Someone we don't need to Compete for attention

I have recently come to the realization that at times it is very tiring to have to always prove ourselves. We have to do it when searching for jobs, when wanting to attract people into our lives, and even when dating.

Whether is your writing skills, or why someone should hang out with you, it seems like we're always advertising ourselves in a way. And maybe it's by design that it is like this, otherwise we would have let ourselves go and maybe would have not demanded as much from our own beings. However, sometimes it is simply exhausting.

Maybe I've been feeling it even more lately as I have been applying for jobs and interviewing. I'm tired of having to show off my skills and to convince people it is me who they want for that position.

But, along with these thoughts, another one came to me. I realized that the only being in the world (really, He is out of the world, but you get what I mean), to whom we don't have to prove anything to earn His love, is out Heavenly Father. It is so comforting to me to know that He actually knows me even better than I know myself, and that one, I cannot impress Him since He already knows all my thoughts and intentions, and that two, I wouldn't even have to prove anything to Him as His love is unconditional.

And it couldn't be any other way, as we would never really be worthy of His love. For that reason, and many others, I feel so grateful for His love and care for us. And maybe that's why He should be the center of our lives, and not work, friends and even family, as sooner or later things may change and then what would happen to our foundation? Crush probably, and with it ourselves too.

I should do this more often

In my field of study, Public Relations that is, you always hear about WRITING as one of the main strengths of the profession.

Starting in college I noticed the great emphasis the professor placed on one's skills of writing well. I am slowly beginning to understand the importance of communicating clearly not just in a face-to-face situation, but probably even more importantly in writing. After all, writing is the most common way we communicate now days. Even when we are desk to desk with someone, most often we'd still send out an email rather than yell out what we need.

So what is exactly good writing? Is it the style of it? The tone? The grammar and syntax? Or maybe all of it...I don't know, I of course, have an opinion about it, as I do about everything else, but whether or not it's an accurate one that's a different story.

I believe that one's capacity of explaining in the least amount of words and in a clear manner their intention and needs is effective writing.

What I've noticed too, is that the more I wrote the easier it got to be and the more I've started to enjoy doing it. At first I was dreading it, specially that most professional writing needs to follow certain patterns and rules...however, even when I finished those documents I would still re-read them all over again, with a certain satisfaction.

I do write in my journal about once a week. And that I enjoy more because there are no rules there, although I kind of follow the same pattern most of the time. But then I realized that I can just blog more and hopefully improve my writing. I always feel like I have something worthwhile saying anyway...so I may as well share it with the world. All that unnecessary thinking that I do at no profit, I may as well put it to use somehow.

Anyway, so this may be the beginning of it. As you can see I am not committing to it yet, as far as how often or regular. I'm going through this phase of life that I'm trying to avoid having too many self-imposed rules and regulations, and for that reason I'm not promising it. That being said though, I am excited to embark in this journey, and to maybe discover a side of me that I haven't even known it's there.
We shall see.....

Why Nephi is so amazing...

This morning I was reading 1 Nephi 4, and a few things occurred to me.

First of all, just as Lehi informed his sons of what the Lord has asked that they returned and got the records, Laman and Lemuel of course started murmuring. Nephi, knew right away that it was the Lord's request and not his father's. Then when they went into the city to get the records from Laban, Laman was almost killed, and I wonder if it didn't have to do with his negative attitude towards the whole task of getting the records.
Maybe it didn't though, because even Nephi's plan of trading all of their richness that they had previously left behind for the records didn't go through, as Laban took their goods and wanted to kill them.

However, the difference is that as the older brothers were ready to return to their father's, Nephi was persistent in completing the task. He exhorted them to return to the city and to act in faith. Murmuring they did follow him, and as he went into the city, he even stated that didn't know beforehand the things which will happen. And soon enough Laban was delivered into his hands, all weak and drunk.

Likewise, I feel like sometimes in our lives all the Lord wants to see from us is trying in faith, and even though our plan may not pan out, as Nephi's didn't either, He will eventually make it happen according to his will.

That gives me comfort, knowing that although I still need to try very hard and to the best of my abilities, that in the end He can and will make it happen, many times in miraculous ways.

