Peripheral Vision

Recently I bought a new winter coat.  I'm grateful, especially today, to be warm!  :)  A few things my coat has made me think about:

1. I have an increased gratitude for being warm and finding the right clothes to keep warm.  I think I'll enjoy winter more than I have in a long time.  ;)
2. Be careful with the furry hood - it might scare your three-year old niece.  ;)  
3. Another thing about the hood - it is so helpful in keeping you warm and dry, but it makes it hard to see.  It's tough to cross the street or see anyone or anything around you without pulling it back a little.  While walking in the blowing snow and waiting for Trax this evening and nearly running into a couple of people and things I started thinking about the importance of peripheral vision.  ;)

We talk often (and I actually read a book today) about the importance of staying focused on our goals and going after what we want.  Stay on the path.  Don't be distracted by things not on your path.  Some might argue that blinders or a furry hood are good for helping us stay focused and in the right way, but my experience today helped me remember the incredible value of peripheral vision.  Looking outside ourselves actually helps put things in perspective.  We can see better and are aware of what's around us.  We are not alone.  The people and things around us, their goals, their paths are also important, not only to them, but should be to us.

Yesterday we had a really great discussion in Relief Society about Elder Ballard's recent talk in General Conference, "To Whom Shall We Go?"  We shared testimonies of the joy that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings to our lives and the unique blessings we receive from following His plan and teachings.  It is a blessing to find truth and direction in His Church.

We also talked about Lehi's Dream and how it relates to Elder Ballard's plea "that we will encourage, accept, understand, and love those who are struggling with their faith.  We must never neglect any of our brothers and sisters.  We are all at different places on the path, and we need to minister to one another accordingly."  Our teacher shared a sweet analogy of walking along the path, holding to the iron rod, and then noticing a "shiny rock" close by and letting go for a second to go and see what it was.  Then just farther than that there's another one a little bit bigger that grabs her attention and pretty soon it's hard to know how to get back to the rod.  The mists of darkness have come in and the only way she knew back was to start looking for hands of people she knew were on the path, holding to the rod.  ;)  We don't know what the "shiny rocks" are in others' paths or what distractions might be enticing to us that cause us to lose our way.

This little illustration helped to me realize that in addition to holding to the rod we should also be looking to see who we can help along the way.  We can #LIGHTtheWORLD as we share our Savior's love and light with others in large and small ways.  I think the key to doing so has to do with being aware of what's in our peripheral vision.  He will put people in our path, but we need to be looking for them, praying for them, loving them.  That was my prayer today.  <3

"And His Name Shall Be Called Wonderful"

"Tell His name, sing His praise in all the world, Till all the world believes, Till every voice is lifted up to praise the Prince of Peace."

My heart is full of gratitude for Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, for His life, His love, and His gospel that brings peace and joy every day and will lead us back to Him!  I know that "the world will be healed by His power." #HisDay #mytestimony #Hehasmyheart #wardchoir #excitedforChristmas