the world as i see it...

for one of my bajillion english classes this semester i was asked to prepare a presentation on my definition of beauty.  i've actually thought about this a lot, because when i am walking or hiking or cycling or doing something where i can just ponder and take in my surroundings, i often find myself overcome with wonder at how beautiful the earth and life and God's plan are.  we are all born to a mother and father.  we came into this life as canvases waiting to be made into something meaningful.  as our lives play out, the artist of our lives is our choices, our experiences, trials, and the lessons we learn.  each canvas is unique--there are no 2 identical paintings.  to illustrate this point, i asked some friends and family to tell me something real about themselves that makes them who they are, and made this video:

for me, this is what makes life and the earth so beautiful: the fact that we are all so different, yet we all have the same divine nature.  we are all children and spiritual creations of the same Heavenly Father.  for some of us, our lives experiences have been challenging, sad, or difficult to bear.  But no matter how tiresome our experiences, every single person who has lived, is living, or will ever live, is accounted for under the Atoning sacrifice of our Savior.  and that is beautiful...

...and in case you were wondering, i got an "a" on the project.
peace+love