Right on Target

Now, reader, you may think that my swell habit of goal setting would've died because I am now at college (thank you for reading this, by the way), in the place that I believe I was designed to be. Now, though this whole attending school, or my further education at a college or institution (other than attending church and institute at the CSU institute building), I still believe that there are a few things which I would like to accomplish, and goal setting is a habit. And, what can I say? Habits, whether they be good or bad (hopefully good) take time and if you dedicate yourself to them, they are hard to break. Comparably, it took me years (or maybe it was days or weeks, but just felt much longer than that...it was a very long time ago) until I hit the target correctly during archery lessons in P.E. class, this is just to make sure that I am right on target (because certain things take time, and none of us are perfect) (that's right. I said it.) 

1. Make a habit of wearing higher SPF: When one first is told to think of the weather in Rexburg, Idaho (that is where I currently am), they do not immediately think of hot summer days and sweat. It does rain 9 out of the 12 months of the year here, and I landed in the three lucky months that they get of sun. It is a peculiar climate at times (trust me, when I arrived here a week ago, there was a hailstorm and right at this moment, it is a lovely day outside), but one gets used to it! My roommates, Somer and Sierra regularly spend a section of the day in their swimsuits, outside tanning. Though God has given me a great abundance of blessings, one of them isn't skin that can easily tan. (What is that skin called again? Please enlighten me if you know this.) And also, I should respect that the sun might have a different effect on me here but...I'm not a real big risk-taker (unless anyone dares to challenge me that I cannot read an entire book in a week. Bring it. What were we talking about again before my head was in the clouds.) Everyone has to start somewhere. I may be like an innocent, peaceful Hobbit traversing to Mordor, but at least that is somewhere (and who knows? I could have some Took in my bloodline.) (I do often tell people that though my mother was born and raised in southern California, I did not inherit her skin.)

2. Write a letter to my senior self: I don't know about you but in elementary school (I can't remember if it was in kindergarten or 5th grade...probably 5th grade because I think I was in the blue group in kindergarten (the lowest reading group--just give me a goal) (I always had the mindset that I have right now on goals) my class was given the assignment to write a letter to ourselves that they would send to us once we were a senior in high school. The letter included our current hopes and dreams (as they were when we wrote it) and our prospect for the future. The simple assignment of writing that letter was like a baton that kept me on target for the rest of my life. Though, when I was young, I didn't see myself receiving a brain injury in a car accident that put a little damper on my schooling life, but it is one of the things that taught me that no matter how many times life knocks you down, you can always get up and I still try to do that today. That is why, though I am a sophomore in college currently, I will write myself a letter to open when I am a senior. Though I may take some of the classes at a slower speed because of what happened in the car accident and the COVID-19 trial the world is currently going through and I have no idea when I will complete my education, I will still write it. I have to set the goal or see the racetrack before I can actually complete it. If writing a letter to myself is going to work, much like it did for my primary education self, so be it. 

                                                     

3. Pull an all-nighter: I admit that I am a little bit timid with this one. I am a firm believer in the phrase "early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise" but if I am honest, laying it all out on the table here, I have never been very good at going to bed all that early, whether it is my book that keeps me up (just one more chapter...please!) or my friends and their giggles or probably the true criminal of a long movie (and I DON'T want to do my workout) that keeps me up, I have just never been all that good at going to sleep early. Although, in the morning, it is a different story. I am a naturally early riser. (I believe I get that from my mother.) I was always the one waking my father up to take me to my seminary classes before I had Tara to drive me there. I don't know if it is part of my gene code that makes me this way or rather, it could also be that I grew up in a room with two windows shielded with white blinds (what made me get a sleep mask recently...though it hardly ever stays on my eyes all night. I don't know what movements I make in my sleep.). I just have never been a very big fan of sleep (it's not you, it's me). Although, when my alarm went off this morning, I am proud to say that I rolled over, opened one eye, turned it off, before shutting my eye again. Maybe it is this college thing, but an all-nighter sounds like quite the challenge that I bafflingly find myself willing to stand up to. Bring it. 

