Running Faster
I wanted to win. Since sports were not my strong suit, this race was as important to me as anything I could think of. Just one lap around the make-do track at our elementary school, with the legs moving fast enough and the energy holding out, and I could win.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Heavenly Peace
Rarely do we get from Point A to Point B without challenges along the way.  Where is peace in this world or turmoil?
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Said and Done?
There is an old, anonymous saying that goes: “After all is said and done, there is much more said than done.”
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

The Day Dawn is Breaking
If you are presently going through a dark night, please know that the day dawn will break. Look forward with faith for the Lord's loving light.  It will come.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Do You See What I See?
When we desire to see as Jesus sees, and make the effort to use the light of Christ within us, we will see with the best and most clear view in life.  We will start to view only those things that we would comfortably view if our loving Savior was looking along with us!
Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Oh, to Laugh!
At the ugliest or most difficult of moments, a laugh can shift things in a beautifully positive way.  Discover the joy of laughter.
Vickey Pahnke Taylor

The Bridge of Obedience
Mark Twain once told the story of a man who said he was going to travel to Mt. Sinai, climb the mountain and read the Ten Commandments on top.  Twain answered, “Why don't you just stay home and keep them?”
Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Tradition!
Some of our traditions we might cherish forever.  Some need to be ditched.  How can you tell which is which?
Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Bottom Line
Here's a “Cliff Notes” version of the Bible that will make you smile, but the bottom line is we really can and must make daily scripture reading a part of our lives.
Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Dance Through Life
Even when we are caught between a rock and a hard place, we would be better off if we ‘dance'.
Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Take the First Step
Wanting to be faithful, we desire to be obedient and to keep moving in the right direction. But sometimes, we do not know how.
Vickey Pahnke Taylor

The Language of Love
Bruised feelings can lead to bruised and ailing relationships if we do not work to mend them, and improve in our language of love.
Vickey Pahnke Taylor

It's a Jungle Out There!
The questions and worries that beset us begin when we are young. They don't go away; they merely change in nature. The list can go on and on — and those pressures and problems can pull the rug out from under us if we let them.
Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Like Water off a Duck's Back
Just because someone makes an offense against us does not mean we have to take offense!  In order to shore ourselves up and let the negative roll right off, here are a few ideas that may help.
Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Be the Change
What we know changes how we feel.   How we feel changes how we act.  How we act changes the way our little portion of the world operates.  Or, perhaps it changes us enough that we can better operate within our portion of this world.
Vickey Pahnke Taylor

But I'm So Tired
We can all see the ways how other people shirk their duties.  It's not so easy to recognize the same traits in ourselves.
Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Magic in the Way We Think
The mind is a powerful tool.  By choosing to exercise good inside of us, we can come to see things manifest better outside of us.
Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Media Overexposure
We are being bombarded with sights and sounds that are inappropriate for our spiritual well-being or even our sense of peace.  It is time for people to say, "Enough, already!"
Vickey Pahnke Taylor

The Genuine Thing
As the fabric of morality continues to unravel, how do we learn — and teach — sound principles for righteous living in order to enjoy genuine love?
Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Unanswered Yet?
If your prayers seem unanswered, it's not that God isn't listening to you. He has heard every prayer, felt every tear, and empathized with every cry of despair.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

That  Kind of Christmas
Our short list of “exactly the way we would like it” aside, our progress is happening whether or not we are prepared or ready. It is the direction of that progress that we get to determine.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Little Miracles
Oh, the sweet goodness we may feel when we are part of little miracles! Often, acting on a passing thought extends the miracle. Sometimes, hanging in there and not giving up brings the miracle. Always, a miracle is an extraordinary blessing. It involves the giving or receiving of a Godly service, charity or acting on God-like thoughts.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Beginning Life Well
Even though the newspapers, networks, and other media seem to pound on the notion that our entire society is going down the drain, there is still good in the world.  We have children growing into adulthood with commitment, character, and courage to do what they perceive to be righteous.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Common Courtesy?
As the years have passed, it has become uncomfortably evident that the courtesies once automatically extended in society are disappearing in many circles. In very deed, common courtesy is no longer so common.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

We Just Need to Laugh
On those less-than-cheery days, having a reason to laugh may be as important to our emotional and spiritual welfare as drinking water when we are thirsty.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

The Food Mom Feeds Us
I have realized that the plate of food sitting before me at our family dinners was only part of the sustenance offered. The finer nourishment, perhaps, came from the things Mom and Dad taught as we sat together and visited.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

