You are beautiful!

In today's world there is this image of what women should look like, what they should act like, and how they should dress. It is everywhere. On TV, in magazines, in the movies. Everywhere we turn there are these images of these size 2 models, actresses with perfect hair and perfect teeth. Society tells us that in order to be pretty we must look like that. Girls everywhere grow up with this image pressed on them. Subject to peer pressure, and the need to fit in, they go to great lengths to achieve beauty. The truth is, it isn't just young girls. It is women everywhere.

But, what is beauty anyways??? Who defines it? Is it the same for every person? Decide for yourself..

beau·ty

A combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, esp. the sight. A combination of qualities that pleases the intellect or moral sense.

Each of us has our own way of interpreting things, we are drawn to things that others are not. We are each entitled to our own opinions. So how can beauty really be defined? To me it cannot. When we start to define beauty, it creates limitations. Automatically excluding some things. We were not created to have limitations put on us. We have potential far beyond anything we can imagine, and more often than not we don't live up to our potential because we fear we won't be good enough. 


The truth of the matter is, beauty comes from within. It is who we are that makes us beautiful. It isn't about make-up, and cute clothes. But our smile, and personality. But with the world telling us otherwise, it is hard to remember this. Being someone who has struggled with self-esteem, and "not being good enough" my entire life, i know what its like. It is MISERABLE! It is draining, consuming, and tiresome. It is completely selfish, and self-centered. But, I have learned that all of that stuff doesn't matter. I never been more confident in me. What happened? I stopped caring. I met someone who totally changed the way i see myself and the world. Someone who loves me for me. And that made all the difference.

So, i decided that i want to be that person for others. I want them to know they are loved, that they can be themselves, and that they are beautiful. I want to love people for who they are, no reservations. I don't want people judging me, so how can i judge them? I can't.

To all those who struggle knowing if you are pretty enough, or skinny enough, or smart enough, or "cool" enough... YOU ARE! :) You are enough! Don't be afraid to be yourself. The less you worry what others think, the happier you will be. And "the happiest girls are the prettiest girls!" (Audrey Hepburn)

You are beautiful! So.. be YOU!

One chapter closes, another one opens

Well, I am back after an 18 month journey that forever changed my life. :)

I cannot even put into words how I feel about my mission. It taught me so much about myself, life in general, and the gospel.  My perspective on life has changed dramatically. I now look at things through new eyes. I see things a little more clearly than before, and i appreciate the little things.

Tennessee has a very special place in my heart. To be honest, Tennessee still has my heart. The people there are amazing. They have such a love for the Savior, and they are extremely loving. They showed me what life is all about. I learned so many things from the people there. They have such an interesting perspective on life, that it opened my eyes to things that i never would have seen otherwise.

Just like any journey, this one had ups and downs. I would be lying if i said that it was easy. It was hands down the hardest thing that i have ever done. It pushed me to the limits, and at times left me clinging to the edge of a cliff wondering how i was going to get down. It drained my energy, and left me on my knees night after night, begging for the Lord to help me. BUT, even though it was the hardest thing i have ever done it was also the best and most rewarding thing i have ever done. The joy and happiness i felt totally surpassed any of the hard times. It made all the tough times worth it. :) People have asked me if i would do it again, knowing what i know now. My answer: ABSOLUTELY! It was hard, but I also know that the Lord gives strength to those that are faithful. Life wasn't meant to be easy, it is only in the hard times that we truly learn. We must leave our comfort zone and explore the unknown. That is what my mission was all about for me. I was constantly having to stretch myself, and push myself to reach the goals that i had set for myself, to become the person that i need to be come.

It was a journey that i will remember forever. One that has taken me places i never dreamed of going. I am sad that it is over, but am so grateful that i had the opportunity to spend 18 months with the people of Tennessee. :)

Now i have a new journey to embark on. A journey that is yet to be determined, that will continue to unfold as i make important decisions. A journey that I am excited to experience. Stay tuned. There are many adventures yet to be had.

Three Special Names

Brianna asked me to post a couple of poems that she has written while on her mission. Enjoy!

(Brianna's mom posted these!)

Three Special Names

By Sister Brianna Brough

I have a special nametag that I must always wear

Identifying who I am and the message that I share.

Each day I wear this nametag for everyone to see

On it is three special names that mean a lot to me.

The first is from my father, it is my family name.

I strive to live up to it, and not bring any shame.

