16 Things I Learned in 2016

Wow, I don't think I've ever had a single year where I have learned so much about myself, and my gratitude for that is great. So, without further ado, here's sixteen things I have learned in 2016.

1) Be present and be engaged. This seems to be a challenge society faces today with social media always being there. It can be an absolutely fantastic thing when used correctly. This year I have learned that although social media will always be there, precious moments with friends and family won't. It is so important to be all there in these moments, because the memories will be far greater than seeing the latest post, which will be there when you're done, too. I promise.

2) God will send angels to assist us. Although some are unseen, and are literal guardian angels sent to protect us, and help us, and carry us, some are most definitely seen every day. I have been blessed this year to come in contact with some of these angels. Each of them have been an answer to my prayers time and time again, and I am so very thankful for them. They are fantastic humans, and they make life so much better.

3) Never underestimate yourself.  You can do hard things - really hard things. You can accomplish anything you set your mind to. You are powerful, and capable.

4) Always look for the good. Look for the good in others, and look for the good in every situation. It's there, even if it is just a small silver lining. Life will change as one sees the good.

5) Trust God. Everything happens for a reason, and it's so essential to let go of what needs to go, and embrace the next opportunities in life. They will come.

6) Say yes to new adventures. Whether that means you pack up and leave, or if you try a new kind of ice cream, say yes to new adventures. There is probably something wonderful that you will love, and it's so important to go find it, whatever it may be. Step outside your comfort zone, climb a different mountain, and never turn down the chance to live through another adventure.

7) You are loved. Even when it seems the world is against you, there is someone out there more than you could possibly imagine. There is someone out there who has your back, and who would do anything to help you out in a bind. These people are fantastic, and I am so grateful for them.

8) Tell people how you feel. If you are grateful for someone, tell them. If you appreciate what they do for you, tell them. If you admire a quality they have, tell them. If you love them, tell them. It could change their whole day, they might need to hear it more than you know. Even if they don't, it's always nice to know, you know?

9) Balance. Although maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important, ice cream is fantastic as well. Although I absolutely love rodeo, and basketball, sometimes a break is necessary. Balance in all things can be, well, a balancing act, but it needs to happen for physical and mental health to prevail.

10) Find joy. Joy is to be found in the day to day details, and not just in the "events" or "episodes" of our lives. Never give up. Keep going forward. Go forward with hope and an attitude of faith. Find the grit you need, and keep grinding. Life is fantastic, and there is so much happiness to be had.

11) You are worth it. You are beautiful, even on the days you don't feel like it. You are worth it, today, tomorrow, and always, and don't let anyone treat you like you aren't.

12) Everything will work out. If you don't know what to do with your life, or where to start, or what to do, know that as you move forward with goals and dreams, pieces to the puzzle will start to fit. You will see why nothing fit before, and everything will work out in the end. If it isn't working out yet, it's not the end!

13) If you like the picture, post it. Post it even if you already posted that day, or the day before, or if your friend posted a similar one. If you like the picture, post it. The "rules" about social media are overrated. Don't become obsessed with likes or comments or retweets or collection updates. My social media accounts are mine, and if you don't appreciate my rules (which are nonexistant) I'm fine with that. I post what I like when I like because it means something to me!

14) Failure is not fatal. Mistakes, to some extent, are inevitable. Failing does not make you a bad person, or a failure, it means you took a risk and it didn't work out. Dare to stand up, dust off, and try again, this time with the new knowledge you acquired because of your fall. Failing is not going to kill you, so dare to fail on a large scale. Set yourself up for success, but if you fail, it's totally okay!

15) Unlikely friends can be the best kind. I have a few new amazing friends from the last year who could definitely qualify as unlikely friends. Don't let that stop you from finding fantastic people.

16) Pursue excellence. Whatever you set your mind to, do it fantastically. Don't allow mediocrity to become a regular occurrence in your life. Do things on a grand scale, and allow yourself to dream on that same scale. Life is a wonderful thing that needs to be lived, not just survived. Excellence is around every corner, so don't settle for less. Don't finish books that aren't worth it, don't do things that aren't worth it. Live fabulously, and pursue excellence.

I hope you enjoyed these, or learned something from them. Here's to an amazing 2017!

Hallelujah

The thoughts behind this post derived from the song, Hallelujah, by Jeff Buckley. The song itself is catchy, but the lyrics are a little bit weird. Regardless, one line in this song particularly caught my attention: "And love is not a victory march, it's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah."

Just so you know, hallelujah means God be praised.

 Let's replace love with life, or learning to love God, or becoming more Christlike. Any of things seem to fit in to the line, as none of these things are easy at any given point in our lives, but especially when life is hard.

Becoming more Christlike, or learning to love God is not a victory march, it's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah, not because we are alone in the endeavor by any means, but because it's difficult, and can seem impossible and extremely daunting. There are days when our efforts may not seem sufficient to us, but as we continually work towards the quality we are so desperately trying to achieve, God will assist us in our efforts. People are not out to show off their Christlike characteristics, at least I would hope not! That would entirely defeat the purpose of striving to become as He is, since humility was often used to describe Him. Throughout His life, I'm sure there were moments where He felt alone, and cold, and possibly broken, but without fail, He continually praised the Lord.

When we each make an effort in our lives to continually praise the Lord despite, or rather, in spite of our circumstances, we will see that we are most definitely not alone. Whether it be in a calling, in a job position, in parenting, or in any other struggles, we are not asked to accomplish what we need to alone. There are times when we feel that we are not doing enough, or worse, we are not enough. I promise you that you are enough. With the help of God, you will be able to overcome the obstacle, no matter now insurmountable it may seem, you are facing. During the times we feel we are not doing enough, or that our efforts are not making a difference, we need not fear, but rather continue pressing forward, continually singing praises to God. On those days when we feel we can no longer sing them aloud, we should sing them in our hearts. It may seem like it would be easier to just not, to hide and retreat, but this is not for the best. God will assist us, and He will carry us when we cannot walk alone.

