Enduring & Improvement

I finally felt inspired enough to right a blog post about something beneficial to all of y’all for once. As I continue to work on my mission papers and start to study PMG (Preach My Gospel), I’ve noticed that I would feel more insignificant after studying rather than enlightened. I looked to where my doubt came from: we’re asked to improve on so many things, I felt like I couldn’t do it all! Sometimes we feel small when we’re thinking about the moment. If we step back and look at the bigger picture, you can notice that we have our whole lives and all of the next life to improve! We don’t have to be perfect by the time we’re 20, 30, or 80. To me, this is such a relief. However, just because we have all this time to improve does not mean we can slack off and leave everything to the last minute. Much like repentance, we need to be improving everyday (actually repentance helps with the whole improving part). So how is it done? Well I’m not perfect, but I can explain how I personally attack this challenging task.

First, I pick a small area that needs improvement. I like to see myself from outside my little sphere and decide what’s lacking (besides everything). You can’t be too hard on yourself. This is where Satan will sneak in and try to get you to just point out your flaws. So after you find your weaker spot you want to work on, go eat some ice cream and hug a puppy. ;)

After you got your area, go research it! I personally love True to the Faith, PMG, Bible Dictionary, Conference talks, etc. There are plenty of resources out there, so no giving up! The fast track to this step is to go to lds.org and search your topic. Poof everything you could ever want about that is suddenly there! It’s the little joys about living in this century that really can make all the difference.

Once I know what I should be doing instead of what I have been doing, I like to start changing little aspects. For example, if I’m working on Christlike kindness, I start correcting the unkind thoughts that can sneak into my head about someone. Once you start seeing everyone as God’s children, it really changes your outlook on life. When I reach a point where I feel happy with how I’ve changed, I move onto something else.

A little side note, perfection is not the end goal of this life. If it was, well we all failed already. We must endure to the end, which includes progressing. Without progressing, we would be stuck in a constant state. Like the sweet promise in 3 Nephi 15:9 says,

“Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.”

How amazing is that? I personally know that as we endure and progress, we will be blessed for our efforts, no matter how great or small.

Love,

Janae