{What really matters...}

More and more i see people posting stuff about how other people post nothing but wonderful things on their blogs, making themselves depressed at how good others have it, and wrapped up in wanting all those things too. Here is what i say to that. Some people really do have it good. Some people don't have it that amazing, but just like to post only about the good things, leaving out the bad. They have it average. Which is good. Some people might pretend to have it good when they really don't. So, it happens. Life happens. Bad happens. Doesn't matter who you are or what you believe. Trials and adversity and complications and hard times are going to come your way NO MATTER who you are. What MATTERS is how you deal with those things that define who you are. How do you face adversity and trials and challenges? It doesn't matter what your next door neighbor has...all the toys they get to buy, all the material things they like to show off. That means nothing in the end. What matters more is who you are on the inside. That's all the Lord cares about. And if you are being and becoming what he wants you to be, then you are on top. It doesn't matter if your friend can sew, do photography, cook, bake, have a clean house, workout and run around to every child's sport all in one day(if there is someone who can do this, i want to know. ridiculous). What matters is who you are becoming on the inside. What you are contributing in this life to make it better. That's all that matters in the end.

There is something i like to do when i feel like i am getting caught up in the world...getting caught up in the things that truly don't matter. I stop. I sit in silence without noise. I ask myself "What if i had two days to live? What if i were told that i was going to die in two days?" When i really think about that...the things that TRULY matter are the things that come to mind and i am quickly reminded of those things and can climb off the worldy ladder and get back into reality. I forget about the grudge, the "issues" i had with someone, the reason i was mad at my husband, etc. The only things that matter to me is what kind of friend i was, what kind of family member i was, my relationship with my family, with my kids and my husband. The relationship with my Heavenly Father and Savior. And what i did to make this world a better place and what i did to make sure my kids and husband and family knew that i loved them. Would i even give a second thought to "did i have all the best things in life? did i decorate and design my home all pretty? Did i make sure to show everyone how amazing i am in order to try and hide my insecurities?"..HA! NO. Not one thought would go to that. Because it doesnt' matter.

Someone who has built their relationship with their Heavenly Father and come close to the Savior, someone who lives the way they believe, Someone who has learned what truly matters in this life and actually lives their life that way are the one's who are greatly rewarded. No, Not with material things, but with a happiness inside that many people won't experience. You will know when you have that happiness. A happiness where WANTING what everyone else has won't matter to you anymore. Pettiness won't matter. Becoming the best at everything won't matter. Sure, you might still say "oohh, that would be nice to have." But it won't consume you. Your heart won't be set upon those things of the world. You will find happiness in every situation in your life. Even in hard times. You find that happiness and it stays with you b/c you know the truth. You know what really matters and you know the plan. That's when other bloggers "perfect" lives won't get you down...that's when other's lives and what they have materially won't matter. It won't matter b/c you will know in your heart that it doesn't really matter in the end. When you reach that point that's when you can do great things. You can change things for the better. You can affect people's lives for the better. People will be drawn to you and want to know the truth. You will be a light unto the world. That's what matters.