My World of Influence

Julie Beck, general Relief Society President for the Church gave the opening address to the 2010 Women's Conference at BYU this week. I did not attend, but I read about her message online. One thing she was quoted as saying just made me feel tired. And overwhelmed. She said:

“I feel a great urgency for the daughters of God to do all they need to do to strengthen and lift — not just themselves, their families, sisters who are in their wards — but also the world,” Sister Beck said. “I feel that the sisters in this church who know and understand their covenants will be a significant force in helping this world which seemed to have lost its moral moorings.”

I don't know if I have the energy to bring the world back to these moral moorings she is speaking of. Heck, some days I can barely keep my own moorings at home when I feel like I would rather run away and follow the sunshine to some Mexican riviera beach.

I try hard to do what I know is right within my family, and with my circle of friends, and within my ward and stake. I even have felt a responsibility in my community and the schools, in particular. I know I have been blessed and feel that I have gifts to help in those places. I have felt I could be of benefit to others, sure. But I am not sure I have it in me to do this as a worldwide focus.

My world is happily very local. I spend many hours a week working in PTA, doing what I can to help other local leaders do and feel better about their programs in their schools. I am a volunteer in our community's summer festival where I feel like I can make a little difference for good for everyone who lives in our town. I extend repeated energy as I try to uplift the teenagers I work with in church and see once in a while at school. I do my best to congratulate them in the good things they are achieving and remind them that they are loved.

I recycle plastic bags, paper and cardboard, aluminum cans. I pick up trash in my cul-de-sac that gets blown about by the wind. I enjoy the lovely yards of people who live along my walking/jogging route each morning.

None of this makes much of a difference globally. I don't think I am the one cut out to do that.

I have a friend who by day is a licenced social worker, and a clinical therapist. Her superhero identity just happens to be a wonderful advocate for AIDS and HIV awareness and education in Africa where she travels regularly to teach others how to teach their people to improve their health and strengthen their families. She is making a difference globally.

Another woman who lives close by is the instigator of many of the Humanitarian drives that the Church has since incorporated. She spearheaded clothing drives for third world countries, designed school kits and newborn care kits that would put together here to give to mothers and children around the world wherever there is need. She is anchoring the world in its moorings.

I am not complaining that my contributions are not more high profile. I like things the way they are, at the moment. I just want to feel less guilty about enjoying them this way. Sister Beck thinks we, as covenant women, can help heal the world. I am just not sure I have it in me.

I hope that the world of influence I live in will suffice for the global direction she would like us to take on. If I am just a worker bee, is that enough? Can't that be enough? I was feeling pretty good about what I had taken on and had committed to do, then I read about her talk. If I wait long enough, this feeling will certainly pass. I think I will count on that and go back to my little local world.

Making Change For Myself

As I am desperate today for better weather, I thought I'd share with you some of the photos I took last week on a visit to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point. The bloom meter was only at 65% the day I was there, but the cycle of blooms was already underway. These master gardeners know which varieties to plant so they bloom in waves for several weeks each spring. As the first begin to fade and die the next wave is already blooming with another set waiting in bud form for their turn.


The variations in the tulips is amazing.


Just look at the blanket of blooms here. Lovely.


I love the light coming through the petals of the flowers in this shot.


I just love the shape of this tulip and its leaves.

Maybe if you close your eyes and concentrate of the images of these spring flowers, you might feel a little more springtime in your day today. Otherwise, let's just endure the weekend and hope the sunshine comes back next week.

Now I Get It

I figured out this morning what this 'funk' I have been feeling really is: I am getting sick.

I woke up with a sore throat, though not Strep-like, just scratchy and sore. I feel exhausted and cold.

I think I am going back to bed, at least until I get to collect The Boy at lunchtime to take him out for his birthday. At least, that is the plan. Genius Golfer is meeting us to surprise The Boy.

In a Funk

In the event that you have already noticed this by my postings this week, I would like to confirm the suspicions: I am in a funk.

I am sure there are several factors that feed this funky feeling. One is that I will have two teenagers as of tomorrow. Another is this shift in the weather. But there are others that are less easily identifiable.

I believe part of this is the busyness I feel without seeing the results at the end of the day. I have had a lot to do, but nothing that I could quantify at the day's end.

The other part if the recent weariness I feel in regards to my future. Not that there is anything imminent, but I think I an at the halfway point with my PTA life now and that allows me to look forward to the end of the proverbial tunnel. What am I going to do then? Yes, I realize I still have a year, but as a planner-type, I'd like to be making those plans now.

Some of this is that I haven't had any good writing topics this week that weren't directly related to something politically minded--and that makes me crazy lately.

I am happy to say that the weather will undoubtably, change; My kids will continue to get older; I'll know someday what I want to be when I grow up; And eventually I will have something to show for what I do each day. Until any or all of that works out, I'll just keep plugging away. Feeling funky.

Reminder

Just thought I'd leave myself a reminder. You are all welcome to make note of it too.

Patterns and Uniforms

Recently I was happy to be able to purchase 5 new shirts. There was a sale and I had an additional discount. I was delighted to find several brightly colored shirts for spring and summer and many things that will match things I already have.

When I hung them up in our closet, I had a sudden realization that I wear a basic uniform every day--jeans and a solid color shirt.

I also realized that I had chosen a handful of new shirts that, together hanging in the closet, reminded me of Easter eggs. Apparently I am drawn to this bright spring-time palette. This must be another reason why I am so anxious for spring and summer weather--all my clothes fit these seasons.

Video Sunday

Everywhere you go, someone is watching.

Attitudes are contagious; is your worth catching?

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with a friend.

Dream big.

We all need a little help from out friends.


Happy Sunday, my friends.