morning present

those who know me know how much I dislike waking up early. I like my sleep. A lot. And i am something of the opposite of a morning person. So when I had to be at work an hour early this morning...I was not super excited about it. But I got up and miraculously made it to the bus on time. Somehow I actually get up on time better when I have to wake up earlier...perhaps my mind worries that I won't get up on time and thus does not allow my body to even entertain the idea of snoozing past my alarm.
So I was less than thrilled to be a part of the early morning commuters, which were few, especially given that today is Friday. As I got on the yellow line I actually was grateful for the lack of commuters as it meant I could sit down on the metro, which never happens, thus saving me from another mishap like last week in which I was standing between the wall of the train and 3 other bodies on one side and a sitting passenger on the other...and when the train lurched to a sudden stop, in my tired haze I lost my footing and fell on the sitting passenger....add that to the list of embarrassing DC moments. Somehow they happen here more often.
Anyhow, back to this morning....as the train came out of the tunnel to go over the bridge across the Potomac, I looked over my fellow commuters' heads to see the most beautiful sunrise over the Potomac. The cold morning sky was streaked with thin, ice-laden wisps of clouds all running parallel to the horizon, bending the light from the rising sun to cast pink and yellow and orange rays on the calm waters of the river. It was beautiful! I wish I could've taken a pic but at the risk of looking like a tourist (when I have clearly departed from that group :) I opted to just sit back and soaked in the gorgeous view. It was like a little morning present at 7:15am for this non-morning-lover.
In other good thoughts...I just recently noticed how good are the lyrics to the not-so-new song by Katy Perry, "Firework." I actually don't like most of her music as it is very overplayed and sometimes contains questionable material. However, I heard "Firework"the other day after shunning it for quite sometime as it was played a bagillion times a year or so ago, and actually listened to the lyrics. Here's a sample:

You don't have to feel like a waste of space
You're original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe the reason why all the doors are closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road
Like a lightening bolt, your heart will blow
And when it's time, you'll know

Ok I know it's not Emerson or Thoreau, but I liked it. It made me wish I had a teenage daughter to inspire with the message, cuz I know I would have loved hearing this as a teenage girl.
So let your colors and light shine! We are unique and that is perfect. And good things are always on the horizon...just can't see them yet.

i want to go to italy

I learned something this morning:
Pitigliano, Italy is also called 'little Jerusalem' for its Jewish history, Semitic architecture, and rich culture. In Pitigliano, a local delicacy is called Sfratti. Sfratti is a stick-shaped biscuit filled with walnuts, honey, nutmeg, and orange peel. (Sounds delish!) The word sfratti comes from the Italian word sfratto, meaning eviction. The story is told that police used to hit Jews with rods to force them into the ghettos of the town starting in the 1600's, where they were segregated continuing through the 20th century until they were almost eradicated from the city during WWII; the Jews transformed their pain into something edible.
What an amazing example! It has made me think.....What causes you pain, and how could you transform it into something positive, even the actual reminder/representation of this pain?

warning: cheesy-gratitude post alert

As much as it has become a bit cliche to count your blessings during this time of year and many have scoffed at those who plaster social media with expressions of gratitude, I will venture to do so as I reflect on this statement from President Thomas S. Monson (prophet, seer, revelator, and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints):

I have found that, rather than dwelling on the negative, if we will take a step back and consider the blessings in our lives, including seemingly small, sometimes overlooked blessings, we can find greater happiness....I would recommend this same exercise to you—namely, that you take an inventory of your life and look specifically for the blessings, large and small, you have received. 

(http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/consider-the-blessings?lang=eng)

Since I always welcome more happiness in my life, I thought I would follow President Monson's advice, and since I also enjoy sharing what happiness I find with others, I thought I would post what I find from my life inventory of blessings here.

Blessings:

knowledge of, faith in, love of God, our Heavenly Father
similarly, His Son, Jesus Christ and the miraculous atonement He gave us
the gift of the Holy Ghost...the ultimate comforter, teacher, testifier
the priesthood...God's power and authority that he has bestowed on worthy men, and those men who hold it/exercise it worthily to bless those around them

living, modern prophets and apostles

temples...the House of the Lord
living close to a temple so I can enter frequently
saving ordinances... that cleanse us from sin, seal upon us blessings, and bind us together for all eternity
family
sisters....fun, craziness, long talks, inside jokes, traditions, short arguments
parents...who showed me good examples, taught me eternal truths, and loved me always
friends...so many wonderful friends who have blessed my life in so many ways!
scriptures and words of living prophets...bringing the spirit into my life and teaching me how to be better
Christ's true church restored to the earth
laughter...i LOVE to laugh! at myself, at movies, with friends, with family. the day is not complete without moments of spontaneous bouts of laughter
music...for when I'm happy, sad, angry, lonely, excited, energized, spiritual..music is always there and always knows how I feel :)
education
the ability to read/write
books
hot chocolate
dark chocolate
mint and chocolate...together they are amazing
sunshine
seasons...although I don't really like winter, I'll admit it helps me appreciate my beloved summer more
water...to drink, to shower, to clean, to swim
mountains
beaches
my car
shelter..warm/dry/comfortable place to live
hobbies
entertainment
a job
clothing
cute, colorful clothes (there are clothes to cover your body/keep you warm, but then there is more...)
shoes
boots
scarves
electricity
technology

the Sabbath day
holidays
traditions
food
tasty food!
heaters
water heaters
football
a strong/healthy body
access to medicine/health care
computers
phones....and smart phones most especially :)
communication
movies
Disney movies (yes I am a sucker for a really good/funny Disney movie, thank you Walt Disney for bringing wholesome entertainment to the world)
art...in various forms
mentors
teachers

opportunities for learning/growth
talents
shampoo/soap
bleach....mold be gone!
GPS
people who are more intelligent than myself
Relief Society
visiting teaching
girls' nights
vacuums
washer/dryer

language

hair.....yes I might be a bit prideful of my healthy, thick, honey-colored locks. I now go to repent.

