Anxieties

Some people feel guilty about their anxieties and regard them as a defect of faith but they are afflictions, not sins. Like all afflictions, they are, if we can so take them, our share in the passion of Christ.
C. S. Lewis

He needs, He wants, He needs Us to be happy.

He needs, He wants, He needs Us to be happy.

By Autumn Eads

The world around us seems to be
Confused and ever distressed—
Lost of what is really important.
Determined to find what makes things worth it.
He needs, He wants, He needs us to be happy.

Heavenly Father looks down with hope and love.
He finds that sending others works the best.
He sees and knows our strengths and weaknesses.
He needs, He wants, He needs us to be happy.

Everything is turning out right.
You see that others are helping, and doing what they can.
We find happiness, love, laughter, and smiles around us.
Still lost on what happiness really is.
He needs, He wants, He needs us to be happy.

He tries to explain things.
He gives us many many hints.
Things start going all right.
Though deep down you’re struggling for air.
He needs, He wants, He needs us to be happy.

FIND WHAT TRULY MAKES YOU HAPPY, MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE??
If it’s other’s thoughts of you. Throw it out.
What do you think of yourself?
Find the true you. Search deep within yourself.
He needs, He wants, he needs us to be happy.

Are you truly happy?
Take care of yourself. When you have enough energy…
Search for others. Help others. Serve others.
Through this you will be happy. Through conquering the natural man.
He needs, He wants, He needs us to be happy.

Thanks

11.

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. -W. T. Purkiser
Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action. -W.J. Cameron
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. -William Arthur Ward
Not only give sincere thank-yous but show how you are thankful. :)
For when you show you are thankful, you will be happy.
Gratitude is essential in finding happiness.
I am thankful for...
1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
2. Eternal Families.
3. Atonement of Jesus Christ.
4. Happiness, Laughter, and cheer.
5. Friends
6. Opportunities.
7. Service.
8. Learning experiences.
9. Talents, and abilities to come.
10. Weakness' and learning to be humble.
11. Testimonies, and examples.
12. Boys who magnify their priesthood calling, and go on missions.

No extra pieces!

“There are no extra pieces in the universe. Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, and every piece must fit itself into the big puzzle.”

“I am Me. In all the world, there is no one else exactly like me. Everything that comes out of me is authentically mine, because I alone chose it -- I own everything about me: my body, my feelings, my mouth, my voice, all my actions, whether they be to others or myself. I own my fantasies, my dreams, my hopes, my fears. I own my triumphs and successes, all my failures and mistakes. Because I own all of me, I can become intimately acquainted with me. By so doing, I can love me and be friendly with all my parts. I know there are aspects about myself that puzzle me, and other aspects that I do not know

-- but as long as I am friendly and loving to myself, I can courageously and hopefully look for solutions to the puzzles and ways to find out more about me. However I look and sound, whatever I say and do, and whatever I think and feel at a given moment in time is authentically me. If later some parts of how I looked, sounded, thought, and felt turn out to be unfitting, I can discard that which is unfitting, keep the rest, and invent something new for that which I discarded. I can see, hear, feel, think, say, and do. I have the tools to survive, to be close to others, to be productive, and to make sense and order out of the world of people and things outside of me. I own me, and therefore, I can engineer me. I am me, and I am Okay.”

Confusing. Dating. High-school. :P

I don't like boys liking me.
I don't want them to like me.
I may seem like I do..but that's because that's the STINKIN NATURAL MAN, that I need to conquer.
I'd rather be an ugly, stunning ,influence, that helps people!
It helps me stay true to myself.
To not be in crazy situations you can't get out of.

I have friends, then they start to like me....then I don't pay attention to this liking because it's wrong, and then they aren't your friends anymore.

They ignore you, and look for someone else that will reciprocate the liking back (They must be insecure, and want to be loved just as EVERYONE does.)

I continue to be their friend, but they want nothing to do with you, as if they don't think you have anything to give. We have much knowledge to give. We are of much worth, everyone is. If they don't want the friendship...what did they want in the first place?


