I recently read an article by Bonnie Stein, M.Ed. that suggests 50%
of New Years Resolutions, on average, are broken by the second week of January
and 95% by the end of the month. Why is that? Is it because we reach too high
(“I’m gonna change from a couch potato into a marathon runner”) too fast (“by
President’s Day”)? Or is it because our bad habits are etched so deeply within
our flesh?
Maybe both are true. However, President David O. McKay, and later, other general authorities, including President Hinckley, have reiterated this important truth: the gospel of Jesus Christ can “make bad men good and good men better.” Similarly, in her October 2007 conference address, titled “Mothers Who Know,” Sister Julie B. Beck challenged the women of the church to stand firmer, to step higher, to even “raise the bar,” so to speak, as they work to strengthen their families and homes. Convictions such as these are partially why, I believe, we optimistically try, time after time, even in the face of failure, to improve.
But that doesn’t suggest we must over-extend our abilities. High jumpers, after all, don’t raise their bars to record breaking heights in one giant leap; they consistently work and persistently reach upward until the goal is obtained. That’s how we should approach our pursuits of excellence, too—with tiny, upward steps.
For instance, this year, instead of—or perhaps along with—our difficult-to-reach resolutions, why don’t we include some “small and simple” goals that could ultimately strengthen our families? Here are a few ideas:
Maybe both are true. However, President David O. McKay, and later, other general authorities, including President Hinckley, have reiterated this important truth: the gospel of Jesus Christ can “make bad men good and good men better.” Similarly, in her October 2007 conference address, titled “Mothers Who Know,” Sister Julie B. Beck challenged the women of the church to stand firmer, to step higher, to even “raise the bar,” so to speak, as they work to strengthen their families and homes. Convictions such as these are partially why, I believe, we optimistically try, time after time, even in the face of failure, to improve.
But that doesn’t suggest we must over-extend our abilities. High jumpers, after all, don’t raise their bars to record breaking heights in one giant leap; they consistently work and persistently reach upward until the goal is obtained. That’s how we should approach our pursuits of excellence, too—with tiny, upward steps.
For instance, this year, instead of—or perhaps along with—our difficult-to-reach resolutions, why don’t we include some “small and simple” goals that could ultimately strengthen our families? Here are a few ideas:
- At least once,
bear your testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel at a meeting where
your family is in attendance.
- In accordance
with our leaders’ direction to study and restudy the conference talks with
our families, incorporate them in at least one or two Family Home Evenings
or other family events.
- Teach a child a
homemaking skill.
- Forgive someone.
- Keep a journal,
as President Henry B. Eyring described in his conference talk, “O Remember,
Remember,” that recognizes God’s hand in your
life.
- Study one book of
scripture. For instance, last year I became more familiar with Isaiah’s
writings by utilizing two, recently published books about them. My
favorite was John Bytheway’s, “Isaiah for
Airheads.”
- Find
simple ways to increase (even by just a few minutes) your one-on-one time
with your spouse, children, and/or other family members.
- Make
a more concerted effort to listen when your family members talk to you.
- Begin
or improve your family’s scripture study. I’ve incorporated a few
different methods over the years, as described here and here, but I have also
found success by simply reading to my baby as I nursed him (he, a
soon-to-be missionary, now loves the scriptures), and making sure we read
at least one scripture together each night. After all, there’s always time
for one scripture, isn’t there?
- Organize
your personal or family scripture study around Sunday School’s Gospel
Doctrine study guide.
- What
about other important basics? Can you pray with more intent and devotion
to God? Make sure you kneel when you pray? Schedule a time, if necessary,
to pray both morning and night?
- Think
more about your relationship with God, the symbols of the bread and water,
and your need and gratitude for repentance as we partake of the Sacrament.
- Along
with your teen, accomplish some of the goals outlined in Personal Progress
or Duty to God.
- Find
times to share with your family some of the truths you learned, or the
spiritual promptings you received, while attending your meetings, such as
around the dinner table, in the car on the way home from church, or the
few moments prior to family prayer.
- Determine to read a
specified number—even one is good—of inspirational books.
Or better yet, read it (them) together with your family.
These are some of the spiritual goals I have completed or am
now considering, and though it's difficult to assess how many
"great" blessings in my life are a direct result of my efforts,
there are some things I do know: my personal testimony of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-Day Saints has increased, I'm pleased with how my children are
growing in the gospel, and every day I thank Heavenly Father for the unity
and joy I see within my family.
Do you have any “small and simple” suggestions you’d like to add? If so, please include them as a comment. I’d love to read them.
Do you have any “small and simple” suggestions you’d like to add? If so, please include them as a comment. I’d love to read them.
No comments:
Post a Comment