After talking with my family, the story flowed. In fact, it was too long, so I had to edit it. The shorter version follows:

Maeja, the Medicine Woman, came from a long line of healers. Her mother, her sisters, her daughters all had healing powers within them. Maeja travelled from village to village, now that her children were grown and helped the mothers prepare for the birth of her babies. All around the villages, people sent word to make sure that Maeja would be able to help them prepare a ward, inviting place for their babies as they entered the world.

Those who visited in Maeja’s home always felt loved and invited. She brought with her a spirit of acceptance and peace. Maeja loved the idea of new life. She surrounded her home with the most beautiful flowers, orchids, calla lilies, iris, roses, sunflowers, carnations and daisies. She loved the color and feel of the earth and showed this is the furnishings in her home. She felt that the most important gift to give is oneself.

For years and years, Maeja travelled to help the new mothers with their babies. She brought cool water for them to sip as they labored to bring a new life into the world. She always brought a homemade blanket for the new one. She would choose red and oranges, vibrant and bright to celebrate the birth. As the baby was born, Maeja lovingly wrapped the baby in a warm blanket.

Maeja knew that the gods watched over her. They helped her as she helped the mothers bring their babies into the world. They saw the loving care she brought. They also saw the conviction within her to make sure that the world welcomed the new child. As Maeja breathed her last breath, the gods made her the fire goddess so that she could bring warmth into the world.

Now, Maeja travels the world over. She sends hot lava like fireworks spewing in colors of red and orange to celebrate new life. This is why a volcano erupts.

It was so fun to work together! It was interesting to hear each person’s contribution. In the end, it was my story inspired by my family.

What a blessing to have families. Perhaps, you can write a short story or poem, or song or paint a picture or another creative project with your family this week.

The power of story is strong. The power of family is strong. The power of unity and support are strong. Empower yourself by empowering your family members.

Ten years ago, we were counseled by a loving church leader to have activities which united our family. We were doing many things already, but made a more diligent effort to connect our children. We often talk about having “two sets of children” because of the age difference of the oldest two and youngest three. This church leader had a similar situation in his family. Because my husband and I were older, he remarked that, similarly to their family, our older children would possibly become the surrogate grandparents for our youngest children’s children. Their family found that bonding experiences with all the children had such a profound positive payoff (don’t you love alliteration?) that he recommended we do the same thing. We listened and followed his counsel. What a great gift he gave to us in his words. We have noticed that our children are in constant contact with one another. They share their hopes, fears, dreams, successes, difficulties and treasure their moments of connection.

Yesterday, I observed, as I often do in times of struggle or trial for a family member, that we have done something so right. My youngest son had to have surgery. Many prayers have been offered by our children, ourselves, our extended family members and our friends.

I sent a text to each of my siblings and children when he was taken back for surgery and when we received favorable results. Their texts back to me contained love and support. Later, yesterday afternoon, I watched as each one called our home to check on their brother. One said, “I didn’t just want a text that the surgeon was pleased. I want to know more.” Some were able to speak with him because he was awake and some just spoke with me. But over a two hour period, each of my children called home.

My parents instilled in my siblings and myself a desire to stay connected. We have continued that connection to our children. So, yesterday, as I observed each of my children calling to check on their brother, I realized we have done something so right.

Can you share with us ways that you empower connection in your family? We love to hear from you.

I had another of those “aha” moments this week. We have adopted a friend whose husband passed away and her family lives far away, so she needed to have a family here. We became that family. She called me Monday morning to ask me to take her to the doctor. I live an hour away from her, but the timing of her appointment was such that I could go to her house and get her to the doctor on time.

After the doctor appointment, it is our custom to go to lunch. She always takes home the extra to eat for dinner. This way, she has two meals that she doesn’t have to prepare when she is not feeling well. We did this on Monday.

As we were driving home, she apologized for “bothering me.” I assured her that she didn’t bother me and then the absolute truth poured out, “I just love you.” She knew it was true. I knew it was true. It was an empowering moment.

There is a song which speaks about remembering a moment in our life. This was one of those moments that I will remember and treasure.

Love is empowering. As we share our love and give our time and attention to others, they are empowered. Who will you empower today just by showing love?

Last week, I was speaking with a new and dear friend about the hardness of life.  We spoke about the struggles that were all around us.  Yet, there was not one word of complaint.  We talked about having the strength to get through the next day, the next week, month and year and being able to get through the struggles with grace.  Not to put on a happy face for the world, but to help empower our children to know that they can do hard things.

In the last year, I have gone through many changes in my life.  I reflect on the lessons I have learned as I have journeyed through the last two years.  I often ask myself if I am learning the lessons I need to learn from my experiences.  I sometimes record the lessons I am learning in my journal.  I am grateful for these lessons.  I know that one of the most important lessons that I have learned about myself is that I am stronger than I think I am.

As I spoke with my friend, I pointed out to her that she, too, is stronger than she thinks she is.  I don’t know what life will bring to her, but I know that she will be standing straight and tall at the end of it. 

Some days are tough.  Some days are easy.  Some days are sad and some days are joyful.  As my daughter once said, “We must have joy in the journey.”  I absolutely agree.  Another daughter shared recently that she has stopped writing a daily log of what she has done, but right now is writing daily what she is grateful for.  It helps her to look at all the good things in her life. 

I am not a great journal writer.  There are times when I write magnificently.  But, for most of my life, I write occasionally.  Recently I decided to write a journal about the miracles in my life.  When I look for them I see then all around me.  What type of journal will you write?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.  Here I go again, getting easily sidetracked. 

