Challenges that tax our faith are usually opportunities to stretch and strengthen our faith by finding out we really believe the Lord will help us.

The only way to be happy is to live the gospel. It is not possible to sin enough to be happy. It isn't possible to buy enough to be happy, or to entertain or indulge or pamper ourselves enough to be happy. Happiness and joy come only when we are living up to who we are.

It is simple not for us to judge each other. The Lord has reserved that right for Himself, because only He knows our hearts and understands the varying circumstances and complexities of our lives.

Joy is carried into the hearts of men and women by the Holy Ghost, who is unimpressed by bank accounts, titles, or products that roll off the assembly line. It is quite possible to be happy without owning much of this world's goods. It is not possible, however, to be truly happy without the abiding, sustaining presence of the Holy Ghost.

-The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.

-People too weak to follow their own dreams will always find a way to discourage yours.

-In life we do things. Some we wish we had never done. Some we wish we could replay a million times in our heads. But they all make us who we are. And in the end they shape every detail about us. If we were to reverse any of them we wouldn't be the person we are. So jus live, make mistakes, have wonderful memories but never second guess who you are, where you have been and most importantly where it is you're going.

-I use sarcasm because beating the crap out of people is in fact frowned upon in most societies. (haha had to add that one :)

-Taking time to do nothing often brings everything into perspective.

-Don't base your decisions on advice from people who don't have to deal with the results.

-Believe in your dreams. Believe in today. Believe that you are loved. Believe that you can make a different. Believe we can build a better world. Believe when others might not. Believe there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Believe that you might be that light for someone else. Believe that the best is yet to be. Believe in each other. Believe in yourself. Believe in you. BELIEVE

-Be silly, Be honest, Be kind.

-There are so many people out there who will tell you that you can't. What you've got to do is turn around and say, "watch me."

-Next time you're stressed: take a sep back, inhale and laugh. Remember who you are and why you're here. You're never given anything in this world that you can't handle. Be strong, be flexible, love yourself, and love others. Always remember, just keep moving forward.

-Don't like me? Cool, I don't wake up every day to impress you. :)

-The armor of God. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

-Sometimes the person who tried to keep everyone happy, is always the most lonely person so never leave them alone, because they will never say that they need you.

-Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.

-Only god can turn a mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, a victim into a victory.

-Forgiveness. Anyone can hold a grudge, but it takes a person with character to forgive. When you forgive, you real ease yourself from a painful burden. Forgiveness doesn't mean what happened was okay, and it doesn't mean that person should still be welcome in your life. It just means you have made peace with the pain and are ready to let it go.

-Choose being kind over being right, and you'll be right every time.

The Mayonnaise Jar

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day is not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and two cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and fills it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured it into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “YES”.

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

“Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - God, family,
children, health, friends, and favorite passions. Things, that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and car. The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.” he said.

“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “There is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are
important to you...” he told them.

“So... pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Worship with your family. Play with your children. Take your partner out to dinner. Spend time with good friends. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the dripping tap. Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled and said, “I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

(You could leave the coffee part out but it is good nonetheless)