Week #9
Today, as I sit in the library cramming for my two hardest midterms given this semester, I can't help but reflect back on how grateful I am for the blessings I have received. This past week I have felt like I am up to my ears in exams/reviews/projects/internships. I have allowed myself to become stressed out of my mind, and focusing on the here and now. I received a heart dropping call on Wednesday, telling me that a good family friend of mine had just received the news that his younger sister has been missing since this past Sunday (six days).
Spencer, my family friend, dropped everything and flew out with his parents on the next flight to Oregon to search for his sister. I couldn't help but think about how that would influence his midterms and scores missing such vital days in class and review sessions. Shortly after allowing myself to think of this, I realized that Spencer and his parents showed 0% concern on what they were missing to fly to Oregon, and 100% concern on finding their daughter and sister.
This was a great learning experience for me. Seeing a family go through such a trying time, they focused all of their attention on the things that really matter, and gave little attention to the trivial concerns.
Considering the fact that my conversation with Spencer Wednesday night came right after I felt as if I did less than optimal on my book of mormon midterm, it showed me how roped up I had allowed myself get on something that doesn't matter. I have a home, I have a loving family that is currently safe, I have food, I have water, I have God.
I need to focus more of my attention on what I'm lucky enough to have, and less on what I don't have.
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Week #8:
This week has been a learning experience for me. I have lived a rather blessed life. I was not raised in a family with loads and loads of money, but my parents always provided my brother and I with every opportunity or resource we needed/desired. Growing up, I never had the experience of defeat in any aspect of my life. When I decided I wanted to be the best at something, I would set my mind on it and I always achieved my goals. Today, my goals are no longer focused on athletics, student body leadership, or social status. Pursuing an education at BYU has been a learning experience, and much needed humbling experience for me at such a critical time in my life.
I never had a desire to work for top-notch grades until beginning college. In fact, when I was in high school I would often cheat on assignments and fake my way through tests. A funny joke my friends and I had in high school, was that although I was the only one who did not take school seriously, I was the only one that took the ACT seriously; and, as a result I scored the highest on the ACT. Starting my education at BYU as an Economics Major has taught me that "The law of returns" is a true principle. My girlfriend and I have this conversation often. We both have very challenging courses we are enrolled in. The difference, is that she has taken her education seriously from an early age, and I am now trying to maintain above-average grades at an above-average university. Although I am able to do so (for the most part), it definitely does not come without stress.
I am grateful for my educational experience at Brigham Young University. I don't agree with the education system, and although I can't say I will remember derivatives, logarithms, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, Protein synthesis, Chemical bonds and their formulas; however, I can say that as I have taken the time to learn these different abstract concepts, Brigham Young University has tested me beyond my own limits, and has helped me see that I can accomplish anything that I want to in life. Even if it's an educational pursuit. I couldn't have said that before enrolling at this great university.
For that reason alone, I am grateful for my educational experience.
This week has been a learning experience for me. I have lived a rather blessed life. I was not raised in a family with loads and loads of money, but my parents always provided my brother and I with every opportunity or resource we needed/desired. Growing up, I never had the experience of defeat in any aspect of my life. When I decided I wanted to be the best at something, I would set my mind on it and I always achieved my goals. Today, my goals are no longer focused on athletics, student body leadership, or social status. Pursuing an education at BYU has been a learning experience, and much needed humbling experience for me at such a critical time in my life.
I never had a desire to work for top-notch grades until beginning college. In fact, when I was in high school I would often cheat on assignments and fake my way through tests. A funny joke my friends and I had in high school, was that although I was the only one who did not take school seriously, I was the only one that took the ACT seriously; and, as a result I scored the highest on the ACT. Starting my education at BYU as an Economics Major has taught me that "The law of returns" is a true principle. My girlfriend and I have this conversation often. We both have very challenging courses we are enrolled in. The difference, is that she has taken her education seriously from an early age, and I am now trying to maintain above-average grades at an above-average university. Although I am able to do so (for the most part), it definitely does not come without stress.
I am grateful for my educational experience at Brigham Young University. I don't agree with the education system, and although I can't say I will remember derivatives, logarithms, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, Protein synthesis, Chemical bonds and their formulas; however, I can say that as I have taken the time to learn these different abstract concepts, Brigham Young University has tested me beyond my own limits, and has helped me see that I can accomplish anything that I want to in life. Even if it's an educational pursuit. I couldn't have said that before enrolling at this great university.
For that reason alone, I am grateful for my educational experience.