4. Cook a meal: I mean an actual meal--and I won't allow myself ordering pizza that I heat up in the oven count! (Well, maybe...) So far, whenever I have needed a home-cooked meal, my angel of a sister, Tara has been there for me (hi Tara! Thank you!), but I decided that I must pay her back someday, somehow...if she is brave enough. Funny story: yesterday, I went to the grocery store, seeing that I was running low on some of my microwaveable products thus, I needed to pick up some more so I did (along with some twinkies because I don't always have the time to make myself a justifiable breakfast). I'm in college! It is one of those when in Rome, sort of things. Anyway, even in the store, I almost grabbed more than I needed because of this early morning, late night dream. I am learning how to live on my own, so if I am going to have to learn how to cook a meal someday, why not now? (I mean serious meal, spreading some jam on bread or throwing it in the toaster doesn't count.)

5. Join a tree-planting event: I don't even know if this one is a semi-realistic goal yet because I am not quite sure what the laws up here say about me planting something that could be there for hundreds of years. So I'll be sure to check on that...no matter how relaxed some claim the law is up here (what else is it going to be with a ton of college-aged Mormon kids? (What am I supposed to call us again?)). I have always been a supporter of more green earth in my days, and my children's days (if I'll even ever). Heck, one of my best friends in high-schools name was Aspen (not that that is a good notifier, it is more ironic). Though I claim to not be a complete hippie (at least I try), I do have Lorax-like support of the tree movement (not just because of that is a book by the lyrical genius of Dr. Seuss) (maybe no Shakespeare, but he is pretty darn well close) when I say with him, "A tree falls the way it leans, be careful which way you lean." I lean with the law on the go earthside in this particular case. (Though I fear I am more comparable with this little guy ("the cutest little guy ever") here.)

                                   

6.  Do a karaoke night: Ever since the car accident for me, I have been a little pile of nerves that would rather die instead of doing something like sing in front of people. I have participated in one karaoke night since then, but I was sure to sing a song that everyone knew and would be singing with me before I took my place on the stage in front of the microphone. Before the car accident, I didn't have any nerves at all. I always auditioned for the solos in my choir class, and even before that, I was the lead with the one solo song for my 5th-grade musical/graduation. (I don't even know who that girl was anymore, singing in front of people without having a problem about it...yikes.) Anyway, once I was in a car accident that some people said that my injury could've affected the vocal cords I have always been a little more timid and shy. If you don't believe me, know this, I did take some voice lessons right after the car accident because while some said that my singing ability was affected, there still were others that refused to believe that (I did take a choir class every year of middle school). The voice lesson recital, though my teacher never endlessly complimented me on some of my songs, I still did something that would assure that I forgot the recital (everyone said I had a bad memory anyway) and wouldn't have to go up on a stage, center stage, and perform in front of people. Maybe this goal is not such a good idea haha (shoot for the moon even if you miss you'll land among the stars). 

 

Am I crazy to be setting goals like this, even at this point in my life? With my fair skin (not always a good thing, at least I believe), mad writing abilities, sleeping genes (some of them still do exist), microwaving skills, I'm a little like the Onceler too, or my timid genes (also known as all my genes) (sorry Chris, you may have heard me singing along to the radio but in my defense, that wasn't on a stage).  What are your thoughts on these? Do you support that target that I plan to hit someday, or am I a bit crazy (aren't we all)? Is the target too unimaginably far? Please post your thoughts on Blogger, Facebook, Twitter, or wherever you will. I would love to hear them. 💛💛💛💛 

What do you think about it?

Consecrate moments of your day to thanking peers and other people who impart themselves to your work. Very few of us can do our own work with success inside of a vacuum; for example, even an artist who works solely from their home studio relies on vendors for their own materials and customers for their livelihood. (Maybe I think about art too much, but who doesn't?) This may have been the reason why Vincent van Gogh only sold one painting for the length of time that his life endured. (If you have other startling stories such as this one, please tell me.) Take your own time to feel appreciation for others and the ways that we all support one another's work. I also would like to add that the only place that we can express this gratitude of our viewpoints isn't on places like a Tweet on Twitter (but I digress...I would appreciate a response to this post anywhere) (but I digress...)

 

Wild Irish Rose

 

 

First of all, for those of you that don't know, what is a Wild Irish Rose? A Wild Irish Rose is a flower (big surprise.--Right??). A Wild Irish Rose, though small flowered and short in stature, is known for glowing an intense rosy orchid. Look at the picture that I posted slightly above this writing, don't you note how brilliant tangerine beards sparkle down the flower, much like dancing leprechauns. It is beautiful. You may have noticed the particularity of that beauty, or remain stuck in dreaming to have an as freely giving beauty such as that flower. Maybe...just maybe...

