we'll all get there, eventually.

I think it's human nature to constantly compare ourselves to others.
Often times seeing how great everyone else's lives are is disheartening, even annoying.

We see all the incredible accomplishments of others and sometimes it is hard to feel happy for those people, because really we just feel jealous or want that person to know that we achieve things too.
Am I making sense?

Why does it annoy us so much that people brag about their lives sometimes? Why do we even feel the need to brag?

The truth is, nobody's life is perfect. Maybe someone feels the need to brag about their kid's good grades or something like that because it's the only happy thing that they can cling to right now.

In any case, we are all going through different things in life, and we need to learn to feel happy for others!


In the words of Jeffrey R. Holland:

"Brothers and sisters, there are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those."


Surely we also look at our neighbors and see how well they are living the gospel - how they seem to have everything together. 
Don't short-change yourself and the good things you are doing!

I'll bet you've totally mastered a part of your life that your neighbor really has no idea how to handle yet. 
We all have our own talents, our own experiences that have made us strong in different ways.
Don't forget that in the end, we are all in this together. We are a team. 

And we'll all get there, eventually. 

One day we will all be perfected in Christ. You will see that all along, your best really was good enough. 

In the meantime, let's learn to be happy for others, try our hardest, and accept that others are doing the same. 

You've got this.

so much beauty

There is a lot going on in the world right now, a lot of negative things. And it's true, society looks not so pretty sometimes. 

Every person gets to choose what to make of their life. And some choose to do really bad things. 

Probably most people, though, are just mediocre. We all have selfish tendencies, we are all rude sometimes, maybe more than we realize, and we've all been on the receiving side of rude comments. Sometimes it just feels like the world is feeding us crap. 

But there is so much good. So much to be cheerful about. 

There are the exceptional people, the inspiring news stories, and there is always a silver lining in even the worst of situations. 

Society is still overwhelmingly good! The world is not against you!

For every rude, seemingly uncompassionate person, there are two people who are kind, happy and trying to do what's right. 

The world is full of intense beauty if you seek it out. 

There are marriages that make it. There are young people who will do incredible things with their life. There are good, honest politicians. 

When you change the way you look at the world, it becomes a whole new place to you. 

When you rise above, as you look at the big picture and have a joyful outlook on life, your life begins to change.

It takes practice to see even the bad things in life as brilliant learning opportunities.

It takes practice to see the good in people the rest of the world sees as bad.

But, like most things, practice makes perfect!


I know I've shared this video before, but I just love it. It makes you feel so happy for the world and the incredible things people are achieving here.



When we look at things from a worldly, narrow-minded perspective, it seems like there is a lot wrong with the world.
And... there is, I guess. But don't let the negative outweigh the positive.

When you notice all the good things, like the things shown in the above video, it is easy to see how God's hand is in everything.

This is His world, we are His people. And His hand is always around us, and if you notice God's hand, your life will be touched in incredible ways, and you will begin to always see the world as a beautiful place.

Many say they have no hope for humanity. But when you stop to remember the purpose of life, stop to remember your potential, stop to remember that God is always looking out for His children, and that his children are good people, it's hard not to have faith in humanity.

Rise above. Seek for the good in the world. Be the good in someone else's world.

Your life will be so much more happy and fulfilling.
When you think you have it all, do you not truly have it all?



I hope you all had a great Sunday and continue to have a great week!
Before I finish up here, here's a great Sunday song for you!

Never Alone by Lady Antebellum


Goodnight!

overcoming

All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming.

- Helen Keller

Is life hard sometimes, or what?! Have you ever heard stories of those people who seem to just have the worst life ever? Maybe you are that person - that person who has simply come across a lot of heartache. 

Life's pretty much tough by definition. But your life story should not be one of sadness! You have such an incredible future ahead of you! 

I recently read Anthem by Ayn Rand. Basically it is one of those futuristic dystopia type books where the government controls everything and people are not allowed to think for themselves. *Spoiler alert: In the end, the main character recognizes society's flaw and runs away into the forest to live a life of his own... alone. 

Yeah. The end. 

So I was asked the question today in English, "why is this a story of hope and liberation instead of one of despair?"

Well, let me tell you. A blank slate - a future that is yours for the taking - is such a beautiful thing. Whatever is behind you, whatever you have learned, can only help you from here on out. 

You could start a brand new life tomorrow, you know! Wake up and decide "today I am going to be someone important." 

