Say Something Nice

Have you ever watched 19 kids & counting?  I really like that show.  Whenever I watch it, I'm inspired and I want to be better.  In one particular show, I remember the mom and dad (Michelle & Jim Bob Duggar) talking about how every night they go around the room and each person will say one nice thing about everyone else there.  After each compliment made, everyone would clap.  They said that clapping after, multiplies that compliment by the times however many people are there.  For example, for the Duggers, a kid would compliment their sibling and everyone else clapping, making that 1 compliment 20xs (2 parents + 18 kids) more powerful.  I thought that was pretty amazing.

Receiving compliments are fun to get.  It makes you feel good about yourself AND it boosts you confidence.  giving compliments are also fun to give.  It makes you focus on what you admire about the other person (and maybe not so much on the bad stuff :) and it makes you feel good that you made that other person happy.

I thought that this was a VERY awesome thing to start with my own family.  We decided to do it at the end of the day, right before saying family prayer.  Me and Cam thought that that would be a perfect time to do it because sometimes, we get overwhelmed with the kids.  Seems like they're not listening and not doing what we want them to do and everyone ends up being upset.  This should NOT be the feeling while saying family prayer.  Instead of it being a time to actually talk to Heavenly Father, it ends up being just a check off the "things-we're-suppose-to-be-doing" list.  I figure that saying something nice about everyone in the room would break whatever bad feeling or anger that is being felt and we would have a nice family prayer.

I've been wanting to do this for a while but actually just started doing it about 2 weeks ago.  I have already been seeing a difference.  Na'u LOVES it!   The very first time we did it, it was just me, Cameron, and Na'u.  Iwi was on Moloka'i.  I went first and we all clapped.  Then Cam went and everyone clapped.  When it was Na'u's turn, she was a little shy and didn't know what to say.  So, I whispered to her something about Cameron for her to say and then Cameron did the same thing for me.  She was HAPPY that she contributed.

Here are some different comments that have been made thus far-

Daddy-I like your smile.  I like how you take care of Na'u when she's sick.

Mommy-I like that you cook for us.  I like your long hair.

Na'ulei-I like how you share your toys.  I like how you help with Loli'i.

Iwi Boy-I like how you are learning your colors.  I like it when you're nice to your sister.

Loli'i-I like your gummy smile.  I like that you are eating all of your food and vegetables.

Now, after doing this everyday for the past 2 weeks, I have already seen a difference.  Just yesterday, Na'u at breakfast, asked if she could say something nice about everyone.  I told her sure and she did.  Last night, she wanted to go first AND again after everyone had a turn.  You can tell that she likes to say nice things about everyone else.  She is even the one to remember to say something about Loli'i because most of the time he is already sleeping in his crib by the time we do it.  Iwi doesn't quite take part in it just yet.  We try to whisper something for him to say but with his limited speech, the compliment doesn't make out :).  I'm sure though that one day soon he will.

I know that there are things that we need to work on but I know that doing this, pushes us in the right direction of being kind to one another and recognizing how special the other members of our family are.  I think that you all should start this.  I am sure that this will only strengthen our family relationships because family is what matters most.

WE WERE BORN TO BE KINGʻS AND QUEENʻS

                                                                           

This story was taken from a talk given by Bishop Vaughn J. Featherstone in the November 1975 New Era. It has such a wonderful message that I just had to share it.

Many years ago I heard the story of the son of King Louis XVI of France. King Louis had been taken from his throne and imprisoned. His young son, the prince, was taken by those who dethroned the king. They thought that inasmuch as the king’s son was heir to the throne, if they could destroy him morally, he would never realize the great and grand destiny that life had bestowed upon him.

They took him to a community far away, and there they exposed the lad to every filthy and vile thing that life could offer. They exposed him to foods the richness of which would quickly make him a slave to appetite. They used vile language around him constantly. They exposed him to lewd and lusting women. They exposed him to dishonor and distrust. He was surrounded 24 hours a day by everything that could drag the soul of a man as low as one could slip. For over six months he had this treatment—but not once did the young lad buckle under pressure. Finally, after intensive temptation, they questioned him. Why had he not submitted himself to these things—why had he not partaken? These things would provide pleasure, satisfy his lusts, and were desirable; they were all his. The boy said, “I cannot do what you ask for I was born to be a king.”

