Category: Personal Growth Page 13 of 21

I know I have used this picture before but I can’t think of a better image than this to describe the feelings in my heart. I thought I understood Trust until a week ago when I learned a much deeper meaning. I hope that by sharing my experience that you will grow in your understanding of what Trust really is, as well.

In late Nov. I was asked to play a particular piano solo on Dec. 26th. I eagerly accepted the invitation. This piece was beautiful but very challenging. I love a challenge when it comes to piano. I desired to play this piece perfectly. Over the next four and a half week’s I averaged approximately fifty hours of practice on that particular piece. I enjoyed it thourouly!

I prayed fervently for my hands to be calm when the day came to play it in front of the congregation. I knew the piece well and I trusted that the Lord would help me. As the hour arrived and I began to play, my hands began to shake. For a few moments my Faith began to waiver. In those few seconds or minutes of struggling I wondered why the Lord wasn’t helping me and I even thought for a second that I should stop playing before I reached the difficult parts of the piece. I allowed doubts to creep in and for a short time I lost my confidence. I continued playing and began to pray silently for the Lords help. Even though my hands continued to shake somehow I hit the right notes and played with emotion that I hoped would bring the Spirit into the meeting. I later found out that two of my friends and one daughter were also praying for me as I played.

So what did I learn about Trust? First of all I learned that Faith goes hand in hand with trust. Even when you trust an individual you are exercising Faith in the person. Faith must be present to truly Trust! I not only needed Faith and Trust in the Lord and His ability to help me but I also needed Faith in myself and my ability to play that piece. Peter showed great faith as he stepped out of the boat and began to walk on the water towards his Savior. I also exercised Faith when I accepted the invitation to play that piece even before I looked at it. But just like Peter who began to sink when he took his eyes off the Lord, my Faith also wavered when my hands began to shake and for a short time I doubted that the Lord was going to help me.

Next I learned that when much is desired much is required. The Lord loves effort. Even though I put forth alot of effort in practicing I still had fear. Nothing diminishes Faith faster than fear. Perhaps I should have spent more of those practice hours on my knees. The Lord is always there to help as we keep His commandments and exercise Faith in Him. Aligning our will with His and truly trusting in His ability to help means that we allow Him to answer our prayers in His own way and in His own timing. I still don’t know exactly how I got through that piece but I do know that my prayers were answered and I did receive help. Not just help with playing but also help with learning. I know that those few moments of struggle gave me a greater understanding of what it means to truly trust the Lord.

The things I learned can be applied in your lives as well….as you strive to trust with Faith in someone or something. The opposite of trusting in someone is being Trustworthy yourself. I hope that I am someone that others can trust. And more importantly I hope that I have earned the trust of my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ. Having someone you can Trust in or being that person for someone else can be a great aide in surviving difficult trials and hardships as well as your daily challenges.

Take those opportunities of growth that come your way and Trust that the Lord will help you.

By Tanya Christiansen Comments welcome

Matthew 2:1-2 and 10-11.

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold there came wise men from the east to Jeruselem, saying, where is he that is born, King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

When they saw the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.”

That brilliant and beautiful star brings glorius promises to all mankind. If we allow its light to penetrate deep into our souls and guide us to that babe born in Bethlehem, even Jesus Christ…. we can have all of His promises and blessings that come as we follow His teachings.

Jesus Christ was born, died and resurrected so that each of us can have Eternal life and return to our Father in Heaven. What a glorious gift! Our gift to Him is measured by our efforts in keeping His commandments. We can follow the example of the wise men who followed the star, and come unto Him.

Each of us are born with His glorious light!!! Light that can stop the darkness! Let your light shine just like the star that the wisemen followed that others may come unto Christ because of your example. May we all ponder for a moment this Christmas, the glorious birth of our Savior Jesus Christ!

Follow the Star!!!

by Tanya Christiansen

This time of year brings to mind all those gifts I treasure the most. They are not gifts with sparkling paper and bows. But they bring ultimate satisfaction and joy into my life.

