September 21, 220 "Think Less About Yourself, Not Less of Yourself!"

 Hey Family and Friends! 

This week, we have been learning a lot about improving ourselves so we can make a difference in the lives of those around us. It is such an important topic, yet frequently looked over. The easiest thing for me, and maybe you as well, is to compare myself to others. Constantly I am finding flaws in myself that can spiritually and physically drag me down. 

  

I love this quote from a talk given at BYU, it goes something like this: "think less about yourself, not less of yourself." 

When we worry about our hair being perfect, or if our clothes are on just right, going back and forth from the closet to the mirror, where we wrestle with feelings of self worth. Dumping on piles of makeup to hide any imperfection that has surfaced on our skin, and finding we may only feel comfortable with ourselves if we look as close to perfect as possible. It is then that we miss opportunities to involve ourselves with those around us. We miss opportunities to smile and laugh, because we are too busy scowling at ourselves in the mirror. We miss the chance to help a struggling child with their homework, or study for a few extra minutes in the scriptures. 

Don't get me wrong, it is important to take care of yourself. Yet, when we compare ourselves to others, trying to mask perfection, when not one of us is perfect, we miss what our Father in Heaven has in store for us. 

You may ask, what is the difference between thinking less about ourselves, and thinking less of our selves?

 

When we think less of ourselves we view ourselves as less then what we are. We compare. We find flaws in ourselves that frustrate us. This is not what our Heavenly Father intended for us. He did not create us so we could hate ourselves, he created us so we can become like him. 

What does thinking less about ourselves look like? 

Picture the savior. 

Someone who focused on the needs of those around him, instead of his own. His first priority isn't getting the dirt off his feet before he walks over to the blind man, or fixing his hair just right before they nail him to the cross, the saviors thoughts were always on those around him. 

The savior knew the power of this phrase: the worth of EVERY soul is great in the sight of god. He served diligently, and loved perfectly. 

Note: 

You are a daughter or son of god 

You are loved 

You are priceless

I challenge each of you to create a list for yourself of things that you can say when you look at yourself in the mirror each morning. Tell yourself that you are worth it, that you are loved. Let it be true. And then get to work!! Serve. Love. Live life as the savior would. 

I can promise you that as you think less about yourself, you will notice the needs of those around you, and you will be able to serve selflessly. You will be able to love more fully as the savior does. 

I love you all!! You are all worth it!