One of my favorite speakers is David A. Bednar, an Apostle and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He speaks with the knowledge of an educator and the certainty of a businessman who has seen much of the turmoil in our time and has on many occasions, been able to counsel those whom he has stewardship, "Peace, be still." Some may call that naivete but they know little of what he knows and have seen little of what he has seen.
Lately there has been much conversation about the fate of Brandon Davies, a basketball player for the Brigham Young University Cougars basketball team. He was suspended from the team for violating the Honor Code. As I was a student of the same University as well as its counterpart in Idaho, which, at the time was Ricks College. The Honor Code is a code of ethics, which may professionals in the world are unfamiliar with. Sure many have various codes they are bound to, but many violate them daily and repercussions for said violations go unexecuted. Even some famous figures have derided the college for their strictness and even going so far as to say there are racist elements involved as Brandon is one of only two black members of the team.
Now Elder Bednar does not tie these two subjects together, I do. I only mention Brandon's situation as an example of what I wish to write about. Many people see rules and laws as well as commandments when speaking of the spiritual aspects, as being something open to interpretation and that so long as you are obeying your professed interpretation of those rules, you are doing no wrong. Many see Brandon's offense as being minor. Whereas the Law of Chastity whose elements reach as far as the Ten Commandments is far from a minor rule. Brandon knew this and he knew that violation of such a commandment, would result in disciplinary action.
Other rules are also included here. The laws of tithing, sacrifice, Word of Wisdom, and so forth. All affect every facet of our lives yet others, even some in the church deride others for seemingly unambiguous stances on why they follow the law as they do. Caffeine among the elements of the Word of Wisdom that is constantly being debated. Why do they adhere to such strict interpretations of the law. The attitude is "Live a little" It seems ironic that hose who claim violation of these rules constitute "living" when so many of them who follow their appetites for violation of these rules to their extremes often die prematurely. Word of Wisdom in this is obvious. Drinking = Car wreck or cirrhosis Smoking = Lung Cancer, overindulgence = obesity, diabetes, etc.
Disobedience to the Law of chastity may result in STD transmission which often lead to premature deaths if not a significant decrease in the quality of life. Laws of tithing and sacrifice are not so obvious to the world but what should be fairly agreeable is a healthy disposition to give to those who are in greater need and to do it in a way that much good can come from it collectively -- such is a noble thing.
Perhaps a different way to explain it is to relate the often told story of an employer who wished to hire a driver to drive freight over a mountain pass as part of the journey that was to be taken often. In the interview he asked each candidate, "How close can you come to the edge without sliding off?" Each man supposing to best those who preceded him spoke of varying distances even so much as having a portion of the tire hanging over the edge of the road, save one. This man replied that he didn't know but he assured the employer that he would keep the truck as far away from the edge of the precipice as he could. Can you guess who got the job?
The Lord would have us work the same way. Avoid the very appearance of Evil is often a way of describing this. If you have a weakness toward a specific indulgence, stay away from it. If you overeat, stay out of the kitchen, if you overindulge in alcohol, stay out of the bars, liquor stores, and the beer aisle. If you have an addiction to cigarettes, stay away from smokers. If you have a weakness toward elements of the Law of Chastity in any of its forms, stay away from temptations. For this one I would concede that in this day an age it is nearly impossible to go anywhere where elements of sex and sensuality are not plastered everywhere. It is also not possible when those things do flash up for the briefest of moments, that one can keep weird thoughts from popping into their heads. Having those thoughts is not a bad thing. Keeping them, dwelling on them, allowing them to take center stage in our mind's eye is the sin. Avert your eyes, leave, go somewhere else, do something else, whatever you need to do avoid it and stay away form it. For some it may be difficult or embarrassing. To them I say, be embarrassed. Let it be difficult. You will be blessed in the long run.