DO NOT GET ME WRONG. I've made mistakes too. Really only one. NEVER allow yourself to like someone more than you should.
I'm not saying liking someone is a bad thing.
We must interact with others.
Just don't get caught up with ONE person.
Never ends well.

Be friends with everyone. It may seem that this may never work, but it does. You may not get the attention that your body wants, but you will learn, and continue to strive to be what Heavenly father needs you to be.

NEVER act on your curiosity about others. Don't mess with others feelings. It HURTS. It's terrible, and mean.

The most fun I've ever had is when you're friends with someone and you laugh together. You can share fun experiences, and learn from one another. You can date. You can have fun. You can interact. Just don't do what you know is wrong. Please.

If you need answers. Ask Heavenly father. He really is there. HE LOVES us.

CONQUER Self-doubt

NEVER look at yourself through the eyes of someone else.
----If you're going to look through anyone's eyes....look through God's.

KNOW, or at least BELIEVE that you are significant. You are a child of God.

NEVER say I wish I was happy.
----Say, "I'm happy with who I am right this second."


If you really put a small value upon yourself, rest assured that the world will not raise your price. ~Author Unknown

The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others. ~Sonya Friedman

TELL yourself that you have self-confidence. Be happy with who you are.
Continue to strive to be better, but don't jump ahead of yourself. Take it bit by bit.
This is a process.

Find the line between being humble, and being conceited.
This can be a very daunting task.
Pray to Heavenly father that you will see beyond your self doubts.

Always think of yourself as God thinks of you.

http://vividways.com/how-to-conquer-self-doubt

We are meant to SHINE :)

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. ~Marianne Williamson

NEVER ALONE

The truth is you are NEVER ALONE if you can love yourself and others under all situations.

Love is an action word. Loving others shows love to God. One serves God by serving others. (Matthew 25:40)

Under 16: What's your reason?

Teens that are younger than 16, just think, "What is my reason for wanting to date?"

Is the reason for the relationship (That's not what you should be wanting in the first place) , or is it for the fun?
You can still have fun without dating.

Recieve help

You can be a good friend to everyone, but the ones that give back are the ones that become your greatest friends. I really am grateful for my friends, though sometimes I seem that I'm not. I push them away, and try to do things on my own, but I really do need help. A lot. I can not do this alone.
Even though I help others, and make them happy, I bear their burdens to the point that I become very stressed and sad. I hope that you all are happy, and know that the greatest friend is Christ. Do all you can to have the greatest relationship with him. He comes first. He works through others, and you MUST receive the help.

Why date?

Young men and young women, you need each other. You really can make a difference by helping each other stay active in the Church and live by its standards.

Young men and women will be better prepared to meet life's obligations and create happy, healthy families of their own if they will:
Show proper respect for each other.
Learn how to socialize in appropriate, mixed-group activities.
Do more than just getting together without doing anything planned.
Learn how to date properly and then do so.

Making new friends. Being in mixed company outside a classroom setting can be a great way to make new friends in a nondating environment. UAdd a Note

Helping each other live gospel standards. You can help each other stay strong and make good decisions. For example, some teens gathered to watch a video. Someone suggested they watch a video that didn’t meet gospel standards. When a few in the group quickly protested, the group decided to watch a more appropriate video instead. Some in that group may not have been willing to speak out against the first video. But after watching the example of others, maybe next time they will be the ones speaking up, or even suggesting more wholesome movies in the first place. UAdd a Note

Learning social skills. Getting together as friends can be a great setting for learning how to socialize properly. Some youth feel comfortable talking and socializing with members of the opposite sex. But others feel very nervous and awkward. This is not unusual. Those who are less comfortable can learn from those who are more comfortable. The examples of those who are comfortable can help make it easier for those less comfortable.

http://new.lds.org/new-era/1992/03/fyi-for-your-information?lang=eng
http://new.lds.org/new-era/2005/09/qa-questions-and-answers?lang=eng
http://new.lds.org/new-era/2006/08/why-date?lang=eng

God is there! Nothing can separate us from His love!

