Celebrating Life!

Celebrating Life!

What I have learned... (One final lecture)

• If you had one final lecture to share with a group of students on what you have learned from this course, what would you share?

Lead your life!    

Early in this semester I was introduced to Randy Pausch. His story was touching and inspiring as he had the chance to have clarity to what is most important at the end of life. He said in his last lecture at Carnegie Mellon University, " It's not about how to achieve your dreams, it's about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The Dreams will come to you."

It struck me that he used the word "lead" instead of "live." I learned from Pausch that it is up to me to take initiative, to LEAD my life. The entrepreneurial journey is one of filling dreams and pursuing ideas. You must have confidence in yourself.  Take the initiative...take the lead!

Begin with the end in mind

In this journey, it is important to "Begin with the end in mind." (Steven R Covey) Find your stars and don't loose sight of them because, in the words of Jeff Sandefer, "Life is hard and seldom fair." Remember to "Choose your fellow travelers well." (Jeff Sandefer) They will help you keep on course. He suggests that at the end of life what is most important will be the answers to these three questions:

• Did I accomplish something meaningful?
• Was I a good person?
• Who did I love and who loved me?

I have asked a number of older people about what matters most to them at this stage in their life. Jeff Sandefer nailed it.  I found that through meaningful  service and accomplishments, living a life of integrity and building trusting  relationships with God, family and others is where they have found the greatest joy and happiness. Remember, God is the greatest of mentors and is ready and willing to walk the path with you.

Be a Disciple Leader "L"

Elder Bednar, in "A disciple Preparation Center" says, "A disciple is one who follows or attends upon another for the express purpose of learning." When you begin to serve others with what you learn, you become a Desciple Leader "L".  I find that this adds great depth and meaning to life. President Kim B. Clark in"Leadership with a small L" explains that Disciple leaders:

• Lead by example 
• Lead with a vision 
• Lead with love.

Be true

I believe that whatever we do in life we must be true.

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

Each part of the formula causes you to grow in integrity, to think deep and learn who you are and who you want to become. People will respect those who know who they are and stand firm to their principles. (There is a great story about Joseph F. Smith that teaches this in"True Blue Through and Through "(Watch Cheri Dew's full March 16, 2004 BYU-I devotional address here)

Be a builder!

Elder Robert Gay's "Entrepreneurship and Consecration", shared a quote from President Thomas S. Monson who said, "God left the world unfinished for a man to work his skill. He left the electricity in the cloud, the oil in the earth. He left the rivers unbridged and the forests unfelled and the cities unbuilt. God gives to man the challenge of raw materials, not the ease of finished things. He leaves the pictures unpainted and the music unsung and the problems unsolved, that man might know the joys and the glories of creation. True pioneers solve problems and rise to bless others by opening new frontiers and finishing the undone work God left for us to do." This quote is like a song to my heart! Throughout this entire course I was introduced to some of the most amazing stories and quotes that taught value and meaning to life. I have listed many of my favorites in my private journal. But this quote gave me a sense of purpose and understanding of how vastly creative our journey can be and how meaningful it can be as well.

 Elder Gay in, "Entrepreneurship and Consecration" learned from a very financially successful friend that, in all his success he had realized, "It is not what you have, but who you are. And who you are is not what you say, but what you do." In the end, this is what matters. Nothing you possess will go with you in your last moments of life, but what you have done to serve and build people will last forever. 

Serve and give back

Yet another great treasure Elder Gay shares with us is the "Shetobreyion principle," something he valued that he had learned from his father... "In the days of service, all things were founded, in the days of special privilege, they deteriorated, and in the days of vanity they are destroyed."For me this explains what I will call the "pride cycle." We have witnessed it throughout time. Humility and service promotes a foundation of growth and peace. In times where people demand special privilege it begins to deteriorate. Days of vanity brings destruction. We can choose right now what we are willing to live and die for. What mission we are willing to serve and who we receive that call from. 

 Action Hero Tom Monaghan lives by this principle. He says "toys" (I would say "things") are, "a millionaires pile of poverty" and a reflection of pride. He chose God over his possessions instead uses his money to "Build the Kingdom". Tom said, "Right now my life is so right for the way God made me. I believe I'm doing exactly what God wants me to do and I feel so privileged that he gave me the wisdom to see it." 