To many they have been or are already in the trap of some entanglement. I empathize with your plight, but here is where the second element comes in. Line upon line. there is not one person who lives or lived in this world, no will there be, who has drawn close tot he Lord "unto the perfect day" overnight. Each drew closer to the Lord and farther from the influences of the Devil and sin, bit by bit and drop by drop. This is true of slow steady progression within the light. It is also true of moving farther and farther out of the darkness. To conquer an addiction, or predisposition to a temptation, to gain strength in an area where one is weak, it takes a second, by second, minute by minute, hour, by hour, and day by day effort to pull away from the snare. Many just think they were born with those elements of their persona and so they should just embrace them. The law is the law and none are exempt from them. The Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance and there is no exception. Those challenges are meant to be part of that persons challenge in life and for them to just embrace failing in that challenge and just "live a little" is counsel towards destruction in the long run.
Much have I said about my own struggles and I will not elaborate on them here. They are mine and I will share my experiences with them as I choose. Brando Davies should do the same. It is between him and the Lord now and whatever happens with the other elements of his life are up to him. Those who are closest to him can reach their hands out in support but whose hand Brandon chooses to hold at any given time is up to him. To those of us who don't know him, prayer can go a long way to helping his spirit conquer his trials and at the very least a "Hi, Brandon" or a good firm handshake will do wonders. As for myself, who has not and will likely never meet him, I send my encouragement and my hopes that he will, one day return to his previous station, play for the Cougars and go on to become one of the wiser ones among us. There is nothing to stop him.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Music
I have always been attracted to musical people. My wife is one who sings very well and also plays the piano, better than I do though I think she doubts her own abilities. I have had numerous friends that have also been musically inclined and a few who are particularly gifted. One in particular, the former Amy Dalton, writes for the online publication Polite Society Magazine. I have read her articles and it is clear her feelings on music transcend the mere senses and limitations of the corporeal being. I agree with her, it reaches to the very soul in ways that few other influences can. It is no wonder that music is so often a major part in setting moods in films, plays, and in other artistic expressions.
Many use faster paced, rhythmically rapid music to get up, get energized and move through their day. Others when energized, even with a negative energy, prefer a more calming pace which soothes feelings and allows their body movements to slow down and calm themselves. The heart even mimics the movement as much as the body does. I have so wanted to listen to more music all of the time and not at the behest of others but voluntarily on my own. I like to close up in my own world and can do so easily, even in a crowd of other people. However, with music I can almost turn off the existence of almost all else. At times it takes a firm poke or vigorous shake to bring me back to reality. Many think I was ignoring them. I just tell them that I wasn't really there.
Both sides of the eternal struggle for the souls of man have capitalized on the effect that music has upon the spirits of men. It takes a strong will to withstand the effects of music and stronger still to counter those effects with an opposing one when the effects are less than desirable. Some, in their places of work, are subjected to music that is less than preferable but their assignments make leaving the poor environment impossible. Asking for such music to be changed is often met with not only resistance but snide derision for such prudish preferences in music. As much uplifting music is religious in nature, it is often banned because of the religious element, even when no element of "establishment of religion" is at risk. Truly good is very much considered evil and evil good today.
I think of myself and how my moods evolve through the day. Music often affects those moods and can bring them back to a level and normal range when overemotional. My mind drifts to the statement to Cain in the Bible about a fallen countenance. For a long time, I did not really understand the full meaning of the word, "countenance" As I have grown older and have experienced wide ranges of emotion I have come to know the greater meaning of the term. One's countenance is that intangible expression of their being that their face, even their entire body radiates. When one is happy serene calm and full of love for ones neighbor, an energetic glow seems to emanate from their countenance. They attract those of like condition and among their friends, they are contemporaries. Diametrically, one who is arrogant, self-centered, argumentative, naive as to why no one else seems to agree with them has a shrunken, powerless countenance. It amazes the eye of the beholder, that such a being can even generate enough energy to keep their own lives together much less influence mankind for the good of all. It is about these people that the Bible also says "the love of men shall wax cold" it is in the countenance that this is most visibly pronounced.
