Silver Linings...

So anyone who knows me or has read my blog knows I become quite the obsessed NUT when it comes to politics that's why up until lately I've tried to keep it to a need-to-know basis from it for the sake of my sanity and my family. When I became a SAHM I suddenly had much more time to listen to the political wonderment that awaits - too much time actually. All I felt during that time was severe distaste bordering on constant feelings of hate and disappointment in my fellow man/politician.

When election time hit - I hit rock bottom with hopelessness and serious disillusionment about how warped our society has become. I only saw depravity and lack of morals mainly because that is what the media is all about, but more importantly because I didn't realize that there is the other half of the population of voters who did actively vote for a candidate who represented morals and the like (who also unfortunately was a wussy-pants moderate who pretty much no one even wanted to vote for though - just the lesser of two loser candidates. I still can't figure out how we ended up with the pair). Then there's also a huge portion of the population who did not vote because they couldn't support either character. History has shown that a moderate Rep. is usually not the favored choice so not big shocker there and then there's Obama...where to start with him? While I think it is really not good to not vote at all, I am at least heartened by their reasons for not doing so and knowing that there are many more on the side of that which is good and holds strong values for families and God's purpose for us here. What I find the most interesting though, is that of the many people polled who voted for Obama- a huge percentage had absolutely no idea what he stood for or what kinds of 'change' he proposed- though to be fair, neither does Obama, but still. Many were shocked to learn of his past and blamed the media of disillusioning them- go figure - but at least their disillusionment is fading and their expectations becoming realistic. Does this man deserve our general ill will- no, for the sake of our great country and great freedoms - NO, but we also must not sit back and not take action for the things that we believe in that are in jeopardy if what he has promised comes to pass.

Of all the many forms of silver linings that are found even in situations with such gravity that affects our amazing country as a whole, I saw none of them until recently. I've been doing things to put me more in touch with my more God-fearing side (b/c I'll be honest, it has really been neglected) and I feel like a better side is opening itself up to me that seems so very apparent to me now but that I certainly missed in my crazed world-is-going-to-now-end state. Here are several of the silver linings that I've found recently that brought some peace and sanity back into my life, besides, of course, doing the regular yet easily forgotten things:

1. I had needed some mental support so I went online to the church's website (as well as a few others but this was my significant source) and read a few articles on the major issues at hand (b/c after awhile of hearing about why others can rationalize making one selection over the moral/ethical other can lead to you thinking maybe there is something more to that when there definitely isn't. It has been made very clear to us that we choose one side or the other but not both- we either support the big, life-altering issues or we don't.). What I found was very uplifting, motivating, and most importantly what I needed...peaceful - the gospel heals and gives us what we need despite what goes on in the world. The temple is a refuge when you feel like there is too much sadness and sorrow in the world and people who suffer. I read the following regarding our purpose and why society is so rampantly tearing at its seams and it all comes full circle to the value that we place on human life.

"Mother Teresa delivered a message that cut to the very heart and soul of the social ills afflicting America, which traditionally has given generously to the peoples of the earth but now has become selfish. She stated that the greatest proof of that selfishness is abortion. It was reported that Mother Teresa had tied abortion to growing violence and murder in the streets by saying, “If we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill each other? … Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what they want.”

Then she alluded to the concern that has been shown for orphan children in India and elsewhere in the world, for which she expressed gratitude. But she continued: “These concerns are very good. But often these same people are not concerned with the millions who are being killed by the deliberate decision of their own mothers. And this is what is the greatest destroyer of peace today—abortion, which brings people to such blindness.” Commenting on this powerful message, columnist Cal Thomas asked: “Why should people or nations regard human life as noble or dignified if abortion flourishes? Why agonize about indiscriminate death in Bosnia when babies are being killed far more efficiently and out of the sight of television cameras?”

In conclusion Mother Teresa pled for pregnant women who don’t want their children to give them to her. She said, “I am willing to accept any child who would be aborted and to give that child to a married couple who will love the child and be loved by the child.”What consummate spiritual courage this remarkable aged woman demonstrated! How the devil must have been offended! Her remarkable declaration, however, was not generally picked up by the press or the editorial writers. Perhaps they felt more comfortable being politically or socially correct. After all, they can justify their stance by asserting that everyone does it or that it is legal. Fortunately the scriptures and the message of the prophets cannot be so revised."

2. I then heard a girl bearing her testimony in church about how we need to be doing the small and simple things to keep our testimony's alive and well- how reading our scriptures and praying truly does make us different people. Different - good people. I find that by doing this regularly I feel more spiritually directed and minded the next day. I thought of how strange it was to go from not feeling this way to having my mind drawn in that direction more regularly and what a difference it is surely making on my subconscious. It truly does make you better- I believe this and am excited to be changed through this process (I really have been very neglectful in the past few years unfortunately).

