Jobs, Thoughts, and Priorities – Week 34 of 52

Tags

Goals, Norman Vincent Peale, Paradigm Shift, postaweek2011, Priorities, Steven R. Covey, Time Management, Truth

Do you ever feel like work taxes you to the brink?

Do you ever feel like you simply over think?

Do you feel that somehow life could be more of a breeze,

If just you had different priorities?

 

This is where paradigms come in to play…  A paradigm is your overall perspective- how you view life in its entirety.  This large perspective is made up of smaller perspectives and beliefs.  Sometimes a core belief or perspective will change, and when that core shifts you have a Paradigm Shift.

Steven R. Covey, the master of effective time management, speaks of paradigm shifts as a good thing- as a growth-spurt of perspective.  This may be true in many cases, but I’d like to say that you can also fall for false information when your paradigm shifts.  For this reason we must be trying to stay close to Truth, to more securely ensure that as we shift our core beliefs and perspectives that they are shifting to the core of truth, and not drifting away from it.

Just a thought, but shouldn’t we try to spend our time becoming stronger in the way of truth?  My goals have shifted somewhat since the beginning of the year, because I need to make time for not only the pressing things but the unpressing and important things.  Work is important, but only to a degree.  Thinking is important, but not to a point of excessiveness.  Time with family, time to relax, time to study truth- these things are of most importance to me.  Knowing this has helped me set, and reset, my goals.  What are your priorities?  Your goals?

Amy Hemsley

 

P.S. My internet connection gave me trouble today, thus the late-night post.  I guess in the overall perspective it won’t matter if I post this in the morning or evening.  So here it is- late or no…

Ode of the Old, Week 33 of 52

Tags

Enthusiasm, Family, First Things First, Philmont, postaweek2011, Waite Phillips

Surely, there is no better way to spend this earth life than as a husband or wife, father or mother, sister or brother, aunt or uncle.  Who on their death bed would say, “I wish I would have spent more time at work”?  Yet before we are on that bed, it can sure be dauntingly encompassing.  Perhaps we could learn the principle of family while we are young, and let that love be our ode in old age.

Waite Phillips has said, ”Nothing worthshile was ever accomplished without the will to start, the enthusiasm to continue and, regardless of temporary obstacles, the persistance to complete”- and nothing is so worthwhile  as your family.  Be a sister or brother, aunt or uncle, wife or husband, mother or father.  This will, as the grand story of the VanTrapp family illustrates, take “all the love you can give”.  Tell me, what is more worth giving it to?

Family: First and forever!

ADVH

Wisdom Weakens in Disarray, Week 32 of 52

Tags

Christianity, Poetry, postaweek2011, Prayer, Wisdom

Some do well

When pressures hit

And they flourish

When options split.

Some will say

“It’s all about chance”

Those people say

“Learn how to dance-

Take a risk

And take a stroll,

Somehow you’ll get

Where you need to go.”

Perhaps there’s wisdom

In what others say

But I must decide

For myself today.

Wisdom has weakened,

All is in disarray,

But one day I’ll have order

And sense of today.

I may not understand,

And neither may others,

But however well intended,

They are only brothers.

For what is ahead

I need a Father’s advice-

Only His wisdom

Shall surely suffice.

Father above,

Grant wisdom I pray,

For the decisions

That must be made today.

 

Some things are obvious, and some things are obscure.  Some things are black and white, and others of undefinable color.  Whatever you are dealing with (for we all have something) remember that only the Lord can see clearly in all things.

ADVH

Required Rest, Week 31 of 52

Tags

postaweek2011, Rest, Sabbath Day

I’ve been learning lately that work can be a good thing, or it can be an obsession.  I’ve heard it said that while work is to be appreciated, there is something to be said for the rest that’s required to continue working.  In setting and reaching goals, I for one can get carried away- not that the goals are extreme or anything, just that I can forget to rest.  I believe in being involved in many good causes, but I am also learning that those good causes would be helped more by one who is refreshed and well rested.

Work at work, work at home, work at church- these things are good.  When you start to do poorly at each of them (or even one), it is apparent that the time has come to rest.  There is a time to rest from your labors, and that day is the Sabbath.  To some the Sabbath is Saturday, to some it is on Sunday, and some don’t believe there is a Sabbath- or don’t believe it is a day of rest…

I’ve reached last year’s goals with more vigor than this year’s, but this year I have learned the value of rest.  While goals are important, you shouldn’t overburden yourself with them.  Set goals, but remember to stop for rest while reaching them.

ADVH

Peaceful and Pretty, Week 30 of 52

Tags

Latter-Day Saint Temple, Mormon Temple, Peace, postaweek2011, Temples

Have you ever been on the grounds of a Latter-Day Saint temple?  I have.  Oh how beautiful!  Walk the grounds and consider its peaceful influence.  When your world is array, take time to visit these grounds.  More than beauty, they provide peace.

Who cannot use some more peace in their life?

Happy Saturday all!

ADVH

P.S. I’m trying to remember that there are some things more important than goals, and the peaceful experience I had today has helped in this effort.

