Cam's Quotes
Be wary of repeating them.
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Quotes 2023
Acting sluggishly
When you receive promptings from the Spirit, you are advised, or counseled, if you will, to act immediately. We talked about acting immediately in Relief Society a few weeks ago. A lot of the conversation was about missing opportunities and not being able to serve others, which may be the case, but this is my testimony from not acting immediately.
Over the course of the last year, I have prayed about so many things. I have received promptings and have acted not immediately. I have pretended that I was acting on the promptings, but it wasn’t a full follow or trust in the Savior’s plan.
Most of my promptings have been about my work situation. It is not ideal, and the promptings I have received also seem not ideal to me. In November last year, a rhetorical question asked during a lesson and/or during General Conference was, “If you had more faith, what would you do?” The immediate thought that came to my mind was, I would quit my job. Afraid Cami then did not quit her job but transitioned merely to a PRN position (as needed). This way, scared Cami could still have work and provide for herself and her husband.
Fast forward to June of this year. Still hesitant Cami was working PRN. Every shift she picked up, she lost more and more hope in her job. She gave up on trying to provide well thought out groups. She struggled to have motivation to keep providing authentic and encouraging recreation therapy. So, she wrote a resignation letter and didn’t come back.
Yes, I did it very poorly. But every time I thought about coming in for next shift, I wanted to cry. And I did cry. I felt so horrible about the way that I left. I also cried at work thinking about how much I could no longer stand my job and the feeling that I had very minimal support. And that my coworkers that did encourage me were also giving up. They also felt defeated.
So I quit. Seven months after the prompting, I finally acted 100% to that prompting.
I've seen a few wonderful changes from acting 100%, including my mood and outlook on life. Last year, I started tracking my mood and occasionally stress levels regularly. Almost immediately after quitting in June, my mood was consistently higher. I was rarely tracking my mood as bad. Whereas before I quit, my mood was almost always tracked as bad. My stress improved. My mood improved. I am so much happier. That job was sucking the life out of me.
evidation.com |
Another blessing that has come from acting 100% on the quitting my job inspiration may be the ability to follow through with another prompting. I'm not saying that this is definitely the reason for the struggle, but it could be. This one may be TMI, so you don't have to keep reading this one. Just skip the asterisked section.
***
As I prayed about what to do with my life, I kept getting the prompting to have kids. And as my husband and I struggled to get pregnant, I would tell God that that wasn't a funny joke. He knew we had been trying, and yet he was telling me to have kids. At around 11 months, we had decided that if we weren't pregnant by this October, we would start the adoption process.
Almost immediately following quitting my job in June, we were able to get pregnant (at about 13 months). So, I guess technically we would be in the infertile category, but I feel I'm not allowed to talk about infertility because we did get pregnant, so there's that. I don't know if it was because my stress levels were finally so low or if God said, "Okay, you're finally listening to me, I'll bless you now." I won't ever really know, but I have a feeling it was a lot to do with my insane amount of stress from my job.
***
Sometimes when we don't act immediately, we aren't missing out on opportunities, but we may be delaying blessings. I'm not saying that God is going to not give you blessings because you don't follow His counsel and is just going to wait. But God does know best. He knows what is hurting us, and He tells us what will help us. When we aren't following our promptings, we are just continuing to hurt ourselves. We are the ones in the way of our own blessings. When we don't trust, we don't willing receive the help God is giving to us. Hopefully, I can do better in the future at following promptings immediately. 'Cause even though my situation is still not ideal, I am doing so much better than before.
Sunday, September 1, 2024
"Jack of All Trades, Master of a Few"
Hey Peeps!
It's been a long, long while. I haven't posted something substantial since July last year. I just wanted to give you an update of my life and what my hopes are for my blog for the foreseeable future. (And also give you all the quotes from 2023.)