Music has a profound affect on the countenance. When one has listened to rap music, you can feel the anger, hatred and vitriol that has emanated from the music through to the soul of the listener. As a result, there now exists a generation beyond the demographics of race that spend much of their time angry, with no real direct cause. That angry emotion has swept through their being and have left them with an anxious feeling of discontent and disenfranchisement tot he point where they feel wronged when perhaps even the themes and storyline of the music may be entirely fictitious.
Gladly though, their is a peaceful calmness in music that can be capitalized on, even utilized to tune one's spirit to the natural vibrations from the light of Christ, tuning one's soul to the whisperings of the Spirit often so clearly, that it becomes easy and familiar to hear and follow the promptings of such a voice. Unfortunately, the rude shock of reality can blur that influence and taint the calmness, that those periods are frighteningly rare. To one who continues to listen for it though, and strives to maintain the connection, it will always remain, even in the darkest of abysses.
Many use faster paced, rhythmically rapid music to get up, get energized and move through their day. Others when energized, even with a negative energy, prefer a more calming pace which soothes feelings and allows their body movements to slow down and calm themselves. The heart even mimics the movement as much as the body does. I have so wanted to listen to more music all of the time and not at the behest of others but voluntarily on my own. I like to close up in my own world and can do so easily, even in a crowd of other people. However, with music I can almost turn off the existence of almost all else. At times it takes a firm poke or vigorous shake to bring me back to reality. Many think I was ignoring them. I just tell them that I wasn't really there.
Both sides of the eternal struggle for the souls of man have capitalized on the effect that music has upon the spirits of men. It takes a strong will to withstand the effects of music and stronger still to counter those effects with an opposing one when the effects are less than desirable. Some, in their places of work, are subjected to music that is less than preferable but their assignments make leaving the poor environment impossible. Asking for such music to be changed is often met with not only resistance but snide derision for such prudish preferences in music. As much uplifting music is religious in nature, it is often banned because of the religious element, even when no element of "establishment of religion" is at risk. Truly good is very much considered evil and evil good today.
I think of myself and how my moods evolve through the day. Music often affects those moods and can bring them back to a level and normal range when overemotional. My mind drifts to the statement to Cain in the Bible about a fallen countenance. For a long time, I did not really understand the full meaning of the word, "countenance" As I have grown older and have experienced wide ranges of emotion I have come to know the greater meaning of the term. One's countenance is that intangible expression of their being that their face, even their entire body radiates. When one is happy serene calm and full of love for ones neighbor, an energetic glow seems to emanate from their countenance. They attract those of like condition and among their friends, they are contemporaries. Diametrically, one who is arrogant, self-centered, argumentative, naive as to why no one else seems to agree with them has a shrunken, powerless countenance. It amazes the eye of the beholder, that such a being can even generate enough energy to keep their own lives together much less influence mankind for the good of all. It is about these people that the Bible also says "the love of men shall wax cold" it is in the countenance that this is most visibly pronounced.
Music has a profound affect on the countenance. When one has listened to rap music, you can feel the anger, hatred and vitriol that has emanated from the music through to the soul of the listener. As a result, there now exists a generation beyond the demographics of race that spend much of their time angry, with no real direct cause. That angry emotion has swept through their being and have left them with an anxious feeling of discontent and disenfranchisement tot he point where they feel wronged when perhaps even the themes and storyline of the music may be entirely fictitious.
Gladly though, their is a peaceful calmness in music that can be capitalized on, even utilized to tune one's spirit to the natural vibrations from the light of Christ, tuning one's soul to the whisperings of the Spirit often so clearly, that it becomes easy and familiar to hear and follow the promptings of such a voice. Unfortunately, the rude shock of reality can blur that influence and taint the calmness, that those periods are frighteningly rare. To one who continues to listen for it though, and strives to maintain the connection, it will always remain, even in the darkest of abysses.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Books I want to read
I like reading. My problem is that I never have time. My preference has therefore been audiobooks. I am a multi-tasker by nature and as a lot of the things I do are mundane, I have brain power left over to listen to books as I go. Here are a few:
The Hound of the Baskervilles This is one book that I am sure I could listen to over and over. One audiobook version I have listened to is rather dry in its reading but I am still able to capture the story and it draws my interest. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Sorcerers and Seers I got this for myself at Deseret Book but have been too busy to get very far into it. I have been a fan of the Tennis Shoes series since the first book came out in the 1980's and it has been one of my inspirations for my own writing.
