Maybe Is the Melting

When I'm completely hardened, so badly  that I don't want to feel better, what starts the thaw is a question of "maybe". Maybe I don't have to stay this way. When I entertain the maybe, that's the first step on the route back.

Purpose of the Gospel

The goal of all this is emotional control. To be able to feel peace at all times. To never be emotionally hijacked by fear or anger or sadness against my will. 

Being kind to others allows me to time travel to the future where I feel their happiness vicariously, and revel in the power of being able to make them feel that way. 

It's a positive way to feel in control of my life

It's a Lifestyle

"Results tend to accumulate to the person who enjoys the lifestyle that precedes the result."

-James Clear

The Real Reason

I am the divine son of heavenly parents, why am I so lousy at being like Him?

Because I haven't chosen anything better.

It takes time and practice to finish the process.

Why is an acorn so lousy at being an oak tree?

Let It Return; Let It Go

Mat 10:13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 

Mat 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Sacrifice

The sacrifice He asks of me is to give up my pain, sorrow, and suffering. He will  carry those for me if I ask.

Great Expectations

 "I expect something wonderful to happen today."

-Ingrid Fetell Lee

A good thing to say to myself every morning 

For Those Who Already Believe

"The moment I stopped trying to please everyone and wrote for the people who already believed in me, I found my voice again"

-Ben Swire (Safe Danger)

The Payment (Brad Wilcox)

 

Christ’s arrangement with us is similar to a mom providing music lessons for her child. Mom pays the piano teacher. How many know what I am talking about? Because Mom pays the debt in full, she can turn to her child and ask for something. What is it? Practice!

Does the child’s practice pay the piano teacher? No. Does the child’s practice repay Mom for paying the piano teacher? No. Practicing is how the child shows appreciation for Mom’s incredible gift. 

It is how he takes advantage of the amazing opportunity Mom is giving him to live his life at a higher level.

Mom’s joy is found not in getting repaid but in seeing her gift used—seeing her child improve. And so she continues to call for practice, practice, practice.

Obedience

Obedience doesn't satisfy the demands of justice. It just shows appreciation for what He did. It acknowledges that this is the system that is, and I'm not foolish enough to pointlessly rail against it.

Where Grace Comes In

How comfortable do I plan to be in God’s presence? That's how I should determine my actions & obedience 

Freed by Grace

Grace is choosing to look at what I've done, and saying "this was enough to get me where I am. Now I can move forward from here." 

Instead of "I cannot move forward because I haven't done enough."

Looking Forward

After I read this, what will I be able to do better?

Using Scriptures to Make My Life Better

What are the people in the scriptures going through? 

What counsel would I give to them? 

What am I going through? 

What counsel would they give to me?

Only Peace or Joy

 I, like the Lamanites, can be changed to become like Christ. I can choose to reframe or redefine events as either neutral or good, and feel either peace or joy in every circumstance. I was not meant to feel anger fear or sadness except in very rare and particular circumstances to save my life. I am capable of feeling either peace or joy in all others.

See Helaman 1 intro 

The Path

He is there to be my example. Emotional control. To be in a body with a lizard brain, but never to be hijacked by it because I've learned to rewire automatic responses of anger fear and sadness to trigger peace and joy instead. It's a long road, but it can be done. At the end is exaltation. Only feeling what I want to feel because I control what circumstances mean, and my reaction will be what I have chosen.

See D&C 76:21

Start

"Whenever you are stuck searching for the optimal plan, remember:

Getting started changes everything."

-James Clear

How to Win

"Mental toughness is not skipping the days that are easy to skip."

Show up when no one is watching

Keep your eye on the ball

Do a little bit every day

- James Clear

The Best Time

Be happy when it is inconvenient.

- Sr. Schmutzler 

Turn. Listen. Heal. Make Time

 Jesus never sees interruptions as distractions. He sees people. Even when you're on the outskirts of the path, He turns. He listens. He heals. He makes time for people who might be out of the path of His duty. And that is charity.

-Sr. Schmutzler