For an update on what I am doing with my life, I am following my Recreation Therapy professor's modified phrase of "jack of all trades, master of a few." To start with what I am a "master" of, I work in mental healthcare. I am a PRN (as needed, just picking up shifts here and there) Recreation Therapist at a mental/behavioral health hospital. I also work with the City of Chandler as a Recreation Assistant. This one's a new job, and I'm still learning some of the ins and outs of it, but this one is my fun job. I get to go on outings, such as fishing trips and hiking. And my regular, but least amount of time job is being a piano teacher. I picked it back up in February last year. (If anyone is thinking about taking piano lessons, I currently charge $18 per 30-minute lesson, once a week. I usually teach beginner to early intermediate students. If you're already a pro, please don't come to me.) I also have a t-shirt "business." I screen print shirts and have sold a few. So, that's my job situation right now. I don't have a super consistent schedule, but I do consistently have work each week. So it's fine.
Also, what I am doing with my life (besides work) is trying to be a good wife, sister, daughter, and slightly fit/healthy person. I currently live at my dad's house in his mother-in-law suite. So, yeah, I'm the 30-year-old still living with her parent’s house. At least it's not the basement. And at least I'm not just gaming all the time (I rarely game, and it's usually when my brothers need a third player.) My goal is to start traveling a little more to see my siblings because they always come here, and I rarely go to them. I should probably also start just calling them more often. That would be good to do. I've been married a little over a year, and I am learning a lot. I am working on my communication skills (being nicer and more understanding).
In regards to this blog, I am going to try to write more. I want to do my Sunday thoughts at least twice a month. These will be a bit more "church-y" and spiritual, but they will go under the Sunday Thoughts label. If you want to look at what I am writing for those, you can access them through that label.
So here we go on another adventure. We'll see how long I can keep this up. Also, the shirt in the picture is one of my screen printed ones. If ever you want to check out my shirts, I have them here.Saturday, January 6, 2024
2023 Reading Goal
Last year, I had a goal to read 12 books, so basically 1 a month. And I wanted to read the physical copies, so even though I listened to audiobooks, I didn't feel like I had met my real goal. (The books I read can be found here.) So this year, I set the same goal for myself. I wanted to read 12 books instead of listening to them, even though I still wanted to listen to audiobooks. This year turned out to be an adventure because I ended up going down a giant rabbit hole that increased my usage of e-books (Kindle and Apple books).
So, if you would like to know the books I have read this year, they are the following.
Audiobooks
Physical Books
E-books
Sunday, July 30, 2023
A Season of Hope and Joy
Christmas Day #4
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
A Christmas Feast
Who likes food? I do. I definitely do. So now we're gonna share some food. I have a few places that I want to share with you guys.
Christmas Day #3
Monday, July 24, 2023
On the Second Day of Christmas
Hey guys! How is Christmas in July going for ya? If you want another easy way to give, I have a great idea for you. Also, if you like reading, this one's for you.
Christmas Day #2
Sunday, July 23, 2023
Christmas in July
I'll probably get a lot of flack for this. Actually, I don't know, since I don't have that many people who follow the stuff that I post or care about it if it happens to come across their feed. I missed halfway to Christmas on June 25, so I guess we'll have to celebrate Christmas in July instead. This is also prompted by so much hate that I see on my Instagram feed. I have a variety of people on my Instagram feed: different walks of life, religious beliefs, values, political views, physical and mental abilities, etc. There has been a big stir among my friends. Again. It happens more often than I would like. The people on my feed disagree. But it's not just a disagreement; it's a battle. At least one side, usually both, tries to tear the other side apart and show how stupid the other side is and how immoral the other side is. However, each conflict that emerges is so much more complex than only one side being dumb. But why does it have to be so hateful? Why do we have to be so mean?
Sometimes that arguments (especially the latest) are about how to help people. I've seen so many people get up in arms about how an organization is not perfect. So to be transparent, none of these organizations is perfect, but they are doing more than I could do on my own. In the spirit of giving, since it's Christmas in July, here are some organizations, items, ideas, (or people?) that have brought me hope or joy and help me share the gifts of life and joy to others.
