Do you listen to your heart?

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take three minutes to five minutes to read from start to finish. 

Are you currently happy in your current relationship with your current partner (whether you are in a relationship or engaged or married)? Have you been feeling loved from your loved one? Does he or she says that they love you often. 

Have you been treated nicely from your loved one? Have you been receiving the support that you need from your loved one often? Does your partner listens to you about anything you say (whether it is about concerns that you have or about your work day, so forth)? 

Do you receive compliments from your loved one often? Do your loved one makes you smile? Do you trust your loved one? Do you believe in your loved one? 

If you are currently not happy with your relationship; you would need to do something about it. You would have to think about what would be the next step to take (whether it is to express with your loved one how you feel or end the relationship between you and your partner). 

If you can not see the Image for this post; it says

"listen to your heart. It knows all things. Paulo Celho." 

You deserve happiness. You deserve to be loved. You deserve to be treated nicely by your loved one. You deserve to feel some support from your loved one. You deserve to be listened to about anything that you have to share. 

You deserve to receive compliments often by your loved one, you deserve to be believed in and trusted in by your loved one, and so forth.

Jacob and I are currently happy with our marriage. We have two beautiful daughters that we both absolutely love them equally. Jacob and I both do feel loved by each other and our daughters. 

We always say to each other “I love you” often - mornings, afternoons, and evenings. We do treat each other nicely and feel respected with each other’s wishes. 

We do our best to support to each other’s decisions often. The two biggest support decisions that Jacob has shown me during our marriage so far was being with me when I have given birth to Evelyn and being with me again when I have given birth to Leah. 

He was able to hold my hand, he did a great job for comforting me, he did his best to make me smile and giggle while I was giving birth to Evelyn and while I was giving birth to Leah. 

Jacob and I always do a great job of complimenting each other often. I always do my best to compliment him everyday. Jacob does make me smile. Jacob and I do trust each other. 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Accepting and Adjusting to New Changes

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take five minutes to read from start to finish. 

What are several examples that you have experienced in your life when you have accepted and adjusted to new changes? 

When I was 16 years old; I remembered mentioning to my Mum about “it would be so cool if the missionary ages has changed especially for the sisters instead of having 21 years old, to be changed to 19 years old.”

When the General Conference was on that weekend; President Monson has mentioned about the missionary ages has changed, the males can go serve their missions at the age of 18 years old instead of 19 years old and the females can go serve their missions at the age of 19 years old instead of 21 years old.” It really made me so excited and I have began a greater desire of wanting to serve a full-time mission. 

Accepting and Adjusting to New Changes - Example 1

It was not until I was about 18 years old; I still had a strong desire to serve a mission. I remembered filling out the application for missionary service, I remembered getting medical examination done, I remembered going to the dentist multiple times for dental work to be done, I remembered seeing both bishop and stake president for having interviews to be sure that I was worthy and ready to serve a mission. 

I honestly thought that my application for missionary service has been submitted. I kept following up with stake president and I have believed him that that paperwork has been submitted. That stake president would not let me to receive my endowments either. 

I took some time to not worry about the missionary application and not to receive my endowments. I have decided to move on with my life and focused on other things to accomplish instead. I have successfully gotten a job.  

By the time I was 20 years old and just several weeks away from turning 21 years old; I have moved away from home to a different location, somewhat closer to work, and I do remember seeing the new bishop and stake president of the ward and stake that I have moved into. 

I was wanting to receive my endowments on my 21st birthday. I remember having an interview with the stake president, and he has mentioned about my mission papers was not submitted back when I was 19 years old. I have asked him if it was okay for me to receive my endowments on my 21st birthday instead. He did not see any reasons why not. 

I mean if I was to regain the desire to serve a full-time mission, it would have meant that I need to fill out the missionary application all over again (which means more dental work, more medical examination). I was not ready to give up too early into employment for serving a full-time mission. 

At the time; I was hired just a delivery driver at dominos, and I was wanting to save money as much as I can. I just have graduated Institute with a Diploma and I have recently found out about the BYU-Idaho Pathways program. 

I kept procrastinating of finishing the application for getting enrolled with BYU-Idaho pathways program because I had several concerns. I kept questioning myself would I even have time to study while having employment, would I prioritise my employment over studying, and would I get any other distractions that stops me focusing on reaching the assignments and exams deadlines beside work. 

By the time that I did submitted the application, my application got approved within several weeks later. I felt ease at mind that I did the right thing. I have accepted that I had employment and I was ready to commence studying. I somehow had to learn about time management. 

If you can not see the Image for this post above, it says "I cannot say whether things will get better if we change; what I can say is they must change if they are to get better. - Georg C. Lichtenberg." 

Accepting and Adjusting to New Changes - Example 2

Jacob and I have met each other on LDS Singles website in November 2017. I somehow found him on Facebook and I have started messaging him. I remembered asking Jacob if he would be interested for Skyping me to help me out with several things that I did not understood for the pathways program. He said “yes.” 