As we head into the Christmas season, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a new initiative called Light the World. It starts December 1st, and the goal is to provide service on a global scale on each of the twenty five days before Christmas. If you are interested, more information can be found here. There are a lot of people around each of our communities, or perhaps in our families, that are doing their best to continue forward in their lives, but their spirits need to be lifted, and this is the perfect opportunity to reach out and help. Maybe these people are not people we know, but maybe they are, and they need a little effort from you to lighten their spirit this season.

Life is not a victory march, it's a cold, and it's a broken hallelujah.

Failure Is Not Fatal

I have been thinking about failure and how people respond to set backs lately, and a couple recent conversations reopened the vault in my mind again, so brace yourself!

We all know that mistakes in this life are inevitable, and we are supposed to learn from them and try not to make them again, and when you make one you are supposed to say sorry, and blah, blah, blah...Am I right?!

There has to be more to it than that! It isn't just about trying to avoid the same mistake, it's about allowing the mistakes to change us, to change our behavior, to change our thought processes. It's more than trying again, it's trying again with a renewed desire to be better. Mistakes can be, and often are, preparatory stages in our lives, so we are better able to handle similar scenarios the next time they may present themselves in our lives.

I'm going to share three points about failure I feel are important.

1) Embrace mistakes to a certain extent. Dare to take risks, even if it may not turn out the way you imagined it would. Sitting still, and never doing anything in order to not make any mistakes is a mistake in itself, so I don't recommend taking that route. Getting outside of our comfort zones and allowing ourselves to be necessarily vulnerable will inevitably lead to mistakes of varying size, but in that process, we can learn from those mishaps and let changes occur in our lives. Although taking risks is important, and indeed, essential, we need to make sure we aren't taking risks just to take risks, because that isn't the point. There are times and places to take risks, and times and places not to take risks. This judgement comes after we allow ourselves to grow after we fail. There is a point after failing in which we can develop a better version of the person we are, but we have to choose to work at it; we don't magically become whole after being broken without some healing, or some time. Mistakes are inevitable, but we need to be careful to only take necessary risks.

2) Failing does not make you a failure. Failing means you stepped outside your comfort zone and experimented with something new, and it didn't work that time. There's a chance it could happen next time, so don't give up. If you stick your neck out and take a risk, and it doesn't work out, I applaud you! It's hard to do things that doesn't have guaranteed success, it's scary and leaves you feeling vulnerable. You are not a failure, even if you make mistakes. Success and greatness are built on failure upon failure upon frustration upon occasional catastrophe. Don't give up, don't give in, don't quit. (Unless you are trying to sew something, in which case, it's totally acceptable to quit.) You are remarkable right now, you were remarkable before your last failure, and you will still be remarkable after you fail again. If you fall, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try again. And again. And again. Eventually, if you continue to work hard, your time will come. Don't let failing at something convince you that you are a failure.

3)Failure is not final, it is not fatal, and it is not forever. This is pretty self-explanatory, but I am going to suggest that perhaps the "failure" is actually a door of opportunity which may not have otherwise been opened. The very thing we failed at could lead us to greater prospects further down the road.

Henry B. Eyring said, "If you are on the right path, it will always be uphill." It's going to be challenging, it's going to test you, and there will be times you will fail. Don't give up! You can do things you never imagined possible, just don't give up.

Broken Crayons Still Color

I'm going to share something a little bit personal with you today.

Are you ready?

Here it is:

Broken crayons still color.

Novel, right?

Just kidding, I'm sure you've heard that phrase, or read it somewhere multiple times. In fact, if you're like me, you've probably been exposed to it so many times, it lost its punch a while ago. My goal today is to revive it, because it is so unbelievably valuable to anyone who has been, or currently is, broken.

Broken. Maybe you are literally physically broken, in which case, I am sorry, and I hope you have a speedy recovery. Maybe, though, you are mentally, or emotionally, or spiritually broken, and this is who I feel this will apply to more.

I have felt broken a few times in my life. I can tell you from experience, it is not a pleasant journey, but it can be one filled with joy. There are times you feel there is no way you could ever be whole again, there is no one who still loves you, and I testify to you that is false. NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR LIFE, GOD STILL LOVES YOU. HE STILL KNOWS YOU, HE STILL CARES ABOUT YOU, AND HE WILL NOT FORSAKE YOU!

(No, my caps lock did not get stuck, I needed to use my online outdoor voice to make my message clear!)

While Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do not approve of sins, they do allow us opportunities to repent, and not only do we have that chance given to us, they will also take our broken hearts, and broken minds, and broken souls, and heal them. I do not mean that any mental disorders will immediately be resolved because we ask them to do that, but They will give us the strength to handle them. You see, we do not need to pay for our own sins, because Christ already did. That's why He suffered and died for us! As we turn to the Lord with our entire heart to help us overcome our adversities, and to allow Him to heal us, we will be filled with peace, and understanding. I promise.

As I was sitting in church today, I felt my ankle throbbing from an injury two years ago. I sprained it in basketball, and although I can still do everything I want to, it does bother me occasionally, and I have to wear braces for both basketball, and rodeo. If you ask my family, they say I need them to walk across the field too, or else I will roll it again. Even though it is healed, my ankle is still weak and it hurts and I have to make sure I take care of it. This is not true with the healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It heals us completely. There will be times when we cannot understand the process, and it will be painful, but the pain of it can be swallowed up by the joy found in Christ, and in His Atonement.

Just because you break does not mean you are worthless. You are loved, you are known, and you are worth it. Christ suffered on the cross for you, He already paid the price for you to return to Him.

President Thomas S. Monson said, "Our task is to become our best selves. One of God's greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, for no failure ever need be final." How awesome and empowering is that! No failure ever need be final, because a failure is a chance to start again, to become who we are destined to be. I personally do not believe in rock bottom. I feel that if we turn to Christ, He will not let us ever hit such a low point, He will carry our burdens, that they may be lighter, and bearable for us as children of God.