Our father is a king and we were all born to be kingʻs and queenʻs. How wonderful life would be if we truly understood our nobility and conducted ourselves accordingly despite the filth, degradation, and pervertedness that may come our way. This world would be a different place if everyone acted and treated one another with the knowledge of our divine potential.

IMUA KĀKOU

I hope by now that everyone has had the opportunity to visit our blog and if you werenʻt already reading the scriptures, you have all jumped on the ‘ohana band wagon and begun reading The Book of Mormon.  For those of us who may need a push, a jab, maybe a shove, or a kick (LOL), in the right direction, President Spenser W. Kimball taught the profound principal that PROCRASTINATION leads to the loss of exaltation.

 “One of the most serious human defects in all ages is procrastination, an unwillingness to accept personal responsibilities now. … Many have allowed themselves to be diverted and have become … addicts to mental and spiritual indolence and to the pursuit of worldly pleasure” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 4–5).

 Some of you may be wondering what the word indolence means. According to the dictionary, it means the state of having or showing a disposition to avoid exertion; slothful, lazy, idle. We get the picture, right?? So, for those of us who have been "procrastinating"on scripture study or any other important spiritual matter in our lives, Donald Hallstrom of the First Quorum of the Seventy said,

"Now is the time to exercise our faith. Now is the time to commit to righteousness. Now is the time to do whatever is required to resolve our undesired circumstances. Now is the time to reconcile with God through the merciful process of change afforded us by the Redeemer of mankind."

If you are interested, I found some scripture study techniques that may be helpful in your study of, The Book of Mormon. Click here In D&C 88:118 it sayʻs, 

"Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." 

I know that by making the scriptures a meaningful part of our lives we will be blessed as we become "doers" of the word and not "hearers" only;)

 

Read the Book of Mormon in 100 Days

Our first family scripture study goal will be to read the Book of Mormon. Here is the link, http://www.theideadoor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=319, to the program we will be using. It has the assigned reading for the day, as well as a quote, and a thought question to ponder on. The study of the Book of Mormon comes with great promises that can be ours.

"I feel certain that if in our homes parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope and charity-the pure love of Christ- will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake, peace, joy, and happiness"          

                                                     President Marion G. Romney

If we all begin this month (Nov. 2011), it will take us into February, 2012.  Please let us know from time to time how you are all doing in your reading scripture goals. If you have learned something new or understand a principal differently or better, please share.  It will certainly help the rest of us too. I am excited to be doing this with all of you and look forward to the growth our family will experience as we make the scriptures a meaningful part of our lives.

                            "You have not failed until you quit trying"  

                                                                                          Gordon B, Hinckley

Watch this video.

Spiritual Checklist

I thought that a spiritual checklist would be a great place for us all to begin. Please take time to go through the list and see where you and your family are right now. We will retake the same test in six months to see how we have improved our scores. Setting goals and being accountable will help us move forward and work toward making progress in our lives.

1. Do you have your daily personal prayers both morning and night?
2. Do you have daily family prayers both morning and night?
3. Do you have daily personal scripture study?
4. Do you have daily family scripture study?
5. Are you holding weekly family home evening?
6. If you are a temple member, do you have a current recommend?
7. If you are a temple member, have you gone to the temple at least once this year?
8. Do you hold a position in your ward? (Visiting teacher/Hometeacher)
9. Do you serve the Lord faithfully to the best of your ability?
10. Are you a full tithe payer?
11. Do you have a picture of the Savior in your home?
12. Do you have a picture of the temple in you home?
13. Do you keep the sabbath day holy?
14. Do you want your score to improve?

Add up all of your individual yes and no answers and post them here in the comments section below. For instance, 6 yes and 8 no, that way we all have an accounting of how we are all doing individually and as a family. There is no judgement involved just some place where we can start to improve our lives. In May of 2012 we will do the same test and see our progress:)