Wonderful Wednesday || Tough Competition

"I have been up against tough competition all my life.  I wouldn't know how to get along without it."

-Walt Disney

Tough Competition.

Trials.

Both are the same thing.  As an actor and musician, I've grown up with people around me who can be seen as competition.  And as a human, I've grown up with trials a significant part of my life.  It's life.  You have competitions in whatever line of business you are in.  You have competitions or trials throughout your life.  It's just how it goes.  And like I said yesterday in my Sunday Thoughts, you can make it through those trials.  

I may be repeating myself over and over again, but I truly believe these things, and almost every day, I have to be reminded of it again and again.   There are competitions and trials, but you can face them and make it through the rest of your life.

The second half of his quote struck me though.  Before I read it, I had never heard something phrased quite like that.  Can you imagine what life would be without trials and competitions?

It certainly would be easier, but also quite boring.  I know I wouldn't have the motivation to continue going forward with acting and performing.  I wouldn't have any motivation to do anything because nothing would motivate me.  That is what the trials do for me.  The force me to continue forward.  They force me to think outside of the box.  They force me to find a way to do the things I want to do, even when others tell me I can't or when they get in the way.

So know this, without trials and competitions, you wouldn't be who or where you are today.

You need those trials to motivate you.  To push you forward.  To function.  To be a human being.

I hope that this little post gave you a bit of hope and a bit of courage.  I hope it gave you motivation.  I hope it gave you some thoughts about how to make it through your current state of trouble.  I hope it gave you light.

LOVE,

KM

Sunday Thoughts || Light and Dark

I came to a realization in Sacrament Meeting last week, and this week.  

So many people sacrificed everything, even their lives for the right for religious freedom and to follow the prophet and heed the Lord's word because they knew the church was real. 

Yet, today most people take it for granted.

 We are their children's children's children's children's children, or how many generations ago it was, and they wanted us to know the church is real.

 However, most people, myself included at times, tend to feel embarrassed about the church or not really listen to the lessons and instructions we have.  Some of us even have days where we will say to ourselves that we will skip church, or Sunday School, or reading our scriptures, and even praying, because we can do it later.  

I realized that I need to be better at not taking things for granted and I need to be grateful for my ancestors and all the other pioneers who helped bring this Gospel into my life over a hundred years before I was even born.

Someone also quoted President Gordon B. Hinckley in Relief Society this past Sunday.  They basically said that life is a train where we can't see all the way in front of us.  We might not know where each stop along the way is, but we can trust the few feet in front of us.  Those few feet can lead us on, and we will trust them.  Yet, the train will stop occasionally and we may not like the stops along the way, but we need to trust in the small things.  

I just told a friend, who was having a rough day, that there is light at the end of the tunnel.  

I know it is a cliche phrase, but it is true.  We may not see it at this current time, we may not fully trust that there is light, but inside, somewhere, someone is telling us that there is a light.  

Out by the light, there is an outcome to our trials.  We might know what it is, and there is a possibility of not liking that outcome at first, but right now, you can't focus on that.  Don't worry about the future.  Don't worry about the negative, the stress, and the trials that surround you now.  Don't worry. (sorry I have to input this here: "Don't Worry.  Be Happy" :D  carrying on...) Everyone can make it through a trial, because they were put in our path for a reason.  You might not believe that, but know that you can make it through and you will become stronger.  (Ugh, I have to input this too!: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!")

Everyone, I love you.  And I know it may be hard right now.  I know. I'm having struggles too.  Even while I'm here at Walt Disney World, fulfilling a dream of mine, but there is an outcome and there is a light and we can all make it through this journey on the train of life.  

Please don't give up.  Please don't.  You can make it through it alive.  I know it's hard.  Believe me I know.  There are supposed to be bumps and tunnels and rough patches and trials along the pathway of life.  And you may come out of a war (not necessarily a physical one) with scars and bruises, but you can make it.  And you will make.  I believe in you.  And if you can just have one person believe in you, then you can succeed.

I love you and I apologize for not writing as much as I wanted to, but I will try harder.

Have a wonderful week! 

LOVE,

KM