Oops! It's Saturday and I forgot to post my Friday results!

I know, nobody cares about this post but me, but I still am trying to be accountable so  here is how this past week went. I did really good...honestly...until yesterday. I had lost 3 more pounds. But then yesterday I got on the scales and it went up. So, for the week I only lost 1 1/2 pounds. Darn! I think it might have been because I didn't weigh myself until later in the day....oh well, lesson learned. I did get in a little exercise on 3 days. Since I don;t get out much, I am doing floor exercises. I enjoy them and I have had good results in the past. I just need to become more consistent. Today is another day and the start of a new week....wish me luck!

Why Do We Care?

Yes, England has a new prince. As I have watched the unfolding of events, I have heard different people in the media ask the question..."Why do we care?"  Well, I don't think is it about caring what is going with the Royal Family as it is curiosity and fascination with watching history unfold. It is interesting if nothing else to see tradition throughout the centuries kept. Watching the royal family is like taking us back in time but with a modern twist. Somehow we get caught up in being able to witness this historic event...a future king being born....and it not only takes us back in time but also while seeing what is happening now, it gives us a wee glimpse into the future, also. It is so refreshing to witness a couple that is married, seems to have a bit of sense and class get attention for something that warms our hearts by bringing a baby into their lives and creating a family unit. They want to raise their son themselves instead of being raised the old traditional way the royals have done in the past with nannies and servants.

 Let's be honest though, no matter what, this little boy is going to be raised with privilege as well as expectation. But whether a prince or a commoner, he needs two loving parents to guide him. William may have been raised by a loving mother, but I think one can safely say that Charles wasn't a truly hands on father until he had to be after Diana's death. Honestly, the way I see it....I don't think he has been truly good at much of anything., but that is another story. The story at hand is that the world loves William and Kate for the way they have carried themselves and rose above all the mess the royal family has engaged in in the past. They symbolize hope for the future. Something we need in the messed up society we live in now. And we hope that their son will reflect the image of what the story books have always taught us about royalty and life......that we all should  live happily ever after.

Girl Voted the Ugliest on the Internet Gives an AMAZING, Godly Speech - Inspirational Video

 Saw this on a friend's site today.....Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...Sometimes we need to see with loving eyes instead of worldly eyes.


Girl Voted the Ugliest on the Internet Gives an AMAZING, Godly Speech - Inspirational Video

Happiness...Part 3

 Found this timely message on facebook today which goes along with the other recent posts I wrote on Happiness being found in truths.

Mormon.org

"Cultivate an attitude of happiness, a spirit of optimism. Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature, in the goodness of those you love, in the testimony which you carry in your heart concerning things divine.” – Gordon B. Hinckley

Physical evidence of ‪#‎God‬ is everywhere – the beauty of ‪#‎nature‬, the wonders of the earth, and the discoveries of ‪#‎science‬ testify of the divine hand of creation. We have so many reasons to be ‪#‎grateful‬ and ‪#‎happy‬. Lift up your eyes and let true joy fill your heart!

SHARE this post if you have a reason to be grateful today.

http://mrmn.org/13dOTWu

It's Friday Report Time! Week 1

After a full week....The report is in......Sorry I didn't post this morning. I have been sewing frantically for a wholesale order that is due tomorrow and I still have more to do tonight! Anyway...because of the crazy week I have had with mucho sewing and grandchildren here 4 days this week, plus a cranky husband who was going nuts with all the commotion, I did not get in the exercise I would have liked unless you count running after kids....darn...I know, that doesn't count....well, it was a try. I also have to say I didn't do as well on my eating as I had intended either...but nevertheless I did manage to lose 2 pounds. Not great, but it is a start. 2 pounds is two pounds of success. It is the beginning of moving forward. I know I can do better this next week...AND I WILL!!! Stay tuned......

How Do You Define Happiness? Part 2

In my previous post, there is one element of the truth that in after though, I feel I did not put enough emphasis on. That is the act of service toward others. There is nothing that will bring one out of the blues faster than the act of giving service to others. When we stop focusing on ourselves and  instead focus on another person's needs, we can put our own lives in better focus. Our problems seem smaller and we gain a better perspective of our own self worth as we see it in others. We give ourselves a gift...for as we serve others, we also serve ourselves. It is important that we also give others the opportunity to serve us so they too can feel the blessings. Happiness is something that needs to be shared....we can't just get it from others or expect it....we need to be able to give and receive with an open heart....not so much with open hands. As we do this, we will find the peace and allow happiness to enter.

How Do You Definite Happiness?

This question was posed to me today by a friend. It is a question I asked myself many years back while depressed. At that time, I really didn't feel I knew what happiness was...and guess what!?!?! I didn't! I have learned that happiness doesn't come from others feeding it to you, or having a bunch of things, it is not about an euphoric feeling. It is a gift you give yourself as you experience and recognize truths in your life. It is the power that comes from the peace that truth gives you. For instance, if you tell a lie you don't feel good about yourself, thus you can not find happiness in that lie.... It weighs you down. But if you choose to tell the truth then you give yourself freedom from the burden of guilt, shame or bad consequences. 
We tend to tell ourselves lies about happiness. People tend to think that 'if' they find the perfect person they will be happy....expecting the other person to gratify them. Some try to find their happiness in wealth or fame thinking that if they have more they will be happy. Others think that life should be one big vacation or amusement ride with thrills and adventure around every corner...usually at someone else's expense. Then they wonder why when faced with the realities of life they are not happy.
We have all heard the saying, 'The truth will set you free'. Finding and excepting truth brings one peace of mind. When one feels that peace, they discover happiness and that freedom.
When raising my children during their teens, it seemed like everyday was a battle. But every once in a while, I would get  what I use to call my 'paybacks'. Those paybacks were the moments when one of my kids would say or do something special, nice, thoughtful, showed good judgement or was down-right funny. I lived for those moments.....moments of happiness. Truth is an exhibition of goodness, things that work, solid values put into practice, recognizing the blessings..that is where happiness lies.
As a grandmother, I can find great happiness in my sweet grandchildren. The truth about the circle of life, the value of family life, of learning and growing, teaching, loving.....all this can be found and enjoyed while spending time giving my time to them......happiness.
When times are rough, I can reflect on the little blessings along the way that give me the strength to endure and face my challenges with faith and hope..... again, happiness.
As we share our hearts and thoughts with others it releases bottled up anxieties and we are able to breathe more freely...feeling that peace.....happiness.
Happiness is what each of us seeks, but many do not find. They believe they can create their own happiness or someone else can give it to them, but it is something we need to cultivate for ourselves as we discover the truths which have been laid out for us by our Heavenly Father. He has told us how to find happiness, it is simple...we follow the path he laid out for us. Some might say that they feel too confined by God. I say, he loves us enough to tell us what works. He is 'the way', 'the truth' and 'the life'. It is only through His teachings...the values  or 'truths' that He set forth, where we can find the happiness we desire. He does not promise us there won't be bumps in the road....only that if we stay on course we will find those 'paybacks' that will get us through and eventually bring us the happiness we all desire.