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.”