‘Back to my original thoughts for today.  I have an assignment for you.  Take a look back at your life.  This is not an “I am not good enough” look.  Take a look back at all the struggles you have survived and try to find the lessons you have learned.  Then, try to remember if there were times when you didn’t think you could survive.  Guess what?  You did survive because there is power in being stronger than you think you are.  I know this is true. 

Sometime I think about the strengths I have gained from my family.  I have an Aunt who went back to college in her fifties after surviving the illness and death of her husband.  (That is an empowering story for another day.)  When I need to feel that I am strong, I think of all the strong members of my family, especially the women. 

Empower yourself and your family by acknowledging the strengths you have.  Share those strengths with others.  I can’t wait to see how differently the world feels to all of us as we empower each other.

I have a friend who longs for the same support from family. I try to include her in my family. We invite her to family gatherings for holidays and we feel that she “belongs” to us. She is a part of our family now. We talk on the phone about our children, grandchildren and the day to day activities of life. She gives me pointers for my garden and we share lunches together sometimes. I took her some blueberries.

When I am sad or afraid or just too tired to go on, I think of my family. I visualize each face and play back in my memory the songs, the words, the looks and most importantly, the love I feel from my family. I then have the courage and strength to go on; to move forward; to reach for the stars.

One of the most important phrases we can share with one another is “you’re gonna make it.” The support of your belief in someone else is a most precious gift. Whether you reach out to a family member by birth, or a family member by choice, show your love to your family today. You will empower that person to “keep moving forward.”

But, lately, I have decided to face my fears and try things again that I failed in the past. And…
I was successful with the haircut. One area was just a little short, but was in a place which was unnoticeable. Nobody laughed or made fun of the job I had done. My husband was pleased.

My son told me that he had never seen me cut hair before. I told him that I hadn’t cut hair for year. I empowered myself by trying something again. How can you empower yourself by trying something again? Try it! You just may succeed.

 My husband and one of my daughters were visiting while ironing clothes.  A radio station was playing in the background.  I was in the kitchen paying attention to one of my sons.  We were talking and he was sharing what he had experienced earlier in the evening.  Some of my favorite times are when my children are giving me a play by play of the events of their day. 

All of a sudden, I stopped.  I heard a few notes of a song.  I started walking down the hall just a few steps and called out, “What is the song playing?”  My husband answered that it was Dvorak’s “New World Symphony”, a part of which is more commonly known as “Going Home.”

Instantly, my mind was swept back to a time when my daughter was learning to play this on the piano.  It was already a favorite of mine because it talked about going home, one of my favorite places.  I listened more intently and my daughter turned up the music so I could hear it better.  A sweet peace filled my heart as I remembered the times she played this song.

She learned the piece for her piano class.  My husband had a church assignment to work with missionaries.  Every six weeks a farewell, meeting was held before the missionaries returned home.  At the end of the meeting, my daughter would play “New World Symphony” as part of the postlude music. 

The feelings of those experiences filled my heart with joy!  I listened.  I remembered.  I was strengthened by the power of the music. 

My mother insisted on piano lessons for all of her children.  Some of my siblings were much more dedicated and now are much better pianists than I am.  However, for many years, even though my playing was mediocre at best, I would sit at the piano and play when I was happy, sad, or contemplative.  Any intense feeling was shared with my family through music.

Music has power.  One or two notes from one song can carry you back through years- even decades, and bring back to you clear memories as if the events just happened.  Each time I hear the first song my husband and I danced to, I am filled with warmth.  I relive those moments on the dance floor in our church building.  I see the crowd of people there and I remember the dress I wore and the suit he wore.  I also remember that he brought another girl there as his date.  Ha ha!  The memories are all warm and full of light for me. 

Music has power.  It has power to heal and to bless.  Music has power to harm and upset.  Music has power to bring back the joy and happiness of our lives.  We equate music with love when we ask a member of a couple, “What is your song?” 

I am grateful for the power of music in my life.  I am grateful to my parents who not only paid for lessons, but also persevered though my practicing.  I am grateful to have the memories that music brings into my life.  What a powerful tool to use for good!  Oliver Wendell Holmes, an early American writer states:  “Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons.  You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body.”  I don’t know about you, but I find a daily bath is better than a weekly one.  Enjoy empowering yourself with music more often!

She knows what I like because we have spent time together. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a religious leader, stated: “…In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home. We talk with, rather than about, each other. We learn from each other, and we appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities.” (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Of Things that Matter Most, lds.org, General Conference, October 2010.) So I found the story, read it and knew that it was important for me to read and I was grateful for my daughter sharing it with me.

I reflected on our time spent together. Sometimes we laugh, sometimes we cry, we rejoice together, we sorrow together, we share our successes and our failures, we encourage, correct and stand beside each other. We spend time together.

Now, that I have grown children who live away from home, I am so grateful for the time we spent together. Those are precious moments and memories. We empowered our family by spending time together. What do you do to spend time with your family?

This is one of my favorite new year’s songs. It always expresses my excitement to a fresh start, a new beginning. In our family night activity this week, we took the time to evaluate the events of 2010. Some things that happened were very good, some things were not so good. All in all, though, I think that we weathered the storms as well as we could and we enjoyed the peaks as much as possible.

We wrote down our successes and we shared them together. It was good to celebrate the things we accomplished. It also helped us evaluate where we are and where we want to go.

Then, we took the assignment to make our goals for 2011 and report back by Sunday. We also have decided to review our goals weekly, chart our progress and make our plans for the next step. This weekly review will help us keep our goals in view and focus our attention on what is important to each of us.

Each new year brings much happiness and many joys! We have just enjoyed the holidays with family and friends. We go back to school and work refreshed and renewed. We wish you and yours a very Happy New Year! Make it an MPowered new year!