New years resolution

Well, the last post says it all. Growing up has been an amazing experience- but I feel like I've only just begun. This last semester was crazy busy and my brain has been expanded. Its interesting looking back. But this next semester is going to push me in ways I did not think possible, I'm moving out.

I know, crazy right?

So as a new years resolution, I'm resolving to blog more often. Mainly to share my experiences to my family and friends at home. I'm really nervous, but hey- I was nervous for college and I had a great first semester. So this shouldn't be too bad yet.

So you're probably wondering 'when? where? do you have a job? how long are you staying?' I'll be moving on the 6th to Cedar City, where I've been going to college, at good ol' George Wythe University. I'll be job searching the first week I'm there, and I've got a couple of things in mind. I've been making list after list, but I don't think I'll actually be prepared until after the first week. And finally, I'll be staying until summer. And by then I'll be going on my first cruise to Hawaii! Very excited about that.

One of my favorite shots :)

So before I move out, I had my 'belated senior pictures' taken by my amazing friend Bonnie! She is a phenomenal photographer (try saying that ten times fast... okay, it wasn't that hard.) and the best part was that I got to take pictures doing some ballet. It was amazing! I love her and I'm really gonna miss all my friends while I'm in cedar, but I don't live too far away so it will be really easy for me to come and visit often. 

Well, that was not my only new years resolution- My next resolution is to pull off a Fouette en Pointe. So to do that I've gotta keep dancing, and I'm determined to do so! :) Wish me luck!

Growing up...

A lot has happened this summer, and to make a long story short. I've been growing up!

In the beginning... (of my summer 2011)

I went to Youth for Freedom and participated in the Andau Character Prize Competition. It was such a life-changing experience and I wouldn't have traded anything in the world for it. I had a great time with my friends, and shared some amazing experiences with my family.
I had about a week's break, then...
GIRLS CAMP!!!
Unfortunately it was my last year as a young woman... which was a little depressing but it made the experience all the better! I did a lot of planning as I was a Youth Camp Leader, and I had a lot of fun taking charge of some of the activities.
After about a month, I went four-wheeling with my family. This year was a little more stressful than years past. For me at least. For the first time in my life I rolled a four-wheeler. It was very scary and I am so glad that I am alive and unscathed. To give you an idea of the seriousness of the situation, the four-wheeler that I was riding was the biggest four-wheeler that was at our camp. One of the biggest models that the maker of that brand provides. Pretty big and scary. This was the 3rd rolling that had occurred out of 4 rollings that took place on the camping trip. When I got back from riding that day, I wrote a speech that I gave on...
The fourth of July! That was a fun experience and it was the best speech I have ever given. I am so glad I had that experience. Not to mention my friend did a fantastic job as well, when he gave two impromptu speeches that were absolutely amazing. :)
After that fun experience, I stayed up in salt lake for another two and a half weeks for...
The BYU Ballet Summer Intensive!!
That was SO much fun! I had the best room-mate anyone could ever ask for, an amazing councilor, (I stayed on campus the whole time) and I met a girl who does TJED like I do! Funny thing was, I found this out after the camp and never talked to her in person about it. I danced 9 hours every day except for on the weekends, and even then we didn't really get a 'break'. We also went to Sundance where we hiked for about three hours through waterfalls, snow, mud, rocks, and right next to some pretty scary cliffs that could be compared to the dangers of Angels Landing in Zion. We also went to music and the spoken word in temple square, and attended a college ward that evening. Then it was back to dancing! I improved so much and I absolutely enjoyed that and feel confident enough to be in a company or take classes at college now!
So after about a weeks break from Ballet camp, I received a call that I had been offered a partial scholarship to George Wythe University! I have been registered and am attending full-time on campus this fall! I am so excited and it feels very interesting to know that this September I will be turning 18 and attending college. Bittersweet...
So to settle any questions on if I am going to be staying in Cedar, not yet. If the opportunity presents itself, I will look into staying up there and coming home on the weekends. Because I am not quite "graduated" yet, (or 18) I still have responsibilities within my calling as Young Womens class president. I also would like to participate in my Ballet Studio's Halloween show, so I will not be staying in Cedar permanently yet.