The Secret Garden A friend of mine writes for another blog (http://www.politesocietymagazine.blogspot.com) that put me onto this one. It is an old classic and looks to me to be one that I might enjoy reading. It is one that I liked the movie for and that often leads me to the books. As it is the case most of the time, the book is bound to be better than the movie.
Treasure Island I have owned this book for years but never read it. I would definitely like to try to find a good audiobook reading of it.
The Hound of the Baskervilles This is one book that I am sure I could listen to over and over. One audiobook version I have listened to is rather dry in its reading but I am still able to capture the story and it draws my interest. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Sorcerers and Seers I got this for myself at Deseret Book but have been too busy to get very far into it. I have been a fan of the Tennis Shoes series since the first book came out in the 1980's and it has been one of my inspirations for my own writing.
The Secret Garden A friend of mine writes for another blog (http://www.politesocietymagazine.blogspot.com) that put me onto this one. It is an old classic and looks to me to be one that I might enjoy reading. It is one that I liked the movie for and that often leads me to the books. As it is the case most of the time, the book is bound to be better than the movie.
Treasure Island I have owned this book for years but never read it. I would definitely like to try to find a good audiobook reading of it.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Things I am grateful for in the new year...
I sometimes get really down -- especially when I am feeling the weight of the responsibilities I have. However, Fraulein Maria was not wrong when she thinks of her favorite things (Sound of Music- Stay with me here) Then she doesn't feel so bad. So I wanted to list a few of my favorite things here on my blog.
My wife. -- OK she is not a thing. But whenever I think of my blessings She is the first to pop into my mind every time.
My kids. -- They pop up too anytime I think of my wife. Honestly it is hard to separate the two and rarely would I ever want to.
The Gospel -- This is what makes the love I have for my wife and kids relevant in almost any context. They are a part of me and I am a part of them and the Gospel of Salvation enables that.
My Job -- I am more than glad to be able to pay my bills and meet my responsibilities. It is often hard to see what it is that I am actually doing with my life unless I see the benefits of what I do for my job... which leads me to...
Family History -- I have learned so much about my family and the families of others that I understand more and more about who I am and why I am the way I am. So many personalities went into making me I am always curious about where it all comes from. Then I read about them! and I wonder where they got it.
Friends -- I have many friends that is to say those who do not actively try to destroy me. Then I have closer friends who make an effort to make me, my family, and my life a good one. Then I have those precious few who I can open up to and they do their best to try to help me sort through it all and find a clear answer. They are to me like family.
Work -- Yes I am grateful for work. This is beyond a job, as I have already covered that. Work is the stuff that allows me to act upon my surroundings and create my world the way I want it. However without hard and strenuous work, it will all eventually slide down that slippery slope of entropy till it becomes ... well... like my daughters bedroom -- a disaster!
Hope -- Now this is not really a thing either. However it is the drive to keep going despite all of the struggles, the setbacks, and the failures. Speaking of which...
My Failures -- Yes I am grateful for them too. However failures are not bad. Failures are the charred remains of honest attempts of someone trying to do something. Doing nothing and letting the world happen around you because of the fear of failure. That is bad.
Spell checkers. just sayin'.
My car -- It would be a very long walk to work without it.
My bed -- I sleep much easier on the bed than under it. (Ask me later)
My home -- I have been very nearly without one a number of times. Having walls in which to retreat out of the cold is a good thing.
Food -- Me likes to eat.
Humor -- I need it. It is like blood to me.