With scriptures to anchor and reassure us, we, too, can “look unto God … and he will console [us] in [our] afflictions” (Jacob 3:1). UAdd a Note

We, too, can be “supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, … he will still deliver [us]” (Alma 36:3, 27). UAdd a Note

For the Lord has said: “I will be in your midst” (D&C 49:27). “I will lead you along” (D&C 78:18). UAdd a Note

Furthermore, God will give us priceless, personal assurances through the Holy Ghost (see John 14:26; D&C 36:2). Whether in tranquil or turbulent times, our best source of comfort is the Comforter.

Therefore, we can be troubled on every side, but nothing can really separate us from the love of Christ (2 Cor. 4:8; Rom. 8:35–39); worldly anxieties are not part of being “anxiously engaged” (D&C 58:27). Even so, as Peter urged, we can and should cast our cares upon the Lord, because He surely cares for us! ( 1 Pet. 5:7).

Be of good cheer

To be cheerful when others are in despair, to keep the faith when others falter, to be true even when we feel forsaken—all of these are deeply desired outcomes during the deliberate, divine tutorials which God gives to us—because He loves us. (See Mosiah 3:19.)
These learning experiences must not be misread as divine indifference. Instead, such tutorials are a part of the divine unfolding.
Even as believers, however, when we are a part of encapsulating events, we can scarcely savor all that swirls about us.

http://new.lds.org/ensign/1982/11/be-of-good-cheer?lang=eng

Praise, seek, worship, trust, and thank God.

Happy moments? Praise God. Difficult moments? Seek God. Quiet moments? Worship God. Painful moments? Trust God. Every moment. Thank God.

Face disappointment with cheerfulness, trial with humility, and trouble with courage.

(yes, I did draw this)

D&C 68:6 "Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come."

“Humility is perpetual quietness of heart.It is to have no trouble.It is never to be fretted or vexed,irritable or sore,to wonder at nothing that is done to me,to feel nothing done against me.It is to be at rest when nobody praises me and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a home in myself where I can go in and shut the door and kneel to my Father in secret and be at peace,as in a deep sea of calmness,when all around is trouble.”

"Courage; is the ability to move, when all around you are frozen in fear, and no one would blame you ...if you did nothing at all.

Inner tears appear: October 21, 2008

A usual and habitual day at school consists of many cloying things. We do mundane tasks, and tedious work. We receive homework, take tests, listen to teachers, and learn. Though, this day, October 21 2008, was unlike any day of school I had ever had.

It was 5th period, I was coming out of Mr. Mansfield’s history class to go to Mrs. Zundel’s English class, when I heard the familiar ring of the intercom and the words, “Reina Eads, Autumn Eads, and Rey Eads come to the Office.” I was baffled as to why we were being called to the office. First, I merrily skipped to my English class to brag and boast to my friend Kyra that I was leaving school. I was so energized, and round up for some reason. I reported to the office. On the way, I met up with my twin siblings, Reina, and Rey. We were all discombobulated, and began to swim through memories of what our parents had told us about the week. Why were we being taken out of school? Could it be the dentist?....no. We unrelentingly got nearer to the office to get checked out; when we all said aloud in unison “Jonathan.” Jonathan is our 5-year-old brother. He was a little sick when we left for school. Thinking there could not be anything wrong with him, we all promptly detached that appalling notion from our minds.

When we finally arrived at the office, we asked what was up. The office staff told us that our parents would tell us when we got home. As we walked outside and hopped into the car we saw our aunt. She looked disturbed, and deep in thought. It made me want to identify what she was thinking about. We sat patiently in the car still trying to figure out what it could be! Half-way home I thought and whispered, “Jonathan died, it is going to be all right.” I started to tear up and cry. Then I decided there was NO WAY that could happen. He was okay enough when I left. He could not have died from being sick a little.

