Pure Potential - That's What I Am

Let me throw several interesting little events at you.  I'm going to deviate a little from the way I thought I was going to write this entry. 

1)  Not long ago, I saw a poster advertizing a movie entitled "That's What I Am."  I don't know a thing about the movie (except that Ed Harris might be in it.  Man, he's getting old.) but the title struck me.  I thought of some wonderful conversations I had with a very good friend of mine in which we discussed that very idea.  Who and what are we?  We had a very simple conclusion:  "We are Pure Potential." 

2) As I've thought lately about how to overcome my personal struggles and difficulties, I read once again this quote from the profoundly honest Abe: 

"Is is difficult to make a man miserable when he feels he is worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him." 

This made me think of another of my favorites, from the powerfully humble and humbly powerful Ezra Taft Benson: 

"Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar His face is to us." 

3)  Usually when I begin to write a blog, I look for a Church-produced video that goes along with the theme for the day.  Sometimes I have to search for just the right one.  Today, I got on to the Church's Youtube channel and found that this video had been added 7 hours ago. 

All these little things have been adding up around me this week.  In the words of one of my favorite hymns of all time, "how can I keep from singing?"  I know that I am a child of the creator of worlds without number.  I know that we all are.  I feel that our separation from Him in this mortal life, is our opportunity to come to appreciate that reality more fully.  He is constantly showing us evidence of His existence, of His love, and of our relationship to Him.  We are pure potential.  Simply to realize that allows us to tap into it. 

In others' words...
"To see things in the seed.  That is genius."  -Lao Tzu

Today is Better Than Yesterday - This Too Shall Pass

A great story was related on September 30, 1859 at an address given to theWisconsin State Agricultural Society in Milwaukee.  One may wonder what importance such an address could be.  The question is undoubtedly answered by the fact that the address was given by Abraham Lincoln. 
The story was not originated by Mr. Lincoln; it is the product of numerous Near Eastern folklore traditions.  Mr. Lincoln shared it in this way.

"It is said an Eastern Monarch once charged his wise men to invent a sentance, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations.  They presented him with the words, "And this, too, shall pass away."  How much it expresses!  How chastening in the hour of pride!  How consoling in the depth of affliction!" 

This was brought to my mind just this morning because honestly, it was really hard to get bed this morning.  That just happens sometimes.  But it is wonderful to remember that it's temporary. 

In others' words:

"Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks...When you are physically sick, tired, or in despair, steer your thoughts away from yourself and direct them in gratitude and love, toward God.  In your life there have to be challenges.  They will either bring you closer to God and therefore make you stronger, or they can destroy you.  But you make the decision of which road to take.  Put all frustrations, hurt feelings, and grumblings into the perspective of your eternal hope.  Light will flow into your soul.  Be grateful for every opportunity to serve.  As you are learning this lesson right now, God wants to give you something better."    -F. Enzio Busche

It is important to remember that the things that are most important are things that last forever and are not evenescent.  However, I believe that in this life, which itself is temporary and will pass, the things that are momentary combine together to shape us in ways that are everlasting.  If we respond correctly to the positive and negative situations in our lives. 

"This is our one and only chance at mortal life...opportunities come and then leave....The most important lessons are those that teach us what is important and what is not."
-Thomas S. Monson



I'm going to include this movie not because of the New Year.  That's a little bit of old news.  Mostly because it's what I've been trying to say in others' words.  I ask that you watch it and apply the quotes I provided above.  Remember Lot's Wife.  Today is better than yesterday, and tomorrow will be better yet.

A Man of Honor

I've been reflecting, lately, on the concept of Honor.  There are generally two senses in which we use the word.  One being the quality of honesty or integrity, the second being related to esteem or high respect.  I've been thinking about the relationship between these two.  I think the truest way to receive the second is to devolop the first. 

We honor God, in part, because of His supreme integrity.  He receives honor because He has perfect honor.  I can place total confidence in God because I know that what He says, He will do.  He'll follow through.  God is a man of honor

I've been discovering that the key to real power is honor--in the sense of integrity.  The Buddha once said, "If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him."  I think there is a lot of truth to that. 

Consider these words from Karl G. Maeser, founder and first president of Brigham Young University. 

"My friends, I have been asked what is meant by 'word of honor.' I will tell you.  Place me behind prison walls--high, thick walls of stone.  It is possible that somehow I could escape.  But stand me on the floor, draw a chalk line around me and have me give my word of honor not to cross it and I would never cross the line.  I'd die first!" 
Karl G. Maeser was a man of honor. 

I believe this to be something that God requires of us.  Abraham Lincoln, always famous for his honesty and integrity affirmed, "I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true.  I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have."  He felt accountable to God for his actions and for what he did with what he was given.  He was a man of honor. 

This, to me, is one of the most valuable qualities of human being can possess.  It is something I would like to develop.  There are not many people who attain such a character.  My father is one.  I would trust his word on pain of death.  I know that he is a man of honor. 

In others' words:

"To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved." 

-David O. McKay