 

I was so grateful that we were able to Skype each other because not only did he has helped me, but I still remember when he has asked me towards end of the first Skype call “Can I Skype with you tomorrow?” I said “yes.” We eventually started Skyping/video calls everyday. 

I eventually accepted that Jacob and I had mutual feelings for each other and adjusted new changes from being friends to being boyfriend and girlfriend, then from being boyfriend and girlfriend to being engaged, and then from being engaged to eventually getting married to each other. 

Accepting and Adjusting to New Changes - Example 3 

Before I have given birth to Leah; I did not think much about how things would be like after I have given birth with Leah. I did not do too much research about what to expect. I was worried for multiple things. 

After I have given birth to Leah; I felt inner frustration at times whenever Evelyn did not want to listen to me, whenever she broke something, whenever she pushes my limits (even though she is just trying to help) but I was able to overcome that feeling. I have been doing my best to continue my love towards Evelyn and she deserves to know that she is not been replaced and she is still loved by me. I have been feeling constantly tired and constantly exhausted.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Are They My True Friends?

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take five minutes to read from start to finish. 

True friends does not judge your appearance. True friends does not judge you for who you are. 

True friends does not criticise you. True friends does not judge your past mistakes. 

True friends does not lie to you. True friends does not talk behind your back. 

True friends does not step over your boundaries. True friends does not push your limitations. 

True friends will care about you. True friends will believe in you. True friends will help you. 

True friends does not judge your current situations. True friends does not leave you. 

True friends will contact you during the times when you needed someone to talk to. True friends will grieve with you and share their condolences with you. True friends will share with you mostly encouraging, uplifting and positivity words. 

True friends will trust in you. True friends will check up on you. True friends will make some time for you to spend some time together. True friends will support your decisions even during tough decision making. True friends will stay true to their words. 

If you can not see the Image that has been shared with this post, it says "True friends are those who you meet at your worst and guide you towards the best." 

I would like to share with you some quotes that I liked based on true friends. 

“If you’re absent during my struggle, don’t expect to be present during my success.” By Will Smith. 

“A friend who understands your tears is much more valuable than a lot of friends who only know your smile.” By Sushan R. Sharman.

“True friends are those who came into your life, saw the most negative part of you, but are not ready to leave you, no matter how contagious you are to them.” By Michael Bassey Johnson.

“Friendship isn’t about who you’ve known the longest. It’s about who walked into your life, said “I’m here for you,” and proved it.”

“Good friends share laughs, memories, and inside jokes. They will always be honest and stand by your side no matter what. They wipe your tears, pick you up when you fall, and are forever a piece of your heart.”

“A true friend knows your past and is in your present when you need them, not just when they need you. They love you despite your faults and support you always.”

“A friend sticks with you through thick and thin. Someone that tells you your faults and failures. The one which corrects your mistakes, that never says anything you want to hear, but everything you need to hear…”

“Never forget three types of people: who helped you in your difficult times, who left you in your difficult times, and who put you in difficult times.”

Stay Tuned until next time.

How is your mental health doing?

 Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take five minutes to read from start to finish. 

It is normal for us to experience our highs and lows throughout our lives. It is normal for us to experience our ups and downs moments throughout our lives. How is your mental health currently doing? 

How are you coping daily with your mental health? 

I would like to share with a list of some things that you can do for coping your mental health if your mental health is currently down. 

You can take a short temporary break from your social media accounts if you have social media accounts. You can take a short break from work to relax, to rest, and to recharge. You can take a break from work to go on a vacation and it can go for about three days to three weeks. 

You can let someone who you trust to watch over your child/children for one day to several days so you can take a break from your child/children. Do not feel discouraged whenever someone who does not seem supportive for your decision to focus on your mental health. You can ask for some support. 

You can create a playlist of songs that you enjoy listening to and you can listen to that playlist anytime whenever you are feeling down. You can watch several shows that you may enjoy watching. You can watch several movies that you may enjoy watching. 

You can keep up with your fluids intake ((focus mostly on your water intake than any other drinks intake). You can work on some time management. You can be sure that you are getting enough good night sleep. You can go for a walk. You can read a book. You can write in your journal (if you do not have a journal, you can journaling). 

You can choose not to feel overwhelmed for being invited to your friends’ events. If you are focusing on your mental health, be sure to be committed to really focus on your mental health and not be getting distracted by common distractions that you may face each day.

If you can not see the Image that has been shared on this post; it says the following:

"Things to remember

Setbacks do not equal failure You are allowed to set boundaries
You are more than an illness It's okay to rest
Not everything you think is true"

I also would like to share with you some quotes about mental health. "Your present circumstances don’t determine where you go; they merely determine where you start." by Nido Qubein. "Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves." by Henry David Thoreau.

"You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you." by Dan Millman. "Just because you don’t understand it doesn’t mean it isn’t so." by Lemony Snicket.

"Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." by Christopher Robin from Winnie the Pooh.

"Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you doesn’t mean you can, should, or need to do it alone." by Lisa Olivera.

"I cannot stand the words ‘Get over it’. All of us are under such pressure to put our problems in the past tense. Slow down. Don’t allow others to hurry your healing. It is a process, one that may take years, occasionally, even a lifetime – and that’s OK." by Beau Taplin. 

"Your mental health is everything – prioritize it. Make the time like your life depends on it, because it does." by Mel Robbins.

"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen." by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.

Stay Tuned until next time.

It's Okay to Make Mistakes

 Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish. 

I know that most times whenever we have made mistakes in the past, we feel so much regret, feeling hurt, and wishing that we have not made those mistakes. I know that most times whenever we have made mistakes in the past, we may think that Heavenly Father and Jesus doesn't love us anymore or for a period of them. 

I know that most times whenever we have made mistakes in the past, we may think that Heavenly Father and Jesus expects us to be perfect. I know that most times whenever we have made mistakes in the past, we may be thinking that it's not okay to make mistakes. 

I know that most times whenever we have made mistakes in the past, we may forget that everyone including people around us makes mistakes too. I know that most times whenever we have made mistakes in the past, we may choose not to love people because of something that they have done. 

I know that most times whenever we have made mistakes in the past, we may make ourselves to feel bad people from the actions that we have done that has hurt someone. I know that most times whenever we have made mistakes in the past, we may make ourselves to feel bad people from the words that we have said that has hurt someone. 

Keep in mind that I do know that our unrighteous decisions, our unrighteous actions, and our unrighteous words can hurt someone. I do know at times that people can have some expectations including high expectations for us to fulfil to make them happy and satisfied. 

We should be more focused towards our own expectations and fulfill them as best as we can whether it takes days or weeks or months or years to achieve them.

"You are more than the mistakes you've
made." - Al Carraway.

Always remember that Heavenly Father and Jesus loves you no matter what, they don't expect us to be perfect.

Always remember that it's okay to make mistakes. 

Always remember that everyone make mistakes. 

Always remember that we can love people even if we don't love what they do. Always remember that making a mistake doesn't make you a bad person.

Instead of focusing on what you did wrong, focus on what you learned and can do better. Repenting and trying again helps us grow.

Stay Tuned until next time.

The Eternal Blessings of Marriage

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take four minutes to seven minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on April 2011 General Conference talk, and it is called "The Eternal Blessings of Marriage" by Elder Richard G. Scott. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk. 

Elder Scott has mentioned the following; 

"... If you are a young man of appropriate age and are not married, don’t waste time in idle pursuits. Get on with life and focus on getting married. Don’t just coast through this period of life. Young men, serve a worthy mission. Then make your highest priority finding a worthy, eternal companion. 

When you find you are developing an interest in a young woman, show her that you are an exceptional person that she would find interesting to know better. Take her to places that are worthwhile. ... If you want to have a wonderful wife, you need to have her see you as a wonderful man and prospective husband.

... be very, very happy eternally by staying within the bounds of worthiness the Lord has established. If you are married, are you faithful to your spouse mentally as well as physically? ... Are you kind and supportive of your spouse and children?

Brethren, do you lead out in family activities such as scripture study, family prayer, and family home evening, or does your wife fill in the gap your lack of attention leaves in the home? Do you tell your wife often how very much you love her? It will bring her great happiness. 

I’ve heard men tell me when I say that, “Oh, she knows.” You need to tell her. A woman grows and is greatly blessed by that reassurance. Express gratitude for what your spouse does for you. Express that love and gratitude often. That will make life far richer and more pleasant and purposeful. 

Don’t withhold those natural expressions of love. And it works a lot better if you are holding her close while you tell her. I learned from my wife the importance of expressions of love. Early in our marriage, often I would open my scriptures to give a message in a meeting, and I would find an affectionate, supportive note Jeanene had slipped into the pages. 

... Those precious notes from a loving wife were and continue to be a priceless treasure of comfort and inspiration. I began to do the same thing with her, not realizing how much it truly meant to her. ... I remember one day I took some of those little round paper circles that form when you punch holes in paper, and I wrote on them the numbers 1 to 100. 

I turned each over and wrote her a message, one word on each circle. Then I scooped them up and put them in an envelope. I thought she would get a good laugh. When she passed away, I found in her private things how much she appreciated the simple messages that we shared with each other. 

I noted that she had carefully pasted every one of those circles on a piece of paper. She not only kept my notes to her, but she protected them with plastic coverings as if they were a valuable treasure. There is only one that she didn’t put with the others. It is still behind the glass in our kitchen clock. 

It reads, “Jeanene, it is time to tell you I love you.” It remains there and reminds me of that exceptional daughter of Father in Heaven. As I have thought back over our life together, I realize how blessed we’ve been. ... Now I realize that blessing came because of her. 

It resulted from her willingness to give, to share, and to never think of herself. In our later life together, I tried to emulate her example. I suggest that as husband and wife you do the same in your home. Pure love is an incomparable, potent power for good. 

