The Middle.

Hello. If you are thinking, wow, all Ashley does lately is blog! You are right. I have been blogging a ton. I have a lot on my mind- good and hard feelings- and I feel like blogging is a type of therapy for me. At least for today. :)

Anyways, the last time I bought a new planner was in the middle of the year. And so, now, it has been a year and my old planner is at its end and it was time to buy a new one. So, I went to Walmart and found this one.

Then, ironically, that same day I bought my new planner I read the new home teaching message from the July edition of the Ensign. Which is entitled "Always in the Middle" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. His talk uplifted and impressed upon my spirit quite deeply that the words he spoke were not only true, but for me. 


In this article, President Uchtdorf states,

"While beginnings and endings of things are celebrated and remembered, the middle of things often goes unnoticed..."

"Beginnings are time for making resolutions, for creating plans, for bursts of energy. Endings are times for winding down and may involve feelings of completion or loss. But with the proper outlook, considering ourselves as in the middle of things can help us not only understand life a little better but also to live it a little more meaningfully." 

"We are always in the middle."

"We may feel we are at the beginning or end of our lives, but when we look at where we are against the backdrop of eternity- when we realize that our spirit has existed for time beyond our capacity to measure and, because of the perfect sacrifice and Atonement of Jesus Christ, that our soul will exist for an eternity to come- we can recognize that we truly are in the middle."

President Uchtdorf's words not only have changed the way I think and helped me to have a new and better perspective on life, but they have also taught me that at this time- July- which is in the middle of the year- that  I can start new.

So, here is the very first page of my new planner...

I have lots of new goals for myself, new goals for a new place and time in my life. And, since I am an imperfect person I am grateful to always be "in the middle."


P.S. A midst some of my new goals is a goal to plan and make yummy meals every night for dinner. :) (Thought if maybe I took a picture it would help me not only remember, but actually help me to reach my goal!)