High School Memories

Recently, Davis High Dance Company has been spotlighted in the news (i.e. people.com--go read it!) due to an inspiring team member named Gabe. He has no arms and legs, yet contributes to the Dance Co. and is an example to others to do your best and always be happy.

As I've seen these highlights in the news, it's made me reflect on my high school experience. I am so grateful for the great school I went to, the many lessons I learned there, and the blessings it brought. Here are just a few:

• I had THE best friends anyone could ask for--and still do!
• I learned that while school is important, a balanced life is essential.
• I had so much fun! It's crazy to me that so many college friends didn't enjoy their high school years. 
• I had fantastic teachers who were great examples to me. I still think of them often and am grateful for their influence in my life--whether they encouraged me, challenged me, or taught me different ways to think and view the world, many changed my life in little ways. (Do any of you Davis grads still have Emerson quotes memorized???)
• I was able to be involved--I loved being on Dance Company. Now that I'm not able to dance anymore, I often think of those good times, have a dance run through my head, or laugh from memories I made with wonderful people. 

Overall, I feel so lucky for the wonderful life I've had. There are so many good people in this world to learn from! And the best part is that life just keeps getting better :)

So here are some really great photos showing some blasts from my past--enjoy!

Don't Worry, Be Happy (*Insert whistling here*)

Recently I saw a blog post trending on Facebook. The girl who wrote it went to see Al Fox Carraway speak. During the meeting, the author received a personal prompting: "You're living the Gospel wrong." She noticed she wasn't as happy as Al seemed and knew she needed to change. I also recently had the opportunity of listening to Al, and I realized I need to be more joyful as well.

That's what the gospel is about--the Plan of Happiness. President Uchtdorf recently said that we should be "living the gospel joyfully, with all our heart, might, mind, and soul." He also taught that we should be able to say that the gospel "works wonderfully" in our lives!

The blog post about Al Fox Carraway made me take a personal inventory: Am I living the gospel right? Is it working as well as it should in my life? Am I letting it buoy me up and make me joyful?

So. I'm challenging myself to be more happy--everyday! Maybe I'll copy this little hero of mine... ;)

Recognize Divinity

Last week the president of BYU (Pres. Worthen) gave a wonderful devotional on seeking positive relationships. I've been pondering on his message and have realized that it was exactly what I needed to hear at the beginning of a new year. What else could be a better resolution than to be more kind--AKA: fostering positive relationships?

I love the wisdom from C.S. Lewis, which President Worthen quoted:

"It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship...There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal...But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit..."

This truth is something I wish to ponder everyday! Cliche, I know, but can you truly imagine the results of all of us reading, believing, and thinking about this every single day? So this Divine Signature is just a little reminder to you and me to recognize divinity--in others and in yourself!