Cause we all know you miss seeing pictures of me after that two-post drought

Thanks, A for the sweet forearm warmers!! I love them.

DAK Daily Acts of Kindness- Jan 2012

I want to be known as someone who is kind. I want that to be legend. I don't want my main characteristic to be funny, cute, smart, or anything else. I want it to be that I'm kind. I have a lot to work on. I decided that should be one of my main goals for 2012. And in order to put that goal into action, I decided to find a system to be accountable for my actions/who I am. Good ol' President Thomas S. Monson said: 


“When we deal in generalities, we shall never succeed. When we deal in specifics, we shall rarely have a failure. When performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported, the rate of performance accelerates.” 


Inspired by my wonderful, amazing roommates from my last year at BYU (Ronnie/Kasia/Nicole), who all taught me what it means to be accountable for what you do for someone every day, I decided to make a record of daily acts of kindness during January. 


Here's my record: 
Jan 1- Instead of running off to do something else after church, I stayed to help fix lunch
Jan 2- Asked mom what I could do to help and then immediately went and did it (cleaned bathroom)
Jan 3-Did dishes at dinner to help out
Jan 4- Called back the girl who I visit teach even though I really didn't want to talk on the phone (yeah it's been a rough day, okay)
Jan 5-Instead of leaving the baby in the bouncer chair and using my time to clean up so I could go home on time, I had the thought to play with her because I knew she had been at day care all day and probably had not had one-on-one interaction.
Jan 6- Tried to be nice to my co-worker and resisted the urge to get offended when she was condescending. Told her I hope she has a nice day.
Jan 7- Supported a friend in my ward who was getting her Endowments out today by going to the session with her
Jan 8- Decided to sit next to someone in the ward that a lot of people talk poorly of.
Jan 9- Resisted the impulse to feel offended and was still nice to that person.
Jan 10- Smiled at a stranger
Jan 11- Tried to be really kind, genuine, and cheery on the phone after a long day.
Jan 12- Was friendly to my new co-worker at the gym.
Jan 13- Mopped the floor
Jan 14- Called one of my sisters to see how she was doing
Jan 15-Made garlic bread for the missionaries
Jan 16-Visit taught
Jan 17- Asked my co-worker about her weekend and tried to genuinely care. Tried to see co-workers as God sees them.
Jan 18- Noticed someone in Institute didn't bring scriptures, so I let her use mine and I shared with someone else
Jan 19- Read a book to the boy at my job at Fitness World when I could have been cleaning up so I could leave earlier. Sought to build kids, love kids, not just make sure they don't kill themselves.
Jan 20- Expressed emotions to parents instead of "shutting off" and running from problems. Tried to humble myself and confront issues (another rough day, ok)
Jan 21- Went to the temple. Tried to be kinder to Mom and less critical.
Jan 22-Gave someone the benefit of the doubt when I could have felt offended, hung out with some people all day to be nice, even though I felt like a third wheel
Jan 23-Told mom I loved her
Jan 24-Gave someone a sincere compliment
Jan 25-Attempted to be better at keeping in contact with old friends by writing them an email and telling them things I like about them
Jan 26-Rough day...uh...smiled at a stranger?
Jan 27-Made some scarves for children in the homeless shelter
Jan 28-Consciously tried to be less competitive during frisbee and to be kinder to people while playing
Jan 29- Made food for the missionaries, prayed for them, tried to get over the fact that I don't like one of them
Jan 30-Prepared the spiritual thought for FHE
Jan 31-Started planning a birthday party for my friend


Although I don't know if I'm any kinder a person than in December 2011 (it's always hard to measure these things), I can definitely testify that it's gotten me to be more aware of others and what I do every day, and also to be happier in general. I know that as we seek to serve others daily, we will be happier. I think that's a pretty awesome blessing in and of itself. 

I'll root for you.

