don't give up now!

It's officially been a few weeks since the new year started. Have you gotten used to writing 2016? Yeah... me neither:)

A few weeks ago we all set some lofty goals. Most were attainable. Some were not. Some we are still going on. Some we are not.

We all want to be more in tune with the spirit, closer to Christ, healthier, more financially stable, organized, prepared, rested, and present. And those are all good goals! They are cliche for a reason, because they are things we should strive for!

But we fail so often and it gets rough to keep trying. So today I have a message for all those who are discouraged. Those who have already messed up and feel like it is over. The people who really want to improve but feel like it is too huge of a task.

There is one thing I just cannot stand about new years resolutions. I really really dislike the mentality that the new year is a fresh start and that we have to wait until the new year to improve, have a fresh start, and reflect on what we should do with our lives. Because the absolute truth is that we have the chance to have a clean slate daily!

 Because of Christ and his deep, incomprehensible, never failing love we never have to have a "dirty" slate! We can be washed clean each and every day as we humble ourselves and strive to become better through the Atonement.

We simply do not have time to wait around for the new year to set goals! I know it is easy to lose focus, and I do appreciate the emphasis the new year puts on reflection, improvement, and goals. But we should be doing that daily.

 We came to this earth so that we can become our best self! We can't just hope that that happens. We have to kick our self in gear, understand what we lack, and try our very best to overcome it daily.

Will we mess up?

Absolutely, it's guaranteed.

But you know what else is guaranteed?

We don't have to do it alone.

Christ will be there every step of the way! He will carry you when you don't have the strength to go on and he will dry your tears when you feel you can't go on. He wants  you to succeed! He is your cheerleader, your comforter, your best friend, your Savior!

So what does this mean?

This means that you lift your head up and you get going! You know that you are packed full of potential and that you have a mission to fill! You pray for Christ's help and know that He will come through. Most of all? You keep pressing forward. Don't stop! Keep repenting and trying again! Keep leaning on Christ and drawing nearer to him. Because the super glorious truth is that with Christ we can literally do ALL things! When you come unto Christ with righteous desires you are an unstoppable force!

Keep pressing forward, you've got this!

A few more New Years Resolutions (Guest Post by Madi)

It may be a while into the new year but it's never too late to set some goals! I'm excited for you to read Madi's post from our blog swap! You can read mine here (10 resolutions to bring you closer to Christ) and if you're feeling a little discouraged about all those fabulous goals you set there is a post scheduled for tomorrow all about that!

Madi is super awesome and it was super fun to work with her! Go check out her blog! You definitely won't regret it!

Hello everyone!

My name is Madi and I blog over at Madison Custer. My blog is all about my life- school, church, mission prep, friends and family. I am so excited to be working with Shelby on this post!

I thought since it was January, I'd do a nice little post on resolutions. I'm a senior in high school, so I've done my fair share of Resolutions, but this year I thought I'd do them a little differently. I tend to make lofty goals for myself, but this year I hunkered down and made some realistic ones, specifically targeting going on a mission. My projected availability date is less than 365 days away (*eek!*) and so I'm using all the time I can to get as prepared as I can.

1. Read the Book of Mormon again
One goal I have for myself is to learn a lot on my mission. Whether it's my mission language or not, I want to feel like I've learned something when I'm done. I know a mission isn't exactly for me, but since this goal can only benefit me and the people I'm teaching, I'm keeping it in the back of my brain. This all leads me to this first resolution. If I want to be able to hit the ground running, I need to have a solid backbone and testimony in the Book of Mormon, the awesome book I'm going out to teach. I want to read it again this year in hopes that I'll be able to become really familiar with it, the people and the stories.

2. Read Preach My Gospel
I really like how Preach My Gospel is formatted, and how it's different than the old missionary discussions. I know I'll learn a lot about it in the MTC and mission field, but I want to be familiar with it before I leave so I'll be able to follow along. I've heard that the information you receive in the MTC is a little bit like being sprayed in the face with a fire hose, so I want to be super prepared for that!

3. Go out with the sisters in my area
Unfortunately, I don't have sister missionaries in my ward, but there is a set in a ward that's really close to me. I've been talking to them a little bit about going out with them, but at this point I just need to find some Saturdays that aren't filled with school work and schedule something. I want some idea of what I'm getting myself into before I do it!

4. Pick up piano again
I used to play the piano, then when I was in 8th grade I quit. I ultimately did it because my teacher moved away and I had had some pretty traumatic experiences (read: panic attacks on the bench) at piano recitals, and I decided enough was enough. Oh how I regret that decision! I want to pick it back up this year and learn the basic hymns so that if I'm ever in an area where no one plays (my mom was in multiple- that's why she wants us to learn) I can step in! This one is going to be hard, but I think if I put my mind to it I can do it!

