Shine Project - Try something new

If you haven't noticed already,

every Friday I link up with The Shine Project

for the challenge that Ashley gives us.

These challenges lift and inspire me and help me to become better.

They help me to become my BEST SELF!

This week the challenge was to try something new!

This week has been a whirlwind. 

I have been super busy helping with Utah's Distinguished Young Women Program.

It has been busy but worth it in every single way.

I got the honor of talking to these girls (28 of them) 

about service...it was a dream come true.

I talked to these girls about gratitude, love and making others feel important.

I gave each of them a heart stone and told them to keep it with

them at all times throughout this week.

I told them to put it in their shoe or in their back pocket...

just anywhere that would feel really uncomfortable.

Any time they feel the pain of the stone and are reminded

of this little heart, they are to stop what they are

doing that moment and either serve someone or thank someone.

A little bit after, one of the girls came up to me and thanked me for the stone.

She said...."It's so awesome, it's working". 

I just smiled at her and said I am so glad.

I talked to these girls about gratitude and made them each some thank you cards

to carry with them everywhere they go.

This it where it relates to The Shine Project challenge.

I started carrying thank you notes with me this week every where I go.

I figured if I am challenging all these girls, I better challenge myself too.

So this week I really made an effort to thank others more.

Any time I get excellent service or just want to thank

someone for being nice, I hurry and take out my

thank you notes and I write a little note and I leave it with them.

Sometimes I even leave my business card with it.

It has really started to make a difference in my life and 

has left me feeling happier and more fulfilled.

I am so glad I got to try this new process this week.

In honor of this challenge

the thank you notes that are in my shop

are on sale this week

Use code THANK to get 40% off till January 24th!

I will try my absolute hardest to put more in the shop today!

Please enjoy this video of all the girls

volunteering at a very successful

Make a Wish Party!

Sunday Blessings

I have so much to be grateful for...

Serving - My sister is on the Peer Leadership Team for her high school and they were doing sub for Santa shopping. We got to go shopping  right before Christmas for hats, scarfs, coats and gloves and we had so much fun picking out warm clothing for those kids who were so desperately in need. We started to talk about how fun and neat it felt to be shopping for others and to forget our selves at the moment

The Miss America Pageant - Last night I watched it on ABC -- and my family and Jeffrey watched it with me. I felt so blessed that my family was so supportive to watch it with me and I even made crown shaped no bake cookies. It was so much fun and I felt so inspired by these girls. They make me want to work HARDER, practice my talents MORE and be a BETTER role model for the community and the world. These girls stand for something. These girls make me BELIEVE in my dreams.

{Congratulations to Laura Kaeppeler Miss America 2012...she will serve our country well!! :)}

Source: google.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Moments of inspiration - I had a dream last night that I was the relief society president of my singles ward and Jeffrey was the Elders quorum president. It was so inspiring to me because I knew that at every moment I never knew who was watching but I had to be an example for everyone. I knew I had to focus really hard on having compassion for everyone and really trying to get to know and love each of those girls. I felt empowered and I wanted to live a better life. I had so many ideas of uniting the ward together more and helping those girls realize just how special and amazing each of them is. It hit me that this is WHY I want to be Miss Murray so bad. To me Miss Murray and a relief society president are the SAME THING...it's all about serving and trying to be the best you can be. It hit me like a ton of bricks that I need to try harder to be a better me and everything will just magically fall into place.

My Eyes - I wear contacts. Yesterday I lost one of my contacts so I had to go around seeing out of only one eye. It was no fun and it was very hard to do. I could tell it was over working my eyesight too much in one of my eyes. It made me realize how grateful I am for my eye sight. My eyes allow me to do SO MANY THINGS!! I am so grateful that I can see and I pray that I can be a better support for those who can't.

Courage

I was so excited when Ashley from The Shine Project told us the challenge for the week

would be to do something you have needing to do that takes courage.

I immediately knew what I needed to do.

I needed to do something for my business that would not only

help my business grow but help me personally as well.

I knew I needed to call some friends that I hadn't talked to in a very long time.

I needed to book some parties to jump start my business.

Calling to make bookings scares me.

