Satisfaction!

Well my reflection for this post is a day when I felt ultimately satisfied with my life... well... I do remember a day when I was in South Korea.  I had spent a busy weekend with the Rogers' family and was heading back to Uijeongbu on the 1 1/2 hour subway train ride home.  I took my journal out and started thinking about my life over the course of the past 10 months I had spent in Korea and I broke down specific aspects of my life: spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional.

As I thought about these four parts of my life, I couldn't help but smile and feel great pleasure in how I was living my life.  Spiritually: I felt closer to my Heavenly Father than every before and I wasn't afraid to share it with anyone who came in my path (as long as they spoke English haha).  I felt more confident in my scripture study and gospel principles.  I wasn't afraid to share my thoughts and feelings during classes or activities and I felt like I became an example in our branch and it felt amazing.

Physically: Well along with losing 30 lbs while I was over there, I also felt energetic and strong.  I gained a love for walking and an appreciation for taking the stairs rather than the escalator (mostly because I could get up the stairs faster than on the escalator).  Sadly I still had some insecurities, which I now think 'what the heck was I complaining about', but I was happy and felt more content with my physical looks than I have in my life.  I felt beautiful, strong, healthy, and happy!

Mentally: I think through certain experiences I had while in Korea, I was forced to expand and challenge my mind and way of thinking.  I learned to think more for myself than to follow what others wanted me to do.  I gained more confidence in my ability to learn and to teach and gained a passion for both.  I think the greatest mental gift I gained was the power of optimism/positivity.  PJ is the happiest and most positive individual I have ever met and I truly didn't know it was possible for someone to be so happy and to have such an enormous and positive influence on those around.  I didn't realize it till I got home, but spending time with the Rogers family was such a great blessing as an abundance of their positive energy was shared with me and I was the happiest I have ever been.  PJ taught me that a huge part of why he is always so happy is because of his mindset.  Every morning he wakes up and says to himself that it's a great day and that he is awesome.  It sounded silly to me at first, but PJ challenged me that every morning I go to my bathroom mirror and say 'Dang, I'm beautiful!' and 'Man I am smart' as well as 'Today is going to be a great day!'.  The first time I did it, I laughed at myself and thought I had clicked into Looney Land, but as I continued to do it (and not even every day), my attitude and perspective of not only myself, but those I was surrounded by began to alter and change in a more positive and productive way.  What a blessing and something I need to work on getting back to again!

Emotionally:  Korea was very lonely in the beginning and took a toll on me emotionally at times.  I definitely had some good tears of sadness, plenty of happiness, some anger, and other emotions, but I gained respect and more awareness of my emotions and was able to make adjustments when needed.

Yes, this was a great day!  I realized that by focusing on little goals within each of these four aspects of my life, I became the woman I had always wanted to become.  It makes me a little sad to think that I've lacked in a few of these areas since that time, but it also motivates me to buck up and live a happier and more fulfilling life both for myself and for those around me.  It's amazing the influence one person can have on a group of people and this is true in a variety of atmospheres.  No matter what my mood was for the day, I knew when I walked in the Rogers home, I was going to be happier and feel better about myself.

So I am VERY glad this reflection came up because it's a great thing to be reminded of often and a very satisfying moment in my life that I want to revisit often in my current life!