Create Meaning

I read an article by Stephen Gibson, Attitude on Money. He offers interesting insights on how he views money and it purpose in our life. I feel it is necessary to understand money and how we can use it to either benefit us or bring to our own ruin, through wanting more. The following three questions were asked of me after I read the article.

What is your attitude toward money?

When I was young our family did not have enough money to meet our needs. I recognize the value of money and the importance of begin generous to those around me. I see money as a tool that will help me accomplish the Lord’s work and meet the needs of my family.

How can your view of money affect the way you live?

The view of money can influence how you spend. If you choose to be wise and monitor your spending; prepare a budget and stay within that budget, you will find that your needs will be met. If you spend less than you make you will create a life that is financially stable, at the time saving money for the future.

We can enjoy life and many of the pleasures it offers if we live within our means and are responsible for the blessings we are given. Brigham Young stated, "...if we are the people of God, we are to be the richest people on the earth....I am ashamed to see the poverty that exists among the Latter-day Saints. They ought to be worth millions and millions." JD 17:43-44 there is so much we can do for others, through service and donations. When we are responsible with our money we will have extra to share with others.

What rules are recommended for prospering?

So if you want to prosper:

Rule 1. Seek the Lord and have hope in him

Rule 2. Keep the commandments that includes the temporal ones, tithing and fast offerings.

Rule 3. Think about money and plan how you can become self-reliant.

Rule 4. Take advantage of chances for learning so you will not be ignorant of these matters. Education, as President Hinckley has taught us, is the Key to Opportunity.

Rule 5. Learn the laws upon which the blessings of wealth are predicated.

Rule 6. Do not send away the naked, the hungry, the thirsty or the sick or those who are held captive.

I agree with these rules and I am following some of them now, I will incorporate the others and look for opportunities cloth the naked, feed the hungry and the thirsty and offer support and help to those who are sick and held captive by their illness. I will try to serve my fellow man as the Savior taught.

 This week I have been impressed by some of the readings that were assigned. I will post some things that stood out to me and touched my heart.

Thomas S. Monson, Formula for Success:

Truth: 

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

 I’d like to suggest that when we search for truth, we search among those books and in those places where truth is most likely to be found. I’ve often referred to a simple couplet: “You do not find truth groveling through error. You find truth by searching the holy word of God.” 

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.

Service:

Fill your life with service. From the Book of Mormon we learn, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). 

Love:

I thank God for his love in sharing his Only Begotten Son in the flesh, even Jesus Christ, for you and me. I thank the Lord for the love he demonstrated by providing his life, that we might have life eternal.

You may recall that Jesus filled his mind with truth; Jesus filled his life with service; Jesus filled his heart with love.

Life Liberty and the pursuit of happiness (a cautionary tale)

A Hero’s Journey requires you to find your most precious gifts and to use them doing something you enjoy in the service of something larger than yourself.

“Gratitude amplifies the savoring and appreciation of the good events gone by, and rewriting history by forgiveness loosens the power of the bad events to embitter (and actually can transform bad memories into good ones).”

“How can I be happy?” is the wrong question. “How can I create something meaningful for others?” is the right question because it helps others and will change you in a profound way.

Peace and Assurance

This week I interviewed Kyle Tillett owner of American Business Solutions. I enjoyed learning from him about how he began his business, the challenges and triumphs. It was fascinating to learn of the process he went through. Kyle graduated with a degree in Finance, he owns a computer consulting business. I found it interesting that having a degree in Finance he still struggled with putting financial things into place. He learned that he needed legal guardrails to protect his business and customers from employees. He also learned that he could have grown a quicker pace and done so with ease if he had been more flexible in his business model. He also learned the value of organization and preparation of the simple things in business.

The thing I took a way from Kyle was his love for his business and the desire to service his customers in a way that meets their needs and exceeds expectations. He helped me understand the value of staying focused on the core part of the business and not getting distracted with new ventures.

Loving what you do is a theme among entrepreneurs. It will drive you to succeed and strive to improve the business.

I read Isaiah 32:17 “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.”

This struck a chord with me, what you do for a living should also align itself with who you are and the goals and desires you want to achieve. In doing so you will find peace and assurance.

Lead by Example; Lead with Vision; Lead with Love.