It really does and I have no reason for it to.

What if they say yes, then what?

What if they say no, does it mean they don't like me?

What if they judge me for doing Mary Kay because they have had 

a bad experience with a consultant in the past?

What if?

In reality though everyone has an opinion about EVERYTHING

so it simply does not matter what they think

because believe me...they will think something.

But the ONLY thing that matters is that I stay true to myself

and what I believe.

If they say no, who cares!!

I can't get the yes' if I don't get the No's!

I truly believe that if I go full force with my Mary Kay business

that I will change the lives of women's 

which will then change the lives of families

which will then lead to changing the world

and not only that but when people host a party with

me I donate 10% off all sales to a charity of the hostesses choosing!

So this week I got up the courage to call some friends and 

see if they would book a party with me.

Did it scare me? 

YES

Did it take all the courage I had inside of me? 

YES

Do I regret it?

ABSOLUTELY NOT

My friends were a lot more excited about it then 

I expected them to be.

AND it renewed those friendships that I was afraid of loosing!!

Source: google.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I LOVE COURAGE!

It may come deep from within but when you let it out

it just may change the world
and you just may find yourself living your dreams!

Fashion Show - The one I was in

Did I ever tell you I was in a fashion show?

Last year I was given a wonderful honor to model dresses 

for this amazing dress store in

trolley square.

It was so much fun and I

learned so much.

So for your Saturday entertainment...

ENJOY!

P.S. It is on my bucket list to hold a fashion show

for a really important cause.

One day I will do it!

Shine Project - How I can change the world

{Jacket: Abercrombie and Fitch; Dress: Thrifted; 

Leggings: American Eagle; Boots: Ross}

If I could change the world 

I would change how people feel about themselves.

I would allow EVERYONE to have self confidence

I would give everyone that HOPE

inside of them.

I would fight for little boys and girls to have higher

self esteem so that when they grow

up they can make better choices for the future!

When you feel good about yourself, you

go through life differently.

You go through each day as if it

REALLY MATTERS!

You are accepting and appreciating of others

because you are not trying to 

constantly compete and compare.

You wake up with a purpose in 

your life and you FIGHT for that purpose and you

allow NOTHING to hold you back!

I wish EVERYONE felt that way!

I wish everyone liked themselves!

I wish all girls felt beautiful!

I wish all boys believed in their dreams!

I wish the world wouldn't judge others 

and NO ONE felt inadequate.

Aren't we all just people?

Individuals that are each unique for a reason?

Humans that all have strengths and flaws?

We really could ALL change the world if we came together 

UNITED 

and made no one feel less than what they are.

That is why I have such a passion for my

program.

S.H.A.P.E.S.

Super Heroes and Princesses Envision Service

This is the program I will be taking to every 

Elementary School in my area.
It is a program where we can do hands on service
projects to allow kids to forget about their selves
and to remind them that they are
of royalty and they are IMPORTANT!!


My program may start small but it just may
end up changing the world.


One other way that I can make this difference is
by working my business.


I sell Mary Kay!!!
There are many in this world who think that 
Mary Kay is just going door to door
and selling lipstick.


It is not!!
IT IS SO MUCH MORE!
Mary Kay allows me to hold skin care parties 
with a PURPOSE.
A purpose of donating 20% of all my sales
to a non profit organization.
A purpose where I ask all attending the 
party to bring a book to donate for the library 
in Ecuador.


I can help women who struggle with self esteem 
to look and feel beautiful which then
allows them to go home
and just be in a good mood!
My Mary Kay business changes the lives of families.


I really believe with these two passions of mine
can and will change the world!

2012 Goals

I know some people don't really like to celebrate new years

but I am one that 100% wholeheartedly

 believes in it.

New years is my new beginning.

It is my chance to start over and to start new.

I feel empowered by it and that it is my 

REAL chance to change

for the better.

I am setting up some fabulous 2012 goals!

