Atlas Shrugged Review

I can tell when I really enjoy a book because I am still thinking about it long after I have finished. I recently read the book Atlas Shrugged on a friend's recommendation. I must warn you that the book is intimidating due to the fact that it is so huge. We are talking 1100 pages! It took about 300 pages for me to really get into the book, but once I did I was hooked and I neglected my family for a couple of days while I read every minute I could.

The book was written 50 years ago, but there are many parallels between the book and what is happening to our government and society today. Apparently, many liberals in Hollywood fought hard against a movie coming out about it. Some favorite quotes:

"Watch money. Money is the barometer of a society’s virtue. When you see that trading is done, not by consent, but by compulsion—when you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing—when you see that money is flowing to those who deal, not in goods, but in favors—when you see that men get richer by graft and by pull than by work, and your laws don’t protect you against them, but protect them against you—when you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice—you may know that your society is doomed. Money is so noble a medium that is does not compete with guns and it does not make terms with brutality. It will not permit a country to survive as half-property, half-loot."

"Contradictions do not exist. Whenever you think that you are facing a contradiction, check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong."

"I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine."

"Love is our response to our highest values. Love is self-enjoyment. The noblest love is born out of admiration of another's values"

I highly recommend the book. For a summary of the book, click here. I also just saw that they recently made a movie of the book. It is a three part movie. Part 1 was out this past spring in theaters and will be on dvd this fall and Part 2 will be out in theaters soon after that. Yay! I've attached a trailer (with commentary) of the movie. I love who they cast as Dagny, the protagonist. She is just like I envisioned her in the book.

Three Great Christmas reads

Here are three wonderful reads to get you in the Christmas spirit.

1. The Mansion by Henry Van Dyke - a short 18-page story available for free here.

2. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens - a classic we are all familiar with that is perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit. Also available for free online.

3. Luke II - What better way to remember the birth of the Savior than to read the account of His birth?

*These are the three texts Pres. Thomas S. Monson reads each Christmas season, as he explained in this Christmas devotional.

Importance of Patience

Patience is something that I definitely have to work on every day! Having a three year old gives me extra practice with that. I love this video clip on patience which came from this talk. One of the quotes I love says, "As parents, we know how unwise it would be to indulge our children’s every desire. But children are not the only ones who spoil when showered with immediate gratification. Our Heavenly Father knows what good parents come to understand over time: if children are ever going to mature and reach their potential, they must learn to wait...Patience is a process of perfection."

Pencil in the Hand of God

I am reading a book by Jane Clayson Johnson called, I Am a Mother. In one of the chapters I read today it had a quote I love by Mother Teresa. She said:

"I am like a little pencil in [God's] hand. That is all. He does the thinking. He does the writing. The pencil has nothing to do with it. The pencil has only to be allowed to be used."

Jane Clayson comments on this by saying, "Will the Lord look upon me one day and see an obedient servant? Will he see a woman who was willing to be a pencil in the hand of God, to do his work humbly and happily, even when it was painful and difficult?...although the story he has written for me is completely different from the version I had in my own mind, I know now that his plan is better from me than the one I had mapped out for myself. Oh, but at times, it has been painful."

Motherhood

When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed,
will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies?
The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods?
Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?
When the surf of the centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand,
the everlasting family will still be standing, because it is a celestial institution,
formed outside telestial time.
The women of God know this.
-Neal A. Maxwell

*Portrait by Greg Olsen

Inspiring video

Some of you may have already heard of Stephanie Nielson and follow her blog. She and her husband survived a near fatal plane crash which put her in a coma for a few months and left her severely burned. You can watch this inspiring 8-minute video about her new life below.

Quotes about mothers

Women are the real architects of society.
-Harriet Beecher Stowe

Mothers hold their children's hands for a little while and their hearts forever.
-Irish saying

The true worth of a race must be measured by the character of its womanhood.
-Mary Mcleod Bethune

Mother is the one we count on for all the things that matter most of all.
-Katharine Butler Hathaway

Mother was the bank where we deposited all our hurts and worries.
-T. DeWitt Talmage

God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers.
-Jewish proverb

Don't get so involved in the duties of your life and your children that you forget the pleasure. Remember why you had children.
-Lois Wyse

Quotes about mothers

I thought I'd have a post each week until Mother's Day with some of my favorite quotes about mothers. Here are a few from famous political leaders.

My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw.
All I am I owe to my mother.
I attribute all my success in life to the
mortal, intellectual and physical education I received from her.
-George Washington


I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me.
They have clung to me all my life.
-Abraham Lincoln


Let France have good mothers,
and she will have good sons.
-Napoleon Bonaparte

Celebrating Easter

Easter is such a wonderful time of year to reflect on the Savior. How blessed we are that we will all one day be resurrected because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for each of us! I love the following quote by Joseph B. Wirthlin.

