My FAVORITE Live Saving Quotes...

Inspiration in the form of words provides me with Hope, Joy, Purpose, Determination, Perspective, and Faith to move forward when sometimes I get so caught up in the world wind of my life. I love being able to sit back and gain a renewed perspective for life and learning through the experiences of others. I intend on growing this list of my favorite quotes so I have one repository of cherished words rendered by others and myself. I hope you will enjoy reading them. If you have new quotes for me to consider adding to my list, please share them with me!

Life's Quotes

"The real you is in essence how others treat you- if at a deficit-redefine yourself today before you become someone you no longer respect. There will always be exceptions to the rule; however, being aware of how you are perceived is half the battle." Mehgan Knauf

"Comprehension is the key to gaining perspective-strive for understanding before pushing your agenda. Success comes with vision and teamwork. Be a team player and learn to give and take." Mehgan Knauf

"The power of today, is believing it's as important as tomorrow" Mehgan Knauf

"The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but reveal to them their own." -- Benjamin Disraeli

The only limits to the possibilities in your life tomorrow are the buts you use today. ~ Les Brown

"The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people half way." Henery Boyl

I advise you to say your dream is possible and then overcome all inconveniences. ~ Les Brown

In the last analysis, what we are communicates far more eloquently than anything we say or do. ~ Stephen Covey

"Let no one come to you without leaving better and happier." Mother Teresa

"It's not the events of our lives that shape us, but our beliefs as to what those events mean." ~Tony Robbins

"If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary." ~ Jim Rohn

"Nobody made a greater mistake than he that did nothing because he could only do a little." Edmond Burke

"There is no passion to be found playing small- in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." Nelson Mandela

"Imagination is more powerful than knowledge, because knowledge is limited." Albert Einstein

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." Nelson Mandela

"A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination." Nelson Mandela

“@RealTaIk: The 3 C's of life: choices, chances and changes. You must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change.”

"I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it." - Maya Angelou”

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." -Anne Frank

"Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage." ~ Dale Carnegie

"Ladies: Showing a great amount of skin when you dress up isn't the way to find prince charming. Prince charming likes his gifts wrapped." @realtalk

"The best things in life are unseen, that's why we close our eyes when we kiss, cry, & dream." @realtalk

"Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes shine to the stars." ~ Henry Ford

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it." ~ Mandela

"Trials build character. Faith secures progression." Unknown

Charity- The Pure Love of Christ

When reading this blog I ask you to accept me, as I do you; be open to my thoughts and feelings, as I am to yours; and to allow me the freedom of worship, as I do you.

Today I was asked to give a talk in church, something I have not done for quite sometime and although I travel across Canada speaking to large groups- this opportunity felt daunting and incredibly overwhelming. The title I was asked to speak on was 'Helping Those in Need', something we are each faced with on a regular basis.

In a world full of trials, tribulations, heart-aches and sorrow it is critical we draw nearer to our maker and focus our lives on His will. Everyday we read of stories within our social networks, news, or emails of those in need- and every day we too feel overwhelmed by what is on our own plate. Something we either embace or shun given the day, challenge, or fear. However, today I felt as though I needed to give this title more thought than I have in the past. I truly wanted to know why it is so important for us as humans to learn how to serve our fellow men throughout the year and not just at Christmas time.

How does one identify where to start and What to do?

How do we prioritize the realities of our lives and those in need around us?

How do we find the faith necessary to be a source of strength to others?

As a result of asking these questions I found a myriad of answers, which guided my thoughts to 3 gifts we receive as we serve. Recognizing there is no simple recipe for charitable service, except that of righteous diligence. Let's proceed to my findings.

