On the path...

"Anything you cannot relinquish, when it has outlived its usefulness, possesses you; and in this materialistic age, a great many of us are possessed by our possessions." Mildred LaSette Norman

After enjoying a pretty great week-end, I feel flooded by the thoughts that possess my mind. I am filled with a desire bordering on craving for organization, a longing to lose myself in 2 days of sleep, a rage to get moving and wake up my lazy mind and metabolism with invigorating, aching exercise, and a deep-seated need to find how to let go of these desires, cravings, hungers, rages, and release them to a place of peace, acceptance, and awareness that IT is enough.

What is IT? You have to decide for yourself...it changes about every couple of days for me. I do know that I have to rediscover the basic truth that whatever I do, it is enough...even if I don't think so. Will I ever think what I do is enough, that what I am striving for will be reached? Are the dreams too grand, the hopes too high, the acceptance too little, too late?

I always feel better when I am able to allow my things to go to their next home. I really don't think i have a big problem with being possessed by my things -- but I am too often possessed by my thoughts, my aspirations, my hopelessness, and my dreams... and knowing how little I've done, how little I can claim, and how much I just want to load my husband and kids in a kick-a** RV and travel the continents, learning, exploring, and growing together without so much outside interference!! It is why we picked our home -- I wanted a place that I didn't have to live to take care of, to have a safe place to fall but not collapse under the burden of cleaning, bills, and stuff of life. So how to let go of the clutter in my mind, the storage files and mementos that fill my thoughts, determine my energy, and trap my heart?

This will be an interesting month...

Good Luck to you!

The Conundrum of Action and Motion

"Our greatest danger in life is in permitting the urgent things to crowd out the important." Charles E. Hummel

"Never confuse motion with action." Benjamin Franklin

I'm not sure if this is a problem for others, like it is for me, but often I feel as though the "actions" I take are an exercise in futility; as well as wondering if all I am doing is going through the "motions". When I read and ponder on these quotes, it reminds me to first take a moment (not a day) to plan, then decide that getting one thing done is better that getting nothing done! So as you enter this crazy time of spring cleaning, summer planning, and general busy-ness, know that we are in the trenches together and I always love to hear how you are handling all of your urgent and important things!

Good Luck to you!
Heather

As I Pass Another Birthday

The greatest gifts my parents gave to me…were their unconditional love and set of values. Values they lived and didn’t just lecture about. Values that included an understanding of the simple difference between right and wrong, a belief in God, the importance of hard work and education, self-respect and a belief in America.
Colin Powell

I liked this quote for a few reasons --
1) I also had parents who brought me into the world, loved me, cared for me, and did all they could to guide me to understand that my life mattered, that the choices I made were mine, but that they influence and affect more than just me.
2) I admire the life that Colin Powell has lived and I admire and value the fact that he had such a deep sense of gratitude and love for his parents, their contributions to his life, and his love of our country.
3) As a parent of four, I read this when I am feeling doubt and discouragement in my role as a mother. As I read these words, I am strengthened by the knowledge that I try to live every day speaking my values, endorsing behavior that reflects these values, and encouraging my children in their pursuits and experiences so that they will recognize the importance of these values in their life.

As I reflect on the last 39 years -- most of which have memories I may never tap into again -- I know that there are a few values that help me to chart the course of my life...
1) I know that God lives. I know that His Son, in both spirit and flesh, came to this earth to teach us, die for us, and break the bands of death by being ressurected. His gospel is still on the earth today and He speaks to us through living prophets, and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
2) I know that I will see Christ again someday, and I know that He knows me and loves me, now and always.
3) I know that what I know is only a beginning.
4) I know that love is a choice, that service creates and strengthens love, and that it is a word of action, rather than a feeling.
5) I know that we can choose to be DEFINED by our experiences, our choices, our lives -- or we can choose to be REFINED by them. I choose REFINEMENT!
6) I know that all the heartache of marriage and children are WORTH ALL THE JOY -- if I had to do it all over again, I would!
7) I know that anger does not bring strength, only fear and scars.
8) I know that good books can take us to vistas unimaginable, and that crap is too often esteemed as quality...
9) I know that I will never be naturally blonde again... :(
10) I know that I would rather have happy children than a clean house -- yes they can happen for some people, but for me, I often have to choose -- and in no time my house will be quiet, uncluttered, show-worthy, and empty of the cherished voices, clutter, and hugs of my children. A clean house can wait...

