Bare the Burdens

It's Sunday. Spiritual, Sunny, SUNDAY! I for once was early to church with my kids and enjoyed all three hours very much. I had time to ponder and reflect on some situations and some thoughts that I have had this week that I think we can all relate to.

When I was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I took upon myself some covenants and the few that have stuck out to me and I have remembered frequently over the last almost 7 years are these:

And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are ^adesirous to come into the ^bfold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

 9 Yea, and are ^awilling to mourn with those that ^bmourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as ^cwitnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the ^dfirst resurrection, that ye may have eternal life— (Mosiah 18:8)

What sticks out to me is this-- "To be called his people and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light... willing to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things...."

To me, that means that when the people around me are having a hard time, I should do what I can do help them. When people around me are doing well, are having success in their life-- I should cheer them on and genuinely be happy for them.

As I have had it brought to my attention more than once this week that people are speaking negatively about my endeavor as a figure competitor behind my back-- I wont lie, my feelings have been hurt. I have felt anger and resentment and I have wanted to even be confrontational towards these people. As sure as I have felt those things, I have also felt the peace and the comfort from the Lord that He is mindful of me, and the story has come to my mind of turning the other cheek if someone slaps one side. The story of giving them my shirt if they take my coat has come to mind.

Those thoughts are not mine. I am much too "human" for those. Those thoughts are from the Lord and through Him, I am able to love and forgive the people who have hurt me, even though maybe they are or are not sorry. I want to be a Christ like person and I want to do what the Lord wants me to do.

I am saddened by the negativity in the world. Just last night on a facebook group of clean eating and fitness enthusiasts I am a part of, a member posted about how her family had been at her house the night before and had basically torn her, her progress, and her goals to shreds. They even went as far as to tell her the "abs" she thought were there, were not.

I cried a little bit when I read that. What kind of people are out there that are so willing and so eager to tear us down? Why? Why do those of us who try hard to do good, to help others, and to better ourselves-- why are we intertwined with these people who are trying to be mean, hurtful and unsupportive?

I wish I had the answer.

I don't. It hurts my heart for me, and for you-- reader. There are going to be people in your life who really don't have your best interest at heart, who really are trying to cut you down and hurt you. My advice to you is to really look at your life and the people who play an active role in it.
Do they treat you right?
Do they help you with out always expecting something in return?
Are they there for you when times are good and when times are bad?
Do they build you up, or do you feel like you have been hit by a freight train when you are done with them?

If any of the answers aren't positive, I would ask you to re-evaluate those who get the precious gift of your time. It is a hard world out there, filled with things that aren't always good-- Stop allowing negativity to ruin your "area of life" you deserve better-- and the people who love and support you-- deserve better.

This quote came to mind...
love the people who treat you right, forget about the
ones who don't. and believe that everything happens
for a reason. if you get a chance, take it. if it
changes your life-let it. nobody said that life would
be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.
-harvey mackay


Our journeys to losing 5 lbs or 100 lbs, to building muscle, to running a half marathon, to entering a triathalon, to competing on a figure stage... they aren't going to always be easy, but they WILL be worth it. Don't let anybody stand in your way of becoming the BEST YOU, YOU can be. There are enough people who will say you can't... stand up and with every fiber of your being.. be the ONE who believes in YOU! The journey starts with a single step-- and you my reader, can do ANYTHING you set your mind to.