1. First, we need to have an open and willing heart.
2. Second, we need to take care of our needs and the needs of our family so we are in a place to give freely and healthfully.
3. Identify our talents so we can be aware of ways in which we can serve others.
4. We need to reframe our perspective and/or judgement in order tosee the need and remove the barriers.
5. We need to pray for guidance and a loving heart, so we will be able to act when called upon.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf shares a perfect example of Charity in its purest form as he explains Jesus Christ's ministry in this excerpt from his talk entitled 'You Are My Hands":

"We Are the Hands of Christ...When I think of the Savior, I often picture Him with hands outstretched, reaching out to comfort, heal, bless, and love. And He always talked with, never down to, people. He loved the humble and the meek and walked among them, ministering to them and offering hope and salvation. That is what He did during His mortal life; it is what He would be doing if He were living among us today... As we emulate His perfect example, our hands can become His hands; our eyes, His eyes; our heart, His heart."

What a perfect example of hope, we too can be His hands here on earth. Remembering, we are

Sons and Daughters of God, designed after Him, we are spiritual beings having an earthly experience- our success lies in our ability to align our hearts and spirits to His will. Now this statement may overwhelming if you have not yet identified yourself as a child of God; however, consider for one moment where you came from and where you are going. As our noble birthright provides us with a gift of life eternal, we need to embrace what that means and our role in preparing to one day return to live with our Father in Heaven.

Gift #1: Christ's Love

There is little as amazing as feeling the pure love of Christ, when we serve we are blessed with His love for us and others. Think back to a time when the joy in your heart was full, when you felt a love so pure and happy it was almost palatable. What were you doing? Why were you experiencing this feeling?

The times in my life in which I have felt such outstanding joy came to me as a result of being the Lord's hands for another. Often, it wasn't more than a phone call or conversation or lending a hand in a move; but, the joy far out weighed any sacrifice I ever made. If only I cou

ld find a way to bottle this feeling:)

Gift #2: Heavenly Vision

Our Father in Heaven wants us to identify service as an act of LOVE not a SACRIFICE- when we learn to love our fellowmen like He loves us-only then will we see others through His eyes. Fully comprehending the magnitude of that soul, his or her purpose, passion and mission. We will be blessed to see others as He does- as His children. When we serve others, we naturally grow to love them- try it!

I have had this experience on multiple occasions, where I have been serving a friend or neighbour and I see them differently, in fact I see them like I had never before seen them. Generally, this has happened to me when I didn't know the person well or when I found them difficult to like or even love prior to the act of service. It is amazing to me that, our eyes can see something so remarkable when we are serving a soul. I know this is a heavenly gift we can all receive.

Gift #3: Softening of Hearts

When we serve willingly with Christ's love we are blessed with the gift to soften hearts. This is a gift that can change the direction of another's life and in turn bring the greatest love possible to a soul. I would have to say this is one of the most treasurable of all gifts that comes from service, as it not only softens the heart of the receiver; but, magnifies your own heart and has the power to heal pain and suffering for generations. When you are blessed to be the Lord’s hands in softening a heart, you are also blessed to see the transformation right before your eyes- it is a gift that you will treasure for a lifetime.

This happens more than we know... it happens when we take the time to understand another; when we give patience instead of frustation; when we say YES instead of NO; when we forgive instead of with hold. If we could merely take more time in our days to ask ourselves as the Christian motto says- What Would Jesus Do?- we would be makers of a new world full of hope, love, peace and happiness. We would seed faith, nourish individual worth, and harvest the GREATEST LOVE OF ALL, just as the song written by Michael Masser and Linda Creed and sung by the late and stunning Whitney Houston shares: we must learn to love ourselves so we can truly love another. The greatest LOVE comes from within- we are children of a loving Heavenly Father who wants each of us to know what it feels like to love and be loved.

In conclusion, I want to leave you with a thought from Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints who said: “We will discover that those whom we serve, who have felt through our labors the touch of the Master’s hand, somehow cannot explain the change which comes into their lives. There is a desire to serve faithfully, to walk humbly, and to live more like the Savior. Having received their spiritual eyesight and glimpsed the promises of eternity, they echo the words of the blind man to whom Jesus restored sight, who said, ‘One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

I want my life's legacy to reflect the image of my Savior Jesus Christ in all I do. I want to live my days with an open and willing heart, ready to serve when called upon. We are all Sons and Daughters of God, here on earth with a multitude of different purposes. Our journey is in identifying what we individually were sent here to do.

