Last Lecture

At the beginning of this class something you said remained in my mind throughout the course.  Somewhere you said you get what you put into the course, if you think the assignments are of little worth it is because of the attitude in which you approached them.  Of course this is paraphrasing your statement but after reading it I felt impressed to put my heart into the lesson material.  I am grateful I did because I know I enjoyed the course more than I would have if, I would have just haphazardly gone about the assignments.  As state early in the book report on Mastery, it is the book that had the most profound effect upon me and has changed my view of activities that I am engaged in.  After reading the book there have been times that frustration starts to built I remind myself that I am on a plateau and I need to enjoy the time of just practicing.  I feel that the stress of the project turns to enjoyment and I this is helping me grow in so many ways.  I am grateful for all the material that allows the gospel to be a part of our learning curriculum.  I know that as I make business decisions that eternal goal have to be a part of those decisions or I could cross over my guardrails and eventually lose what is most precious to me.  I appreciate the opportunity to learn for other students and feel of their struggles and know that we all have them but with the Lords help to not only overcome them but also become better because of them.  Thank you again for the time, energy and love you have put into the class.

Pres. Monson
"Finishers Wanted"

Live each day as if it were you last, because it very well could be. This is your day, make the most of it, and celebrate the journey.

The Mark of Courage. Have the courage—

To dream the impossible dream,

To fight the unbeatable foe,

To bear with unbearable sorrow,

To run where the brave dare not go.

To right the unrightable wrong,

To love, pure and chaste from afar,

To try, when your arms are too weary,

To reach the unreachable star! (Man of La Mancha)

And you will thus become a finisher.

Times change and circumstances vary, but the true marks of a finisher remain. Note them well, for they are vital to our success.

1. The Mark of Vision. It has been said that the door of history turns on small hinges, and so do people’s lives. We are constantly making small decisions. The outcome determines the success or failure of our lives. That is why it is worthwhile to look ahead, to set a course, and at least be partly ready when the moment of decision comes. True finishers have the capacity to visualize their objective.

2. The Mark of Effort. Vision without effort is daydreaming; effort without vision is drudgery; but vision, coupled with effort, will obtain the prize.

Needed is the capacity to make that second effort when life’s challenges lay us low.

Week 12

I appreciate the below statement you posted on the introduction to this lesson.  I wanted to have it in my j journal to look back on when needed.  I was so grateful for what it teaches and was able to put it into practice much sooner than I thought.  Sometime I think we are waiting for some major crisis to happen before we use the atonement in our lives.  However we must us it daily if we are to stay focused on the eternal goal.  I was grateful for the peace it brought to me and I reflected ohm y deep gratitude for being in school at this time.  I know the Lord would have reminded me of this power if I had not been in this class but all I am learning scholastically and spiritually is such a blessing.  Thank you for this reminder.

Recognize how they have served you then if you have not yet done so literally write or say out loud something to the effect of "I cast this burden of _________(insert trial, frustration, fear) to my Savior with love and gratitude.  I ask instead to be filled with Christ's healing power."

Pres. Monson

Attitude of Gratitude

“This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help.”

“We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues.”

The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho

“They trust me, and they’ve forgotten how to rely on their own instincts, because I lead them to nourishment.”

“We have to be prepared for change…”

“But ever since he had been a child, he had wanted to know the world, and this was much more important to him than knowing God and learning about man’s sins.”

“It’s a force that appears to be negative, but actually shows you how to realize your Personal Legend.  IT prepares your spirit and your will, because there is one great truth on this planet; whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe.  It’s your mission on earth.  Even when all you want to do is travel? Or marry the daughter of the textile merchant? Yes, or even search for treasure.  The Soul of the World is nourished by people’s happiness.  And also by unhappiness, envy, and jealousy.  To realize one’s Personal Legend is a person’s only real obligation.  All things are one.  And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

“That’s the way it always is, said the old man. It’s called the principle of favorability.  When you play cards the first time, you are almost sure to win.  Beginner’s luck.  Why is that?  Because there is a force that wants you to realize your Personal Legend; it whets your appetite with a taste of success.”

