Forget Not: ~ ...The Lord Loves You… / Who Says, Selena Gomez

HI. J Today in Relief Society we women discussed the October 2011 General Conference talk spoken by President Dieter F. Uctdorf, "Forget Not."

This talk was given to the women of the church, who were encouraged to “forget not” five ideas that women are especially prone to forgetting. They are as follows:

Forget not:

    1.)             …to be patient with your self.

      2.)             …to know the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish one.

      3.)             …to be happy Now.

      4.)             …the “why” of the gospel (happiness… eternal joy).

      5.)             …that the Lord Loves YOU. “You are second to none.”

The teacher, Stacey, did a wonderful job of leading the discussion (awesome teacher!).

I loved the things said; there was so much wonderful positive talk going on. And yet, there was also a great deal of evidence (as we discussed # 5…) to suggest that many women really do not love themselves the way they love others… or the way others love them. It was astounding to me.

...ASTOUNDING, because these wonderful women are constantly serving and loving others… they are kind, talented, beautiful, selfless, and amazing in SO MANY WAYS! I just had to wonder... Can't these women see how wonderful and amazing they are?

When we were children, we loved ourselves, as children usually do. We needed no reason or permission to do so, even though we weren’t perfect. We also knew that God loved us and created us with amazing potential.

Somehow, as we got older, we began to create conditions for ourselves; “I’ll love myself when I do X, or when I accomplish Y.” Or maybe without realizing it we loved ourselves because we thought we could and would do or be X or Y.

As children, we had the whole world ahead of us. Some of us loved ourselves unconditionally; but some of us loved ourselves IN ADVANCE  for everything we were going to be, accomplish, and do. However, when we grew up and didn’t be, accomplish or do EVERYTHING we thought we would – we stopped loving ourselves fully.

Why? Could it be that instead of seeing what we HAD accomplished, done, and become – we saw only what we hadn’t?

**Fortunately, that isn’t how others see us. Others don’t see what isn’t: They don’t see where we lack, or our unfulfilled dreams. They see what IS And they love us for it...

If we could see ourselves the way others do, we would love without conditions; we would see what IS; and we would love what we see; we are amazing! We could really love ourselves!!!

To you who are reading this now, I wish I could convey how wonderful and amazing the women around me are (both in the “real” world, as well as in the blogging world). They/you inspire, uplift, edify, and encourage me. Their/your examples make me a better person. And they/you make the world a more beautiful place.

I believe that if each woman knew the love that God put into making her: individually; purposefully; intently; intentionally; and with great love and joy… each would feel incredibly and overwhelmingly blessed, cherished, and loved. They might even find themselves thinking “thank God I’m me!”  I know I do! :)

Though this talk was given to a group of women, the truths apply to all... I hope each of you who read this has such an experience of your own, whether you are a child, woman or a man. In short, I really hope that you forget not that the Lord loves you; and that you also love yourself…

I hope you have an awesome day!

Corine :D

PS. Upon writing this, I remembered seeing a beautiful Forget Me Not flower that Jocelyn created and shared on her blog when she heard this talk at conference. I'd like to show it to you with a link to her post to give her credit for her beautiful creation. It is a beautiful reminder of Elder Uctdorf's message... Thanks Jocelyn! And thank you Elder Uctdorf!!!

Corine :D

*(thankful thought @ bottom of page)

*I am so thankful to my Father in Heaven for loving me, and helping me to love myself. And for helping me to get back on track every time I stumble off... :)

UPDATE: November 15, 2011

I love this song! Thanks for showing it to me, Ginger!!!  I had to add it here... :)

Here are the lyrics to "Who Says" by Selena Gomez.

I wouldn't wanna be anybody else, hey
You made me insecure, told me I wasn't good enough
But who are you to judge
When you're a diamond in the rough


I'm sure you got some things
You'd like to change about yourself
But when it comes to me
I wouldn't want to be anybody else


I'm no beauty queen, I'm just beautiful me
You got every right to a beautiful life, come on


Who says, who says you're not perfect
Who says you're not worth it
Who says you're the only one that's hurting
Trust me that's the price of beauty
Who says you're not pretty
Who says you're not beautiful, who says?


It's such a funny thing
How nothing's funny when it's you
You tell 'em what you mean
But they keep whitin' out the truth


It's like the work of art
That never gets to see the light
Keep you beneath the stars
Won't let you touch the sky


I'm no beauty queen, I'm just beautiful me
You got every right to a beautiful life, come on


Who says, who says you're not perfect
Who says you're not worth it
Who says you're the only one that's hurting
Trust me that's the price of beauty
Who says you're not pretty
Who says you're not beautiful, who says?


Who says you're not star potential
Who says you're not presidential
Who says you can't be in movies
Listen to me, listen to me


Who says you don't pass the test
Who says you can't be the best
Who said, who said?
Would you tell me who said that, yeah
Who said


Who says, who says you're not perfect
Who says you're not worth it
Who says you're the only one that's hurting
Trust me that's the price of beauty
Who says you're not pretty
Who says you're not beautiful, who says?


Who says you're not perfect
Who says you're not worth it
Who says you're the only one that's hurting
Trust me that's the price of beauty
Who says you're not pretty
Who says you're not beautiful, who says?