Be True...

Be True...to you!

This week we celebrated my sons birthday by going on an adventure with him, our daughter and some of their friends. I couldn't help but relate my hiking experience to what I have been learning the past few weeks in class.  The hike was a continual upward quest along a river path that ultimately lead to a pure spring of water coming out of a mountain consisting of sheer cliffs  hundreds of feet high. Shortly after we began hiking we were coaxed by our children to wade up stream through the water rather than to follow the trail on the side. Both lead to the same place. 

Hiking in late April early May is considered late spring where we are and we enjoyed the cool water as we waded up the stream. It was beautiful! I began to reminisce my childhood when I would wade in local streams and explore. Many of those places are no longer open to the public or are just simply not there any more, so sharing this time with some of my kids really meant a lot. We began climbing over rocks, wading through the water at times and then hopping from rock to rock. Sometimes the rock was so big that we had to really explore ways to get around or over it. The main trail was always just a quick scramble up the side bank of the stream. Somewhere along the way Bret and I did scramble up realizing we were beginning to slow the young people down. Doing so only led us to a new adventure. Continuing up the sandy side of the trail for about 20 minutes we found ourselves walking a narrow trail through blackberry vines. We could still hear the laughter and sounds of discovery from our kids in the stream. Another few scrambles and we were there. What could have been a 45 minute hike had turned into a 2 hour journey of discovery. It was awe inspiring as we looked back toward where we had come. The sound of the stream, dripping water along the walls of the canyon and being in that place with those you love and who love you is a most amazing thing....

Now, how does this all relate to my class? It doesn't take that much of an imagination to compare the hike to a life journey, rocks to steppingstones and the rare spring of water to a  glistening star. But it is the sheer cliffs that made the journey safe. They guarded each side of the canyon as if to keep us on track no matter how long we scrambled. They gave integrity to our journey not letting us stray too far one way or another or get lost. I was grateful for them as I could let my kids safely explore the mild waterway. 

This week I have discovered that "Integrity" is essential to a successful life. If we could live as Job when he said, 

"Til I die I will not remove mine integrity from me..." Job 27 4-7

To me he was saying "Be True...Be the True You!"

What I Have Learned

I have learned that even businesses are graded and to get an A according to Elder Lynn G. Robins, "Making A Living and a Life" October 12, 2010, "Your primary motivation is your love of God and fellowman", income comes second. 

Jim Ritchie, Launching leaders, gives the "Formula for success,"  

1. Get up early
2. Work hard
3. Get your education
4. Find oil
5. Make your mark
6. Prepare to serve and give back.

(Combining J. Paul Getty's "Get up early, Work hard, Find oil", with David B Haight's, "Get your                education, Make your mark, Prepare to serve and give back.")

Cheri Dew explained that "Integrity is found in every true follower of Jesus Christ" from her BYU-I address "True Blue Through and Through "(Watch Cheri Dew's full March 16, 2004 BYU-I devotional address here). She tells the story of young Joseph F. Smith's impeccable integrity when in 1857, because of Johnston's army, there were bitter feelings toward the "Mormon"church (a nickname for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at that time). On one occasion hoodlums threatened the wagon train Joseph F. Smith was traveling with. Everyone ran to hide. Joseph F. Smith said to himself "Why should I fear them?" His response to a man brandishing a gun, to the question, "Are you a Mormon?"...Joseph answered "Yes siree; dyed in the wool; True blue, through and through!" The man responded "Well you're the _____ _____ pleasantest man I ever met! Shake hands young fellow, I'm glad to see a man that stands up for his convictions."

It is important that we learn from the experiences of others. We can strategically think of what we would do if we were in their story. What questions would we want to ask? Observe what worked for them. They can be mentors in a way that allows a broad view of what success is and how it is achieved.

What I Have Yet To Learn

I have yet to learn to be fearless, willing to take a chance and test my ideas.

I still worry and overthink things.

I still am working to improve additions to this blog , like graphics and video's etc.

I'm still working on my speed in getting things done.

I am still learning how to analyze case studies.

Spiritual Insights

The Savior said, "I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10

I am reminded that he has offered us the abundant life. Some may have money, some may have skills, some may have unique talents. We all have something- gifts given to us from God. And when we use what we have to help our fellow men and care for and about one another, be it an honest price on goods and services or as a mentor and guide, we are serving him.

Goals

• Get homework done early so that I can spend rare time with family that is coming to visit.
• Get 7-8 hours of sleep each night this week.
• Go one day this week without sugar!
• Do something kind for a neighbor or friend (Any ideas?)
• Tell every member of my family that I love them!

Watch Cheri Dew's full March 16, 2004 BYU-I devotional address here