I delight in being inspired.

I've decided for the next few weeks, I'll mostly be posting a series of my favorite inspirational phrases. They're not really quotes because none of them are longer than a line, but they're all essentially lessons I've learned that have greatly impacted my life. Please share things that have inspired you or 'one-liner' lessons you've learned. Somedays I'll share stories about how I learned the lesson and other days, I'll just share the lesson. And so, for today...here you go:

"Be so good at what you do that they cannot ignore you."

Last night I went to a screening of the documentary film MissRepresentation. While I can't say I would necessarily recommend it due to some graphic images, I think its a phenomenal movie. And the images aren't anything you haven't seen before. The basis of the movie is how women are represented in film and media. What we worry about. What we allow to consume our thoughts and the focus of our time. Its sad really. We as women must not allow our divine nature and character to be demoralized by degrading media that constantly advertises that being a 'real' woman is dependent on our relationship with men and how we look. Someone during the course of the movie mentioned that if women spent 10% of the time they spend worrying about their weight and how they look on just doing good, we could change the world.

As I drove home and reflected on the role of women from the perspective of the gospel, I couldn't help but smile as I recognized how women are empowered by the true restored doctrines in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I truly believe that God wants a powerful people, powerful men and powerful women. The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world, that is power and that power is not to be taken lightly. We can impact lives in a very unique and wonderful way thus it is our responsibility as women to be well educated, to know who we are, why we're here, and to recognize the impact we can have on those around us.

As I discussed life and the gospel with my Mom yesterday, we talked about how serving in the church, specifically serving other women can be hard sometimes. But life isn't supposed to be a 'hoodie of happiness.' The armor of God was not designed to be comfortable it was designed to help us bring about the work of salvation.

Let us be inspired to do a little more good. Let us take a stand in not supporting forms of women that don't represent women in appropriate ways.

What does all this have to do with the initial quote? Well its from the movie and I think its profound. YOU can make a difference in the world, don't doubt that. Sometimes though, it takes being so good at what you do that no one can ignore you.

I delight in the ability to persevere.

I say that like it already happened...but it hasn't.

Most people have hit the end of the term or are hitting it, in other words, they're almost done with the semester.

I am one of the lucky people who isn't done for THREE more weeks.

I'm only 1/2 complaining with that comment. I love school and I'm grateful to have time to do all the paperwork, studying, etc that this semester still holds for me.

I am complaining in that I'm itching to go somewhere, do something different. If I have to write one more report I fear my brain will implode. Spring break was too long ago.

And so, the ability to persevere...a much needed ability right now.

I delight in learning and growth.

In an informal survey that I requested be taken among 150 young adults, they were asked to list three resolutions they felt would help them become happier and more successful during the new year. Almost everyone in the survey (98 percent) included resolutions to increase their spirituality. Two out of three (68 percent) indicated they would like to improve their social skills. Half (49 percent) indicated a desire to improve their physical fitness, and half (48 percent) wanted to grow intellectually. Everyone indicated a desire to improve. After all, self-improvement by coming unto Christ is at the heart of why we are here in mortality.

In the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior is recorded as saying, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48). In the Joseph Smith Translation, the first part of that sentence is rendered, “Ye are therefore commanded to be perfect” (JST, Matt. 5:50). The translation of the Greek word for perfect means “complete, finished, fully developed.” Some biblical analysts indicate that the suggestion to become perfect is exaggerated idealism or scriptural hyperbole. We as Latter-day Saints believe that the Savior meant what he said and that becoming like our Father in Heaven and the Savior is a commandment, not just a suggestion. We should strive continually to be more like them. After his resurrection, the Savior asked his disciples, “What manner of men ought ye to be?” and then answered, “Even as I am” (3 Ne. 27:27).

Only one verse of scripture in the entire King James Version of the New Testament suggests what the Savior did to develop himself from age twelve until he began his formal ministry at age thirty: “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52; see JST, Matt. 3:24–26). In other words, the Savior developed in the same areas indicated on the poll: intellectually (in wisdom and knowledge), physically (in stature), socially (in favor with man), and spiritually (in favor with God).