 

I think that we already all do have the beauty have that stunning Wild Irish Rose in us. How? You might as well ask. We all have our differences one from another, each vainly wishing in possibility to be as magnificent, fast, or smart as someone else. Stop. Those differences make us each beautiful. Whether it happens to be the size of our widely gazing eyes or the loud, obnoxious chime of our laugh (or maybe more appropriately, guffaw as I would verse my own). Don't hide yourself. Never. Those differences make us all wonderfully different from one another and it is very beautiful. Personally, the right side of my body doesn't work as well as the left side and though I hate it, I am trying to learn to accept it as just another part of my Wild Irish Rose (let's not get too carried away). I try to make myself better each month with a recent habit that I created of creating goals and then attempting to go forward and achieve them. You might of read something a little like this before...read on! I implore you, this one is different. It isn't just another rose...it might even be a little wild.

1) Reach out to a coworker you don't know well and chat with them. This has been especially hard as of recent occasion, seeing the quarantine that we each were in in my home state of Colorado, but now seeing that we are finally ebbing our way out of it (no I haven't been waiting for this day ever since it started...yes I have giving all my respect to the doctors and their advice, they do know more than me. I respect and know that...still following quarantine. I'd be lying if I didn't say that I liked it a little bit. (Life in a library, what book will I read next?) (You know it, Chris! Are you out there, reading this?)). Where was I? (I get caught in rants often, like I said, I'm a bit wild.) I will reach out to coworkers, seeing that I am quite the social butterfly. I plan to do this if the recent dog-care business that I started takes off, because you need to reach out to animals too if you wish to understand them. 

                                                                  

2) Stay offline one day per week. This isn't that day! This one has been a constant goal of mine, I guess. It is just one that has never lifted its wings and flew, seeing how many activities that I participate in online including my online schoolwork, social media, and oh...blogging! Hopefully posting these thoughts online (creating a small oxymoron, I guess) will add more of my own personal gumption in achieving this particular goal. I actually listened to a talk on this somewhat earlier this week called "We Can Do Better And Be Better" by President Russell M. Nelson in April 2019. The talk was specifically geared toward men and young men, advising them not to spend all their free time on the little or big gadgets of today that work as seemingly little distractions for us and giant tools of the Devil, since they really should be spending that time with their family. When I heard this, I thought of why that piece of beckoning doesn't apply to us all? I think we all need breaks from going dark places like the online (I'm not telling you to leave...yet) when we have a family, or friends that could use the time, actual time instead. It will be difficult but I am up to the challenge.

3) Try meal-prepping. This goal may not be the most Wild Irish Rose-like for me, seeing that I have always had a gumption for learning new recipes. One of my favorite shows is "Great British Baking Show." (I someday dream of making a "Great American Baking Show"...or is that perhaps already an idea taken a few times. Bring it.) The thing is though, after gathering recipes in my dream book, (everyone has one of those, right?) I find that I do not have all the ingredients in my cupboard (I hate spending money) or the time necessary. Don't go saying that I had all the time in the world during this quarantine, I already tried that convincing point (plus I had tons of...homework). Besides that, meal-prepping is defined as the concept of preparing whole meals or dishes ahead of schedule so I'm not all the way sure that my Mom's famous chocolate chip cookies would count. I tried to make a PB&J once; let's just say that it ended in horrid disaster. Want a rookie meal, anyone (no not cookie...although, let's talk)? Sounding Rosie.

4) Learn something new. This is one challenge that has always remained difficult for me and I don't know how to solve it. When I was young, I had this little book full of arts and crafts that my little 8-year-old (or was it 9?) mind wasn't afraid to step up to the plate to. That is how I learned how to knit with my friendly Knifty-Knitters to make it a little bit easier. I still knit some things today. In fact, I recently made a little pink hat for my niece, Paige, but I diverge. Yes, I was brave as a young child but as soon as I woke up from a car accident where they told me I received some brain damage, I have been a lot slower to try new things. I was taken out of my P.E. classes (I guess it wasn't ALL bad LOL), I couldn't participate as part of the cast in my school musicals like I did when I was young, and I couldn't make it on any sports team, so I didn't even try. Now, I'm not saying that those were all bad things necessarily, because the injuries I received from the car accident were horridly life-altering, and I didn't want to get hurt even worse. So I guess there is reason, but sometimes you have to be a Wild Irish Rose beaming at the sun in return and say enough is enough. I am participating in the Run across America this Saturday. It's a 5k in your neighborhood, wherever that may be. It is supporting essential workers and Feeding America. While run-walking isn't necessarily a new thing for me, this activity is a start to getting myself out there, whether it be new or not. Does that make sense?