repentance

chapstick

travel

variety...in everything!

working senses...sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell

color

men...I'm a woman and I love men. so sue me.

being a woman...I love feeling pretty!

hiking

camping

rivers

waterfalls

nature...brings me peace/joy, reminds me of my Father in Heaven

sugar...makes everything better

pizza

pictures...to remember good times

patience 

examples of strong/wise people

sleep

running...it kills my knees but feels so good!...don't ask me how

dancing

fun

memories

my bed

blankets

service

living in the United States of America

freedom

agency

the metro

opportunitites to serve/reach out to others

innovation

intelligence

time to be still and think

progression

goals

work

commandments

happiness

I know this is a really long list...and I honestly could have kept going, but you get the idea and the exercise has fulfilled its purpose. I have been so incredibly blessed. I have SO much that others do not and have everything that I need to live. I have never lacked for any of the necessities of life. How I got to be so blessed I will never know. 

onward, ever onward

Today I am finding great joy and peace in the true principle of progression and its best friend and constant companion: repentance. I have been extremely busy of late and thus perhaps this has damped my usual fire for goal setting and improving. But I recently made my typical supplication to the Lord to find out where I can improve and what areas of my life needed refining.
Disclaimer: if you are not feeling humble or ambitious I do not recommend doing this as He really will answer your prayer and help you identify areas needing improvement and then you will feel guilty until you work on them. :)
But what an amazing opportunity we have to do this and to change ourselves as we turn our will over to the Lord and become as he would have us be. To see yourself in a fresh light and through His eyes.
Sometimes I get a bit stubborn (yes i am slightly...ok maybe a bit more than slightly..strong-willed) about some things and resist the gentle promptings until they become blaring/flashing warning signs and I realize that he was trying to prod me in one direction for a while. Luckily though, I have yet to ignore Him completely thanks to His great love and knowledge of me better than I know myself, and thanks to the Holy Ghost who is my constant friend. I am then able to make course corrections and know that it is in line with His will, not mine. I am eternally grateful for a Father in Heaven who is unfailing patient and loving as we stumble and struggle to be what he wants us to be. And more than anything for the atonement that makes this progression possible.
I am also finding joy in patience....which, ill admit, is at times hard to find joy in. I think as humans we can all relate to the easy trap of impatience. Time is such a huge and defining part of this life, however we are not temporal beings. We are eternal beings and will not always be defined by time. In fact more of our existence is not defined by time than that which is. Time is but a function of man's desire to control his world around him, when in reality he has almost no control whatsoever. Ironic....so remember that time is temporary. We do not, and cannot, be perfect over night or really ever in this life. But we can begin to try...and keep trying.
Also ironic, but not at all a coincidence in my book, I just received an email with a quote by Elder Bednar: "Continuing Conversion is constant devotion to the revealed truth we have received - with a heart that is willing and for righteous reasons." I'll let you connect the dots and let the spirit teach you about that. :)

On a lighter, less eternal note...I recently had a 3-day weekend due to the Veterans Day holiday. So what did I do? Go hiking of course....twice in those 3 days of course. I won't say I'm not predictable. And of course it was a gorgeous fall weekend to do so. I still get a bit tripped up that it is the middle of November and still very pleasant outside every now and then. My time in Utah/Colorado has accustomed me to fierce, cold fall weather...well lets be honest, it's not fall weather but simply early winter. (As they currently recover from massive snow fall)

I retract my former statement, recalling the words of the Lord: "all things unto me are spiritual"..and "all things bear record of me." Methinks, therefore, that He knew I needed my double hiking time this weekend and that it would administer to my whole being. Isn't our Heavenly Father amazing? And isn't life wonderful? If you don't really think so right now, take a step back and pray, ask your Father to feel of His Spirit, love and see things in His perspective...then I guarantee you will agree. Tell yourself: I can do this! God loves me, Jesus will help me, and that's all that matters!
Sometimes I make up little mantras like this to motivate myself to face big challenges and then repeat it in my mind over and over...don't laugh cuz it totally works!....thanks mom for teaching me about positive thinking. :)

storm quote wall

Meredith: yeah, i just did more whipped cream

Meredith: i wonder what would happen if you were riding a bike right now or rollerblading?

caitlyn: let me pick up the cheez-its i spilled..
meredith: i ate them...problem solved...

Meredith: you're not with us! get over here!

Caitlyn: well, if i stay up, i'll just keep eating!

Caitlyn: frankenstorm turns us into 3 giggly girls