“I Blew It”
Most of us have had times when we felt as though we “blew it” — as though we irretrievably messed up and foiled our forward progress. These feelings of aching discouragement are like little mountains to climb as we move forward in understanding and in mastering self.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

A Job to Do
Even though some folks' jobs may seem more glamorous, exciting, or easier than our own, each person's work brings with it some problems — issues — and the need to rise above the occasional difficult moments. Our acceptance of the mundane along with the more exciting allows us to relax and enjoy that journey.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Hope Smiling Brightly
Worry is one of the tools in Satan's arsenal. If you have ever wondered why he wants us to worry, here are some of the reasons. But God has a way to thwart Satan's agenda.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Measuring Up
We often ask ourselves whether we are measuring up to other people.  Instead, we should asking whether we are measuring up to ourselves.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Murphy’s Law or a Higher Law?
There are plenty of difficult things that come our way, and no amount of Pollyanna attitude will make them disappear. The decision to control our reaction to negative circumstances, however, may result in a much better ability to see good things and feel good feelings even when we are in the midst of difficulties.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Who’s Watching?
We never know who is watching us. Nor do we know the example we are being to those who quietly watch and learn. On the other hand, who are we watching? And what may we have misinterpreted because we did not have all the facts?
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Diamonds and Disciples
We may come to learn that we are diamonds in the making.  The chance to become gems lies within our purview, and is up to how we react under pressure.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Upping the Averages
The minutes add up, don't they? If, at an older age, your lifetime was broken down into segments according to how you spent your time, what would the numbers tell you?
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Take Counsel
Obtaining wise counsel when we need it is a great blessing. Good counsel offers insight, safe boundaries, and direction that may bless us with a safer mortal journey. Often, that needed counsel comes from our family members and leaders. But there is one source that gives us the best counsel of all.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Love and Marriage
As a young person trying to figure out how to diligently seek for a lasting, loving relationship that is smiled upon by our Father in Heaven, it would be wise to set personal goals. There are minefields to avoid and great joy to be gained for those willing to make the sacrifices.
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

A Giggle a Day
Isn't it great to laugh? It is a blessing to feel a joyful giggle sneak out of our mouths, or a full blown, explosive laugh at an appropriate time.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

No Bulls!
Does our need for prestige and authority cause us to be chased by bulls that lurk in the pasture of life?
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Why Go to Church?
Why do we have to go to church, anyway?  Is there any good reason why we can't just stay at home?
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

TA DAH!
Any time we are trying our best, however small the effort may be, there is something in us that makes us want to smile up at Heavenly Father and say, "Ta dah!  I did it, Father!  I am so thankful for the blessings! Look at what I accomplished with Thy help!"
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Changed Lives
We never know when a small act of service can brighten someone's day, or even change a life.  Here is the story of a prison warden's wife who brought humanity to the notorious Sing Sing prison.
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

Stepping Back from the Busyness of Life
It is not necessary to check off a list of accomplishments to have a worthwhile day. At some point, everyone has to decide when to work and when to stop and smell the roses.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Bright Idea
Do we look at our challenges as obstacles or opportunities? A lesson from Thomas A. Edison might give us some help.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Have a Fine Day
Even if you don't have a hair on your head you can be happy, if you make up your mind to be.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

In the Long Run
Very few of us are positive, refreshing, and loving all of the time. Those who are find peace in their own hearts and have a special place in the hearts of those around them. What does your life say about you?
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

… Into Our Ears
Sometimes it's a good thing to be a deaf frog. Destructive words cannot keep us down if we resist taking them in.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Out of Our Mouths
Have you ever wished you could take back your words? If so, you're not alone.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

The Present
Through the years I have been given some beautiful presents for Christmas. The ones that have kept in my heart are the ones that were given from the heart. But God has given us a different kind of "present."
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Chilly
Sometimes warmth has nothing to do with the outside temperature.  If it's chilly where you are, you can create some warmth of your own.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

"What is Wrong With You?"
We all have moments when we say or do something wrong.  Here are some tips to move on from those awkward situations.
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

In All Things
The school of hard knocks has a huge curriculum and large numbers of students.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Precious in His Sight
We may be surrounded by loved ones, but we are here to gain experience as individuals — each of whom is beloved by God.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