Our God is a God of second chances. He offers peace. He offers a new perspective. 

You can make your life a beautiful one of service, love, and happiness. You have a blank canvas in front of you, it is up to you what colors to paint it with. 

Be optimistic. Life comes with trials, bumps in the road. But life keeps moving forward, and if you do your best to move along with it, you will see amazing things you could never see before. 

Thomas S. Monson said that often "We are inclined to view our own personal misfortunes through the distorted prism of pessimism. We feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone.”

Having a negative attitude always makes things seem worse than they really are. When we have hope and look for bright days ahead, even the days we are living now will feel more glorious. 

I've been so so blessed with school this year. I have always been one to stress a lot about school. Even though I keep excellent grades, I've always stressed often about all the homework I have to do, all the tests to study for, etc. etc. 

I was so scared for this year because not only is it junior year in high school - in my opinion one of the hardest and most important - I am also taking 10 credits at the college a half hour away so that I can get a couple years of college in before I graduate. Anyways, over the summer I was so scared I was going to be overwhelmed and had a knot in my stomach every time I thought about all that I was trying to take on. 

Then something crazy happened. School started, and I really do have quite a lot of homework. But I am not stressed. I really don't even know how that happened. I have just gotten into a routine where every day I look at my planner, I make sure I am prepared for the next day, maybe I do some homework due in the future, and I call it a night. 

I'm not sure what changed that I have been so much more chill about schoolwork this year. I work just as hard. But I don't let myself worry so much. 

The days will pass. I could spend all day stressing about a test, but whether I spend the day stressing or not, the next day will come. The test will pass. It will all work out, and in a week I will have forgotten about being worried in the first place. 

Things are never as bad as they seem. Life is full of tender mercies and happy surprises. Be happy. Don't worry so much, and you will be more satisfied with your life. YOU can overcome. And you can help others overcome. 

I thank God for bright futures.

ask for help

Finally. FINALLY. I am home! For good this time. This summer has flown. My family had a great time in California, but I am so glad to be home. I can’t say that I’m dying to go back to school, but I’ll at least be glad to have a set schedule back. And I am so excited to be back in my home ward!

Here are a couple pics from our trip…

Golden Gate Bridge. It was fun to have my best friend Sydney in California with us.

Isaac’s birthday. I wonder if he likes his iron man toy?! (sorry for blurry pic)

I think I need to get into a better schedule with studying my scriptures and conference talks. I’m pretty sure I’ve done okay this summer for the most part, but especially the past couple weeks I’ve let my good habits slip a bit.

I was thinking the other day about the blessings I might be able to have in my life if I simply put in the tiniest bit of extra effort. Maybe all I’d even have to do is ask for them.

I wonder how hard it is for Heavenly Father to watch us struggle. It’s probably harder than I can imagine. As much as it is surely possible for Him to take away our sorrows, to bless us with strength, perhaps sometimes He waits for us to ask. Somehow, sometime, we have to learn to trust and rely on Him.

Maybe sometimes I put off things like scripture reading because I’m too busy trying to deal with things, solve all my problems. Surely just putting in the time to read my scriptures and following the commandments would solve my problems more efficiently, wouldn’t it?

I’m grateful for a Father in Heaven who blesses me so much. One who is patient and understanding always. I want to spend the necessary time so that I can draw closer to God and make sure that asking Him for help is always the first solution to come to mind in times of trouble.

We can make life so much easier for ourselves if we simply remember to ask. Ask for help, ask for more love, a softer heart, more angels to bear you up.

“Every moment of your life is infinitely creative and the universe is endlessly bountiful. Just put forth a clear enough request, and everything your heart desires must come to you.” – Shakti Gawain

Have a great day and week. God is good. Always remember this!

Haley

leave a mark

Whew!! Is it July 28th already? I have been gone sooo much and have been so busy!

Sorry for the blog negligence! :)

So first of all, I left for FIJI on July 2nd and it was the Most. Amazing. Trip. Ever. It was so fun and I was so sad to have to leave! The people there have so little and yet are the most content, happy people ever! And the ward there was awesome! So many fun people!

I am away from home (yet again) in California at the moment, so I won't share too many pictures. It is just a pain to upload the pictures because my internet is reeeeally slow right now! :)

Chilling on the beautiful beaches



 

Baptisms at the Suva temple

 Me with Harrilea and Junior

 

Me with village kids

 

Some of us with a bunch of the ward's youth

 

At a school in the village

 

Working on the bathroom

 

Finished toilet and septic tank!

