Blog
Ordinary Miracles Are Happening Around You Each Day – Watch For Them!
With things slowly starting to re-open here in Utah again our family is anxiously awaiting the reopening of our beloved Lake Powell. We can’t wait for the marina to get back up and operational again as we are all longing to be able to take a trip on our houseboat again. Our Lake Powell vacations …
Tagged a person in need, act of kindness, Amy Rees Anderson, angels among us, appreciate the miracles, best memories, don't get so busy you miss it, god is watching out for you, gratitude, houseboat, joy, keep watch, kindness of strangers, lake powell, lake powell trip, make time for others, notice the miracles around you, notice the wonders, ordinary miracles, ordinary miracles are happening each day, pay attention, perspective, stay alert, we find what we look for
We Will Become Only A Name, Unless There Is A Written Record
My grandmother passed away back in November of 2007. She was one of my dearest friends. Before she passed away she took the time to write her life history for me and for my children, and their children, and so on. I could share many thoughts on why recording your life history is so important …
Tagged a record for your posterity, Amy Rees Anderson, genealogy, generations to come, grandma pearson, Grandmother, journal, know your ancestors, leave an account of what has been important to you, life history, naomi pearson, only a name unless there is a written record, the hearts of the children turn to their fathers, what did your life mean, write your life history, your children and their children, your legacy
When You Know Its A Bad Idea – Don’t Do It!
We told ourselves it was a good idea at the time. Two of my girlfriends and I were on a trip to New York City several years ago when we decided to order the Quattro Cookie Sundae at Planet Hollywood in Time Square for dessert. What was delivered to our table was a GINORMOUS ice …
Tagged Amy Rees Anderson, bad decisions, be smart enough to do the right thing, be wise, do the right thing, don't do it, don't talk yourself into doing the wrong thing, don’t be stupid, ice cream sunday, it's not worth the risk, learn from your mistakes, make good decisions, use good judgement, what awesome looks like, when it seems like a bad idea, when you know its a bad idea don't do it
When We Long For A Life Without Difficulties
“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.” -Unknown Diamonds are made under pressure… which is really to say – no pressure, no diamonds. No Diamonds??!! Frankly just typing the words “no diamonds” makes me break into a cold sweat… A …
Tagged adversity, Amy Rees Anderson, attitude, beauty, carat, carbon, challenges, endurance, endure it well, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, facetted, facing life’s challenges, gorgeous, making adjustments, maturity, polished, reach our full glory, refiner's fire, self-improvement, shine, sparkle, spectacular, stress, we are becoming spectacular, what awesome looks like, wisdom
Wearing A Mask Is Sexy!!!
Do you want to know why wearing a mask is sexy? I’ll tell you because I just learned why myself today in a meeting with the Governor where he shared these stats with me: If a COVID CARRIER IS NOT wearing a mask and YOU ARE then the probability of you getting covid is 70%. …
Tagged Amy Rees Anderson, bedazzle, bedazzler, bust out the bedazzler, covid-19, decorate your covid mask, decorate your mask, embellish it, fashion statement, get creative, have a blast, healthcare, its a no-brainer, keep others healthy, make it fun, n95 mask, pandemic, safety first, show your personality, stay healthy, we are in this together, wear a mask, wearing a mask is sexy
Don’t Let Today’s Disappointments Cast A Shadow On Tomorrow’s Dreams
“Don’t let today’s disappointments cast a shadow on tomorrow’s dreams.” ~Unknown Life is full of curve balls that are bound to come up and mess up our best laid plans. It’s a part of life that cannot be stopped from happening. Unexpectedly loved ones pass away, family members fall ill, injuries occur, vehicles break down, …
Tagged accept change, Amy Rees Anderson, blessings do come, change your perspective, curve balls, dealing with disappointment, do your best, don't be discouraged, don’t let today’s disappoint cast a shadow on tomorrow’s dream, frustration, happiness, it will all be okay in the end, it’s going to be okay, joy, move with the cheese, positive attitude, set goals, things will turn out better than you think, what awesome looks like, work your guts out
Life Goes On!
