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"Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength."
-- Arnold Schwarzenegger

Oh dear Arnold.  How I love your wisdom.  And biceps.

I'm grateful for:
1. Today being my Friday!  Granted, I have a weekend CME conference, but it's in Park City with soon to be excellent company.  So, blessing
2.  Home teachers Josh and Mikey making the trip in the rain to come and visit.  Josh, as always, was full of insights and dearest Mikey gave such a sweet prayer.
3.  Dearest friend calling to report he was entirely "functional" today in that he entirely served those in his area.  I don't know if he'd call it that, but I will.  He's rising from the "mess" to be something better.  It made me think of Josh's quote tonight:

“I believe,” said President Thomas S. Monson, “the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives.”

4

"The art of being attentive is a journey to the seat of oneself."

I'm grateful for:

1.  being on my A game today at work.

2.  meeting a few new friends tonight at a ward activity.  I went to a German Christmas concert this past December with Charity and another gal whom I just re-met tonight.  I think her name was Kim :/ Must get better at this.  But!  Dave, a fella that I met my first week in the ward, came up and provided excellent conversation for a good chunk of the evening.  Biochemistry major turned philosopher.  Well read, loves music and the arts.  It's shocking to find a man that loves poetry.  (Kristi, he has his Masters in Library Science!)  I half want to set him up with one of my girlfriends, but I need to do a bit more research.

3.  laughing on the phone with Jason tonight.  Just thinking of it now makes me smile.  I told a girlfriend once what I'm looking for in a man (aside from the 3 "P's" as you already know) is one with whom I can wholeheartedly laugh.  And, friends, this house is filled with the glorious sound as of late :)

Exercise: 4 mile jog, and again the lovely walk to my car. 

3

I'm grateful for:
a.  NyQuil
b.  the extra soft Kleenex
c.  laptops.  I'm typing this from my bed as I keep one eye open.  sleep tight my friends

Exercise: spinning class and walk to my car in BFE parking lot after work

2

I'm grateful for:
1. making it through to the end of the day.  I woke up this morning with the classic symptoms of a viral infection (headache, body aches, productive cough, malaise) and I seriously debated about calling in sick.  But I didn't want to leave Dr. A alone to fend for himself with a full load of patients.  So I decided to buck it up and get the work done.
2. having a rewarding job.  I am starting to love this bit of work, and I'm realizing there is such opportunity for growth.  I can explore research if I wish, or improve current practice, etc.  The world awaits!
3. a lovely chat on the way home with Angel.  Great gal with great advice.


Exercise: I am seriously beat, but there's always enough energy to dance in the kitchen :)

1

“The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead; we remember that faith is always pointed toward the future.”  Jeffrey R. Holland, Created for Greater Things

I'm grateful for:
1.  My new friends Nicoletta and Sandra that I met on my walk up the canyon today.  They gave me great suggestions for things to do in the area.  Twilight series, movie at the capital, concerts at Red Butte Gardens
2.  Spending time on Skype with my family.  We had a mini FHE tonight with a scripture and song and all.  Mom chose the song "Families Can Be Together Forever" and Dad shared Joshua 1:9.  It was lovely
3.  My dad still acting like a kid.  As we were chatting, I could see him slowly move on the screen with Cheetos put in his mouth like a walrus.  And then he'd stick one out of his ear, or up his nose, or coming out of his glasses.  It was absolutely hilarious.


Exercise: 6 mile walk up the canyon