As I am about halfway through the semester I have been overwhelmed, by assignments; relieved as I continue to do well in my class; and inspired by things I have read, understood and applied.

The following are things that inspire me this week. I want to be an active follower of Christ, a disciple of Christ and a champion of good. I understand that my actions, thoughts and decisions make a difference in the outcome of what I want to achieve. I want to continue to lead my family and conduct any business that I do with kindness, love and unselfish devotion. I will continue to read, learn and search for ways to improve in these desires.

David A. Bednar, President BYU-I, August 2004

A disciple of Christ is one who is following and learning to be like Christ—learning to think, to feel, and to act as He does. He or she is striving to gain “. . . the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Becoming a true disciple of the Savior and following His ways are the most demanding learning objectives we can ever strive to achieve. No other discipline compares with His curriculum in either requirements or rewards. Discipleship demands the total transformation of a person by putting off the natural man and becoming a saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord (see Mosiah 3:19). A disciple is one who loves the Lord and serves Him with all of his or her heart, might, mind, and strength.

The word preparation implies the process of making or getting ready; the previous putting or setting in order for any action or purpose (Oxford English Dictionary On-Line, second edition, 1989). And one of the common uses of the word center connotes a point from which things and influences originate or emanate (Oxford English Dictionary On-Line, second edition, 1989). Taken together, these three words, disciple preparation center, suggest to me a place in which followers of the Master learn and are set in order and are made ready—and from which their influence flows into the world.

Kim B. Clark, President BYU-I, December 2007

The call to be a disciple-leader is a call to minister and to serve.  It is a call to lead as Christ leads.  It is leadership with a small “L”—the kind of leadership that builds and lifts and inspires through kindness and love and unselfish devotion to the Lord and His work.  It is the kind of leadership that we need at every level of every kind of organization in the world and in every ward and stake in the Church.  It is the kind of leadership you will need to build an eternal family.

As I read about General Calixto Garcia I was impressed with his desire to serve his country and follow through. I was touched that he strapped the pouch over his heart, signifying to me that it was urgent and important and nothing would stop him from achieving his mission. I am learning from his example of how to follow through and accomplish what is needed without hesitation.

Acton Foundation

It was 1899. President William McKinley needed to deliver an urgent message to General Calixto Garcia, the leader of the insurgents in America’s war against Spain. But Garcia was lost somewhere deep inside the mountain vastness of Cuba. “There’s a fellow by the name of Rowan who will find Garcia if anyone can,” someone told the president. So McKinley summoned Colonel Andrew Rowan. Rowan took McKinley’s letter, “sealed it in an oil-skin pouch, strapped it over his heart, in four days landed by night off the coast of Cuba from an open boat, disappeared into the jungle and in three weeks came out on the other side of the island, having traversed a hostile country on foot, and delivered his letter to Garcia.” Notice that Rowan didn’t equivocate. He didn’t ask McKinley for detailed instructions. He didn’t hire a consultant or assemble a task force. He simply took the letter and delivered it to Garcia.

Good Things To Come

The readings and videos were much needed this week. As we enter the 7^th week of school, I am feeling overwhelmed and inadequate to complete what is required of me. I especially enjoyed the video of good things to come, by Jeffery Holland. It was a story from his life and lessons he learned as he was traveling with his young family across the county. The moral of the video is trust “trust in God and believe in good things to come.” I needed to hear this today, I am grateful for the words of the Apostles and Prophets, the direction that comes from listening and following their counsel.

I also watched a video from Taylor Richards, who reminded us that you can do anything when the Lord is your partner. Just like Nephi, we can move forward with confidence and strength in doing great things.

 I read an article by Jeffery R Holland, then President of BYU, he stated, “I am asking you this morning not to give up “for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.” That “great work” is you—your life, your future, the very fulfillment of your dreams. That “great work” is what, with effort and patience and God’s help, you can become. When days are difficult or problems seem unending, I plead with you to stay in the harness and keep pulling. You are entitled to “eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days,” but it will require your heart and a willing mind. It will require that you stay at your post and keep trying.” Again my heart is touched, I am lifted strengthen through these words.

As we continue to grow and learn over the next several weeks; I know there will be struggles as I learn new things. I am grateful for growth and learning, I will press forward with faith, determination and grit if necessary in my journey to “Become.”