I like to make lists. But then I have a problem: I am so caught up in getting the list done and checking it off that I don't spend any time actually enjoying what I'm doing. This creates a lot of stress in my life because I am rarely present and mindful. Instead, I just… Continue reading Doing things and getting things done
Recent life hacks
Rituals are really helpful in order to express love. We love our children and our spouse and our family, but often we just think expressions of love will happen naturally and spontaneously. They don't. We have to plan it a bit. Love means that we always kiss each other good night. Or that we tuck… Continue reading Recent life hacks
Put yourself out there
When I started learning more about economics, I ended up adding some economic blogs into my feed reader. One of them was The Enlightened Economics, by Diane Coyle. She mainly does book reviews, and a lot of her posts were very interesting to me. But I am new to the subject, and I wanted recommendations… Continue reading Put yourself out there
Gratitude, Fear, and Perspective
Having less often means that you are more grateful. Isn't that silly? I just heard Brene Brown talk about how when we are really happy and things are going really well, we usually are expecting something horrible to happen. We don't let ourselves feel joy. We don't let ourselves be truly grateful for the absolutely… Continue reading Gratitude, Fear, and Perspective
A look back
(This was written around January 2018, two month before I moved away from Wyoming.) When I first came to Wyoming, I was unimpressed. It was dull and windy. I came on a particularly lousy day, as I found out later. It felt isolated and confusing because it was different than anything I was used to.… Continue reading A look back
The Lie of Happily Ever After
Marriage isn't about true love. It's not about finding the perfect person. It's about finding someone who has potential and a person we can grow with and improve. It's okay to marry someone with different strengths and weaknesses, even if some other people might feel that they are marrying up or down. Sometimes we just… Continue reading The Lie of Happily Ever After
Praise
I have never been praised for my singing voice, except for some mild positive comments. I view this as an entirely good thing. You see, when we get praised for something, particularly when we are young, we may start to build up our self-imagine around that thing. It becomes part of who we are. But… Continue reading Praise
Things that have helped me through doubt
Remembering good experiences Relying on my heritage and the faith of others Remembering what faith and hope is Continuing to obey the commandments Writing things down Doubt my doubts Realizing I don't have to have all the answers Embracing questions Serving others Seeking the wisdom of God Relying on love Knowing God loves me Priesthood… Continue reading Things that have helped me through doubt
Seeking help
Often I have pleaded for help from God, but I have often been too proud, too ashamed of my struggles, to reach out to help for others. The other day, I was dealing with a difficulty in my own life and I wanted better solutions. Though I had prayed, fasted, and talked with my husband,… Continue reading Seeking help
dichotomies of life
Sometimes I have a difficult time staying happy. Sometimes I am really happy and I feel blessed and life is so very good. And then other moments, I feel like I'm falling into a hole of melancholy where nothing seems quite right. Some of this is related to being a mother. It's emotionally draining. And there… Continue reading dichotomies of life