Monday, October 17, 2016
Week #7:
This week I had the opportunity to go and visit my girlfriend's family in Los Angeles, California. Her parents are currently serving as Mission President and wife of the Redlands, California mission. Yesterday, I had the chance to listen to both of her parents talk about the current struggles the Redlands, California mission has been facing; and what they are wanting to do to resolve the missions' concerns. One of the main concerns both President Dixon and Sister Dixon mentioned was the lack of love their missionaries had for the people of Redlands. Their point is that people will feel less like they are being preached to, and more like a close friend sharing loving counsel, as missionaries take the time to develop a true love for the people they are teaching in each of their areas.
A personal application I was able to make from that conversation, is that in my personal relationships with day-to-day relationships, I can help people feel that my intentions are pure as I help people feel as if I am consistently acting out of love. I believe that the best way to develop any relationship is off of a basis of love. As a father/mother shares counsel with their children, or a teacher has counsel for his/her students, the best way to promote a positive attitude in the individual receiving counsel, is for th adult to develop a relationship built off of love.
I feel like the Redlands mission will be bursting at the seams if they are able to develop this characteristic for members, investigators, and everyday members of the Redlands community. I also believe that any individual can build and promote strong relationships in day-to-day life as they build relationships with a foundation of love.
This week I had the opportunity to go and visit my girlfriend's family in Los Angeles, California. Her parents are currently serving as Mission President and wife of the Redlands, California mission. Yesterday, I had the chance to listen to both of her parents talk about the current struggles the Redlands, California mission has been facing; and what they are wanting to do to resolve the missions' concerns. One of the main concerns both President Dixon and Sister Dixon mentioned was the lack of love their missionaries had for the people of Redlands. Their point is that people will feel less like they are being preached to, and more like a close friend sharing loving counsel, as missionaries take the time to develop a true love for the people they are teaching in each of their areas.
A personal application I was able to make from that conversation, is that in my personal relationships with day-to-day relationships, I can help people feel that my intentions are pure as I help people feel as if I am consistently acting out of love. I believe that the best way to develop any relationship is off of a basis of love. As a father/mother shares counsel with their children, or a teacher has counsel for his/her students, the best way to promote a positive attitude in the individual receiving counsel, is for th adult to develop a relationship built off of love.
I feel like the Redlands mission will be bursting at the seams if they are able to develop this characteristic for members, investigators, and everyday members of the Redlands community. I also believe that any individual can build and promote strong relationships in day-to-day life as they build relationships with a foundation of love.
Monday, October 10, 2016
Week #6 "Do ye believe that I am able to do this?"
I have pondered this verse of scripture over this past week. As I reflect on my own relationship with Jesus Christ, this question "do ye believe that I am able to do this?" has shown me that I really don't let my faith, or belief in Jesus Christ cast out my fear of doubts. That is, although I feel confident in saying I have a stable and dependable testimony in my Savior, there are times that I am in the midst of a trial and I fail to confirm my belief in the Savior when he asks me , "do ye believe that I am able to do this?"
I believe that one of the greatest restraints on my testimony has been this principle of not showing my belief in what I say I believe. Moving forward, I have written this verse of scripture above my desk to remind me to allow the Savior to see that I do believe that He is able to do this. As I allow myself to show my faith, I believe I'll see the Savior's intervention in my life; and, as a result I will have an increased condition of Jesus Christ
I have pondered this verse of scripture over this past week. As I reflect on my own relationship with Jesus Christ, this question "do ye believe that I am able to do this?" has shown me that I really don't let my faith, or belief in Jesus Christ cast out my fear of doubts. That is, although I feel confident in saying I have a stable and dependable testimony in my Savior, there are times that I am in the midst of a trial and I fail to confirm my belief in the Savior when he asks me , "do ye believe that I am able to do this?"
I believe that one of the greatest restraints on my testimony has been this principle of not showing my belief in what I say I believe. Moving forward, I have written this verse of scripture above my desk to remind me to allow the Savior to see that I do believe that He is able to do this. As I allow myself to show my faith, I believe I'll see the Savior's intervention in my life; and, as a result I will have an increased condition of Jesus Christ
Monday, October 3, 2016
Week #5
As I reflect on General Conference and the message from each of the brethren, I can't help much ponder on the importance of sincerity. I feel as though the topic of sincerity is at the root of each brethren's message. Elder Ballard's message had the strongest initial impact on me, as he discussed the concerns that come as individuals consider pursuing life without the Gospel.
