Thoughts and stories, by Pal

 This is so appropriate and pertinent to our world today!  We love all people, but it won't help them or us to stoop and not aspire to what we all can become! Are We More or Less Compassionate When We Lower Our Nation’s Expectations? By  Tad R. Callister  · December 17, 2021 There seems to be a concerted movement among some to lower national expectations under the guise of compassion and equity. These sentiments often affect educational standards, welfare qualifications, consequences of crime, and various character traits. Of course, we do need to be loving, patient, and understanding, and when needed to provide special help. But that raises the following questions: “How should compassion influence our expectations? And what constitutes true compassion in these circumstances?” For the answer to these questions there is no better starting point than the scriptures—the ultimate guide for determining correct moral values and responses. In other words, how did the Savior...

When We Try to One-Up the Lord's Standards: Culture vs. Commandments by Brent L. Top and Wendy C. Top, Adapted from "Finding Inner Peace: Lessons Learned from Trying too Hard"  | Mar. 01, 2018 Makes You Think Mormon Life Comments Sometimes in an attempt to prove our faithfulness to the gospel, Mormons create standards that require even more than what the Lord is asking of us. So before we expend too much energy trying to live these "higher" standards, we should ask ourselves, "Are we living the cultural gospel or the Lord's gospel?" In their book,  Finding Inner Peace: Lessons Learned from Trying too Hard ,  Brent L. Top and Wendy C. Top share deeply personal experiences about how trying to live the "cultural gospel" took a serious toll on Wendy and the entire family as she suffered a breakdown and battled clinical depression. They write: As Wendy began to evaluate the caus...

Helpful ideas, to keep us feeling peace and hope.  Often we are harder on ourselves than we are on others! Goal for the New Year: Stop being Mean to Yourself By Maurine Proctor  · December 28, 2016  Sign up for Meridian’s Free Newsletter, please  CLICK HERE I have a portrait of me on the wall in my home office when I was four-years old. It is an old portrait, hand colored, and the child pictured there has precise, shiny ringlets topped with a large turquoise bow. This was a little girl, well and perfectly cared for by her mother—and I keep the picture where I see it every day to remind me of her. I remember the day that photo was taken. I sat nervously in the studio, worried about how to smile just right. Worried at four years old because I wanted to do well! But my mother was there to reassure me and the world was always right wherever she was. Yet, there has been a bonus at having the four-year old me sitting on the wall n...

These are beautiful quotes which are really inspiring.  When we are young, we don't often think about the Spirit World, and life after this mortal life.  I'll admit I think of it much more since my dear husband passed away, and I am getting on in years!  It truly is important to live our lives here in a way that we can have a glorious resurrection, without a lot of regrets! Wayne is 2nd from the right on the front row.  In this group are several who have already passed away -- bishops, and other wonderful leaders.  I imagine at that age they didn't think 60 years ahead! July 11, 2016 Mortal Life SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY Doctrine & Covenants 138:14 "All these had departed the mortal life, firm in the hope of a glorious resurrection, through the grace of God the Father and his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. " QUOTE OF THE DAY Heber J. Grant "We of this Church have been told of the Lord that befor...

This is a very interesting article, for those who may feel "burned out" trying to become perfect.  Yes, it is important to try to improve ourselves, but the author, a clinical therapist, helps us learn to use wisdom.  LINE UPON LINE 3 Common Cultural Myths that Make  Mormons Miserable By Julie de Azevedo Hanks  · April 16, 2015 It’s no secret that there are some very specific myths in Mormon culture. These can range from our family size (15 kids and counting!) to our vocabulary (“oh, my heck!”), and even to our food (green jello, anyone?). While certainly not all (or even most) Mormons embody these stereotypes, most of us can have a good laugh at them from time to time. Other myths concerning our faith, however, are not as funny or lighthearted, During my years as a clinical therapist, I’ve witnessed how faulty spiritual equations can cause some Latter-day Saints great emotional pain and rob them of happiness and peace. These i...