Don't give up yet. Get up. Keep Going.

Life. It's stressful and complicated with a new promotion, large projects, trying to graduate, a new calling in church, new responsibilities, health challenges, dating, and any other things that daily come my way. I've fallen, dropped a pot of food down the sink accidentally, and failed to save an animation clip that took 35 minutes to render. I've almost lost hope occasionally, but I've never stopped moving. I would love for someone every now and then, or even just one friend, to tell me to not give up, to keep going because brighter days are ahead. I don't have many people that tell me that. I tell that to other people. I have some pride that keeps me going but other than that I don't have much interior motivation. So why do I keep going? I should just give up, shouldn't I? My answer to that is NO. There's no hope in myself or in other human beings, but there is hope. I have hope in my Savior, Jesus Christ, for better and brighter days ahead. When I want to give up then I hear a small whisper speaking to me saying, "Don't give up yet. Get up. Keep going." When I'm feeling ill, weak, and tired, often with some pain involved either physically or emotionally, and I would like to remain stationary, then I think, 'Come on. You're strong. You can do it.' That's what keeps me going. Life is not a detached boxcar, meant to be stationary and alone. It is not a full train simply creeping along the track. It is to be lived like a train engine, with full speed so as to make it up any hill ahead. When life gets too complicated and hope seems to fade, put your hope in a new source, one that is stronger and more firm. You can keep moving on the track of life, but the more fuel you have the easier life gets. That fuel is Christ. I was reminded of something I'd always say: "When someone beats you down, don't give up. Prove them wrong and beat them up." However, I don't condone violence so that saying is obsolete. Now I change it: "When life gets you down, don't give in. Prove your doubts wrong and lift up your chin."

Blessings in the Lord

Within the last month particularly it seems that blessings have been continuously poured out upon me and my prayers have been answered. Although I've been extremely busy with trying to finish the semester at school, including polishing a senior project and thesis, and moving, receiving a job promotion, and several other events that have made life stressful, I decided from the start of last year that I would do my best to put God first. I decided to attend the temple toward the beginning of each week because I knew that if I put forth the effort the Lord would help me complete everything I needed to do, and He has. However, I never originally realized that by putting Him first that I'd also become closer to Him, uprooting my desire to do any form of evil and increasing my faith in Him. One of the greatest lessons I've learned recently is a witness to the phrase that as we put God and His kingdom first everything will either fall into place or fall out of our lives. With the witness of this principle I've received a greater peace and happiness in my life. I used to worry constantly about past, present, and future, but now I take what I need to learn from the past, live in the present, and look with joy and faith to the future. My confidence has increased, my attitude is more positive, and my understanding has been quickened. In regard to my prayers being answered, even the smallest desires of my heart have been granted such as an extra measure of protection, that I'd be able to see a friend I haven't seen for a while, or that I'd finally receive a calling. I testify that as we put God first, as we do our best to know our Heavenly Father and emulate the Savior's example, and prepare and go to the temple of the Lord, we will have blessings poured out upon us without measure. Our Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to draw near unto Him.