a simple little word

For the past couple of years I have joined many that I know in selecting a word to live by. A simple little word to help me improve my existence.

As I started thinking about my word a couple of months ago quite a few things came to mind although I never settled on anything concrete. A couple of weeks ago shortly after waking up, I was thinking about this past year & my word "Love". I thought about all the ways in which my Love has increased. I have really been happy with my progress & look forward to working on it continually.

During my thought process one word stood out to me. Change. At first I kinda ignored it because I thought it was a rather boring word but the more I thought about it over the day I realized that it really is the perfect word for me. Not only will this year bring about many changes that I'm already aware of, I know that I need to work hard core on accepting un-expected change as it comes & being better about setting goals for change.

Thomas S. Monson said this recently:

I begin by mentioning one of the most inevitable aspects of our lives here upon the earth, and that is change. At one time or another we’ve all heard some form of the familiar adage: “Nothing is as constant as change.”

Throughout our lives, we must deal with change. Some changes are welcome; some are not. There are changes in our lives which are sudden, such as the unexpected passing of a loved one, an unforeseen illness, the loss of a possession we treasure. But most of the changes take place subtly and slowly.

Day by day, minute by minute, second by second we went from where we were to where we are now. The lives of all of us, of course, go through similar alterations and changes. The difference between the changes in my life and the changes in yours is only in the details. Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the marching come the changes.

This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.

Said one well-known author: “Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend … when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.”

I loved what he said, you can see the entire talk here. So to this year, 2009 I hope that I can find Joy in the Changes that occur in my life everyday! I will try & not worry so much about the things I don't have & relish the things that I do. I will work harder to make each day count. I will be a changed woman come 2010!!!

Here are a few quotes I really like about change, they'll be going up on my wall in my office where I can see them everyday!

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.
- Nelson Mandela

If you don't like something, change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.
- Mary Engelbreit

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
- Lao Tzu

Change is usually not a question of capability; it's almost always a question of motivation.
- Tony Robbins