I will leave you with my closing thought... Happiness and joy is found in the journey. May we all be so wise to see that God has given us the good and the bad, the happy and the sad, both toil and strife that we might... "Celebrate Life!"

• What would be your last bit of advice to someone wanting to begin the entrepreneur journey?

Dream Big! You have gifts and talents that are of great value. Remember who you are and that you carry with you attributes given to you by your creator. Set your stars where you can see them and use your guardrails to keep you on a safe journey. Be brave and willing to follow well thought out ideas. Don't be afraid to fail now and then, you will learn how to learn from mistakes. Choose carefully the companions you travel with throughout your life and be willing to mentor others along the way. Find Joy in what you are doing! Remember it is not what you are doing as much as it is who you are doing it for. Continually seek to find balance with work and family, remembering that your career will one day come to an end, but family can last forever! In the last days of your life, those you loved and those who loved you will be what is most important to you. Remember a true Master learns from his students (his children:)) and that true humility comes as we use our success to bless the lives of others. Disciple Leadership (L) is needed to build the Kingdom of God upon the earth. The more we live in this manner the more we lift and love one another to greater hight's both temporally and spiritually.

• What words of advice, direction, or caution would you give him or her if you had only one chance to give your own last lecture?

Never stop learning and sharing what you learn with others. Life is too short to start too late. Don't live with regret looking back accept to learn from your mistakes and press forward with faith in the Lord, trusting that he can guide you. Let Him help you fight your battles...I have felt him fight the battles I could not.  Remember that your children grow up before you know it, that your marriage and your spouse need your nurturing care and takes effort to keep them safe. When you choose to venture, picture what kind of an impact it will have on others, what good will it bring? Be creative, be strong, be willing to lead. Value life and the opportunities it gives you. Be humble,  as President Thomas S. Monson has said,"Are we not all beggars?" Be a finisher! Hold true to the end giving it your best effort and be willing to change direction if the path is going in the wrong direction.  Most of all, LOVE. Love God, love yourself, and love others. Let charity in its pureness be your motivation for all that you do.

What I Have Yet To Learn...

                       

I remember celebrating the day I got my text books in the mail for this business course. I have read every word of each one and have been inspired by other course study material to buy complementary books to add to my reading. Today I am celebrating my last day of class and have to admit I am a little bit emotional about it. Not quite sure why... maybe I am just grateful. Grateful for the challenge it has been. Maybe for the deep reflection I have had to do as I learn more about me and ask the hard questions like; "What is my mission, my stars, my plan to get there...etc" 

Reflection...

    I celebrate my instructor, Bro. Jones, who answered my questions, especially at the first of the semester, that gave me courage to try. And the great people on my discussion board that were an inspiration to me and were always so kind. To them I wish the very best life has to offer. I have felt of their testimonies and know they are taking this journey with the Lord at their side. So should we all! I know that if it was not for his tender mercies I would not be celebrating in the same attitude I feel today.

    One of the greatest concepts I learned this semester is the importance of who you choose to travel with on life's journey. Business partners and associates that understand you and are like minded will give you much in building the traction you need to get an entrepreneurial venture rolling. But most of all spouses and family! I celebrate my family and especially my husband Bret. My partner for life and beyond. His support and love is priceless. I couldn't do it without him!

    In reflection, I have strengthened my faith, pondered my mission, examined my direction, secured my guardrail's and began to be more intentional about my life plan. I have began to "Dream Big" as I have seen success through the eyes of those lives I studied and have been inspired not only by their entrepreneurial ventures, but by the kind of people they are. I am striving to be less fearful and more confident in my abilities. I can persevere and be true to the values I hold dear. I have learned that failure is a part of life and brings with it the opportunity to learn and the determination to pick yourself up and do better. I've learned that when we associate with people we are building a network of important relationships that can be a blessing to you both. 

Spiritual insights...

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Goals...

• Keep learning
• Keep trusting in the Lord
• Don't lose sight of my stars
• Love and lead with love.