Righteous love is the foundation of a successful marriage. It is the primary cause of contented, well-developed children. ... What enduring fruits result from the seeds of truth that a mother carefully plants and lovingly cultivates in the fertile soil of a child’s trusting mind and heart? 

As a mother you have been given divine instincts to help you sense your child’s special talents and unique capacities. With your husband you can nurture, strengthen, and cause those traits to flower. It is so rewarding to be married. Marriage is wonderful. 

... You have times when you are extremely happy, times of testing, and times of trial, but the Lord guides you through all of those growth experiences together. ... Jeanene’s kindness taught me so many valuable things. ... Marriage provides an ideal setting for overcoming any tendency to be selfish or self-centered. 

I think one of the reasons that we are counseled to get married early in life is to avoid developing inappropriate character traits that are hard to change. I feel sorry for any man who hasn’t yet made the choice to seek an eternal companion, and my heart weeps for the sisters who haven’t had the opportunity to marry. 

Some of you may feel lonely and unappreciated and cannot see how it will be possible for you to have the blessings of marriage and children or your own family. All things are possible to the Lord, and He keeps the promises He inspires His prophets to declare. 

Eternity is a long time. Have faith in those promises and live to be worthy of them so that in His time the Lord can make them come true in your life. With certainty, you will receive every promised blessing for which you are worthy. ... I know what it is to love a daughter of Father in Heaven who with grace and devotion lived the full feminine splendor of her righteous womanhood. ..."

If you would like to read the whole talk either now or in your own time, here is the link below.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2011/04/the-eternal-blessings-of-marriage

Stay Tuned until next time.

Healing Takes Courage

 Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

This post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish.  

What are some past events that you have to go through that you needed to allow yourself to have some time to recover? 

It can be going through a type of surgery, it can be going through a divorce after certain amount of years for being married, it can be going through a tough relationship, and so forth. 

Some of us may have to go through childbirth one time. Some of us may have to go through childbirth more than one time. Some of us may have to go through kidney stones removal with surgery. Some of us may have to go through kidney stones removal without surgery. 

Some of us may have to go through hip replacement surgery. Some of us may have to go through gallbladder removal. Some of us may have to go through hand surgery. Some of us may have to go through knee surgery. Some of us may have to go through low back pain surgery.

"Healing takes courage, and we all have
courage, even if we have to dig a little to
find it."

After I have given birth to Evelyn; I was given one restriction and that restriction was easy to follow. It has helped me to heal and recover within six weeks of postpartum after giving birth to Evelyn. However after I have given birth to Leah; I was given more restrictions and it was somewhat difficult to follow.

I have been told to not lift anything heavier than Leah weighs (which meant I was not allowed to pick up Evelyn) and Evelyn has gotten me to pick her up multiple times after I have given birth to Leah. 

I have been instructed to not do any bending over (which seems unrealistically because laundry still needs to be done throughout the week - laundry is the real neverending story, dishwasher still needs to be done throughout the week - we need clean cups to drink out of, we need clean bowls and plates to eat out of, clean cutlery for us to use with eating and so forth). 

I have been instructed to not drive for minimum of two weeks (I have not been taking any strong painkillers, in fact I only took pain relief total of three times while Leah and I was at the hospital prior to us discharge of going home), and so forth. 

On my 10th week postpartum mark after giving birth to Evelyn; Jacob drove himself to a hospital because he was experiencing so much pain. I wish I could help him. I could not help with driving him to a hospital. At that time; I did not have my drivers license yet. I felt scared and I remembered about not getting much sleep during that overnight.

Jacob and I could not think of any possibilities why he was experiencing so much pain. Prior to that day; I haven’t ever seen him in so much pain. Sometime after he got to the hospital, he was tested for certain things and I do not remember what he was tested for. 

The outcome was that he was experiencing kidney stones. Sometime after I have found out that he was experiencing kidney stones, I did some research about it and I felt ease at mind of why he was experiencing so much pain. If I remember correctly; Jacob resumed and went back to work after several days of experiencing kidney stones. 

If you have gone through recent surgery or think for future surgery/surgeries; the easiest way to help you heal and recover quicker is to have positive thinking, relax whenever you can, have a healthy diet, have regular exercises, have good night sleeps if you can and have some social support because all of those things can promote good health and for wellbeing.

Stay tuned until next time. 

I Wish I Knew

 Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

This post should take four minutes to seven minutes to read from start to finish. 

I wish I knew the major and most common symptoms of what to expect during a pregnancy before I have conceived with Evelyn. Before I have conceived Evelyn, I was experiencing ovarian cyst (within the first 6 months into my marriage). I knew some people has misjudged me and thought that I was pregnant. 

I was constantly getting asked “are you pregnant?” by some people from church and it has always got me the feeling of frustration inside of me. I kept a positive attitude and I have answered those people nicely with a reply saying “no I am not pregnant." 

