Human/ Mormon/ Woman: KATHERINE

“I will bring forth out of darkness unto light
all their secret works and their abominations.”
-Alma 37: 25
…
You’re my favorite hobby
I’ll work to bring you down
Expose your dirty secrets 
And run you out of town
…
Might say that I’m obsessed with you
Not something I’d deny
I’ll take it as a badge of honor
Wear that name with pride
…
Masters of deception
For years, you’ve flat out lied
The damage that you’ve done
Cannot be quantified
…
But now we’re onto you, we’ll bring your
Secret works to light
Start shaking in your shoes
We’re prepping for the fight
…
You’ve got a strong resistance
An army of support
But truth can’t hide forever
We know the final score
…
The days you have are numbered
So take a look around
You don’t have too much longer to
Contaminate this town
…
The numbers and the scandals
Are catching up to you
No matter how you try, we’ll never
Stop until you’re through

If you’re a 6 and they’re a 2
They still could eas’ly hire you
You don’t have to be a 10
You just have to know more than them!

Stretch yourself, but not too far (when)
You’re not qualified
If you can’t complete the task
They’ll find out that you lied 
…
But don’t just take the lowest fruit (that’s)
Hanging in your face
Get outside your zone and try to
Find the middle pace
…
Even when you don’t know all the
Details of the stuff
Speaking with authority
Can often be enough
…
No hard set of rules (it’s all a)
Toss-up, case by case
If you should decline, or if it’s
Something you could ace 

“If you decide that you’re going to do only the things you know are going to work,
you’re going to leave a lot of opportunity on the table.”
-Jeff Bezos

If it’s not veggies , not eggs , or not meat 
Then it’s not a food that I’m going to eat 
No dairy, no gluten , no fruit , & no sweets 
It has to be veggies, be eggs 🍳,or be meat 
PS: Once a week, I relax, and I cheat 🌮

The hardest part’s not setting goals
That’s not somewhere I lack
The hardest part is after failure,
Getting back on track

“Sometimes courage is that little voice
at the end of the day that says, ‘I’ll try again tomorrow.'”
-Thomas S. Monson

Everything’s a sales pitch
Or some kind of persuasion
To sell a service/ product
Or to sell a certain vision
…
To take specific action or to
Think a certain way
Communication’s powerful
To influence and sway
…
Not necessar’lly sleazy
Can be for a great good
To motivate someone to act
The way they probably should
…
It may be blatant, obvious
But subtlety’s compelling
Everything’s a pitch so think of
What it is you’re selling!

Glad I’ve got the answer (though it’s)
Not the one I want
Now that this is settled (I’ll)
Continue with the hunt

🙂

“If thy brother or sister offend thee,
thou shalt take him or her between him or her and thee alone.”
-Doctrine & Covenants 42:88

If there’s a concern, go straight to the source
(The best way to solve any problem, of course)
Don’t burden others with baggage not theirs
Just swallow your pride, and get over your fear

Not trying to be rude, when you blab and you whine (you)
Project on me crap not a single bit mine
Nothing’s resolved, and then others get roped
Theres a way that’s a million times better to cope

We seem to shun conflict, avoid confrontation
While all the while harboring festering frustration
If you’re truly wronged, then be strong and confess it
Go to who’s guilty, then breathe and express it

If you’re really hurting, then I’ll lend an ear (but)
Consider the words someone else needs to hear
If someone did/said something awful to you
It’s no one’s concern except for you two! 

“Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
-Matthew 10:16
…
Wise as serpents
Harmless as doves
Warriors press on
Armed with love
…
Do not relent when the
Enemy comes
Persistence will win when
All’s said and done
…
From centers of hope
To sidewalks & laws
Shall we not go on
In such a great cause?
…
Frustration and heartbreak
But truth’s on our side
So we’ll be victorious in the
Battle for LIFE! 😊
…
“Shall we not go on in such great a cause?”
-Doctrine & Covenants 128:22

What you deem an emergency
I may not see so urgently
So carefully, considerately
Think whether not this one’s on me

I won’t be guilt-tripped, can’t be bought
So spare excuses overwrought
May choose to help, or I may not
But if I do, I call the shot

Service never can be forced
I’ll always retain the choice
My own priorities come first and
I refuse to be coerced

The more clearly-defined I live
The more of my heart I have to give

“The most compassionate people I know also have
the most well-defined and well-respected boundaries.”
-Brene Brown

It’s easy to love them after they leave
But what makes them walk through the door
Is a conscience that’s pricked, a heart that’s been softened
And choosing to love them before

 #welovequitters #ATTWN 

“Hammer out my goals like I’m workin’ with my tools.”
-James the Mormon (love him!  )

No time for Netflix
There’s work to be done
Progress is what I
Consider more fun

Sure, I relax
But I’m most alive
When I’m hustling, grinding
That’s how I thrive

Don’t get me wrong
I need (and love!) sleep
But then I wake up (there’re)
Commitments to keep!