I have really debated whether or not to post about this talk, because I feel I am so so so so so very far from implementing any and all of the principles within it. That said, just know that I am posting this with the hope that I  can remember and implement these awesome principles.


Talk: The Tongue Can Be A Sharp Sword by Marvin J. Ashton

"Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.


None of us need one more person bashing or pointing out where we have failed or fallen short. Most of us are already well aware of the areas in which we are weak. What each of us does need is family, friends, employers, and brothers and sisters who support us, who have the patience to teach us, who believe in us, and who believe we’re trying to do the best we can, in spite of our weaknesses. What ever happened to giving each other the benefit of the doubt? What ever happened to hoping that another person would succeed or achieve? What ever happened to rooting for each other?"


"The best and most clear indicator that we are progressing and coming unto Christ is the way we treat other people."


"Be one who nurtures and who builds. Be one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them. Be fair with your competitors, whether in business, athletics, or elsewhere. Don't get drawn into some of the parlance of our day and try to 'win' by intimidation or by undermining someone's character. Lend a hand to those who are frightened, lonely, or burdened."


"If we could look into each other's hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care."


"Let us open our arms to each other, accept each other for who we are, assume everyone is doing the best he or she can, and look for ways to help leave quiet messages of love and encouragement instead of being destructive or bashing."

Change

1. I am no longer wearing these shoes 24/7 like I did literally every day in December.

2. They have been replaced by these shoes. I never thought I'd say this, but yes. I wear pointy shoes. 

3. I no longer spend as long as I want hanging out in my cool new PJ's I got from Dorcas Thrift Store. 

4. Instead, I look like this every day. 

6. On average, I now consume 4 of these delicious delectables a day. I spend most of my 8 hour shift at the bank trying to overcome the temptation/delay giving into the temptation to eat them. They are free for customers, and free for me. I just discovered yesterday that there is a video camera that tapes me eating them, and is available to view in the break room. I consume most of these cookies from the time 11:00 am-2:00pm, which is also the time there are the most employees in the break room (presumably watching me get up to get another cookie...four times in a row). This knowledge, surprisingly, has not led me to decrease my intake as of yet. Stay tuned for further updates.

7. I have recently experienced the best Indian restaurant. Ever. Ever, ever.  

I will one day learn to make this ^

8. I am learning new things. I could tell you all about many of the laws surrounding financial institutions (are you bored yet?), or explain to you what a "home equity loan" is (maybe), or even give you tips on acting. When I first started the job, as I suspect is common with most jobs, I felt pretty incompetent. I quickly learned that acting the part is half the job, even if you aren't the part. Learned how to tell myself that I am competent, over and over again. Maybe I should buy a shirt. 

9. I am feeling grateful for the many little forget-me-not tender mercies that add sunshine to the otherwise grey. Like receiving a package from my sister Angela and her husband Brian with an awesome shirt in it, complete with the coolest rap I've ever heard.

Or maybe having a prayer answered about something small. Or maybe talking to one of my sisters and feeling so grateful to have someone to cry to. Or laugh with. Or both. Or maybe it's being able to sit in the sunshine during my lunch hour. Or maybe it's that my new co-workers are funny and make me laugh. Or maybe it's feeling so grateful that my boss at Fitness World let me keep a 2-hour shift on Thursday nights, and having her let me keep my gym membership for free. And loving those two hours that I get to spend with those crazy-cute kids.

10. New favorite food: avocado + garlic + lemon juice + salt

How I feel about being employed

Remember that one time I spent 6 months applying for jobs and felt like this all day? Remember how that never really paid off but instead I got a job through a connection (girl in my ward's dad)? Remember how I got offered to work full-time 8:30-5:30 starting next Tuesday before they even saw my resume or had an interview? Remember how the same aspect of job-hunting that has semi-crippled me up until this point is the only way I'm getting a job now? (through connections, which I have lacked up until now) Remember how I would have complained about having a secretarial job before but now I don't care? Remember how I don't even care about all of that and just feel so so so so grateful? 

