The Path to Creativity and Growth

Young child with paint-covered hands

Creativity is often viewed as a rare gift, but it is in fact a mastery of skills. Such mastery is exactly what we need to be intentional with our growth. This life is a time for us to learn and grow, but often we struggle to know how to achieve… Continue reading

Maximizing Your Joy through Minimalism

A desk on a white wall.

By getting rid of the material things we don’t need, we can practice minimalism and free up space in our homes, our minds, and our hearts.   I have a vice: shopping. Whether buying gifts for others or buying gifts for myself, I just can’t seem to stop. I wouldn’t call… Continue reading

Slow Down and Connect with Heaven

Two people sitting on a fallen log in a forest

We can feel God’s presence if we pause to ponder and notice the beauty in our lives.  “Do you take time to discover each day how beautiful your life can be?” Elder Richard G. Scott asked this question in his 1996 general conference address “Finding Joy in Life.” His talk… Continue reading

You Don’t Have to Feel Guilty—Depression Is Hard Enough

Depression diminished my feelings of gratitude and left me feeling guilty, but a talk reminded me that I don’t have to feel guilty for being depressed. Most people think depression is a constant, deep sadness. It’s not. At least, for me it’s not. When my depression is at its worst,… Continue reading

Calling in Reinforcements

When all seemed lost for the Taylor brothers as they battled PTSD, they learned to seek God and ask for his help. Mitch and Chris Taylor are brothers who served in the military. They describe in a blog post on the Mormon Channel how their tours of duty in Iraq… Continue reading

Finding Peace While Pursuing Perfection

How do you know when you’re forgiven? In many LDS homes, a favorite activity for teaching children about repentance involves food coloring. In this object lesson, parents bring out a glass of water and add a few drops of food coloring to it, tainting the water to represent what happens… Continue reading

How to Prioritize Your Happiness

Put your happiness first by balancing spiritual, personal, and temporal responsibilities. Despite hectic schedules filled with work, school, church, and social responsibilities, living every day with joy in our hearts is possible. It’s a common belief that we need to be busy to be productive and valuable. But our value… Continue reading

Defining Your Own Success

When you fail to reach the standard of success, examine your definition of success. How do you feel when your friends are dating more than you? Or when someone gets accepted into graduate school while you were under the average GRE acceptance score by five points? Or when graduation looms… Continue reading

The People-Pleaser’s Guide to Saying No

"No" on red background

Are you a people-pleaser? Do you have a hard time saying no or setting boundaries? This one’s for you (and for me). Do you ever find yourself exhausted or stretched too thin from all your responsibilities? You’re not alone. If you’re like me, your eyes are often too big for… Continue reading