Here's to finding ways to be Charitable in its Purest Form and not waiting for Christmas to share random acts of service and love.

Valentine's Day- Fact or Fiction?

As this "special" day approaches, one cannot help but feel somewhat effected by the affect of this LOVE pronounced day. I hear all the notions that we shouldn't get caught up in yet
another Hallmark holiday; however, why not share the LOVE, express affection, and celebrate in your own special way? What if your not in a position to even have the option to give or receive with that one special person? For this reason alone I say let's prepare for what lies ahead. Starting with loving ourselves so we can truly LOVE another.

So as a result lets consider some conclusions surrounding Valentine's Day....

Generally, I support those who say, why react to a commercially pushed excuse to pronounce one's LOVE. I understand that philosophy on a non-emotional level and believe we shouldn't let such a "pushed holiday" dictate when and how we choose to display affection for another person. Yet at the same time I have felt the disappointment of not receiving any acknowledgement of LOVE on the "special" day and I know how much it can hurt one's heart-funny how that works on HEART day! So on an emotional level let's be honest- WOMEN want to feel loved ( and I am sure MEN do too)- especially on this day, as Taylor Dane's lyrics say "Tell it to my heart. Tell me I'm the only one. Is this really LOVE or just a game?". Let's be clear, I am not promoting the commercialization of Valentine's Day- but I am promoting the importance of stopping to recognize your loved one. I have a very romantic father and I don't remember a Valentine's Day he let pass without expressing his LOVE and affection to my mother in some special way. Make a card, breakfast, or simply plan a special moment- and I am not just talking to the men here ladies- go out and try to make your companion feel special.

In the creation of my book over the past few months-ok years, I have found myself focusing on the ability we each have to choose happiness for ourselves. As a result, I am reminded that in spite of what the world says about LOVE on Valentine's day, I own me, and the choice is mine to embrace LOVE everyday. On Valentine's Day I will do the same, with maybe a little more flavour than every other day- I will LOVE unconditionally, give what I can, serve those I care for, and bring light to all those around me. So, I choose to give LOVE freely on this upcoming "special" day- with no expectation of a return, knowing that true happiness does not come from a box of chocolates, flowers, or a card- true happiness flows through me when I first I learn how to LOVE me. Look in the mirror and and search for your soul, make peace with your flaws, and find strength in your spirit. Choose YOU, as you do you will have peace fill you, replacing fear with LOVE, the result more LOVE to give others.

When Valentine's Day arrives this year you will be prepared to: see the light in every person that crosses your path. I encourage you to find ways to bring light to those around you and I promise you that you will experience your best Valentine's Day yet. Should you receive acknowledgements of another's LOVE and appreciation of you, stop and appreciate the moment and treasure them as they do you. Life is too short to live without joy and happiness, especially during the lonely times. Make a difference and choose HAPPINESS! Valentine's Day- its a FACT!

A Poem I wrote when I was 16- yes, just a couple years ago:)

FAMILIES are like rainbows

with never-ending colour;

as long as their together,

their love will be FOREVER

Loving you from a far- Mehgan Downie- Feb 10, 2012

Share your thoughts at: mehgan@me.com

Christmas 2011

It isn't often that we can say," I had a truly wonderful Christmas"- but this year I can say "I did!". It was looking like it was going to be a rather lonely single Christmas for my sister Kaisha, and my good friend Annette and I, until we came up with the PERFECT PLAN! Let's pool our gifts and get our brother in Vernon and his wife and two kids to come down. So that is exactly what we did with the help of our parents and their willingness to support our wish.

Bryn, Lisa and the kids arrived on December 21 and that is when Christmas began for us. As I was up late the night before their arrival ironing table cloths and getting beds ready, chocolates out, stuffy's in place and special Christmas decorations out- I realized boldly that I am my Mother's daughter.