Yeeeeeeeeeeah, baby.

Do you KNOW what this means?

1. I will be able to experience the joy inherent in working hard again!

2. I will most likely be able to build up a savings account again!

3. Maybe I'll be able to reach my #1 goal of 2012- move out before the cockroaches come back!

4. First step to becoming more independent!

5. I can buy my own conditioner at the store and not have to budget it in! (But I probably will create a budget anyway!)

tender mercy #5483906843960

Intentional Living in 2012

New Years is probably one of my favorite holidays. In the Hatch home, it means personal pan pizzas, dancing, and homemade confetti fights. It means sparkling cider, movies, and games. It means all the junk food I can eat. It means bean dip and chips.

But also means rejoicing for a good year lived full of blessings, and hope for a better year.

On December 26, 2011 I reached my 3-year-home-from-the-mission anniversary. I always reflect back on the last year and think if I have made progress or not. This year I have thought a lot about the person I am and who I am becoming or not becoming. I decided to re-read my journal entries from 2011. It was an interesting experience and I learned a few things about myself. Here are just a few highlights from 2011: (including accomplishments, events, or things I've learned)


1. Worked as a TA and, more importantly, realized I love teaching
2. Studied harder than I ever have in my Microbiology class, succeeded
3. Developed new talents, learned somewhat how to think artistically- took Ceramics and "loved" it
4. In the span of 1 year, mentioned and/or discussed in detail my level of interest in nine different boys
5. Successfully (?) survived transition from undergrad to post-undergrad
6. Thrived after a breakup
8. Was able to build relationships here in DYSA and make new friends - reach out to people
9. Moved in the direction of nursing (studied for test, got certification, went to Duke, almost got job - realized I didn't want to do it)
10. Learned that life is not a race with a time-limit and sometimes the pace of our lives just slows down. And that's ok. Also learned that revelation comes piece by piece, line upon line, and it's okay to not know what you are doing in the future. Learned to overcome anxiety and accept uncertainties.
11. Continued to build my testimony that God is there as we struggle and grow.
12. Learned the value of not running from problems but instead repenting repeatedly when you make the same mistake again.
13. Learned that it's okay to move in one direction and change your mind.
14. Learned to recognize motives for my decisions: Why do I want a certain profession or why do I walk away from it? Learning that wordly concerns about how you appear to others or how much the profession is respected is not a good reason to do or not do something.
15. Learned that any work is better than no work.

Apart from learning that I talk about boys way too much, I learned a lot of things about myself, which has spurred the setting of a series of goals for 2012. I am trying to focus this year on becoming someone that I want to become. It has already helped in the past few days when I feel inclined to respond to a certain situation negatively. Instead of doing what I would do naturally (Mosiah 3:19), I have been trying to "yield" to the Holy Ghost and make my actions more intentional. I have had thoughts like, "Is this action in line with the person I want to be?" or "What kind of person do I want to be and what do I do to be that person?" I have a lot of progress to make and fall short continually, but I feel at peace and happy. I haven't felt this happy in a long time.

I read this quote yesterday that really hit me and that has changed my perspective on dating/marriage and being single. I have heard it before, but it has affected me more deeply recently, after reading about the nine different boys/almost-relationships I wrote about in my journal. It was said by Gordon B. Hinckley in General Conference 1996 in a talk called Women of the Church.

"Do not give up hope. And do not give up trying. But do give up being obsessed with it. The chances are that if you forget about it and become anxiously engaged in other activities, the prospects will brighten immeasurably.

I believe that for most of us the best medicine for loneliness is work, service in behalf of others. I do not minimize your problems, but I do not hesitate to say that there are many others whose problems are more serious than are yours. Reach out to serve them, to help the, to encourage them. There are so many boys and girls who fail in school for want of a little personal attention and encouragement. There are so many elderly people who live in misery and loneliness and fear for whom a simple conversation would bring a measure of hope and happiness."

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