Black Holes and Broken Hearts

I have this theory. Today when I went to the Science Center, I saw the incredible planetarium show which ended with the host showing us a funny music video about black holes. Just a random clip at the end of a beautiful astronomy lesson. But I came up with a theory which is that all the black holes are women's broken hearts. 

NASA says that "A black hole is a place in space where gravity pulls so much that even light can not get out. The gravity is so strong because matter has been squeezed into a tiny space. This can happen when a star is dying. Because no light can get out, people can't see black holes. They are invisible." Sound familiar?

At the center of every black hole, there is a time space singularity- the moment of impact, the breaking point when everything stopped as it all crumbled. The gravity of that singlarity and it's implications affects the very fabric of life. Not even your light can get out of the prison walls that once was your heart. Everything that mattered is squeezed into a tiny space, that space between no one notices and no one cares. This can happen when a woman is dying. Because her light can't get out, people can't see her. They are invisible. 

Celebrate A New Year

Leading up to New Year's, I thought a lot about how I needed to improve and redirect. Those thoughts, as per usual, included my lovely Relief Society sisters. This was the email I felt inspired to write and send to my girls on New Year's Eve. And even ten days into 2017, I know this message is still relevant so I'm sharing it again:

Dear sisters, ladies, women whom I count as dear friends, 

I have been thinking about all of you a lot this week. I hope you all had a very merry Christmas and were able to enjoy time with loved ones and took time to express gratitude and love for the Savior. I know He is the reason for the season! My thoughts have turned towards the new year, both ones of eager anticipation and disappointment. Disappointment because there were things I worked towards this past year that just didn't work out, goals I made that I fell short of, and expectations of myself that could have been better. And if you are anything like me, I'm sure you can reflect on where you could have improved this last year. That reflection is only useful if we will use it to propel us forward, to inspire us to change and to be a little better. Which is where the eager anticipation comes in. We have a whole new year- 365 fresh starts and new beginnings. As Anne Shirley once said, "Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it." I hope you will take a minute today or in this next week to let go of some of the things you are carrying around that don't need to ring in the new year with you. Things like disgust or shame, feeling not good enough, bitterness or a grudge. Let go of anything that doesn't serve you, that isn't teaching you, and that doesn't draw you closer to the Lord. Be aware that feelings of guilt or sadness can sometimes be tools in our process of repentance or healing and are not necessarily your enemy unless you choose to ignore them.

With the space you make in your life with all the things you are going to let go ( I know, yes you can sing the song if it helps :), my dearest wish is that you will fill it with things of beauty and power. We often talk of making resolutions to celebrate a New Year- the word resolution meaning "the firm decision to do or not do something; the action of solving a problem". After a few days or weeks the jokes start about how we've already broken our resolutions, forgetting already that every day is a new chance to try again. Sisters, I encourage you instead to set goals and make plans to accomplish them. Set goals that you can measure, that you can break down into steps. If the goal is a rather large one, set several smaller ones to specifically identify how you will accomplish it. Write them down and post them where you see them often. Hold yourself accountable and find someone else who will do the same. A friend, a roommate, a family member, or your Relief Society president if needed. Believe in yourself. Believe that you can really do what you are striving for. I believe in each of you and the incredible wonderful women that you are. You are divine daughters of a infinite Father- nurture those seeds of your divine nature. Elder Richard G. Scott once said, "Our Heavenly Father did not put us on this earth to fail, but to succeed gloriously." As you are setting these goals I pray you will be fearless, that you will set goals that honor yourself, ones that push you just beyond your comfort zones, ones that serve others, ones that draw you closer to the gospel and to our Savior. Please pray about your goals- our loving Father in heaven is interested in your lives and not just the spiritual aspect. He cares about your job and your education, about your relationships and your health. And as you push forward, know that sometimes you will slip, sometimes you will fall down or back a little. Every day is a new day. And if you need help to get back up, well, that's why I'm here, why we are together as sisters in Relief Society. None of us can do it alone, but we can do it. Wishing you a wonderful New Year's Eve and all the fantastic, incredible things we can create in 2017!

All my love, 

Kristi Koerner