I feel so blessed
Humbled to hear from Liz smart
Grateful for her words
Today at UVU, I had the opportunity to hear from Elizabeth Smart, who came to speak on overcoming adversity. I admit to feeling mortified upon hearing her story, the trials she faced at so young an age. She spoke however on the lessons she learned from this experience, and how she has been able to overcome it. A couple of things she shared stuck out to me in particular. The first was that of how her experience has given her an opportunity to reach out to people in a unique yet powerful way. She isn't some random girl speaking against sexual abuse - she is someone who lived through it. She mentioned how grateful she was to be able to use this experience to help others and make an impact on their lives. I admired how she was able to find the positive with such a dark and graphic memory that has no doubt left its scars. How grateful we should be with all we have - how humbled I feel to have my trials. To be able to turn weakness, pain, hardship into a positive is a skill worth developing... And like every skill, it takes much practice. The second thing she said that really touched me was actually not originally from her, but from her mother. After the two were reunited, her mother gave her the advice to be happy. Now it is more than just being happy, it is being happy in the face of the very adversity that should've been her downfall. Elizabeth Smart promised to live a happy life full of purpose and meaning, despite everything she has been through. And as far as I can see, she has been! Having served an LDS Mission, formed her own Foundation, public speaking, and gotten married among many other things.
Her example impacted me so deeply because she emulates the Savior so well. As Jesus Christ hung on the cross in excruciating pain he prayed for the forgiveness of those very people who put him there. How easy it would be to become bitter, hateful, and miserable, blaming everyone and everything for every wrong that occurred to her. However she chose to trust God, love her family, and use this experience for good in helping others. As I've mentioned previously, I owe so much of the good in me to this trial I face. Therefore I am grateful for the things that make my life so hard, as they have provided me with the most significantly worthwhile moments. I was studying the scriptures when I felt inspired to write this note: 'The greatest joys and greatest successes are not without much suffering and trial of mind, body, and spirit. Temptations will be felt, but God is mindful and desires for me to use my will to turn to my Savior and His atonement, and overcome that stumbling block which was placed before me.' I stand here now with an even greater affirmation of the importance of optimism. I know that I am here to be happy. 'Men (and women) are that they might have joy'
P.S. I wrote a random sing for a class I had, and I felt that it could fit into the blog as it was my inspiration. First time ever and that much is apparent, however I hope you enjoy it!
http://youtu.be/3qR_cv4Eep8
