A beautiful plateau bathed in the brilliant light of the setting sun. We were already waxing philosophical because we had been discussing my last post, so this made us think of…

“Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard to the nations.”  D&C 115:5

When the world is in the midst of darkness, you can be a light to those around you!

Or a negative one….

I have been thinking of more than just our physical environment. We can choose to be a force for good in this world, to bring out beauty in our surroundings. We also have the ability to choose the opposite…not only in our physical surroundings but also in our relationships, attitudes, etc. What impact do we choose to make?

I love this quote by Mother Theresa: “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.”

Also, this scripture:

3 Nephi 14:20 – “By their fruits ye shall know them.”

What impact am I having on my surroundings today? And how can I ensure that the choices I make are bringing about good fruit and leading me to have a positive impact? This scripture in Moroni comes to mind first:

Moroni 7:13 – “But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.”

Anyway, random musings on a lazy Wednesday afternoon….what comes to your mind when you think of all this?

P.S. This old favorite from Brigham Young just popped into my mind:

“When you are influenced by the Spirit of holiness and purity, let your light shine; but if you are tried and tempted and buffeted by Satan, keep your thoughts to yourselves—keep your mouths closed; for speaking produces fruit, either of a good or evil character.

If persons think they have greater sorrow and affliction than any others, when they reveal that sorrow and affliction, it produces fruit. You frequently hear brethren and sisters say that they feel so tried and tempted, and have so many cares, and are so buffeted, that they must give vent to their feelings; and they yield to the temptation, and deal out their unpleasant sensations to their families and neighbours. Make up your minds thoroughly, once for all, that if we have trials, the Lord has suffered them to be brought upon us, and he will give us grace to bear them; and that they do not concern our families, friends, and neighbours, we can bear them off alone. But if we have light or intelligence—that which will do good, we will impart it; but our bad feelings, our desponding feelings, our dark hours, and disagreeable sensations we will keep to ourselves. Let that be the determination of every individual, for spirit begets spirit—likeness, likeness; feelings beget their likeness; and custom, custom. You know very well, by your own experience, that you are naturally inclined to more or less adopt the customs, feelings, and manners of the people you associate with. If, then, we give vent to all our bad feelings and disagreeable sensations, how quickly we beget the same in others, and load each other down with our troubles, and become sunk in darkness and despair! If you have anything good to say, speak it and comfort the hearts of the Saints. If you have that which tends to death, keep it to yourselves: we do not want it, for we already have plenty of it.
Frame your lives according to the precepts of the Gospel. Let your deal, walk, and conversation be that upon which an angel can look with pleasure. And in all your social communications, or whatever your associations are, let all the dark, discontented, murmuring, unhappy, miserable feelings—all the evil fruit of the mind, fall from the tree in silence and unnoticed; and so let it perish, without taking it up to present to your neighbours. But when you have joy and happiness, light and intelligence, truth and virtue, offer that fruit abundantly to your neighbours, and it will do them good, and so strengthen the hands of your fellow-beings.”

Discourses of Brigham Young Second President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints- Page 123

It’s amazing how, even though I sometimes don’t think I have enough time to spare, when I spend part of my day here, I am blessed with an abundance…

I laid it all out, now I’ve stacked it back up so I can begin assembling…I’m too impatient, I think. I want to have it finished quick, but it always takes TIME.

(Yes..I am fully aware that darkness and iphone cameras don’t make for good pictures…)

He is there…right under the basket with a guy pushing him from behind….

Pretty cool, huh?  Can you tell what my lesson is about? 

(I guess I really should quit goofing around and get busy organizing myself!)

In these colors:

A few blocks per month over the course of a year…I should be able to handle it, right?

Implementation:

What do you think?