Change

Change ... It's difficult ... But not impossible ... It hurts sometimes ... It causes stretching and stepping outsize your comfort zone ... It incites fear ... It is not a constant, but an unknown ...

Change ...

There are times in our lives when we all must change. It is what helps us to grow. It is what helps us to become the people we are to be.

Change ...

In the Bible we learn about a certain ruler. His story is recounted three times in the New Testament, so my guess is that it is pretty important. Mark tells us that this man came running to Jesus and knelt before him asking, "Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" Jesus tells him he needs to keep the commandments, to which the ruler replies that he has since his youth.

What was it this man was looking for? Was he looking for a simple good deed to perform and make his way into God's presence? Was he looking to purchase his way into heave?

Christ seeing this, then gave this ruler a commandment that required change. I like Matthew's account: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."

I like Matthew because the footnote for 'perfect' gives us the word 'commitment.' Inheriting eternal life requires commitment, and commitment requires change most often. Change that the ruler wasn't ready to do. So, he left sad because he had many riches.

Change ...

"If you do what you've always done, you will get what you've always gotten."

A few weeks ago, I decided I was tired of what was on TV. Mind you I haven't had any kind of TV in my house in 2.5 years, so I pick things up online. But I decided I was tired of the garbage. I haven't watched anything in more than two weeks and I don't miss it at all. My days are better, I can keep my thoughts Centered, and I feel better.

I thought I would be harder to give up, but honestly right now I don't have time for it. My master's is almost complete and I have so much reading to be doing. I gain more knowledge from my reading that I do from television anyway.

Change ...

Deleting worldly garbage has helped me to have a stronger yearning for Spiritual things. Almost all of my mornings start by listening to a talk. I am most grateful for technology and the opportunity we have to have the words of inspired leaders at our fingertips.

A while ago our stake president encouraged us to have our own personal morning devotional. I didn't think much of it until I started to make time for it. Yes, it requires getting out of bed sooner, but it makes my days so much better. I can honestly feel the difference when I don't start my day off right.

Change ...

I had a song I really enjoyed listening to and the other day it suddenly became not one of my favs. The premise is that it better to hurt than to feel lonely. Is it really? Am I really willing to sacrifice everything I have worked so hard for so I can feel wanted by someone who is not a staple in my life?

I have become happy where I am. But I am not going to lie and say that sometimes it's not hard not having a significant other in my life. I have been hurt enough times that I think I would rather fill my loneliness with the Love of my Heavenly Father who will always be there for me.

Change ...

I routinely "test" people, mostly those of the opposite sex ... My track record with those of the male gender is not the greatest. I find many with commitment issues and have struggled with some things in my family.

A friend of my recently told me I need to stop ... I am not sure if I fully agree ... The jury is still out on that one ...

Change ...

A while ago I heard some of the best advise about a first date: Everything is fair game. Genius! Why wouldn't it be?

Too often we hide much of who we really are on a first date and I think it's unfair. That first date is an opportunity for people to learn about each other and see if there is potential to move on. Be who you really are.

I have taken this advise and it has saved both sides grief. Maybe it has taken away opportunities, but I am not so sure about that. Of course I don't run them through the gamut of my life, but they get a pretty good idea about who I really am.

Change ...

“A man filled with the love of God is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.” Joseph Smith

We are beings in motion. Change must constantly be happening in our lives. If we aren't willing to change and bless the lives of those around us, we become like the young rich man. Our "riches" may not be literal, but something else we need to give up.

All we are asked is to "Come, follow Me ... Be perfect (committed) as my Father in Heaven and I are."

Change ...