"I testify to you that the Resurrection is not a fable. We have the personal testimonies of those who saw Him. Thousands in the Old and New Worlds witnessed the risen Savior. They felt the wounds in His hands, feet, and side. They shed tears of unrestrained joy as they embraced Him.

After the Resurrection, the disciples became renewed. They traveled throughout the world proclaiming the glorious news of the gospel.

Had they chosen, they could have disappeared and returned to their former lives and occupations. In time, their association with Him would have been forgotten.

They could have denied the divinity of Christ. Yet they did not. In the face of danger, ridicule, and threat of death, they entered palaces, temples, and synagogues boldly proclaiming Jesus the Christ, the resurrected Son of the living God.

Many of them offered as a final testimony their own precious lives. They died as martyrs, the testimony of the risen Christ on their lips as they perished.

The Resurrection transformed the lives of those who witnessed it. Should it not transform ours?

We will all rise from the grave. And on that day my father will embrace my mother. On that day I will once again hold in my arms my beloved Elisa.

Because of the life and eternal sacrifice of the Savior of the world, we will be reunited with those we have cherished.

On that day we will know the love of our Heavenly Father. On that day we will rejoice that the Messiah overcame all that we could live forever."

-Joseph B. Wirthlin

Power of Hope

Great video on remembering the true meaning of Christmas

What are you thankful for?

A great video to get you thinking about what you are thankful for.

My Home is a Temple

My friend Lori posted a link to this story on Facebook and I really enjoyed it so I am passing it along to you. It is easy to get overwhelmed by the daily household chores but I do believe that by creating a warm, loving home environment we increase the spirituality of our home and family.

Each of us can do something to help someone

Last week, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held its semi-annual General Conference. I didn't hear all of it, but I am working on listening and reading what I missed. The archives are available now and you can download them to listen to on your mp3 player or you can read the text.

I loved Jeffrey R. Holland's talk on Safety for the Soul. Very powerful! Today, though, I thought I would share the words of our prophet, Thomas S. Monson on helping others.

I am confident it is the intention of each member of the Church to serve and to help those in need. At baptism we covenanted to “bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light.”⁸ How many times has your heart been touched as you have witnessed the need of another? How often have you intended to be the one to help? And yet how often has day-to-day living interfered and you’ve left it for others to help, feeling that “oh, surely someone will take care of that need.”

We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we’re doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the “thick of thin things.” In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes....

...My brothers and sisters, may we ask ourselves the question which greeted Dr. Jack McConnell and his brothers and sisters each evening at dinnertime: “What have I done for someone today?” May the words of a familiar hymn penetrate our very souls and find lodgment in our hearts:

Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?¹³

That service to which all of us have been called is the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As He enlists us to His cause, He invites us to draw close to Him. He speaks to you and to me:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”¹⁴

If we truly listen, we may hear that voice from far away say to us, as it spoke to another, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Two Ways to Live Life

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.
-Albert Einstein

Lifelong Learning

“Lifelong learning is essential to the vitality of the human mind, body, and soul. It enhances self-worth and self-actuation. Lifelong learning is invigorating mentally and is a great defense against aging, depression, and self-doubt.”

-Robert D. Hales

I am a big believer in being a lifelong learner. My husband and I both would both be professional students if we could. We look forward to retirement and taking college courses in subjects that we would like to learn more about that we just didn’t have time to when working on our degrees. However, I have a long way until retirement so I enjoy learning now through ways such as reading, learning new skills, watching documentaries and attending cultural events.

I am a huge fan of the local library. It is a free way to learn on about any subject you would like. I love the site Goodreads and have a list of books I want to read so before I head to the library I find a couple of books on my list and put them on hold at the library. That way I always know the book I would like is available.

I also enjoy attending theater productions. It isn’t something I get to do often, but I try to go at least once per year. You don’t have to spend a ton of money either. You can go to the high school productions, community theater, or get discount tickets the day of the production. I recently saw Wicked and absolutely loved it!

Movies and documentaries are also a fun way to learn. The local library is a great place to get educational or classic videos. Again, a free way to learn. I love movies with stories that get you thinking about the people and the time period and their struggles. Not only are they entertaining but educational. I’ve listed some of my recommended movies to watch below. Make sure to leave a comment with your suggestions! Click here for Top 100 movies of all time.

Singin’ in the Rain

Oklahoma!

The Last Emperor (fascinating look into China)

Pride and Prejudice (BBC version)

Sound of Music

Ten Commandments

Gone with the Wind

Managing Stress

All of us have some degree of stress. Stress can be a positive factor in our lives if managed well. Below are some tips for managing our stress.

