How to Turn Disappointments into Successes

Girl holding a flower

Life will always bring unexpected, disappointing events; more important than the events themselves, however, is how we decide to respond to them.  A friend of mine recently expressed to me the devastation he felt when he returned home from his mission earlier than he had anticipated. Even though the reason… Continue reading

Modesty: Choose It or Lose It

girl with red flowers on head

It takes courage to choose modesty. Do you have what it takes? We’ve often heard the words “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” If this is true, why do we put so much emphasis on dressing modestly? Why does it matter? Sister Carol F. McConkie explains the importance… Continue reading

Beyond the Metaverse: Level Up

A woman biking down a road while wearing a VR headset.

The best achievements occur outside of virtual reality. We can realize meaningful achievements by setting aside technology and developing ourselves. If you’re anything like me, you quietly ignore the weekly usage report from your phone. I accidentally opened mine recently, and I saw that I had spent an average of… Continue reading

Confronting Uncertainty the Right Way

an image of a bench in the middle of a forest

When we confront uncertainty in our lives, there are three ways we can face it. Which will you choose?  At some point, we learn that not everything is in our control. We become aware that there is a gap between the real and the ideal. And with these realizations, uncertainty… Continue reading

Accepting the Lord’s Timing and Standing Firm

Hand holding a pocket watch

As we accept the Lord’s will and timing with faith, we can drink from the “bitter cup” of soul-stretching trials and not shrink. In the August 2016 Ensign article entitled “Accepting the Lord’s Will and Timing,” Elder David A. Bednar shares the story of John and Heather, a newlywed couple facing John’s frightening prognosis… Continue reading

Cultivating a Spirit of Thanksgiving

porcupine among food

During a two-month internship in Brazil, I had difficulty developing feelings of gratitude for the very things that made my experience so amazing. As I stood under the pathetic, lukewarm trickle of the shower, struggling to rid my hair of the last of the fruity shampoo suds, I was struck… Continue reading

How I Faked Conversion

a girl wearing a backwards baseball cap gazes out toward the ocean

I wasn’t even close to being a disciple of Christ, but I was able to fake it. Fortunately, God saw straight through me.  I think you should know right off the bat that I was born into a super-normal Mormon family. We went to church, we had family prayer, we… Continue reading

Learning to Let It Go

an image of a woman standing in front of a train

Vulnerability does not mean weakness. Being open and honest may be the cure to the disease of perfectionism. Have you struggled with comparison, perfectionism, or the need to keep up a façade of someone who seems to have it all together? Brené Brown, a researcher whose work is highlighted in… Continue reading

Marriage: Should I Be Worrying About It Right Now?

Man hugging woman

I know I should get married eventually, but should I be worrying about it as a young single adult? In this world of selfies, self-love, and selfishness, young adults are postponing marriage in favor of other activities and personal development. In fact, many young adults are not marrying until they… Continue reading

Inspiring Others With Your Identity

The backs of four women hugging

Having a unique identity can seem important, but what’s more important is loving those who choose different paths than we do. We live in a world with ever-increasing controversial opinions and views. Each of us may want a strong sense of individual identity, including our political perspectives, social outlooks, and… Continue reading