Thank you all for reading this post! I loved having this opportunity to work with Shelby and her amazing blog, and I hope you'll come check out mine in the future!

xoxo
Madi

10 Resolutions to bring you closer to Christ {guest post for Madi}

I'm super excited to tell you about a guest post I wrote for Madi over on her blog Madison Custer!!

It's the new year and we are all looking to better ourselves, it's such an exciting time! And it's the perfect time to come closer to Christ! It doesn't matter when you read this post, whether it's January 3rd or June 27th because you can always change!

Click here to read more! 

Have a wonderful day!

New Series! {Make a difference Monday!}

I am so so excited to announce a new series!

I'm a humongous fan of kindness. I love how happy it makes you, and how happy it makes the person you are serving. I love how it challenges us to reach outside of ourselves and notice the needs of others. I know that love and kindness describe the Savior perfectly. He was so humble and always serving.

I want to be better about serving others in small ways. It is super easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and become totally caught up in our huge to-do lists. I know I have been guilty of that and I want to stop! People are so much more important than a to-do list!

I also know that sometimes the world is just plain depressing! The news is full of sadness and life can be full of disappointment. But it only takes a small act of kindness to brighten someone's day, to give them hope, and to encourage them to keep going. I want to add to the light in the world!

 So that leads me to this new series! I now introduce you to...... make a difference monday.

My goal is that each week in 2016, I will post an idea for an act of kindness. There is a huge variety of ideas, all are under $5 and a ton are free! They won't take much time and they are sure to brighten someone's day!

If you decide to participate (which I'm really hoping you will!) then just post a picture with the hashtag #moorelightandkindness and/or tag me (@moorelightshine_blog) for a chance to be featured on my instagram and blog the following Monday!

Check back for the first challenge on Monday! I can't wait!

Happy New Year! (+a survey!)

Happy New Year!

I'm so thankful for all of your support! I can't thank you enough for following along, liking photos, commenting, and visiting this site! I'm super excited for the new year and all the wonderfulness I know it will bring! I'm so glad I have the opportunity to blog and I have some exciting ideas I cannot wait to publish!

There is one favor I would really, really, really appreciate. I would be super duper grateful if you would be willing to take the survey linked below so I can know what is important to you all! I have some ideas of where I want to go with this whole blogging thing this year, but I would love to know what YOU would like to see!  So if you have a spare moment, pretty please click here to take the survey. A million thanks in advance!

I love this time of the year and all the motivation, hope, and excitement that surrounds it. 2015 was a pretty great year so I cannot wait to see what 2016 holds!

I wish you all a wonderful, happy, fantastic new year filled with joy, accomplished goals, and lots of fun new adventures!

-Shelby

ps. Don't forget that you were planning on clicking here to take the survey:)

New Years Resolutions Talk

How will you embark this year?

When Heavenly Father sent us to earth, he had a plan for us. For some of us that was many years ago, for others it was only a few. No matter how long ago our purpose is the same.

We live in a world of constant change. Many of you were alive when the first iPhone came out- even I was. It was thick and bulky and few apps could be purchased for it. In less than a decade the iPhone has dramatically changed, it is large, skinny, has a great camera, and even uses fingerprint scanners to log you in.

So what does this have to do with the gospel?

First off, God is not like technology. He never changes. So no matter if you came to earth 50 years ago or 5 months ago- your purpose is the same. So what is that purpose? Heavenly Father sent us to earth with free agency. He wanted to let us grow and learn. The purpose of our mortal mission is to become as Christlike as possible.

So that leads to my second point. We can be like the iPhone. Constantly improving. Fast, Efficient. Smart. Full of good stuff like the gospel (or gospel library). Wide spread like all the apps you can download. Money smart. Food conscious. Organized. A good communicator. Even skinny:)

It’s a new year! A fresh start. A clean slate. The perfect time to become the person you want to be. The perfect time to reach your full potential as a son/daughter of God.

I was asked to talk on new years resolutions. Don’t roll your eyes because they are overused or start taking notes because it’s January 11th and you have to remember these for next year because it wouldn’t be right for you set a resolution later than January 1st.

The Atonement is real so every day is a new start. You can become the person you want to be today, whether it’s January 1st, 21st, March 15th, or November 8th.

And for the eye rollers- I get what you’re saying. Everyone sets a resolution to be healthy, be organized, or save money. And I’m not saying those are bad- you go for it!

But I’m not here to tell you the perfect diet, one simple trick to organize your life, or the perfect plan to come up with 5,000 extra dollars a year.

The youth program plays a huge role in my life- I love it so much. Wednesdays and Sundays are pretty much my favorite days. Each Wednesday we recite the youth theme. And it recently it changed. So this year I decided to set a few of my resolutions around the new theme. It reads:

“O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day” (D&C 4:2).

