Have you ever had one of those days, or weeks, or months, or sometimes even years where you can’t seem to figure out if there’s a light at the end of the tunnel or if it’s just another train? Life can be brutal at times, and when you’re in the middle of dodging raining cats and dogs or even dump trucks at times, it is difficult to see the blessings. When I have times like this, my usual word is Grrrrr . . . . So at times I will discuss some Grrrrr moments, but only in ways that bring LIGHT at the same time.

Do you ever have times when you are totally misunderstood? Or your best of intentions have backfired on you? I honestly believe that 95% of the time, people are good, and don’t do things intentionally to hurt one another. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if we could all look at each other in a different Light? Knowing that everyone, no matter who they are, has their own set of trials and struggles, and that kindness is one of the best gifts we can give? Why does it seem to be so difficult for so many to be kind? I am far from perfect in this regard, but it’s something I try hard to work on every single day.

When I started this blog, one of my goals was for it to be “real”. Nothing fake, nothing made-up, and nothing photo shopped – just normal everyday life. For the most part, I try to be a happy, positive, person, and look for opportunities to serve someone each day, and share light. However there are times when life is just plain hard! The past couple of weeks have been like that for me, and I’ve said Grrrrr a few times. But as I look back, I see the tender mercies of a loving Heavenly Father who sends angels from both sides of the veil to minister to His children here on Earth. I am grateful for friends and family members who have seen a need, and stepped up to fill the empty roles of immediate family members in my life. Some people, no matter how closely they are related to you, are just toxic. And no matter how hard you try, YOU can’t change the way they treat you and others. The only thing in life that is totally within our control is our own selves. And the only person we need to answer to is God. Yes! We need to always forgive, and through the Atonement of the Savior, we can get through anything we must face on this Earthly journey back Home to Him!

Does that mean that we need to keep running back to the people in our lives who beat us up at every opportunity? No! It is possible to forgive those who hurt us, and also choose to distance ourselves from them at the same time – no matter how closely we are related. We are not expected to keep getting beat up by those who do not see the LIGHT, and are choosing to follow other paths away from the Covenant Path back to our Father in Heaven. It is more than ok to draw a line, move forward in a positive healthy manner, and not look back. After all, we know what looking back did to Lot’s wife. Too many people bury the hatchet, but leave the handle sticking out, and too many people are dodging flying hatchets! My sweet Mother-In-Law, Eileen, once said to me: “Is it ok if I just don’t worry about things I can’t control? And is it ok if I just be nice?” Can you imagine what kind of world we would live in if every inhabitant had this plain and simple outlook on life?

It is possible to have a difference of opinion and still be friends! It is possible to agree to disagree and still get along with one another! It is possible for us to overlook the faults of others, and focus on their positive attributes instead! We will always find fault if that is what we are constantly looking for, but imagine the beauty we will find if we focus on the positive attributes instead!!!

So as we move forward, let’s just not worry about the things we can’t control, and focus more on just being nice. As we do so, we will find our lives filled with LIGHT, even amidst the Grrrrr moments that inevitably come. I hope you enjoy the pictures of my Mother-In-Law, Eileen’s, Zinnia patch, as well as our own! Eileen introduced me to these lovely flowers a few years ago. Now, I am blessed to go in search for them each spring at the nursery, which is sometimes a difficult task as they are hard to find. Normally we get the “Magellan” variety, however this year we tried a new variety called “Zesty”. We love them both. Each time I look at them, I smile because they remind me of her and the unconditional love she freely shares with everyone. If you ever visit her in the summer time, she will invite you to sit on the back porch and enjoy the cool mountain air, her Zinnia patch, and if you’re lucky, a piece of home-made lemon meringue pie.

Love Ya, Les ☺