Good, Better, Best

Lesser Thing #1: Online Leisure

2012-01-16T07:58:00.000-08:00

"Rise up, O men of God! Have done with lesser things." This hymn was recently sung during the Priesthood session of General Conference. It stirred my heart, and I wrote down the following question for myself: What are the "lesser things" I should put away that I might effectively "rise up" as a man of God? Today, the Spirit helped me identify one of those lesser things.

I realized today that I spend excessive amounts of time in online activities. Most of the time I waste online is spent playing Settlers of Catan, browsing Facebook, reconciling my bank account, searching for recipes, and watching YouTube videos. While none of these are spiritually damaging activities, they take time away from things that matter most.

Joseph Smith, Lehi, Nephi, and many other prophets received visions and revelation during their personal time because they didn't spend it idly. They instead used spare time to draw nearer to God. As I studied my scriptures this morning, the Spirit reminded me of rich spiritual moments that I have experienced while seeking to know the mysteries of God. I'm excited to recommit myself to a more diligent feasting on the word of God because I'm confident there are more of those "mountain-top" spiritual experiences to be had.

I will no longer play online games. If I have time to spend alone, I shouldn't be wasting it. I will instead use spare time to "seek out of the best books words of wisdom".

I will no longer browse Facebook for leisure. I will only log onto Facebook only after my study, and I will do so to share what I learned.

I will also stop spending excessive amounts of time reconciling my bank account, searching for recipes, and watching YouTube videos. While these activities may continue, I will seek the Spirit's help in identifying "wasted" time and reminding me to use my time more wisely.

An Eye Single to His Glory

2009-04-12T20:07:00.000-07:00

The Savior taught that if one keeps his eye single to the glory of God, his whole body shall be filled with light (Doctrine & Covenants 86:67). Thousands of years before this revelation was given, the principle was demonstrated in the life of Job. During a time of trial, Job reflected on the blessed life he once lived (Job 29:1-11). He recalled how wonderful it was to be successful and prosperous as he was led by God’s light. He also pointed out that these blessings came as a result of his dedicated service those who stood in need: the poor, the fatherless, the helpless, the perishing, the widows, the blind, and the lame (Job 29:12-16). Because his eye was single to God’s glory, as he demonstrated through serving his fellowmen, Job was extremely prosperous. The Lord later saw fit to try Job by removing this prosperity, but his reward in the eternities is beyond measure.

We must do all we can to keep ourselves from getting distracted. It's so critical that we pay careful attention to the needs of our brothers and sisters who surround us. Job provided such a great example for us - if only I could be more like him. I want to be a better neighbor. I want to be a better instrument in the hands of the Almighty by serving his children here on earth.

The Light of Christ

2009-03-30T15:33:00.000-07:00

"...ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ..."
Moroni 7:18

My conversation with a friend a few nights ago led me to ponder and study about the Light of Christ. My friend is an avid viewer of HBO's series Big Love but luckily enough she believes me when I say that Mormons are nothing like what she sees on the show. I told her that I heard about an episode where a temple ceremony would be shown and she let me know it had already aired. She said that she knew it was coming and as the show started, she got a terrible feeling inside and had to turn the television off until the show ended.

I thought about her comments for days, pleasantly surprised that she reacted to that episode as she did. She said she didn't know why she felt how she did, she just felt that what she was watching was wrong. Finally it dawned on me that what she was feeling was the "Jiminy Cricket" given to all of us as God's children: the Spirit of Christ.

"For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him." (Moroni 7:16)

Sheep go to heaven, goats go to hell

2009-03-29T20:13:00.000-07:00

Well aren't I just the bestest blogger ever?!

Unfortunately, HSBC Bank is closing HFC/Beneficial, my place of employment for the last five years. Fortunately, I've had more time to strengthen and renew my scripture study habits which have been less than par for quite some time.

I attended a wonderful stake conference last weekend and I based my scripture study since on the instruction and inspiration I received at the conference. I hope to post some of my study notes on here this week, establishing a habit of daily posting that will continue after General Conference so I can post notes as I review each talk individually.

I can guess what some of you including my wife might think, and I'm thinking the same: Great idea...I'll believe it when I see it. I always have good intentions, but as the old saying goes, "the pathway to hell is paved with good intentions." I don't want hell. That's bad.

Bargain Grocery Shopping

2008-06-28T15:42:00.000-07:00

With some help from my sister (using her advise on megansrecipesandmore.blogspot.com), and my crazy math skills acquired at Arlington High School, I've learned how to get MORE food for LESS money. It's a good idea to take advantage of the weekly sales at grocery stores. It's also a good idea to look for coupons on Coupons.com, manufacurer's sites (bettycrocker.com, pillsbury.com, kraftfoods.com, etc), or even on eBay!

... But it's BEST if you can find coupons to match those items that are included in the weekly sales at the grocery stores. For example, if you have two computers and a printer, you can complete the following steps to spend only $5.00 on $41.89 worth of groceries...SAVE $36.89!!!

1. Go to the following site and find a coupon for Cheerios Snack Mix: http://print.coupons.com/couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=13306&zid=iq37&nid=10. Select "<<< Clip", then click "Print Now" at the bottom of the page. If this is your first time to Coupons.com, you'll need to install their coupon printer software. Follow the prompts to do so and eventually a coupon will be sent to your printer. Click the "Back" button on your Internet browser (the page will probably not load). Click the "Refresh" button and another coupon will be sent to your printer.