And on the last few days, I rest. My summer has been so full, but has been so worth it and so amazing. I am so glad I was able to meet such wonderful and amazing people who have really changed my life and filled it with amazing experiences such as these. Its amazing to me how much time flies. My advice to those who have yet to experience this change: Enjoy your youth and fill it with as much good fun as you can. Its goes by so fast. Absorb every happy moment with joy. It will all be worth while. Push through the hard times and learn from them. And when you look back, don't look back with regret.

The Happiness Baseline Challenge

About two months ago, I met with a wonderful friend and mentor who asked me to do this one simple challenge that has completely changed me in ways that are indescribable.

I took the challenge a year ago, but didn't make it very far. But I never understood the impact it would have on me until I actually completed it.

The challenge she issued me was called the Happiness Baseline. The title is self-explanatory, it is the habit in which my happiness depends on.

This challenge consists of six of things I needed to do each day. And I had no idea how happy and uplifted it would make me feel.

First, Gratitudes. Each day right after I said my prayers, I wrote in my gratitude journal five things I was grateful for that I currently had, each beginning with "I am grateful" or "I am thankful". It wasn't a list, it was an affirmation. I was writing on paper that yes, I was grateful to my Heavenly Father that I had these things at this moment.
The next part of my gratitudes, was to write five more things that I would be grateful to have. It has the same concept of the former, but looking to the future. I was writing on paper that when these things happened, or came to me, that I would be grateful to my Heavenly Father for them, in fact, I was already grateful to Him for them.
To make things clear, the second half was not an unrealistic wish list, it was reasonable and had meaning and personal value. You write it the same way as the former. Not as a list, but as an affirmation or a personal covenant with the Lord.

Second, Journal writing. After I wrote in my gratitude journal, I wrote in my personal journal. When I wrote in my journal, I wrote about the positive and exciting things in my life, even if it was small. I never whined in my journal during this challenge, or wrote about my stress or nervousness. I wrote about the things that made me happy, the moments in which I was uplifted, and the times when I was about to burst with excitement. For this challenge, even if my day seemed to go horribly wrong, I could find at least one thing that I could write about that was positive. The first time it was hard, but after getting in the habit of doing that, I got to the point where I needed to go and write in it when it seemed like everything was going wrong. It made me feel so much better, and it really uplifted my spirits.

Third, Meditation. This part usually happened for me after I was done writing in my journals. I would quiet myself, and become completely present. That meant that I needed to focus on what I was doing at the present moment, not what I needed to do or accomplish later on, and not remembering what I did last week. This is where I would listen for promptings. (Sometimes I would get out a notebook and write down what came to mind.) I would focus for as long as I could, and stay in the moment as long as I possibly could, then I would set off to accomplish the things I needed to that day.

Fourth, Simplify. This happened at many different times for me throughout the day. When you simplify, you set aside one thing and completely focus your whole attention on that one thing. No multitasking here! My simplifying time would usually be at the piano, at ballet, when I wrote, when I read, and when I studied. It really got me out of the habit of doing several things at one time. And it really changed the way I focused in ballet especially. Now, when I walk into the studio, I focus completely on what I need to focus on when I'm dancing, and I leave all the cares of the world behind. This got me into trouble a few times though, because I would automatically forget to talk to my ballet teachers about certain things like payment and questions outside of ballet because I have gotten into the habit of leaving those things behind and focusing on being present. But overall, its really affected my performance within ballet and has really increased how much I get out of it each time I go.
Simplifying doesn't have to be big, it can even be focusing completely on driving, listening to a song, on cooking dinner, or on playing with a little child. Just as long as you give your full attention to something, even if its small, you can simplify.

Fifth, Exercise. This was really important for me, and I didn't realize how much exercising I did each day. It really kept me going. Even if it was playing the piano, or walking up the street, or doing some jumping jacks, it helped me keep my mind going. Exercise kept me uplifted, and became a totally different experience because of the purpose. I was doing it so that I was happy. Not because it was required of me, not because I had to meet a deadline. I was doing it for my joy.

Sixth, Strengths. This was vital and such an amazing experience. I picked one thing each day to focus on that I was good at. I didn't do it in a boastful and arrogant way, I did it to improve myself and that talent that I had. During that time, I didn't criticize myself, I didn't put myself down, I completely focused on what I was good at for that time and I made it fun. It really helped me stay away from unnecessary focus on self-criticism and negative thoughts about myself. It was a huge shield that kept those weights off of my shoulders and allowed me to accomplish my goals and commitments for the day. It helped me write better, it helped me dance, it helped me get out of my comfort zone, and it helped me help others.