Root Beer -- Check that. ROOT BEER is like blood to me.
Idle thought time -- I need a few minutes a few times a day to let my brain get out and wander around a bit. I can get really creative with stories, and imaginations when it gets a chance to breathe.
Music -- Music is the perfume for the ears. I feel music all the time and when I listen to it I can feel it course through me. Energizing and uplifting as well as calming and soothing. Music is powerful and unlike math, it can go beyond numbers. Unlike language, it can speak lifetimes without words.
Scriptures -- I find more guidance in the scriptures than almost anywhere else. It is never about what I am reading. It is the mechanism whereby my mind can tune to the voice of the Spirit who can tell me directly what I need to know. It is much like music that way for the language of the Spirit transcends finite language and limited words. It can place meaning to a feeling and direction to a prompting.
History -- I am an avid student of history. I dwell on my own history and many of my memories include many of you. Sometimes, you will just pop into my head and I daydream about our history and I wonder what you are doing now, what kind of person you have become. Many I still seek and many I may never see again in this life. I am what I am because of all of you.
I have many other things which I am grateful for. I could go on all year. But what I am grateful for holds little importance. It is that I am grateful that is important. What are you grateful for?
My wife. -- OK she is not a thing. But whenever I think of my blessings She is the first to pop into my mind every time.
My kids. -- They pop up too anytime I think of my wife. Honestly it is hard to separate the two and rarely would I ever want to.
The Gospel -- This is what makes the love I have for my wife and kids relevant in almost any context. They are a part of me and I am a part of them and the Gospel of Salvation enables that.
My Job -- I am more than glad to be able to pay my bills and meet my responsibilities. It is often hard to see what it is that I am actually doing with my life unless I see the benefits of what I do for my job... which leads me to...
Family History -- I have learned so much about my family and the families of others that I understand more and more about who I am and why I am the way I am. So many personalities went into making me I am always curious about where it all comes from. Then I read about them! and I wonder where they got it.
Friends -- I have many friends that is to say those who do not actively try to destroy me. Then I have closer friends who make an effort to make me, my family, and my life a good one. Then I have those precious few who I can open up to and they do their best to try to help me sort through it all and find a clear answer. They are to me like family.
Work -- Yes I am grateful for work. This is beyond a job, as I have already covered that. Work is the stuff that allows me to act upon my surroundings and create my world the way I want it. However without hard and strenuous work, it will all eventually slide down that slippery slope of entropy till it becomes ... well... like my daughters bedroom -- a disaster!
Hope -- Now this is not really a thing either. However it is the drive to keep going despite all of the struggles, the setbacks, and the failures. Speaking of which...
My Failures -- Yes I am grateful for them too. However failures are not bad. Failures are the charred remains of honest attempts of someone trying to do something. Doing nothing and letting the world happen around you because of the fear of failure. That is bad.
Spell checkers. just sayin'.
My car -- It would be a very long walk to work without it.
My bed -- I sleep much easier on the bed than under it. (Ask me later)
My home -- I have been very nearly without one a number of times. Having walls in which to retreat out of the cold is a good thing.
Food -- Me likes to eat.
Humor -- I need it. It is like blood to me.
Root Beer -- Check that. ROOT BEER is like blood to me.
Idle thought time -- I need a few minutes a few times a day to let my brain get out and wander around a bit. I can get really creative with stories, and imaginations when it gets a chance to breathe.
Music -- Music is the perfume for the ears. I feel music all the time and when I listen to it I can feel it course through me. Energizing and uplifting as well as calming and soothing. Music is powerful and unlike math, it can go beyond numbers. Unlike language, it can speak lifetimes without words.
Scriptures -- I find more guidance in the scriptures than almost anywhere else. It is never about what I am reading. It is the mechanism whereby my mind can tune to the voice of the Spirit who can tell me directly what I need to know. It is much like music that way for the language of the Spirit transcends finite language and limited words. It can place meaning to a feeling and direction to a prompting.