“Well, there is only one piece of advice I can give you, said the wisest of wise men, the secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon.  The shepherd said nothing.  He had understood the story the old king had told him.  A shepherd may like to travel, but he should never forget about his sheep.”

“If God leads the sheep so well, he will also lead a man, he thought, and that made him feel better.”

“The candy seller had a smile on his face: he was happy, aware of what his life was about, and ready to begin a day’s work…This candy merchant isn’t making candy so that later he can travel or marry a shopkeeper’s daughter.  He’s doing it because it’s what he wants to do, thought the boy.”  (He had found his Personal Legend)

“The alchemists spent years in their laboratories, observing the fire that purified the metals.  They spent so much time so close to the fire that gradually they gave up the vanities of the world.  They discovered that the purification of the metals had led to a purification of themselves.”

“Because I don’t live in either my past or my future.  I’m interested only in the present.  If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man.  You’ll see that there is life in the desert, that there are stars in the heavens, and that tribesmen fight because they are part of the human race.  Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, because life is the moment we’re living right now.”

“Meanwhile, the boy thought about his treasure.  The closer he got to the realization of his dream, the more difficult things became.  It seemed as if what the old king had called “beginner’s luck” were no longer functioning.  In his pursuit of the dream, he was being constantly subjected to test of his persistence and courage.  So he could not be hasty, nor impatient.  If he pushed forward impulsively, he would fail to see the signs and omens left by God along his path.”

“There is only that moment, and the incredible certainty that everything under the sun has been written by one hand only.  It is the hand that evokes love, and creates a twin soul for every person in the world.  Without such love, one’s dreams would have no meaning.”

Week 11

I am always amazed at the material that is presented in our classes.  As I started watching the talk by Elder Gay I didn't expect his message to be what it was.  The story at the end of the young women from Africa really hit home with me.  It is so very important that our focus is always in the right place.  The world will try to distract us with so many things and it is individuals stories like this one that help us  remember all the blessings in our lives.  Why was this part of the lesson material?  I believe it is because of the fact that we can get so busy with the day to day items of business that we forget the things that are truly important.  Keeping the Savior as a key part of our business is vital if we are to be eternally successful.

This week has been SUPER crazy for me and I wonder if I am made to be a business owner but I think if I remember to keep my priorities focused on the Lord then it will be ok.  The opportunities that we are blessed with are endless and it is important to remember to use them to help others around us.

Constant Truths for Changing Times
Pres. Monson

The lessons learned in the home are those that last the longest. As President Gordon B. Hinckley and his predecessors have stated, “The home is the basis of a righteous life, and no other instrumentality can take its place nor fulfill its essential functions.”

“Your mind is a cupboard, and you stock the shelves.” Let us make certain that our cupboard shelves, and those of our family members, are stocked with the things which will provide safety to our souls and enable us to return to our Father in Heaven. Such shelves could well be stocked with gospel scholarship, faith, prayer, love, service, obedience, example, and kindness. Pres. Monson

I would say to each mother, each father—be a good listener. Communication is so vital today in our fast-paced world. Take time to listen. And to you children, talk to your mother and to your father. It may be difficult to realize, but your parents have lived through many of the same challenges which you face today. Often they see the big picture more clearly than you can. They pray for you each day and are entitled to the inspiration of our Heavenly Father in providing you counsel and advice. Pres. Monson

Elder Gays talk amazing…

http://stream.byui.edu/VideoPlayer/BYUIplayer.html?StartCue=0&EndCue=3258&VideoName=2009_06_18_BC_Gay&VideoType=forums

35 minutes into address story of African girl

Week 10

As I read, study and complete assignments, I always have the same question in the back of my mind.  What is it that I am to do with all that I am learning?  In other words why am I on this particular educational journey.  I have never really wanted to own my own business or so I thought.  I now realize that I like being the captain of your own ship.  What I think I don't want is all the little loose ends.  I want to make a plan, and move forward with it without to many loose ends.  Although I think or maybe I know that there are always going to be loose ends owning my own business.  More than likely I will have loose ends daily.  The question is can I learn to manage my approach to dealing with these items.  Last Saturday, it was 9:30pm and I was putting the final touches on the yard work that we had been doing all day, yet I could have kept going for another several hours.  However this would have had health implications along with marital implications, (my husband was done and ready to go in).  I am usually not one to write down all these thoughts in a place for others to read, (I have a journal but that is for others to read when I am died), however I think if I am truly going to face up to all that opening a business is going to entail I have to get these feelings down on paper so I can address them. 