Before I have been diagnosed with having a 2.5cm ovarian cyst (on my left side) in March 2020; I kinda thought I was pregnant because I was facing similar pregnancy symptoms. The symptoms that I was facing was gaining weight every week (I had to get myself sizes up in clothes so I will have some clothes that would fit me instead of having clothes feeling tight and doesn’t fit me correctly), I was having sweet and sugary foods cravings non-stop, I thought that I felt somewhat movement coming from my stomach one day, and my stomach constantly grew big and bigger. 

I felt constantly confused why I kept having negative pregnancy test results and I was experiencing irregular period cycles. Thankfully: I eventually was able to go and see a OBGYN doctor, I got tested for multiple possibilities of what it could be of what I was experiencing by some bloodwork and ultrasound for about one month.

After a month has passed; I got the results in March 2020 that I have been diagnosed of having 2.5cm ovarian cyst (on my left side), I felt shock and I felt disbelief. After I have been told about the results; I did some online research based on what is ovarian cyst, what diet to have while having ovarian cyst and I have gotten myself to eat foods that was necessary and good to have for the ovarian cyst to go away. 

The ovarian cyst eventually went away after several months. I have noticed the difference of having ovarian cyst vs not having an ovarian cyst. Before I finally got tested positive for a pregnancy test; I was feeling scared that I might be facing another ovarian cyst. 

"What I wish I knew."

As soon as I saw the positive result for the first pregnancy test on December 31st, 2020; I felt relief, I cried a little and I told Jacob straight away that we were expecting. Prior to conceiving with Evelyn; there are many things that I wish I knew and I would like to share with you some of those things. 

I wish I knew what are some of the things that is considered normal (such as the constant tiredness) during the pregnancy. I wish I knew some remedies of how to get through morning sickness because I have experienced six weeks of morning sickness when I was pregnant with Evelyn and I know most common women faces severe morning sickness during their pregnancies. 

I wish I knew how to limit unexpected vomiting. Whenever I ate too quickly of a meal with an empty stomach (which happens to happen three times in total during my pregnancy with Evelyn), I have vomited and I absolutely hated it. I felt so scared that I would have vomited over and over again. 

I wish I knew what are some of the things that are not considered normal during a pregnancy such as bleeding beyond 12 weeks of being pregnant. I thought pregnancies was supposed to stop bleeding throughout the entire pregnancy. I wish I knew consuming gluten (while having gluten intolerance) during pregnancy WILL cause major complications. 

I wish I knew what is considered normal during second pregnancy even though I have already experienced one pregnancy prior to conceiving with Leah. I wish I knew the feeling of movements would happen much sooner than my first pregnancy. I wish I knew the feeling of tiredness still exist and happens during first trimester and second trimester. 

I wish I knew where to expect of feeling movements when baby is positioned of having their head is down. I wish I knew how to get Evelyn feeling excited to meet Leah during my pregnancy with Leah because I have always seen the excitement from some friends' with having older children always get feeling excited to meet their baby sister or their baby brother while those friends was expecting.  

I thought it was a normal reaction to happen. Evelyn often has showed no interest of feeling excited to meet Leah until sometime after I have reached either 30 weeks or 33 weeks pregnant with Leah. I wish I knew what to expect during my postpartum stage after giving birth to Leah and accept the challenges that people face while raising two young children under three years old at home. 

Stay Tuned until next time. 

How did you overcome your past?

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

This post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish. 

I would like to share with you some questions that focuses on "overcome" and I would like you to either ask yourself and answer some of those questions either now or in your own time. 

How did you overcome your past challenges, your past difficulties, and past relationships? 

How will you overcome your future challenges, your future difficulties, your future relationships?

How did you overcome your past weaknesses? How will you overcome your future weaknesses?

How did you overcome the feeling of being unloved, heartbroken, and being alone in the past? 

How will you overcome the feeling of being unloved, heartbroken, and being alone in the future? 

"the struggle you're in today is developing
the strength you need for tomorrow."

How did you overcome of losing a short-term and long-term friendship with someone in the past?

How will you overcome of losing a short-term and long-term friendship with someone in the future? 

How did you overcome of your past hardships (whether it is financially or mentally, etc)? 

How will you overcome of your future hardships (whether it is financially or mentally, etc)? 

Everyone has their own ways of how they were able to overcome their past challenges, past difficulties, and past relationships. Everyone has their own ways of how they were able to overcome their past weaknesses, feeling unloved, feeling heartbroken, and feeling being alone. 

Everyone has their own ways of they were able to overcome of losing short-term and long-term friendships. 

Everyone has their own ways of how they were able to overcome their hardships (whether it is financially or mentally, etc).  

Stay Tuned until next time. 

10 Steps to Self Esteem

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

This post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish. 

I would like encourage you to think about and answer the following two questions in your own time. 

"What does self esteem means to you?" "What is your ten steps to self esteem?"

I have ten steps to self esteem for myself but I would like to share with you several of those steps that I have set for self esteem for myself. 

