applepansy

In some ways, I will agree with applepansy, though I can certainly empathize with Windseeker. I am reminded of this post just a few days ago by Brad at One Flesh Marriage (http://www.onefleshmarriage.com/2014/06/look-great-no-i-dont.html). For whatever reason, it seems that this is a common problem in our society. How to learn to give and receive honest compliments is difficult enough. Combine with the familiarity of marriage relationships and the outside world's fluctuating, irrational definitions of "beauty", "attractive", etc. and it is probably a wonder that anyone manages to get this right.
 
One observation on Charity Pierce: Even in her case (grossly overweight due to physical illness), we frame the discussion of "is she beautiful" in terms of finding a man who says that she is beautiful and worthy of love and affection. Maybe it is difficult to describe "hotness" without it, but it sometimes seems to me that some of this issue needs to be about our relationship with ourselves. Can we each learn to describe ourselves as attractive, beautiful, valuable, "hot", acceptable, loveable, or whatever on our own terms without needing someone outside of ourselves to prop us up? Can we learn how to do it without deluding ourselves?

I've been a member for 50+ years and I've never seen anything that even remotely comes close to this and I grew up in a military family as well and moved around.  And was married to a retired military person.
 
I've been in numerous leadership positions in the church and our opinions were taken seriously.

If you are wanting to throw books across the room, might I recommend a book on anger management?  

I read the blog yesterday.  I agreed.  And because the previous day an endowed young friend posted that modesty standards are outdated, and saying things like showing shoulders shouldn't be a modesty issue, I posted this blog in reply.
 
It saddens me to watch young women (including young married) look for excuses to put modesty aside.  It was refreshing to see a young married do the opposite.

I read the blog yesterday.  I agreed.  And because the previous day an endowed young friend posted that modesty standards are outdated, and saying things like showing shoulders shouldn't be a modesty issue, I posted this blog in reply.
 
It saddens me to watch young women (including young married) look for excuses to put modesty aside.  It was refreshing to see a young married do the opposite.

Many people think the whole purpose of going to church is to be spiritually uplifted.  While that can be a side effect if a person thinks that is the whole of the message then they don't understand the message.  People that have that mindset quickly find that getting spiritually lifted at church can be a struggle.  So they turn to solo pursuits to gain that uplift.
 
But church isn't just about delivering the message.  Its about living the message.  Patience, kindness, forgiveness, service, and several other things are what the message tells us we need to do.  Going to church and dealing with all the other people whom we wouldn't otherwise have to can give the us the chance to live the message.  We all struggle with this to varying degrees at varying times in our lives.  Some times we are the ones that need to uplift others and sometimes we give others the chance to uplift us.

"Mormon Culture" was one of the things that originally brought me to learn more about the Church. My best friends are all Mormon, and I've yet to meet guys as pure and devoted to God as them (which is something rare for 18 year old guys). The thing I probably like most about the Church is the social nature of it.... To me, Christ would want his Church to be very active together and supportive of each other. I'm sure the early Church was that way, and the restored Church echoes that!

Introverted works in the Church. Social anxiety or being antisocial doesn't work so well, but they aren't the same thing as being introverts. Even though being antisocial or having social anxiety is almost always paired with being introverted, the reverse isn't necessarily the case. There are plenty of introverted people who aren't antisocial or have social anxiety.

Repent of [Our] Selfishness

I agree that everyone should make such effort. It is the why they should make the effort that I'm concerned with.

Not true - I have a wonderful wife and life!! 

To be hot, a desire to be hot, a desire to be seen as hot, etc., is rooted in vanity. Modesty is rooted in humility. They are, at their core meaning, opposites.

At first I thought this was going to be an anti-modesty rant...and I was all riled up to respond. But I actually totally agreed with it. Very interesting.

Still praying for you....

Iggy, Its all good. I understand where you're coming from, but I don't agree.  All the things I listed caused stress and stress...well....you know.  :)

This probably wasn't the best example considering her nephew was one of the missionaries in a very bad auto accident in the last couple of weeks and his companion was killed.  And her nephew was hurt seriously enough that they had to arrange almost immediately to get him back to the states for medical attention.

When things are going wrong in my life I feel guilty that perhaps I'm not counting my blessings enough. But, you know what? Sometimes life is just plain hard, even when counting the blessings.

Sending hugs your way.

You really are going through hard times. Hugs!

I thought the quote was I never said it would be easy....but it would be worth it....not a quote but a saying

My personal belief is that after 3, most of us just sort of go numb and accept the new normal.
Q

I'm sorry Apple. I hope you're able to see the end of these trials before any other big ones appear. (((hugs)))

Sometimes I have a really hard time believing that.

Oh apple.  No words.  Just hugs and love.

I may be overstepping my bounds and if I am I do apologize.  It's just that over time we start to feel like an extended family. 
 
But please join me in prayers for her and her family tonight.  Her husband of 43 years passed away today.