Choosing to Be...poems of choices, attitude, agency, and becoming

      “I have no greater joy then to hear my children walk in the truth” 3 John 1: 4, King James Bible.

The Ripple Effect
Have you ever heard of the ripple effect,
How one choice you make can have a lasting impact?
Well, that seems to be the governing principle for my dad’s family.
When one choice leads to another, it affects so many including me.
Some of these choices are good. Some of these choices are bad.
Some of these choices are in between, but often these are the ones that are most sad.
Consequences are reaped either way though.
Each decision determines what direction in life my family will go.
Some of them are good examples.
They show me paths I want to follow and good things I want to do.
Others make poor decisions and I think “I don’t want to be like them.
Why they did that I don’t have a clue.”
All I know is that one decision can determine a lot,
Like what kind of person you are and what kind of values you’ve got,
So beware of the decisions that you make
And be wise in the course that you let your life take,
Because our choices can be like ripples in a pond that have both flowers and weeds.
You never know who each ripple might touch or where each ripple might lead.
  
           
“We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men. Indeed we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul. We believe all things. We hope all things, and we hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things” The 13th Article of Faith, The Pearl of Great Price.

Our Word Will Be as Good as Gold
Whatever happened to the virtues of old,
Where a man’s word was as good as gold?
Whatever happened to honesty, charity, and humility?
What happened to faith, hope, diligence, and sincerity?
What happened to a love of God and fellow men?
What happened to a willingness to do all we can?

These things do exist, but they seem hard to find and out-of- touch.
What happened to these values and morals that used to mean so much?
What happened to the world? What happened to this inner guide?
What happened to the strength and knowledge we used to feel inside?
Are they gone? Are they lost?
Or are they still gained with a cost?
Is there hope? Can it be
They can be gained by you or me?

Yes, they can! There is hope. This I truly believe:
If we work hard and have patience, these traits can be achieved.
Then we can have honesty, charity, and humility.
We can have faith, hope, diligence, and sincerity.
We can have a love of God and our fellow men
If we are willing to do all we can,
And as we gain these virtues of old,
Our word will be as good as gold.


My next few poems are about agency and having a positive attitude and being free to choose for myself my attitude about life. In writing these poems, I understand that there are people with mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and other such things that may make it difficult for them to simply decide to be happy, even though they may make great efforts in doing so. My poems are not directed at those with these kinds of illnesses and they are certainly not to make those with such illnesses to feel worse about themselves or their situations in life. They were written for me and for any others who might benefit from them. If these poems inspire or help anyone to be happier and have a more positive outlook on life, then this is what they are for. And if these poems do not help or are not useful to you, please disregard them.

For me, however, I have found that there is great power and strength in knowing that I do have a choice about my attitude in life, and I take comfort in knowing that I can choose for myself to be happy.

“Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come” Doctrine and Covenants 68: 6.

Smile Instead of Frown
I am questioning almost everything that I once knew.
I am trying to be faithful. I know I must be true,
But sometimes, I get so confused. Sometimes I’m tempted. Sometimes I doubt.
Sometimes I forget what life is really about.
There are times when I lose my way. I slip and fall.
There are times I wonder if I will make it at all.
The world tries to tear me down,
So instead of smiling, sometimes I frown.
Sometimes I get discouraged. Sometimes I am afraid,
But then I turn to God and look at the world that He has made.
Everything is so perfect. I know He has a plan.
I know that He made me to be the person that I am.
I know I am imperfect. I know I mistakes,
But I know if I turn to my Savior, and I do all that it takes,
I can be forgiven and repent of my sins,
And I can have the chance to return to God again.
Though this world is a crazy one; it’s full of sin and lies,
It is also so wonderful as each day goes by,
Because we have a loving Heavenly Father, who by His infinite grace
Saw fit to try and test us, and gain experience in this place.
Our lives may be hard. They may be full of pain and strife,
But we never have to be alone or lost in this life;
We need only to turn to our God up above
And follow His Son, who for us had so much love.
Then as we study the scriptures, ponder, and pray,
We will know God’s will for us each and every day.
We will be able to make it through,
Because we will be led by the Spirit who shows us what to do,
And even though the world will try to get us down,
We can still have reason to be happy and to smile instead of frown.

“Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by one or the other”
2 Nephi 2: 16, Book of Mormon.

I Can Be as Happy as I Want to Be
I can be as happy as I want to be.
No one, but me can ever stop me.
Of course, there’ll be times of hardship; there will be times that I will be sad,
But I can determine what I will learn, even in times that are bad.
It’s all about attitude. It’s all about heart.
It’s all about purpose and enduring from the start.
I can choose to find joy in the journey right now,
Or I could wait around and wish it would happen somehow.
I can choose to worry my life away,
Or I can prepare and do something today.
I can be selfish and choose to complain,
Or I could be happy come sunshine or rain.
I can be negative and bring everyone down,
Or I could be positive and smile instead of frown.
I can forever wish that I was like someone else,
Or I can be grateful for just being myself.
I can choose to love life until the very end.
I can happily enjoy it with my family and friends.
 I can say “Life is terrible. Oh, woe is me!”
But in the end, I will be as happy as I want to be.

            When I wrote I Can Be as Happy as I Want to Be, I was having a difficult time in my music theory class. I had a tutor for that class, and my tutor was very kind and patient with me, but on that day, I could tell that even he was getting frustrated with me. Instead of directing his frustrations at me, my tutor sat down with me, and in a loving way, he took almost an entire hour to help me understand what I could improve upon in music and what would help me to not be so upset and frustrated all the time. I don’t think we even worked on anything that I was supposed to that day, but because of my tutor’s kindness and patience, I learned so much about music that day, and so much about life. One of the greatest things that I learned was that I needed to have a positive attitude if I wanted to get anywhere in my life. Because I had a tutor that was so willing to help me, I knew I had to try. I knew that if I ever wanted to be happy and positive, that I had to be the one to decide that. I had to choose for myself whether or not I would be happy.
“And the Messiah cometh in the fullness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.
Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit” 2 Nephi 26-28, Book of Mormon.

Your Choices and Your Actions will make Everything Clear
Take a look around. Look into the mirror.
Tell me what you see. Is the reflection clear?
Do you realize who you are and who you can be?
Do you know of your potential? Do you see with clarity?
Do you know you can choose what path you will take?
You can choose your own direction and what choices you make.
You can choose to be someone who is arrogant and proud,
Or you can choose a different way; you can stand out in a crowd.
You can choose who you become and what you want to do.
You can choose to set an example to many or a few.
You cannot choose your consequences after you decide
To make a choice, whether wrong or right.
You cannot choose everything that happens in your life,
But you can choose your attitude in happiness or in strife.
You can choose to be the best person you can
By believing in God and following the Lamb.
You can choose to be the best person you can
By believing in God and following the Lamb.
You can choose to act or to be acted upon,
But you ultimately will decided how your life has gone,
Because as you take a look around, and look into the mirror,
Your choices and your actions will make everything clear.

Doctrine and Covenants, 59:21 states “And in nothing doth man offend God, or against no one is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.”
              In the Book of Mormon in Alma 34: 38 we are told to “…worship God in whatsoever place ye may be in, in the spirit of truth, and that ye may live in thanksgiving daily for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you,” and in Psalms 100: 4-5, we are told to “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”
            In thinking on the doctrine of agency and in pondering my ability to choose, I have found that when I choose to be grateful for what I do have, rather than forever complaining about what went wrong and what I do not have, my life seems more fulfilling and I have increased joy and happiness. I thought about why that is and I think that part of the reason this is, is because as the scriptures tell us, showing gratitude to God is a commandment, and the Lord blesses those who keep his commandments and remember him.

Being Thankful
Oh, there is a time I favor, beyond all the rest,
A time when the birds have flown far from their nests.
Many leaves have fallen for it is late in Fall.
Have you guests the time my friends? It’s Thanksgiving!
It’s a time to be thankful for all that you have,
And give to the needy to help make them glad.
It’s a time to remember that first Thanksgiving day,
When the Indians and Pilgrims feasted away,
And gave thanks for their blessings, all that they had,
Sharing with each other, so they wouldn’t be sad.
So, when it’s Thanksgiving, think of your blessings,
Not just the food like the turkey and dressings.

