Alison M. Young-Herron's motto is, "Why just do it, when you can over do it?" And during my interview with her this week, I found out just how much of an over-doer Alison is! She's a bright spirit who engages in coversation as though you've been friends with her forever, and she is a true lover of life!
Alison, how did you find LDSWA?
I get daily emails from Meridian Magazine, and several months ago I saw an ad for LDSWA. I was intrigued right away, because I also feel that LDS women need more positive ways to connect with each other and support each other, and so I fell in love with the concept instantly. The vision of the women behind it all is quite inspiring. It seems like living proof of someone “bringing to pass much good” all on their own and helping to make the world a better place. Hooray
Daryll!
How have you benefited from being a member of LDSWA?
I’m excited to have my own PAGE on the internet! I wanted to get into the whole blogging thing, and have a place to post photos and info about myself and my family, but I really didn’t want to go the MySpace route. Too much of what happens there is creepy – and the ads and overall atmosphere is just not me. I was checking out some other options when “
Our Ladies Room” came along. A perfect solution! It is very cool to be able to do this in an environment that is safe and friendly, and is full of folks I already have a lot in common with right off the bat! I’ve made a few new friends, connected with a long lost friend, and I am very encouraged by the way I see others embracing the organization.
I’m currently trying to scale down my career demands so that I can get involved in more community outreach sorts of things. I hope to share with you - in the near future - the many ways I’ll benefit from doing that through LDSWA. It is a privilege to be associated in any way with such amazing women who are trying to make a difference in society. They are all great role models.
Of course a huge benefit is that I can now say “I’m a Writer! I’m Writing! I Write!”
You recently wrote an article for Latter-Day Woman. What was that like?
One word… FUN! Lots more words.... ?? J I feel very passionate about dance and the performing arts. So it was pure pleasure to have such a wonderful way to share my thoughts and feelings about it with others, and then have it be so instantly and easily accessible to them. Technology is WAY cool!
What gave you the inspiration to write about dancing?
Well – the question should probably be WHO rather than WHAT gave me the inspiration… as the answer is Julie and she is definitely a WHO and not a WHAT. J I was already throwing around ideas about writing about healing, overcoming discouragement, finding your true potential, getting the most out of your patriarchal blessing (I still hope to do that one), etc… and Julie came up with the “So You Think You Can’t Dance” idea. Since she had read my dance-oriented bio on our Applause Studio website, and had recently started taking a dance class herself (You go, girl!), AND since the “So You Think You Can Dance” TV show was doing so well…. it seemed natural and logical.
Where do you live? Tell us about your community.
I’m near the city of Mill Creek, in the north Puget Sound area of Western Washington – about 30 minutes from Seattle and a couple of hours from the Canadian border. It is the most beautiful place on the planet as far as I’m concerned. We keep whining about the rain... but the truth is, it is so astoundingly breathtakingly beautiful when the sun comes out, it is TOTALLY worth it! Mount Rainier, the Cascades and Olympics, the ocean, the rain forest, Puget Sound and the islands, the forests, lakes, streams, and rivers, the wildlife, the zillions of flowers… sigh… It really and truly is a paradise. Whidbey Island is a perfect peaceful romantic getaway… and people go there from all over the country and the world to escape the rat race. We’re less than an hour away. I LOVE it there.
The Seattle area has more live theater per capita than any other city in the country. How cool is that? There is SOOO much to do and see if you’re into the arts. And the church has a huge presence in my area as well. I love my ward and my stake, and the many, many wonderful friends I’ve gotten to know through my callings, my kids, my jobs, and through the assorted cultural events of which I’ve been a part. The vast majority of people I interact with are “salt of the earth” folks who would come to my rescue if I needed them -- and I would do the same for them in a heartbeat.
I feel very blessed to live here.
As an LDS woman, how do you think your daily life differs from others?
Well, the obvious ways would be time spent on callings and Relief Society service… although the many friends I have of other faiths have similar things in their lives with only slightly different labels. I’m in church for more hours on Sunday of course! I dress a little differently, I speak a little differently, and I sometimes cry more easily when discussing things near and dear to my heart. I get a bit more hyped up about family history! I don’t need coffee to get me going in the morning or a cocktail to help me unwind at the end of the day. I go to the temple when I can. What a welcome respite from the pressures of life… what wonderful way to learn about the Savior… and what a matchless blessing to assist in the blessed work of uniting families forever.