Leisure is key
And self-care’s a must
Still, don’t waste your time
(It matters too much)

I work and I work (give it)
All that I’ve got
Feels really great to
Accomplish a lot 

“Work is a blessing from God. “
-Elder J. Richard Clarke 

“‘Coincidence’ is not an appropriate word
to describe the workings of an omniscient God.”
-Neal A. Maxwell
…
With prayer, we cannot quantify
Exact amount of ROI
And still, the heavens hear us cry
(There’s ample proof to testify)
…
Some say it’s just mythology
A fake epistemology
Some figment of psychology
And yet, from all that I have seen
…
My “thoughts and prayers” that some dismiss
(A silly, unimportant wish)
Do so much to improve, uplift
A world that’s dangerously adrift
…
No believer worth their weight
Says “choose one! Either God or fate”
The evil actions men may take
Don’t prove that the divine is fake
…
Can’t understand it perfectly
But one thing that is sure to me
So much of all the good we see’s
Directly linked to deity
🙂

Present your fees with confidence
There’s no need to be shy
A track record of value is a
Great reason to buy
…
Don’t think it’s either/ or
Helping out or getting paid
Money’s just a system
A consented form of trade
…
I know that aiming high in price can
Sometimes make us nervous
But undervaluing ourselves does
Clients a disservice
…
Not saying rip off customers
Negotiation’s fine
But still, don’t go too low in price
Don’t give away your time
…
Your service and/or product take a
Lot of energy
The value you provide
Should come with a great fee!
🙂

No Failure in Formula
Similac? No shame.
Don’t be embarrassed by
Enfamil’s name.

Too many clients?
You’ll shortchange them all
A tower of business built
Too high can fall

A good kind of problem
To have rich demand
And still too much market can
Get out of hand

Set back and assess
Be sure to be wise
When your work’s quality
Starts to be comprised

The long-lasting names
Expand even slow
Resist the mentality of
Just Grow! Grow! Grow!

Don’t sacrifice value
For people who pay
(If you do, your professional
Image gives way)

Say no to new business
When the load is too heavy
The dam just might break (when)
You grow b’fore you’re ready

An abundance of business
A blessing no doubt
And still take good care you don’t
Burn yourself out!
😊

Write to tell, or write to sell?
Good content does both
Captivate as you create
Boost your sales growth
…
Identify the purpose for the
Words you generate
To motivate, persuade, express
Inspire or educate
…
Don’t be hokey, sleazy sales-ey
Still have to stand out
(Make things on the “write to tell” side
If there’s any doubt)
…
But money makes the world go round
Sad to say it’s true
As you create, should contemplate
What can this do for you?
…
Still don’t neglect the artful side
Of how things ought to be
It’s possible for sales copy
To be done tastefully
…
And while we’re at it, think about
How you use punctuation
And for the love, don’t overkill
On crazy exclamations!!!!!!!!
…
Write to tell or write to sell
Pros/ cons to both the sides
It’s your pen, so think and then
It’s your choice to decide

🙂

“There, I just said it. I’m scared you’ll forget about me.” -John Mayer
..:
Will my books of poems just sit on the shelf?
(Will they) ever be read by anyone else?
In a world where everyone baits for clicks
There’s anxiety that my stuff just won’t stick.
…
Will the things that I create
Stand the test of time? (Is it)
Yet another case of
Out of sight, then out of mind?
…
New posts and opinions come out every day (why would)
Anyone care what I have to say?
We’re all searching for meaning, a sort of permanence
All while fighting to maintain relevance
…
Maybe my words won’t last
I’ll swallow that reality
But I’ll keep and collect them,
guard and protect them
Even if just for me
😀
“What bothers me most is being another unremembered casualty. We all want to be remembered.”
-The Fault In Our Stars

“Weary the Lord”
-Joseph Smith Jr.
…
Open up to God
Tell Him all your fears
He’ll listen to it all
There’s nothing He won’t hear
…
Spill your insecurities
Your (quiet) desperation
Tell all your anxieties
Every (past) frustration
…
Pray daily, even hourly
More so, if you need
Do what fits the situation
Cry, confess, and plead
…
Our sins, mistakes may stain us
But of this be sure:
There’s nothing we can do
We can’t be too impure
…
No topic is off limits (for the)
Lord who gave you life
He’ll love and listen every hour
In the day or night
…
So when your heart is heavy
Fall down on your knees
Open up to God
You can experience peace
😀

“I conceived the bold and arduous project
of arriving at moral perfection.”
-Ben Franklin

Iron out the kinks
Smooth out the seams
Eliminate things that
Distract from your dreams

Sharpen your game
Trim any fat
Streamline the system
Cut out the crap

Refine your bad habits
Improve over time
Pull out the weeds that
Litter your mind

Tighten the belt
Straighten the slack
Refill or redo where
Anything lacks

Take pride in your work
Casualness won’t do
(Mediocrity just
Doesn’t suit you)

Perfection these days seems to
Have a bad name
May not always hit it;
at least we can aim!


“Don’t be a scrub! Rise to the high ground of spiritual, mental, and physical excellence. Mediocrity will never do; you are capable of something better.”
-Gordon B Hinckley

“The best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry.”
-Robert Burns

Global vs. Local
What are you concerns? (Do you)
Focus on your own life? (or)
Watch the world burn?

