Mental Health

The Past Cannot Hold Tomorrow

/ Christine Maynor / Leave a comment

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My Daily Musings-April 28th, 2026

I just finished listening to The Stars Above Northumberland by Anita Stansfield, and one part of the story stayed with me. The main character had suffered abuse from her late husband and was trying to come to terms with finally being free. As she opened up to her family about what had happened, she began to realize she could not change the past or the choices that had caused so much pain. But she could choose what came next.

How often do we carry yesterday as if we are meant to live there? How much healing begins when we stop trying to rewrite the past and start looking forward with courage?

Some of us carry regrets. Some carry wounds caused by others. Some are still learning how to heal from things never deserved. But eventually, we have to decide that the past may explain part of our story, yet it does not have to define the rest of it.

We can learn from what has been, release what we cannot change, and step into a future still full of hope.

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The Names Heaven Calls Me

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Backstory:
Lately, I’ve been working with my therapist on understanding my thoughts—especially the discouraging ones that seem to show up uninvited, often on my hardest health days. I’ve learned that while I can’t always control which thoughts enter my mind, I can choose what I do with them. We also talked about the labels I sometimes place on myself, like defining myself by my chronic illness. But deep down, I know that’s not who I truly am. I am a beloved daughter of a Heavenly King. This writing grew out of my effort to let that truth speak louder than the discouragement, and to gently redirect my thoughts back to who God says I am.

The Names Heaven Calls Me

Sometimes thoughts come into my mind
And honestly, they are not very kind.
They come in like a wind that I can’t control
But in my mind, they shouldn’t play a big role.

I sometimes define myself by my chronic illness
And I get discouraged when I am by myself in the stillness.
With fatigue and pain in my body each day,
And the weight on my shoulders is a heavy price to pay.

I am told that I can control each thought
That enters my mind so that I’m not so distraught.
So, I try to stay positive even when it’s hard
Because my illness makes my heart constantly feel scarred.

Just when I feel like I can’t make it anymore,
My Heavenly Father is there to get me up off the floor.
He knows my every struggle even when I feel alone
And like my worries and burdens are to everyone unknown.

I am the beloved daughter of a Heavenly King
And this should make my soul want to sing!
So I try to feel His warm embrace on my skin
And I know with Him, my daily battles I will win.

The Takeaway: Not every thought that enters your mind deserves to stay. You are not defined by your hardest days, your struggles, or the labels you’ve carried. When discouragement comes, you can choose—again and again—to see yourself the way God sees you: loved, known, and more than enough.

Rewriting the Story in My Head

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My Daily Musings-April 9th, 2026

Yesterday in therapy, we talked about something that really made me stop and think—cognitive distortions. Those automatic thoughts that show up in our minds and quietly shape how we feel.

I realized how often I jump to the worst-case scenario, especially when my health feels uncertain. A new symptom appears, and my first thought is, “This is just going to make my life harder.” But the truth is… I don’t actually know that yet.

Maybe it will be hard. But maybe it won’t be as overwhelming as I imagine.

We talked about how this kind of thinking is often our mind’s way of trying to protect us—bracing for impact so we don’t feel as disappointed if things go wrong. But starting from a place of fear or discouragement doesn’t really protect us—it just weighs us down before we even know what’s ahead.

And on the hard days, especially lately, it’s not easy to shift that mindset. But I’m learning that I can gently question those thoughts and choose to look for something more hopeful, more balanced, and more kind.

What thoughts do you find yourself going to automatically when things feel uncertain?
And what might change if you paused and gave yourself permission to consider a more hopeful possibility?

Maybe we don’t have to believe the first thought that comes to mind. Maybe we can choose a better one.

The Question That Changed My Perspective

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Our new home office in our new townhouse.

Community Conversations

I was speaking with my therapist today about my recent guest appearance on the Latter-day Lights podcast. I’ll be honest—I was feeling a bit discouraged. I had hoped to see a surge in new followers or subscribers, and when that didn’t happen immediately, I felt like I had missed the mark.

Then, she asked me something profound: “Would it be worth it to share your story if no one else ever listened to it?”

I took a breath, and the answer was a resounding yes.

When I watched the episode back, I felt a clear confirmation from Heavenly Father. He prompted me to do this back in January, and by recording it, I was simply being obedient. Stepping way out of my comfort zone didn’t just share a story; it strengthened my own faith.

As a writer and poet, I hope my words reach those who need them. But I’ve realized that the gift of expression was given to bless my life first. If I am the only one changed by my writing, it is still enough.

A Song Only Jesus Knows

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Thank you for subscribing-may these words bring a quiet moment of peace and reflection to your day.

Backstory:
After hearing a talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, one line from a beloved hymn lingered in my heart: “Jesus listening can hear the songs I cannot sing.” It made me reflect on the unseen battles we fight—the silent grief, the daily endurance, and the prayers we don’t have words for. This writing was born from those quiet places, where only the Savior truly understands.

A Song Only Jesus Knows

We all have feelings that we keep inside
Where all of our worries and stresses reside.
We don’t always share what is heavy or deep, 
And some of those secrets are lonely to keep.

Some days we feel like we can’t sing a song, 
Because everything around us seems to go wrong. 
There’s only One who truly knows every part, 
While we try so hard to hide what's in our heart.

Jesus knows how we feel at any given moment, 
A peace that He sends as a sacred atonement. 
He suffered in the Garden for our every pain, 
And He knows how to lead us out of the rain.


Jesus knows the deepest longings of our heart,
And He will always help us make a fresh new start.
He hears the prayers that we cry when we are weary
And He knows how we feel when our world seems dreary.

When the darkness in our heart is more than we can bear
Jesus will be our light and for us He will always be there.
So, on the days when no one understands you,
Just trust that Jesus will help you see from a more Heavenly View.

The Takeaway: There are parts of our hearts that words can’t reach. But the Savior hears them anyway. He knows your silent struggles, your unseen battles, and your deepest longings—and He stays with you through all of it.