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.