When we arrived home, my brother Rey excitedly said, “I bet I know what it is!” then sprinted into the house. I was frightened, troubled, and anxious to see what was in store. I walked in slow as a snail. All my family, except for a few were in the front room BAWLING. They were all weeping and wailing like I had never seen anyone do before. I had a peculiar I-am-puzzled-and-have-no-idea-what-is-going-on look on my face, with my eyebrows up, and my brain eccentrically trying to form a logical reason to all of this crying. It was then when everything began to transform. My whole existence and being began to turn upside-down. Ben blurted out, “Jonathan died!” I could not accept this as truth; I was in a trance of unfathomable resistance, and unquestionable denial. There was NO way. Great drops fell from my eyes; heavy rainclouds in my mind let loose their turbulent nature. I was still perplexed, and mystified as to how this could have happened. I sat on my mom’s lap. I cried a river, with ragged currents flowing down my cheeks onto my unknown existence. I cried, and cried, and cried some more. Everlastingly and forever it seemed I could not think of anything that could be worse than this feeling of deep anguish and sorrow. I wanted him back right there in my arms, to play with, do knock-knock jokes, and have him there with his huge smile to brighten my day. That is basically it, until the next day…

On October 22 2008, I went to school. I had not finished my homework, I had tried but I could not. It was hard to focus, or even concentrate, in the least. All during school I was still bawling. I probably looked like some emo kid. People inquired of me and asked if I was ok. That is when I began to hate the word “ok.” Others looked at me strange, and the worst part was when groups of people were talking about it in the hallway, when I was standing exactly at the rear of them. I received over a billion embraces and remarks in the form of notes. Some said, “I do not know how that feels,” or “Get over it, “or “You will be fine soon,” or “I had my pet turtle die, I know how you feel.”

October 21 2008 may have been the worst day of my life. I now understand that it was part of a learning experience for me. I appreciate, comprehend, realize, and grasp the meaning of life. It set my course for a new life of happiness and delight. I know where my brother is, I am joyful, and my joy will be full when I get the opportunity to see him again.

This my little angel Jonathan and me. I will see him again in heaven. :) He gets exaltation, and I get to work down here to get to him up there! I can't wait to see him again! :D

A painting of Jesus Christ holding my little brother Jonathan in heaven. I did the sketch one day, and the painting another day. It took two days.(approx, 7hours) I cried my eyes out since I still don't believe this is the best I could've done. I really need to be more patient.

Basically done. I just need to fix some of the shading. :LSKdjf;alksdfjadkj

Self worth

NEVER rely on someone else for your happiness, and self worth.
You and ONLY you can be held accountable for that.
If you can't love and respect yourself, NO ONE ELSE will be able to make that happen.
Accept who you are completely! The good AND the bad.
Make changes as YOU see fit, not because you think someone else wants you to be different.
You are always changing.


"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You. "-- Dr. Seuss

‎"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" - D&C 18:10

Say' I love you 'to your future companion

You can say 'I love you' to your future companion everyday by: reading the scriptures, praying, writing in your journal, paying your tithing, attending the temple, smiling/being happy, and doing good continually. :)

NOTHING is wasted

“No pain that we suffer,no trial that we experience is wasted.They help develop patience,faith,and humility.All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently,builds up our
characters,purifies our hearts,expands our souls,and makes us more
tender and charitable,more worthy to be called the children of God.Sorrow and suffering will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven”

“I certainly don't regret my experiences because without them, I couldn't imagine who or where I would be today. Life is an amazing gift to those who have overcome great obstacles, and attitude is everything!” -Sasha Azevedo

Know who you are and who you've always been.

I am a child of Royal Birth. My Father is King of Heaven and Earth. My
spirit was born in the Courts on High. A child beloved, a princess am I.

"Who you've always been"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqBoJtGI1nw

Look forward.

Life goes on.DO your best.Do all you can while on this earth.Do everything Christ and God would have you do.For soon the millennium will come and I can't wait for God to say,"Well done, thou good and faithful servant."(Mat.25:21)Oh the millennium!A time with NO PAIN,a time with NO WEEPING,a place full of friends, and especially family who you wish could be with you now.True joy is but a moment away.Be ready always.

“...Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Ps. 30:5.)

Think about it: There is so much to be happy about

Where is the joy?

Why isn't everyone excited to partake of the sacrament?

Why aren't we happy with the opportunities to serve, to go to church, go to mutual,the temple, and read the words of Christ?

Are we not happy with the truest joy we could receive?