To enjoy our Christmas Video- see below:

My Mom is an amazing woman, she loves to entertain, cook and make her

home special for those she loves. I found it incredibly exciting and intrinsically rewarding to be able to provide for those I love, each and everyone one of them! Kaisha was just as excited so she was out shopping and getting the extra special ant farm she thought the kids would love- and they did! We were finally in the true spirit of Christmas. It was hard to go to work on the 22nd, but the highlight was I brought Morgan my niece with me for a couple hours in the morning to prepare her present for her parents (she coloured a picture and we ironed it on T-Shirts for her parents).

Each minute of every day, brought with it special memories and moments we will each treasure for a lifetime and beyond. Everyone pitched in, and everyone including the dogs had a great time. From Butterfly Gardens, to Sleep-

Overs with new friends, to special dinners with those we love- we were blessed to experience the true essence of Christmas- Christ Like Love. Yes we bought a few gifts for the kids, but we didn't go crazy and we spent time together, precious time, full of laughs, tears, and joy.

I know that we are son's and daughters of God and he wants us to truly enjoy this life. He wants

us to seek joy and happiness in eachday so we can fill our hearts with love and share that love with others. The Plan of Happiness is simple, live in thanksgiving daily, love your fellowmen, and serve when the means and opportunity present themselves. My heart is full and my love runs deep, I look forward to striving more diligently this year to make a difference

in the lives of all those who come into mine. I want to live my life as a gift to God, just as my parents gift to Kaisha and I this year was a sacrifice for them to give up special time with their loved ones- we too must sacrifice.

May your days ahead be filled with wonder and special moments as you seek to see God's hand in your lives. To my friends- I thank-you for you have done for me!

What Makes My World Go Round?

Life seems to be a bit of a blur these days, between setting goals and travelling more at work, I am finding I need to get grounded. The notion of being grounded seems almost fierce in the context of flying vs. not flying. I am a woman who loves to live life to my fullest and in so doing I go-go-go-go-CRASH! So the hope that getting grounded gives me is that I will put my wheel back in balance. Since June I have been in Washington DC, Costa Rica, Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Castlegar, and once again Calgary- I am sure there are a few stops I have missed in between. So needless to say, in so doing I have once again lost Mehgan and what I need to be in touch with balance. So what makes my world go round? These five things: Mental, Spiritual, Physical, Charitable (Service) and Social balance.

Mental

I need to be reading, filling my mind with good works, inspiration and rejuvenation. I have a few great books sitting next to my bed just waiting to be read- oh to making time.

Spiritual

I need to go to church every Sunday, it is my time to get in touch with my maker. To rebuild myself through prayer, study and strengthening my faith. I am a firm believer in the community and safety that my faith provides.

Physical

Taking care of Mehgan, i.e eating right, exercising, and breathing! This is the area I am really struggling with since I have been travelling so much, so I best find a way to make it happen even when I am on the road.

Charitable

When I am serving others, I am strengthened! I love to serve and yet, this is another area that is lacking with my travel schedule. Thank goodness I receive callings from church to serve, or chances are this area of my life would continue to slide.

Social

I need to spend quality time with my friends and family in order to be reminded what really matters. I find the time I spend entertaining or just chilling with the good people around me, is honestly good for my soul!

Balance

So here I am with a road map to balance, so I need to get at it and go to bed- it is way past my bed time, perhaps I should have put SLEEP on the list.

Below you will find a trailer of one of my past trips, I have to say as hard as it is to travel so much for work; however, I really do enjoy my job, because it is there I can help others seek further education and as the Chinese proverb says "If you are planning for a year, sow rice- If you are planning for a decade, plant trees- If you are planning for a life time, educate the people!"

Lessons I am Learning.....

A dear friend from my past reminded me today of this blog, by sharing an entry I had made a couple years ago on Facebook. It was one of those special moments where I was taught by past thoughts. This small but substantial interaction online compelled me to revisit this blog. It also gave me the desire to take the time this evening to share some of the important lessons I have learned recently.

I think all to often we travel down roads we've all ready traveled, roads we continue circling back too because we never found what we were looking for the first time, or never learned the lesson we were meant to learn first time. Over the past few years I have been fortunate enough to experience a number of these occasions- or unfortunate enough depending on the circumstance. In particular, I have learned the power of NOW, the process of being PRESENT, and the constrictions of PRIDE.