As I was writing about the each one, I decided that I cannot afford to stop doing these things. Its absolutely amazing how much I have grown just by doing this, and how much my happiness has grown. There are days where I feel like I am in love, or just bursting with joy because of how much this has affected me.

I challenge the readers to do the Happiness Baseline for a whole month consistently. It will change your life, it will make you happier, and it will change your perspective on things. Its absolutely amazing and I am so happy and grateful that I was able to have this experience. It has really made me feel happier and has helped me heal. I am so thankful for my wonderful friend and mentor who challenged me to do it. It was inspired and has literally changed my life for the better. :) Go out and do it! You will not regret it I promise you!

Letter to the Commonwealth

I wrote a letter a while back to the Washington County Commonwealth about a meeting I attended, and I thought I would post this because I got a lot of good feedback. So here it is. :)

Parents, Students, and Members of the Washington County Commonwealth Board,

 

I witnessed some of the proceedings of the board this last week and a presentation given by some of the student body that really caught my attention and it really made me rethink the character of the student body as a whole and what the goal of this commonwealth is. I would like to make the readers aware that I have different views concerning the matter.

 

Some of the student body feel that the recent changes made by the board concerning certain policies were unjust, and presented the board with some requests. Towards the end of the meeting, the purpose of the presentation was lost and serious issues arose that could be considered to most, very dangerous.

 

Recently, in my personal studies, I have learned a very important principle that cannot be lightly overlooked. This pertains to some frequently asked questions by teenagers across the world:

 

            “If I simply can’t do that, how come you can?”

 

            “If you can’t trust me, how can I trust you?”

 

            “If I’m not old enough, how come you are entitled?”

 

What is really going on in the mind of the teenager asking anything to the effect of the above is this:

           

            “It is unfair and unjust that because of my age I cannot hold the same power and authority an adult can. I desire that power and that authority even if I am just a child. Its my right.”

 

This common thought stems from core phase, the very first phase in which a person is educated. It is a very serious principle that if not taught and understood, can completely alter and change a person for his or her lifetime.

 

This principle is called the principle of authority. Authority comes directly from God, who is the primary source of authority. God directly designates authority over certain things to man, called a stewardship. Parents have the direct stewardship to raise a child under the authority of God until that child becomes independent enough to learn this principle and go off on their own. Even then, some children never learn this and become dangerous to their fellow men. Because a child is under the stewardship of their parents who have authority over them, children must learn to obey and submit to the will of their parents. Parents also have the stewardship to seek out mentors to educate their children out of the child’s best interest, and by choosing a mentor with the guidance of the Father, that mentor holds that stewardship to educate that child as well. Therefore, children must learn to submit to that mentor to really take in what the mentor has to offer.

 

Submission is key, and there is a time and place for it. By teaching a child to submit to their parents and mentors, when the child is an adult and cannot constantly rely on the parents as a crutch, that child must learn through their parents, to submit to his/her Heavenly Father when he/she needs help later on. It is only by submission under righteous principles to the child’s earthly parents that he/she can learn this principle and apply it to adulthood by submitting to the Father.

 

Submission must be done in the right way in order for that submission to become righteous submission. Only through the Spirit is this made known unto man. There are times when evil tyrants influence our lives greatly. And only through the manifestation of the Spirit will we learn to discern the times for each. This discernment is key to submission, so that you personally know whether or not you should or shouldn’t submit to someone.

 

The Commonwealth is comprised of parents who are seeking an education for their children. The children then must submit to the wills of their parents and their mentors because that parent and mentor have the stewardship delegated to them under the authority of God, and equal responsibility to seek out the best interest of the child, even if the child does not see the big picture in where their best interest lies. The Board members have this authority to teach their children righteous and correct principles, even if the children disagree.

 

In 2^nd Samuel Chapter 6:1-7 it reads:

“Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.

 

 And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the Lord of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.

 

 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.

 

 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.

 

 And David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.

 

 And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.

 

 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.”