 

Me with David

 

We had so much fun serving the people, playing with the kids, learning about the culture, swimming in the ocean, making new friends, participating in church activities, and doing other fun things like seeing a movie and going to McDonalds! Tell your kids to save/fundraise for a HEFY (link) trip!! It is the most incredible organization ever!

 

It was so neat to see such a different part of the world. It helped me to be a more rounded person and gave me new perspectives. You guys, be grateful for what you have!!!

I was also reminded how much God loves everyone.

People! YOU. MATTER!!! And if you are ever feeling down on yourself, try serving others. Be a light to other people and make their lives better. I promise you, it will make you feel important when you spend your time being an instrument in the Lord's hands.

I heard something interesting when we were at the temple doing baptisms for the dead. The temple president came to give us a little thought before we got started, and I love what he said. He read off a few of the names of people we would be getting baptized for and shared their birth dates and where they were born. He reminded us that they were real people who lived and breathed and until now probably thought they had been forgotten. He got a little emotional and pointed out that these people are probably never thought of anymore, never mentioned. Who knows - their names being spoken in the font may be the first time they've been mentioned in years and years.

I don't want to leave people forgotten. I want to feed Christ's lambs. I want to serve Him forever and ever. I want my friends to feel like I love them. I want to make sure that I leave this life having given everything I could possibly give.

I want to rescue people. I want to strengthen Christ's army. I want to leave a mark on the world - leave a mark in heaven.

This is my purpose, and this I will do.

I truly could never share enough about my experience in Fiji. But it didn't end in Fiji.

There are people here who need me. And most definitely people here who need you.

“Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great purpose in heart.”  - Gordon B. Hinckley

You guys are awesome. I'm really stoked to start blogging a lot again. I'm just spending time with family here in California, but when I get home the summer should start winding down and I can get myself back into a good blogging routine!

Have a lovely day!

Haley

it always will be true!

Happy Sunday!

I'm not really sure what I want to write about, so let's just see what happens, shall we?

Lovely picture of the Barton clan in Oregon.

Girl's Camp - Love these girls with all my soul!!

St. George temple

I have a good couple scriptures to share.

----------

Doctrine & Covenants 6

 22 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.

 23 Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?

----------

It breaks my heart when I think about those who were strong in the gospel - served missions, etc. - and then fell away. It makes me so sad when they say 'I don't think I ever really believed it.' 

In times of doubt, remember back to the times when you knew. Think of the times when you felt the Spirit so strong. Did He not already give you a witness? This is why it's so important to keep written record and journals. 

It's true! It will always be true! 

I am making a decision right now to do better at journal writing. I have some amazing examples in my ward of girls who write in their journals all the time. I want to be one of those people! And my incentive can be to fill up the journal so I can buy another cute one! haha! 

My mom and I spent almost all day yesterday shopping for my trip to Fiji! I'm so excited and nervous! I am leaving a week from Tuesday! I will post lots of pictures when I return! (And I'll be sure to write in my journal a lot!) :) 

Have a wonderful Sabbath Day!

And a wonderful week!

Haley

summer update!

Hey y'all!!

It's been a while, no?

Well I've been busy busy busy!!

School ended! (hallelujah)
I've been in Oregon for a week!

And I'm leaving for girl's camp tomorrow, so the busyness (is that a word?) continues!


I really don't have much to share - I don't even have Oregon pics on the computer yet! Oh! I do have a couple!

There you go. A joyful picture of me and my cousin from our family trip. (It was an extended family trip. I am super close with my dad's side of the family, so we all caravanned (is that a word?) up to Rockaway Beach for a week!)

If you have a minute (or nine), watch the following video! I love her videos, but I especially love this one! Hers is such a happy conversion story! 

Till we meet again ---
(hopefully I will be less scatterbrained by then!)

Haley

life's good!

I just wanted to share how much I love life right now! 
  People are so good!! I know I say it all the time, but I truly love people! 


It continues to amaze me how our Heavenly Father could create so many unique, beautiful spirits!

I know I shared this picture not too long ago, but hey! I'll just share it again. haha.

Cool, right?!

I had to visit an art show and write a report about it for an art class I'm taking. I decided to go to a chalk art festival that was held in my community over the weekend.

It's so interesting to see what people decide to draw when they could draw anything. 

Check this one out!

