1. Thing Work Out by: Edgar A. Guest
Because it rains when we wish it wouldn't,
because men do what they often shouldn't,
because crops fail, and plans go wrong
some of us grumble all day long.
But somehow, in spite of the care and doubt,
it seems at last that things work out.
Because we lose where we hoped to gain,
because we suffer a little pain,
because we must work when we'd like to play
some us whimper along life's way.
But somehow, as day always follows the night,
most of our troubles work out all right.
Because we cannot forever smile,
because we must trudge in the dust awhile,
because we think that the way is long
some of us whimper that life's all wrong.
But somehow we live and our sky grows bright,
and everything seems to work out all right.
So bend to your trouble and meet your care,
for the clouds must break, and the sky grow fair.
Let the rain come down, as it must and will,
but keep on working and hoping still.
For in spite of the grumblers who stand about,
somehow, it seems, all things work out.
Even though life may not be how some people imagined it everything works out in the end. It's all in our attitude.
2. Spencer W. Kimball Learns From a Friend
Harold B. Lee and Spencer W. Kimball had much in common and were close friends. Elder Kimball followed Elder Lee in joining the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, so they were always next to each other in seating and in seniority, which helped develop the kinship. They even shared the same birthday; Elder Kimball was actually four years older than Elder Lee, but had great respect for the man who was his senior in the Quorum.
The following story was told by Sister Norma B. Ashton, wife of Elder Marvin J. Ashton:
"President Kimball said he always admired this friend so very much; in fact, he almost envied President Lee for his talents. He took every occasion to tell Elder Lee how he felt. Often he would say, 'Harold, I wish I could play the organ as you do.' 'Harold, you speak so well. I wish I could do as well.' 'Harold, you can see the gist of a problem in such a short time. I wish my mind were so clear.' Then, related President Kimball, in one of their weekly meetings in the temple President Lee made a fine presentation to the other members of the Twelve. As they walked out of the temple together, again President Kimball turned to his friend and said, 'You did a magnificent job with your report this morning. I wish I could do as well as you do.'
'Well,' said President Kimball with a twinkle in his eyes, 'I guess Harold had had enough. He stopped, put his hands on his hips, and, looking me straight in the eye, said, 'Spencer, the Lord doesn't want you to be a Harold B. Lee. All he wants is for you to be the best Spencer W. Kimball you can be.' And would you say that he has be very successful in doing that?
This is an answer for all of us. All the Lord asks of us is to be the best we can be with what we have."
If God wanted us to be someone else, He would have made us someone else. But, since he made you you, there MUST be a reason.
3. Plain Old Oyster by: Anonymous
There once was an oyster, whose story I'll tell
who found that some sand, had gotten into his shell
it was only a grain, but caused him great pain.
For oysters have feelings, though they are plain.
Now, did he berate the harsh working of fate,
that have brought him to such a deplorable state?
"No," he said to himself "Since I cannot remove it,
I'll lie in my shell, and think of how to improve it."
The years rolled around, as the years always do,
and he came to his ultimate destiny...stew.
Now the small grain of sand that had bothered him so,
was a beautiful pearl, all richly aglow,
This tale has a moral, for isn't it grand,
what and oyster can do, with a morsal of sand?
Think...what could we do, if we'd only begin,
with some of the things, that get under our skin.
If we let everything that goes wrong, or every mean word said to us, or every mean look, get to us our life is going to really suck! If we keep being so worried about what the words that are critical towards us lead us down a life of bitterness our life is going to be full of worry, and self correction. Life is NOT meant to be that way. It's meant to be enjoyed, and to be loved. Plain. As. That. Pretty much like day.
4. The Girl in the Glass by: Dale Wimbrow
When you get what you want in your struggle for pelf,
and the world makes you queen for a day,
then go to the mirror and look at yourself,
and see what that girl has to say.
For it isn't your father, mother, or husband,
whose judgement upon you must pass.
The feller whose verdict counts most in your life
is the girl staring back from the glass.
She's the girl to please, never mind all the rest,
for she's with you clear to the end,
and you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the girl in the glass in your friend.
You may be life Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum,
and think you're a wonderful girl,
but the woman in the glass says you're only a bum
if you can't look her straight in the eye.
You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
and get the pats on the back as you pass,
but your final reward will be heartaches and tears
if you've cheated the girl in in the glass.
You're you, that's it. You can't turn around and try to be someone else that's just a waste of the person you are. If you have to be anyone why not you?! Don't try and mold yourself into someone else, when you're already molded into a beautiful, gorgeous sculpture.
Dear you,
You're pretty wonderful. There is no one in the world who is like you. I think that the different in all of us is good. What you can't do at the moment someone else can, and what they can't you can. The point of life is to learn, teach, and love yourself and others, and the reward for that is God's kingdom. Don't try to be someone else because you won't be able to do it like they do. Love yourself. And life, because what more is there?
-Samantha :)
Apply that ^ to YOUR life. Rather than my name, put yours.
