An Old Folktale About Becoming

Today in Stake Conference, we were asked to work on changing our hearts.  We can transform ourselves into becoming like the Savior as we strive to follow Him by emulating His example of love, kindness, non-judgment, and service towards others.

A voice told President Rigby,  "I didn't ask you to judge them.  I asked you to love them."   He then counseled us to extend to others the "BOD" (benefit of doubt) when we look at others' actions or looks.

The MASK (if anyone knows where this story is from, please let me know)

Once there was a king who was so nasty and mean that it showed clearly on his face and in his attitudes. So much so that everyone in his kingdom hated him, but more than that they feared him. Oh, they respected him, for he was their king, but when he would ride out among the people with his face all contorted in mean and nasty ugliness, people would scatter and run away.  If caught off guard they would bow low averting his eyes in silence, the dislike and fear of him showing on their faces.  And the king would mumble, mutter or sputter mean things to them.  No one spoke to him not even a 'good day, sire'.  After a while, the king grew even angrier with his subjects because of how they seemed to hate and fear him. 

Finally, the King called his wisest wizard to him and said, " I am tired of how the people treat me, use your magic to make them nicer people, I command it"  The wizard thought a long time and said the king would have to do exactly what he told him to do, with no questions and to the letter.  He asked the king if he was willing to do that.  "If you will not, it is hopeless," said the wizard.  The king agreed. "Fine, he said, whatever you say, I will do.  Anything that is necessary to get those rotten people to treat their king the way he deserves."  He grumbled a bit more under his breath and settled his face into his ugliest meanest grimace. 

The wizard went into a high cabinet and took down a box that he carefully opened.  Inside the box was a mask of the king's own face.  It was so like the king that the king's mouth fell open when he saw it!  Except for one small or not so small difference.  The expression on the mask was smiling and friendly--almost radiant, instead of grouchy and mean and nasty.  The king hardly notice the difference of the expression, "Where did you get such a mask?' he asked.  "Never mind the where," said the wizard, "it is a magic mask.  Here is what you must do, as you agreed with no questions asked:  You must put this mask on and not take it off for 100 days." "What..why... ehhhm I ... it isn't my way to grin like that, they will lose respect ... grumble ... grumble ... grumble ... I can't do that . . .  "Never mind the protest," said the wizard, "you agreed.  Put it on."  Well, the king grumbled, but he did put it on.  

The next time the King rode through the kingdom, a few people appeared to glance up at him in surprise, for never had they seen the king smile before.  After a few days, a few brave ones smiled a small smile back.  And a week later one peasant actually stood and smiled and said, "Good day to you, Sire."  This surprised the king and he did not know what to say, but he did not grumble mean things at the man.

Word began to spread, the king had had a change of heart. People began to stay where they could see him when he rode by.  Some bowed and then looked up and smiled at him.  Ah, thought the king, this is how a king should be treated.  Perhaps my subjects are becoming nicer people, perhaps they are not as rotten as they were a while ago. This continued.  Each day more people spoke to the king, smiled and even waved as he rode by.  And the king ... well he began to wave back and to offer his own 'good days' and 'how fare these.'  And the people began to tell him how life was for them. 

As the king heard sad stories of poverty and illness, he began to order that the people receive more of the bounty of the land, that they have the services of doctors and that disputes were settled fairly.  Oh, the people came to think highly of that king. They brought him fruits and vegetables and flowers from their gardens, and the king, in turn, came to really love these people who had become so lovable.  He would stop by a peasant's home and sit on the stoop to chat and taste a cake or such that a good wife had baked.

The king and his people loved one another. And the King began to feel guilty. He cared so much about these people now and he knew he was deceiving them with the mask. They liked him better, he thought, because of the beauty of the mask, but it is not me and I can no longer deceive them. 

