Smiling and Encouraging Progress

Today I am so grateful that my Father in Heaven loves me. He allows me the opportunity to learn by making my own choices, positive or negative. He is not thinking less of me or loving me any less. He is NOT thinking I'm dumb or "How many times does she have to make that same dumb mistake?" He is watching over me like a kind parent, advising me and trying to steer me away from trouble. Ultimately He lets me choose, the action and the consequence. 
I was noticing myself in Zumba class today. I did much better following along when I watched the teacher the whole time but often I would notice myself looking away and trying to do it myself. When I would look back, I was sometimes off. I was trying to go from what I thought I remembered. Since I know that I often don't remember the moves very well, I am so thankful I have someone there to guide me and be my example. My teacher is constantly there, smiling and encouraging me smile emoticonMy Savior Jesus Christ is constantly there, smiling and encouraging me. He is the ultimate example to me in my life. He has been here and experienced the hardships of life. He was treated so badly when he had done nothing wrong or to maybe "deserve" it somehow, yet He still loves and keeps trying to help those that are willing. His arms are outstretched to lift you up, help you along, walk side by side with you, and even carry you if need be. Knowing He is there to help me carry my burdens, but ultimately beckoning me to allow Him to take them from me all together, comforts me. He Rejoices in my partaking of the Gift of the Atonement that only He could offer me. All He leads me to do is repent and try again. We were Never sent here to be perfect, simply to progress.

Miss Takes

I am grateful to know that the ONLY source to look to for reinforcement of my Value is my Father in Heaven. I have been searching for value: to be liked, praised, and thought well of by other people. If I wasn't valued, or in actuality did not THINK I was, then I would feel sad, inadequate, or not enough. I realized that, looking from a Parent's point of view, my children have value simply because they exist. It is not because they won an award or got the best grades or matched their clothes or even because they obeyed exactly what I asked them to do. While those things are nice, are those things essential for me to love and value them as my child? We always enjoy seeing them succeed and that is how I imagine Heavenly Father is with us. He delights in seeing us progress!!! 
Have we ever hit some bumps when trying to accomplish something? When we are trying to learn something new, there is inevitably going to be mistakes! What if we chose to look at it instead like a "miss take" like in acting, Take one, Take two, Take three, and how many ever times it takes to get the finished product that looks "perfect." Was every mis-take we made along the way to perfecting that skill evidence of no longer being worthwhile or valuable? How about learning to walk, ride a bike, roller skate, learn an instrument, or a new language? Are not the mis-takes part of the journey to success?? I was hiding and being afraid of not being perfect the first time, to avoid ridicule or embarrassment. Were those thoughts coming from my LOVING Father??? If I would not devalue my child, why should I devalue myself? His view of me is what I can look to for support in esteeming myself. He wants me to become my very best self and rejoices in my progression! Embrace the very things that help you flourish. Love your journey and Yourself...