History -- I am an avid student of history. I dwell on my own history and many of my memories include many of you. Sometimes, you will just pop into my head and I daydream about our history and I wonder what you are doing now, what kind of person you have become. Many I still seek and many I may never see again in this life. I am what I am because of all of you.
I have many other things which I am grateful for. I could go on all year. But what I am grateful for holds little importance. It is that I am grateful that is important. What are you grateful for?
What is with the weather in Utah?
Now most of you know I have lived in areas with vastly different climates. Here in Utah it is blazing hot in summer, cold and snowy in Winter and sometimes mixed up in between. I have also lived in Russia where a high without windchill could be in the negatives for days on end and it is perfectly normal. Then there is Oregon where winter plays out like a particularly dreary "Twilight" scene with cold and rizzly rain, cloudy all the time and then the good part is when freezing rain hits and all of the Californian Expatriates drive around like there on an oil slick. Very amusing to watch.
Now I got up this morning to a sleet like drool plastering the ground which is what it stayed like till I turned the corner above La Caille and it changed almost instantly to snow. Now it has been snowing steadily since but form what I have heard around the valley, it hasn't made up its mind yet whether to rain, snow or just glower at us.
I guess I should just be happy that the snow hasn't drifted to the fourth story of downtown buildings, right Russia?
Now I got up this morning to a sleet like drool plastering the ground which is what it stayed like till I turned the corner above La Caille and it changed almost instantly to snow. Now it has been snowing steadily since but form what I have heard around the valley, it hasn't made up its mind yet whether to rain, snow or just glower at us.
I guess I should just be happy that the snow hasn't drifted to the fourth story of downtown buildings, right Russia?
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Goodbye 2010 -- Hello 2011
2010 has been a rough year for a lot of people I know. It has been a rough year for us. However despite how rough it is, I learned a lot. Best summed up in a phrase by Heber J. Grant. "It is the pursuit of easy things that makes men weak" This man presided over the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the end of World War One -- Through the Roaring 20's - through the Great Depression - and through most of World War II. Considering that resume, I think the statement is accurate.
I would talk about some of the struggles we have faced this year or even what I may have learned from them, but that would indicate an intent that everyone else needs to learn the same lessons. Those lessons are mine and apply to me and my family because of our unique situation. Instead I want to talk about trials and learning in general.
It has also been said that the blessings, trials, miracles, and sorrows we experience in life are customized each for us to give us each the best possible shot at Exaltation. The extension on this thought is that the blessings, trials, etc. of others, if given to us, may make it harder to get to exaltation, not easier. Yes that assertion includes blessings. Also what may be a blessing for one may be a curse, or trial for another. We see the lives of others from the "looking-glass" of our own lives and our own experiences and so our perspective may be different from others. The film "Eye of the beholder" is a good example. Different people look at the same man all within minutes of each other and all describe him differently. He also reacts to them differently as they are each different to him. It is our differences that make each one of us special and our experiences that give us insight tot he human experience that is unique to us alone. The great part of it all is the conclusions we draw most benefit ourselves and not others.
As we are each unique and special in our own way, often our attempts to "be like someone else" are met with frustration. We can't seem to figure out why that one plan, that one, system, that one bit of advice works for some but not others. Good advice when grounded in good fundamental principles is often always good advice. Execution of the advice we are given, though always varies and by association, the results vary just as much. It is getting to the fundamentals that the advice was based upon and the principles they teach that we should form a plan around and execute it loyally to those fundamentals. The best fundamentals to base them on is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Many different religions have elements of the Golden Rule in them, but execution of the principles or laws derived from the golden rule widely vary. I have found that the temperate laws of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are the most in harmony with my own beliefs and experiences. The Beatitudes in particular are a good example. The benefits inscribed is that of inclusiveness without respect to the differences. Humility, meekness, charity are all examples of this. Charity, in particular has been debased by many of the prideful poor as an undesirable trait but I think they misunderstand. Charity is the expression of love unbound of one human to another and most particularly where love is least likely to exist. Christ could have ended the lives of all of his enemies with a single thought but he came to this earth to save them and fully atone for them. If he ended their lives, wherein lay their chance for repentance? Saul of Tarsus repented and later became one of the strongest fighters for the cause. Charity is not limited to handouts any more than Christmas is only about Santa Claus. Charity is love, unconditional and humble love, expecting nothing in return, asking for nothing in advance. It is service, kindness, nurturing, and joy gifted to one in hopes of making the recipients life better. Often what is given is everything the giver has, even their own life as the example of the Savior shows.