Although the 100 days were not quite up, he knew he had to remove the mask and be honest with his people and if they would no longer love him, he would have at least had these past days. So, he went into a grand hall and looked closely into a large mirror at his face. The mask was smiling as it had on the first day he put it on.  He regretted having to take it off, but he could no longer fool the people he had come to love.  He reached up and pulled at the mask and it peeled off in his hand. When finally he got his courage up to look again at his mean contorted face, he saw a miracle!  For in the days he had come to love his people, his face had changed and now it matched the mask in every respect.  It was beautiful, and smiling and looked as he felt at that moment.  He wept and touched his laughing face.  When next he went out among the people his heart was light for he knew he was himself, true and true enough.  And that king and all the people of his kingdom lived a long and contented life.

A New Year to Spread Goodness Through Ripples!

"Where you have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to feel, you can reach out and rescue others."   -Thomas S. Monson

"The gospel of Jesus Christ is another name for opportunity."  
                                                            -Ephraim Knowlton Hanks in the movie Ephraim's Rescue

Here is a link for the new year: The Quote Pond  http://www.theripplesproject.org/pond

I am a a collector of beauty and inspiration.  I save pictures (especially from calendars), take photos trying to capture the moment (though it is never quite as it was experienced), and collect sayings that touch my heart or impart wisdom.  This is my way of hoarding those things I'm afraid of losing.  I must realize the things that touch me are really never lost, and the moment cannot be held exactly as it is experienced, but words seem the easiest way to hold the moment, because they are interpreted personally as they impact or teach us.  This is why I am encouraging everyone to gather words to send ripples of goodness into the world.  It is similar to Random Acts of Kindness shttp://www.randomactsofkindness.org/

People say a picture is worth a thousand words because it helps us to see something in all of its wonder and glory that is hard to describe in words.  I believe another picture can be painted with words that are worth a thousand pictures.  A  word spoken or strung together in an amazing way, often received by its author in a spirit of enlightenment, revelation or inspiration, can convey countless images and feelings in our hearts and minds.

And so--I give you at least a thousand quotes to experience throughout 2014 and a project to begin making ripples in your life!  Leave quotes in places that people can find them and be uplifted or encouraged.  Send quotes specifically to touch someone who needs it.  Have fun being like the pebble that makes only one small splash, but radiates unending ripples into the universe.

Check out from where this idea originated:   http://www.theripplesproject.org/who.php

Have fun in 2014!

Detaching From My Decorations is Tugging at my Heart

One of my favorite activities of the year is to decorate for Christmas, and my least favorite is to take down the decorations.  It is hard to let go of the warm glow Christmas brings, along with the memories of being connected to friends and family with that special glow of love that happens during the holidays.

Having a strong sentimental attachments to many of the ornaments makes it an especially bitter sweet thing as I put them away until next year.  Sometimes I cheat and leave certain decorations hanging around for months, or some make it through the whole year.  The Christmas Spirit doesn't have to end, but it somehow slowly fades away with the ending of the festivities, the beautiful music, the bright lights, and the red and green and silver and gold . . . sniff.  (Also, seeing Valentine stuff already in the stores is a real downer!)

Here's an ornament a dear friend in England made for us in 2011 (it has lots of love in it):

Another darling ornament I cherish was purchased at the Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Garden in Georgia by my youngest daughter.  All three of my daughters enjoyed that event with us while we were serving a military relations mission there.

Made out of a sea shell

The one below was given to me by my oldest daughter this year, who understands I fell in love with hedgehogs while on our mission in England.

Well, you get the idea.  I am super attached to the ornaments given to me by loved ones.  What it all boils down to is, it isn't the ornament itself as much as the thoughtful love behind the giving of it.  Sure, I feel love all year round, but somehow putting away those precious ornament gifts brings a mixture of smiles and tears every year.

Boxing up the nativity until next year is also difficult.  It was made by Mrs. Shiozowa, a teacher at Valley Elementary School, way back in the eighties.  She could see I wasn't having much luck completing my ceramic nativity.  I'm just not good at those things.  She sent her nativity home with my middle daughter as a gift and it has been giving every year since.

