What does Easter Mean?

EASTER is:

Spring Time, fresh and new.

Warmth,

flowers and life blossom all around.

Tasting the most delicious chocolates and jelly-belly flavors. The stores are splashed with new fresh pastels, I pull out my summer wardrobe and ready the sunblock. Baskets are full and eggs are decorated amazing designs and colors. Kids dash from tree, to grass, to tiny spaces, searching for that surprise! The Easter Bunny is sure to bring something delicious to eat. Water parks & splash pads are crowded as children squeal with delight. Art festival: face painting, chalk artists, festival fresh food in a historical place. I bought myself some original pottery today, filled it with fresh flowers and displayed it on my mantel. Yes, Easter-time is a wonderful American tradition that symbolizes the emerging fertility in the earth (I got that last phrase from Wikipedia).

BUT. 

What else is Easter to me?

It is remembering the actual resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. It is remembering that He lived, sacrificed his life and atoned for our sins. It is knowing that I am a Child of God. It is knowing that I can be with my family forever, after this life. It is knowing, with the bruises, heartache and troubles of this world, there is a purpose to this life, for all of us. It is daring to have faith, applying sacrifice and then feeling the sweet reward of peace, joy and warmth of a

Heavenly love wrapped around me.

I know that Jesus Christ Lives and He loved us enough to sacrifice for us. I know that we are are loved, we are all children of God and there is a Plan of Happiness for all of us.

Love, Sharee

This is Easter. 

Happy Easter!

http://shareephoto.blogspot.com/2011/04/easter-is-spring-time-fresh-and-new.html

To watch this beautiful video on Youtube: Click Here.
If you have any other questions please visit: http://www.mormon.org

BEAUTIFUL

I loved the message in this VIDEO so much, I had to Blog about it.

It is deep, personal and beautifully crafted. One reason I love the craft of photography is because I get to look into lives of very real people and work to capture their soul. You may think that sounds gimmicky, but I am being honest. I love people who work hard day in and day out to simply keep fighting the fight with a smile and I want to capture it. Lately, I have seen all too many people embrace total sarcasm and negativity as their personal daily friend as if they are living their own personal sitcom. Where is the sincerity anymore? Where is the joy in finding the beauty in difficult circumstances? I have lived through some tough experiences (like we all have) and I believe that I will continue to experience life hardship from time to time. I am not afraid of it like I used to be. One of the many reasons I have survived and kept faith in God, is because I have had some very encouraging examples.

Here is a little video that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has produced. It is a story about a woman that is truly BEAUTIFUL. Yet another great example. Her name is Stephanie Nelson. Here is a link to her blog. My younger sister, Malea, shared Stephanies Blog with me a few months ago. Malea suffers from chronic pain and turns to her blog often for comfort and support. I have even seen a beautiful clip done by Oprah's site.

It is all very touching, but can you truly internalize the message and apply the lesson you learn in your life? I believe regardless of our circumstances, we can be uplifting to others. We can laugh and enjoy life regardless of the trial. Finally, I believe the we can shout out encouraging messages across the internet and with our close family and friends. We can share our own stories of enduring well as we hold to our faith in God, with others. It is time to communicate the positives in the world of negatives. We can! :)

LIFE IS NOT BORING!

IT IS IN YOUR ATTITUDE!

I have discovered something life altering. I think you will agree, when you make this particular discovery, your life changes for the better. Be careful, this kind of attitude adjustment requires you to take personal time for growth. Are you ready for it? I am not sure you are. You want speed. You want MASS validation from the world. Your are comfortable with complacency. How about taking the time to learn how to enjoy what you have?

This discovery has helped me.

I want peace, I want to really get to know my children. I want to hold my husband. I want the time to serve my family and those put in my path. I don't want to miss a sweet sigh, a defining question, a smile, a hug from my husband and children. I want to enjoy the simple things in life.

Do you know what I am talking about yet? Okay. I will tell you. But I think it will require additional convincing.

YOUR EVERY DAY LIFE IS NOT BORING! Yes, Its true. I know you don't believe me, but please try. Just because the world is unaware of your everyday efforts does not mean your life does not have meaning. Just because you may feel uncomfortable in some way does not mean your life does not hold value! I think this is where you might have confused the issue: just because you feel discomfort, irritation and you don't get your way 99.9% of the time doesn't mean your life falls short in any way.

I believe that irritation, discomfort and NOT getting your way helps you stretch and grow, grants you depth and enjoyment that you deserve in every way.

Here are ways to enjoy your life and change your attitude and feel JOY!

#1 SLOW DOWN. I find that slowing down allows you to take the time to listen to that little voice and find opportunistic moments to serve your family and those around you.

#2 SERVICE. As you already know service moments can feel very inconvenient. This is why slowing down your life, is key. When obvious service moments fail to show up, seek them out. Do it without money or expensive gifts. Do something that feels uncomfortable and you will feel growth and fulfillment. Serve like you will never get; money, a thank you, a hug, or anything. Serve to feel good. You will find your reward is increased love and compassion for those you serve.

#3 LET GO OF THE NEGATIVE! When you feel anxiety, under-appreciated and frustration, stop (or like my six year old says "PAUSE") and exercise your agency. Choose to let go of negative feelings (as hard as it may feel)!

#4 THINK POSITIVE. Work hard to muster up all the positive things you have gained from your service. You see, this kind of positive self talk requires lots and lots of practice, and does not come easily. Think of your positive self talk like a muscle; it takes consistent and most ALWAYS uncomfortable effort to think positive.

Just because a negative thought pops into your head doesn't mean you are a depressed person. It is when you take that thought and you allow it to fester and build; you give it a name, you dress it up, you take it out to eat and give it a place to sleep. This is when this thought will lead you down the inevitable road of depression and chronic negativity.

On the flip side, when a negative thought pops in your head, you must practice letting it go. Don't invite it in to stay. Sometimes, this can be very difficult and may require additional effort like, writing down your thought, you can even burn it later. Find a safe, appropriate person to vent. You can even get on your knees and pray to Heavenly Father for help! (Now just because I brought up prayer and Father in Heaven, don't discount me.) Prayer to Father in Heaven is a very real and live source of help. I have found deep insight for myself when I have been on my knees pleading for a change of attitude. I have also felt a sense of acceptance for myself as well as a comfort in my life.

Try to read on a little more. When I struggle with more difficult situations, I go through a study process. I write down my feelings and thoughts. Not as a rant session. I dig for insight. I give my feelings words and try to describe them. I determine I must let go, I must exercise a bit more. I do this by finding a positive song (often times in the hymn book) and then I WRITE IT DOWN. I read a lesson out of the ENSIGN that pertains to my situation and I write down my favorite quotes from the article. I search the scriptures for verses that pertain to me, I write down those favorite verses. Last, I write down the thoughts that come to me as my attitude alters and changes. I write down what I have learned and gained. I write down my blessings. I write down a past experiences. I have even found other helpful books, articles and online talks that provide inspired insight to the situation. You can start the study process with a prayer and end it with a prayer. I get on my knees and beg Heavenly Father for additional help and insight and then I write down those thoughts that come to me as inspiration. I must always pray and thank my Father in Heaven for helping me with inspiration as well as the materials I searched to find insight.

This has been like my personal university, my personal study hall as I have tried to create an environment of learning, from my personal life experiences. I am less afraid of feeling irritated or feeling inconvenienced, because I have found that I can exercise my agency and turn these feelings into "moments of learning and self growth."

I challenge you to find ways to be positive on a regular basis. I have other ways of remaining positive, like, surrounding myself with positive media, uplifting music, books, shows, etc. I keep my conversations positive with family and friends and learn from their efforts to remain positive.

#5 APOLOGIZE. You may feel you are always right in certain situations. You may have a good point. But your point of view is just that, YOUR POINT OF VIEW. No one else's. If you express an opinion and it is rejected or you have offended the other person. STOP talking and listen. Listen as hard as it may be for you. If you find your situation escalating out of control take a breather, internally or step away. Show maturity and do it calmly. Then apologize without the use of the word "but." For example, "I apologize for arguing and not hearing your point of view but I did it because you..." Just apologize and try to hear and see another point of view.

#6 FORGIVE. Forgive, forgive, forgive. Your perspective will be altered and you will find joy in this.

#7 LAUGH! LAUGH! Laugh. Laugh, love, enjoy life and people. If you don't feel like laughing. Smile, even while driving down the road. Force yourself to smile and see what happens.

Look at every day life as a positive experience that will grant you a wonderful new perspective. This perspective will streatch you and allow you to become a well refined human being. I challenge you to stretch and exercise your positive muscles!

So, You'r Not a Blogger…How to Overcome Being Record-keeping Inept

Here are ways I have overcome my own personal hurdles of record keeping. I have been keeping a semi-regular journal for 21 years.

Can you answer yes to any of these questions? Funny, I can say “YES” to all of them!

Not a personal blogger?
Are you grammatically incompetent?
Have little time?
Do you hate scrapbooking or find it overwhelming?
Do your photographs stay in your computer?

We are in the digital age of sharing, blog-bragging and posting information about ourselves on the web. I believe it is always easier to journal information when you envision someone reading your entries.

I have to be honest; I am not an personal blogger. I find it difficult to post anything personal on the web about myself. My sister is a fantastic blogger and I enjoy reading her posts, I still can not bring myself to it. That being said, I find social networking on the internet, a vital form of marketing, so I keep a blog.

What about my personal thoughts and life happenings?
I am more of a personal, paper-writing, journal-keeping, kind of gal. Something about paper and an inky pen feels more tangible. When I was 14 years old, I might have been mortified if someone would have looked through my journal and read it. Now days, I keep my journal personal, yet open for readership. I keep in mind that my great-grandchildren might be perusing though my thoughts one day.

