Inner Peacemaker Parent Podcast

I didn't remember this story of “when Saul was troubled with an evil spirit, David played for him with his harp and Saul was refreshed and the evil spirit departed" (see 1 Samuel 16:23) (Ezra Taft Benson, "Do Not Despair," Ensign 16 [October 1986]: 5). I love that is included in the Bible! There are so many awesome gifts of music!! This episode was really so much fun to write as I reflected on an experience during my grandfathers funeral, as well as a youth conference lesson showing a clip from Jurassic Park, moments of gaining testimony in myself and in my teenager, how my daughter listened to a song that made her "feel strong" inside,  learning about parts of the brain that get activated with music, and more. I really enjoyed and needed the reminder of how powerful this free, easy-to-use tool is and how MANY giftS it can bring. Don't have time to listen? I still got you! Here's one quote, then a couple ideas to consider implementing: One gift of music includes that “we [can] get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps through any other thing except prayer" (President J. Reuben Clark Jr., in Conference Report, Oct. 1936, 11). A piece of advice I was given my baby shower from the eldest (and wisest) in the room, wrote down on her 3x5 card for me to remember this counsel: "Sing to your kids at night." Have any older kids that are past that stage? Me too! One thing we can do is to put fun music on when you clean or are in the car together. Or you can share some of your favorite songs so when they hear it later in life, they'll think of you when they hear those songs. You got this, inner peacemaker! One messy, wonderful day at a time!  

“…Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today" (Matthew 6:34, NRSV). I appreciated hearing a vulnerable, open story of an apostle's worries & challenge in a financial experience & what he learned about sometimes taking life just one day at a time. I'm excited to also share with you a joyful moment at the airport that ties into the Bible story of the wedding feast.

Because my home was just involved in a house fire two days ago, I keep thinking about the power of water. To the woman at the well, to Lehi, and to you & me, there is a gift of water that we have access to everyday and it can powerful.  Reflecting on a scale of the power from a firehose, a garden hose, a water can, or spray bottle, how powerful does His love and power feel in our own life??

Elder Bednar recommends, “that periodically you and I offer a prayer in which we only give thanks and express gratitude. Ask for nothing; simply let our souls rejoice and strive to communicate appreciation with all the energy of our hearts" (“Pray Always,” General Conference, October 2008). To me, meditating is a just offering a very present prayer where we visualize. So, here's a short episode if your heart could use a calm minute to breathe and only give thanks for your blessings.

I'm sometimes surprised which experiences add to my belief in the resurrection of Christ. Today I share just three brief, personal experiences that helped His resurrection feel even more real to me. I noticed all 3 were aided by OTHER people; people that took time to prepare something for me or provided an opportunity for me. That has helped me reflect on the question: "What am *I* doing to help others (including my kids) to have opportunities to have experiences like this too?" Wishing you some memorable moments where the Savior's resurrection feels more real to you too.

This episode was something I didn't know I needed. I knew I'd be seeing some specific people again soon, and I've been surprised how my body has tensed-up already as a seemingly simple scene has re-surfaced to mind of a brief experience I had with them (YEARS ago!), where I walked away feeling really dumb and belittled. (I know now that it was my own thoughts around that circumstance, but I still had that story running around in my head! It was even causing me to freeze up and NOT really WANT to see them again. So interesting how powerful those experiences can be).I am so grateful for this topic of forgiving OUR debtors. I just really needed to prepare this week's episode. I very humbly feel grateful to have been led to a topic I personally needed. Don't have time to listen? I still got you. One of the reflective questions to get you thinking is to identify ANY relationship that feels damaged or wounded in any way, or a moment/experience you need to still forgive?? Who do I need to forgive?We read the words of the Savior's story in Matthew about the king who forgave his servant, but then the servant turns around to NOT forgive his own servant for an even smaller debt. The king finds out and says: "I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me. Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?"  (Matthew 18: 32-33).Best wishes inner peacemaker with your efforts to clean up/heal/strive to forgive where it is needed. So much love and empathy coming my way to you.

What do doughnuts, parachutes, & kings have in common?? They each are tied into a short thought to help us better see the gift of His mercy that can be balanced perfectly into justice. May this episode help you feel a reminder/glimpse of God's love for you when He gave you His atonement as a gift--a doughnut, a parachute, and a king---just for you! If you haven't gotten to your study of the Savior's atonement this week, in this episode, I got you.=======================================For more love and support on this and other self care topics, you are so welcomed to join us in the free Facebook group "Creating Inner Peace: Christ-Centered Self Care for Moms."

My daughter did something "bad"/something not as nice at school, and she later felt guilty about it. She didn't know how to forgive herself so we brainstormed a sentence (mantra) she could say to give her some extra love and move forward. Thoughts about being so kind to yourself & how to use the Redeemer's atonement instead of stewing in anger towards your past mistakes. How to use the tool "Next time I will..." so you can move forward instead of sticking in the mud of shame or guilt. "Please don’t give precious space in your soul to [old grievances where you caused pain to another] any longer" --Elder Jefferey Holland“When the Lord requires that we forgive all men, that includes forgiving ourselves." --Elder Dieter Uchtdorf

I remember some big feelings I had right after dropping off a plate of cookies to a young mom I was asked to visit; instead of feeling proud of myself or joyful for taking care of another person, I felt...guilt!!?? Today's episode is all about the guilt we sometimes can still feel even after doing something "good," but in our mind it wasn't "perfect" or "not good enough" or "not quite right." I want to help you learn two tools to help you work through that big feeling so you don't have to spiral or comfort yourself with unhelpful habits and instead really take care of yourself. For more love and support on this and other topics, feel welcomed to join the free Facebook page "Creating Inner Peace: Christ-Centered Self Care for Moms" or go to creobalance.com.