I whipped my report out in a quick fifteen minutes and didn't exactly ponder the experience like my teacher wanted me to. haha. So I just said all this stuff about how art is a form of social media and how it can change the world, blah blah blah.

But you know what? I was kinda right!

YOU have things to share with the world! You have thoughts in your head that are incredibly unique and could truly change the world!


What a work of art the human race is!

Wow!!

I'm so excited for the future! People can say all they want about teenagers and about how society is doomed, but I know some truly incredible kids! Kids who love God and do what's right and know stuff about the Middle East and China and places like that that I could never dream of understanding! :)

Great things await us!






America by Imagine Dragons

I can't get this song out of my head. I love love loooove it. LOVE it.

It's one of those goosebumps-I-love-my-country kind of things.



That's another thing! I just wanted to remind people to never take our amazing country and the luxuries we have for granted.

I feel like - especially during elections - there is so much tension and talk about how our country is doomed and in ruins and going downhill.

Well it's still the greatest nation that exists!

 

 



There are those, I know, who will say that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind, is nothing but a dream.  They are right.  It is the American dream.  ~Archibald MacLeish 




Life's good, people! God has His hand in everything! You are SO blessed!

Be nice to others! Remember who you are!





P.S. On a more serious note, my heart aches for all who were effected by the tornado in Oaklahoma. My prayers and the prayers of many others are with you. God bless you all.

P.P.S. I think that minus the piercings and lack of personal hygiene (and a whole lot of other things), I'm pretty much a hippy. Yep. World peace, man! (haha) :)

lately

Hey! It's been a while, no?

Hmmm... what have I been up to?

Well obviously there's still school. Ehhhrugh. (<- don't ask how to pronounce that.) School. The reason my posts have been lacking, if you were wondering.



My sister's basically a beast at gymnastics. Just sayin'. So part of my family traipsed down to Las Vegas for a meet a couple weeks ago and left behind me, my brother, and my best friend Sydney (her fam was out of town during the same time period. What are the odds?!?).

I love my family and all, don't get me wrong. But I looooove when they go to out-of-state meets. I don't ever go because of school, which is fine with me because there is nothing a teenager likes better than being left at home alone for a few days!

At Gateway :) (Zach was on a campout, not that we would have taken him anyways, haha.)

I got an iPhone. Let's just relish in the goodness of this. 

Aaaahh. Three cheers for technology. :D

Someone hit my car in the high school parking lot. Same day I got a new phone, actually. Hmmm... joy. [insert sarcasm, in case you missed it.]

It was pretty bad, too, a couple door panels need to be replaced. But it's all good because the other kid's insurance is paying for it. Even though that's sad for them... :(

I was in the car, too. Just sitting there. That was a joyful moment. 

So yep. Missing my car at the moment. I'll probably get it back Wednesdayish. 

Not. Soon. Enough.

Oh, and Happy Mother's Day!!!!

Yay for all you mothers out there for all you do!

God is good! You are enough, you have enough!

Happy Spring!!

soldier girls

Happy April everyone! I hope you all enjoyed General Conference! If you missed it, you can watch/read/download here! You won't regret it!!

I've been sooo busy with school and am consequently so excited for summer.
And this trip.
And my best friend Sydney is coming with our family for two weeks to California! Yay!
What do you all have planned for the summer??

Hmmm... I'm trying to think of something interesting that has been going on in my life... I pretty much worked and watched Doctor Who all Spring Break. So not much to share there. I took the ACT this morning for the second time.
There's nothing more joyful than a good ol' standardized test!!!

And I'm really into Dancing with the Stars at the moment. Okay sorta into it. I watch most of the episodes. haha.

I got a letter in the mail the other day. It brought serious joy. Turns out it was just from this Radiothon I participated in... but yeah you should all mail me letters because I rather enjoyed finding that little surprise in the mailbox.

And here's my new favorite picture.

So I wanted to share this spectacular music video with y'all.
If you are familiar with T.C. Christensen (think 17 Miracles), he has a new movie coming out soon called Ephraim's Rescue. I'm so excited!


So here's a spectacular music video from it! Go get tissues (you're welcome)!



Here's my favorite line:

"We reached for God from where we stood."

God is closer than you think! And He can be reached by anyone! No matter where you're calling from!

You're never too far away and the Atonement is always accessible to you. Our Savior's grace and mercy extends to all, even you.

Don't you forget it!

Love to you all, have a great Sunday!





P.S. You can find this song on iTunes!! I've been listening nonstop!