Instruction Manual for (My) Life

The Scriptures are often referred to as an instruction manual for life. Everything we need to know to become successful, find happiness, solve problems and gain peace is within their pages. Every time I have sought out the guidance of my Bishops, parents, peers or people I admire, they send me to the same source; The Word of God. "Have you prayed about it?" "This scripture/conference talk/LDS article inspired me when I was in a similar situation." "What does your gut tell you?" "Have you been reading your scriptures?"

Reading was something I used to do before my children were born. I read at all hours of the night.  When I found myself alone and when I didn't want to deal with life. It was a favorite pastime. I stopped reading when I realized that my attention was being enveloped by a story instead of the bundle of joy in the room. Reading had been my joyful escape for many years. Now the new joy, that I had agreed to commit myself to 10 months earlier, had arrived. Instead of reading about life I had born one and was put in charge of creating it.

Since then life has been happening all the time. I truly have just let life happen. Whether it was because my aim was to please someone or lack in confidence to follow my dreams, life just went on. I had chosen to allow the people (specifically male) who ventured into my life to determine it. I had no sense of boundaries or how to be mysterious or demanding  honest.

I have noticed a difference in my day when I start it off with a prayer. My ability to respond rather then react to stressors and the unexpected is improved. Inspiration comes clearly so that I have no doubts in what I am to say or do. The reality, greatness and love of God is also confirmed to me as I read or listen to the scriptures. My mind is open to receive his acknowledgment of my life. That my life is not so different from those written about in the scriptures. That 3000 years in the history of man we are still the same. The concerns, fears, accomplishments, pains and triumphs transcend time, place, culture and society. This is what makes the Scriptures my Instruction Manual for Life. I have read self help books, listened to various talks through TED and YouTube, followed upstanding bloggers, Facebookers and the like. They have all been great resources when I need them. However they don't have the same effect as when I read and follow the scriptures. Perhaps I find it easier to tell myself that I can do it, because someone over 2000 years ago did it, then because of my neighbor. Or maybe it's that final story I needed to hear to make the connection between my struggles, my neighbors and God's plan. God has a plan for his people and one is not greater then the other. One way is not for all. His way is not mine or their way. We are each His children. Just as I approach things differently with each one of my children He does the same for us.

In that respect I will document my studies and how I have likened the scriptures to my life and benefit. My hope is that by doing so I will be reminded of where I started and how I have progressed. As a grown adult there isn't someone watching and ready to reward me with a Gold star for my achievements. I will know for myself and build my own self worth. I also hope this may inspire, provide insight and ring true for others. I am not a scholar by any means but I feel I have enough life experience and general knowledge that anyone can relate. If that is not true for some I welcome their insight to those things I can not relate to.

I am going to use blogger to track my study of the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price. I will post on YouTube my study of the New and Old Testament (KJV).

Honest, Upright and Firm

"Three Towels and a 25 cent Newspaper"

This morning I came upon this talk given by Richard C. Edgley. In it he shares two experiences. One in which he learned and one he shared the virtue of honesty. He begins by telling us the experience he had between his father and himself upon arriving home from a summer job at Jackson Lake Lodge, located in Moran, Wyoming. 

  "...after the miracle of arriving home, my father came out and happily greeted me. After a hug and a few pleasantries, he looked into the backseat of the car and saw three Jackson Lake Lodge towels—the kind you cannot buy. With a disappointed look he merely said, “I expected more of you.” I hadn’t thought that what I had done was all that wrong. To me these towels were but a symbol of a full summer’s work at a luxury hotel, a rite of passage. Nevertheless, by taking them I felt I had lost the trust and confidence of my father, and I was devastated.

The following weekend I adjusted the plywood floorboard in my car, filled the radiator with water, and began the 370-mile (595-km) round trip back to Jackson Lake Lodge to return three towels. My father never asked why I was returning to the lodge, and I never explained. It just didn’t need to be said. This was an expensive and painful lesson on honesty that has stayed with me throughout my life."

When I read this all those moments that I felt were "a rite of passage", and my perception of entitlement came to mind. So many little things that have etched away my self intergrity concerning honesty. I have much to work on and be repentant for.  

The second part solidified to me how many times I act before regarding the consequences. Not only those that are dolled out by society/family/friend but more importantly the damage I bring upon my own conscience and  spirit. 

 "Some 30 years ago, while working in the corporate world, some business associates and I were passing through O’Hare Airport in Chicago, Illinois. One of these men had just sold his company for tens of millions of dollars—in other words, he was not poor.

As we were passing a newspaper vending machine, this individual put a quarter in the machine, opened the door to the stack of papers inside the machine, and began dispensing unpaid-for newspapers to each of us. When he handed me a newspaper, I put a quarter in the machine and, trying not to offend but to make a point, jokingly said, “Jim, for 25 cents I can maintain my integrity. A dollar, questionable, but 25 cents—no, not for 25 cents.” You see, I remembered well the experience of three towels and a broken-down 1941 Hudson. A few minutes later we passed the same newspaper vending machine. I noticed that Jim had broken away from our group and was stuffing quarters in the vending machine. I tell you this incident not to portray myself as an unusual example of honesty, but only to emphasize the lessons of three towels and a 25-cent newspaper."

I pray that I'll keep his shared lesson always in my mind. For it's the little things that create the holes in my spirit and cause me to be complacent with my actions. 
 

 

Motherly Guidelines

Ever stand in the bookstore and scan through searching for the instruction manual to the bundle of joy in your arms? Click through Amazon.com for instructions on how to tame your toddler? Google any article that holds the ever changing Teenage Translator?

As parents we may never hold all the answers. We can't guarantee that our children won't reach adulthood unscarred.  Or that we'll know everything when we're done. 

Thankfully, Heavenly Father knew that we'd need help. So he gave us guidelines. Written passages throughout time, recorded in scripture. 

This one has come to mind when there's just one straw left to break and I'm ready to through in the towel and let what comes easiest "solve" the problem. I may still need to count to 10 20 before I do what's right. Always resulting in a much better outcome. Peace restored and a lesson learned by both myself and my child(ren). 

Avoid the Appearance

 

Don't Be Bought

Promises

Promises of this nature, requiring an oath are not mine to make. I cannot foresee what is to come, even with the best of intentions. Even to swear an oath using His name or the name of others is not right. For men can use it against me or twist my words or use them to deceive others. 

I acknowledge that my word is limited even if honest and true. In that case I must always be aware of my limitations and strive to be consistent in my doings so that others may find me reliable and accountable. I will also follow the promptings of the Spirit. Accepting God's plan as my plan and not rely on 'fate' to keep my promises.

As a mother my children are the ones I fail most. I know things come up. I know that there are exceptions to some rules. 

Second Challenge for the Week:

• Give myself a minute to pay attention to what my children are asking for, needing from me.
• Keep in mind the schedule or routine for the week.
• Don't change my mind based on my mood.