The Power of NOW

We are each given moments to act. Moments to reflect and make a decision that will effect the outcome of any given circumstance or situation. I have learned that key to my personal and professional success is my ability to be able to articulate reason and understanding- before the window of opportunity disappears. I will give you an example: I was traveling recently in Washington, DC for work and I came across what appeared to be a woman who was mad at the world. I watched her deal with conflict in a way I was not accustomed to while being somewhat in shock and somewhat intrigued to find out why she reacted the way she did. The more I watched her the more I wanted to interact with her, and of course the opportunity presented itself as she passed by my booth, I stopped her to ask how her day was going. She went on to tell me how unimpressed she was with her decision to participate in the conference (I too was attending) to profile her business. The more we chatted the more I realized my first impression was jaded by my dis-taste for her interaction with others, rather than my ability to seek to understand where she was coming from, her world, her experiences, and her natural abilities. After spending more time which included dinner and a Canuck's game, I believe I am the fortunate one to make a friend who's perspective is not only enlightening but fulfilling and who's abilities were far beyond interacting with prospective clients who may or not take the time to stop by her booth.

We have the power to choose, when to take a leap of faith and bring light or darkness into the life of another individual. We have the choice to be frustrated or find a solution. We are all children of a loving God who desires most to give us peace and happiness- IT IS UP to US to CHOOSE.

The Process of Being Present

I am a firm believer the only way we will truly make a difference in the world, is if we except, that our ability to make a difference starts by small and simple means. When I say that I mean as simple as being present with those we are with. This is one lesson I am learning more at work than anywhere else. I find my battle- is all that I have on my mind ( my mental to-do list) seems to be restrictive when I come face to face with someone I work with who doesn't read my facial expression or 'you lost me look'. Lost me because I just don't have the time or mental capacity to hear you right now- when the conversation has started and now its too late to say can this wait until I am in a better place to be here for you? Let me explain- At home I find it easier to be present because of my love for those I am with- its easier to engaged. At work my struggle is letting go of my mental to-do list in order to seek to understand the person who just needs to talk and needs desperately for me to listen. My commitment is to become a better listener while I seek to understand the speaker. I have also realized, its better to be honest with those you are communicating with- because chances are they can see you are not connecting the dots they are drawing for you anyway. Oh do I ever have a lot to learn! I think I am going to have to travel this road a few more times before I remember the twists and turns.

The Constrictions of Pride

Pride is one of the greatest limitations we can exhibit and hold on to in this life. I have often misunderstood pride and thought of it as a positive thing, i.e to have pride in your work - that's good right? Well it can be if we are not constricted by constructive feedback and alternative solutions to the work we put our name on. I have found that pride is truly the wrong aspiration for me, I want to seek humility and share everything that I do and all that I am. It is my goal to seek to be inclusive rather than exclusive, to earn respect over praise, and to encourage team over self. I don't think any of us will ever be completely free of these limitations; but, we can choose to leave our pride at the door:)

Ok that is it for now- next entry coming soon. MMDHK

Appreciation

This past few months have been full of experiences that have given me a greater appreciation for the gifts that surround us. For instance, as I have mentioned in past blogs, I am living in Victoria BC Canada, and enjoying the true nature of coastal life. Ever since I can imagine, I remember sea gulls, and not necessarily for their beauty, rather their loud squawk. As you can see in the picture above, they are magnificent birds, and beautiful to watch.



I am finding as I seek to understand a greater will than my own, that my consciousness has been enlightened to see things I might otherwise have over looked. I have always seen beauty in most everything; however, these experiences have intensified. Whether it is gosling who has lost its parents, or two brand new twin fawns, or the beauty of the place I work, I experience great joy. Pure joy in fact, I believe everyone can tap into it, maybe it is my sincere desire to see more than my effect; or maybe it comes from a greater power, beyond our comprehension. Either way, stop today and ask to see the world unfolding to you, ask to have a greater appreciation for all that lives in the world, ask to find your purpose and you will be directed to a path unknown to you. It is in the quiet moments we are truly connected to who we really are.