Life is too short, Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness. Laugh when you can, Apologize when you should, And let go of what you can’t change. Love deeply and forgive quickly. Take chances. Give everything And have no regrets. Life is too short to be unhappy. You have to take the good with the …
Tagged always remember life goes on, Amy Rees Anderson, choose to be happy, dealing with petty people, focus on the positive, gratitude, grudges are a perfect waste of happiness, kick out the negative thoughts, life goes on, life is too short to be unhappy, petty people, smile when you are sad, what awesome looks like, you are the landlord of your mind
Some Days You Just Have To Do The Best You Can And Call It A Day
Today was one of those days where you are bombarded with things from the moment you wake up until 1am the next morning without so much as a two minute break. My day was absolutely packed today and as I sit here writing this at 1am its all I can do to keep my eyes …
Tagged Amy Rees Anderson, anxiety, call it a day, change expectations, change overwhelm-inducing thoughts, cognitive therapy, do your best, falling behind, focus on right now, go to bed, helpful thoughts, overwhelmed, pay attention, psychologist, recognize anxiety, shift perspective, stressed out, stressful, take a deep breath, take action, to much to do, unreasonable, what awesome looks like
Mothers Deserve To Be Celebrated Every Day
There are no words to adequately express the tender feelings I have toward my Mother on Mother’s Day. She gave birth to and raised ten children, doing so much of the time alone because my Dad’s job required him to travel significantly. Not only that but my Dads work required our family be moved every …
Tagged a mother's sacrifice, a mothers heart, a mother’s love, a thankless job, Amy Rees Anderson, appreciation, happy mother’s day, helping with homework, homework, laundry, leslie rees, love, mother's day, my little girl go to sleep, pearson, prayers, raising children, sacrifice, ten children, thank you, the greatest love, the sacrifices mothers make, tucking children in bed, unconditional love
How People Treat You Is Their Karma
“How people treat you is their Karma, how you react is yours.” – Wayne Dyer So often in life we find ourselves in situations where someone does something to us that is hurtful, unkind, ungrateful, unfair, unwarranted, dishonest, or a myriad of other mean things that hurt us or make us feel bad. And often …
Tagged accountability, Amy Rees Anderson, angel, anger, anger management, be nice, control, devil, disrespectful, emotions, forgiveness, God, high road, it all comes back, judgement, karma, karma is real, kindness, mean people suck, reap what you sow, rude, self worth, self-control, self-esteem, the worst kind of people, unhappy people are mean, unkind, vicious, wayne dyer, what awesome looks like, what goes around comes around, you can only control yourself
Work/Life Balance – The Eternal Struggle.
Work / Life Balance – it’s the eternal struggle we all strive for but never seem to feel like we have right. I really love the talk given by Coca Cola CEO Brian Dyson back in 1996 at a Georgia Tech commencement ceremony where he shared his analogy of the five balls we are all …
Tagged achieving balance, be brave, Brian Dyson, CEO, Coca Cola, coca cola ceo, don't give up, don't stop trying, don’t be afraid to learn, family life, finding balance in life, friends, fulfillment, goal poster, happiness, health, inspiring speech, juggling balls in the air, life is a journey, lift your spirit, live one day at a time, mental health, motivational quotes, set goals, spiritual health, take risks, the eternal struggle, time management, work family health friends spirit, work life, work life balance
Appreciate The Time We Have Left In Lockdown, And Stretchy Pants
Living in the Washington D.C. area in high school I was all about music groups like Erasure, The Cure, O.M.D., Depeche Mode, and the Smith’s. Then my family moved to the Nashville Tennessee area during my Junior year of high school and I couldn’t help but fall in love with country too. I still remember …
Tagged 80's music, Amy Rees Anderson, appreciate, appreciate the time left, appreciation, country music, country music tells a story, Depeche mode, elastic waist pants, enjoy this time before it's gone, erasure, family, forever and ever amen, granted, love, loved ones, music sucks you in, nashville tennesse, o.m.d., pandemic lockdown, randy travis, song lyrics, stretchy pants, the cure, the smiths, time, time with family, time with your spouse, trace adkins, washington music, you’re gonna miss this
The Greatest Gift A Father Can Give His Daughter
The most influential man in my life turned 82 years old over the weekend. That man is my Father, Gerald Rees. He is my rock, my exemplar, my advisor, my hero, and my friend. He taught me that that I am capable of doing anything I set my mind to if I am willing to …
Tagged a daughter always needs her dad, a father sets the standard, a father’s love, advisor, aggie ice cream, Amy Rees Anderson, birthday, confidence, courage, encouragement, foundation of love, gerald rees, Heavenly Father, integrity, Jerry Rees, mentor, my father on his 82nd birthday, self-esteem, the greatest gift a father can give his daughter, the kind of man you should marry, the most influential man in my life, the woman I am today, unconditional love, usu, what awesome looks like
Some Good News
We’ve all spent the last few months hearing pretty much nothing but bad news…from the coronavirus pandemic, to earthquakes, tornadoes, wildfires, severe storms, stock market crashes, cancelled graduations, and on and on and on…with every news station full of stories of gloom and doom is it really that surprising that people are struggling with feelings …
Tagged #somegoodnews #johnkrasinski, 13 hour, acts of kindness, Amy Rees Anderson, anxiety, Ashley hill, congratulations, covid-19, depression, doom and gloom, episode 6 some good news, finding joy, happiness, hurricane, jack ryan, jim halpert, john krasinski, John Krasinski highlights some good news around the world, Jon Stewart, mad respect, Malala Yousafzai, oprah winfrey, pandemic, pnademi, positivity, ryan reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, send the class of 2020 off with advice, severe storm, SGN, some good news, Steven Spielberg, the good in the world, the office, the quiet place, tornado, uplifting messages, what awesome looks like, wildfire, youtube channel
Resolve To Be Happy Regardless Of Our Circumstances
With all that’s going on currently with COVID-19 the words of this talk which shares some universal regrets that dying patients have gives us much to consider about how we ought to look at things. It’s a talk given by one of my favorite speakers, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, titled “Of Regrets and Resolutions” and here …
Tagged Amy Rees Anderson, be happy now, deepest regrets of life, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, enjoy the moment, find joy now, gratitude, happiness was already available, how short the road really is, how to live without regret, it's not a race it's a journey, joy, joy in the journey, let yourself be happier, life greatest regrets, life is not meant to be appreciated only in retrospect, living up to your potential, make a difference, powerful advice, president uchtdorf, regardless of our circumstances, regret, remember the regrets, resolve to find happiness, resolve to spend more time with those we love, resolve to strive more earnestly to become the person God wants us to be, see less with our eyes and more with our hearts, should have been, talk, they wished they had let themselves be happier, what awesome looks like
Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself: Avoiding Self-Sabotage At Work
I wrote an article on Forbes.com called “Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself“. It’s a message worth resharing: I was standing in the security line at an airport when a TSA worker came walking alongside the line yelling out in an animated way, “No liquids, no aerosols, no gels or creams on the airplane…You better …
Tagged Amy Rees Anderson, bad attitude, bad behavior, best leaders, boss, business, check yourself, company policy, company values, coworkers, dependable, entitled, entitlement, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, feedback, follow the rules, forbes, forbesbooks, gossip, hard work, honest, hr, inappropriate behavior, integrity, laziness, leader, lying, manager, over-committing, policies, positive attitude, positive influence, procrastination, respectful, responsibility, rumors, sabotage, salary, self-improvement, self-sabotage, succeed, success, trustworthy, truthful, tsa, values, vested interest, what awesome looks like, work ethic, wreck yourself
Not All Heroes Wear Capes
Today is National Superhero Day, a day to honor those who serve and protect while fighting evil. My personal favorite superhero is Wonder Woman. I watched every episode of the original TV series back in the 70’s when I was a little girl. And I knew that when I grew up I wanted to be …
Tagged acts of service, Amy Rees Anderson, caring for others, childhood hero, confidence, confidence builder, courage, covid-19, credit they deserve, do good, do the right thing, fighting evil, give selflessly, have i done any good, healthcare workers, hold to your values, integrity, may we all be superheroes, not all heroes wear capes, pandemic, putting others above themselves, quietly go about serving others, self-sacrificing, selfless, without recognition, wonder woman
While You Are Growing Up, They Are Growing Old
Today I was really bummed out because it was my Mother’s 78th birthday and we couldn’t be with her even though she lives only fifteen minutes away. With the quarantine we could only stand on her front porch singing Happy Birthday to her through the glass and then leave a cake an balloons on her …
Tagged adult, advice, aging, Amy Rees Anderson, appreciate, appreciate your parents, attention, baby boomer, birthday, birthday gift, blessed, chances, child, children, dad, death, don’t take your parents for granted, dying, family, fragile, future, gerald rees, gratitude, grey, growing old, leslie rees, lessons learned, life, living, love, love your parents, make time, mom, old, parents, priority, quality time, serve your parents, surprise, sympathy, time, treasure the time you have with them, we are so busy growing up we often forget they are growing old