The Bridge of Obedience
I have had visions of Oreos dancing in my head on Fast Sunday. It has been a process to learn about prayerfully offering up an obedient spirit so that my physical body does not dominate that period of fasting.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

I Helped Him Cry
When was the last time you helped a friend who was in pain? Sometimes all you can do is help a loved one cry.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Trust Me
Accepting loving and trusting relationships offers us all kinds of positive blessings. Ultimately learning to trust in our Father in heaven, and in our Savior, gives us the kind of security we all desire and may have available to us.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Measuring Up
If you think you don't measure up, have you ever asked yourself what you don't measure up to?
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

The Midas Touch
Do we use money, or do we let money use us? The love of money can destroy us, if we let it. But when used correctly, money can be a powerful tool.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

It Feels Right
Why is it that we are sometimes in such a hurry to get where we want to go that we fail to make sure we are even heading in the right direction?
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor 

Signs
Simply by seeing a logo or picture, we may desire to buy a certain kind of food or remember a specific place to shop. Clearly, our minds are impressed by the signs around us. Have there been any other kinds of signs that have left lasting impressions in your mind?.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor 

Savoring Our Freedom
Freedom didn't just happen to Americans. The Founding Fathers had to fight for it, and we must work to keep it.
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor    

Moving Along
What things, small or large, might we contribute in the way of adding to our Father's glory? In what ways may we do better, think better, exercise our agency — and intelligence — to build upon good things and add to eternal possibilities?
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Idiotic Opinions
Would you jump off a roof if your friends were jumping off roofs at the same time? Perhaps what is needed is someone to lead the others in not jumping off the roofs.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Today
How do we navigate so that today is good?  Every single day? Here are a few thoughts that might assist us in making each ‘today’ count.
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

More and More Free
The chains of drugs, alcohol, pornography, lying, cheating, or whatever will not form around us if we never attach ourselves to the first link.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

A Prophet Called of God
I have never personally met President Gordon B. Hinckley. But when he speaks at conference, and looks into the camera, it is as though he looks right at me.
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

WAH!
Resolve that the “wah” factor will no longer be a factor in our lives!
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

The Blessings of Heaven
In school, the workplace, in our homes, even ? we may have to give up something we really want for something we really need.
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

From Our Hearts Instead of our Eyes
Sometimes the most beautiful people are ones who think least about their outward appearance. They have more important things to think about than how their face or hair looks, or how thin or tall or muscled they may be.
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

Agency
No matter how I slice it, I can’t make you read this article. I can’t make you do anything. Aren’t you glad?
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Bring Down the Walls!
Are there walls around you, keeping you from being as happy, as motivated, as successful as you would like to be? What will you do to tear them down, brick by brick?
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

Power!
There is great power in gaining a healthy perspective. Just like a widened lens on a camera, as we see a larger field of vision we gain such a deeper understanding of things of significance.
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

All in the Family
We all have the opportunity to grow in love, service and good memories by bringing the Spirit to that group whom we love best.
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

Growing Gratitude
What small and simple things are you thankful for? You may find that your eyes are opened to additional “little” things that are lovingly given every day, all the time.
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

The Yellow Brick Road
Dorothy and Toto can do more than entertain us. They can also teach us some of the lessons of life.
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

A Round Tuit
Some of us are fast, strong starters but can’t or won’t keep up the pace required.  President McKay reminds us that we have to endure — to keep moving — in order to put away procrastination and its ill effects.
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

Everything Good
Is it possible that we have a lot more good in us than we have discovered? I believe that is absolutely the case. Do we have a lot more opportunities to do good than we ever use? Surely so.
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

No More Mountains Out of Molehills!
Hats, or habits, or oversights, or anything. Is it worth creating negativity over? Will it make things better to criticize?
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

Leading
The true definition of "leader" is vastly different than the world's idea.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

"Whatever!"
“Whatever!” How many times have you heard (or said) that? But what if we thought of that word whatever in different terms? If we decided to bind ourselves to truth and God’s plan completely — whatever life offers?
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

A Glorious, Happy Ending
As we go through trials, there is a blessing in determining to be unwaivering in our testimony, to secure ourselves to the Savior and to our own integrity, to trust Father completely and utterly.
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

Freedom!
What a beautiful teaching! Obedience, the first law of heaven, seems to be the key to enjoying the freedoms for which we yearn.
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

