happily hadley.: 2016

(NOT in chronological order whatsoever)

celebrating the fact that i've lived in hawaii for two months now * exploring the polynesian cultural center * our friend ben going out of his way to find us five matching crowns (he's a tour guide at the pcc) * a delectable potluck in my htm (hospitality + tourism management) class where everyone brought foods from where they're from * facetiming my faaaavorite people * the most perfect weekend * selfies with tavi * productive days * learning that i don't hate jogging as much as i thought i did * (hopefully) making jogging a habit in my weekly routine * social media ((because it gives me a chance to catch up on people's lives that i normally wouldn't be able to see)) * watching a beautiful sunset @ sunset beach * riding "the bus" (that's actually the name - how cool is that?) to explore the beautiful island of oahu * hearing lewis respond, "hawaiiiiiiii" when people ask him where his auntie had lives * movie dates via facetime * conversations wayyy to late into the night with my roommates + tavi (our wonderful adopted roommate) * bouquets of sunflowers * seeing palm trees out of the window as i'm sitting in class * my political science class * the most amazing package in the mail from my magnificent momma * a matching hat + bag combo that mom couldn't resist because "it screamed sunshine and hadley" * weekly visits to the beautiful temple so close to me * seeing pictures of the amazing fall that is happening in ut right now * beUTAHful shirt * finally finding a place to live next semester * the new place i'm going to be living at being reaaaally close to the beach * friendly people * discovering new movies that i adore * looking forward to conference this weekend (!)

i've always loved the song, "count your blessings" (hymn #241) and the message of gratitude it sends. as i face feelings of homesickness, the best thing i've found to do is think of all the amazing people + opportunities i've been blessed with...and go to the temple. because the temple is the best place in the whole world.

wishing you all a wonderful week.

xoxo,
had.

5:34 PM
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attitude of happiness.

had in hawaii.

Tonight I was encouraged by a friend to read

Teachings of the Presidents: Gordon B. Hinckley

Chapter 3: Cultivating an Attitude of Happiness and a Spirit of Optimism

and I'm sooo glad I did. I've always been a fan and supporter of President Hinckley, but with his death when I was 10 years old I know I didn't gain all the understanding from him that I would like to.

If you have a few minutes, PLEASE take the time to go read this. I promise you will spiritually uplifted & edified.

A few (ookay, perhaps more than 'a few') of my favorite thoughts from that wonderful man...

"Keep trying. Be believing. Be happy. Don’t get discouraged. Things will work out."

"I come … with a plea that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I’m suggesting that we accentuate the positive. I’m asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort."

"How magnificently we are blessed! How thankful we ought to be! … Cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving for the blessing of life and for the marvelous gifts and privileges each of us enjoy. "

"We live in the fulness of times. Mark that phrase. Mark the word fulness. It denotes all of [the] good that has been gathered together [from] the past and restored to earth in this final dispensation."

"In all of living have much of fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

"Don’t belittle yourself. Never forget that you are a child of God. You have a divine birthright. Something of the very nature of God is within you."

"Believe in yourself. Believe in your capacity to do great and good things. Believe that no mountain is so high that you cannot climb it. Believe that no storm is so great that you cannot weather it. … You are a child of God, of infinite capacity."