2. Go to this site and download a Juicy Juice coupon (you might have to register with the website if it's your first time): http://www.juicyjuice.com/Coupon/Default.aspx?CouponId=58A75813-1F55-4D0C-9F85-686C57DC6BB7. Follow the prompts to download or print the coupon and the coupon will be sent to your printer. Click the "Back" button on your Internet browser (the page will probably not load). Click the "Refresh" button and another coupon will be sent to your printer.

3. Go to the following site and click the button that says "Get $2 Off", the coupon will be sent to your printer (you can't use the back/refresh buttons to print another one here): http://www.kraftfoods.com/honeybunchesofoats.

4. Repeat steps 1 - 3 on your next computer.

You should now have 10 total coupons for 4 Juicy Juice, 4 Cheerios Snack Mix, and 2 Chocolate Honey Bunches of Oats. Albertsons is having a deal where you get $5 off these items if you buy 10 of them, so take your 10 coupons to Albertsons and you'll be able to get the following discounts:

Cheerios Snack Mix: $2.99(reg price) - $.99(sale discount) - $1.00(coupon) = $1.00 each / Get 4 for $4.00
Juicy Juice: $4.49(reg price) - $1.99(sale discount) - $1.00(coupon) = $1.50 each / Get 4 for $6.00
Honey Bunches of Oats: $3.99(reg price) - $1.99(sale discount) - $2.00(coupon) = $0.00 each / Get 3 for FREE!!

Your total is now $10.00 but since you bought 10 of the promotional items, you get $5.00 off so you spend only $5.00!!! TOTAL SAVINGS: $36.89

Good, Better, Best II

2008-06-22T19:30:00.000-07:00

After tucking the girls into bed tonight, I walked down the stairs and past my wife who was diligently entering another post on her blog. I tried to remember how long it had been since I started blogging, made two posts, and then quit. Sitting down next to her, I signed into my account and pulled up my blog. I couldn't believe it's been two months!

I started thinking about the number of times I've recommitted myself to a better study of the scriptures, writing in my journal, training for the St. George Marathon, reading a good book, eating better.... get the idea? It's so easy to get distracted! Too often we find ourselves so caught up in good activities that we never get to those better or best.

Dallin H. Oaks said it best: We should begin by recognizing the reality that just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives.

Several months ago I attended a Franklin Covey workshop called Focus: Achieving Your Highest Priorities. The Franklin Covey planning system is built around clarifying your values, identifying your roles and creating a personal mission statement. In a sense, you then plan your life according to that mission statement. If an activity doesn't fit with your mission statement, then it's probably something that is just "good".

This week I'm going to dust off the planner and try using it again. Hopefully this will result in a better study of the scriptures, writing in my journal, training for the St. George Marathon, reading a good book, eating better... and maybe even a few blog posts!

Justice and Mercy

2008-04-28T14:23:00.000-07:00

Last Friday morning, I was driving to work on a busy freeway in Tucson. There was a slow car driving in the right lane and several cars, including me, decided to line up in the left lane so we could pass the slower car. I saw in my mirror a white truck accelerating in the right lane and passing everyone who was waiting in line. I immediately thought to myself:

How rude... what makes him think he can just cut to the front of this line? Doesn't he know we all have somehere to be, too?

I then noticed myself instinctively speeding up so there was no room for him to cut in ahead of me. As I did so, I remembered a conversation that I had with my mission president while driving in heavy Bangkok traffic. I asked him if it was fair for me to prevent other cars from cutting to the front in a traffic line. He taught me a valuable lesson about justice and mercy.

The Savior cautioned: "Judge not, that ye be not judged."(Matt 7:11) He also declared "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."(Matt 5:7)

Without realizing it, I was demanding that justice be brought upon the driver who was cutting into the front of the line - and in so doing, I was inviting justice into my life. I started feeling childish for my thoughts and actions:

No cuts! It's not fair!

I also started thinking about all the reasons I'd rather invite mercy than justice. The spirit whispered to me that I should start looking more for opportunities to grant mercy to others and less for opportunities to demand justice.

Good, Better, Best

2008-04-24T20:42:00.000-07:00

When Emma started school last fall, I found great enjoyment in dropping her off at school and listening to a song that the children sang every day before going into their classrooms.

Good, Better, Best - I'll never let it rest,
'Til my good is better, and my better's best.
Good, Better, Best - I'll never let it rest,
'Til my good is better, and my better's best.

I was impressed with the theme of continual learning and personal development that was being instilled daily into the minds of five-year-old children.

I recently spoke with a senior manager at work about personal development. He listed examples of valuable lessons he's learned from the most random of experiences in his life. He encouraged me to live my life differently by looking at every experience from a learner's perspective.

I initiated the discussion with this manager to explore areas of potential growth in my career, but the Spirit helped me take something greater from our discussion. I was reminded about the most fundamental of gospel truths: the purpose of life. Spencer W. Kimball said:

My brothers and sisters, we’re away from home. We’re off to school. Our lessons will not be easy. The way we react to them, the way we conquer and accomplish and live will determine our rewards, and they will be permanent and eternal. …
You are sent to this world with a very serious purpose. You are sent to school, for that matter, to begin as a human infant and grow to unbelievable proportions in wisdom, judgment, knowledge, and power (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 28, 31).

I'm embarrassed to realize how easily distracted I can be from such a simple purpose. I often find myself living as though I'm working from one giant checklist that includes activities from work to play, from spiritual to temporal:

Sleep, check. Eat, check. Work hard, check. Read stories to my kids, check. Go on a date with my wife, check.

In effort to keep myself from getting so caught up in the motions of life, I'm finally starting my blog. I hope to record here the lessons I learn by viewing my experiences through the eyes of a learner.