            Being Thankful is one of my earliest works of poetry. I originally wrote it about Thanksgiving and remembering to be thankful and show gratitude during this time, but I think this simple poem also is a reminder to show gratitude, not just at Thanksgiving, but at all times, and to do as directed in Alma and “live in thanksgiving daily.”

            When I think of living in thanksgiving daily and expressing my gratitude for all that I have, one of the things that comes to mind is to be grateful that I have the freedom to dream and that I have the freedom to choose for myself who I will become and what I will be. Even though these dreams may be difficult to achieve at times, I can still dream and I can still choose to believe in myself and in my dreams, regardless of what setbacks or obstacles that I may face.

We can Achieve Our Dreams if We Believe
We all have the same dreams. We want them so much.
They may be only dreams, but they’re so real to us.
We can see ourselves climbing high, reaching up for the sky.
We know that we can make it if we really try.
We all have to believe in ourselves to get there. It’s true.
I’ll believe in me if you’ll believe in you.
We have to remember all dreams have a price.
We have to work for them, or they won’t seem as nice.
There are some dreams that are greater, some dreams that we want more.
These dreams are the dreams that we should give are all for.
We can’t give up. We have to keep going.
There may be bumps, but we have to keep moving.
We can achieve
Our dreams if we believe.

As I think about dreaming and setting goals, I think about dreams that have come true or been realized and dreams that I have yet to be accomplished and goals that I have yet to meet. When I think about this, an image of a butterfly comes to my mind. I think that a dream is like a butterfly waiting to spread its wings and fly. Before we work at our dreams, a dream is very much like a butterfly that is sitting and has not spread its wings, and I believe it is only when we begin to put effort into our dreams and to make goals to accomplish them, that our dreams begin to take flight and become something incredible.


Take Me Away
Take me away into the sky.
My dreams will soar and I will fly.
I’ll show the world I’m not who they think I am,
Because I have a different plan.
I’ll fly to the moon and back again,
And no one will know that I have been,
But I don’t care. They will see.
I’ll show them who I am and what I want to be.
I’m going to laugh; I’m going to live; I’m going to learn; I’m going to love.
I’m going to hope; I’m going to dream; I’m going to pray to God above,
So take me away into the sky,
My dreams will soar and I will fly.
I’ll show the world I’m not who they think I am,
Because I have a different plan.
I’ll follow my dreams; I’ll shoot for the stars.
I’ll plan for the moon, but I’ll end up on Mars.
My imagination can take me anywhere.
I’ll lean on my family and friends and I’ll ride on a prayer.
I’ll be who I want to be,
And I’ll show the world the real me,
So take me away into the sky.
My dreams will soar and I will fly.
I’ll show the world I’m not who I think I am,
Because I have a different plan.
Yes I have a different plan.


We are counseled in the King James Bible in Psalms 34: 14, to “Depart from evil, and do good, seek peace, and pursue it.”

But how can I obtain peace and how can I work to develop peace with others?

            One of the fundamental principles of agency is that we are the only ones who can choose to change. No one else can make this decision for us. I have to be the one to decide to change myself or allow myself to be changed. Likewise, you have to be the one to change yourself or to allow yourself to be changed. We can help to inspire change others to change for the better though, when we seek to develop and maintain Godlike principles. We can learn what these principles are by studying and applying verses 41-43 out of section 121 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

            These read “No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness, and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile--, reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy.”

            When we do these things, I believe that we can be blessed to have peace like the prophet Isaiah promised. He said “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever” Isaiah 32: 17, King James Bible.


Dreams, Hopes, and Wishes
I used to dream of hope in a world that’s almost hopeless.
I used to wish for peace in this world that’s always so restless.
I used to dream of love and kindness on this earth.
I used to wish that everyone would know of their true worth.
I used to wish; I used to dream.
I used to hope, almost beyond hope, that life would have more meaning.
Then I realized, in order to make my hopes and dreams come true,
I have to start by changing, me first, not the world, not you,
So I tried to change myself into a better me.
I tried to change myself into who I wanted to be,
So with the scriptures as my guide,
I tried to be more thoughtful, more loving, and more kind.
I tried to be more gracious, humble, and obedient, keeping good thoughts in my mind.
I have tried to be everything God would want me to.
I have tried to be all I can and do all I can do,
So that one day I will be worthy to live with Him above.
That’s why I’ve tried to do my best to show more charity and love,
And I’ve tried to be more helpful and think of others, too,
And now because of my faith in my religion that’s true,
I have found hope in a world that’s almost hopeless.
I have found peace in a world that’s always so restless.
I’ve learned that there can be more love and kindness on this earth,
Even though everyone might not know of their true worth,
But in order for those things to be,
I can’t start by changing the world; I have to start by changing me.