Without further ado, let's get the party started.
Christmas Day #1
image from redcrossblood.org |
Sunday, July 9, 2023
The Dole Whips of Marriage
Sorry I've been gone for so long (as if anybody stays up-to-date on my blog). If you have actually stayed in the know, I wrote about The Dole Whips of Singlehood a while ago. (It's been two years.) I said that I would get myself 7 dole whips if I was single during my family's Disneyland trip. The old blog post explains how that did and didn't happen. But my sister tried to convince me to get 8 if I was married on that trip. Well, I finally had my "8th" Dole Whip.
My "8th" Dole Whip |
I got married in March, and my reception was held at my aunt's sister's backyard. I had an idea of what I wanted to have as food for the reception, and it became a "potluck" of sorts for my aunt's family. I did not know that there would be Dole whips. I guess it was a last minute thing that happened. But it was perfect! So many guests loved the treat. And my older sister was so happy that I finally got to have my marriage Dole whip.
Sunday, February 12, 2023
New Team Cami Updates
Okay everybody, I have a new order form for Team Cami shirts. I definitely haven't worked out all the kinks yet. This is mostly for my people in Arizona, but if you happen to want a shirt somewhere else, we can figure something out. The cost might be higher for shipping, and I will contact you.
Here are two of my lovely models:
2022 Second Half Quotes
Cami: It's more like an ox in a slightly muddy patch.
Thursday, December 29, 2022
2022 Reading Goal
I had a goal this year to read 12 books (about 1 each month), which is not much in the reading community. I love reading, but I don’t have a lot of time because I’m doing so many different things all the time. So I thought I could read one book each month. I did not do that. I read 10 books. But, I also listened to 11 audiobooks. So count what you will. I really wanted to read read the 12 books. Here’s my list with a comment or two for each book.
I finally listened to The Hobbit. I did not get to The Lord of The Rings books though. Maybe next year?
I have one more book in this series to finish. I started the last book though, so it will be the start of next year's list of books. The second book took me a lot longer to read. Once again, I was drawn in more by the first book. Maybe it's the author? 'Cause it's the same author as the magician series.
Sunday, September 4, 2022
Why Do You Stay?
When I was serving my mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I had two questions that I loved asking to other missionaries. Their answers to these questions showed me their heart, resilience, and if they were going to have a miserable time. The two questions were, "Why did you come on a mission?" and "Why do you stay on your mission?" I think these two questions apply to the church as a whole too. The reasons that people share as to why they joined and why they stay will tell so much. So, I wanted to share my answers to the two questions.
Why I Joined
Why I Stay
Sunday, August 21, 2022
"God helps those who help themselves" and other fun quotes
If you didn't already know this, now you do: I work in mental healthcare. Come November, I will have been in this field for 7 years. Usually I am pretty good at keeping work at work and personal life at home. But every now and then, work gets depressing. You can only take so much before the drain. Burnout is real, and with the several plot twists my career has taken, I find myself looking for new jobs and saying, "One of these days, I'm going to be burnt out" (and have to leave mental healthcare). It still hasn't happened yet, but one of these days... In the meantime, here are some things that I learn and experience, especially in decreasing burnout, as a mental health professional.
About a year ago, my congregation at church had a get to know you night, and we all had nametags with a little bit of information about ourselves. Below is mine. (Yes, I stuck it in my journal like a weirdo. Whenever people say, "Paste it in your journal," it might actually end up in my journal.)
The name is pronounced the same as Millie. |
Obviously I was being facetious with my answers. My mom would always say, "Are you being a problem solver or a problem causer?" And I totally own being a problem causer. I do it all the time. Though I was being facetious, I do study and work with "the human brain & change." I fully intend to help people and myself change: behaviors, brains, outlook on life, etc. Even as a lowly recreation therapist, I do this every day I go to work. I've learned a lot. And I've provoked change.
