Thought Patterns

I heard on the radio a while back that psychologists have discovered if they can catch teenagers who are starting to have Polarized thought patterns early they can help them prevent a lifetime of mental illness. Since then, I have often thought we need to be careful with our thought patterns and keep them positive. That we should be careful about thought patterns of how we react to people, thought patterns of when we go out in public, thought patterns when we go to church, or talk to our children about chores, etc. I've noticed that I let too many "environmental" factors influence my thought patterns. I have also discovered that I can control many of the environmental factors and thus help my thought patterns. Music, is a great influence. Worthy music can to great things as I have had eluded to before. T.V. can eat my brain or give it something to hope for or just plain distract me from better things. Pondering, meditation and books are good disciplines for my thought patterns. Exercise coupled with either listening to gospel messages or reading gospel messages seems help my thought patterns jump to higher levels of understanding. It is probably all the oxygen. Shrug.




Do you all have any thoughts on thought patterns?

"Listen To the Still Small Voice"

One of my son's favorite songs is, "Listen to the Still Small Voice."  I've thought a bit about that this week and times I have listened and times I have not.   I realize not everyone believe in the Holy Ghost but, there have been too many times, and too many clear thoughts come for me not to believe.  Today I remembered a time 19 years ago that I saw a man walking by my house as I pulled out to go to a dance.  He had something on his shoulder that looked like rope or a hose or something.  I felt a strong impression to talk to him and I didn't.  The impression grew so much that I turned around in my car and looked for him.  I wasn't able to find him.   The next day I learned that a college student had been to visit some girls that rented from our neighbors and borrowed a hose from them and then killed himself from the fumes of his car.  I do not know if this was the same man I saw or not... but, I wish I had not hesitated.  I wish I would have talked to him.  "Listen to the Still Small Voice, listen, listen.  When you have to make a choice,  he will guide you, always." 

God is Love

I came across this quote today by Mother Teresa...  I thougth it fitting for this week's theme.

 “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”

"God is Love"

I think I may change things a little in my blog. Sometimes I feel I try to force profound thoughts or insight because, this is "Out-there." I may simplify it a little and add some funny things of life... like, what is up with our body always mutating or doing embarrassing things. Ever since I have had my gall badder out, if I consume a lot of "junk" food, then my body produces extra gas, yes I mean farts. Twice this last week at some family gatherings in the great outdoors, I could not control some little toots. sigh... yes everyone thought it funny and to this point have not let me forget about it. Sometimes I wish all my weaknesses were that simple and would just give others something to laugh about and then we could go on with life.


This week I'm pondering what it means to serve and truly love others and why do we say "God is Love?"

I'm not really sure right now. I will have to think about it.

Scatter Sunshine

I find it interesting when patterns emerge through the week.  This week as I frist thought about Scattering Sunshine, I thought I would think about serving others; instead, I found myself remembering times others lifted me up and brightened my day. 
I was also drawn to thoughts about courage and things that merited courage.  Reaching outside ourselves to brighten someone else's day, values, virtue, getting up in the morning sometimes takes courage.  Saying sorry takes courage.
After I thought about courage because of the lyrics of the songs, I happened to read Pres. Monson's talk about courage.  He challenged the young women to have courage in 3 elements of their lives.  He said,
"First, the courage to refrain from judging others;

Second, the courage to be chaste and virtuous; and
Third, the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness."
I have a huge spider in my garden, that I will have to have courage to kill but, mostly I pray I will have courage to speak up for truth and integrity.

Scatter Sunshine

The last couple of nights as I've sat down to "blog" a little and am reminded of my theme for the week, I've thought..."man, I wish I would have remembered this song in the middle of the day." So, here are some wish thoughts... it may or may not be healthy.

"I wish I would have "Scattered Sunshine" when,
I was getting my children off to school today.
When I drove my niece to school.
When I stood in line for 20 minutes with other busy people.
When I was alone with my son this afternoon.
When I said my prayers.
When I talked to my husband on the phone.
when, when, when,

It wasn't that I was negative, I just wish I would have had the song in my heart and I think I would have loved those around me a little better. Not in an annoying, hyper-positive, Snow White way... but, hopefully in a positive, gentle. fun, stable way. Guided by the Spirit, out-of-my own box way.

I am going to write myself a note, to hum, or sing this song to myself during the day (thanks for the reminder Kris).

And before I forget, Thanks to all you out there, who have Scattered Sunshine, in my life. I say this realizing most of those I should thank exist beyond this dimension of blogging but, it feels good to put it out there anyway.

Scatter Sunshine

Tonight, I read the versus to "Scatter Sunshine." One line really stood out:


"Oh, what care and sorrow
You may help remove,
With your songs and courage,
Sympathy and love."
It reminded me of the YouTube I saw of Susan Boyle and her song of courage. Watching her sing in front of that British Audience and the judges, that beautiful song, "I Dreamed a Dream." Wow, total sunshine to my soul. I got excited, I wanted to Dream Dreams, and follow my dreams and DO something. Acting with courage in truth, we scatter sunshine. We can't help it.

Often, it takes courage to scatter sunshine in today's politically correct world. Even without all the political correctness, it is hard to look at a stranger in the eye and smile as you go by, or give a compliment; yet it can make a difference.