With this ring...

So I found this ring one day like last year sometime in our house. I thought that it belonged to Abby, so I put it in her room. A few weeks later, it had found its way back into my jewelry box. I took it to Abby and asked her if it was hers because I knew it wasn't mine, and she told me that it was definitely not hers, nor was it my mom's.

I told that wonderful story to point out just how randomly and unintentionally I became the owner of this ring. It's lovely, though, and pearls are my birthstones!

I've never worn a lot of jewelry and when I do it's usually just a bracelet or earrings. I've only recently felt daring enough to start wearing necklaces.

The one ring I used to wear has been absent for almost a year now. But this simple little ring caught my eye the other day for some reason, and I decided to wear it on my right hand. I was feeling sort of down and just... very single? I don't like to preoccupy my brain with the blatant awareness of my singledom because, ya know, there's a lot cooler and more interesting (and necessary!) matters to occupy my mind!

Also, my friend shared this talk by Pres. Hinckley with me that had this gem in it:

"To you single women who wish to be married ... Do not give up hope. And do not give up trying. But do give up being obsessed with it. The chances are that if you forget about it and become anxiously engaged in other activities, the prospects will brighten immeasurably. …"

So this is not me saying that I want to be married or even dating or whatever right now! However! I would LOVE to be free from being obsessed with my marital (or lack thereof) status. I think a divorced status can be the elephant in a room full of young single adults, which is really not a big deal. However, I don't want to define myself by my singledom, even if others do!

So back to the ring. I was feeling down, and a definitive goal that I have for myself is that I celebrate my worth as an individual. I have for much of my life, attempted to live in a way that pleases those around me to the extent that I have put my identity in the back seat. No more!

Bottom Line:
When I put on my ring or glance at it during the day, I remember:

I don't have to have someone telling me that they love me
to know that I am lovable.