The countdown has begun -- 364 days until "40" -- aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh

Happy Birthday Emma!!

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot help but bring it to themselves.--James Barrie (Author of Peter Pan)

Wow -- I'm really late, but with traveling to in-laws for Emma's birthday weekend and then dealing with Brynna's strep, I've had good intentions, but weak effort.

This quote makes me think of Emma -- she is a SUNSHINE ray of a child! Some of the tunes I've included on the playlist this month also indicate the joy of this girl, this month! She can warm my heart one day and burn me up because of too much cuteness, then she goes too far and ARRGGH!! EMMA!!!
What a blessing it is watching her grow and become her own person these last couple of years! She still has her dimple and freckles -- THANK GOODNESS! I tell her she is my "star child" - shining brightly for the whole world to see, like the Primary song. She loves soccer, playing piano(I'm trying to get her to branch out from "Heart & Soul" and "Carol of the Bells"), reading (fastest in her class!), and giggling and teasing her big brother! She had to get a tooth pulled and was a real TROOPER -- they finished before I even knew it!
She is a lot of fun to be with and a true blessing in our family! Happy 9th Birthday, my Karissa Emma Pearl Fry!!

Slow Start to the Week

“It is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us--even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will. We see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever. Although we might settle for less, Heavenly Father won't, for He sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming."
Joseph B Wirthlin, "The Great Commandment," Ensign, Nov. 2007

I had a rough start this week. Hannah's sickies became mine, and for 2 1/2 days I was a mess of sleep, hacking, and trying to get stuff done, when I wasn't sleeping or hacking! I was feeling pretty down yesterday (I think my mood definitely doesn't do well when I'm physically down for more than 2 days!) and was a gruff bear and I'm not proud to say that I ate a ton of "comfort food" while taking Mucinex-D, and I think I finally got a GOOD night's sleep. At least Curtis said I wasn't snoring and waking him up, and I actually woke up this morning and didn't feel like crashing in bed again for the first time in 3 or 4 days.

So here is my quote of the week and I hope it finds you well and that you know a small bit of what is in my heart and mind this week --

Good Luck To You!

February 28, 2011

Any idiot can face a crisis – it’s day to day living that wears you out.
Anton Chekov

Love this quote! Feeling a little worn out, not sure cuz I really don't have a good reason...

I've had physicals, on and off exercise, had my thyroid checked, etc -- every year since turning 36, and now I'm facing turning 39 and still wonder how I'll ever feel like I'm doing/being/becoming the person I want to, know I can, be...

Wish I could hear from some of you who might be reading these -- drop me a comment, or if you want to be a follower, I would enjoy hearing from you!

Good Luck to You!

Great Quotes in Remembrance...

Do not conceive that fine clothes make fine men any more than fine feathers make fine birds.
GEORGE WASHINGTON,1783
Labour to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, Rules of Behavior
The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, 1789
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, 1796
Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.
George Washington

The best thing about the future is that it…only comes one day at a time. Abraham Lincoln
Better to be silent and thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt. Abraham Lincoln
Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition. Abraham Lincoln
He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help. Abraham Lincoln
America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. Abraham Lincoln

I hope these strike you with the awe that I have of these men who sacrificed so much to serve their sense, their country, their families, and their God.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

"This life is not so much a time for getting and accumulating as it is a time for giving and becoming."
Lance B. Wickman

My wish is for you to know this day, and all days, that you are loved by at least one person -- me!! I may not speak to you often, but whenever a memory of you crosses my mind, it is followed by a prayer for your health, happiness, and heart. Your health that you may be able to live a long life; your happiness, that you may experience life in all its complexities; and your heart, that you may be willing to share it, give it, and allow it to be broken and mended, for only then can you become all that you are meant to be.

"You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving." Unknown

Please know of the love that I have for you and how much I would give to you if you need me --

Love and other Conundrums

A mother who radiates self-love and self-acceptance actually VACCINATES her [child] against low self-esteem.
-- Naomi Wolf

I heard this several years ago, and the speaker referred specifically to daughters, but I have altered it to include all children. As a mother of three daughters this quote is especially poignant for me. I am a daughter myself who has a mother who spoke self-esteem and self-acceptance but didn't believe in it for herself. It is hard to identify truth, and it is not an indictment against anyone, but the truth is also easier to take if you acknowledge it and strive to change your truth.