Learning the true virtues of godly living, living as He would have us live would be a far better resolution than anything I could come up with and far more reaching. The great part is that it does not shatter with momentary setbacks as He whom is our Exemplar is forgiving to those who are honestly trying and we gain bit by bit those virtues He desires for us. This, when compared with a feeble and narrow weight loss goal, or a goal to achieve a specific goal or task that can be easily lost with one tiny slip, seems much more enduring. Besides shouldn't our resolutions be to make every part of our life better.
I don't know what 2011 will bring. I don't even know all of the challenges I will face. However, I do know that as time goes on, if I will honestly strive to live by the virtues that have been taught me, honestly try to be a better person, and learn of Him, I will face all of my challenges, problems, bad habits, and difficulties and gain the power I need to conquer them. To flip President Grant's statement upside down, which also paraphrases Ether 12:27 It is the pursuit of hard things that make men strong.
I would talk about some of the struggles we have faced this year or even what I may have learned from them, but that would indicate an intent that everyone else needs to learn the same lessons. Those lessons are mine and apply to me and my family because of our unique situation. Instead I want to talk about trials and learning in general.
It has also been said that the blessings, trials, miracles, and sorrows we experience in life are customized each for us to give us each the best possible shot at Exaltation. The extension on this thought is that the blessings, trials, etc. of others, if given to us, may make it harder to get to exaltation, not easier. Yes that assertion includes blessings. Also what may be a blessing for one may be a curse, or trial for another. We see the lives of others from the "looking-glass" of our own lives and our own experiences and so our perspective may be different from others. The film "Eye of the beholder" is a good example. Different people look at the same man all within minutes of each other and all describe him differently. He also reacts to them differently as they are each different to him. It is our differences that make each one of us special and our experiences that give us insight tot he human experience that is unique to us alone. The great part of it all is the conclusions we draw most benefit ourselves and not others.
As we are each unique and special in our own way, often our attempts to "be like someone else" are met with frustration. We can't seem to figure out why that one plan, that one, system, that one bit of advice works for some but not others. Good advice when grounded in good fundamental principles is often always good advice. Execution of the advice we are given, though always varies and by association, the results vary just as much. It is getting to the fundamentals that the advice was based upon and the principles they teach that we should form a plan around and execute it loyally to those fundamentals. The best fundamentals to base them on is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Many different religions have elements of the Golden Rule in them, but execution of the principles or laws derived from the golden rule widely vary. I have found that the temperate laws of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are the most in harmony with my own beliefs and experiences. The Beatitudes in particular are a good example. The benefits inscribed is that of inclusiveness without respect to the differences. Humility, meekness, charity are all examples of this. Charity, in particular has been debased by many of the prideful poor as an undesirable trait but I think they misunderstand. Charity is the expression of love unbound of one human to another and most particularly where love is least likely to exist. Christ could have ended the lives of all of his enemies with a single thought but he came to this earth to save them and fully atone for them. If he ended their lives, wherein lay their chance for repentance? Saul of Tarsus repented and later became one of the strongest fighters for the cause. Charity is not limited to handouts any more than Christmas is only about Santa Claus. Charity is love, unconditional and humble love, expecting nothing in return, asking for nothing in advance. It is service, kindness, nurturing, and joy gifted to one in hopes of making the recipients life better. Often what is given is everything the giver has, even their own life as the example of the Savior shows.
