Time is on My Side

I'm thankful for time - hear me out! Without time I'd have to BE right now. Time allows me to learn and grow. In thinking about all the things I want to be (patient, kind, loving, merciful, etc.) I see how far I have to go. (At least with time I can continue to grow.)

The ways I want to be gives me things to work on and stay out of life's drama. There are some things I can't control so why even get involved and just get upset? I choose to only focus on the things within my power and I'm grateful to have time to focus on those things.

Saying Nice Things

Should I stop saying honest things because they sound judgmental and only say 'nice' things so I sound nice? Yes. People can do what they will-just like I will only do things if I want. I'll hope for them but I won't judge. I'll say things on my blog from now on that don't condemn.

I will 'be like' my Savior but I won't 'be' my Savior. I will follow him and do what he said including: "Judge not", "Love one another", "Keep my commandments" and "Follow me".

The things I learn are meant to help me but they aren't meant for me to tell anyone else how to be. People can learn for themselves just like I learned for myself. Besides I'm not their teacher, but the Holy Ghost. I may be a vessel the Holy Ghost works through but I need to only say things (uplifting, edifying, and encouraging things) when prompted.

I get irritated by things but I don't need to express my irritation. Instead I need to express my faith.

I've Made Progress

In a lot of ways my thinking and speaking isn't so black & white; either this or that. I've softened regarding some things. (For example: saying 'some' not 'all', and saying 'maybe', 'perhaps' and 'it seems like' not 'it is'.)

I used to say more generalizations (like 'Kansans' instead of 'some Kansans' or 'Mormons' instead of 'some Mormons') and grouped everyone in the same category.

Regarding myself, I used to think, 'if I can't do it really good then I won't do it at all'. Now I think, 'I may not do it perfectly but at least I'm doing my best and I tried'. I'm definitely not perfect ... at not being perfect, but I've made progress.

Learning Something

I don't have a degree, but I've read many books written by people who do. They have deeply contemplated and researched the things they've written and their words have enriched my life. I have sought to learn from the best books and have found much information. Not all books are good and I rely on my heart to tell me to keep reading or not. If I feel good, I keep reading whereas if I feel bad, I put the book down. Sometimes I pick up a book and feel an impression tell me 'that book is not for you' so I put it down. Maybe the impressions sound hokey, but I listen and know they benefit me in some way.

There are many things to learn. I read what interests me and what will benefit my life in some way. Sometimes I want to relax and not think so I read a novel that allows me to escape into the author's world. Sometimes I want to learn so I read something that teaches me. Sometimes I want to be inspired so I read something uplifting. Whether I read a book, a magazine, or the TV guide, the information enters my mind and I must decide to keep or ignore what I've read.

(A great chapter is in the book: Teachings of Presidents of The Church Brigham Young. It's chapter 27 called Learning by study and by faith. Click here to go to this book.)