My first treasured gift is the love of Family and Friends. I am so blessed to have wonderful people to spend time with and to be uplifted by. I also have wonderful memories of those who have passed on to the otherside. I know that my relationships with loved ones can continue on after I die. What joy that brings to me!

My next treasured gift is the Gift of Repentance that comes to all who accept the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repent for their sins and mistakes striving to overcome and follow Christ’s teachings. What a glorious gift for all mankind to be saved by His grace after all we can do.

Freedom of choice is another one of my treasured gifts. This gift means that I can worship how I choose. I can speak and think for myself. I can pursue my own goals and become what I choose to become.

My last but not least treasured gift this Holiday season is the gift of knowing and understanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It gives meaning and direction to my life. There is no greater gift! This gift is there for anyone who desires to receive it.

What are some of your treasured gifts? I would love to hear about those things that mean the most to you!

Share one of your treasured gifts with someone you care about this Holiday season!

Merry Christmas from sharelift.org Thank you for supporting my blog!

If you have been following my blog at all, you know by now that I am a person who desires to Become more and Do more. Some might refer to this as “Divine Discontent”. Divine… because we are heirs of a King…and Discontent….because it is our God given nature to want to progress and become greater. This discontent in each of us is the driving force that will lead us to becoming more like Our Father in Heaven.

In my younger years I tried to convince myself that I was Content, but there was always that desire inside of me to achieve something or become good at something. For all of you who know I love to play the piano you might be wondering if that comes easy for me. Well the answer is sometimes yes, but generally that is within the walls of my own home, and also after tons of practicing. Playing in front of an audience is quite a different story. I often become very nervous. I hope to conquer that someday. The only way that can happen is if I keep trying.

The road to success is not always easy in fact…it is more likely never easy. Even when great effort is applied, there will be mistakes, stumbles, and falls. How do you react when after great effort to accomplish something you still make mistakes? I wish I could say that I always just jump up and keep going but the truth is, that sometimes… I allow the paralyzing discouragement of the adversary to get to me and I listen to his lies that tell me I can’t do it.

There will always be road blocks in our path to success. We may at times be required to slow down or take a break, or even find a new dream. These past few weeks have been frustrating for me as a problem with my heart has required me to rest more while my body heals. I don’t understand all the reasons why this has happened to me. Maybe for me to learn that others can step in and take some of my responsibilities or maybe so that I could write this post for you. But whatever the reason is I know that hard things can humble us and draw us closer to God.

I can testify that our Heavenly Father can and will help us to achieve greater personal capacity in all areas of our lives as we exercise faith in his plan and put forth effort. Part of having faith in His plan is accepting mortality as a time for learning and growth. Making mistakes may be an unpleasant part of that learning process… but a neccessary part to becoming perfect enough to someday be in the presence of our Heavenly Father and Savior and receive Eternal blessings!

Be patient with yourself! You will get there!!! Don’t let hard things stop your progress!

by Tanya Christiansen

Last spring I decided I wanted to finish my basement. I didn’t realize at that time just how much work and skill that goal would require. The first step was to go through things that accumulated over the years and decide what to keep and what to get rid of. Then a friend of mine helped me come up with a plan and design. Next I hired someone to put in central air and a new furnace. Then an electrician came to do all of the wiring, followed by a plumber. Over the next few months I hired different people with different skills to do framing, dry wall, mudding and taping, painting, flooring, and tile. My friends and neighbors also helped where possible. There were numerous people involved in helping me reach my goal. All with different skills and knowledge. And now my basement is turning into something magnificent!!!

Some goals are attainable by ones self but other goals might require the assistance and skill of another person. You can be a part of something magnificent by sharing your strengths and skills with others. You might be saying that there is nothing you do well. I believe that everyone has a gift, talent or skill waiting to be discovered. We are unique individuals and we all have something to offer. Seeking after those talents and gifts and developing them not only helps others but it helps to build your own self confidence and puts you a little closer to meeting your full potential! Your magnificent self!!!