 

In seminary, we read this and at first I thought, “How unfair! How unjust!” But it was not until a seminary teacher had explained it to me until I realized how serious this situation was.

 

The Ark of the Covenant was a precious artifact to the Israelites, and was pretty much a mobile temple altar in which the prophet –which was at the time David- communicated with God. It was so sacred that God commanded that nobody were to touch it unless commanded to do so by Him. It was strictly observed. The Israelites carried it using poles that could be inserted through the bottom on the ends of the ark, so that when they carried it, that they did not come in direct contact with the ark. The situation here, is that two of the sons of Abinidab were instructed to move the ark from one place to another, which was a huge honor. So, to help transport the ark, Ahio and Uzzah placed the ark upon a cart driven by oxen. The oxen shook the cart, and Uzzah placed his hand upon the ark for the purpose of steadying it. God did not make any exception for Uzzah and smote him because he had disobeyed the commandment to not touch the ark.

 

My seminary teacher likened this story unto questioning the authority of God, which could cause us spiritual death. Whenever we question the authority of our Heavenly Father by not submitting to His will for us, we are touching the Ark of the Covenant by questioning His authority. So by not learning to submit to our parents and our mentors under righteous principles, we are questioning the authority of God and touching the Ark of the Covenant.

 

When I witnessed the presentation, it really made me think about whether or not the student body of our commonwealth school is learning about the principle of submission, and why its so important. The student body needs to focus on this, and that this is the root of the small issues springing up everywhere, including the ones discussed in the presentation given by some of the student body this last week. I think that if a majority of the students learn the principle of submission, then a lot of key issues that need to be dealt with will right themselves. I do not think lightening up on the policies or bylaws of our commonwealth is going to solve the problem, or bring about a statesmen like atmosphere. I think that strict observance of the policies and bylaws must be enforced in a way so that the students know what is expected of them, and that if they want the education that their parents have helped govern out of the students best interest, that the student body must submit to the will of the parents in the knowledge that by submitting to their parents that they are directly submitting to the Father.

 

It is only by strict obedience and submission to the will of the Father that constitutes the blessings and privileges we receive. I believe that the board and the student council should embody this principle, which means that the board is constantly aware of their stewardship over the students, by seeking their best interest through the guidance of our Father, and that the student council is consistently aware that they must submit to the will of the Father, even if it is delivered to them by the board. I don’t believe the student body completely embodies or understands this principle, and that until they do, the parents and mentors must strictly observe the policies and bylaws that are made by the prayerful guidance of our Heavenly Father even if the student body at the present time disagrees with the said policies and bylaws. 

My suggestion to both the student body and the board of our commonwealth school is this: when seeking out a candidate for the student council, search for a true statesman who will embody the principle of submission and become an exemplar to the student body of how a statesman should be. This candidate, in order to represent my views, must stick to righteous principles and be aware of the authority they have and what the purpose of the student council is. I hope you will see the principles behind this and seek out candidates that stay strong in the principles that the Commonwealth school should embody.

 

 

Sincerely,

Brittani Mott

A student and student mentor in the W.C.C.

I'm going there someday...

The temple is such a wonderful place, it makes me feel at home and uplifted. Its where I want to be all the time, so I'm trying to create that kind of atmosphere in my room.
Finally, after six months, we got around to painting my room. The colors are amazing, and I am looking forward to completely decluttering it and starting anew. Its amazing how different it feels already!
Its also been a pretty awesome bonding experience with my brother, who has done a whole lot of work and has helped me accomplish so much. Brayden has been so positive about getting it done and helping me. I didn't think he wanted to do it at first, but as soon as we decided to paint, he jumped up at the chance and really got into it. Thanks Brayden! :)
I've been really focused on my mission and the temple latetly, and my young womens leaders have especially been in tune to that. They've taken full advantage and have focused the laurel class activities around the temple. The latest activity was creating a temple time capsule. In it we chose our wedding colors, dress, numbered and named future kids, listed qualities that we wanted in our future husbands and the ones we wanted to develop in ourselves, and to top it all off, they placed a few articles and a letter from our bishop to open and read. The time capsule is to be opened the day of my engagement, which will be super fun! I'm really excited and I'm looking forward to the day I can open it. :) I love the temple, and I can't wait for the day when I can become sealed for time and all eternity to an amazing companion.