All Girls Are Princesses

On this Sunday evening, I found myself longing for a good cry. Enter: A Little Princess. This movie was a special movie my dad and I shared as a young girl. Sarah's relationship with her father perfectly mirrored how I felt about my 'Papa.' Her absolute faith in him and in magic. Her belief in make believe. Her resilience in the face of adversity. Her strength in the unknown. She embodied how I wanted to be at her age, and upon watching it again today, has re-instilled my desire to be just as fearless.

Of course, I cried like a baby, so that wish was fulfilled. Have a happy Sunday, everyone. Remember, all girls are princesses.

Without Doubt

One of my goals for 2014:

"Contemplate finding what my womanhood means as a Latter-day Saint--Contemplate, research, write, and discuss."

Let's get the discussion going. (:

As a woman, I've longed for understanding my entire life. I've ached for the outside societal voices to hush, the religious cultural whispers to cease, the self blame and doubt to melt away. Throughout my childhood and adolescence, it was easy defining myself based on certain men's choices. It was easy placing blame on myself. It was easy looking at other women and comparing myself.

I still have hope that can stop. I have faith it can be done, for myself and other women, both Latter-day Saints, and not. It is imperative I find and grab hold of my divine worth as a woman.

My mother sat across from me on her bed just a few weeks ago. She said, "You're a feminist." Her eyebrows were raised and I blushed. Someday I'd love to be a Young Women's leader. I'd love to help girls think about the temple in regards to a relationship with God, rather than being worthy solely for a man. I wish I could have a re-do with some bishops as a teenager, who left a bad taste in my mouth toward patriarchy for years. But repentance and sincere humility does things--it changes your heart.

I'd love to apply the Atonement to my life in searching for my identity as a woman.The areas I'd like to focus my thoughts on throughout the year:

• Mother Eve
• The Historiography of Relief Society's Past and Present
• Changing Your Heart
• Temple Worthiness For You First
• A Woman's Testimony
• Loving Your Spirit and Your Body
• Career and Marriage

...and whatever else comes to mind. (:

I hope you'll join me on my journey this year. This itch won't go away. I'd love for your thoughts, ponderings, opinions, and experiences. I love you.

"I desire the Spirit of God to know and understand myself, that I might be able to overcome whatever tradition or nature that would not tend to my exaltation in the eternal worlds. I desire a fruitful, active mind, that I may be able to comprehend the designs of God, when revealed through His servants without doubting."

-Emma Smith, First President of the Relief Society