Broken crayons still color. If you feel broken, please don't stop living. Don't stop coloring, even if the broken crayon makes your artwork seem blurry, or dull, or you color outside the lines a little bit. As you push forward, you will see that the crayons don't become how they once were, but they change, and perhaps they become how they were destined to be all along. Before long, you'll look at the big picture and come to love those broken crayons, and the enthralling masterpiece they helped create!

Slumps, Bumps, and Grit.

There is a thing in rodeo you see,
and at the moment, it's well-known to me;
hopefully you are having better luck,
trying your hardest not to suck.
But alas, I'm sinking in the standings,
and nothing is holding me up except my fan-lings.
Unbeknownst to me and maybe you,
this poem somehow became a little askew,
and I find it fitting,
life seems to head like that since the Beginning.
Don't sit in despair!
No, don't be scared!
How? Why?
Life can be a tad bit dry,
But, nonetheless, life of your hearts
and be of good cheer;
don't believe all your eggs are in one cart,
and it's about to smash and smear,
because that's simply not the case!
Your mind is set on a good base,
so the bumps won't hold you down,
or leave you flat on your back with a frown.
I've seen it deep within you,
that mentality where you refuse to lose,
NO MATTER WHAT!
It's that grit,
that ability to dig down and never quit
that sets us apart from the rest,
and someday, we will be at our best!
All these slumps, and bumps bring out our grit,
it's just the way it goes - no need to throw a fit!

I don't know if you've ever been in a slump, but they aren't fun. They are a great chance to learn and grow and become something more, but they aren't fun. Sure, the practice pen is fine, it just happens to be a bit rougher when you actually get into a competition. I had a conversation with a girl who is one of the handiest girls in rodeo I've ever met, and we were saying everyone goes through them, some last longer than others, but sooner or later they end. It doesn't mean you never struggle again, but you find a rhythm again. There are only a few ways to get out of a slump (that I know of, if you have more suggestions, by all means, share them) and they aren't easy.

The first one is you have to change your mindset. Somehow you have to trick your subconscious self into believing this time it's different. Whether you change the way you warm up, or what you picture in the box, you have to find a way to understand this time it will be different. This applies to anything. If it's not working, change your mindset, and convince yourself this time it's different.

The second suggestion is to rope out of it. If you can't put a run together, rope. If you can't figure out your mindset, rope. You have to keep going; you can't get out of a pit if you sit and wait for a miracle. Miracles happen as a result of hard work. Keep going. Keep swinging. Keep your head up. It's gotta click eventually.

Bumps go along with slumps; they are upsets or disappointments in life that come up, sometimes out of nowhere, and slow down our progress on the Road of Life. They require patience and hope. I refuse to give up hope that maybe tomorrow, the challenge I'm facing will be manageable. There are two options for bumps: hide and wither away, or stand up to it, look it square in the eyes, and don't let it stop you. Seriously, look at it and tell it you won't let it control you, not today, not tomorrow, not ever.

Grit is a dirty word and I love it. It doesn't come to those who give up, or those who want to just go with the flow. Grit is the determination that no matter what, you won't back off, you'll keep fighting, and you aren't afraid to get your hands dirty. It's the raw endurance required in life. Grit is sticking to your goals and dreams day in and day out, not just for today, or tomorrow, or the rest of the week, or even the rest of the year, but until your dreams are your reality and your goals are accomplished. No grit, no pearls. Refuse to give in, stay with it! The challenges you are facing today are in your life for a purpose, it's most beneficial if you find out why, but that will require grit.

Here's to a fantastic week, full of ended slumps, overcoming bumps, and acquiring grit! God has your back, just let Him show you. 

Flying

Please don't be afraid to fall.

Wow, that was surprisingly easy to say. If only it was that easy to do...

Falling. The word is not very extravagant or fancy, its rather simple, but it has power. It has the power to keep people in their comfort zones, away from heights, edges, and mountainous cliffs. The fear of falling is intense, and can hold people back from chasing their dreams. Falling in front of peers, in our own minds, in front of our family, and in front of everyone watching and counting on us are all terrifying (to me anyways) and sometimes the tasks we have at hand can seem totally overwhelming. In fact, sometimes it can be crippling.

So, what keeps us going? Why do we still take risks? Why shouldn't we all just sit on Netflix ALL THE TIME? Isn't it safer?

Yes, it's safer. Yes, watching Netflix all the time can seem tempting, and it won't hurt in the end. The issue with this is we don't gain anything. We don't grow, we don't change, we don't learn.

Life is full of opportunities to grow and learn and develop ourselves. We need to make an effort to take advantage of these things. Don't wait for tomorrow, don't wait until someone else does it, too. Decide today, no, not just today, decide right now that you want to achieve your goals, that you want to fly. Don't be afraid to fall in love. Don't be afraid to fall in love with a person, or with life, even at the risk of falling. 

"There is freedom waiting for you, on the breezes of the sky, and you ask, "What if I fall? Oh but my darling. what if you fly?" Erin Hanson nailed it on the head. Flying is exactly what follows when we overcome the fear of falling. The feeling of liberation lets minds and hearts become peaceful, and content. 

God is good. In fact, He is really, really good. When you decide you want to fly, He will help you as your wings grow. Be patient, be humble. He will make you more than you ever imagined.

I hope someday I can look at myself in the mirror with laugh lines deeply engrained on my face, satisfied with the life I lived, and full of fantastic memories: some extravagant, some simple. I hope I will have surpassed my own expectations and helped people and never turned away a questioning soul. I hope my eyes still look for the good in people and I hope my heart overflows with gratitude for the wonderful life I have been given the chance to live, because it is fantastically beautiful, in every sense of the word.

Choosing Not to Rodeo on Sunday

This is my response I wish I had when people ask me why I don't rodeo on Sunday. I probably gave a four syllable answer, along the lines of I'm a Mormon, but that isn't a fantastic answer.

This is in NO WAY intended to say that Mormons who rodeo on Sunday are bad, or that I am better than them, or anything along those lines. This is why I choose not to compete on Sundays in the season.

First of all, when I was in grade nine, my dad said we wouldn't go on Sundays. If I would've fought him in this, he probably would have let me go. He told me if I didn't go on Sundays, I would be blessed. My naïve grade nine mentality thought this meant I would do well in rodeo simply because I didn't compete on Sunday. This was not the case. I didn't qualify for provincials in grade nine, and I was sure it was because I had only gone to the rodeos held on Friday and Saturday, and I wasn't totally sure if I ever would qualify for provincials, but that was alright with me at that point.

In grade ten, I qualified for provincials in one event tied for tenth. (They take the top ten in each district.) I then qualified for the Canadian High School Finals, which is the top six in each province. This was a huge testimony builder to me, and I continued to work hard to improve in the sport I love.

I used Hanna's horse for the fall of grade eleven, then I started hauling my own mare in the spring. Needless to say, it took us a few rodeos to get on the same page, and I fell down continuously in the breakaway standings. I was still for sure going to qualify in goat tying, but I was hoping to qualify in both events. It didn't look like it was going to happen. In fact, my dad told me even if I won the last rodeo, I wouldn't have had enough points to make it in the top ten, and I had nothing to lose. I won the final rodeo, and ended up tied for tenth again headed to provincials. The final rodeo of the season was snowed out, and so I made it. (My dad was a little off in his calculations, thank goodness.)

Provincials came, and I had a goal to make it to Nationals. I thought if I was going to go, it would be in goats, since I was seeded higher in that event.

On the last day, I knew I had to catch my last calf in breakaway to have a chance to win the average and hopefully qualify for Nationals. I did that, and I just went to get ready for goat tying, which was next. The girl who won Alberta came over, super excited for me, and told me I qualified to go. I was shocked; I had no idea I would qualify after coming in to provincials in last place. Literally. Last.

Nationals was fun, I learned so much about competition and personal growth and the opportunities available in this fantastic sport. I did alright in the second run, and felt confident going into Canadians.

I don't know why, but I was so excited for Canadians. I couldn't sleep the night before, I was shaking with excitement when we pulled in. I had been there before, and was ready for the competition.

I was one of three girls to catch two calves, I was third high call for the final round. I caught my calf, and waited to see how the other two girls would do. They both missed, and I was shaking again. I didn't stop shaking for a solid twenty four hours after that run. Multiple people asked me how it felt to be the Canadian High School Finals Breakaway Champion. My response was it felt good, it felt like everything I had been doing for years finally paid off.

The fact that I qualified for provincials was a testament to me that I was blessed for not competing on Sundays. Then I qualified for Nationals, and I could not deny the Source of my success.

Yes, it does put me at a disadvantage to only compete and roughly half of the rodeos in the regular season.

Is it worth it to me? Absolutely. Would I change it? No. Why is this my answer? It all comes down to one truth.

Rodeo is what I do, it's not who I am. I am a daughter of God, and I love Him with my entire being. I would do anything for Him. I wouldn't choose to rodeo on Sunday now, because for me, that means I would change my relationship with Him and His Son, Jesus Christ, and there is nothing, nothing, that would be worth that for me.

There are tons of quotes from General Authorities about keeping the Sabbath Day holy. I think it must be pretty important, it's listed in the commandments along with "Do not kill," and things like that. I'll share a couple of my favorite quotes.

The first one comes from Quenton L. Cook. He said, "Keeping the Sabbath Day is a refuge from the storms of this life." A refuge! How cool of a promise is that?!

Henry B. Eyering said, "When you do your part, the Lord adds His power to your efforts." I know this is true with my entire being.

I love rodeo, I love the rush, I live for the next run. But the high from competing is nothing compared to the love I feel from my Heavenly Father.

I know that my Redeemer lives, what comfort this sweet sentence gives!

Because I have been given many opportunities in life, as well as in this sport, I feel I should give, too. The Sabbath Day is something I give to my Savior, and that is why I choose not to rodeo on Sunday.

Things Are No Longer Things

What if one day you woke up and things were no longer a thing?

Let's take a moment and define things. For the sake of this post, please assume that they are things such as cars, houses, clothes, computers, phones, etc. I'm not necessarily suggesting that they will evaporate overnight, but rather that our priorities suddenly become placed on other things because of a sudden accident, illness, or passing of a loved one. But who knows? Maybe things really will just evaporate:)

If this happened, there would probably be a few groups of people. Let's discuss them, shall we?

Group #1: This group is utterly distraught. All their hard work suddenly goes "down the drain, with nothing to show for it." Things were their life, possessions and collections drove them to work. They spent long hours working to be able to purchase more things. They often have very nice homes with lots of admirable things inside, but very little meaning is associated to all of their stuff. These people are all about looks and outside appearances; they invented "cool." Things are no longer a thing, and they are lost and empty without their vast amounts of stuff. Their relationships with people probably weren't stellar since possessions were a priority in their life, and people came in second.

Group #2: This group isn't distraught, but they aren't thrilled either. They like their stuff, it is mostly sentimental things someone gave them for Christmas from Walmart, but it was very thoughtful. They appreciate stuff and like to keep it around. If you want to get their heart, all you have to do is buy them a present. They don't focus all their energy on things, they have a solid relationship with the people they associate with, but they don't necessarily go out of their way to make the world a better place for everyone, because things are pretty fabulous.

Group #3: This group doesn't care that things are no longer a thing. They have everything they need in life without things. Their relationships with family and friends are strong, they are trustworthy (not that the other groups necessarily aren't) and they have compassion. They love their life without things, they have memories of grand adventures and good times to fill those spaces where things can creep into your desires. They go out of their way to serve others and give what they can, when they can. The world is at their fingertips because they don't dedicate all their time, energy, and resources to obtaining more and better things. Their lives are filled with meaning; their intents are always good. They constantly strive to make the world a better place.