Sometimes it can be difficult to ask for help but we can learn so much from each other. We don’t have to be extra smart or even accomplished in our skills to contribute to something magnificent. Just give what you can, small or large and it will make a difference! This world needs each of us to do our part to leave something of value and worth that will make a difference for future generations! You Can be a part of something magnificent!

Every Little Bit of Effort Counts!

by Tanya Christiansen

The holiday season is upon us and for many it brings heightened sensitivity to those things of most importance. Hopefully we take the time to count our blessings and name them one by one.

When life gets tough we may fail to recognize those things that mean the most to us and maybe even take them for granite. Surely we all have something we are grateful for. At one of my lowest points when life seemed totally unfair I struggled to feel grateful for anything. A wise friend of mine challenged me to write down at least ten things each day that I was grateful for. I did this for one year and found it to be very difficult in the beginning but as I continued it became easier and easier.

Hearing is definitely one of my top ten greatest blessings. I love music and playing the piano. I can’t imagine not being able to hear those beautiful melodies. Hearing also allows me to hear the sound of laughter coming from little children and the soft whisperings of the Holy Spirit.

I am grateful for my hands. There are so many things I can do with my hands. Whether it is strumming my guitar, making a pie, writing a post or serving someone in need. My hands allow me to partake of the sacrament each week and renew those promises I have made with my Savior Jesus Christ.

I am grateful for my family and friends that support me and bring richness into my life. And I am mostly grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and my knowledge of Eternal families!

What are you grateful for? Take a moment this holiday season to ponder on those simple things that make life a little more pleasant. A warm bed, the air you breath, the freedom to choose for yourself. A friend who knows when you need a hug!

Be grateful! Thank God for all you have!!! Happy Thanksgiving from my house to yours!

By Tanya Christiansen

comments welcome on facebook or at ctr75@comcast.com

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Like all schools from preschool through college, learning is the purpose. Whether it is to learn a trade or skill or to obtain a degree in a specific area, learning remains the focus! I like to think of mortality as a school greater than all the others we might attend during our earth life. Learning begins while we are still in the womb. There is never a time that we learn more quickly than when we are an infant. A babies brain develops at an amazing rate. It doubles in size by the age of one. While vision is the least developed sense at birth, the other senses begin to develop before we are born.

All schools or training at some point in time present a quiz or test to determine if what has been taught has been understood. If we fail the test we might have to study more or be taught again and retested until we either grasp the concept or we choose a different class or a different path all together. We may find we excel easily in some areas and struggle in others. That is perfectly normal. There are different methods of learning also. What works for one might not work for another.

The School of Mortality is certainly the most accommodating school that has ever existed. The reason being because the professor is our Father in Heaven. Never has there been a more patient and helpful instructor. He will give you infinite chances to pass His test. He will supply you with tutors to assist with your learning. His greatest tutors being Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. Your happiness and success is their ultimate goal. They will never lead you astray. Your success is promised if you continue to listen and learn. As long as you continue to try to pass the test of mortality your failures and weaknesses will not be remembered.

Subjects you will be required to pass are compassion, kindness, love, charity, hope, obedience, patience, integrity and forgiveness. But remember you have as many chances as it takes. You can take what you learn here and continue learning in the here after!!! How wonderful is that? Finally a really great school worth attending!

LEARNING IS ETERNAL!

by Tanya Christiansen

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This picture perfectly depicts how I have felt for most of my life. The good news is you dont have to feel this way! I think most of us have had at least a few moments of feeling like we want to crawl in a hole or maybe we feel like we will never measure up to our idea of greatness. I don’t really know where or when I began to feel like I had to live up to a certain standard to be loved and accepted, but that is exactly how I felt. That misconceived idea was a very difficult thing to break away from. Confidence has nothing to do with what others think and everything to do with with what you think!