Better Never than Late? – Week 29 of 52

Tags

Abraham Lincoln, Determination, Failure, postaweek2011, Success

When this year began, I had not thought I would fail at my goal to blog each week.  If I had thought I would, I may not have tried.  The question then becomes, is “Better late than never” an accurate statement?  Or is it simply better not to try if you know you will fail?

I am of the school-of-thought that you should try, even if it means failing- so, better late than never!  After all, who has ever heard a success story that didn’t have a prologue of failure?

Failure or not- keep trying!

ADVH

Charity Never Fails, but People Do- Week 28 of 52

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Charity, Charity Never Faileth, postaweek2011, Relief Society\

Do you ever wonder why you did something?

I spoke an unkind word last night.  It wasn’t out of anger, but out of defense.  Still, in the guileless words of Meg Ryan’s character from You’ve Got Mail, “No matter what you’ve done to me, you don’t deserve that.”

It is common belief that you say things you don’t really mean when you’re angry, but when speaking from the angle of defense I think you really mean what you say.  Although I meant it, I surely should not have said it.  Being quick to judge will not do any good, but only alienate a possible friend or ally.

Oh how true the the motto, “Charity Never Faileth”!  This is the motto of the Relief Society (the women’s organization for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), and is an honorable goal for every person.  I, for one, am glad that even when I fail, charity is there to say, “Come”- try over and over again, to be as I am (Moroni 10:32).

ADVH

Capacity and Capability, Week 27 of 52

Tags

postaweek2011, Proverbs, Proverbs 3:5, Wisdom

We humans only use a limited amount of our mind’s capacity, and yet we have even more limits on our capability.  What we can comprehend is minimal- what we can do based on what we know is also limited by our natural, carnal selves.  With this lack of capability and a fallen nature, it is so important to rely on wiser, greater resources in this life.

Proverbs 3:5 tells us, “…lean not unto thine^cown ^dunderstanding” (http://lds.org/scriptures/ot/prov/3.5?lang=eng)- there is a reason for this.  With our limited understanding, we must look to greater sources- authorized and inspired sources.  It is God who created us, and He who understands us; even we do not understand ourselves.

When 30% use of our brains is not enough to understand, trust Him.  When our capabilities fall short and we are weak, rely on Him.  When our sight simply fails, let Him guide you.

Another week of trying: Failure and success, here I come!

ADVH

P.S. July’s goal is to keep track of money in a responsible manner- let the goals begin, again!  http://trying4perfection.wordpress.com/pizza-and-perfection-for-20-11/

Smudges, Smog and Emotions – Week 26 of 52

Tags

Friends, Parable, Perspective, postaweek2011, Truth

If the truth changed as often as the world’s perspective did, truth couldn’t exist- it would simply be opinion.  Such opinion would be based on popular perspective, political persuasion or happenstance- and could never be consistant over time.

Driving along the freeway one could see the parallel of the car being you and the roads being the world.  You are moving along and cars are traveling too; dangers and construction arising, and you just keep going.  Your car may not have a clear perspective, the windows could be dirty, smog may be cluttering your view and emotions of drivers could be increasing your chances of an accident.  Still, you need to keep moving to get  to your desination, come what may. 

Despite the smudges, smog and emotions around, lets say you keep pushing through, and you have tools such as headlights, windshield wipers, and rearview mirrors to help you out along the way.  This helps you get along inch by inch, mile by mile and turn by turn.  In life we have tools such as these to help us progress as well: Parents who, like two windshield wipers or headlights, help clear our perspective and shed light on our limited vision; and trusted friends who let you review the past without falling back into it.

The simple truth of the matter is that truth doesn’t change.  We may not view it with clear understanding, which leads to sins, shortcomings and stupidity, but truth is always there hoping we’ll see what it really is- freedom.

ADVH

The Plot Thickens, Week 25 of 52

Tags

dictionary.com, Family, Goals, postaweek2011, Soul Surfer, Tale of Two Cities

As the plot thickens in a book, your mind becomes more and more pulled in.  Similarly, life’s demands can have that same affect.  As trials come, it becomes important to keep perspective.  This was beautifully portrayed in the film, Soul Surfer.  This film, along with a few challenges in my life, have lead me to an appreciation not only for the challenges I face, but for the blessings which spring from them.

The plot of my life has thickened, and keeping goals has been a good way for me to keep from falling victim to my circumstances.  Goals, and more especially my family and friends, have been my earthly influences which keep me from simply succumbing to pressures that enshroud me.  While I am most truly grateful for these influences, I am grateful for the difficult circumstances as well.  The salt is what gives flavor to the more desirable ingredients in life, though alone it is not so enjoyable; salt is to cooking what conflict is to plot- and that is life.

ADVH

P.S. While goals have been helpful to me, I must admit that my success in meeting the goals I have set this year has been minimal in comparison to that of last year.  But goals are good, as they keep your head above water.  As the Chinese proverb says, “Live up to the high water mark of your potential.”