In pursuing my dreams and my goals and especially as I try to become the person that I would like to be, sometimes what helps me the most is knowing that I have a family member or friend there to encourage me and to believe in me. I find hope to continue, faith to move forward, and the strength that I need to carry on through those that believe in me, especially when I remember that my Savior Jesus Christ is my truest friend, and He will always be there with open arms to receive me and to help me, so long as I am willing to come unto Him with full sincerity of heart.
            “Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you. Yea, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely; Yea, come unto me and bring forth works of righteousness…” Alma 5: 33-35, Book of Mormon.

Someone to Believe in Me
I try so hard to do my best in all that I do and say,
But sometimes I forget or get distracted along my way.
I have my goals in mind and I know they can be accomplished;
But sometimes, people or things tear me down,
and my dreams seem almost demolished.
I just want someone to believe in me,
Just someone to encourage me to be all that I can be.
I just want someone to lean on,
Someone who will be there for me all along.
Then I thought about this wish and realized it has already come true,
Because I have my friends and my family, and I have you.

There are so many of my worthwhile goals and dreams that center on becoming who Christ would want me to become and how I can strive to live and do as He would live and as He would do. Though, I constantly fall short, I am encouraged to keep trying and to keep going, and I am reminded that as long as I am doing my best, and as long as I am continuing to look to Christ and to repent and remember Him, than His grace will make up the difference.
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee” Isaiah 41:10 & 13 , King James Bible.

Will I Ever Be Good Enough?
Will I ever be good enough?
Will I ever measure up?
Can I ever be the kind of person He would have me be?
I just wish I could see
If I could do the things He would have me do;
If I could show love and kindness to others, too,
If I could live my life a better way,
And be a better person each new day.
I just wish I could see
If I could be as He would have me be.
Oh Father, please help me. I’m trying to do my best,
But I wonder is that good enough for this test?
Please help me to become stronger. Please lead me to the light.
Please help me do my best. Please help me choose the right.
Please help me try to be good enough,
So I can measure up.
Oh, please help me!
Then these words enter my mind in answer to my plea.
“Hush now, my child; be still; be not afraid.
I will guide you through the paths of life. Be not dismayed.
You are of great worth. Remember your nature is divine.
If you do your best, you will always measure up, for child, you are mine.”
Now I see that I can be good enough,
And I can measure up.
Yes, now I can see
If I do my best, I can be as He would have me be.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” Matthew 10: 29 & 31, King James Bible.

Precious in God’s Sight
I just feel so insignificant. I can’t seem to do much right,
So I turned to God, and he helped me get back into the light.
Since then I’ve prayed a lot.
I’ve prayed about if I am to pursue those dreams or not,
And I’ve got my answer of what to do.
He said for me to follow my dreams, but to Him be true.
Now I don’t feel so insignificant. I’ve learned more of what is right.
I know better than ever before that I am precious in God’s sight.


“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for sweetsmelling savour.  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light…” Ephesians 5: 1-2 & 8, King James Bible.

A Good Example
There is so much I want to do in this life; there’s so much that I want to be.
There are so many things that I’d like to accomplish; there’s so much that I’d like to see.
I’d like to be a good example to everyone that I meet.
I’d like to be able to help others stand on their feet.
I’d like to form friendships like that of Ruth.
I’d like to tell the world about the gospel and its important truths.
I’d like to be a true disciple of the living Christ.
I’d like to help other people by sharing His light.
I’d like to be the kind of person people look to in times of need.
I’d like to be there helping others do their best to succeed.
I’d like to be the very best person that I can be,
So that if I am a good example, others might follow me.

In the Book of Mormon in Moroni chapter 7, verses 3-5, Moroni states “Wherefore, I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this times henceforth until ye shall rest with him in heaven. And now my brethren, I judge these things of you because of your peaceable walk with the children of men. For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also.”