Never, Ever, Stop Dreaming
Last Friday we held a College Graduation Commencement Ceremony in our home for my daughter Ashley Anderson Hill to present her with her Bachelor’s Degree in Entrepreneurial Management from Brigham Young University. Being that she was the only student graduating she gave the valedictorian speech. Her speech was so inspiring I asked her if I …
Tagged achieve your dreams, ashley anderson hill, Ashley hill, bachelor's degree, basic beyoutee, Brigham Young University, BYU, classmates, coaches, commencement speech, confidence, core qualitees, covid-19, disney, dr. pepper, entrepreneur, entrepreneurial management, entrepreneurship, galaxy far far away, Gethsemane, global pandemic, graduation speech, heart and soul, inspiring, marriage, Marriott school of business, mentors, Never ever stop dreaming, one direction, serve others, service, shoot for the sun moon and stars, stand firm, temple, The Church of Jesus Christ, valedictorian speech, what awesome looks like, wish upon a star
A Parents Thoughts To Their Child On Graduation
In yesterday’s blog I shared that my daughter Ashley graduates from BYU tomorrow (Friday April 24th 2020). I also shared the thoughts she wrote about the things she learned from her college experience. Today I thought it fitting for me to share a parent’s thoughts to a child that’s graduating, so here are my thoughts: …
Tagged Amy Rees Anderson, ashley anderson hill, Ashley hill, Brigham Young University, BYU GRADUATION, charitable, college graduate, education, HANDS ON EXPERIENCE IS THE GREATEST TEACHER, humility, INTELLIGENCE IS FOR ETERNITY, IT'S THE ONLY THING YOU TAKE WITH YOU, kind, knowledge, loving, outlook, positive attitude, smile, struggle, the best is yet to come, THE PERSON YOU ARE, university, what awesome looks like, what lies ahead, YOUR EDUCATION IS JUST BEGINNING
One College Graduate’s Thoughts About Their College Experience
My daughter Ashley is graduating this Friday from Brigham Young University (go BYU Cougars!) with her Bachelor’s Degree in Entrepreneurial Management. I’m so proud of her! Not just for graduating but for the incredible person she is. A few days ago on social media Ashley shared the following thoughts about her college experience – after …
Tagged Amy Rees Anderson, anything worth it takes effort, ashley anderson hill, Ashley hill, Brigham Young University, BYU, byu cougars, college graduate, convocation, education, education increases confidence, go cougars, graduating college, knowledge is power, no downside to getting an education, power is confidence, proud mom, serve others, the best is yet to come, the value of education, truth is truth, what awesome looks like, worth the effort
Fresh Air And Sunshine Are Good For The Soul
“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.” – Laura Ingalls Wilder I’ve been so focused on getting my home organized the last few weeks that I had forgotten how good it feels just to step outside and feel the sunshine on your face. After another long day of working inside …
Tagged Amy Rees Anderson, balance in all things, breath of fresh air, breathe in the fresh air, enjoy the sunshine, enjoyment, fresh air and sunshine, get outside, go for a bike ride, good for the soul, happiness, joy, springtime, sunshine is good for the soul, take a break, take a walk, the sun on your face
A Great Way To Boost Your Emotional Well-Being and Happiness Level
Today as I was going through cabinets and organizing things I pulled out my box I keep of handwritten notes and cards people have written to me over the years and I began reading a few of them. What an awesome way to boost your emotional well-being! Let’s face it – if someone asked you …
Tagged Amy Rees Anderson, appreciation, boost your happiness level, box of handwritten cards, emotional well-being, express gratitude, expressions of love, forbes, gratitude, handwritten letters, happiness, journal of psychological science, kindness, lifting your spirits, positive impact, raise your spirit, send a handwritten note, the consequences of showing appreciation, the value of a handwritten note, underestimated the impact, undervaluing gratitude, well being, what awesome looks like
Taking Stock Of Who You Are
“Spring cleaning isn’t just about sorting through things, and getting rid of clutter. It’s about taking stock of who you are. It’s a chance to redefine yourself, to change expectations, and to remember that it’s never too late to recapture who you were, or to aim for who you want to be.” -unknown One positive …
Tagged aim for who you want to be, Amy Rees Anderson, change expectations, clutter, coronavirus, covid-19, disorganized, get organized, goal setting, lighten your load, lockdown, pandemic, recapture who you are, redefine yourself, set goals, spring cleaning, take advantage of the time at home, take stock of who you are, what awesome looks like
It’s Amazing How Much Needs To Be Thrown Away!