1. I feel like that I have been constantly getting to know more about myself each day. I have learned about my past weaknesses and past strengths. I still have been learning about my current weaknesses and current strengths. I look forward to learn about what my future weaknesses and future strengths would be. 

2. I always do my best to stay positive with everything that I do including facing EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE and EVERY SITUATION. 

3. I have taught myself and reminded myself over and over again that I NEED TO LOVE MYSELF for who I was in the past, who I am currently now and who will I be in the future. 

I love the Image above. I agree with the Image above. If you can't see the Image above, it says
"1. Know yourself.
2. Understand what makes you feel great.
3. Recognize things that get you down.
4. Let goals to achieve what you want.
5. Develop trusting friendships that make you feel good.
6. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
7. Stand up for your beliefs & values.
8. Help someone else.
9. Take responsibility for your own actions.
10. Take good care of yourself."

After reading those ten ways to self esteem, I asked myself some questions that relates to the list.
I would like to share some of those questions with you.

1. Do you know yourself? How much do you really know yourself?
Do you know your strengths? Do you know your weaknesses?

2. Do you understand what makes you feel great?
How much do you understand what makes you feel great?

3. Do you recognise what things that makes you feel down?
How do you recognise those things that makes you feel down?

4. Do you make your own goals that you want to achieve?
How often do you check your list of the goals that you want to achieve?

5.How do you develop friendships? How much do you trust your true friendships?

6. When was the l;ast time that you were afraid to ask for help?

7. When was the last time you stand up for your beliefs & values?

8. When was the last time did you help someone else? Did it make you feel so good inside?

9. Why is it important for you to take responsibility for your own actions?

10. Do you take good care of yourself often? When was the last time did you take good care of yourself?

Stay Tuned until next time.

Forgive, Believe, and Create

   Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening,

This post should take three minutes to five minutes to read from start to finish. 

Forgive your Younger Self 

What does it mean to Forgive? What does it mean for you to “Forgive your Younger Self”? 

We all have histories, we all have different stories to share, and so forth. We may not 100% agree with some of our past experiences. We may not 100% agree with some of our past decisions. You may have experienced losing past relationship/s with your relatives. You ma have experienced leaving past relationship/s. may have experienced past friendships. 

There has been multiple times that I’ve imagined of how my life would be different if I was to continue living in Australia, not move to United States and convinced Jacob 100% to move to Australia and leave United States. I do miss employment benefits in Australia. 

"Forgive your younger self. 
Believe in your current self. 
Create your future self."

Believe in your Current Self

What does it mean to Believe? What does it mean for you to "Believe in your Current Self"?

Do you believe in your Current Self? 

At this present time; it can be easy or it can be difficult and feel impossible to believe in our current selves. I believe that I can do better in running and owning a photography business. I believe that I can do better with blogging of feeling inspired of what to share. 

I believe that I can be a great mother. I know that I am often proud of myself for doing house chores. I somehow have the energy of making dinner meals for five days to six days a week.

Create your Future Self

How do you create your future self? Where do you see yourself doing in the future? 

What does it mean to "Create your Future Self"? 

Do you think that you will be still employed at your current employment in the future?

Do you think that you will be still studying your current course in the future? 

I have been doing my best to set myself short-term goals and long-term goals of what I would like achieved in the future. I know that I would like to be a better version of myself in the future than I was in the past. I know that would be the hope for everyone to be is to be better version of themselves in the future than they were in the past. 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Some Differences of Living in Australia verses Living in East Texas, United States

  Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening,

This post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish. 

2 Weeks ago has marked four years ago since I have landed in Dallas Texas all by myself with a one way ticket from Brisbane Australia. I knew some expectations of what to expect for some differences of living in East Texas, United States verses living in Australia but there was some things that I did not expected at all. 

I knew United States are known as a expensive country for health care. If you do not have insurance; the cost of a baby to stay in the NICU for over 30 days is super expensive. The costs is over $190,000 US Dollars/over $220,000 Australian Dollars.

Living in Australia: 

The foods that I enjoy eating; Australian lamb, passionfruit, mangoes, pumpkin (vegetable), custard, tim tams (even though it has gluten), white chocolate, Australian seafood (mussels, crumbled fish), Australian candies (Allen brand are my favourite brand), shortbread biscuits and different flavours of ice cream (triple caramel chunk - Ben and Jerry's brand are my favourite flavour). 

The public transportation seems to be reliable and located at convenient locations. Trains depart every 15 minutes in peak periods and every 30 minutes in non-peak Mondays to Fridays. All public transportation operates every 30 minutes on the weekends - Saturdays and Sundays. 

Gas prices can be super expensive in Australia at anytime of the year. The cost of yearly 4 cylinder vehicle registration in Queensland is close to $800 Australian Dollars/almost $430 US Dollars.

Rent gets paid weekly. I am not too sure about house mortgages. 

I used to live within an hour and a half drive from the nearest Temple (Brisbane Temple) from the time I was 7 years old. I used to live within an hour and a half drive from the nearest beach from home.

