Sunday, January 12, 2014
Like a Broken Vessel
In October 2013, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland asked, "How do you best respond when mental or emotional challenges confront you or those you love?" Listen to his comforting words and firsthand experiences.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Friday, January 10, 2014
Provident Living emphasis for January/February 2014
In January, Ward Provident Living Specialists will be receiving information about Mental Health, Stress, Fatigue and Depression to present to their respective wards. Various blog posts will address this subject throughout the first two months of 2014.
"Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life...The good news about mental illness is that recovery is possible."
To learn more: NAMI Utah
"Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life...The good news about mental illness is that recovery is possible."
To learn more: NAMI Utah
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Christlike Attributes
This video clip was shown at the Stake Relief Society Training meeting in November 2013. How are you developing Christlike attributes in your life?
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
New Year's Resolutions
It is the end of Week #1 of 2014. How are you doing on your New Year's Resolutions? Here are some tips from John C. Norcross to keep your New Year's goals. And remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint!
1. Make changes to your behavior. Changing your routine can bring different results. Instead of trying the same thing over and over again, expecting a different outcome, people need to modify their behaviors.
2. Define SMART goals. When setting targets, use the SMART acronym: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-specific. Norcross says that individuals must go further than simply saying, "I want to lose weight." "Specifically, what are you going to do so that you can measure and track [your weight] over time, for say, the next three to four months?" he said.
3. Track your progress. Norcross calls this technique self-monitoring. A calendar, or a calendar app, is a handy tool you can use to track your goals. "It also can show you what the triggers of your behavior are and it can alert you to any early slips," Norcross says.
4. Reward small achievements. When you reach a portion of your goal, as an example you lose 10 of those 25 pounds, be kind to yourself. Recognize the accomplishment and perhaps do something nice for yourself. This will help keep you focused and excited about the overall goal.
5. Make it public. When individuals announce their goals on social media, to their families or in the workplace, they are being held accountable by those closest to them. The upside to this, Norcross says, is it can keep you on track. The downside: "It potentially increases embarrassment if they fail," he said. So, it depends on how open you want to be about your resolutions.
6. You are human. Chances are you may slip up once or twice during this process. It's OK. Norcross says it is important to deal with failures by getting back on track and continuing along your journey. Seventy percent of successful goal-setters said that their first slip actually strengthened their resolutions. Norcross says to adopt the outlook, "I'm human. Let me learn from it, and let me keep going."
1. Make changes to your behavior. Changing your routine can bring different results. Instead of trying the same thing over and over again, expecting a different outcome, people need to modify their behaviors.
2. Define SMART goals. When setting targets, use the SMART acronym: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-specific. Norcross says that individuals must go further than simply saying, "I want to lose weight." "Specifically, what are you going to do so that you can measure and track [your weight] over time, for say, the next three to four months?" he said.
3. Track your progress. Norcross calls this technique self-monitoring. A calendar, or a calendar app, is a handy tool you can use to track your goals. "It also can show you what the triggers of your behavior are and it can alert you to any early slips," Norcross says.
4. Reward small achievements. When you reach a portion of your goal, as an example you lose 10 of those 25 pounds, be kind to yourself. Recognize the accomplishment and perhaps do something nice for yourself. This will help keep you focused and excited about the overall goal.
5. Make it public. When individuals announce their goals on social media, to their families or in the workplace, they are being held accountable by those closest to them. The upside to this, Norcross says, is it can keep you on track. The downside: "It potentially increases embarrassment if they fail," he said. So, it depends on how open you want to be about your resolutions.
6. You are human. Chances are you may slip up once or twice during this process. It's OK. Norcross says it is important to deal with failures by getting back on track and continuing along your journey. Seventy percent of successful goal-setters said that their first slip actually strengthened their resolutions. Norcross says to adopt the outlook, "I'm human. Let me learn from it, and let me keep going."
Friday, December 6, 2013
Snow Tires: To Buy or Not to Buy?
Snow tires I have learned are a complicated business. There is a lot of information out there and I’m not certain what is right or wrong for any one person in particular but, here is what I can pass along to you. Mounting the right tires on your car or truck can give you a huge advantage when trekking through snow. Many car makers and tire manufacturers recommend changing all four tires to snow tires in the winter. However, if you choose not to swap out all four, the difference between snow and summer tires can cause other problems for you and your vehicle.