Now, these are the three main groups according to me, but there are definitely subgroups and varying levels within each group.

Let's say tomorrow you wake up and all of your things weren't available. How would you react? I'm going to suggest that you do a self evaluation by placing yourself in a group, and see if you like where you end up. If you do, great! If not, it might be time to change your mindset...because who knows, tomorrow you could wake up and things are no longer a thing.

High School Rodeo 2016

Rodeo. Just the word sends shivers up my spine, my adrenaline starts pumping, and I feel at home.

I've been riding since I could walk, although sometimes I didn't think I would ever compete in rodeo. It was cool to watch my dad but I didn't have my own burning desire to compete, that is, until I actually did start competing. Once I got the taste of the excitement of it all, I was sure that I wanted to do that for the rest of my life.

There's nothing quite like this sport. In breakaway, for example, my horse and I have to be on the same page, but so does the calf, the guy running the chute, the timer, the flagman, and even the person in the chute pushing my calf. It all happens in roughly four seconds, and there's so many variables. That's what I love about it. Some days it happens, and some days it doesn't, and that's the beauty of it. We are on such a roller coaster all the time, being the best one day to not so hot the next. Rodeo has taught me how to win and lose graciously, because it's the only choice if you want to be able to compete consistently.

In the last two weeks, I've had the opportunity to compete at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Gillette, Wyoming. There were 1637 competitors, and 1900 horses there. It was the largest rodeo in history. Then I was able to go to the Canadian High School Finals Rodeo in Nanton, Alberta. The top six competitors in each province are invited to compete there. I have been blessed to learn and grow from these opportunities, and I am grateful for them.

If I could tell anyone, but especially young girls a thing or two, it would be this: when you are in the heat of the moment, backed in the box, ready to go, just take one second and let the whole situation sink into your mind, and enjoy it. Never take an opportunity for granted, and always be kind to people.

As I think back on that moment where I was backed in the box at Nationals, with people from all over behind me, I could feel the energy from all of these people. It was almost tangible. The feeling of joy and excitement was incredible. At that moment, it was no longer about me. It was about everyone who never got the chance to come, but who ropes as good as anyone. It was about the people who supported me so I could get here, about the coaches who have spent countless hours helping me to be able to rope, but also to be mentally tough, in the arena of rodeo, and in the arena of life.

There might be better ways to make a living, but there is no better way to live. We compete against our best friends, no one backs off for the other person, and we are still friends at the end of the day. It's an incredible life, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Moroni's Quest 2016

I don't know how to perfectly put into words my experience at Moroni's Quest, but I'm going to do my best. To say it was life changing doesn't explain it. To say it was overwhelming is an understatement. I fear nothing I can say will do it the justice it deserves, but I also believe I need to record my experience here.

So, what is Moroni's Quest? Every youth aged fourteen and up in our stake was invited to attend this amazing event where the stories in the Book of Mormon were reenacted. There was an amazing team of people that had thought of everything, from sound to security to superb meals. When we arrived on Friday morning, we were assigned to a tribe that had eight or nine kids in it, with leaders who have been preparing for a year to teach us.

On the first day, we rode buses to a place by Police Lake, where we started our journey to the promised land, or the campground. We followed Lehi and his family from place to place, and we learned about the stories and experiences of this remarkable family. They literally left everything behind to follow the Lord. This day taught me that sometimes the great things the Lord has in store for us take time, patience, and ultimately, trust in Him and His plan. Sacrifices that we make for Him will lead us down greater roads than we ever could've imagined.

The next day, we covered a vast majority of the Book of Mormon, from things like King Benjamin's address to battles to Samuel the Lamanite telling of the signs of Christ's birth. One of the events that affected me deeply was the story of Abinadi. This man gave His life in order to do what God had asked of Him, adding his name to a long list of martyrs, sealing his work with his life. He trusted God so much that He was willing to give everything he had, and he ultimately gave his life here to preach the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Another event that touched me was Mosiah's sons and their desire to serve missions. There was two called missionaries and two returned missionaries that bore their testimonies abut missionary work, and one of the returned missionaries is a girl from my ward. She said, "God loves each one of us and He wants us to love the gospel, each other, and ourselves." Sometimes, I feel like I'm not enough, but I know that in God's eyes, I am definitely enough.

Throughout the day, we would have discussions about what we learned and what our thoughts were with our tribes. We were also given time to write in our journals any thoughts we had about what was happening. At some point on Saturday afternoon, I wrote, "The power of God isn't for a select few of us. The love of God is for every man, woman, and child to ever exist. It's not for those who achieve certain things or love God "this much." It's for all of us, in all of us, ingrained in our spiritual and physical beings. We are always deserving of it."

Every event in the Book of Mormon is meaningful to me, but some of them sunk deeper into my mind and heart in this event than others did. The last one I'll share that happened on Saturday was the two thousand stripling warriors that Helaman lead to battle. They had every young man that had a mother there come to the stage and their moms all came and sang to them. It was an amazing thing to see those boys up there, and it was especially cool to see all of the ones with mission calls standing up there, ready to go and serve God. Today, our young men aren't called to go to battle or anything like that, but they are called to serve missions. They have been taught in their youth, and they will be the Lord's missionaries to bring the world His truth. They have the ability to overcome every obstacle set in front of them with God's help. We all do.

On Sunday morning, we all gathered together and sat in our tribes. The Savior (our stake president) came out into our gathering, and an immediate overwhelming feeling of love covered every person there in attendance. A few kids got up and hugged Him, and then everyone stood up to get in line to hug him. Meanwhile, hugs were shared with everyone. There were no groups, no age differences, no friend circles that mattered there. Everyone was equal.

I know that He lives. I know that He loves me, regardless of my imperfections. He loves me despite of my short comings and faults. He loves me. This is an unchanging truth, I know He knows me and my imperfections and my challenges and my struggles. He knows exactly what we need exactly when we need it. I know that God will carry me when I cannot walk on my own. I know that Christ lives, I know He suffered for my sins so I can repent. Oh, how sweet this sentence is! I know that my Redeemer lives!

I have heard some people state that the gospel of Jesus Christ isn't for them. There are some things that aren't for me, such as drawing, or singing, but I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. I know that the love of God is for everyone, and I know that God forgives all those who are willing to turn to Him with a humble heart.

There were so many amazing experiences in those four days, and I am incredibly grateful that I had the chance to go. I know that the adversary is going to be working hard on the people that were there because he doesn't want us to succeed, but I know as we strive to become more Christlike, we will have the ability to overcome any temptations we have.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true. I know this with all my heart.

The Mountains are Calling

"The mountains are calling, and I must go." 

I love adventures. Big ones, small ones, spontaneous ones, you name it, I love them. Mountains seem to hold endless adventures on their peaks, hidden in their valleys, mixed among their trees, and living in the water. They are peaceful, the rush of reality and chaos of every day life is left behind in the mountains. 

Many times in the scriptures, prophets of God are called to the mountains to receive revelation, and it makes sense. I personally don't think it's because they are closer to heaven, but because they aren't filled with the noise that is so apparent in life. It's easier to hear God when we listen without distractions, and it's easier to learn when it's a little bit challenging. 

Hiking isn't easy. I would much prefer to ride a horse up the mountain. I'm more comfortable, it's not as physically and emotionally straining. It hurts. And I don't like it, step by step. It pushes you. It's always uphill both ways I'm pretty sure.  But I do know I never regret it when I'm done. (That's a lie. The next day I always regret it, but mostly because I'm super sore.) Mountains teach me something nothing else could. 

When we are in crowded places, sometimes our thoughts become chaotic and close minded, but as we get into open places, our minds allow room for growth and positive thoughts.

If you're feeling clouded over, I challenge you to go to the mountains. It's a fantastic stress reliever, you can find peace and joy there. I guarantee you'll remember it later, unlike mowing your lawn again. When the mountains are calling you, I suggest you answer it. 

Moving Onward & Upward

Toxic people will drag you down and hold you back from reaching your potential & that's the truth. If you have them in your life, do your best to change that. If you can't change it, try to change the situation. If you can't change the situation, make the best of it and don't let them drag you down. Sometimes you have to let people go, because you grow. It's not because they are bad or you are better, but we all change. Change is hard, it can hurt. Sometimes you don't want to let people go, and sometimes you don't know how. 

I have a lot of mothers in my life. One of them told me that when someone does something to hurt you, and it seems to weigh on your mind a lot, you have to find a way to let them go. She suggested writing their name on a paper, building a little boat, and letting them sail away in a river or lake or some water. This is her physical way of mentally reminding herself that it's time to move on. Doing this allows for a weight to be lifted off your shoulders, it's an incredible feeling. 

Yes, bad things will happen to you. Yes, you might be hurt or offended by people. Yes, you have to let bitterness go. Yes, you should let yourself grow & move on. 

Let the negativity go. Let yourself be happy and let yourself move on. 

Have a fantastic day! 

Because of a Mother

Because of a mother, I have learned to stand on my own two feet. I've been taught that no matter what, you pick yourself up and dust off and continue forward, one foot in front of the other. If someone wants to push me around, I can stand up for myself. 

Because of a mother, I have learned the importance of helping other people. I have learned about selfless love and the ability to help everyone you meet in some way or another. It's not about having the fanciest things, but the most beautiful heart. 

Because of a mother, I have learned to appreciate my own worth and to never underestimate my potential. I have become aware that my moms don't want me to settle for anything less than my best. I have come to realize that my mothers believe in me when I don't believe in myself. 

Because of a mother, I have learned about selfless sacrifice. Sometimes your own needs or wants get pushed down the list. Mothers spend money and an endless amount of time to see others succeed. 

Because of my grandmother, I understand what surviving takes. I've learned that sometimes you have to be innovative and creative in your thinking when you don't always have everything you could want. I've learned that people, especially our family, come before any worldly items. 

Because of a rodeo mother, I've learned that you're going to fall, but you always always always pick yourself up and get back on. There's always another rodeo, always another time to better yourself. I've also learned that sometimes you have to grind down and get your calloused hands dirty and get the job done. 

Because of a basketball mother, I've learned to push through pain even when it hurts. I've learned that your knees might get bruised, but it's all for the love of the game and the love of your team. I've learned there is more to it than a win or loss, it's about relationships and accomplishing goals. 

Because of a mother, I have dreams and a desire to help the people around me, both strangers and friends. I have a will, if you will, to make the world a better place. I have been taught to go after what you want, and to not back down to a challenge, no matter how big or scary it might seem, because, after all, I know my mothers have my back. 

Be Kind to Yourself

We are often told somehow, whether it be through social media, or other people, that we need to be kind to everyone. People are always fighting a battle we don't know anything about, and we need to be there for them in their dark hours. 

Despite our best efforts to be kind to everyone, we usually end up neglecting someone, and for me, it's typically myself. 

I have always expected great things from myself. I've always wanted to be the best at whatever I was doing; I hate losing and I have a hard time being happy with my efforts, no matter what they are. I always feel like I could be doing something more to better myself and I can't seem to be happy with each stage of the process. I try really hard, and sometimes I try to act like I'm happy with it, but deep down I know I can do better.

I've had people tell me they admire my drive, but as much as other people might think it's good, I've had to learn to control it. Yes, it's good to be motivated. Yes, it's good to not be able to settle for mediocrity. I believe there's a point where it can be too much. It can completely take over your life, I've let this happen. When my drive starts driving my life, I lose control and end up driving myself straight into the ground. Not literally, but physically and emotionally I feel like I can't function. I become stressed out about everything. If I go somewhere, I have to tell myself it's okay, I don't need to be practicing or studying all the time. 