And this is one of the many instances that I think Nephi is so amazing...

What is the role of a civilization?

Today I read this quote

The essence of civilization is that the strong have a duty to protect the weak.
President G.W. Bush, March 2005

And it made me think, and that's always dangerous when i start thinking...
I actually believe that if a civilization/society is healthy and functional will form strong individuals, who of their own free will and choice will take care of the weak because they would have high values. However, as things have developed for the past few decades is that there is a lack of genuin interest of ensuring the survival and decent level of living of the weak. So what have we tried to do? To force the strong of taking care of the weak...and although this may seem as the optimum alternative on ensuring that the weak are taking care, I think even a better way of using our resources is to educate and empower the weak, only that would provide lasting, real results. That being said, of course there are special cases and that's not what I am talking about. I just think that too often in society we'd rather go for the quick fix, which in this case is to make the strong protect the weak, when instead we should treat the weak to their real potential and help them reach it.

Hi,

It's been too long, I admit it. Even before sitting down right now, I was thinking whether or not I have the time to do this, but you know what, for some things it's worth making the time.
I have a few thoughts as a result of own recent experiences as well as talking with various friends. I have realized that being happy, although it is each and every person's goal ( whether they're conscious of it or not), that there is an art to reaching that state of being. It seems to me more clearly than ever, that one could have everything that they thought it would make them happy, and still feel unfulfilled, like there is still something missing. I venture to say that everyone of us has been in that situation at some point in our lives. So...my dilemma is, how come we are not feeling those ecstatic emotions that we anticipated feeling as a result of finishing up school, or getting that ideal job, or better yet, getting into that perfect relationship. What I experienced in my life is that even when I reached that one goal, instead of focusing and enjoying my accomplishment I would focus on what I was yet lacking...or perceived to be lacking. You know what this behavior leads to? I think it leads to feelings of worthlessness and inability of functioning to our full potential. Whose desire is it to make us work in a lower gear, or not run at all? Whose plan is to bring misery unto the humankind? You guessed right...that serpent, who is as old as the world is...Satan. I truly believe that one of the best tools satan is using against Heavenly Father's children is to make us feel like there's something missing, to make us yearn always for something better and higher, to make us want feelings and sensations that are not even real, nor leading to true happiness.
At first I thought that well, the reason I'm feeling off it's because I have good reasons, I don't have that great job that I've hoped for, or I didn't get into Law school like I thought it should have happened, and as those are good reasons to make me feel a little down or want to re-evaluate my life and make some decisions, I was not justified in feeling so low. But then I looked at some of my best friends, who I thought they have it all and that they surely should be completely happy. And you know what I found, that they also focused on what they were yet missing, or better yet, on what could possibly go wrong, how they could get cancer or what if something happened to their spouse. Yes, I also have those few friends who are always content with life, who have such a good energy and know their true value. I am so grateful for those examples in my life. They are a true example of discipleship, for how can we serve those around us when we are not in a good state ourselves.
Maybe some have been born with the ability to be happy naturally, but for those of us who seem to always need something more, I am certain that there is another way to live our lives. Emulating what those who are truly happy do and say is a good way to start. There seems to be a common character trait, that of true concern for others' wellbeing. Also that of asking for a lot but taking whatever one is given; of feeling in control of their emotions and reactions even when life is really tough.
I want to commit myself, that in spite of my circumstances I will always be grateful for what I do have, for my mind and testimony even if I have nothing else. I need to feel enough before I will accomplish all the great things I am attempting to, and only then will I have gotten the essence of it all.
See, I have it so well....in theory...the hard part is applying it. But i think we can help each other, specially that we're all going through it. I think that sincerely caring and complementing each other reminds us that we really should feel enough as we are.
Anyway, I could probably keep going on about this topic, because I care so much about not only me overcoming this mortal/satan-induced predicament, but it also pains me that most people out there are feeling the same way. It is all in our power to change our perspective and eventually have no outside sources influencing our spiritual and emotional state for the worst.

Feel free to add your opinions or comments on this. I'd be interested in your perspective and/or experiences.
Take care,
A.