Remember Where We Came From
It was Commencement again last Thursday. Has it really been a year since I posted about "Things I Wish I'd Known"? A lot has changed in my life since last years graduation, and not just my hair length, weight, and make-up.
This past weekend at church we were talking about recording things that happen in our life for our future selves to remember what we learned, and the experiences we've had. Last year at Commencement I addressed a blog to Past Cassandra. This year, I want to write to Future Cassandra. I have a few things I need to remind her of; things that have shaped my life, and allowed me to become who I am, and therefore who she is. I want her to remember where we came from, so that she can hold strong to her faith, and endure to the end.
1. You love praying. You have grown so close to the Lord through prayer, and you have grown to appreciate having parents who taught you at an early age to pray night and day. Don't forget to pray always - at your desk, when you are frustrated, when you are driving, when you are getting ready for church, when you are going for walks, when you are having a bad day, when you are lonely, when you are happy, when you are feeling accomplished, when you are waking up, and when you are going to bed. You love praying. Don't leave the Lord out of your life.
2. Have courage, and be kind! Have courage. A few months ago, Suzy encouraged you to focus on one word this year, and use that as your goal, and you have taken courage as that word. Look at the difference that has made! You presented at a conference in New York! You are dancing in a musical! You changed your make-up for the first time in like 10 years! You can do anything, as long as you have courage. Don't get down when things seem scary, or uncertain; you are doing better than you think you are. You are enough.
3. You don't need chocolate to be happy. I know. I am about to hit my one year mark of giving up chocolate in a few weeks, and 8 month mark of giving up chips, and I have to tell you.... as hard as it has been to give up my favorite foods, I have felt so much healthier, and happier, and I have been able to get back into shape! I am only 2 pants sizes bigger than I was when I graduated from college. I know you can keep up being healthy, if you can remember you have the strength to give up unhealthy foods, and take control of your life.
4. You love the temple. Ok. That's an understatement. But for reals. Remember all the good times you've had in the temple?! Especially now that you work there. Remember all the strength and support and love you have felt from so many people! Remember the words that you have memorized, and the courage they give you to stand for what is right, even when the world tells you it's wrong. Remember the peace you always feel when you attend. Remember that every time you have a bad day, the first thought that goes through your head is that you need to attend the temple.
5. It's ok to cry. You love crying, besides the headache that follows. Life is hard. Life is beautiful. Life is chaotic. Life is calm. In all these crazy ups and downs of life, crying has accompanied you - when you've been exceedingly happy, and when you've been dismally down. When you've felt overwhelmed, and when you've felt more accomplished than ever. It's ok to cry. It actually always makes you feel better afterwards.
6. Studying the scriptures and conference talks brings so much joy into your life. How would you get through a day without the scriptures? Or a quote from President Monson? The thing is, you love reading the scriptures. You love starting your day off in the scriptures, reading the words of Prophets of old. And, let's be honest; there's no way you could do half as much at work as you do if it weren't for the conference talks playing in the background at your desk. You thrive on the words of the Prophets. Don't leave them out of your life.
7. Sometimes a mid-life crisis is good for you. They come unexpectedly, and they allow you to reevaluate your life, for the better. Also, don't let anxiety and stress overtake your life. Yes, they are part of you; they are a daily reminder of your flaws, imperfections, and your need to have Christ in your life. Sometimes they cause you to have melt downs, or a mid-life crisis. And yet, they are part of you, and are a part of the plan to help draw you closer to Christ. Do not be discouraged when a mid-life crisis pops up; hang on tight to the principles of the gospel and keep moving forward.
8. You love Florida Georgia Line. Ha. You weren't expecting a non-spiritual one, huh? Yes. I know. I just want future Cassandra to remember how much you love music, especially these guys. They're kind of your favorite. You love blasting music and singing your heart out. Road trips with Florida Georgia Line are the best.
Well, Future Cassandra, hopefully those will tide you over for a little bit. Don't let the world get you down. There is so much joy out there! "The next time you are tempted to groan, try to laugh instead" ~ Joseph B. Wirthlin.