Here are some ideas I practice, that have helped me work past the hurdles:

SIDE NOTE: Please feel free to throw out the ideas that you don’t like. I understand everyone has thier own style. Perhaps there is something in this list that might help you out.

Details, details, but not every detail. Write the details important to you. Focus on the basic details about the people you love the most. You will not regret it.

I don’t have a lot of time. I do not update my journal every time I have not written for some time. If I feel passionate about catching up, I leave myself a few pages to accomplish this, but do not finish all at once. I sometimes continue writing about the present and take a moment or two to catch up here and there with my blank pages I left.

I take my journal with me to church or places I will be sitting and listening. I write small quotations from the speaker, make references to scripture and then write my thoughts or experiences about these particular ideas.

I keep sticky pads at my desk to write down thoughts or quotes to put in my journal and eventually write in my journal.

Grammar is my weakness. It always has been. I do not let this stop me. I write regardless, and I hope my readers will understand. The funny thing about writing on a regular basis, you get better with practice. I heard someone say once, “If life was easy, then it wouldn’t be hard.” I have found pleasure in looking back and seeing my progress through the years.

There are times I write down my prayers. It helps me stay focused on the prayer and I tend to write things down that are very dear to my heart.

I write one liners. Funny things my son said, funny things my husband said, etc.

I write my personal research or brain storm sessions. Later it gives me the opportunity to expound or explain what I was doing.

I write down my dreams, sometimes, even the strange ones (sometimes).

Print copies of emails or letters and paste them in your journal (even form letters).

Dedicate your journal; to a child, an unborn baby, someone you care deeply for or for your posterity (it is easier to write to someone). I took small excerpts from a journal I dedicated to my unborn and then newborn son. I put these quotes in his baby book.

Write down creative ideas. There are times I have a business idea or an idea for an art project. I write it down to reference later.

I do not ramp-and-rave in my record journals (any more). I keep a separate complain book, or “free journal” for my emotional days (if I am feeling negative). This is something I do to vent in a very healthy way. It helps me organize my thoughts and come back to cognitive, objective thinking. Then, if I feel the need, I have no problem burning the pages that were only there for me to let out some steam.

AMENDING: That being said, I have some very emotional journals from my earlier years that have some unsettling ideas. I wish I could say that I was more of a level headed teenager, but I was not. I DO NOT DESTROY THESE ENTRIES. I amend my journals. Let me repeat, I do not erase older, original entries. I simply write a new journal entry that refers to that “old entry.” I talk about what I learned from that time, I sometimes apologize for my behavior, or I talk about the things I have learned since.

Buy a nice pen and use it to scribble out mistakes and start again. YOUR JOURNAL IS NOT A FINAL DRAFT. Hire a technical writer for that.

Buy a nice journal to write in. I have found the 8 ½ x 11 books are good for me (I do not enjoy writing at the bottom of the book and the longer it takes to get to the bottom, the better). I also find a book that bends easily at the spine of the book. I like lined paper for a cleaner look.

There is nothing wrong with a digital journal. Make a habit of printing it out on a regular basis.

The more you force yourself to write, the more it becomes a habit.

You’re not a scrap-booker? Neither am I. I have tried. I have friends who are beautiful scrap-bookers, I think of them as mixed-media artists. I just don’t do it. I have found that I can make a digital coffee table book easier than I can make a scrap book. Blurb is my preferred way of going, but there are many options out there. Heritage Makers, Costco, Iphoto and the list goes on. I tend to make a yearly book for the family where I put small notes and dates on the pages of when I took the photos. I get the dates from the properties of the jpgs I take (right click on your jpg). Here is a link to one of my books on Blurb.

My images tend to stay in the computer. I highly recommend an external hard to archive your images and DVD's for very important events. Again I say, print your images in books and bring them to life! Here is a little encouragment to a few of you insecure, picture takers who feel like your images hold no value because they are not “professional looking." Your personal book is for you, not a contest.

Please take time to write your ideas, thoughts and experiances down. Remember that your life has value, your experiences are not entirely your own, others will learn from you. Write them down, even if your entries are rough and unrefined.

I am going to take a step into the “personal blogging world" for a bit. My father died when I was five years old, (I was later adopted by a wonderful couple). I also had two brothers pass away 15 years ago. Anything these loved ones wrote down, I cherish.

Perhaps this is one reason I keep a journal semi/faithfully.

I heard a talk when I was about 21 years old, while in the Mission Training Center for the LDS Church. One of the things Sister Grant, (the MTC President's Wife) said “To be remembered; become famous, so you’re written about, or write about yourself to be remembered.”

I decided at the time, since fame wasn't apparent, I would have to write. But honestly, I would like people to know me from my perspective, even if I have a few hundred grammatical errors. Wouldn’t you?