3. I have also heard recently on the radio (where I do much of my conservative value listening while I drive, cook, clean...alternating with the Little People happy CD- yikes!) that since the election people have been shocked back into reality with the election results and what we have opened ourselves up to now knowing of the real plans and promises that our new President has made and intends to keep that are very scary and have begun to talk openly about the greater support and backing of conservative values. SAHM's have come out of the woodworks with Blogs, groups, and the like to get the word out to the world that there are still many many many of us who hold strong values that support and love life and the determination to make sure our children grow up strong and fight against the crazy rationale that is invading our lives at every angle. From TV shows, to movies, to magazines on the rack, to disgusting billboards, to hateful displays of contempt for others who do not share one's opinion- we cannot escape from it, to songs like, "I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It" sung by a girl- is that really what's 'IN' in society today and am I the only one who absolutely cannot believe this song is played so frequently or is popular at all? This is why I listen to so much talk radio nowadays - of course you can go online and tell the supposed 'family' radio stations that you do not appreciate it as I do to take some kind of action besides turning it off but that would require some action on your part- when will we be willing to step up to the plate and put our politicians, media, and government in their places? We certainly do not have to sit back and accept it - what these mothers are doing is awesome!!

4. I have also realized recently that there are many who do not wish to be openly political though they are in what they do and say on a regular basis with the most important people we have for our future. They teach their children values and morals - regularly and by example. They value human life above all else. They believe in God and follow his teachings. There are many many many of these people!! It's wonderful!!

We don't hear all of this good stuff in mainstream media, b/c it's about glorifying fake lives (what else does the Grammy's or Golden Globe's really mean?)- it's about being trendy, hip, portraying the opinions of the staff writers or actors as that of the great majority of the population. I was reading through 1 Nephi about the spacious building and my mind kept jumping over to the awards shows where so much self-congratulation goes on for pretending to be someone you'll never ever be smart enough to be or that doesn't exist in society already for good reason - that it is only seen for what it is by those who distance themselves from it and choose a better way. Can you be Christian and also actively fight against that which is pervasively evil in your life? I certainly hope so.

What I am now, finally seeing is that there are amazingly wonderful people who choose not to let these false ideals into their lives, who teach their children and love them actively, who know right from wrong despite those who try to rationalize it another way. Who try the best they can to protect their children from the huge waste of time, resources, and intelligence that goes on in the "entertainment" industry (I use that word very loosely). Are there shows and movies you can watch with your family still- yes, but they are very few and far between. Do you ever stop to ask yourself why this is or when it will get to a point when there are none. What do you think the Pioneers of our country or state even would think if they could see us now? I wonder about that a lot and can only see them shaking their heads in utter disbelief and disgust. What would we rationalize to them about it? How do we rationalize it to our God? We are affected by and take in our environment whether we wish to have it become a part of us or not- watching it is becoming it in many ways.

5. Our own prophets and church authorities know the way - they live it and they share it with us now. How often in history has there been a time without great controversy and deception- but how often in history has good prevailed or at least held out until the end? There are many more amazing articles you can read about this issue at www.lds.org if you have any doubt that there is any greater cause over that of fighting for the lives of one another - God's children.

6. I just want to end by sharing with you what President Bush has put out in one of his final acts as president. For as many bad decisions he has made in office - he has done something very decent and good as one of his last acts. He has declared January 18th a day for the National Sanctity of Life. I have not read anything this beautiful, eloquent, or heart-warming in a very long time. I think it says something very significant about society today that this Day ever needed to be created in the first place. I wonder that Pres. Obama will honor this day each year in his upcoming term. When you look at a thriving toddler (as I often do b/c my day is spent cleaning up after him) can you see him as a murdered fetus- a wasted life? They are amazing creatures full of so much love and goodness- where do we ever get the idea to dare to kill them in heinous and unimaginable ways from (again what would the pioneers say- what does God say to it)? This is one issue I will never be at peace with as it haunts me continually- as I'm sure must be the sentiment in a significant portion of society thankfully.

“All human life is a gift from our creator that is sacred, unique and worthy of protection. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our country recognizes that each person, including every person waiting to be born, has a special place and purpose in this world. The most basic duty of government is to protect the life of the innocent. My administration has been committed to building a culture of life by vigorously promoting adoption and parental notification laws, opposing federal funding for abortions overseas, encouraging teen abstinence and funding crisis pregnancy programs. The sanctity of life is written in the hearts of all men and women. On this day and throughout the year, we aspire to build a society in which every child is welcome in life and protected in law. We also encourage more of our fellow Americans to join our just and noble cause. History tells us that with a cause rooted in our deepest principles and appealing to the best instincts of our citizens, we will prevail.”

7. I will pray for President Obama to be inspired by God- daily. I know that people can change through God's love, I am and have been the recipient of His love and forgiveness many a time. I know that good can once again prevail in a heart that has been clouded with disillusion and lost values. I have the audacity to Hope that he does Change for the good of our country but in the meantime I will not idly sit by while he institutes FOCA or continues to waste my taxdollars and turn our country into that which our forefathers certainly did not intend. You pray for your enemies and those who despitefully use you but you do not facilitate them doing so continually, this seems to be a point that is hard to reconcile for many that I've talked to. Being a good Christian and supporting the President of our great country versus taking a stand agains that which he intends to impose upon us which we know to be very wrong. We have to talk about these issues and act on them, it's not pretty, fun, or the best way we'd like to spend our time - but it's what we are required to do to ensure our Country retains its founding principles and freedoms for all.

Whether anyone reads this or not doesn't matter- I had to get it out of my mind where it has been dwelling and building for awhile now. The best we can do is try to influence one another for the good of our country and keep the good in life alive for as long as we can. We were given this amazingly beautiful and free country to have for as long as we choose to follow God - how long that will be for is up to us to be and to expect from each other.