Monday, February 20, 2012

Happy Cocktail

I realized yesterday morning how close I am to having a nervous breakdown. It's been a really rough year for me and I think my body and spirit have had enough. With so much weighing on me, it's no wonder that I've struggled being as happy as I usually am. After reading scriptures, my patriarchal blessing, and talking with friends, I've come up with things I can do to help my body, mind, and spirit become balanced, healthy, and happy again.

Basically, I'm just giving my body special treatment as it's been overloaded with stress and everything much more than it's been used to all my life. I'm waking up a little earlier to exercise for 10 minutes on the cardio machine my grandma has. I'm always exhausted after work so as much I aim to do something after, I never do it, so this is the best solution. With the help of a new friend of mine, I'm beginning to take what I'm now calling my Happy Cocktail. It is a bunch of vitamins: active B-vitamins, vitamin D, and folic acid. One of the vitamins I call the mega-vitamin because it is crazy what's in it, but my friend pretty much swears by it. They are all really good for the body and are supposed to help balance and produce those chemicals that make you happy. :) No anti-depressant for me! Haha. I am also going to start eating a homemade granola that is super super good for you and tastes good, too. I got that from my friend, too. He swears he hasn't been sick since 2008 when he started eating it. Most of the ingredients come from what we affectionately call the Hippie store, or Good Earth. Let's just say I really felt out of place there. It was kind of crazy even though it really wasn't that "hippie." I am also starting to use essential oils, specifically lavender. I may eventually use other ones, but I will start with that. My friend taught some of us how to make deodorant with essential oils in it and it's amazing how much even that has helped me to feel good. It has Melissa and grapefruit oil in it and they are both really good for you, especially Melissa.

I'm also going to continue sleeping 7-8 hours a night and taking time for myself. I've started reading a lot more again and I LOVE IT! I finished reading Ender's Game and now I'm reading Matched. I spent a bit too much money last weekend at Barnes and Noble getting the books I want to read. Oh well, as long as it makes me happy, right? I'm also loving watching some of my favorite TV Shows on Netflix. And when there is something going on, I do things with my friends. I have such great friends here.

Things are looking up again, so I am very grateful for my Happy Cocktail.

My split rock with a flower! Had one of these when I was younger and loved it. I have another one that is growing a pink flower.

That's in my mouth... my tooth implant.

Random bonfire in January

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Perspective

"True, enduring happiness, with the accompanying strength, courage, and capacity to overcome the greatest difficulties, will come as you center your life in Jesus Christ. Obedience to His teachings provides a secure ascent in the journey of life. That takes effort. While there is no guarantee of overnight results, there is the assurance that, in the Lord’s time, solutions will come, peace will prevail, and happiness will be yours.
The challenges you face, the growth experiences you encounter, are intended to be temporary scenes played out on the stage of a life of continuing peace and happiness. Sadness, heartache, and disappointment are events in life. It is not intended that they be the substance of life. I do not minimize how hard some of these events can be. When the lesson you are to learn is very important, trials can extend over a long period of time, but they should not be allowed to become the confining focus of everything you do. Your life can and should be wondrously rewarding. It is your understanding and application of the laws of God that will give your life glorious purpose as you ascend and conquer the difficulties of life. That perspective keeps challenges confined to their proper place—stepping-stones to further growth and attainment.
The Lord is intent on your personal growth and development. Your progress is accelerated when you willingly allow Him to lead you through every growth experience you encounter, whether you welcome the experience or not. Trust in the Lord. Ask to be led by the Spirit to know His will. Be willing to accept it. You will then qualify for the greatest happiness and the heights of attainment from this mortal experience.
Peace and happiness are the precious fruits of a righteous life. They are only possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ."
Elder Richard G. Scott "The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness"

 A friend gave me the bolded part of this quote after Sunday School today. He had taught the lesson and because I had some things to do for one of my callings, I went in late. I don't know if the quote was a part of the lesson, or he just randomly gave me the quote when someone brought it up to him after the lesson. Whatever the reason, I am so grateful he gave it to me. It is exactly what I needed at exactly the right time. I've had a really rough past month. Let me correct that. I've had a really rough past YEAR. Lately it's been really rough. Basically, I'm emotionally drained from... EVERYTHING. I don't feel comfortable explaining all the reasons why here on a blog, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that this past week I've received help from a couple friends and inspiration from the Spirit that has helped me to know how I can be happy even while enduring many difficult trials, just like the above quote says. My friend giving me the quote was a tender mercy of Heavenly Father letting me know that I'm on the right track. Today I've felt happier than I have in a while and it's thanks to my friends and a very loving Heavenly Father.