 

5) Start a capsule wardrobe. I know what you are thinking when you read that last one--"What is a capsule wardrobe?" Let me tell you. Capsule wardrobe is a term made by Susie Faux, the owner of a London boutique called "Wardrobe" (I know, go figure) in the 1970's. To Faux, a capsule wardrobe is an assortment of a few essential items of clothing that don't go out of fashion, such as skirts, trousers, and coats. Capsule wardrobes can change according to season, but they help coin the term, "old but new" is my presumption. (Kind of like how you may have never heard of a Wild Irish Rose before reading this blog, but you had heard of the term of flowers.) Presently, I find myself trying to bring old things back into fashion (especially with what last month's goals were), but who knows, maybe after this month, I will become quite the seamstress with a punchline of more that "I know how to sew..." said nervously. (But like I said, who knows, it might happen, it might not.) I only dream of being as good a seamstress as my Grandmother Gardner.

There are my goals for the month of June. What do you think? Please share in the comments to this post (or on Facebook, Twitter, or wherever you may find it or are able to comment). What's your favorite book? Where can I watch the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and at what time of the year? Would you like a a meal prepared by your truly? Do you have recommendations of new things I could try in the month of June, or maybe even further or earlier in the year? Do you have any new wardrobe, outfit, or sewing ideas for me? Maybe even one of your own questions. Seriously, I am up for anything...like a Wild Irish Rose on a fresh June day. 

                                               

Bicentennial Proclamation to the World-#HearHim

"We solemnly proclaim that God loves His chil- dren in every nation of the world. God the Father has given us the divine birth, the incomparable life, and the infinite atoning sacrifice of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. By the power of the Father, Jesus rose again and gained the victory over death. He is our Savior, our Exemplar, and our Redeemer. Two hundred years ago, on a beautiful spring morning in 1820, young Joseph Smith, seeking to know which church to join, went into the woods to pray near his home in upstate New York, USA. He had questions re- garding the salvation of his soul and trusted that God would direct him. In humility, we declare that in answer to his prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph and inaugurated the “restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21) as foretold in the Bible. In this vision, he learned that following the death of the original Apostles, Christ’s New Testament Church was lost from the earth. Joseph would be instrumental in its return. We affirm that under the direction of the Father and the Son, heavenly messengers came to instruct Joseph and re-establish the Church of Jesus Christ. The resurrected John the Baptist restored the authority to baptize by immersion for the remission of sins. Three of the orig- inal twelve Apostles—Peter, James, and John—restored the apostleship and keys of priesthood authority. Oth- ers came as well, including Elijah, who restored the authority to join families together forever in eternal relationships that transcend death. We further witness that Joseph Smith was given the gift and power of God to translate an ancient record: the Book of Mormon—Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Pages of this sacred text include an account of the personal ministry of Jesus Christ among people in the Western Hemisphere soon after His Resurrection. It teaches of life’s purpose and explains the doctrine of Christ, which is central to that purpose. As a compan- ion scripture to the Bible, the Book of Mormon testifies that all human beings are sons and daughters of a lov- ing Father in Heaven, that He has a divine plan for our lives, and that His Son, Jesus Christ, speaks today as well as in days of old. We declare that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, organized on April 6, 1830, is Christ’s New Testament Church restored. This Church is anchored in the perfect life of its chief cornerstone, Jesus Christ, and in His infinite Atonement and literal Resurrec- tion. Jesus Christ has once again called Apostles and has given them priesthood authority. He invites all of us to come unto Him and His Church, to receive the Holy Ghost, the ordinances of salvation, and to gain enduring joy. Two hundred years have now elapsed since this Resto- ration was initiated by God the Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Millions throughout the world have embraced a knowledge of these prophesied events. We gladly declare that the promised Restoration goes forward through continuing revelation. The earth will never again be the same, as God will “gather together in one all things in Christ” (Ephesians 1:10). With reverence and gratitude, we as His Apostles in- vite all to know—as we do—that the heavens are open. We affirm that God is making known His will for His beloved sons and daughters. We testify that those who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration and act in faith will be blessed to gain their own witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." -THE RESTORATION OF THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST A BICENTENNIAL PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints This proclamation was read by President Russell M. Nelson as part of his message.