Trying a Little Harder To Be a Little Better

This semester I had the privilege of joining Jay's Work & Family Class.

Along with sitting in on the two hour class every Thursday, I wrote papers, did a project and did a book report on David J. Cherrington's book- Rearing Responsible Children.

The Family A Proclamation to the World states: "Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work and wholesome recreational activities."

Though Jay and I don't have children yet, we often discuss them. We discuss the miniscule and inconsequential things such as what their names will be. Just as often as we discuss the little things, we discuss our desires to raise children who are obedient, faithful, prayerful and loving.

Then I read Cherrington's book and he taught me just HOW to do that!

Cherrington discusses, "Parents err if they think they only teach values by the things they say. Obviously, what they say is important. But if what they say is inconsistent with what they do, their behavior will usually speak louder than their words. In fact, the example of parents is often the most profound teacher of personal values."

Learning of the importance of parent's responsibilities and the influence they have on their children impacted me greatly as I reflected on my overwhelming desire to be a mother. Suddenly I didn't just simply desire to be a mother but more than ever I desired so greatly to be a celestial mother, one who raises her children "on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion."

I realized if I want children with strong faith and good values, then I should probably make sure I have strong faith and good values!

From there I felt inspired to reevaluate my life and try a little harder to be a little better.

Over the last few weeks, I attended church, attended the temple, read my scriptures, said my prayers, did my visiting teaching, and showed more love to those around me.

These are all really simple things that I had already been doing, but some of them I had only been doing half way.

Now I was doing them fully and with sincere intent.

One of the biggest adjustments I've made is limiting my viewing and posting on social media. [Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest]  
Blogging I wouldn't count as social media. My purposes for blogging have always been to document and preserve memories for myself, current and future family, and close friends. It's never been addictive or stressful.

Then there's Instagram... I was addicted. Taking, posting, and viewing photos was ultimately causing stress, taking a lot of time, and sadly sucking enjoyment out of moments that I was so insistent on capturing.

For awhile I was using the excuse of documenting and preserving memories to justify the time I spent on there. But that excuse could not be validated because as I said, that's what my blog is for! 
I don't intend to bash Instagram entirely. It IS a great way to document and share major events as well as silly or heartwarming things found in every day life. It's also a great way to advertise and promote. And those smartphones are so great! They fit so perfectly in your pocket, the pictures they capture and the photoshop apps are well above mediocre. Having said all that, there needs to be a limit. So I've made it a point to put 'viewing and posting on social media' at the bottom of my priority list.

Thinking into the future I came to the conclusion that I don't want to be a mom that posts a photo every time her kid takes a bath, goes to the park, gives a kiss, or puts on a cute outfit. Or the mom that asks her children to say "cheese" so many times that their smiles become fake, worn out, and getting their picture taken becomes a painful and forced experience.

When I have children there will be wonderful things worth a picture now and then I am sure, but I am determined not to let the reaction of others be the motivation for taking those photos. And when I do have children and am so blessed to experience things like sweet morning snuggles, bedtime routines, and even stressful days full of tears and messes, I'd like to think that I will keep those things private and view them as the treasured moments in life that they are. 

Basically I realized that not every single moment in my life needs to be captured with a photo, and not every photo needs to be shared.

And so again, through all this I thought, If this is the kind of mom I want to be, I should probably start being her!

After just a short amount of time of implementing all these good things into my life: 
I have found significant and positive changes in my way of thinking.

I am more receptive to the spirit.

My anxiety levels have dropped.

I feel more confident in who I am and in my circumstances.

My conscience is clear, allowing me to differentiate between necessary and unnecessary- such as with posting on social media.

I am able to truly enjoy the little and big moments of my life with gratitude and without feeling the urgency to capture then "post it!" 
I am simply a happier person.

I'm so grateful I got to be a part of Jay's Work & Family class. What a wonderful opportunity to learn and to gain perspective on what Jay does on a daily basis as an MBA student. 
I'm so grateful for the influence of David J. Cherrington's book, along with all of the positive influences in life for opening my eyes to the things I need to be doing [or not doing] to achieve my potential as a daughter of God, a wife to my sweetheart husband, and someday a mother of a celestial family.