Formula for Success

Pres. Monson

From those parables I would like to suggest that if we are really to be a chosen generation, we have the responsibility to be prepared, to be productive, to be faithful, and to be fruitful as well. What we need, as we journey along through this period known as mortality, is a compass to chart our course, a map to guide our footsteps, and a pattern whereby we might mold and shape our very lives.

First, fill your mind with truth; second, fill your life with service; and third, fill your heart with love.

This is a day when time is precious. This is a time when we cannot afford not to be engaged in an earnest search for truth. May we fill our minds with truth.

Attitude on Money

Stephan W. Gibson

Remember, the ways we see things are a combination of what filters others have placed in our minds. These filters, ideas, beliefs, opinions and teachings get into our minds when we are very young and color and form the way we perceive or see things and issues. That is why so many of us think just like our parents think on so many issues when we are young.

I believe we can all better understand life and the different ways each of us see things in life, if we all remember that we all see things through filters.

Week 9

"A man may possess all the gold, silver and precious stones in the world, which are called wealth and yet starve to death.  Wealth does not give true greatness. It will purchase medical aid in case of sickness; it will purchase food, clothing and shelter; but true wealth consists in the skill to produce those conveniences and comforts from the elements.  All the power and dignity that wealth can bestow is a mere shadow, the substance is found in the bone and sinew of the toiling millions.  Well directed labor is the true power that supplies our wants."  Brigham Young

Brigham Young really speaks of what is true wealth.  It is the hours of work and sacrifice that we put into making something great.  First and foremost is our relationship with our Savior and being obedient, then in our responsibilities to our spouse and children and then to those things that bring us joy.  To think there is a time to just relax is in conflict with the teachings of the gospel.  We are to always be anxiously engaged…even if we are old…we can still be anxiously engaged.  As I think about owning my own business I realize that the hard work and sacrifice will be worth it, if I keep things in correct perspective.



Elder Dallin H. Oaks
The Challenge to Become

All of this helps us understand an important meaning of the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, which the Savior gave to explain what the kingdom of heaven is like. As you remember, the owner of the vineyard hired laborers at different times of the day. Some he sent into the vineyard early in the morning, others about the third hour, and others in the sixth and ninth hours. Finally, in the eleventh hour he sent others into the vineyard, promising that he would also pay them “whatsoever is right” (Matt. 20:7).

At the end of the day the owner of the vineyard gave the same wage to every worker, even to those who had come in the eleventh hour. When those who had worked the entire day saw this, “they murmured against the goodman of the house” (Matt. 20:11). The owner did not yield but merely pointed out that he had done no one any wrong, since he had paid each man the agreed amount.

Like other parables, this one can teach several different and valuable principles. For present purposes its lesson is that the Master’s reward in the Final Judgment will not be based on how long we have labored in the vineyard. We do not obtain our heavenly reward by punching a time clock. What is essential is that our labors in the workplace of the Lord have caused us to become something. For some of us, this requires a longer time than for others. What is important in the end is what we have become by our labors. Many who come in the eleventh hour have been refined and prepared by the Lord in ways other than formal employment in the vineyard. These workers are like the prepared dry mix to which it is only necessary to “add water”—the perfecting ordinance of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. With that addition—even in the eleventh hour—these workers are in the same state of development and qualified to receive the same reward as those who have labored long in the vineyard.

This parable teaches us that we should never give up hope and loving associations with family members and friends whose fine qualities (see Moro. 7:5–14) evidence their progress toward what a loving Father would have them become. Similarly, the power of the Atonement and the principle of repentance show that we should never give up on loved ones who now seem to be making many wrong choices.

Instead of being judgmental about others, we should be concerned about ourselves. We must not give up hope. We must not stop striving. We are children of God, and it is possible for us to become what our Heavenly Father would have us become.