"The nearer we get to our heavenly Father," Joseph told the Relief Society sisters, "the more we are disposed to look

with compassion on perishing souls; we feel that we want to take them upon our shoulders, and cast their sins behind our backs." (HC 5:24) Joseph Smith.

So I had a "friend" ask me the other day what my weaknesses are. I think we all have weaknesses. I have a weakness for Ben and Jerry's Phish Food Ice cream, but would I consider that something against me? No. I wouldn't. I wouldn't hold that against anyone. Do I stalk my freezer with the stuff? No. Would I like to... yes :) Am I denying myself something by not? NO! I think if anything I'm making things a little better by allowing myself that pleasure when I've done something I feel needs celebrating.

So what are my weaknesses? Well currently I think I'm too nice. I think actually this is a weakness. Its not one that I'm going to give up, just like Ben and Jerry's this one has a purpose. I seem to look only on the good in people. I've noticed a couple of postings of late on facebook by my friends that have really made me think. I used to wish I could be a little more calloused and judgmental, that I could look at others and not see their potential, however after reading a post by my cousin; I realized that this isn't such a bad weakness to have. He had seen a kid who he immediately thought "Thug" when he saw him, then the kid started playing the piano and his talent came shinning through and the way he was dressed didn't matter any more.

So this isn't such a bad weakness, who doesn't like to see all their best parts in their reflections, and better yet to see those strengths reflected in those around you is just an absolute bonus. Not seeing the bad in people is a gift, and seeing the bad and not holding it against people but striving to help them be their best selves is what we should all be aiming for.

“Have you ever been in love? Horrible isn't it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and it opens up your heart and it means that someone can get inside you and mess you up. You build up all these defenses, you build up a whole suit of armor, so that nothing can hurt you, then one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life...You give them a piece of you. They didn't ask for it. They did something dumb one day, like kiss you or smile at you, and then your life isn't your own anymore. Love takes hostages. It gets inside you. It eats you out and leaves you crying in the darkness, so simple a phrase like 'maybe we should be just friends' turns into a glass splinter working its way into your heart. It hurts. Not just in the imagination. Not just in the mind. It's a soul-hurt, a real gets-inside-you-and-rips-you-apart pain. I hate love.”

-Neil Gaiman

I love Neil Gaiman, I loved "The Graveyard Book", and when I ran across this quote yesterday my obsession for him grew. I challenge you to provide me with a more perfect definition of the torture of love.