THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS

Easter is much more important than a pretty dress on a sunny day or colored eggs lying in the grass.  Its far more significant to our future than a fancy new car or a big house upon the hill.  

Many believe that it's the greatest story ever told.  I believe that it's the answer to all the questions.   

"Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall. And the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I am. Watch, therefore, that ye may be ready.  Even so. Amen." 

By Linda Sumner Urza for onefineday11.blogspot.com

BRANCHING OUT

As women, we tend to take on far more than humanly possible and often punish ourselves for not completing the 110th item on our list in less than a twelve hour period.  I use to believe that everything began and ended with me.  Today, I remind myself that I am not Wonder Woman and the entire weight of the world does not rest upon my shoulders.

I believe as women we are much like trees in the forest.  Our long branches are continually reaching for the heavens while our strong roots, just beneath the soil, are hanging on for dear life!

For many years, I thought I was directly responsible for my actions, as well as the actions of my children, and their children throughout the eternities, but that's just not true.  I now have a much simpler understanding.  I know that I am only accountable for my actions and directly responsible for my own happiness.

I've learn many valuable lessons in life and I have incorporated a few simple rules to secure a more comfortable journey.  This self actualization has made a difference in my happiness and also in respect to how I treat others.  The first lesson applies when conflict is involved. I begin by asking myself this question, "Do I solve the problem, am I creating the problem or am I the problem?" Its important to be truthful with yourself.  In other words, I evaluate if I am standing on two feet or in hot water?  The answer to this question can disclose important information about oneself.

If you're constantly finding yourself in hot water, work harder to improve yourself and spend less time worrying about changing others.  You can't wish, plead, beg, borrow or command someone to change.  Change is a personal commitment that comes deep within an individual, but you can certainly strive daily to perfect your own life.  Learning how to solve problems quickly and effectively improves ones self respect and confidence.  Well balanced and happy people are exceptionally good at avoiding the pitfalls.

The second important lesson I learned is that the world will not rotate off its axis if I say, "NO THANK YOU" to someone's request.  Today I am free, I don't take on assignments that will strap me with burdens.  I don't attempt to solve anyone else's problems or take responsibility for anyone's happiness except my own; however, I will be a good listening ear for someone who needs an honest and loyal friend.

Experience and dedication have taught me that I can do anything in this lifetime, but 'today' I cannot do everything!  I have learned to know my limits and I desire to respect and preserve my own personal boundaries.

Thirdly, I strive to maintain three things: a wishbone (the dreams of what can become), a funny bone (not taking life too seriously) and a backbone (the commitment to stand in high places).  We are given one chance at life and how we choose to spend our time is our own personal crusade.  I have chosen to live life with a spiritual direction and purpose.  I have chosen to live life with the clearest intentions of bringing light, creativity, brilliance and joy into my surroundings.  I have chosen to live life with the confidence that even challenges and disappointments can eventually bring about success and happiness.

As women we are often like the trees in the forest.  Our tender influences stretch in every direction and we are constantly reaching for the sky.  Our branches are strong enough to hold those who desire to be lifted up.  The power of our presence can protect others from the harsh elements and provide great comfort to weary souls.  Our roots go deep into the soil to create a solid base and strong foundation.  The fruit that we bear is part of that great plan in the chain of life, and much like the trees in the forest, we stand tall enough to occasionally gaze into heavens.   Written by Linda Sumner Urza for onefineday11.blogspot.com

*&@*^%$#(*&@^%!

Last week I was out in my yard working in the beautiful spring sunshine. There is a new house being built next to my home, with construction workers constantly coming and going.  It wasn't difficult to overhear the workers using profanity  as a form of expression. Usually I would have ignored them, but after an hour and an ear full, I took the liberty to say something.

"Excuse me, would you mind toning down your language?  Your voices carry throughout the neighborhood."

One of the workers replied in angry rebuttal, "Well, we're just uneducated construction workers and we don't know better, it's just the way we are!"  His reply was rather crass and lacked any sensitivity or respect  toward my request. 

I was surprised in his response and my face showed an expression of complete and utter shock, but my words came swiftly, "I don't believe that foul language has anything to do with the level of ones education, but I do believe it has everything to do with ones level of self respect and integrity."  