The First step to gaining self confidence is to get to know yourself. Don’t let others decide for you who you should be. You are a unique individual with your own gifts and talents. You may think that you have nothing of value to offer but I guarantee that you do. Second find someone who you can tell your feelings to who will support you and help you identify your good qualities. I know that my support people could see the good in me before I could see it in myself. Third don’t compare yourself to others. Nothing can more quickly destroy your progress than measuring your worth against someone you think is better than you. We are all God’s children with infinite worth, and even though he wants us to succeed he loves and accepts us as we are.

If there is something you want to achieve, set small goals to get you there. Believe in yourself and keep trying til you succeed. The more you try the more confidence you will have. It truly works but it does take time. Be patient with yourself! I have always struggled with speaking in front of people and it has bothered me excessively to the point that I finally decided it was a weakness I wanted to overcome. At first I had to take a few steps into the darkness (which was really difficult) before I began to see the light. I prayed for opportunities that would help me reach my goal and they have come. I am still not where I want to be but speaking is getting much easier.

PRAY FOR HELP AND BELIEVE THAT THE LORD WILL HELP YOU! I KNOW HE WILL!

by Tanya Christiansen

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Meekness is an attribute or ability that I have given a lot of thought to. There are many who think of meekness as a weakness. It is true that meekness can sometimes appear to show a lack of strength when in fact I find it to be just the opposite. Those who have developed meekness show great strength, self control, calmness in difficult situations, strong restraint and not easily provoked. In the gospel of Jesus Christ we are encouraged by our leaders to strive to understand and incorporate this quality into our lives.

Meekness is a vital aspect of the Savior Jesus Christ’s divine nature. He showed great meekness as he submitted calmly to the hands of those who crucified Him. What great strength he showed when He was so cruely treated. His meek demure prompted Him to pray to His Father to forgive those who hurt him.

Jesus Christ described himself in the following scripture,

Matthew 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

I certainly need rest. Do you? As I get older I seem to need and desire that calmness in my life and in myself as a person. This world needs people who are self restrained. People who are kind even when they are treated badly. People who keep caring and loving. People who have hope and faith when life is hard. People who are meek and lowly in heart!

MEEKNESS IS AN ATTRIBUTE WORTH DEVELOPING!

by Tanya Christiansen

Years ago one of my daughter’s fractured her ankle in two places and tore the ligaments. I was never one to jump too quickly to running to the doctors. Sometimes injuries just needed time to improve. Well, my daughter hobbled around for the next few weeks in a lot of pain. What we thought was just a sprain never improved. Finally I took her in for an xray which revealed the fractures. She was put in a cast to give her ankle the stability and support it needed so that it could heal properly. I know that I should have taken her for help much sooner.

Hurting for whatever reason can make us feel broken. Brokenness can surface emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally . A good definition for ‘broken’ is someone or something that is no longer working properly or has lost its ability to function completely. Brokenness often comes with distress, lack of stability and even pain, just like broken bones.

I am certain we have all felt broken at one time or another. I personally and unfortunately have spent more of my life feeling broken than I have spent feeling well. My amazing husband was always so kind and patient with me when I was struggling. He was my stability and support. But there is another even more amazing person that has given me even greater stability and support, and that is my Savior Jesus Christ.

Through repentance, counseling, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ I have progressed from hurting to healing. I have overcome the damaging effects of sin, abuse and loss. I feel a greater peace unlike any I have ever felt before. I have stability and support through my faith in Jesus Christ. I even have better physical health than I have had in years. I am no longer broken!

Jesus Christ uplifts, loves, supports, protects, forgives, directs, assists, teaches, enlightens, guides, comforts, saves and heals!!! He is there for all of God’s children! No matter where you are in life, what you have done, where you have been, or where you are heading, He can turn your hurting to healing!

by Tanya Christiansen

Let The Atonement of Jesus Christ Work For You!