Although my drive is one of my strengths, it can also be counted as a weakness when it stops me from being kind to myself. 

Our journey will always be uphill if we are doing what's best and right for ourselves. It's meant to teach us, to push us, to refine us into what we are meant to be. Little by little, day by day, we begin to become more suited for the hill we are currently climbing. This is usually when we are then given a harder hill, and we can begin to feel discouraged. I promise you can make it up your hill if you keep putting one foot in front of the other. 

We are all going to make mistakes. We will mess up, and sometimes it might not seem like it will be okay. You will bounce back eventually. You'll make up for it. Just allow yourself to be okay with the rate which you are progressing. 

You are strong. I know you are. You're doing the best you can, and that's enough, so please be kind to yourself. 

Impossible

Impossible. 

Just that word probably sparked a thought of something you feel is currently impossible in your mind; maybe it was more than a single thought. 

It's different for everyone, but I know I have certain things I feel are impossible. That word is a blockade in our minds, it labels something impossible and we basically give up on it or move past it, and on with our lives. Sometimes this happens subconsciously, and sometimes it happens because we choose to let it. 

Now, I'm going to suggest something, and it's going to seem hard and daunting and maybe kind of scary. It might upset your mind for a while because sometimes our minds don't want to think outside the box. 

Here it is: nothing is impossible. Honestly. Whatever you have labeled impossible is merely labeled wrong. Yes, it might be challenging, but not impossible. 

Break impossible apart with me for a second. I'm possible. Replace everything you have deemed impossible with I'm possible. Easy? No. Possible? Yes. 

Set small, achievable goals. Work towards them step by step. Love yourself entirely, and impossible most definitely becomes possible. 

Impossible is a big word thrown around by small men who are filled with fear by the thought of creating a better world and not just accepting what they have. Impossible is an opinion, never a fact. Impossible is a dare, meant to spark a competitive drive and ignite a fire that can light a path to a new way of life for yourself and those around you. 

Take a stand today. Impossible is unrealistic, and suppressing. Challenging things are all around us, and they are meant to be worked at and can refine us into who we are meant to become. Impossible is temporary. Everything seems impossible until it's done. Whatever came into your head when you read the word impossible at the beginning is exactly what you should pursue!

Light at the End of the Tunnel

I've been debating posting this for a while for a few reasons. Sometimes when I state my problems or issues or trials or whatever you want to call them, I feel like I'm begging for attention, which is the exact opposite reason behind this blog. I also don't want to say my problems are worse than someone else, because that is entirely untrue as I sit here thinking about other people I know and what they are going through. I'm also unsure how to say some of the things I want to say, but I still feel like I should write this post.

I've always considered myself a happy person. I try to look on the bright side of things and I try to do what I feel is right. I've found a few things I am very passionate about, and I devote most of my time bettering myself in these areas. Sometimes, they might run me down a little bit, but never taking a taxing toll on my body or mind. I love finding adventure in everything, and finding little pockets of joy around every corner. Normally, this works great for me.

Lately, I've had a harder time with this. I don't necessarily look forward to getting up for school. My body is sore and I feel agitated at little things that normally wouldn't bother me. Some mornings, it takes every ounce of strength I have to climb out of bed and go to school.

Part of this is because school gets harder when you advance in the system, and sometimes it can feel overwhelming. I think another part has to do with a concussion from basketball this year. Constant headaches are never fun...

But I think another part of it just has to do with the fact that life isn't easy and it definitely wasn't meant to be. We are meant to grow here, and sometimes, in order to grow, we have to be given challenges to overcome and learn from. God gives us trials to allow us to come back to Him and receive a boost in faith and trust in His perfect plan. We aren't created to fail, but rather to be taught and learn about life. If we weren't ever given anything challenging, we would stay the same.

I still question why it is so hard to be motivated sometimes. Tonight was one of those times. I walked outside and saw some blossoms on a bush in my backyard. Not all of them are blooming yet, but a few close to the ground have opened. I'm here to say that no matter how hard the winter, the spring is coming. It might take a little while, but it will come. The dark night will end, and oh, how glorious the sunrise. Yes, life might seem dark, cruel, and unforgiving. It might seem overwhelming and borderline impossible. It is on our own, but the great thing is we aren't alone. We have a Heavenly Father who knows us personally and loves us. ( If you want more information on this, visit https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng or https://www.mormon.org/) No matter how alone we may feel we are, He is always there for us. In our trials, we need to turn to Him, and ask for the strength to overcome them, rather than turn away and ask why we are going through this.

We can overcome depression, anxiety, fear, heartache, tragedy, or anything else that seems so prominent in this world. Even the worst day of your life only has twenty four hours. Every winter will end, and spring will come. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, we just need faith to follow the path until then!

Open Letter to a Girl in Love With Basketball

You're 5 years old when you first start playing. You sit on the front row of the bleachers, imagining what it would be like to actually be playing basketball right now. You watch in amazement as the Varsity girls make passes in perfect harmony with the cutter. You want to be like them, and you don't really understand that it's a goal you're setting, you just want to play. You start shooting at half time, and the basket seems so much higher than you thought. The ball is heavier than the older girls make it look. Next year, you can start little league basketball, and it makes you so excited you can't sleep at night. 

Now you're ten years old, and you're starting to get the hang of the game. You can now do a proper layup and get the ball to the rim, and it goes in sometimes. You're moving from three on three to five on five, and it's the best thing ever. Basketball is still for fun. You love it so much and still faithfully attend varsity girls basketball games and imagine how amazing it must be to play at that level. You continue to work on your game, and keep the dream of playing high school basketball in the back of your mind. You are also starting to make solid relationships with the girls you play with.

At thirteen, you play on your first school team. Your jersey has the same mascot or school name as the older kids now. The game becomes faster, and everyone is getting better. You have so much fun playing with the girls you've now been with for a few years, and you're sure you'll all play as seniors together. The game is still for fun, and you play because you enjoy it. Your competitive nature is allowed to be free as you dive for loose balls and get the first of many black and blue knees.  It's worth it though, it's all for the love of the game. 