During this week leading to Valentine's Day, I challenge you to accept who you are, love the inestimable qualities that are divinely given, and forgive the human weaknesses we all struggle with. Your children need to feel the self-love you radiate, if you ever want them to believe your words - to radiate for themselves! They will feel your teachings, much more and much deeper than they will hear them.

Good Luck to You!

Late January 30, 2011

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” --Ralph Waldo Emerson

***Faith in God includes faith in His timing.***
Neal A. Maxwell

I am doubling up quotes cuz I am behind and they fit so perfectly with the week I had, the loved ones I shared it with, and the moments of grace that blessed me.

My mother was given a diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension 2 weeks ago, which often leads to Congestive Heart Failure; a similar diagnosis that claimed my maternal grandmother. It was scary and disappointing, especially because she was planning on attending the birth of my brother James' & his wife Sara's 3rd child. While they are still testing and determining how best to deal with her health concerns, I know she has been blessed with small mercies in these challenges.

They were struggling with severe Upper Respiratory Infections, she was 2 weeks overdue, and life was becoming untenable! My mother called on me to fly down to Dallas and stay for 6 days to help their little growing family, and fortunately God's timing matched our need. We were able to find the support we needed to allow me to leave our family (BLESSINGS!!) and she had a beautiful BIG baby boy named Royce Benson Mortensen on January 27, 12:38pm, 9lbs 11oz, 22 3/4" long, 14 1/2" head circumference. Maybe I'll figure out how to post pics, but you can try Facebook. It was a true pleasure to be of assistance, to spend time with my niece and nephew, and relish in the sweet and gentle presence of one so recently come from heaven...

The first quote is a strong reminder to me, and to all in this crazy, self-involved, ignorant world, that there IS A PURPOSE TO IT ALL...we cannot know the sweet without the bitter, we cannot solely pursue happiness as our primary goal in life for it will always elude us. Happiness is a by-product of effort, service, sacrifice, faith, accomplishment, determination, and persistence (to name a few). When I enact the guidelines of Emerson's quote I know that he was inspired because it speaks to my soul, not just my rational mind.

His words are summed up by the profound truth shared by a favorite apostle, Neal A. Maxwell. I grew up watching him, listening to his gentle voice, and enjoyed his challenging vocabulary and words of insight into the nature of God. I then remember as he suffered from cancer and watched as it eventually claimed his life. Oh, how I miss him at Conference!! Whenever I become impatient with my need to understand, by my need to have things work for my good, by my desire for guidance, and longing for peace, I recall his powerful words and the personal testimony he bore of their truth.

Good luck to you and pass this on if it helps you...

January 23 --"The Lord's way is not hard. Life is hard, not the gospel." Lawrence E. Corbridge.

I LOVE this quote! It is timely for me as our family celebrates the new arrival of my baby Brooklyn Jane Mortensen! My brother John's wife, Becky, delivered her on Jan.19, 2011 and we are so excited and blessed to have one of the cutest babies added to our family! I know how grateful I am that John and Becky were married in the right place, at the right time, and have committed to the daunting task of marriage and now parenting!!

This quote is a simple, profound reminder that whenever my life seems too complicated, too stressed, too difficult to figure things out -- that I need to take a step back and see how I have drifted from the path of the Lord, and make the necessary alterations to refocus my self on living the gospel more consciously.

Good Luck to You!

January 16, 2011

January 16, 2011 -- "Be a life long or short, its completeness depends on what it was lived for.” David Starr Jordan

I was having complications getting into my blog last night, but here's my quote for the week. It is a little abstract, but it is something that I hope will maintain my focus as I enter a busy week. Didn't exactly wake up racing to start the day (no school...) but re-reading the quote may give me the extra push to not fall back into bed!

Good Luck to You!

January 9, 2011

"Do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities, but pray for abilities equal to your tasks. Then the performance of your tasks will be no miracle, but you will be the miracle." — Thomas S. Monson
*Second week of the new year and starting to feel more of the motivation I hope and pray for...this one I found recently and it has been helping...GOOD LUCK TO YOU! One step at a time...*

Quote of the Week

I am starting a Quote of the Week to help me stay motivated and if it can help others, that's icing...
One small way to let you know where I am in my life...

*Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and magic in it. Goethe