Wow- thats alot. Serving with your mind, strength, heart, and might. Some of us find it hard to simply rub our stomachs and head at the same- much less serve with 4 parts of us at once.

So how can we do this?

Serve with our heart:

1. Serve because you want to. Serve because it is important to you. Dedicate your whole heart to it.
2. Serve spiritually. Serve The Lord by reading your scriptures, praying, reflecting on The Atonement, repentance, following the commandments, and giving him a few minutes of your time each day. If The Savior lived in your house wouldn’t you take a few minutes to at least acknowledge him, learn from him, and talk to him? Then do it in real life too.

Serve with might:

1. This is similar to the first. Be dedicated. When you are raking your neighbor's yard, don’t be dreaming of cuddling up in your bed with a good book or movie, a yummy snack, and falling asleep. I don’t care if it’s negative 3 degrees and you haven’t slept in 3 days. Be there because you want to. Give your heart to The Lord for a few hours.

Serve with mind:

1. Use your brain. Help tutor someone. Teach someone else. Use your talents to help others and bring The Spirit into their lives. Heavenly Father gave us talents for a reason don’t be like the foolish man who hid his talents. Use your talents to bless others.

Serve with strength:

This applies in 2 ways.

1. Don’t be scared to serve. Don’t be scared to sit with the unpopular girl at lunch. Don’t be scared to be the only one who stops to pick help the shy kid pick up their books. There are people who need our help. Sadly in today’s world helping others isn’t necessarily “cool” or popular. But it’s part of our role as children of God and it’s what Christ would want. Isn’t his approval more important?
2. Serve with your muscles! Don’t be afraid to get dirty. Sacrifice for others.It is so worth it for them and for you.D&C 73: 3,5 says “Behold, I say unto you that it is my will that you should go forth and not tarry, neither be idle but labor with your might. “And thus, if ye are faithful ye shall be laden with many sheaves, and crowned with honor, and glory, and immortality, and eternal life.” Wow! That’s alot of awesome blessings.

All this seems pretty overwhelming. But you can do it. You can become the person you want to be. You can do it!

I know we have a Heavenly Father who loves us. I know we are sons/daughters of God. You are special and you are loved.  We were meant to shine. I know The Savior Atoned for our sins so we can come back to live with him someday. Because of him there is purpose to our mortal existence. We can be forgiven! Isn’t that an amazing blessing?! Heavenly Father knows each of your struggles. He knows you and as you strive to become more like him by serving with all your heart, might, mind, and strength and drawing close to him through the gospel; you will feel his arms around you. You will feel his love, his hope, and his peace that can be found no other way. I know my Savior lives and he is the perfect example.

In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Happy New Year!

I just wanted to say...

{Source}

 

I seriously can't believe that it is 2014! Wasn't it 2011 a few days ago? This year has been one of so much growth for me! One reason I love the new year is because it is like a fresh start. You can make goals and do your best to become the best person you can be! I hope that we can all make the best of this coming year. I hope that we will use our goals to become more like the Savior and grow to our full potential! Happy New Year!!

-Shelby

New Years Resolutions: 12 Times Better!

Typical New Years Resolutions are: 1)Lose Weight 2)Have an organized life 3)Eat Healthy

  

These are great goals in all, but I don't like them. Why? They are so generic and....perfect. Having an organized life is such a huge goal- it is way to overwhelming! It is nearly impossible to have a completely organized life and to eat healthy every single day.

So you have made these perfect goals. For the first week or two of January you 1)Exercise daily for an hour 2) Put everything exactly where it goes and fill out your planner daily 3) Don't eat any fast food. Yay!

A few months (or even weeks) later you are: 1) Exercising whenever you feel like it 2)You have no clue what your kitchen table looks like because it is so cluttered 3) Thinking, "Wait a minute, I have a planner?!" 4) Eat fast food 3 times a week

Your New Years Resolutions are down the drain and you have benefited nothing. You haven't improved.

 

I am sick and tired of setting resolutions that never happen. So I have a new idea on setting them. I call it...(Drumroll please!)

 

 

 

12x Better! Okay, what is my idea on setting New Years Resolutions? How does it work? Each month you choose a habit you want to develop. Studies have shown that it can take as little as 18 days to form a habit (usually more, it depends on the size of your habit). A month is around 30 days. Each day you have to do your habit. You have three days off. It can be anything from reading a chapter of the Book of Mormon each day, to putting on lotion right when you wake up. At the end of the year you should have 12 wonderful habits. You will be 12 times better!
 

As an added bonus I will (do my best) to post a monthly calendar at the beginning of each month. I love charts and tables and lists, so I will be using mine to shade in each day I complete my goal.

Email me at littlelightofmineblog@yahoo.com for a copy. I will be happy to customize!
 Please comment if you are going to take the challenge!

 

I hope you have a wonderful, amazing, happy night!

 

-Shelby