Health care system is better in Australia but I could be wrong by some people's opinions. I do like free health care in Australia by having medicare. I like how the doctors are able to visit patients outside of business hours. 

Living in East Texas, United States: 

The part where I live in East Texas does not have any reliable public transportation. I could not catch a bus anywhere that is within 25 minutes drive from home, I could not get on a passenger train to anywhere where I would like to go, I could not get a ride from a uber or any third party lift services. For me to have transportation to places; I would have to drive myself or rely on others to drive me to places. 

Gas prices seems to be cheaper by the litre in Australian Dollars (it is currently roughly between 99 cents - US Dollars/$1.51 Australian Dollars to $1.28 US dollars/$1.95 Australian Dollars per litre). Although gas prices are normally between 69 cents - US Dollars/$1.05 Australian Dollars to 85 cents US Dollars/$1.29 Australian Dollars. The gas goes by the gallon (which is equivalent to 3.5 litres) in United States. 

The cost of yearly vehicle registration for Jacob's truck (6 cylinder) is so cheap over here. It costs less than $90 US Dollars/less than $145 Australian Dollars. 

Rent and house mortgages gets paid monthly. 

I could not find any edible pumpkin (vegetable) anywhere, I could not find any passionfruit anywhere. I have found pumpkin pie filling. I do not like the taste of seafood over here (the taste of seafood is either too fishy or too salty). 

I currently live over two hours drive from the nearest Temple (Dallas is the nearest Temple from me) one way and I currently live over five hours drive from the nearest beach. 

Health care system over here needs some improvement such as have shorter waiting time until get seen by a doctor. I absolutely hate waiting in the waiting area for over an hour until I finally get seen by my doctor. I have not done any research to find out if my area is in within boundaries where doctors are able to visit outside of business hours.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Pray in Your Families

  Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening,

This post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish. 

While I was growing up; I remembered how important it was for having family prayers in the mornings (especially before going to school) and having family prayers again in the evenings before having dinner. I do remember that we did our best to kneel down and we took turns of who get to say the pray. 

I love how we strive to remember about asking for safety and protection throughout the daytime and evening, thanking our days, and asking for healing for individuals who was sick and who was afflicted at the time.

Sometime while Evelyn was in the NICU; Jacob and I have introduced to Evelyn about praying as a family. Towards the end of each visit at the NICU; Jacob and I took turns of saying family prayers and Evelyn was with us. 

After Evelyn was discharged from the NICU; Evelyn always joined with me and Jacob to say family prayers every morning and every night. As Evelyn has gotten older (around 16 months old); Evelyn would start holding my hand and Jacob's hand while we are saying family prayers in the mornings and in the evenings. 

On Evelyn's 2nd Birthday; Evelyn and I have visited Jacob's Grandparents. During our visit; the Elders and Jacob's two additional relatives has shown up. Jacob's Grandpa was focusing on sharing with the Elders and Jacob's two additional relatives about multiple scriptures. 

One of the scripture references that Jacob's Grandpa was sharing has stood out to me the most. That scripture reference was found in 3 Nephi: Chapter 18: Verse 21 and it reads; "Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed." 

You may ask; why is it important to pray in your family? As a saying goes, “A family that prays together, stays together.” God blesses families who pray together with increased peace, love, and harmony in the home. I love the commitment that Jacob and I always have been striving to set an example for us taking turns of saying the prayer for whenever we pray in our family. 

There has been time to time when I feel like Jacob and I are feeling too tired for saying the family prayer. Evelyn reminds us and say "Prayer?" I knew exactly what she meant, she was wanting us to say prayer before she goes to sleep. 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Your Feelings Matters

 Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening,

This post should take four minutes to seven minutes to read from start to finish. 

Sometimes we do not think that our feelings feel valid and matters but I would like to let you know that all of your feelings are valid and do matter. Sometimes we do feel overwhelmed of having mixed feelings. It is completely normal to feel happy and sad at the same time.

Do you ever overthink about your past decisions? Do you ever overthink about your current decisions? Do you ever overthink about your future decisions would be like? 

How often do you feel a little sad? How often do you feel that you do not know the answer/s to the question/s that you have been asked? How often do you forgive yourself about making mistakes? 

How often do you allow yourself to have a break and rest? How do you get through the day? Do you struggle with staying positive? 

Have you ever set your own boundaries to anyone who you trust? Have you ever set your own boundaries to anyone who you love?

How often do you feel insecure? What are several things that you do when you get through the insecure feeling?

IT'S OKAY IF YOU ...

Are overthinking it

Feel a little sad

Don't know the answer

Made a mistake

Need to rest today

Struggle to stay positive 

Don't know what to do next

Have your own boundaries 

Feel insecure today

I used to overthink a lot about my past decisions and how I felt that I should have made some better decisions. Time to time I still overthink about my current decisions in life and how I would like to know about several possible outcomes would be for each decision that I possibly make. I do not think that I have faced overthinking about my future decisions yet because I am often trying to focus about my current decisions in life. 