Ignorance is futile
We must be in society
Even though it’s heavy (cannot)
Shun the harsh realities

So don’t ignore the news!
Or put your head in sand
We need more informed citizens who’ll
Dare to take a stand

And yet if we neglect the “local”
Joy is hard to find
Nurture your relationships (don’t)
Just read crap online

It should be obvious, but since
Common sense is ending:
Your career/ church/ family need attention
MORE than what is trending

Can miss out on what’s REAL
Right in front of your own eyes (don’t)
Get distracted, blinded by the
Media’s thick lies

The danger lies in self-involvement
(We’ve heard “beware of pride”)
Obsessing over your life means you
Fail to look outside

There’re needs and problems in this world
Theres so much more than you (to)
Work our sphere of influence
Is the best that we can do

Global vs Local
Both matter, where’s the line?
It’s case by case for sure, so let the
Lord help you decide

“Use boldness, but not overbearance.”
-Alma 38:12
…
If there’s a problem, address it!
Don’t be so passive-aggressive
When experiencing inner resentment
Express your discontentment
…
Incidents of frustration
Can require some conversation(s)
(I know it can be uncomfortable
To let yourself be vulnerable)
…
If you’re wanting to be heard
Be cautious with your words
No insults or being sarcastic
(Contempt can be so caustic)
…
Still, don’t sugarcoat your view
Seek to speak the truth
Be firm, but also gentle
(Plus, timing is essential)
…
Some things you just let go
But if it matters, then no
When there are truly problems
These are some ways to solve them
🙂

PS: Many of these ideas were inspired by a book called “The Assertiveness Guide For Women” by Dr. Julie Hanks. I helped her research for and write the book 🙂

If I had a windfall
I’d spend it on debt
Been working those payments
Still not quite there yet
…
It’s steady but slow
We’ve had some delays
Job losses and changes
Two babes on the way 👶🏻👶🏻
…
But still, there’ve been vict’ries
And blessings galore
When you do good with small things
The Lord gives you more
…
Proud of our progress
The headway we’ve made
Now, back to my work
So I can get PAID!
😊

“No pain that we suffer, no trial we experience is ever wasted.” -Orson Whitney
…
Every time that you’ve been burned
Take it as a lesson learned
Accept the setback, feel defeat
Anytime that you’ve been beat

Sound sappy? Over-optimistic?
(Why can’t you be realistic?!)
Grieve, shed tears, and even wallow
Know that there’s a new tomorrow

It comes down to it, YOU decide (if)
You’ll stay down or take it in stride
Even if/when you’ve been wronged
Will you be weaker or be strong?

And if need, then admit things suck
But even then, you ARE NOT STUCK!
Not a pawn of circumstance
Always have another chance

So after pain has thrown your heart
Wake up to a different start
Look up to your heavenly source
And *happiness* can soon be yours
😊

“[Wo]men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause,
and do many things of their own free will.”
-Doctrine & Covenants 58:27
…
See a need and meet it
(Don’t wait to be asked)
Look at what is lacking
Do the undone task!
…
“[S]he that is compelled in all things,
the same is a slothful…servant”
-Doctrine & Covenants 58:26

🙂

“[L]ean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
-Proverbs 3:5-6

I’ve hustled for a good wage
Was pleased with my high pay
Had my plan all figured out (but then things)
Turned a different way
…
I loved what I was teaching
My students were engaged
Then problems unexpected forced a
Quick turn of the page
…
It’s not easy letting go
Of how I thought it’d be
Still inside I know you’ve got a
Better plan for me
…
It’s hard to take a pay cut
(I know it’s for the best)
When baby girls are coming
Their mama’s gotta rest!

“[D]o not spend money for that which is of no worth,
nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy.”
-2nd Nephi 9:21
…
‘Earn it, then spend it’ is no way to live
(You’ll never save up any money to give)
When income comes in, then goes out like the tide
You’re Maslow’s first level, just there to survive
…
Not easy, I know, I still have to learn (there’s a)
Much better way than to blow all you earn
Make plans for the paycheck, and thing long-term
Some wants must wait, you have to be firm
…
Don’t have to be stingy to reach money goals
You still can enjoy a freedom *controlled*
Think years down the road, for the sake of posterity
Have a reason to reach financial prosperity
…
Above all else START!, but start young if you can
Exercise wisdom, and carry out plans (if you)
*Budget* to spend, and if you’re a wise steward
In due time, I promise you’ll reap the reward

“A good man leaveth an inheritance
to his children’s children”
-Proverbs 13:11

Not a day goes by that I love you‘s not spoken
Never been a time when my heart you have broken
We’re beyond blessed to share the bond that we do
I owe (almost!) all of my joy, love, to you
…
We’re still young and still green, no denying that truth
And soon enough, we will abandon our youth
But you’ll always be with me through turning of tides
I’m grateful you’ll be forever by my side

“Great marriages are built brick by brick,
day after day, over a lifetime.”
-Dieter Uchtdorf