Unselfish love, generosity, and thoughtful caring are what make Christmas.  I shall never really put away the Nativity that resides in my heart because of all I have been given and continually receive from those around me.  That is what Jesus Christ's coming has inspired.  

I vow NOT to put Him away only to be remembered at Christmas.

A little angel my oldest daughter made many years ago.

Christmas Tree Symbolism

The pure green color of the pine tree remains green all year round.  This stands for the everlasting hope of mankind.

All needles point toward heaven, making it a symbol of every one's thoughts turning toward heaven.

The evergreen tree has been the best friend of humans and animals alike--providing shelter, warmth, and beauty since the world was created. 

            *                    *                    *                    *                    *                    
I am thankful for all types of trees, especially this time of year in snow country.  The shapes of the branches are revealed in all their glory as they become laden with snow.  It is beautiful art!  At Christmastime, the trees with lights glowing out from the snow add an extra special effect for this season of celebration of Jesus Christ being sent to the earth to be our Savior.  He is the light to warms our souls.

Christmas Music--24-hours!

Oh how I love Christmas music!  I worked with a woman who listened to it all year long.  I love it mostly during the Christmas season, starting the day after Thanksgiving and into the first couple days of the new year.

Here is a link to listen to Christmas music around the clock.  Enjoy!

http://www.mormonchannel.org/music

Because He came to the earth . . .

The following are some things President Monson said in the 2011 Christmas devotional:

"When we keep the spirit of Christmas, we keep the Spirit of Christ, for the Christmas spirit is the Christ Spirit.  It will block out all the distractions around us which can diminish Christmas and swallow up its true meaning.

There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus Christ.

Because He came to earth, we have a perfect example to follow.  As we strive to become more like Him, we will have joy and happiness in our lives and peace each day of the year.  It is His example which, if followed, stirs within us more kindness and love, more respect and concern for others.

Because He came, there is meaning to our mortal existence.

Because He came, we know how to reach out to those in trouble or distress, wherever they may be.

Because He came, death lost its sting, the grave its victory. We will live again because He came.

Because He came and paid for our sins, we have the opportunity to gain eternal life."

Watch Bible Video--Nativity here:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S42szZFGmZw

A Christmas Poem--The Stranger

The Stranger

At Christmas time there was a man who looked so out of place,

as people rushed about him at a hurried pace.

He stared at all the Christmas lights, the tinsel everywhere,

the shopping center Santa Claus, with children gathered near.

The mall was packed with shoppers who were going to and fro,

some with smiles and some with frowns and some too tired to go.

They rested on the benches or they hurried on their way

to fight the crowd for purchases to carry home that day.

The music from the stereo was playing loud and clear

of Santa Claus, and snowmen, and funny-nosed reindeer.

He heard the people talk about the good times on the way,

of parties, fun and food galore, and gifts exchanged that day.

“I’d like to know what’s going on,” the man was heard to say.

“There seems to be some sort of celebration on the way.

And would you tell me who this is, all dress in red and white,

and why are children asking him about a special night?”

The answer came in disbelief.  “I can’t believe my ears!

I can’t believe you do not know that Christmas time is here—

the time when Santa comes around with gifts for girls and boys.

When they’re asleep on Christmas Eve, he leaves them books and toys.

The man you see in red and white is Santa Claus so sly.

The children love his joyful laugh and twinkle in his eye.

His gift-packed sleigh is pulled along by very small reindeer,

as he flies quickly through the air, while darting here and there.

The children learn of Santa Claus while they are still quite small.

When Christmas comes, he is the most important one of all!”

The stranger hung his head in shame; he closed a nail-pierced hand.

His body shook in disbelief; he did not understand.

A shadow crossed his stricken face, his voice was low but clear,

“After all these years, they still don’t know,” and Jesus shed a tear.

-Author Unknown-

http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/the-nativity?lang=eng