Learning the true virtues of godly living, living as He would have us live would be a far better resolution than anything I could come up with and far more reaching. The great part is that it does not shatter with momentary setbacks as He whom is our Exemplar is forgiving to those who are honestly trying and we gain bit by bit those virtues He desires for us. This, when compared with a feeble and narrow weight loss goal, or a goal to achieve a specific goal or task that can be easily lost with one tiny slip, seems much more enduring. Besides shouldn't our resolutions be to make every part of our life better.
I don't know what 2011 will bring. I don't even know all of the challenges I will face. However, I do know that as time goes on, if I will honestly strive to live by the virtues that have been taught me, honestly try to be a better person, and learn of Him, I will face all of my challenges, problems, bad habits, and difficulties and gain the power I need to conquer them. To flip President Grant's statement upside down, which also paraphrases Ether 12:27 It is the pursuit of hard things that make men strong.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Forever Strong
I saw the movie "Forever Strong" rater late in its popularity. It was only a few months ago but ever since then I have dwelled on the lessons it teaches. I bought a copy not long after seeing it and we watched it together as a family for Family Home Evening. I think the message was mostly lost on the kids who wasn't interested in anything that wasn't animated. Samuel picked up a few things but it didn't last long. I didn't expect it to, but I am hoping to see some of those lessons to sink in over time.
I watched it again twice yesterday and though I wouldn't say I learned any new principles, I did gain an ewer resolve to do better in my own life. There are a lot of things I just mess with and don't really focus on to see it through and stick with it. I have so many little things and several big things I need to do and I am never really sure how I am going to execute things. Unfortunately I tend to manage my life by crisis and my energy is focused on the things (or person) that is screaming the loudest. I think that is partially due to being behind on so many things and having so many messes to clean up. I work hard and long to get them cleaned up and after I make some real progress, I fail to put in the effort to keep them in good shape. I am tired and think I deserve a bit of a break. Things begin to retrogress and they end up in the same terrible shape as before. it is a vicious cycle that needs to break but I haven't gotten the grit and resolve to keep working to maintain things in good shape.
I think a few things that might help are to do a few little one-time things. Get some small victories to keep my motivation going. I then need to get a few things scheduled and work hard to keep those 'appointments' like exercising. if I can keep them I should do well. lastly, I need to control how much I eat. I have done pretty good over the past few days until yesterday when I ate a lot of junk during the BYU-SDSU game.
One more thing. I need to keep my commitments to Elizabeth about what I have volunteered to take care of around the house. One of those things is the laundry. I would wash it if she would fold it and put it away. I have done lousy.
I have a lot to do but I think I can do it if I knuckle down, get to it and stick with it.
I watched it again twice yesterday and though I wouldn't say I learned any new principles, I did gain an ewer resolve to do better in my own life. There are a lot of things I just mess with and don't really focus on to see it through and stick with it. I have so many little things and several big things I need to do and I am never really sure how I am going to execute things. Unfortunately I tend to manage my life by crisis and my energy is focused on the things (or person) that is screaming the loudest. I think that is partially due to being behind on so many things and having so many messes to clean up. I work hard and long to get them cleaned up and after I make some real progress, I fail to put in the effort to keep them in good shape. I am tired and think I deserve a bit of a break. Things begin to retrogress and they end up in the same terrible shape as before. it is a vicious cycle that needs to break but I haven't gotten the grit and resolve to keep working to maintain things in good shape.
I think a few things that might help are to do a few little one-time things. Get some small victories to keep my motivation going. I then need to get a few things scheduled and work hard to keep those 'appointments' like exercising. if I can keep them I should do well. lastly, I need to control how much I eat. I have done pretty good over the past few days until yesterday when I ate a lot of junk during the BYU-SDSU game.
One more thing. I need to keep my commitments to Elizabeth about what I have volunteered to take care of around the house. One of those things is the laundry. I would wash it if she would fold it and put it away. I have done lousy.
I have a lot to do but I think I can do it if I knuckle down, get to it and stick with it.
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