You matter

In a world where all we do is compare ourselves to others, I sometimes need to remind myself that I am doing great. I am better today than I was yesterday and that is good enough. It makes me sad that we don't think that we are good enough based on what someone else is doing,. If we place too much value on material things, it will never bring happiness. There have been friendships broken, and families torn apart due to people in these relationships that are jealous or want something of a material nature. I have been a victim of this. I have had friendships go bad because of someone being jealous. It is not fun at all. I remember when this happened in my life, and I didn't think I could go on. It was difficult to navigate through. Comparing material things is not healthy and does not bring you up to a higher level. Take the time to see the good in you! beautiful you! Every single person can make a difference. You have a unique set of gifts that you can use to help others.
There is a story about how we all have a bucket that we are trying to fill each day. The only way to fill up our own bucket is to help fill up someone else's bucket by being kind, or doing acts of kindness. Think about this for a minute. When you are sad, and have a pity party, you take away from what is inside your bucket. You can look around for someone who needs a friend and as you reach out to them, you realize your own bucket is getting fuller. There will be times when your own bucket is filling up due to others reaching out to you. It is an amazing cycle. Be happy for others. Look for the good in everyone, and be a bucket filler!

The best way to be happy, is to not compare yourself to others. You have wonderful qualities and you are amazing just the way you are. You were created by a Heavenly Father who loves you. He knows you, and sends others to help you along the path. Look for the opportunity to be there for someone else. Don't compare your weakness to someone else's strength. 

Just say hello

I watched an Oprah video titled Just say hello. It talked about how saying hello and looking someone in the eye, fights loneliness. I have tried this and added it to my routine daily. It's funny how once you start thinking about things and you have that idea in your mind, you see it everywhere. It seems like all I hear about is just doing something simple to make someone's day.
I love making a difference. I am passionate about it. I talk about it all of the time. Today at work we had a training on being nice. It had a challenge to do 5 things a day to be nice to someone by doing random acts of kindness. They spoke about how someone put a note on the candy machine with a random act of kindness card. I think I know who this was ;) I want to take the challenge and see what 5 things I can do each day for one week. I printed out some random acts of kindness cards and I am going to put some of them in my car and take some to work so I can meet the challenge. It is awesome that America First is trying to promote others to do random acts of kindness. Here is the link to some of the cute random acts of kindness cards. Are you up for the challenge?
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5tymN19fC2YS1hVeTU4d05wTU0/edit

Our Young Men and Young Women are making a Mormon message about being Heavenly Fathers hands. It is so awesome to hear all of their stories each week and it is even more exciting to watch it as it becomes a video. The youth are amazing. They reach out to others every day. It is just a way of life. The youth in Pleasant View 4th ward are all about serving others and making a difference.

There was also a story on KSL about 2 young boys writing nice notes to people and handing them out at the mall. Everyone wondered what it was all about, some said no thank you, and some took them and read them while walking. The notes said things like "you matter",  "you have a pretty smile", "have a wonderful day". Something just as simple as a note made someone happy. If you want to read the story here is the link to the awesome article.

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=1286&sid=28857305

Now is the time to go and make a difference! Reach out to others. 

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.
Mother Teresa