The Motions

When I don't feel like it, I can go through the motions. Going through the motions gives me my best chance of getting through the dead spot and back into the groove.

How to Count Blessings

Take note of the times when something I have no control over breaks my way.

Not Alone

 I should not try to figure it out all by myself.

Always Questions

 Have a question in mind while reading scriptures 

Progress

 Make small changes regularly.

I Want to See How It Turns Out

If you appeal to curiosity, it pulls you forward. The irresistible desire to know more propels you.

-Ingrid Fetell Lee

Make the Most

"You’ll have no problem finding people with a head start.

That’s not the point.

The point is: when you get your opportunity, you make the most of it."

-James Clear

Struggling with Mistakes

 I am not the mistake.

I can still have joy.

"But first you have to..."

No. I can still have joy.

The mistake... all I have to do is put it down and walk away. 

He'll take care of it.

I'm free to find joy.

Progress on Autopilot

 When I don't want to change, how do I flip the switch to start making progress again?

I can deliberately anchor a reframe or pattern interrupt. I can make it automatic so there's no choice or willpower involved. Just force of habit.

In My Favor

 Every good thing I say or do counts, and I'm more like Him than I think.

Or than the adversary wants me to believe.

Doing Better Than I Think

This training is mostly about how we can do service better. But I had the peculiar thought that what we really need is to be better at giving ourselves credit for the service we already do.

For example, if the Bishop asked "did anyone do any acts of service recently?" I would keep my mouth shut, because I didn't organize dozens of people to labor for several hours. I DID fill up my wife's water bottle, but I don't count that because it was quick and only helped one person, and she's my wife. Everyone knows that serving my own family doesn't count.

But even though little acts of service take less time and affect fewer people may not count for as much, it does NOT count as zero. 

What I'm suggesting is that by giving yourself credit for small acts service, you stop seeing service as something that's either "a huge thing that you do over there" or "nothing". You can start seeing  every kind word you say and every  thoughtful thing you do as being a part of a life of service. You can start thinking of yourself as one who lives a life of service, just like Jesus. 

And as you begin to think of yourself as being more like Jesus, you actually become more like Jesus. 

I invite you to count every good thing you say and do as being part of a larger life of Christ-like service, and see... if that perspective makes a difference. 

And I leave that with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen

Tranquility

The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good

-James Allen

Young Again

"If you're 37... Instead of regretting that you can't wake up age 18 again, pretend to yourself that you're 90 and you've woken up age 37 again, and that you get to magically, wonderfully have the next 50 years again."

Avoid Negative Self Talk

Focus on the things you are for, not the things you are against.

Many people spend large chunks of their day thinking about what they hate.

-James Clear

Fear of Asking

I am sometimes afraid to ask what He wants of me. I'm afraid He's going to tell me to row a boat across the ocean. But all He ever asks me to do is be kind to the people I meet while walking the path I'm on anyway.

Making Lives Better

What can I do to make a difference in someone else's life today?

God's Power

God's power is able to reverse entropy in a closed system. Delegated to man, it can reverse entropy in an open system

Hope

Hope is an uncertain expectation that things will improve in the future.

Experience

Faith has roots in personal experience. I should have an experience, even if it's in my own mind, that confirms my empowering belief.

Kindness and Peace

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. Isaiah 54:10