Addictions are real.

We feel a triggered, act out (feel pleasure and numb out), come back real world, feel guilty (or a negative emotion) about what we did and on and on the cycle goes. We want to stop. We try with everything in our power to stop.  Our brains go so fast. Within an instant we find ourselves doing the one thing we hate the most, it gives us momentary pleasure and then we hit the ground, hard. We are miserable. We feel completely out of control. 

Addictions are real. They’re hard. 

If you don’t know how pornography or any addiction affects our brains read here. 

So what now?

The LDS Addiction Recovery Program manual puts it best, “If you suspect you are addicted and if you feel even the smallest desire to break free, we invite you to join us in studying and applying the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ as they are taught in this guide. We assure you that if you follow this path with a sincere heart, you will find the power you need to recover from addiction. As you apply each of these twelve principles faithfully, the Savior will strengthen you and you will come to “know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).”

To find a meeting click here.  (Everyone can go and they are free!)

To buy the manual click here. (only one dollar!!) 

You’re not alone in your addiction(s). There is help and best of all there is hope. Real hope, not just momentary pleasure. I testify that the Lord loves you. You can break free of any addiction(s). Yes, your addictions. I am talking to you. I know it’s hard; I’ve been there. I’m so thankful for the help and support I’ve received from 12 step meetings. It has helped me stop that destructive cycle. I pray that as you read this you can be filled with courage to try again. I know the addiction cycle is brutal and feels hopeless. You can do it, right now. Today’s your day to feel hope.

Much love, 

Rachel

Stop and Smell the Roses

I have had so many wonderful people urging me to start writing on here again. I really have missed it. So happy to be back.

I have read and re-read the book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. I know there has been a lot of hype about this book and rightly so. We have so much in our lives that we do not need.

In her book she asks you to pick up each item in your house and ask yourself, "Does this item bring me joy?" It sounds a bit wacky, but it works! Due to this book, simplifying has been on my mind a lot.

If you haven't listen to this talk by Elder Uchtdorf, you really need to! I will tell you some of it. He explains that a sister is preparing for her a church lesson. She got busy with children, helping sick husband, etc. The day of the lesson was near and she had a lot to do for her lesson. She hardly slept the night before her lesson because she was trying to finish sewing a quilt, which would be the back drop of her lesson. She was exhausted that next day, but the quilt was finish and looked amazing! "And at the center of it all was a single word that triumphantly echoed the theme of her lesson, Simplify!"

Of course we all laugh at the story, but haven't we all been guilty of doing something similar?
Here are some things that have been on my mind about simplifying.

1. Simplify your negative thoughts:  The first way to simplify your mind is to accept them and not judge them. We all have them! Try to continue on during the day without letting them control your life. It's just a thought that can change in an instant. 
2. Simplify your words: Avoid Gossip. Mean what you say. Be kind.
3. Simplify your commitments: learn to say no. Make time for people, things and food that really bring you joy!
4. Simplify being busy: This goes along with #3.  Stop being so busy. Take time for you. You need it. You deserve it. Enjoy your surroundings. Don't take the little things for granted. 

“That’s been one of my mantras – focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.” – Steve Jobs 

Have a lovely week! 

We too can be like Mary

Mary, Christ’s mother, amazes me. She reminds me that I am a daughter of God and I have a divine mission too. She has so many amazing virtues and is such an example.

When the angel visited Mary she didn’t know the details. She trusted. She had COMPLETE submission to the will of God. How beautiful her role was. As it says in the scriptures:

Luke 1:38 “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her”.

Mary was chosen to be His mother. She did not have wealth, but that wasn’t important.

Luke 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

“We stand in awe at Mary’s assignment to be the mother of the Lord, but we, too, have been called to mother gods. October 1980, “Motherhood and The Family”, Mary F. Foulger

What an amazing quote from Mary F. Foulger. We all have a divine birthright! We too are seen as daughters of God. We are loved. We are watched out for.

“Your lineage is a blood relationship. That makes you literally “children of the prophets” with a noble birthright (3 Nephi 20:25). That is why we often say that you are “youth of the noble birthright” and belong to a royal, “chosen generation” (1 Peter 2:9).”

–   April 2006, “You Have a Noble Birthright”.

During this Christmas week I hope that we can slow down and remember Mary’s sacrifice by giving birth to our Savior. I love her and am so glad one day I can meet her and thank her. I hope we can all remember where we came from and that God always has a beautiful plan for us, always. No matter where you have been.