This past weekend at church we were talking about recording things that happen in our life for our future selves to remember what we learned, and the experiences we've had. Last year at Commencement I addressed a blog to Past Cassandra. This year, I want to write to Future Cassandra. I have a few things I need to remind her of; things that have shaped my life, and allowed me to become who I am, and therefore who she is. I want her to remember where we came from, so that she can hold strong to her faith, and endure to the end.
1. You love praying. You have grown so close to the Lord through prayer, and you have grown to appreciate having parents who taught you at an early age to pray night and day. Don't forget to pray always - at your desk, when you are frustrated, when you are driving, when you are getting ready for church, when you are going for walks, when you are having a bad day, when you are lonely, when you are happy, when you are feeling accomplished, when you are waking up, and when you are going to bed. You love praying. Don't leave the Lord out of your life.
2. Have courage, and be kind! Have courage. A few months ago, Suzy encouraged you to focus on one word this year, and use that as your goal, and you have taken courage as that word. Look at the difference that has made! You presented at a conference in New York! You are dancing in a musical! You changed your make-up for the first time in like 10 years! You can do anything, as long as you have courage. Don't get down when things seem scary, or uncertain; you are doing better than you think you are. You are enough.
3. You don't need chocolate to be happy. I know. I am about to hit my one year mark of giving up chocolate in a few weeks, and 8 month mark of giving up chips, and I have to tell you.... as hard as it has been to give up my favorite foods, I have felt so much healthier, and happier, and I have been able to get back into shape! I am only 2 pants sizes bigger than I was when I graduated from college. I know you can keep up being healthy, if you can remember you have the strength to give up unhealthy foods, and take control of your life.
4. You love the temple. Ok. That's an understatement. But for reals. Remember all the good times you've had in the temple?! Especially now that you work there. Remember all the strength and support and love you have felt from so many people! Remember the words that you have memorized, and the courage they give you to stand for what is right, even when the world tells you it's wrong. Remember the peace you always feel when you attend. Remember that every time you have a bad day, the first thought that goes through your head is that you need to attend the temple.
5. It's ok to cry. You love crying, besides the headache that follows. Life is hard. Life is beautiful. Life is chaotic. Life is calm. In all these crazy ups and downs of life, crying has accompanied you - when you've been exceedingly happy, and when you've been dismally down. When you've felt overwhelmed, and when you've felt more accomplished than ever. It's ok to cry. It actually always makes you feel better afterwards.
6. Studying the scriptures and conference talks brings so much joy into your life. How would you get through a day without the scriptures? Or a quote from President Monson? The thing is, you love reading the scriptures. You love starting your day off in the scriptures, reading the words of Prophets of old. And, let's be honest; there's no way you could do half as much at work as you do if it weren't for the conference talks playing in the background at your desk. You thrive on the words of the Prophets. Don't leave them out of your life.
7. Sometimes a mid-life crisis is good for you. They come unexpectedly, and they allow you to reevaluate your life, for the better. Also, don't let anxiety and stress overtake your life. Yes, they are part of you; they are a daily reminder of your flaws, imperfections, and your need to have Christ in your life. Sometimes they cause you to have melt downs, or a mid-life crisis. And yet, they are part of you, and are a part of the plan to help draw you closer to Christ. Do not be discouraged when a mid-life crisis pops up; hang on tight to the principles of the gospel and keep moving forward.
8. You love Florida Georgia Line. Ha. You weren't expecting a non-spiritual one, huh? Yes. I know. I just want future Cassandra to remember how much you love music, especially these guys. They're kind of your favorite. You love blasting music and singing your heart out. Road trips with Florida Georgia Line are the best.
Well, Future Cassandra, hopefully those will tide you over for a little bit. Don't let the world get you down. There is so much joy out there! "The next time you are tempted to groan, try to laugh instead" ~ Joseph B. Wirthlin.
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