NEEDS vs. WANTS

A couple weeks ago in relief society I was assigned to read a quote that mentioned something about being blessed with the things we want. The subject of my "wants" and my "needs" have been on my mind lately. Since being thrust into my current situation I have done some reevaluating and prioritizing of things that are important in life. I have had to distinguish between my wants and my needs. A few years ago they were two totally separate things. Today they are the same.

There was a time when I wanted a new granite counter-top in the kitchen of my home. Today I need a home. I remember wanting a big pantry that would hold my food in an orderly fashion. Today I need food. I liked having a nice new car to drive, but now I need gas to put in the car.

I have developed a whole new perspective to what I really need in life. Yes, it’s fun to dream and want nice things, but when we are thrust into a survival mode our wants are no longer frivolous items that we can live without – our wants become what we need.

Today I am living my greatest fear – poverty and homelessness. I thought it would be harder for me to live without money. I loved to shop. I loved to dress nice and fix up my home. I am surprised that I do not mourn the loss of that activity. I don’t even envy people I see walking out of stores with bags of purchased items. The activity I once loved I now fear. That fear has become the motivating factor that keeps me aware of what is really necessary in life. Maybe the burden of my circumstance have caused me to lose the spark inside of me, but if I ever climb out of this pit I have fallen into I will never allow this to happen to me again.

What I want has changed.

What I need has changed.

I have changed.

Fall in Idaho

Billy and I went to Pocatello for a couple days to visit Jesse, Stephanie and the twins. That we had a great time goes without saying. We always love to visit them, and the girls get more fun with each visit. They are two years old now with a very full vocabulary so they keep us laughing.


Abby playing with Grandma before bedtime. She looks tired doesn't she. :0)

This visit we carved a pumpkin, went for a walk to the park, danced, sang songs, colored, cuddled, tickled, wrestled, read, laughed, and took a million pictures. I love being a mother, a mother-in-law, and a grandma..............

Oh, and a dork!!

Look at that face - this little girl loves life!!!

And sweet Savannah - she melts my heart!!

Walking to the park.

I think they went down the slide a MILLION times and each time they loved like the first.

Savannah playing with Grandma before bedtime.

Some beautiful fall colors we enjoyed. This is my first time experiencing the real fall colors. It is a beautiful site with vibrant colors.

I love it here!!!

Treasure

Today when President Uchtdorf said, “What we love determines what we seek” reminded me of something I heard once during a sacrament meeting. The speaker said, "You find what you look for". I was so intrigued by that comment I have spent much time reflecting upon its meaning. It is such a simple statement, but I love its implication. So I ask myself, "What do I look for as I go throughout my day?" Do I look for the goodness in others? Do I look at the blessings I have been given or do I look for what I do not have? Do I look to uplift or to tear down? Do I look for happiness or do I look for misery? Do I look to my Heavenly Father for guidance when I am confronted with challenges I feel I cannot bear? Or do I look for reasons to place blame and question, "why me". Do I look to live the commandments or do I look for excuses and reasons to justify my transgressions?

We are all looking for something as we journey through this life. Maybe life is like a treasure hunt and we are looking for the ultimate prize. The problem is that it is easy to become misguided in our direction for that prize. As daily life distracts us we are detoured from our path, but if we keep looking we are able to find little treasures along the way that redirect us back in the right direction. These little treasures can be prayer, scripture reading, a good friend, the temple, or a quiet moment of solitude. I think of the scripture in Mark 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” As I go throughout my day I hope I look to love Heavenly Father and seek for the treasures that He has blessed me with, and that will bring me closer to Him.