There is a reputation of what it means to be a Brough

It’s putting trust in the Lord, especially when it’s tough.

It’s having faith and pushing through and giving it your all

It’s never once giving up, and rising when you fall.

The second name is of my Church; it’s who I represent.

It’s the message that I carry and the reason I was sent.

It’s the Church of Jesus Christ here in the latter-days

We learn of His teachings; we follow in His ways.

The third is of my Savior, the one whom God did send

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, my brother and my friend.

All of this I do for him, because of what He’s done for me

Throughout my life, on the cross, and in Gethsemane.

He suffered and He died for me, my burdens he did bear

And now in return He’s asked that I His message share.

He’s done so much in by behalf; it’s the least that I could do

So now I’ll share the gospel to these blessed chosen few.

So there they are, three names, three stories, three different parts of me

Showing others who I am, and all that they can be.

So, I wear this special name tag, it’s simple, small and black

It gives me faith and hope and strength and the courage that I lack.

They are not just names to me; it’s who I am and what I do

Because knowing who I am, gives me hope and gets me through.

Becoming a New Me

Becoming a New Me

By Sister Brianna Brough (Aug. 13, 2011)

Every day I’m striving to be better than before

To take what I learn each day and infuse it in my core

To recognize my weakness and make it be my strength

And if I can do that, I will conquer at great length.

Each and every day I change a different part of me

So that I can become who I truly want to be

I look to my Savior as my friend, my help, my guide

Anything is possible with the Savior at my side.

So here I am in Tennessee, for a few months of my life

Tracting through rain and heat, enduring through pain and strife

Teaching of Christ’s gospel to people who’ve been prepared

Studying morning, noon and night for lessons to be shared.

Giving all my heart to the Lord holding nothing back

Asking Him with all my heart to give me what I lack

Piece by piece and day by day it’s easier to see

Exactly who I am today and all that I can be.

So much potential, so much growth, so much more to learn

Precept on precept, line upon line, based on what I earn

Always seeking knowledge, purity, love and light

Reading scriptures, talks and books, prophets teach us what is right.

Trusting in the Lord each day for strength to get me through

Praying daily for guidance to know just what to do

Answering the call to serve in Knoxville, Tennessee

Piece by piece and day by day becoming a new me!

One Day At a Time

No matter what your age, life can be overwhelming. Everyday we are faced with decisions. Some are simple decisions that we make every day, others can be life changing. And it is the life changing decisions that can be overwhelming. I think what makes them so overwhelming is that we can not predict the outcome. We have no way of telling how our life will be effected five or even ten years down the road. We can make guesses that may be pretty accurate, but ultimately we cannot tell how we will be effected until the decisions is made. I have always been one who over thinks everything. When I have a decision to make I think of every possible outcome, and then from there I try and think of how each will play out down the road, and for me, that is when it becomes overwhelming. But, I have found a solution that works for me. And that is to trust my gut instinct, and take it one day at a time. I have found in my twenty-one years of experience, that ninety-nine percent of the time my gut feeling is right. It's that natural human instinct (also known as the Holy Ghost) that leads us to do what is right. And then after you make your decision, stick to it, and take it one day at a time. Some of the decisions we make will be hard. They will try our strength and our will power. Sometimes it will be easier to just quit, but that is when we really have to dig deep and find our inner strength. That is when you take it one day at a time. Each day it will get easier, you find strength that you didn't have the day before. Plus, as you strive to do right you are blessed. Life is tough and it can be overwhelming. But, if you take it one day at a time you will find that it isn't too bad. It won't be more than you can handle. You will be able to make it through and find the courage it make it another day.

So, just remember take it one day at a time, and follow your gut :)

Oh, and P.S. if you want a good song that goes a long "One Step At A Time" by Jordin Sparks is your song.

