better you.. but I feel like that ties along with hope... SO... if that ain't inspiration right there, I don't know what is.
If you can find at least one good thing in your life during a very bad day, hold onto it and cherish it. Allow that one aspect provide you with hope. Hope in life. Hope in the future. Faith in the Lord. Because if you keep hope alive, it will keep you alive.
As for the "universally crappy day" and the tears shed? Most of the situations my roommate and I talked about aren't completely the end of the world; most can be fixed in some way. And the rest? Well, I'll just be praying extra hard for the next few weeks.. I have hope that all will go well. Good things are going to happen. They always do.

Kindness Begins With Me

Depression surrounds me. It seems like everyone I know and love is suffering through this disease. I find it so heartbreaking, especially when I can't do anything to help because of distance and other factors.  I have never truly had depression myself, but there have been times when I have temporarily felt broken and hopeless. Those were the darkest times.
It is in human nature to want to feel loved, included, and thought of. We desire to be part of something more; something bigger than us. I doubt that anyone has gone through life without feeling alone at one point. In middle school, you find yourself. Or at least you try to. It might take years. You might never truly find yourself (though I hope that everyone will at some point in their life). I think that is what scares us the most. Uncertainty. My Family Life and Human Developments class has been focusing on adolescents and how children truly need security and certainty in their home life. They need fathers and mothers who will teach them, lead them, trust them, and love them. But it isn't only children who need this; adults need to be taught, lead, trusted, and loved too.
It rarely takes very much time to listen. I am talking TRULY listening to someone else. Listen to their stories, whether they be sad or happy. Listen to their cries and complains, even if they might be slightly melodramatic. The situation might seem so small and meaningless to you,  but you better bet that it is completely a big deal to them. Listen without talking, judging, or giving advice because sometimes it is just nice to have someone LISTEN for once. When you give up that time, setting aside those distractions that aren't really all THAT important, it shows how much you care. That act alone can bring a glimmer of hope into another's heart.
Be considerate. Everyone is going through inner struggles. Some are bigger than others, but each are very significant to those who face those struggles. Snide remarks, sarcastic comments, judging glances: Let's get rid of those. Replace them with kind words, thoughtful responses, bright smiles, and loving compliments. You never know who is trapped inside the darkness that has consumed their minds. Look up from the screens, take out your earphones, stop tweeting (sub-tweeting) about other people, and learn to love one another; there is a reason why it is one of God's greatest commandments. Take time to get to know someone you never thought you would ever talk to. Sit by someone who is alone. Include everyone. Be inviting (because truthfully, why should anyone be expected to "invite themselves" to activities?). Seek to strengthen yourself spiritually so you will be more in tune to promptings from the spirit. Pray for those that you think might need a little pick me up. Heck, you can even stop by and bring them a homemade treat. Who wouldn't feel special after that? Speak out loud those compliments that you might be thinking, especially to strangers. Who would it hurt?
 I have seen what depression does; how it works. Depression is scary; it's consuming; it's a daily struggle that doesn't necessarily ever go away. I watch as those I love fight this disease everyday, hoping for at least one moment of happiness to take away the pain. I hear their silent cries for help, but I can only do so much. There is a fine line between helping your loved ones, and getting sucked into the darkness of their depression. BUT there are ways to help, slowly but surely. And a great way to bring light unto the broken-hearted is to share with them the gospel. Even members need to be strengthened spiritually and uplifted through your testimony. Spread His light. Spread YOUR light. because...
"Kindness begins with me."