I am convinced that if we make and keep resolutions in those four areas, we will have a happier and more successful new year this coming year and every year for the rest of our lives. Let’s consider the nature of such resolutions and the benefits that can be ours if our resolve to improve ourselves is firm.

Resolution number one: I resolve to expand my intellectual horizons, to increase in wisdom. This year, commit to read good books throughout your life. Some people learn to read but don’t read very much. A few years ago, a disturbing poll indicated that 56 percent of college graduates never read a book all the way through after their schooling. We might ask ourselves, Are we reading? Are we growing in wisdom?

The scriptural commandment to us is to “seek … out of the best books words of wisdom” and “become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues, and people” (D&C 88:118; D&C 90:15; emphasis added). What we choose to read will make a huge difference in the development of our minds and character.

We cannot justify mentally shifting into neutral and failing to exert our efforts to progress intellectually. In 1838 Sidney Rigdon, a member of the First Presidency, addressed a group of relatively new members of the Church, some of whom apparently thought all they had to do was be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then just sit back and wait to receive the celestial glory. He said: “Vain are the hopes of those who embrace the gospel, and then suppose … they have nothing more to do. … The great God … never thought of … raising up a society of ignoramuses, but of men and women of intelligence … as high as human nature was susceptible” (Elders’ Journal, Aug. 1838, p. 53).

So the challenge is the same for us all—to continue learning throughout our lives, and especially learning more about the gospel.

--Elder Joe J. Christensen (whole talk can be found here)

I delight in talents.

Today, Craig told me that a relative moved into the singles ward. Really? I said. This might be typical for a lot of people, but not for us. Of course, Craig, being a family history whiz and all, puts connections together much better than I do. All he needed to hear was the last name Hinckley and the state of Washington and his wheels were turning. I on the other hand, didn't even know we were related to any Hinckley's. Anyway...I'm sure at this point, Craig went home and checked through the databases to see if this kid was indeed related. Well, today he sat next to the kid and inquired. Craig's passion of family history can get him to do a lot of things he wouldn't typically do...like sitting down and initiating a conversation with someone. Anyway, indeed his suspicion was correct. Craig asked the boy if he was related to a Rhonda Hinckley and sure enough, it was his Grandma. And so, somehow, through my great grandparents...we're related. Don't ask me how. That's why I have Craig as a brother, he's always just a phone call away. I appreciate this talent that Craig has. I appreciate how many lives he blesses through the work that he does. I also appreciate the diligence with which he searches for family members and his bravery in contacting people he doesn't even know. Very very cool.

I delight in Divine Comedy.

BYU Divine Comedy as a whole, is hilarious. After watching about 4 clips I felt so reassured about all I had experienced during my days at BYU...it really happened! Anyway, post-BYU graduation and a mission (where I got to watch the movie The Testaments possibly a few too many times) I currently find myself at the school north of Happy Valley where things like this...just don't happen. And so if you know BYU or you know the testaments...this will be wholarious...enjoy. Afterward, check out BYU Divine Comedy's other act called Firebolt if you want a good HP (Harry Potter) laugh.

I delight in beautiful snow.

Someone once told me eskimos had 16 words for snow. Wikipedia just informed me that wasn't true. But according to me (and wikipedia can't be wrong about me) there are 3 kinds of snow...

1. Blowey snow: hello maritimes. Supposedly the snow is falling down but it swirls around so much its like the charlie brown song, "the snow grows up just like the flowers."

2. Snowball snow: again, not so common here in Utah (home of supposedly the "best snow on earth" but in the maritimes there's a saying "big snowflakes, short snow, little snowflakes, long snow."

3. Beautiful snow: this snow is my favorite. It seems to be in now rush. It falls at its own rate and in its own time. This snow is my favorite for taking pictures (see above). This snow is my favorite for being out and about in. Its like living in a snow globe. This is the snow that has been falling for and entire 24 hours now...I have yet to be sick of it.

I delight in wise words of wisdom.

46O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.

Book of Mormon, Alma 37:46