At some point you're going to question if this is all worth it. The late nights and early mornings spent getting stronger or faster, the extra lines to make yourself more tired to shoot foul shots so you know you can make them when you're tired in a game. If it doesn't make the fire in your soul burn deep and powerful, then maybe it's not for you, but if it does, pursue it and don't let the fire die. 

Now you're in grade 10, and high school basketball tryouts prove tougher than you thought. There will be two teams, varsity and junior varsity. Some of your friends you've played with for five years didn't even come to tryouts, and some got cut, but you made it. All your hard work helped you, and you start to work hard, to give your team the best shot at win i g and you enjoy the new experience and the new pace of basketball. The games become more intense and the crowds become larger. Coaches from your younger days stop to talk to you in the store, and only then do you realize the impact they've had not only on your game, but on your life. You love everything about high school basketball and the thrill of it all. 

Somewhere along this journey, you're going to have coaches and you're going to have critics. Coaches will help you, and push you, even if they don't necessarily have the title. They are still there to remind you to keep your elbow in or to shoot the ball and quit pushing it. Critics are going to tell you you aren't strong enough, fast enough, quick enough, smart enough, tall enough, or athletic enough. Don't let this cause a detour in your progression. Push through it. It's all about determination and discipline. You are enough, if you decide to let yourself be. 

Grade 11 rolls around, and now you're playing varsity basketball. Everything you've dreamed about for the last ten years is now a reality, and it's hard. It's hard to balance school, sleep, and practice every day, let alone a social life. That goes out the window for five months. The court doesn't become just a place to play basketball. It becomes a stress reliever, a place you can be yourself. Your teammates don't expect you to keep your "everything is fine all the time" mask on. They get it. It's physically and emotionally draining and sometimes it takes every last ounce of courage you have to finish the last set of lines for the day. But then you prove to yourself you can do it. You can do whatever you need to even when it gets hard and that is important to always remember. Games come down to a few foul shots in front of a huge crowd. The whole town knows the outcome of your tournament before you even get home. Everyone has high expectations for you, including yourself and your teammates. Losses are heartbreaking, wins give you confidence you forgot you had. You become so attached to the girls on your team, and then you play the last game of the season. It's bound to happen, you knew it would all along. A prayer by your captain ends the season, and no one wants to walk out of the locker room after, because then reality sets in. It's over. The seniors you became best friends with are leaving, and you cant keep the tears contained anymore because you can't imagine playing without them. Before you know it, you give them a hug as you pull away from the hotel. That chapter of their life is over, and you have to okay without them next year. 

So, this is the part I'm supposed to tell you it's not scary. I'm not going to do that, because I'm not going to lie to you. It is scary. But, fear is natural, fear is good, it just means you are about to face something of importance and you can do it. It is scary, it's scary to know an injurie could end your career. It's scary to know you won't ever play with those ten girls again. It's scary to think what will happen in the next five years. It's a good scary, but that doesn't make it easy by any means. 

Heading into my senior season next November, I have a few things to say. It's all worth it. The relationships with these girls will last a very long time and that's the most important thing. I am asking you to stop and take a minute and enjoy everything. Enjoy every step of the way, because it's a journey and not a destination. Allow yourself to be happy and don't wish practices away (I'm guilty of this) because before you know it, it's over. Breathe, enjoy it, and have fun. Because, after all, it's a game, a game embedded with life lessons, and you gotta learn them while you can! 

Madness of Magic

Magic. The simple word evokes a sense of wonder and curiosity, it is the bridge between the known and the unknown, the seen and unseen. It can be a label given to a mysterious thing, or something we don't completely grasp.

I believe in magic to a certain extent. I'm not saying I believe in unicorns or fairies and pixie dust. I believe extraordinary moments in ordinary tasks of each day of our lives, I believe magic resides in each of us, and it comes alive in scenarios we need it, or to add a cherry on top of a fantastic moment.

Roald Dahl said, "And above all. watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

Now, I don't know about you, but this speaks directly and powerfully to my soul. It literally makes me want to go out, and find magic. It makes me want to explore caverns untouched, and wander off the beaten path. It motivates me to do extraordinary things. Yes, all of these things sound amazing, but are they very realistic? Not at all.

Magic is to be found in the midst of ordinary tasks we perform on the daily. Magic can happen on a simple drive to wherever you need to go (school, work, etc.) as the sun is rising, and it finally peaks over the horizon, allowing the rays to spread across the landscape all around you. Magic can be present when we reach a goal, or a milestone. Magic can be present in the quiet hours of the early morning, when amazing and reaffirming thoughts enter our tender minds. Magic can happen when we all come together to create something that wasn't there before, or to help someone in need out. Magic is all around us, we just need to have the courage to see it.

I believe we as a society far too often dismiss magic as a mere coincidence, never giving it the full attention and credit it deserves. Magic doesn't have to be a spell, or a wave of the wand to be real magic. We forget the notions of magic we each once held dear in our minds in our earlier years, deeming it as unrealistic and a waste of energy. I challenge each of you to revisit those ideas, and allow yourself to feel magic in your life again.

Maybe to find magic, you have to get away from reality for a while. Unplug, refresh, find magical moments again.

I believe magic can be captured in a photograph, whether it's from a real camera or from your smart phone. I believe magic is passed around in a genuine smile or a contagious laugh. Magic is literally wherever we look for it.

Please find magic. You might see it occasionally, and I want you to look for it more often. You might never see it, and I hope you find glimmers of it, because it's there. I've seen it, I've felt it, and I've lived around magical people. Magic is in details, in flower petals and water droplets. All you have to do is look for it through glimmering eyes, and it'll be there!

P.S. I want to hear about your magic moments! You can comment on this blog post, or send me an email, or comment on my Facebook and/or Instagram post(s) regarding this blog post. I look forward to hearing about them!