Plan Ahead

• Don't procrastinate - it stresses you and your family out - do whatever needs to be done by tomorrow today (or sooner!)
• Give yourself extra time to get somewhere (including work) so if a delay occurs it won't be stressful
• Plan to be flexible - you may have to wait at the doctor's office longer than intended so always carry a book with you; if you run out of time while working on something realize that not everything has to be perfect
• Write things down - don't rely on your memory - it is stressful having to remember everything

Positive thinking

• Count your blessings - things will go wrong but look at all the good things happening in your life
• Eliminate self-destructive talk...do the best "you" can do
• Forgive others. No one is perfect and neither are you. Accept that fact.
  
• Be kind to others and don't hold grudges. It is stressful being in a fight with others or holding grudges.
• Make friends with positive people. Being around negative people and people who are always worrying brings you down and stresses you out! Remember this post about filling others buckets.
  

Simplify

• Organize your home and workplace so you know where everything is. Check out these ideas and these ideas, too.
  
• Eliminate unnecessary activities from your life.
• Do one thing at a time. Focus on your current task and not everything else you need to do.
  
• Learn to ask for help.
  

Workout/Mediate

• Take time to exercise at least 3 times each week - go on a run, take a yoga class, etc.
• Take a few minutes each day to just sit and think without the tv, music, etc.
  Meditation brings your body, mind, emotions, and spirit into harmony.
• Take a bath an add a few drops of lavender essential oil. Lavender is known for relaxing the body and relieving stress.
  

Using your time wisely

The more business a man has to do, the more he is able to accomplish; for he learns to economize his time.
~ Sir Matthew Hale

I am a big believer in using time efficiently. Time management is such an important skill to have and I believe it comes easier to some than others. However, everyone can learn the skills with some planning and effort. Here are some tips I use to most effectively use my time.

1. Make a weekly schedule - Create a schedule that you follow each week, see example below. As you can see, I know the things I must do every day and I know that every Monday will be my cleaning and laundry day and every Tuesday I will grocery shop. I can then fill in my other days and open times with other things that need to be done or that I would like to do.

Daily - Tidy kitchen, exercise, reading/personal study time, make dinner

Monday - Clean kitchen and bathrooms, wash sheets, laundry, make weekly menu and shopping list, make a weekly to-do list, family night

Tuesday - Grocery shopping

Etc....

2. Make a to-do list - Every week I also make a to-do list. This may include things such as getting the oil in my car changed, returning library books, mailing a package, preparing a Sunday school lesson, phone calls, activities with friends, etc. I then plan which days I will do these items so I know they will get accomplished.

3. Make time for hobbies/projects each week - We all have hobbies we enjoy. I think it is important to find things you enjoy doing in your life. As you are planning out your weekly schedule make sure to find a few hours each week to work on a project or hobby you enjoy. I selected six projects in my New Year's Resolutions this year that I want to accomplish. These are what I focus on in my "me" time. I find it is easier to just work on one project at a time or focus on one hobby each week. If I work on too many I usually don't end up finishing any of them as quickly because the starting and stopping makes you forget where you left off. So I try and pick a hobby and focus on it each week.

Last week was a reading week for me, so in my "me" time I read. When I have a free minute I know I will read, so I don't waste any time deciding what to do. Next week I may focus on sewing my quilt. Since I am focused on sewing all week, I won't have to put all my supplies away each day. That will save time and the project will be fresh in my mind so I won't have to remember where I left off.

I like to give myself a time line for accomplishing my projects so I make sure I make them a priority and don't too much of my time doing unnecessary things, such as being at the computer way too long! Accomplishing something you enjoy makes you feel good and happy. Life isn't all about work we need to make sure we find time to do the things we enjoy.

I have always liked the motto of Brigham Young, "Eight hours work, eight hours sleep, and eight hours recreation."

Although these days, it seems like the average work day is at least 9-10 hours. However, there still should be some time for recreation and doing things you enjoy if you manage your time well.

How about you...do you have any time management tips you'd like to share?

Thoughts on trials

As I was cleaning my garage this past week, I came across these thoughts I had written down.

"No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God, . . . and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire"
-Orson F. Whitney

"Be warned that some of the greatest battles you will face will be fought within the silent chambers of your own soul."
-Ezra Taft Benson

Women's Conference Transcripts

I mentioned in an earlier post that I attended a Women's Conference in May. I came away with lots of great advice and inspiration to be a better person. Check out this site to get transcripts from these amazing Women's Conference talks as far back as 1997. Also check out this site to download mp3 and mp4 files of many of the talks. I like downloading inspirational talks to listen to as I workout.