I read an Oprah article the other day that said, “There’s no better way to celebrate the rich, full life you’ve lived so far—and the big, bright future ahead—than telling your story. Below, a few ideas to get you started.” So here are my answers.

1. What Younger You Would Like About Present You

My younger self (15 yrs old above) would like that I’m actually living the life I always wanted to live. Life isn’t perfect, but there is no way that I can complain without feeling very ungrateful.

2. The Watched/Read It List

I keep track of things I’ve watched on Netflix and things I’ve read on Goodreads so I don’t need to go into that here. But I will say that I’m looking forward to seeing The Secret Life of Walter Mitty despite the tepid reviews.

3. The Mistake You Never Want to Make

Messing up this whole parenting thing and taking this time with my little children for granted, which I do all the time. But then I always try to bring myself back to center.

4. Your Ideal Outfit

For yoga/lounging/pjs:

For everyday: Cute, effortless, girl-next-door. Classic, not too trendy. Pretty much how I dress now except a level or two better would be nice.

For nicer days: Tucked in and proper.

For church: With tights.

For fancy time: If there ever was such a thing.

 

 

5. A Deep Dark—Shhh—Secret

 
Besides cost, my preferred yoga style, and class schedule conflicts, the other reason I still go to the rec center for classes instead of a real yoga studio is pride and fear. My skill level is between intermediate and advanced and the classes I attend are usually frequented by beginner/intermediate students. If I went to a studio I’d be “competing” with other students on my level. Instead of enjoying myself and focusing on my own strengths and what I’m working on, I fear that I’ll be more focused on how flexible and strong everyone else is instead of feeling good about what I can do. Based on absolutely nothing, I’m also worried that the class environment will be too serious, have too much of a “spiritual” side that I’m not interested in, and that the students will be too into themselves. Sometime soon I should stop assuming and judging and go try one out. Maybe I’ll actually enjoy it. Maybe I’d be able to push myself further in my workouts. But for now I prefer a more down-to-earth environment.

 

6. The Most Unexpected Compliment You’ve Ever Received

Pretty much any! But specifically, I did receive a really nice one a few weeks ago. It was right after the primary program at church and I was taking down chairs. A very shy sister with kids in the ward, that’d I’d only talked to once before, came up on the stage and gave me a huge hug. She immediately started speaking kind of fast but my hair and her cheek was covering my ear and she was speaking behind me somewhat so I have NO idea what she said. After she finished speaking, with tears she looked in my eyes, smiled, and squeezed my arm. Then walked away. I was so touched and couldn’t bring myself to tell her I didn’t understand a word she had just said. The thing is, I didn’t need to know exactly what she said because I felt it.

7. That One Quote

”What happens in cradles and kitchens will prove to be more effective that what goes on in congress.” Neal A. Maxwell
This quote comforts me. It reminds me that what I’m doing is important and good. It also relieves me to know that no matter what our crazy government does, as long as our own families are loved and taught to love, we will all be okay.

8. The Best Surprise You’ve Ever Had

Rob’s proposal, of course!

9. Your True Happiness

Those five-minute moments when my family is doing some random thing and it just hits me, “THIS is happiness.” I had one the other day. We were at a skating rink and were the only ones there. Nate and Caroline were enjoying their newly found freedom on four wheels. Rob and I each had one of Madeleine’s hands coaxing her along. I looked up at my husband and kids and was happy.

10. Your Favorite Failure

Not procuring adequate housing for myself in Paris when I went there to study for a couple of months. It was a somewhat last-minute trip and I thought I’d just figure it out when I got there. Easier said than done. Instead I stayed in England for a couple of weeks with some distant relatives and then enjoyed a week all alone in le quartier latin before I came home. I felt failure for a long time because I couldn’t stay for the whole 6 weeks but I still wouldn’t give up that one week for anything.

11. An Amendment to the Bucket List

As much as I like to visit new places I never had an interest in visiting Japan until just recently. Something about the ancient and the futuristic gives my curiosity a workup. I’d love to go and experience the dichotomy!

 

I’d love to see everyone else’s answers!!