At work, I often call myself "the mean therapist" because I do expect people to change, and I ask hard questions. I make people think during my groups, and people don't like what I make them think about. They want to just be told that they are okay, and that the world owes them better. Sure, the world owes a lot of people better. I work with lots of people who have had terrible things done to them, and that's awful. However, if we tell people that they are okay, and that the world is what needs to change, nothing is ever going to change. You know the quote, "Be the change you want to see in the world" that is attributed to Gandhi but is actually not the words he said? Well, the principle is there. You are what changes the world.
And change hurts. Kid President said, 'A Poem. "Two roads diverged in the woods, and I took the road less traveled... AND IT HURT MAN! ... Not cool Robert Frost!" Guess what! Your brain is made of a bunch of different figurative roads that move information from one place to another. And the ones that we use the most are the easiest for our brains to use. (This is how habits are formed, good or bad.) The ones that are less traveled are not as easy to travel, and so it takes some time to make it easier. Your brain is malleable. You can change your brain. You can make good pathways more of the instinct for your brain than others. But it takes work. And work hurts. Therefore change hurts. Therefore, my therapy hurts. I inspire and encourage change. (Not that I'm an inspiring person, as filling people with awe or wonder or amazement, but I do elicit and evoke thought.)
I'm sure you have heard the saying, "God helps those who help themselves" whether you believe in God or not. As a Christian, and therefore someone who does believe in God, I believe this is a mostly accurate statement. God helps us immensely when we put in work. Not that he never helps those who aren't doing anything for themselves. He may be a strict Parent, but He's not completely devoid of compassion. God ultimately wants our success, and He's gonna help us get there if we are willing to put in the work. So, I improve my life by working hard and asking God for a lot a lot of help.
As well as working on your own brain, attitudes, and beliefs, service to others improves mental health immensely. I think John F. Kennedy had it right when he said, "Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for you country." If you haven't read his full inaugural address, it's a good read. Beyond making changes for yourself, you have to help your fellowman. If you only serve yourself, your life isn't reaching it's potential. Most people are happier when they are serving others. Helping other people gives one purpose and increases amounts of the happy chemicals (serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin) in our brains. Our brains are wired to have connection with other people. When the people we are with are happy, we also become a little bit happier. It's just how our brains work.
Unfortunately, we can't help everyone. If we could, a lot of us would. But the news is full of awful things that people do, and it can lead us to feeling helpless. I see so much I cannot change as I work in mental healthcare. I cannot change everyone. And it's something that I have to accept. I have to accept that people have their choice. I have to accept that I have control over a very small part of this world. But I can influence change. I can have hope. And I can do what I can in small ways. I can do my best with what I've got.
To sum it up, these are my three points that help with mental health and reducing burnout.
2. Make positive changes in others' lives
3. Don't get distracted by what you cannot change
It's hard, but it's possible. I promise that my brain is very different from when I started studying about the human brain and change. I have definitely changed my brain.
And if you want a picture for a visual of how it's all going, here is a picture from my family's 4th of July rocket contest. It's a pretty good visual of how that whole family weekend went as well.
Things might be a little rough (or lot rough) and have taken a nose dive, but tudo bem or it's all good.
Sunday, July 10, 2022
2022 First Half Quotes
Quotes 2023
Joseph : What's your middle name? Griffin : Jon-niel. Josh : When in doubt, it's Joseph's pants. Coworker : Bandit farted, and...
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I have a few items of business that I would like to bring to the attention of my beloved fans. Actually, did you know that I have zero fans...
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Shopping is something I do not enjoy. Grocery shopping is okay because I get food from it, even though my roommates still have to encourage...
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I just want to begin by stating that I am a sinner. And that my ward is full of absolutely wonderful people. Upon saying both of these thi...