I feel like my values and priorities are challenged more often by society and the mainstream media compared to someone else outside of the church who may have allowed their values to be shaped by worldly influences. Therefore, I don’t “go with the flow” when it comes to moral decisions that affect me, my family, or the children in my charge. At our performing arts studio, my partners and I make a point of standing for wholesome values in the world of music and entertainment, and that has had a huge positive impact on a lot of lives. Several studios in our area have had to close their doors recently due to financial difficulties, and we don’t seem to be having those kinds of problems. I think it is because what we do reflects our family friendly values, which of course – on my part - largely stems from my upbringing in the church. And that attracts people who feel the same way and are devoted to supporting us because of it.
I could go on and on about small day to day things, but they would all come under the heading of “eternal perspective.” I see a lot of people alarmed about the state of our country and the world. I see a lot of people struggling for meaning and healing in their lives. I see a lot of people looking for happiness by trying to satisfy their physical pleasures, whims, and desires. I see a lot of people struggling to raise their children without the gospel, and being overwhelmed by all the worldly and destructive things that vie for the interest and attention of their families.
The restored gospel of Jesus Christ, together with the Holy Ghost, offer guidance, comfort, hope, and inspiration in dealing with all of these things. I am very grateful for the peace that the gospel gives me, and the eternal perspective that helps me get past the bad stuff so that I can focus on - and more fully enjoy - the good stuff! Each and every day is filled with the blessings of having the gospel in my life – it colors and shapes everything I do, say, think, and feel. Every once in a while I get little glimpses of the magnitude of the Lord’s blessings I have had in the past, that I have here and now, and the blessings that await me in the future… and the joy just wells up inside of me and surpasses my ability to sufficiently express it to a living soul. I trust God knows the meaning of my tears in those moments.
Well thanks for taking time out of your busy day to sit down and chat with me about your life. It's been a great and interesting read!
Jia – THANKS for the opportunity! I’m going to print this and put it in my journal… and look forward to reading stuff from/about other members soon! Can I interview you? J
Alison
Posts
Autumn has come too quickly! I don't know about you girls, but I have been running around and have no time to browse stores for decorating! However, The Spirit of You Collection has some great things just in time for Halloween! 
I’m currently trying to scale down my career demands so that I can get involved in more community outreach sorts of things. I hope to share with you - in the near future - the many ways I’ll benefit from doing that through LDSWA. It is a privilege to be associated in any way with such amazing women who are trying to make a difference in society. They are all great role models. 
Well – the question should probably be WHO rather than WHAT gave me the inspiration… as the answer is Julie and she is definitely a WHO and not a WHAT. J I was already throwing around ideas about writing about healing, overcoming discouragement, finding your true potential, getting the most out of your patriarchal blessing (I still hope to do that one), etc… and Julie came up with the “So You Think You Can’t Dance” idea. Since she had read my dance-oriented bio on our Applause Studio website, and had recently started taking a dance class herself (You go, girl!), AND since the “So You Think You Can Dance” TV show was doing so well…. it seemed natural and logical.
I’m near the city of Mill Creek, in the north Puget Sound area of Western Washington – about 30 minutes from Seattle and a couple of hours from the Canadian border. It is the most beautiful place on the planet as far as I’m concerned. We keep whining about the rain... but the truth is, it is so astoundingly breathtakingly beautiful when the sun comes out, it is TOTALLY worth it! Mount Rainier, the Cascades and Olympics, the ocean, the rain forest, Puget Sound and the islands, the forests, lakes, streams, and rivers, the wildlife, the zillions of flowers… sigh… It really and truly is a paradise. Whidbey Island is a perfect peaceful romantic getaway… and people go there from all over the country and the world to escape the rat race. We’re less than an hour away. I LOVE it there.
I feel very blessed to live here.
Check out these beautiful Carved Acacia Wooden Spheres! (Set of 4)
So You Think You CAN'T Dance?!?
