Creating

I spent some time this week creating a webpage to help teachers in their classrooms be more effective. For the most part I was finding useful sites and linking to them. I fit those links into larger concepts and found a way to make the page visually apealing. It felt good. President Uchtdorf explains why...

"Creating and being compassionate are two objectives that contribute to our Heavenly Father’s perfect happiness. Creating and being compassionate are two activities that we as His spirit children can and should emulate....We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fulness of joy. (2 Nephi 2:25) Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness. One of the ways we find this is by creating things....The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create."

He went on to speak of the healing power of service. There are so many experiences in our days that bring us down. I am grateful for a job that allows me to create and serve, and heal.

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Thinking Clearly

It seems appropriate that a blog called "Brain Quotes" would deal with thinking clearly. Watching TV is usually the opposite of thinking but this morning my television was my teacher. I heard these words on BYUTV from Elder Faust. I wanted to hold on to them and to improve my actions. So I found them on-line and pasted a part of them here.

"Thinking clearly is the ability to discern things that matter most and separate them from things of less importance. We can think more clearly when we:
1. Take an interest in current events: listen to the news or read a newspaper.
2. Discuss ideas with one another...
3. Read good literature. ...
4. Keep our bodies healthy.... A healthy body promotes a healthy mind.

"Questions--in the sense of searching, not doubting--seem to be essential for learning. They are a primary means of expressing curiosity, the self-motivation to search for knowledge. Indeed, many of the Prophet Joseph Smith's revelations came in response to inquiry, in response to prayer.... Such inquiries may be considered as a condition precedent to his receiving revelations. [HC 5:xxxiv]

"In today's jargon, thinking clearly is often characterized as "prioritizing." But clear thinking means more than that: it is choosing the better part, not the one that will bring the most money or fame. It also means making the best use of our time."

Finding the time, place, and people for the conversation described above is difficult...but it is my quest!

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Good Samaritans

In the March 2009 Reader's Digest there is an article by Carl M. Cannon. He said, "From our earliest day, we've been known as a nation of helpers." (p. 76) He then gave examples of the kindness of strangers. He pointed out that often the only way to pay for help received was to do what you could when you saw others in need. He ended the article with "It's what Americans do."

I was the recipient of that kindness last night. I went to Auto Zone to find out why there was no low beam in my car's headlights. The man helping me was very knowledgeable but he didn't stop at pointing out the right replacement bulbs. He put on his coat and for the next fifteen minutes, in the cold, he figured out how to work the spring clips in my Hyundai, removed the old bulbs, and replaced them with new ones. When I went to pay for the bulbs, I found there was no fee for his service. Chivalry is not dead.

President Monson observed this about the Good Samaritan story, "Jesus provided our watchword: 'Go, and do thou likewise.' (Luke 10:29-37) When we obey that declaration, there opens to our view a vista of joy seldom equaled and never surpassed."

You might say, "It's what Christians do." (See also Alma 41:14)

I know so little about keeping my car running. I am so grateful for the help I've received. It is now my turn to watch for chances to payback the kindness.

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Speak with a Strong Voice

It is easy to sit around moaning and groaning about all that is sick and wrong in our world. Our past prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, taught that we should do something about it.

"…in this world so filled with problems, so constantly threatened by dark and evil challenges, you can and must rise above mediocrity, above indifference. You can become involved and speak with a strong voice for that which is right.

"…It is imperative that good people, men and women of principle, be involved in the political process; otherwise we abdicate power to those whose designs are almost entirely selfish.

"…Your strong voice is needed. The weight of your stance may be enough to tip the scales in the direction of truth.

"…The adversary of all truth would put into your heart a reluctance to make an effort. Cast that fear aside and be valiant in the cause of truth and righteousness and faith."

I haven't yet figured out what I'm going to do. When I was fifteen I went with a group of LDS youth to clean up after a flood in eastern Idaho. I later told my mother that the lady we were helping said she didn't know where to start. Mother, with all of her practice at being practical, said "You put your hand out and start there." I'm pretty sure I can hear her saying the same now.

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Christlike Love

"True love...is eternally patient and forgiving. It believes, hopes, and endures all things...

"We all yearn to experience love like this. Even when we make mistakes, we hope others will love us in spite of our shortcomings—even if we don’t deserve it.

"Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us—even with all our flaws!

"...There is no pain it cannot soften, no bitterness it cannot remove, no hatred it cannot alter.

"…Without charity—or the pure love of Christ—whatever else we accomplish matters little. With it, all else becomes vibrant and alive.

"…If we wish to learn truly how to love, all we need to do is reflect on the life of our Savior."

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Ensign, Nov 2007, 28–31