“That Is Not What I Meant!”
How do we learn to say what we mean to say? How may we learn to accept the communications that are needed, even if they are not what we want to hear?
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

Send Mail!
With the internet, the world is our neighborhood. Our jumper and tow cables can reach far and wide. We can “reach out and touch someone” around the corner from our house or around the globe.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Just a Few More Minutes
Just a few more minutes can sometimes make all the difference.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Eyes to See
The people who look bothersome or unattractive to us may suddenly appear in their real, beautiful state. If we have eyes to see.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Music! Music! Music!
It has been amazing for me to hear, over and over again, how the seemingly small decision to entertain certain kinds of music has brought about a tidal wave of unwelcome results.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

“Me! Me! Me!”
Let's strip away some of the chains that tie us to selfishness! Here are a few ideas on how to distance ourselves from this insidious problem.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

I Believe in Christ!
The gospel resounds with wonders and miracles and possibilities for every one of us! Our questions have answers. We can believe in Him who died and was resurrected for our sakes.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

We Are More!
Why we want to think more about self-worth and not about self-esteem.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Unseen Truths
Like Noah, we can keep on building even when others around us are trying to tear us down. There will be joy and purpose in our daily living, because we are faithfully moving forward.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Waste Not, Want Not
If love is never wasted, there is no reason not to show it. By finding ways to show it, we grow it.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

How Still? How Small?
Part of the learning curve is to let go of others’ testimonies and stand on on our own -- to get our own instead of leaning on the understanding of those around us.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Like A Lighthouse
Our lives work better when we read the 'instruction.'
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

The Gifts We Give
A silly family moment offered a lasting memory.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

That Hurts!
How do you keep your face toward the sunshine when the rug is pulled out from under us?
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

Really!
Do we not create our own reality, based upon how we see people and things around us? Can we not create a positive situation out of a negative one as we shift within our own hearts?
By Vickey PahnkeTaylor

Bury Them!
Imagine how much better everyone would feel if we were accepted and cared about, friend-to-friend, faults and all.
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

What's Eating You?
"We never get stomach ulcers because of what we eat; we get stomach ulcers because of what is eating us."
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor

That’s Life!
This world has become increasingly in need of smiles, kindness, and habitual obligations that may endear us to one another.
By Vickey Pahnke-Taylor

Fully His
When we serve God generously with time and checkbooks but still withhold portions of our inner selves, (it signifies) that we are not yet fully His!
By Vickey Pahnke

GRRRRRRR!
"I am so angry that I could....." We can fill in the blank with whatever person, place, or thing causes contention or upset to the point that we lose our temper. Here's how you can cease and desist.
By Vickey Pahnke

That's Entertainment!
What is our choice of entertainment? And of how much value is it? In a world that offers many movies that are full of content that we would be better off to leave out of our brains and hearts, it may be a good thing for us to feel "guilty" enough, or strong enough, or righteous enough, to choose the forms of entertainment that would not leave a negative mark on our heart and mind.
By Vickey Pahnke

Get an Education!
True friends prove to be those who love us, accept us, and will occasionally sternly remind us of who we really are, if that is necessary.
By Vickey Pahnke

Think about It
We must learn to control our thoughts, or someone or something else will control them. 
By Vickey Pahnke

Honest!
How successful are we at being honest? Truly, genuinely honest?
By Vickey Pahnke

Courage!
Courage is a bright thinking process.
By Vickey Pahnke

S_T_R_E_T_C_H
Each day, every one of us has opportunities to exercise our faith muscles. Is your faith growing stronger as it is stretched and enlarged upon?
By Vickey Pahnke

Doing Good
How are you doing at doing good? There is much to be done and some of it needs to be done by you and me.
By Vickey Pahnke

The Best You Have to Give
Practice makes perfect. Literally. As we practice the love of Christ, we move closer to becoming like Him.
By Vickey Pahnke

Do You Know Who You Are?
If you were asked the question 'Who are you, really?' What would be your answer?
by Vickey Pahnke

What Do You Do?
Everyone is doing it in your group of friends and you are expected to join in.
What do you do?
by Vickey Pahnke

Have I Done Any Good?
Doing good in the world is not just for a better society, it makes for a better us.
by Vickey Pahnke

Puzzled???
Are you puzzled? There are great answers waiting for us as we act on those puzzlings!
by Vickey Pahnke

Live Life!
How is life going for you? Are you living life to its fullest?
by Vickey Pahnke

