Hey y'all!
[Summary at the bottom cuz I know not everyone has the time or attention span to read this.]
Regarding Cinderella (2015 live-action)
Once upon a time my grandparents took me and my sister to see the live-action Cinderella movie at the theater. I fell in love with this movie because of its beauty and the message of courage and kindness. I watched it yesterday with Cordelia. Ten year old me was quite impressed and frankly so is twenty year old me.
Regarding Courage
Earlier this year I was asked to give a little talk on courage for a young women's event in my ward. Courage is described as not being afraid of doing what is right, but has also been described as doing what is right despite being frightened.
There are many scriptural examples of courage including the two thousand stripling warriors, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, Esther, Daniel, Nephi everyone who has ever had reasons to be afraid of doing the right thing and has done it anyways.
I think we have all been asked to do good things that are scary for us. I was asked to conduct zone conference a little while ago and it kind of made me want to cry but I still said yes and even though it was scary the whole time I did it because I knew that's what Heavenly Father wanted me to do.
I really love Heavenly Father and I want to do what he wants me to do.
Jesus felt this way too, in the garden as felt intense pain and loneliness when he said, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
That's courage. Knowing something is going to be uncomfortable at best and doing it because you love someone.
Regarding Kindness
Once upon a time I had a constant brawl getting my locker combination correct in middle school. I want to say the lock was just tricky but no one else seemed challenged by it when they helped me get in the locker. This locker had me stressed all the time. Luckily, the girl with the locker above mine would notice my wrestles and offer to help. She was always so happy to help and she saved me from being late to class at least once a week. I'm so grateful for her kindness.
I don't think she remembers helping me with my locker. I don't know if she remembers me at all. But I do remember her. I remember her kindness, her smile, all her help. I love her. Like really, I admire her so much even though I only know her from helping me open my locker nine years ago.
At the end of Hunger Games, Katniss, who's seen a thing or two and knows how good and how bad humanity can be, tells us about a sort of game she plays where she lists off every kind or good act she's seen someone do.
There are times I like to play this game too.
Kindness matters. Courage matters.
Still holding to the rod,
Sister Owens
Summary: “Have courage and be kind.” -Cinderella
Matthew 16
Luke 22
Hunger Games Quote
I wrote this bad poem for you. 
Courage and kindness
If we had more
Night would be shorter
Day longer
Every kind act is
Reflected back
Every courageous act
Leaves the world a
Little more lovely
Amen.