In recent weeks I have had a lot of my closest friends open up to me about no longer being very active in the Gospel, and that their testimonies are dwindling. I have always been the go-to friend in the group when people are having gospel doubts or struggles. I was not raised in the church, and the majority of my closest friends and family are still nonmembers of the church. Because of this, my active, LDS friends feel as though I am a safe haven for advice. What is unfortunate, however, is that I often times feel that I downplay the severity of their actions/decisions. I find myself usually trying to console these friends and help them see that where their at spiritually isn't so far off the mark, that getting back on track isn't out of the question. When these spiritually, struggling friends discuss their gospel concerns with me, I find myself giving them immediate response and answers. Although I feel that I usually give them correct answers to their concerns, I recently have realized that I could disprove every question they may have, but if they don't want to accept the truth than I am just spinning my wheels.
Elder Ballard's message opened my eyes on where I have errored in handling these situations, rather than having a back-and-forth conversation about the pros-cons of the church, talking to these friends about how the gospel makes them feel, discussing what fruits they have seen from the gospel, and discussing where they intend to go as they leave the church, are the best routes for these conversations. People with questions typically respond much better to answers that they find on their own, rather than the answers they are force-fed by their peers, church leaders, and family.
As I reflect on General Conference and the message from each of the brethren, I can't help much ponder on the importance of sincerity. I feel as though the topic of sincerity is at the root of each brethren's message. Elder Ballard's message had the strongest initial impact on me, as he discussed the concerns that come as individuals consider pursuing life without the Gospel.
In recent weeks I have had a lot of my closest friends open up to me about no longer being very active in the Gospel, and that their testimonies are dwindling. I have always been the go-to friend in the group when people are having gospel doubts or struggles. I was not raised in the church, and the majority of my closest friends and family are still nonmembers of the church. Because of this, my active, LDS friends feel as though I am a safe haven for advice. What is unfortunate, however, is that I often times feel that I downplay the severity of their actions/decisions. I find myself usually trying to console these friends and help them see that where their at spiritually isn't so far off the mark, that getting back on track isn't out of the question. When these spiritually, struggling friends discuss their gospel concerns with me, I find myself giving them immediate response and answers. Although I feel that I usually give them correct answers to their concerns, I recently have realized that I could disprove every question they may have, but if they don't want to accept the truth than I am just spinning my wheels.
Elder Ballard's message opened my eyes on where I have errored in handling these situations, rather than having a back-and-forth conversation about the pros-cons of the church, talking to these friends about how the gospel makes them feel, discussing what fruits they have seen from the gospel, and discussing where they intend to go as they leave the church, are the best routes for these conversations. People with questions typically respond much better to answers that they find on their own, rather than the answers they are force-fed by their peers, church leaders, and family.
Week #4
As I continue through this semester, I have found both my understanding and appreciation for pursuing an education has increased almost daily. Although i would never say I'm the personality type to say I enjoy spending my free time studying, it is interesting to see how an effective study changes my day. There is a natural high that comes from successfully accomplishing goals. I believe this to be true, and I have seen this hold true in many areas of my life. This semester I have seen that I now enjoy studying, because I enjoy seeing the results that follow from taking the time required to succeed in various courses at Brigham Young University. Also, I have seen the positive effect studying has had on the rest of my life. As I make school a priority, many of the concerns I have regarding time management seem to subside.
Although I am pursuing an education to prepare myself for my future career path, I have seen that my education has the ability to positively mold me into a better version of myself; if I allow my education to do so. My MCOMM class has taught me much more than just grammar and sentence structure thus far, and I can't imagine what I will learn going forward!
As I continue through this semester, I have found both my understanding and appreciation for pursuing an education has increased almost daily. Although i would never say I'm the personality type to say I enjoy spending my free time studying, it is interesting to see how an effective study changes my day. There is a natural high that comes from successfully accomplishing goals. I believe this to be true, and I have seen this hold true in many areas of my life. This semester I have seen that I now enjoy studying, because I enjoy seeing the results that follow from taking the time required to succeed in various courses at Brigham Young University. Also, I have seen the positive effect studying has had on the rest of my life. As I make school a priority, many of the concerns I have regarding time management seem to subside.
Although I am pursuing an education to prepare myself for my future career path, I have seen that my education has the ability to positively mold me into a better version of myself; if I allow my education to do so. My MCOMM class has taught me much more than just grammar and sentence structure thus far, and I can't imagine what I will learn going forward!
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