Much love and a very Merry Christmas,

Rachel

#sharethegift

To have Balance, have the Atonement

Theses last few weeks I have become overwhelmed by life. You see I get overwhelmed easily (as we all do), but I will not let that define me.

If you have ever been to a 12 Step Addiction Recovery Program you most likely have heard people talk about their “dailies”.

Dailies- things that people do to keep them humble (sober) and get them through that day.

A few examples of dailies are:

               Praying

   Reading the scriptures

   Exercise

               Listening to words of the Prophets.

              Journaling

               Act of service

As I was recently listening to re-runs of a podcast I came across Trish Blackwell. (I know I have talked about her on here before, but she is incredible and so inspiring) In her podcast she talks about her “WLWBL" (When Life Works Best List)

This is a list of things that make her ideal day. 

Balance is essential, yet it can be overlooked or under looked. We have so many “categories” or some many priorities. How could we possibly have the time to get all these things done?

Sister Beck stated that she “is able to get all things done in the day because the Atonement of Jesus Christ”.

Brent L. Top stated, “It is not a sign of weakness to avail ourselves of the Atonement. Rather, it shows courage faith and gratitude. The Atonement allows us not only to repent of sin but also to receive an outpouring of the Savior’s grace, which strengthens us when we simply do not have the power to overcome our human weaknesses. It allows the Savior to share our burdens and compensate for our many inadequacies”.

Sister Beck discussed having balance in her life here.

I know it’s 33 minutes. But it is amazing. It helped open up my eye’s so much.

I get so focused on lists (which can be beneficial) that I take it upon myself to get too much done, in too small of a period or time. Or that It must be done perfectly. Stressful!! We all do it. So stop. Listen to Sister Beck's inspiring guidance. 

She goes into detail about 

1. Focusing on the essentials in life! 

- Praying. 

- Reading scriptures.

- Doing act of service. 

2. Understanding that with the essential it doesn't need to be done perfectly, extravagant, or time-consuming. It just needs to be done! 

3. The way we can do #2 is by having our lives align with God’s life.

4. If it is good enough for the Lord it is good enough for us.

May we all remember that God loves us. We can slow down, realign and focus. 

I know that God loves us and wants to be in our lives. It is my prayer that we can listen to inspiring words of our Prophet and leaders (Sister Beck!!). And turn to the Atonement in every area of our lives, here and now. 

Much love,

Rachel

What if today was your last?

This last week has been busy. I was out of town over the weekend. I went to Oregon to go my uncle’s funeral. My uncle Tony is an amazing man. He had esophageal cancer and died at the young age of 45.

As I sat at his funeral the spirit enlighten my mind about a few things.

  Gratitude for the gospel. I cannot imagine watching a loved one die and not know that I would be with him or her again. By being a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I know that life goes beyond the grave. That I will be with loved ones again. I am sure of that. I know without a doubt.

  Hard things happen but God loves us. As I watched my amazing aunt and her kids lose their father I cannot imagine the pain of the loss. But then I am once again reminded that God is all knowing. All loving. That He knows exactly what will happen and why it will happen. It doesn’t mean that it will be easy. Every trial we have is difficult and at many times it may feel unbearable. In the Book of Mormon in 1 Nephi 11:16-17, an angel asked Nephi, “knowest thou the condescension of God?” Nephi answers,” I know that He loveth His children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things”. This is a reminder to all of us that when we ourselves or someone else are going through a hardship that we do not know the meaning of it, but we do know that God loves us.

  Life is precious. If I were to die at 45 that means I have already lived half of my life. Thinking about this was shocking. Time is so precious. “Time is never for sale; time is a commodity that cannot, try as you may, be bought at any store for any price. Yet when time is wisely used, its value is immeasurable. On any given day we are all allocated, without cost, the same number of minutes and hours to use. What time we have we must use wisely. (A time to prepare, Elder Ardern. Conf. Oct 2011.)Stop worrying about the small things, do what you love, spend time with your family.

     You affect others. It was amazing to see how my uncle’s life affected so many people. He showed so many what it really means to be a hero. He showed others how to be determined. He showed others love. He lived a beautiful life. We all affect those around us. Maybe people we may never really know. What we do matters.

Dr. Seuss says it perfectly! Life today as if it was your last. Honestly imagine if you lived that way, just for today! 

May we all be a little more thankful for what we have and that we are able to be on the earth.

Much love,

Rachel