It’s amazing how much stuff you are able to throw away after you’ve allowed it to sit I a pile for several years first…. I say that because I just spent my entire day going through stacks and stacks…and stacks…of papers that have been piling up for years, and when I realized how many of …
Tagged Amy Rees Anderson, clean your home, cleanliness is next to godliness, feels amazing, get rid of things, hoarder, organize your space, paper hoarder, piles of paper, piles upon piles, save everything, spring cleaning, stacks of papers, take out the trash, throw out the trash, unnecessary stuff, what awesome looks like
Unlock Your Inner Awesome
It was probably ten years ago when someone sent me an article titled “How To Be Awesome”. It didn’t list the name of the person who wrote the article but it read: HOW TO BE AWESOME “Being awesome, quite literally, means to elicit awe. Awe is not something people express much these days. So to …
Tagged Amy Rees Anderson, awesomeness comes from inside you, be adventurous, be funny, be nice, develop a talent, discover your talent, do something awesome, don't compare yourself to others, exude awesome, gifts and talents, how to excel in business and life, individual worth, kindness, know your worth, self-esteem, self-respect, self-worth, unique gift, unique talent, what awesome look like, what you bring to the table
Crying On The Inside Like A Winner
Whatever man decided beauty salons, hair salons, nail salons, spas, eyelash extension salons, etc should be deemed non-essential during this coronavirus clearly didn’t check with his wife first! Because you know women weren’t consulted on that decision!! And to add insult to injury someone decided that every phone call now needs to be a video …
Tagged #stupidpandemic, a man made that decision, Amy Rees Anderson, angel sheds a tear, beautiful has nothing to do with looks, beauty is as beauty does, beauty salon, coronavirus, cry on the inside, crying on the inside like a winner, eyelash extensions, facial recognition, girlfriends, hair salon, haircut, how we treat people, inner beauty, laugh about it, lockdown, make me laugh, nonessential businesses, women
To Innovate Does Not Necessarily Mean To Expand
“To innovate does not necessarily mean to expand; very often it means to simplify.” – M. Russell Ballard Being in lockdown has required companies and service providers to innovate in order to keep their businesses alive. For so many years everyone has looked at growth as the indicator of innovation. Yet as the quote reads, …
Tagged Amy Rees Anderson, business, byu pathways, cheaper tuition, college campuses, companies, confinement, connecting with loved ones, don’t overcomplicate things, expensive buildings, family life, family reunion, goals, happiness, have to have, innovation, lockdown, lower cost education, make time for those you love, must do, nice to do, nice to have, online education, online university, pandemic, recruiting students, russell m. ballard, scale back, simplicity, simplify your life, to innovate does not necessarily mean to expand, university, what awesome looks like, work from home
I Stand All Amazed
This past weekend began with my family joining in on the worldwide day of fasting and prayer held on Good Friday where people of all faiths around the world came together to unite their prayers around the issues the world is facing with this pandemic. It was such a beautiful way to kick-off the Easter …
Tagged #hearhim, Amy Rees Anderson, atonement, atoning sacrifice, beloved, cross at calvary, easter, eternal family, garden of gethsemane, god the father, good friday, greater love hath no man than this, Heavenly Father, heavenly mother, i stand all amazed, marvel, older brother, parents, savior, son Jesus Christ, the love jesus offers, unite in faith, what awesome looks like, worldwide fast
Join The Worldwide Fast On Good Friday
I would have put this blog up sooner to make sure everyone got to read this tonight but I’ve been dealing with a time-sensitive and frustrating situation all day and didn’t have time to so forgive me for not getting this invitation out to all of you earlier in the day! But better late than …
Tagged all faiths, Amy Rees Anderson, brothers and sisters, church of jesus christ, come together, day of prayer, faith, global family, God, good friday, higher power, living prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, prophet, Russell m. nelson, set aside differences, struggling, unite in faith, we are one big family, worldwide fast