All-Season vs. Snow Tires:
All-season tires are NOT snow tires. Sorry folks. All-season tires are your jack-of-all trade tires. They do everything but don’t specialize specifically well in any one area either. Snow tires or winter tires are made for snow. They focus their attention on the exact conditions you’ll most likely be facing during the winter season. They are designed to work best in cold winter temperatures, below 45 degrees, and have tread patterns and tread compounds that are designed to take bites out of the snow and work well on packed snow and ice. All season tires aren’t created to do this as well which of course can lead to sliding, skidding and low traction in bad weather.
SUV’s and Snow Tires:
I can hear a few of you saying, “I have an SUV with all-wheel drive, I don’t need snow tires.” Well the truth is you still might. All-wheel drive is only as useful as the traction your tires allow the all-wheel drive system to gain. Having snow tires will help you get the most out of your all-wheel drive vehicle. Also, all-wheel drive can help you get going but can’t help you stop or turn your vehicle. Again snow tires will maximize your ability to do both, with or without all-wheel drive.
Picking the Right Tire:
Do your research or talk to a trusted dealer for advice. Every tire snow, all-season or otherwise are created to perform in a specific way. You will need to take driving conditions, your vehicle, and driving habits into consideration when picking which tire will work best for you.
Two vs. Four Snow Tires:
No reputable tire dealer will put only two snow tires on your car. Snow tires are so highly advanced over summer or all-season tires that it might be more dangerous to have only two snow tires than choosing not to change your tires at all. While driving, your two snow tires will dig into the snow and ice while your two normal tires will float on the surface. This will result in snap oversteer and your car will suddenly want to begin spinning down the road with little likelihood you will be able to keep your vehicle under control.
Watch what snap oversteer looks like at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9snlEeDNKA
All-season tires are NOT snow tires. Sorry folks. All-season tires are your jack-of-all trade tires. They do everything but don’t specialize specifically well in any one area either. Snow tires or winter tires are made for snow. They focus their attention on the exact conditions you’ll most likely be facing during the winter season. They are designed to work best in cold winter temperatures, below 45 degrees, and have tread patterns and tread compounds that are designed to take bites out of the snow and work well on packed snow and ice. All season tires aren’t created to do this as well which of course can lead to sliding, skidding and low traction in bad weather.
SUV’s and Snow Tires:
I can hear a few of you saying, “I have an SUV with all-wheel drive, I don’t need snow tires.” Well the truth is you still might. All-wheel drive is only as useful as the traction your tires allow the all-wheel drive system to gain. Having snow tires will help you get the most out of your all-wheel drive vehicle. Also, all-wheel drive can help you get going but can’t help you stop or turn your vehicle. Again snow tires will maximize your ability to do both, with or without all-wheel drive.
Picking the Right Tire:
Do your research or talk to a trusted dealer for advice. Every tire snow, all-season or otherwise are created to perform in a specific way. You will need to take driving conditions, your vehicle, and driving habits into consideration when picking which tire will work best for you.
Two vs. Four Snow Tires:
No reputable tire dealer will put only two snow tires on your car. Snow tires are so highly advanced over summer or all-season tires that it might be more dangerous to have only two snow tires than choosing not to change your tires at all. While driving, your two snow tires will dig into the snow and ice while your two normal tires will float on the surface. This will result in snap oversteer and your car will suddenly want to begin spinning down the road with little likelihood you will be able to keep your vehicle under control.
Watch what snap oversteer looks like at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9snlEeDNKA
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee
President Thomas S. Monson taught:
"Our Heavenly Father, who gives us so much to delight in, also knows that we learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass. We know that there are times when we will experience heartbreaking sorrow, when we will grieve, and when we may be tested to our limits. However, such difficulties allow us to change for the better, to rebuild our lives in the way our Heavenly Father teaches us, and to become something different from what we were—better than we were, more understanding than we were, more empathetic than we were, with stronger testimonies than we had before.
This should be our purpose—to persevere and endure, yes, but also to become more spiritually refined as we make our way through sunshine and sorrow. Were it not for challenges to overcome and problems to solve, we would remain much as we are, with little or no progress toward our goal of eternal life."
To read the entire talk click here: I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee
"Our Heavenly Father, who gives us so much to delight in, also knows that we learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass. We know that there are times when we will experience heartbreaking sorrow, when we will grieve, and when we may be tested to our limits. However, such difficulties allow us to change for the better, to rebuild our lives in the way our Heavenly Father teaches us, and to become something different from what we were—better than we were, more understanding than we were, more empathetic than we were, with stronger testimonies than we had before.
This should be our purpose—to persevere and endure, yes, but also to become more spiritually refined as we make our way through sunshine and sorrow. Were it not for challenges to overcome and problems to solve, we would remain much as we are, with little or no progress toward our goal of eternal life."
To read the entire talk click here: I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee