10.13.2013

Major Setbacks.

Setback (n.): a change in status for the worse, usually temporarily.

If you're anything like me, you read that definition and thought, well that sucks. And yeah... it does. However, did you notice the last word of that definition?

...Temporarily...

I have been experiencing some major setbacks over the past few weeks. My busy schedule is getting the best of me and I'll be honest, I am a total mess.

These thoughts keep running through my head: "Han, you are a failure. You're going back to how you used to be! Even though you're trying to teach these people that there is hope and happiness on the way, you don't even believe it yourself."

 To this I reply: "STUPID, SATAN. What a liar."

I am NOT a failure simply because my depression has been harder to handle over the past few months. This doesn't define me. I'm still Han the girl that Can. (Cute how Han rhymes with everything huh?) So yeah I had a setback.. I'm a human. Woop dee doo! But guess what.

Because I am a human that means that I have a Savior, Jesus Christ who has been through this already! He knows my struggles and He is there. Does this mean that I will always feel His spirit with me and have just a nice little life full of frolicking through the daisies? Um... no. Definitely not.

But this does mean that I have a loving Heavenly Father who is watching out for me day in and day out who loves me infinitely. He loves me when I am depressed. He loves me when I'm happy. He loves me even when I don't deserve it.

I put this picture on the desktop of my laptop. It is one of the most beautiful and profound quotes I have ever added to my infinite quote collection. (See post below for more on this inspired talk.)

I highly suggest you do this too! Post this picture somewhere you will see it everyday. And remember that our Heavenly Father loves you. No matter what.

And setbacks are only temporary.

| Han |


| Small Victories |

Wow. That's about the only word I can use to describe the sheer brilliance and beauty of General Conference a couple of weeks ago. Although all of the messages shared contained much wisdom and revelation, Elder Holland's address in particular gave such incredible insights specifically relating to emotional/mental health. And boy did he ever share those things with gusto!

As I was re-watching Elder Holland's talk tonight, trying to come up with what particular point I wanted to address in this post, I noticed something I hadn't picked up on the first time I listened to this talk. 

He said, "If [they] are only small victories, be grateful for them." Small Victories. I love that idea of accomplishing simple and small things every day, every hour, and every week. 

I was reminded by a dear friend this evening that small victories are what brought me through depression. Small victories are the things that continue to bring me through depression on the daily. 

Even if you feel like you have nothing left to offer, you feel burned out, exhausted, and tarnished, there will always be a small victory you have achieved. You may have simply gotten out of bed and dealt with a really rough day. That totally counts as a small victory! Perhaps you held the door open for someone walking into a building behind you- small victory! 

Don't ever undervalue the preciousness of your small victories. This week I am going to focus on the little things I accomplish every day through our Savior, Jesus Christ. For with Him, all things are truly possible. 

In case you missed Elder Holland's talk, here it is: