The joy of cornstarch...

You know how you can look back on things and realize "Good heavens, could I have done things any worse than I did?" It seems I do that frequently. Most of the time I don't know how I could have done things differently - I just seem to think of the worst choice and go with it. Now the feeling left over most thoroughly stinks. It seems like sometimes some things in life come and go through out lives like water through our hands. Have you ever made the concoction of cornstarch and water? It is a unique substance that when you shape it and mold it continuously, it is like a solid form similar to play-dough, but wet. However, if you stop for just a second it turns more into a thick liquid. It seems there are so many situations in life that are just this way. And thus my problem comes.

I seem to get myself into new situations all the time that I'm not really sure where I stand, what I think, how I feel; Or how others stand, think and feel toward me. When this happens I seem to clam up and want to only do what I feel comfortable with. We all like to stick to what's comfortable right? Well the problem is, I form my little ball of gooey clay and suddenly realize I don't know what to do in a situation - then as much as I enjoyed and loved playing with my little ball, it's liquid and through the fingers it goes.

We have been told numerous times to "act and not be acted upon". I feel like in certain things I'm so far from even being acted upon. It would seem no action is even necessary before things seem to consistently fall out of my hands. I hope and pray that one day I'll be able to mold my clay in a positive, lasting way. To whomever reads this - God Bless you and your patience and understanding toward me. I know there has got to be a lot.

I love learning through art! These are a few examples

So, these are a bunch of pictures I really like. I'll start out with just fun. These first ones are from James Christiansen. He truly is a remarkable painter. This first one is a composite of many fairy tales.
This one is called Faith, Hope and Charity. I love anything with those three together.

There are two types of people - those who wait to talk and those who listen. With all the noise of the world in our lives, we all have to find our own mute button. "Since a painting has not soundtrack, the title character at the center of The Listener has found the best way to shut off all the noise in the visual cacophony around him by closing his eyes," Christensen says. "Listening to his still, small, inner-voice, he remains centered without being overcome. We can all find peace in this busy world, but sometimes need to be reminded that we are in charge of our destiny and each of us has the ability to focus without being pushed and pulled as victims." The characters found in the colorful "noise" around the listener in this painting take many forms including politicians, mothers-in-law, musicians, and famous artists...try to find Picasso! Through it all, our listener ignores the noise in favor of his own personal tranquility.

This painting is of a woman touching the hem of a white garment...any guesses who?

This painting is of all the parables Christ told. I would love to one day go through and read each one, keeping in mind which part of the painting I am reading.

Another picture I have loved for a long time is Christ Healing the Sick at Bethesda, by Carl Bloch. There is so much to learn from this story, many talks given, and so much symbolism. For a certain year and a half span of time I used this picture as a means to teach. I feel it is one of hope, courage, charity, faith and healing. The actual scriptural account is found in John Chapter 5. I will write in more detail about it later.

So, a little over two years ago I realized just how incredibly much I had to work on to improve. I think we all have those times in life where we realize there's a lot to adjust within us. At this time I realized a lot at once, and it was a bit overwhelming. Then I saw this picture. And I thought of the scripture Ether 12:27

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Just cute pictures :D

Cute. Yes? I think we all have the desire to dance freely.

If I were to write an ode to something

If I were to write an ode to something...I think it might be my toothbrush.

What a magical tool that can take away bad breathe, gross fuzzies, and prevent a painful time at the dentist just by using two or three times a day. What a blessing in life - a toothbrush.