This is another day that I turn to often.
On days when I feel mediocre.
When I think of modesty,
the first thing I think of is clothing
and learning about it in Young Womens.
the first thing I think of is clothing
and learning about it in Young Womens.
But it is so much more than that.
Start Quote
Modesty isn't a very exciting virtue...
Modesty seems dull,
too often confused with the girl dressed in muslin
sitting on the side of the gymnasium
who's never asked to dance.
too often confused with the girl dressed in muslin
sitting on the side of the gymnasium
who's never asked to dance.
But the French designer, Andree Putman...believes
"unless you have a feeling for that secret knowledge
that modest things can be more beautiful than anything expensive,
you will never have style."...
"unless you have a feeling for that secret knowledge
that modest things can be more beautiful than anything expensive,
you will never have style."...
Perhaps as a child you were told not to toot your own horn,
even when you accomplished something amazing.
Or maybe you were told to stop dreaming
of setting the world on fire,
and "have more modest aspirations,
so you won't be disappointed."
of setting the world on fire,
and "have more modest aspirations,
so you won't be disappointed."
Maybe when you try to express your authentic self
you hear an old voice berating you for "being a show-off."
you hear an old voice berating you for "being a show-off."
Yet at the same time, out of the corner of your eye you could see
it was the big gestures that got all the attention in life...
it was the big gestures that got all the attention in life...
It's always the wealthy women who make it
on the international best-dressed lists,
the movie stars' mansions that are glorified in glossy layouts.
on the international best-dressed lists,
the movie stars' mansions that are glorified in glossy layouts.
It's not enough to write a finely honed first novel,
it has to be a best-seller
or you'll have difficulty publishing a second one.
it has to be a best-seller
or you'll have difficulty publishing a second one.
You can't just be a talented actress,
you have to win an Academy Award to be considered a success.
you have to win an Academy Award to be considered a success.
Tell me, when was the last time you knew of a bronze medalist
signing a $1 million endorsement deal?
signing a $1 million endorsement deal?
Most of us can't see our name in lights on Broadway,
so we give up,
sorry we even tried,
our sense of self diminished.
so we give up,
sorry we even tried,
our sense of self diminished.
Being a modest success just doesn't make it.
We hear "modest"
and think "mediocre".
and think "mediocre".
Meditate on modesty for a moment.
What if she isn't
the self-effacing, shy, retiring, nerdy virtue
we've thought she is?
the self-effacing, shy, retiring, nerdy virtue
we've thought she is?
What if
modesty is a virtue so full of her own smoldering sense of self
that she isn't distracted by the glitz?...
modesty is a virtue so full of her own smoldering sense of self
that she isn't distracted by the glitz?...
Oliver Herford believed that modesty was
"the gentle art of enhancing your charm
by pretending not to be aware of it."
"the gentle art of enhancing your charm
by pretending not to be aware of it."
People with an authentic style know what they are,
but even more important, they know what they are not.
but even more important, they know what they are not.
They don't care about labels.
They care about personal expression.
End Quote
Modesty does not draw undue attention, but seeks to glorify God.
How you choose to act, dress, and live
are expressions of your character.
"Modesty is not vain or boastful.
Modest people do not use their bodies or their behavior
to seek approval from the world or to draw attention
to their own real or supposed accomplishments
or desirable attributes."
Modest people do not use their bodies or their behavior
to seek approval from the world or to draw attention
to their own real or supposed accomplishments
or desirable attributes."
In a world that constantly tries to undermine our sense
of who we are and what we can become,
observing the principle of modesty can improve our confidence.
of who we are and what we can become,
observing the principle of modesty can improve our confidence.
As modesty becomes the virtue that regulates and moderates
action in our lives, we too will find an increased
sense of self-worth.
Recall the promises of Doctrine and Covenants 121:45–46:
'Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly;
then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God;
and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul
as the dews from heaven.
The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion,
and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth.'"
and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth.'"
Modesty is behavior or appearance
that is humble, moderate, and decent.
A modest person avoids excesses and pretensions.
that is humble, moderate, and decent.
A modest person avoids excesses and pretensions.
I will always try to be modest.
***
Gratitude Journal
***
1) Temple date night. I was crying by the end of the day. You know how Kathy Griffin said Trump broke her? Well, the kids broke me. She don't even know what it means to be broken (just kidding, I can't even begin to know someone else's pain...it's a joke). So much so that I couldn't get Jacob into his carseat without crying. And then the temple just kind of put me back together again. I'm so grateful we have one so close. I'm so grateful that I have good friends and that our kids get along so well so we can do temple swaps. I'm so grateful that when we picked up our kids I could smile at my kids and help them into their carseats and help them find that silly red button.
2) Robbie. I'm so grateful for his love for me, for our family, and for the gospel. I'm so grateful that we can go to the temple together, and do this thing called life together.
3) Fun places to take the kids that only cost gas and a couple dollars. If you've never taken your kids to The Discovery Center, go on the first Friday of the month, it only costs $1. It's amazing, my kids love it.
"Aren't I a cute astronaut?"
show me your shark face
"Mom, the turtle is eating my stick"
4) Seeing good friends, even if it's only for a moment.
5) Time. I thought a lot about Shelby today. I wore some of her jewelry to keep her close. I felt closer to her in the temple. I told Riley (as she was admiring the necklace) that it belonged to Aunt Shelby and how much she loved her and what a wonderful reunion it will be one day. It doesn't hurt as bad. It feels like she's been gone forever, but it's only been a little under 6 months. How can time move so fast and so slow all at once? Time is an amazing thing, taking the pain and leaving only love and hope in its place...if you let it.
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