The Only Way to See the View is to Make the Climb

This morning me and my family took a hike up Waterfall Canyon in Ogden. It had been quite some time since we had hiked that trail, and my mom had never hiked it. It isn't too tough of a hike, but it taught me a lot. As we were hiking a long, we came upon a couple of forks in the trail. The first fork we came a upon was the trail head for a couple different hikes and had a sign that pointed to the trails, so we followed the trail that led to our desired destination, which ultimately was the waterfall. The next fork we came upon had no sign and the trials led in opposite directions. One that followed the river, and the other that lead away from it. So, using my logic I said we should probably take the one that follows the river since we want to get to the waterfall, and the other path leads us away from that. So, we took that trail and kept hiking along. As we got higher up towards the waterfall, the trail became harder to see, and got very rocky and rough and at one point we had to cross the river on a make shift bridge. Because of the large amount of runoff water we have this year, in many places the river has shifted courses to accommodate the amount of water coming down. As we were climbing across the rough terrain, my mom made a comment that really made me start thinking. She said, there has to have been another way to get to the waterfall, because this terrain is rough and there really isn't a trail. Sometimes the only indication we had that we were going the right way was that other people were coming down. Well, we continued the hike over rocks and river and we did reach our desired destination. The waterfall was extremely pretty, and with all the run off was pretty big! But, on my way back down the mountain I really got thinking about what my mom said, and this is how I related it to life..

We are all here on earth on our our own hike. All with a specific desired destination, like the waterfall, or in our case back to our Father in Heaven's presence. At the beginning of our hike, we are told where what our destination is and we are sent on our way. Sometimes there are signs that will point to our destination, other times we must choose which way we think will lead us to that destination. There will be multiple trails that lead us away from our destination, so we must think things through and decide which trail will ultimately lead us where we want to go. There will be things that will help indicate which path is right (like the river). As we travel on our trail of life, it won't be easy! We will have to climb over rocks, and cross gushing rivers, and continue on even when we can't see the trail clearly. Sometimes things will get in the way that will make our path change every once in a while. We will have to hike on a little bit tougher terrain because the path isn't clearly paved before us. We might get tired, we might doubt ourselves and our direction, but if we look around, and really assess our lives we will know if we are on the right path or not. Life was not meant to be easy, it was meant to be trying and to test us, and to see if we really can make it to our final destination. If we want the blessing of Celestial glory we have to put in the work to get there, just like if you want to see the waterfall you gotta make the hike.

Life won't be easy but it will be worth it because, "The only way to see the views is to make the climb." (Elder Paul V. Johnson)

I Have Been Changed For The Better :)

As the days fly by faster, and faster to July 20th, I have found myself reflecting on many different things, not totally sure how to capture my thoughts into words, but then I heard this song this week on GLEE and it captured them perfectly for me.

"It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime
So let me say before we part,
So much of me is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me like a hand print on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend. "

This verse is like my thoughts exactly! My friends are all getting home from missions, getting married, having children and pursuing their own lives. Who knows what will happen when I am on my mission. They will continue to pursue their lives (get married, move away to school, etc) and some of them I may never see again. As I was thinking about that the other day I knew I needed to let them know how much they mean to me! How much they have changed my life for the better, and how much I appreciate their friendship now and forever. Even if I never see them again. I know a lot of the people I care about may never read this, and I plan to tell each person how much they mean to me personally, but nonetheless, I must tell you all how I feel :)

To all my friends, loved ones, young women leaders, co-workers, classmates, any and all others that I have come to know and love... THANK YOU!!! Because of you, I am the woman I am today! Each and everyone of you has left a hand print on my heart! You have influenced me more than I can ever express! The example you are to me will forever be with me. Your love, friendship, and support has gotten me to where I am today. I have definitely been changed for good. Like the song says people come into our lives for a reason. To teach us something, to help us grow, and then we help them in return. I don't know how much I have helped all of you in return, but for the things that you have taught me, and for the growing you have helped me do, I am forever grateful. I cannot even imagine the person I would be if it were not for meeting all the amazing people that I have! So once again THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart! I am forever changed for the better because I knew you!

And "just to clear the air," I want to say I AM SORRY to all those of you, whom I may have hurt and any point in time. Whether it were words or actions I am truly sorry! I have grown a lot for situations good and bad. So I apologize for any harm, hurt or damage I have done through out the years. I am not perfect and I hope that someday I will be able to obtain your forgiveness. As I am taking the next step in life, it makes me sad to think about the people I have hurt, and hope that one day I will have made up for all the bad I have done, with good. I hope to one day help others change for the better.

As we continue on our own journeys through life, I hope that I meet up with you again. That in two months it won't be goodbye, but see ya later. But just in case it is, I want you to know how grateful I am to you all. That you will know that you have forever touched the life of Brianna Brough. Once again Thank you to every person I have met. Whether we have dated, are or have been friends, have worked together, laughed together, cried together, what ever it is THANK YOU! I cannot express properly the effect you have had on me and my life! My life has been forever changed because I knew YOU!