Lesson Number One:
"In Good Company"
When you decide to move, and your journey is going to be longer than 10 hours, make sure you have a car buddy who is more than willing to sing along to your fantastic mix of Disney and 90s boy bands. Make sure that this individual is especially good at singing along while "resting their eyes." Bring the kind of person who will make you laugh, poke you annoyingly when you even THINK about getting sleepy, and listen as you share every single thought that flows through the rivers of your mind.
This person for me, was my best friend and mother. Lots of laughter, tons of screaming our favorite Backstreet Boys songs, many trips down memory lane, several words of advice, and too many pictures taken of someone sleeping! I couldn't have asked for a better car buddy :)
Lesson Number Two:
"Love What You Do"
I started working this week, and I have to say....I have NEVER loved a job so much in all my life! I work with superstars of all ages, everyone is so kind and welcoming, the atmosphere is friendly and encouraging, and I look forward to coming to work every day. This job is going to be quite the blessing for me! Matter of fact, it already is. This wonderful place is called Hollywood Kids Academy! It's a theater studio for children, teens and adults.
Working here is showing me what it is I truly love. Theater! I studied theater for 3 years in Cedar City, Ut., I'll be finishing up my degree here in Vegas next semester, and my dream was actually to open a studio of my own! A studio just like the one I work in now! Teaching children all about acting, singing and dancing teaches them to be confident and creative! Those two things are very important to me.
However, after coming home from my mission, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do! I came up with all sorts of careers I thought I would enjoy, and I still might enjoy them, but I am learning that I can't push aside my love for the theater and helping children come to love it all as well. So, as I said before, this job has been a blessing to me already! As I try to figure out what path I want to take in life, I have the opportunity to experience the one thing I wanted to do since starting college!
I love it, and I always hope to love what I do!
Lesson Number Three:
"You Are Never Alone"
This lesson has been one I've learned over and over and over again. Heavenly Father loves to remind me that I am never without love.
It's hard to move away from my family, and an adorable little city I love! But, since I've moved, every day I have had friends and family text me, call me, write me o Facebook, email me...just to see how I am adjusting! What incredible people! It's nice to know that no matter where I am in this world, the people I love are never far away.
Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ have also been reminding me of their presence in my life. The other day, I was driving home and I felt prompted to stop at the temple, park there, and just be. Soon enough, I found myself praying. I began to pour out my heart to my Father in Heaven, speaking of things I wasn't even aware I was feeling, and as I did, I knew with every fiber of my being that He was listening to my words. His love is indescribable. I can not fathom how He could love each and every one of us, flaws and all, but He does. Trust me, He does. With this constant love, I know that I am never alone in this world.
This leads right into the last, and most recent, lesson I've learned-
Lesson Number Four:
"Be Thou Humble"
Tonight as I prepared myself for bed, I overheard my grandpa speaking to himself in the other room. I played spy for a moment to make sure he was alright, and what I found was a handicapped man wise in years, who has seen and felt much sorrow and affliction in his lifetime, at the edge of his bed, arms folded, thanking his Father in Heaven for this life he has been given. I listened as he prayed for everyone he possibly could, and never once did he pray for himself. As I listened, my heart was filled with light and love and warmth. Today I was far too caught up in my own world. All my thoughts were centered on myself. Then, through a simple grandfathers prayer, I witnessed sincere humility and realized that I needed to be more like that.
Yes, it's easy to get caught up in ourselves. We are human, we all do it! And we should focus on ourselves at times! But, let's not get so tangled in a web of pride and instead take a moment at the end of each day to reflect on this beautiful life and exactly who has given it to us. We are the creation of a King. I know that He blesses me far more than I feel I deserve, and that knowledge of His constant love and trust in me is encouraging and humbling.
I can only strive to live up to my duties as royalty...as a daughter of a King. As I do so, I'm certain I will find myself focusing inward yet again, but I also know that every time The Lord will humble me. And in those moments of humility, we allow Heavenly Father to mold us a bit more, to guide us, and to inspire us to become better.
I am so grateful for these lessons I've learned so far. I needed reminding on how much I value the relationships I have with my family, how exciting it is to finally find something I love to do, that supportive friends..no matter where they are... will always be there for me and keep me from feeling alone, and how with Heavenly Fathers love and our willingness to humble ourselves, the weak will be made strong.
(Check out Ether 12:27 in the Book of Mormon)
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! There are lessons to be learned in every single day. Try to focus on their timing and significance in your life right now!
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