The Little Things
My name is Alyssa, and I am recovering from a temper.
There have been a lot of moments lately that I have quickly chosen to be mad.
One example is this class that I just get really frustrated in because the entire class is based on Steven Covey's books about being effective in life. How annoying. What's even more annoying is that I agree with most of what he says, but for some reason he still makes me mad. I get so annoyed. Like dude, it's okay if we aren't perfect. We know you aren't either so stop acting like you know it all. Studying and practicing is very different my friend.
One thing that he talks about is to listen to understand, not just to get your point across or for your opportunity to talk. He brings up some really good points about how most people just need to be listened to. And I have found that to be true, if people want advice they will ask for it. If people want you to chime in then they will give you time to speak and make it a conversation. But most times people just need to be heard and let that action translate into the sensation of feeling needed, wanted, and loved.
I love to give advice, and I love to chime into conversations. But in the last couple years I have had to learn the art of JUST listening instead of chiming in all the time. I love talking so it is hard. It's been about 5 or 6 years since beginning to work at this goal but it isn't easier than it was before, just more natural than before, and I work harder and harder at it.
Lucky for me, I have a cute two-year old in the house. Little Poppy likes to cause tons of chaos and of course likes to have everything her way. This gives me lots of opportunities to practice my listening skills. And when she wants something that for some reason sounds like logic coming from a two-year old, I try to comply.
We look out for each other too, it isn't just one way, when she wants to say something I listen but when I need to talk about something she takes her turn to listen.
Today, she got to listen to me and I cried and tried to explain my feelings in a way that was appropriate for a child to understand. Little Poppy cupped my face in her hands as I lifted her up and she asked me what was wrong. She kept asking why I was mad. I don't get angry often, so she was really concerned about this.
Poppy holding me and making sure I was okay made me burst into tears. [I don't cry a lot despite these posts.] I didn't want to be mad, but I was so full of anger in that moment that it all just came out the eye sockets.
I've been thinking lately, spiritually defining moments don't have to come in humungous momentous happenings, they come daily through regular life stuff. My daily decisions are impacting my spirituality so why not my defining moments? It only makes sense that I can receive spiritually defining moments any time as long as I am looking to follow my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I am so grateful He will accept me for who I am and help me become more like Him as I reach out to Him. His arm is truly always extended towards us, He will answer our prayers, He will bless our families, He will always love you, and all of us. We are His. He will not leave us wanting.
Elder Gong said, "Some years ago, as Sister Gong and I met a lovely family, their young daughter, Ivy, shyly brought out her violin case. She lifted out the violin bow, tightened and put rosin on it. Then she put the bow back in the case, curtsied, and sat down. A new beginner, she had just shared all she knew about the violin." I think I am just like Ivy in life, I want to show my loved ones and Christ what I know, and then realize I still have SO MUCH MORE to learn. That's okay. Do you ever feel like Ivy?
There have been a lot of moments lately that I have quickly chosen to be mad.
One example is this class that I just get really frustrated in because the entire class is based on Steven Covey's books about being effective in life. How annoying. What's even more annoying is that I agree with most of what he says, but for some reason he still makes me mad. I get so annoyed. Like dude, it's okay if we aren't perfect. We know you aren't either so stop acting like you know it all. Studying and practicing is very different my friend.
One thing that he talks about is to listen to understand, not just to get your point across or for your opportunity to talk. He brings up some really good points about how most people just need to be listened to. And I have found that to be true, if people want advice they will ask for it. If people want you to chime in then they will give you time to speak and make it a conversation. But most times people just need to be heard and let that action translate into the sensation of feeling needed, wanted, and loved.
I love to give advice, and I love to chime into conversations. But in the last couple years I have had to learn the art of JUST listening instead of chiming in all the time. I love talking so it is hard. It's been about 5 or 6 years since beginning to work at this goal but it isn't easier than it was before, just more natural than before, and I work harder and harder at it.
Lucky for me, I have a cute two-year old in the house. Little Poppy likes to cause tons of chaos and of course likes to have everything her way. This gives me lots of opportunities to practice my listening skills. And when she wants something that for some reason sounds like logic coming from a two-year old, I try to comply.
We look out for each other too, it isn't just one way, when she wants to say something I listen but when I need to talk about something she takes her turn to listen.
Today, she got to listen to me and I cried and tried to explain my feelings in a way that was appropriate for a child to understand. Little Poppy cupped my face in her hands as I lifted her up and she asked me what was wrong. She kept asking why I was mad. I don't get angry often, so she was really concerned about this.
Poppy holding me and making sure I was okay made me burst into tears. [I don't cry a lot despite these posts.] I didn't want to be mad, but I was so full of anger in that moment that it all just came out the eye sockets.
I am so grateful He will accept me for who I am and help me become more like Him as I reach out to Him. His arm is truly always extended towards us, He will answer our prayers, He will bless our families, He will always love you, and all of us. We are His. He will not leave us wanting.
Elder Gong said, "Some years ago, as Sister Gong and I met a lovely family, their young daughter, Ivy, shyly brought out her violin case. She lifted out the violin bow, tightened and put rosin on it. Then she put the bow back in the case, curtsied, and sat down. A new beginner, she had just shared all she knew about the violin." I think I am just like Ivy in life, I want to show my loved ones and Christ what I know, and then realize I still have SO MUCH MORE to learn. That's okay. Do you ever feel like Ivy?
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