Tuesday, April 5, 2011

To Be or Not to Be?

Something happened a few days ago that has caused me to question whether I should continue with Thought"full"ness, caused me to look at my motives for blogging, caused me to question the material I am using, and has caused me to search deeply within myself.  I remember watching Glenn Beck's conversion story (his conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints); he talked about "Questioning with Boldness" (he quoted this from someone but I cannot remember who it originally came from).  I have not had reason to do this so much in my past,  it is not a comfortable feeling; however, I am looking at it as an opportunity for growth.  So until I feel like I really should stop blogging, I am going to continue on.  One of the things; however, that I do not have any questions about is who I am or what I believe in.    

In the Young Women Program in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the girls (ages 12-18) recite a theme each week(they stand and say it aloud and some even do it with boldness; could these be considered positive affirmations, yes I think so!):

      "We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him.
       We will stand as witnesses of God at all times, and in all things, and in all
      places as we strive to  live the Young Women's Values which are: faith,
    divine nature, individual worth,knowledge, choice and accountability, good works,
    integrity, and virtue.  We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values, we
   will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants,
      receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation."
 
This theme (and everything taught in the Young Women program) teach these teenage girls who they are which lead to outward expressions (the "doing") of who they are.  This is really who we all are; if we believe we are children of a Father in Heaven, we have some heavenly DNA within us just as we have the DNA of our earthly parents and ancestors within us.  If we believe we are and have the capability of becoming like Jesus Christ (who followed His Father's teachings), our lives will be outward expressions of those amazing qualities within us (the "being).  And I believe that these amazing qualities we have not only show in spiritual matters but also in our physical, daily lives and the activities we pursue. 

"Often it feels that life is a struggle.  That is because the way you have been taught to live goes directly against the way the universe works.  Have you ever said something like this to yourself:  'I could really be a really great musician if I only had a recording contract?'  You may believe that you can't be something until you have the trappings that show that you are that something.  When you feel that you must have something before you can do something before you can be something, life becomes a struggle.  So much time is spent trying to have, you never get to be."--Dr. Ranae Johnson

 In a talk on Sunday (General Conference) given by Lynn G. Robbins(from the Quorum of the Seventy), he spoke on this very subject.  He quoted the Savior, "what manner of men ought ye to be?"  The Savior recognized the importance of "doing" but he saw "being" as a weightier matter.  The "being" leads to the "doing".  For example:  In spiritual matters, baptism is the "doing" while faith and repentance are the "being" which lead to the "doing".  On Sunday we partake of the Sacrament (the doing), but being worthy to partake is a much weightier matter.  Elder Robbins said, "Many of us create "to do" lists to remind us of things we want to accomplish, but we rarely have "to be" lists....why?  ....To be is not an event, it is a part of our character or our nature....Christ-like "to be's" cannot be seen, but they are the motivating force behind what we do."

I don't know about you, but I am tired of the struggle of trying to become when I already am.  The trick is to let go of the struggle, see myself as I am (or the qualities and attributes that are inside just waiting to come out), and move into that (the doing), in following a path that feels right and using gratitude and allowing all good things (abundance) to come to me.  

"There has never been another you.  With no effort on your part you were born to be something very special and set apart.  What you are going to do in appreciation of that gift is a decision only you can make."---Dan Zadra








1 comment:

  1. Sharon! Check out this blog's thoughts for today...and keep singing friend!

    http://journalista71.blogspot.com/2011/04/sing-sing-song.html?showComment=1302019239614#c652917509355331372

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