February has taught me a lot of lessons. And since it is nearing the end of the last day of the month, I figured I should write down what February has taught me.
School is what you make of it. If you think it's hard, it's going to be hard. If you think it's amazing, it's going to be amazing. If you think it's easy and achievable, it will be. I've come to realize that if I put my mind to something and completely put my whole heart and soul into it, it will work out. This has proven to be true in my science classes and my literacy classes this year for my Education classes. I'm still working on math..that nut will be a little harder to crack! That doesn't mean that if you think all your classes are easy that you don't have to do any work, but that means that you have the confidence that you'll know the material when you study it, and tests and homework assignments will come more easily to you.
Be a friend and missionary to everyone you meet. Yes, everyone. I don't want to go anywhere or leave an impression on anyone that I am unsociable or even unfriendly. I'd rather have someone think I'm too happy or too nice! I'm not saying that I think people find me unfriendly or anything, but it's just something I've recently made a goal of in my life. Always live your life so that others are finding you in the service of others and with a smile on your face.
Be willing to be the listener instead of the talker. I've usually liked being the talker in my family, my friend group, and with people I'm around. I was always more comfortable talking instead of listening--I like receiving advice, but have never been very good at giving it. This month I tried being a listener to people instead of wanting to barge in and constantly just talk so that I felt comfortable in my environment. I know that sounds weird--but it's true! Being a listener was actually an amazing experience for me. I had many friendships strengthen because I was willing to listen, more opportunities to share what I thought of situations or even my testimony of things, and was able to see people as real people instead of objects that could just sit and listen to my stories. Listen to people around you--sometimes they need a willing person to sit and listen to them and help them out. It's been a really great learning and friendship building experience so far!
Stand for what you believe. This has been a huge thing for me lately. Without going into too many details, I have felt very alone up here at school. I'm thankful for good friends who keep the commandments and help buoy me up and help me feel closer to God, and I hope I help them as well. Living on your own is much different than living with family. You're in charge of your life--at least for the most part! You have to come to see what your foundation is built on. Individually, you, yes YOU, have to make a conscious decision! When you choose the decision that will ultimately make you the happiest, or back to our Heavenly Father, it is the most empowering feeling, and temptation doesn't even sound appealing. You crave spiritual food and getting to know yourself more.
Determine what is really important in your life! What do you really want to do with the one life you are given here on Earth? I saw a quote the other day from a LDS article (I don't remember it), but it really hit me for whatever reason. I can't remember exactly how it goes, but it basically states that we need to determine what we find important in this life and what we do in it. When we get back to Heavenly Father, what will we tell Him? That we were serving others around us, getting an education, and working on coming closer to Him? Or will we simply state that we watched a lot of movies or got a high score on a video game? What really matters to you? That made my mind kind of snap into a different mode of thinking. Don't just live day to day! Live with a purpose!
Live. Love. Laugh. Grow.
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