Sometimes I do feel a little sad. I do feel sad each time after finding out someone is going through tougher times than I am. I feel sorry for them. We all go through tough times and whenever we do go through tough times, it can be difficult or it can be easy to find out our true and real friends are. 

I know at times I just do not know the answer/s of the question/s that I have been asked by people. Whenever I do not know the answer/s of the question/s, I always suggest to them of several sources that they can rely on for how they can receive their answer/s that they are looking for. 

I know that I do make mistakes, I am not perfect individual, and I always seek forgiveness after making mistakes. Whenever Evelyn takes her naps throughout the week, I find those are perfect timing opportunities for me to either take a nap with her or just take a moment and relax of doing 

some blogging or editing some photos. 

I may not always show it but I do struggle of staying positive. I have struggled of staying strong and positive while Jacob was at work and I was staying at home with Evelyn but I still do not know how I got through those days. I used to say to Evelyn often and before she turned 1 years old; "maybe Daddy will have a short day from work today and he can spend some time with us." 

The funny thing was 75% of the times; Jacob would have worked less than 9 hours on those days. I always like to plan my day to day with a list of things to do because it helps me to focus on what things that I would like accomplished throughout the day. 

There has been times when I do not plan my day to day with a list of things to do, I feel that sometimes I do not know what to do next after completing a task. It is normal feeling to sometimes feel that we do not know what to do after completing a task. 

I know that setting boundaries is always a good idea and I know it is completely normal to insecure at times. 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Trust the Process

 Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening,

This post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish. 

Sometimes we may be wondering of how are we supposed to trust in the process whenever we are trying our best to achieve our short-term goals. Sometimes we may be wondering of how are we supposed to trust in the process whenever we are trying our best to achieve our long-term goals. 

Sometimes we may be wondering of how we are supposed to trust in the process whenever we are trying our best to get through our toughest days with our employment.  Sometimes we may be wondering of how we are supposed to trust in the process whenever we are trying our best to get through our toughest days with our studies. 

Sometimes we may be wondering of how are we supposed to trust in the process whenever we are going through our health challenges. Sometimes we may be wondering of how are we supposed to trust in the process whenever we are going through our finances difficulties. 

Sometimes we may be wondering of how we are supposed to trust in the process whenever we are trying our best to get through moving on from our past mistakes if we have not yet moved on from the past. Sometimes we may be wondering of how we are supposed to trust in the process whenever we are trying our best to get through acknowledging our current needs and wants. 

As I was scrolling through Instagram; I saw another uplifting post. I would like to share with you of what it says. 

It says the following; 

"Trust the process

- Focus on what you can control 

- Find lessons in each failure

- Write down what's on your mind

- embrace a growth mindset

- Track your progress

- Celebrate every small win

- Ditch perfectionism"

I feel that we should always focus on whatever we do have control over. There are some things that we just have come with acceptance and focus on the things that we can have control. I have always found lessons from my past failures, and I continue finding lessons from each failure that I make. 

I have confidence in you that you can find lessons from your failures that you have made. I do not always write down what is on my mind but I always write drafts of blog posts ahead of time because at that those times, it helps me to share what I have in mind. 

I have been trying my best each day to have a mindset for things that I would like to accomplish throughout the day. I am not the greatest of tracking my progress but I always love myself for somehow getting through each day. I always enjoy celebrating every small wins because it makes me proud for what I have accomplished. 

We are all currently going through different phrases in life. We will eventually get through those phrases and remember that YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

How do you trust in the process? 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Do you love yourself enough?

    Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

This post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish. 

Do you love yourself enough? Do you love yourself often?

Throughout my life; I feel that I have loved myself enough but it may not be enough to satisfy others. I have accepted the way I look, I have accepted the way that I do things to accomplish in life, I am proud of my own accomplishments including achieving the little things in life, I am proud of my progression towards achieving short-term goals, I am proud of my progression towards achieving long-term goals, and so forth.

Do you allow yourself to get enough rest? Do you let yourself to be the better version for yourself? 

Do you realize your potential? Do you believe in deserving all the good things? 

Do you cut off people who drags you down? 

Do you feed your body with healthy food? 

As I was scrolling through instagram; I came across an Image and it says the following; 

"LOVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TO 

Allow yourself to get enough rest 

Be your better verison for yourself

Keep growing & realize your potential

Believe you deserve all the good things

Cut off people that drag you down

Feed your body with healthy food." 

In what ways can you love yourself? 

- You can allow yourself to be friends with people who accepts you, uplifts you, contacts you on regular bases, and wants to spend some time with you. - You can allow yourself to be watching uplifting and positive shows and movies. - You can allow yourself to take care of your needs. 

- You can allow yourself to love you for who you are and who you will become. - Forgive yourself for making mistakes. - You can allow yourself to have take a break from work if you aren't feeling well. 

- You can replace criticism and comparison with acceptance and appreciation. 

Stay Tuned until next time.