Back to the middle

Today was one of those days. Maybe it was a combination of the bad weather lately and our whole family being a little sick, and a sick baby = sleepless parents = tired, grumpy, impatient, morph mama.

Wait.  I really like to keep my posts positive, not because I want to pretend we're perfect and nothing ever goes wrong, but because these are my memories, and when I look back and read, I want to be uplifted and remember all the wonderful moments we've had in this life. But then I started thinking, what if I'm having a bad day later on and want to remember a good way to get over my bad day? You know, like, record certain trials and how I was able to get past them and that way become stronger?

Ok so note to my future self: a sure-fire way to come back to Earth and stop floating in my own little world of woe-is-me is to remember that there is always someone in a worse situation than I am. Just when I thought I couldn't stand to hear Ka'ihi cry anymore, I saw a young mother of three in a store, whose children were testing her patience, and she told me her husband was in the military and away in Iraq until July.  My heart went out to her, she was all alone in raising these kids! I felt guilty about complaining when my husband works less than a mile from our house and has such flexible hours and comes home every night. 

I often think of the scripture that we won't be tempted above what we can bear. And several times I've thought to Heavenly Father "this is really pushing the limit", but I try to remind myself to focus on the bigger picture. Not to get so caught up with my limited "cropped" version, but to look past myself and notice this life going on around me, and look for someone I can serve.

I gave a talk once on Temple work, and while I was preparing, I read a lot of thoughts by church leaders about the blessings of Temple service. President Hinckley said:

“Just as our Redeemer gave His life as a vicarious sacrifice for all men, and in so doing became our Savior, even so we, in a small measure, when we engage in proxy work in the temple, become as saviors to those on the other side who have no means of advancing unless something is done in their behalf by those on earth. … I encourage you to take greater advantage of this blessed privilege. It will refine your natures. It will peel off the selfish shell in which most of us live. It will literally bring a sanctifying element into our lives”

Although I can't exactly go to the Temple whenever I need upliftment, I can look for ways to help those around me. I know selfless service is the best way to humble ourselves, help others, and develop a better attitude.  Even listening to a wornout mother, who just needed someone to care, made me focus less on me, and thank God that I have so many blessings!

(Also, Future Self, other tried and true methods of bringing happy back are: reading, exercising, cleaning, eating and skyping the NZer's). And seeing THIS!

:D