Becoming...

A few weeks ago I was reading in Alma 32 and I found some interesting little gems. I've read this chapter a lot because the faith/seed analogy is used quite often. The verses are toward the end of the chapter and I think they are often looked over...

35 O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is ^alight; and whatsoever is light, is ^bgood, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?

36 Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good.

37 And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.

38 But if ye ^aneglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.

So, my thought is that if you're going to plant the seed, you can't just stand there. You need to work to make it grow. You need tools... You need action! And thus my plan was born.

I am a firm believer that by sharing your intentions, they are more likely to come to fruition. So, here it goes...

Finances:
Create a budget and live by it
Put extra money toward paying down debt
Avoid future debt by paying cash for any and all items
Start creating a savings and build it up, along with my IRA
Purchasing fast of one year on clothing, shoes, jewelry, movies, and other items (Started 7/20/09)
Avoid all other purchases unles they are an absolute need

Personal:
Idelness - Movies, computer, phone, sleeping hours
Thoughts - Unkind, the praise of man, and ought
More family time
Healthier eating - create a menu to avoid overshopping, junk, and sugars; and eat out max one time a week
Unhealthy relationships
Be obedient to the laws of the land - speeding
Drink more water and attend the gym 3x/week, or another physical activity
Maintain a clean house

Spiritual:
Read and study scriptures daily
Say prayers with meaning
Attend with earnest church meetings and classes
Seek for daily revelation and missionary experiences