I think it's incredible when you meet people that make you want to be a better person.
I went to a get together yesterday with 40+ other women all with one purpose, to start a group that could be of service, to find things to do to help other people. (Sad thing is, I'm a photographer and only had my camera phone. Which would have taken time away from my mouth-meaning I talked way to much and didn't take any pictures of it!)
Sue from Navel Gazing at its Finest started it. She's just as amazing in person as I thought she would be. I've read her forever and I was so *star struck* to meet her in person. :) If you don't read her, you should. Every post is a writer's masterpiece. She is witty AND gets her point across, instead of like my blog where I'm trying for both but get one or the other :)
I'm the first to admit that I love doing things for others but that I'm ultimately a selfish person. I always find myself wrapped up in my own life worrying about either myself or my immediate family (husband and kids).
I give when I'm reminded if that makes sense. I help out when someone else gives me the idea. I don't think of these kinds of things naturally which is such a horrible character flaw.
It's no different with this group. I am extremely excited about it and want to be a part of it, but it wasn't my idea...I'm sure I'll be forgiven for my inability to be a go-getter and secede in being a follower when it comes to these things.
However, just going to that yesterday and being a part of it made me WANT to do better, be better. These ladies, only one who I had met in person before, and maybe THREE I knew from their blogs... the rest where all strangers to me, each new person I met was funny and inviting.
When I get that feeling of being uplifted I always go and read quotes. True Story. I think I need to do that more. Bring back Serious Sunday's. Share that part of me... it's a small part, but it's still me right?
SO--the quote that came that struck me while reading after this awesome get together was this--because if I have pounded one weak character flaw in me it is patience-I have very little of it and usually the only patience I have is if it involves children--funny thing that is right?:
"The Book of Mormon provides insight into the relationship between patience and charity. Mormon, after pointing out that if a man 'have not charity he is nothing: wherefore he must needs have charity.' goes on to name the 13 elements of charity, or the pure love of Christ. I find it most interesting that 4 of the 13 elements of this must-have virtue relate to patience (see Moroni 7:44-45). "First, 'charity suffereth long.' That is what patience is all about. Charity 'is not easily provoked' is another aspect of this quality, as is charity 'beareth all things.' And finally, charity 'endureth all things' is certainly an experssion of patience (Moroni 7:45). From these defining elements it is evident that without patience gracing our soul, we would be seriously lacking with respect to a Christlike character." "The Power of Patience," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 15
bound him by the chains of gratitude, since it was not to him but to God that the gift was made." --Antoine de Saint-Exupery Ah--that I can relate to. It won't humiliate me and it won't bind me to gratitude :)What I'm trying to say is...I'm going to give it a go. Holding onto the coattails of the rest of them. Have a good Sunday everyone! When I find a picture that was taken... I'll steal and post it-- wait, that doesn't go against everything I just talked about right?Either way... love you all!