Why don’t we make time for that special feeling that we all love?

We should pray to Heavenly Father to be able to remember this happiness that we too often forget.

Remember who made it possible for this true joy. Always know that we really are made to have joy.

Conquer body with the spirit

"The great battle in life tis not what you think it would be. Not troubles, getting ahead, anger or even war and weaponry.Tis not trying to deal with others, suffering pain or overcoming evil,tis conquering of the body by spirit, showing who has the greatest will."

2 Nephi 9:39. "O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded
is life eternal."

S-M-I-L-E! Spiritually Minded Is Life Eternal.

He will not forget you

‎"...yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are
continually before me."

-- Isaiah 49:15-16

“If you are lonely, please know you can find

comfort. If you are discouraged, please know you can find hope. If you
are poor in spirit, please know you can be strengthened.
If you feel you are broken, please know you can be mended.”

Isaiah43 "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned. For I am the Lord thy God, thy Saviour. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not: for I am with thee."

Farewells are necessary before you can meet again

"I must tell Jesus all of my trials;I cannot bear these burdens alone;In my distress He kindly will help me;He ever loves and cares for His own.I must tell Jesus!I must tell Jesus!I cannot bear my burdens alone;I must tell Jesus!I must tell Jesus!Jesus can help me,Jesus alone."

Don't be sad.A farewell is necessary before you can meet again,meeting again,after moments/lifetimes,is CERTAIN for those who are friends.

"When you reach the end of your rope...you WILL find the hem of His garment."

The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude." By:Joseph B. Wirthlin

Happiness is the most attractive accessory a YW can have!

Be happy, and you will be thought of as beautiful. No one likes being around someone who is sad. :)
Smiles are truly attractive! True and pure laughter, not forced ones, are beautiful too!(:

Cheer up!!

When we look into the mirror we should see beyond our imperfections and self doubts, and recognize who we truly are, glorious children of a loving Heavenly Father.

https://beta.lds.org/youth/mormon-messages/video/our-true-identity?locale=eng

A really good friend of mine once told me,
"Cheer up! Remember that Heavenly Father loves you, no matter what you do! You are a child of Him, even He who is the most high God. There is no greater gift than to be the offspring of someone that powerful and yet so loving. Remember this: our time on earth is so exceedingly short, that there is no point in wasting it away being sad. Men are that they might have joy. So don't go against nature. Do as you were meant to do, as your Father wants you to do. Smile. Be happy. Don't allow anything to get you down, for that is the Devil's way of closing the trap. Choose to be happy, choose to be free from sorrow. Choose to live."

He cares about every SINGLE tear!

You feel insignificant, a whisper in the wind
Sometimes you think nobody knows your name
But there's Somebody watching over you
And He knows everything you're going through

He sees every single tear
He feels everything you're feeling
He wants to hold you close and dry your eyes
Your heart is what He hears
When the world just hears you crying
No matter what the pain, He cares
About every single tear

Overwhelmed by circumstances out of your control
Hope can be the hardest thing to find
When you're like a heart without a home
You don't have to face this hurt alone.

If God adorns the lilies of the field
And cares for every sparrow in the sky
How much more is He aware of your sorrow and despair
How much does He care about your life.

Your tears ARE counted

Heavenly Father counts the tears of his daughters.None of them are lost,not a single tear is cried in vain.God understands the language of your tears,even beyond all words.The un-cried tears,they lie deep inside,give us headaches or even depression.Those who swallow their own tears, don't do themselves any favors.Those who can cry,stand in the middle of life and in the middle of their own pain and happiness.

Why do I cry?

By: Autumn Eads

I cry when something is beautiful,

A person, place, or thing.

I cry when something dies,

someone dear to me, dreams, feelings.

I cry when someone hurts.

I cry when I make a mistake.

I cry when I'm jealous

I cry for others sake.

I cry when full of weakness

I cry when all seems wrong.

I cry to find happiness.

I cry when I don't belong.

We go through trials, pains, and fears,

but God is always near.

Jesus knows you and me.

He holds us very dear.

He has been through it all.

So....why do I cry?