Christ himself also tells us that “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne” Revelations 3: 21, King James Bible.
Enter Into My Rest
I have different goals, so I must do different things
To help me be able to achieve my dreams.
I can’t afford to settle for the world’s view.
I am of noble birth. I am a woman of virtue.
I must live up to my full potential. I must try to become
A true disciple of Christ, my Heavenly Father’s perfect Son.
I am worth so much more than what the world says I am.
I am a daughter of God and I know His plan.
I will be faithful and I will stay true
To all that I promised my Father I would do.
I will strive each and every day to do my very best,
So that one day, I may hear Christ say “Well done. Enter into my rest.”

I have found that in order for me to become the person that I want to be, I have to be willing to allow the Lord in my life and to take counsel from the Lord. The Book of Mormon prophet Alma instructed us to “...Contend no more with the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you. Yea, and I also exhort you, my brethren, that ye be watchful unto prayer continually, that ye may not be led away by the temptations for the devil, that he may not overpower you, that ye may not become his subjects at the last day; for behold, he rewardeth you no good thing.

And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to have patience, and that ye bear all manner of afflictions.”

President Hinckley has also encouraged us to be grateful. Be smart. Be clean. Be true. Be humble, and to be prayerful. It was from his counsel that Be All That You Can Be was written. I pray that I can listen to counsel from both of these prophets that I may be wise and that I may become the best person that I can, the person that I know the Lord would have me be.
Be All That You Can Be
Be all that you want. Be all that you need.
Be all that you can so you can succeed.
Do all that you can to help others out.
Let your light shine bright, so others won’t be in doubt.
Be all that you can be.
Be as strong as the wind on a stormy sea.
You’ve got to be smart. You’ve got to be kind.
You’ve got to be humble and grateful, keeping others in mind.
You’ve got to be clean. You’ve got to be true.
You’ve got to be prayerful, and you’ve got to be you.
Be all that you can be.
Work towards the best of all your abilities.
Show love and kindness to your fellow men
By trying to keep the commandments and doing all that you can.
So, be all that you can and do all that you can do
To help others out, so that you can, in turn, help you.

“For thou art great, and doest wonderous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell” Psalms 86: 10-13, King James Bible.

Please Help Me Be More Christ like
Dear Father, I know that I have sinned,
And I keep messing up again and again,
But I want to follow thee, and I want to choose the right,
But I can’t do this on my own, so please guide me back into the light.
Please forgive me of my many sins,
And please help me show more love and kindness to my fellow men.
Please help me bridle my tongue, so I will speak words more kind,
And help me try to keep others in my thoughts and mind.
Please help me think before I speak,
And please help me listen to the words that thou doth teach,
So that I can rid myself of evil and cleanse myself from sin
That I may be spotless in thy eyes and return to thee again,
So I ask thee to please help me show more love and kindness and more charity.
Please help me try to serve others more willingly,
And help me be more friendly and encouraging.
Please help me show more tolerance and be more forgiving,
But above all, help me remember that we are all children of Thee,
So I should treat everyone in a pleasing way,
                    And especially, please, help me be more Christ like in all I do and say.                                                                                 

“Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand” Doctrine and Covenants 58: 2-4.
“And again, be patient in tribulation until I come; and behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, and they who have sought me early shall find rest to their souls…”Doctrine and Covenants 54: 10.

Stay Strong in your Beliefs
I’m not ashamed of the path I’ve chosen thus far,
And I understand why the church has “raised the bar,”
But it saddens me to see that so many have gone astray.
I sometimes wonder why it has to be this way.
Why is it, to the world right is seen as wrong?
Why are there so many evils that prolong?
I’ve tried my very best to do what’s right,
And I’ve tried to follow Christ and share His light.
I’ve tried to do all that God asked,
And I’ve tried to keep His commandments and perform His tasks,
But temptation is strong,
And evils do prolong,
So I sometimes get discouraged and I almost want to give up in despair,
So I fall to my knees and I humbly kneel in prayer.
Then the Spirit whispers: “My child, be strong
In the midst of these evils, in the midst of these wrongs.
Have faith, have patience, and believe.
Remember if you press forward, these things can be achieved.
Do not despair.
Stay strong in your beliefs and remember I am here.”

No comments:

Post a Comment