At that moment, another construction worker spoke out, telling him to knock it off.  Not another word was said as I walked back to my house.  I thought about this experience the rest of the day.  I was so appreciative and grateful that this young man had the moral integrity and respect to come forward.  Often we wander if one person can change the world for the better... this courageous young man had certainly made a difference in mine. He spoke out and was firm in his principles.

When we have a desire to become something better, that desire creates actions that produce powerful results.  I learned years ago that playing it small doesn't magnify my potential, nor does it serve the kingdom of God.  There's nothing good or enlightening about shrinking beneath ones spiritual stature.  

We are given opportunities everyday to elevate ourself and the lives of those with whom we associate. As Latter Day Saints, we know through our spiritual actions and deeds we can become disciples of Christ.  The best rule to live by, "If everyone does what I do, would the world be a better place in which to live?"  If so, than you can rest in peace knowing that you left an indelible impression that even time cannot erase

I believe in the final hours, most mortals are clinging whatever legacy they created throughout their life.  Whether good or bad, their legacy lives on.

. Written by Linda Sumner Urza for: onefineday11.blogspot.com

JUST BE THERE

A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside. "Your son is here," she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened.

Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.

The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. He refused.

Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients. Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.

Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.

Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her, "Who was that man?" he asked.

The nurse was startled, "He was your father," she answered.

"No, he wasn't," the Marine replied. "I never saw him before in my life."

"Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?"

"I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed. I came here tonight to find a Mr. William Grey. His Son was killed in Iraq today, and I was sent to inform him. What was this Gentleman's Name? "

The nurse with tears in her eyes answered, "Mr. William Grey........."

The next time someone needs you ... just be there. Stay.

( The author to this story is unknown, but the spirit behind the story needs to be known.)

THE LUCK OF THE IRISH

Have you ever reflected upon your life, perhaps believing that your struggles were beyond that which you could endure?  If you study the history of your ancestors, it becomes clear that many of our trials are insignificant compared to the those who came before us.

My great grandfather lived in Ireland during 1846 and the blight of a potato crop that left acres of Irish farmland covered with black rot.

As harvests across Europe failed, the price of food soared.  Irish farmers found their food storage rotting in their cellars, the crops they relied on to pay the rent to their British and Protestant landlords. Peasants who ate the rotten produce sickened and entire villages were consumed with cholera and typhus.

Landlords evicted hundreds of thousands of peasants, who then crowded into disease-infested workhouses. Other landlords paid for their tenants to emigrate, sending hundreds of thousands of Irish to America and other English-speaking countries. But, even emigration was not a perfect remedy.  Shipowners often crowded hundreds of desperate Irish onto rickety vessels that were labeled "coffin ships." In many cases, these ships reached port only after losing a third of their passengers to disease, hunger and other afflictions.

The Irish Famine of 1846-50 took as many as one million lives from hunger and disease, and changed the social and cultural structure of Ireland in profound ways. The famine also spurred new waves of immigration and shaped the history of the United States.

My great grandfather, Robert McElhaney, was born December 25, 1825, in Donegal, Cork, Ireland.  He and his younger brother, Samuel, were the only children born into their family.  It's not known for certain what misfortune took the lives of their parents, but records show that they were orphaned as small children.  Genealogy records show that both parents died and the young boys were raised by grandparents.

At the age of twenty, Robert migrated to America in 1846.  Records show that he traveled by ship across the North Atlantic toward the new land where he landed near Pennsylvania. (I was twenty years old when I prepared to attend college at the University of Idaho. I can't even imagine boarding a ship alone, sailing away from my family to a foreign country.)  He likely had little to nothing in his pockets and no employment when he arrived at the shoreline.  Like many who came to this country, my great grandfather faced the unknown, from the moment he stepped foot on American soil.

May we never have to worry about our next meal or where it will come from.  May we never look for shelter underneath a bridge or wander through the streets with all our earthly belongings in a knapsack.   I hope that we will never see anyone die of starvation or find ourselves boarding a ship to sail away from our homeland.  Those who have gone on before us became the backbone of America and they provided a better way of life for others to enjoy.  I am thankful for my great grandfather's voyage.  I believe that one of the most blessed privileged of living in this country, for me, began with the luck of my Irish grandfather's journey to America.   Written by Linda Sumner Urza for One fine day.