Decide to Decide
Life if full of entanglements, but we can decide to 'act' rather than be 'acted upon'.
by Vickey Pahnke

I Love You
The words "I love you" pack a huge punch. If it is left unsaid, many blessings are left sitting as presents unopened.
by Vickey Pahnke

What Does It Mean?
Trials are one of the few guarantees in life, but there can be peace and calm, even in the middle of a personal storm.
by Vickey Pahnke

Amazing Young Women
Amazing young women grow up to be amazing older women. Vickey shares stories about Latter-day Saint girls who will one day be mothers.
by Vickey Pahnke

Marvelous Young Men
How are you building your life? Will it be cheap and shoddy, or will it be valuable and beautiful?
by Vickey Pahnke

Gratitude
Is there really a course that will lead to a happy marriage, enduring friendships or even personal happiness? Yes, most definitely!
by Vickey Pahnke

Hope is Light
Like dark clouds and stormy skies, our personal trials will not last forever and we know that the light and hope of a better day is before us.
by Vickey Pahnke

Up And Down
The ladder of success in life can be and often is a two-way climb. How are you doing on the 'Do unto others' principle?
by Vickey Pahnke

Hey! I Can Do This!
Here's a system for reading your way through the scriptures that really works!
by Vickey Pahnke

What Did I Say?
Have you ever opened your mouth and stuck your foot right smack dab in the middle of it? Thinking before we speak is good advice.
by Vickey Pahnke

Get Converted!
Whether you are a new convert or a lifelong member, you can strengthen your conversion and experience the power and sweetness of the Holy Spirit.
by Vickey Pahnke

Bumps and All
Life is a bumpy road to be sure. How we deal with those obstacles makes all
the difference in this mortal journey.
by Vickey Pahnke

Positively!
"Can you be positive for 24 hours?" "Can you, just for one full day, resist the temptation to complain about the weather, your hair, your physique, the world-at-large, or some family member?" Vickey Pahnke issues the challenge.
By Vickey Pahnke

"....With All Your Heart" 
Prayer is an important and powerful blessing in our lives. Pahnke shares her insights on making each prayer an 'effectual' one.
By Vickey Pahnke

Happiness At Hand
I ran across an article a while ago that was written about happiness back in 1953. I smiled as I read some of the suggestions: "I would start barefoot a little earlier in the spring and stay that way a little later in the fall.” "I would be sillier than I have been this trip.” "I would eat more ice cream and less bran.”
By Vickey Pahnke

Loving Ourselves
The gospel assures you that your value is not dependent on your looks or material possessions.
By Vickey Pahnke

Watch Your Words!
We recently had a little family home evening on the topic of telling the truth. My youngest son had recently been bothered by some untruths told by a classmate.
By Vickey Pahnke

Words!
"Wise is the man who says what needs to be said, but not all that could be said."  Elder Marvin J. Ashton, in an October General Conference in 1976 shared those insightful words.
By Vickey Pahnke

Out of this World!
With April General Conference just past, my family has been talking about the blessing of having such dear leaders to counsel and encourage us. It seems almost like a spiritual booster shot - invigorating us to continue, and increase, our commitment to working for the Lord.
By Vickey Pahnke

Way to Go!
At a certain youth conference, whenever one of us would notice the other doing something in a good way, we would holler out, "Way to go!". It allowed us to bond and to have a few shared smiles. It also caused me to think more clearly about achieving the things of most worth .
By Vickey Pahnke

I Love Me!
If each of us was made in the image of God, yet each of us is unique, doesn't it stand to reason that we have something loveable about us?
by Vickey Pahnke

Perfect!
Here are some recent reflections on our lives and how we progress. How interesting it must be for our Heavenly parents, watching us learn the dance of life: Stumbling, moving to our own little drummer, as we grow to understand the best way of moving forward in our heavenly progression.
by Vickey Pahnke

What a Day!
Editors' Note: Today we heartily welcome Vickey Pahnke in this, her inaugural column to the young people of the Church on Meridian. CAN DO YOUTH is a hopeful title. We've known Vickey for a long time as a champion of youth. Her voice and music brightened our days years ago while we were in the jungles of Central America. Her words and insights in her writing have inspired untold thousands over the years and now we welcome her to the Meridian family of writers. We encourage you to share Vickey's article by electronic or print means with the youth in your family, wards and stakes.
by Vickey Pahnke