Small and Simple Steps: Love: A Letter to Myself

Sometimes the stress of life brings me down! I decided to address this letter to myself, just in case a day comes when I forget what matters most...

Dear Me,

I was looking at some of my old journal entries yesterday... sometimes I cannot believe how much I have changed. Heavenly Father has surely worked a miracle in my life - helping me to become an entirely different woman. That should always give me hope! If he can take me -- a crazy, undisciplined, love-struck, and grammatically impoverished teenager -- and turn me into a composed, goal-oriented, hopeful, and eloquent lady... I don't know how I could possibly doubt His ability to continue to change me for the better. Don't ever give up.

President Thomas S. Monson has counseled us to "plan [our] lives with purpose." Samantha, every day presents new challenges and new opportunities. One of the greatest opportunities you have every day is to seek for ways to love and serve those around you. Don't let discouragement or fear keep you from reaching out.

The gift of true love, the gift of charity, is not just a momentary accomplishment or achievement -- it is a life-long pursuit. When you truly love other people your heartaches are mended and your voids are filled. In fact, you forget about the heartaches and voids! Love isn't a selfish thing. You don't love others because of their perfections or imperfections. You love them because they are your brothers and sisters. You love them because they are God's children. You love them because it is a commandment. You love them because it feels so much better than hate. And ultimately, you love them because you choose to.

Recall a particularly lonely and painful day in Rexburg. School was overwhelming, work was overwhelming, and your most important relationship was slipping like water through your fingers. Taking a moment, you shut the door in your bedroom and sank to your knees in prayer. The impression came to your mind that you should go and find someone to serve. It took every ounce of emotional and physical energy you had, but you stood and followed through with the feeling which you knew had come from God. It did not change the circumstances, but it did change your perspective. Heavenly Father knows that the quickest way to feel good is to love.

Serving others takes effort and sacrifice. But Matthew 16:24-25 says "if any man will come after me, let him deny himself...for whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Remember all of the people who have blessed your life. And most importantly, remember the Savior Jesus Christ who gave His life for you. Try to be like Him. It is a joyful path! "Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:25)

I love you,

Me ; )