Here they are:

Source: pinkproducers.com via Ashley on Pinterest

1. Become a Mary Kay director by December 31, 2012

2. Have my blog reach at least 1,000 followers

3. Move on from Salt Lake Community College

4. Overcome some of my OCD problem

Source: google.com via Ashley on Pinterest

5. Be more toned and physically fit

Source: adsoftheworld.com via Ashley on Pinterest

6. Donate at least 200 books to ecuador

Source: wikihow.com via Ashley on Pinterest

7. Start some of the paper work for my nonprofit

Source: google.com via Ashley on Pinterest

8. Read The Book of Mormon {AGAIN}

Source: epherielldesigns.com via Ashley on Pinterest

9. Sell 50 items from my Etsy Shop

Source: google.com.au via Ashley on Pinterest

10. Publish a children's book


Yes these are BIG goals but why 
wouldn't I go after them?!?!
I don't have my own family or children yet
so this is MY TIME to make my
dreams come true and
help other people.


Ever since I was a little girl I was a dreamer.
It has come so natural to me
to believe in my dreams and chase after them
with all my heart whether it was
meant for me to achieve them or not. 


Faith in my dreams is something that I
have always known and I guess
that is definitely a blessing in my life.


I CAN achieve every single one of these dreams
on my list, it is just the way and order in
which I choose to tackle them.
I have to stay focused and go step by step so I don't 
overwhelm myself.


What are your goals and dreams?
You can achieve yours to you know.
Let's work on them together and be a support team
 for each other.
Who's in?!?!


I am linking up over at Just Lovely Things

Make a difference Monday - The 5 love languages

I'm so sorry it has been a couple weeks
since I have done a make a difference Monday post.


It is back though with a 
challenge at the end and a link up party.


You've all heard of the book 'The 5 love languages' right???

Well if not it is an amazing book

and a must read for all.

This book is about how there are 5 ways to
 express your love

to others and how we each have our own
individual way of how we interpret love from others.
Sometimes we have more than one
love language
and sometimes we ONLY have one so if someone is
trying to show us they love us in another 
language than our own, we may be missing it.

These 5 ways are:

Words of Affirmation

Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.

Quality Time

In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.

Receiving gifts

Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous—so would the absence of everyday gestures.

Acts of service

Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.

Physical touch

This language isn’t all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive.

What are you? - Take the quiz

These love languages don't have to relate to just married couples.

They can relate to us no matter who we are

and if we are married or single.

We are all just humans!

And humans want to be LOVED.

It really is just that simple.

So my challenge to you for the new year is simple:

1) Take the quiz to find out what love language you are

2) Think of something simple you could do for someone else 

using the love language that you are

{Examples are below}

This could be a close friend, a family member or even a stranger

3) Act on it

4) Come link back up NEXT Monday on Make A Difference Monday

Ideas on how to serve others

Check out the 5 love languages website - I took a lot of my info from this site

Be sure to link up below!

Rules

Link up any post on how you have made a difference in your own life or in the lives of others.

Place the Make A Difference Monday button somewhere on your blog or your post


Be sure to visit at least 2 others and share the comment love

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Sunday Blessings

Source: scubapaola.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

New Beginnings - I am so grateful for new starts and new years. I feel like new beginnings are here to motivate me and bring me a purpose. I have so many big plans and big dreams for the new year and I can't wait to put myself to work to do all that I need to to achieve them. I feel as if this year I start with a canvas that is completely white and I can add ANYTHING to it! What a great feeling that is to be able to paint my life in the direction I want it to go.

Source: facebook.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Moments of Fear that teach me Faith - Sometimes I have big fears that attack me. I hate the moments when I am full of fear and I can't seem to move past it but I think sometimes these moments come into my life to teach me. I am so grateful I have the choice to choose between faith and fear and I am so grateful that I have certain people and places to turn to when I am feeling alone and hopeless. Fear is an amazing lesson to me and I am still learning how to be wise against my fears but for now I am grateful that they teach me something and they shape me into the girl I am.

Source: amazon.com via Ashley on Pinterest

My desire to make a difference - I am so grateful for my desire and my passion to want to make a difference. I believe it is really going to allow me to start something that truly matters this year. I am so motivated to make a difference and I believe it is on of the greatest blessings for me and others that I have this passion. I REALLY want to start a nonprofit organization and I believe I can do it!