1. To learn of Christ. As I've been doing a lot of soul searching lately about how to become a better person, everything keeps coming back to me emulating, following the example of, and patterning my life after Jesus Christ. In order for me to properly do that, I've got to learn more about what Christ did during His life- how He acted, how He treated others, and how He was a righteous leader and example. I hope to increase the effectiveness of my scripture reading by actually studying the scriptures, looking for examples of how to live my life because of how Christ lived his life. I hope to strengthen my prayer life to better know Christ as my Savior. I also intend to read literature about my Savior's life, such as the classic Jesus: the Christ. I don't want to have to stand before my Savior when he comes again and not be able to recognize His face.
2. To serve others. Ever since I came to BYU, the urge to volunteer has never left me. I didn't do anything about it my first semester of college, but now I definitely intend to. My first week back, I intend to find some way to make my mark at the University and in the lives of others. I'm looking into volunteering at the Accessibility office as a notetaker or a scribe, working through Y-Serve, and volunteering at a nursing home. I was made to help others make it home to Heavenly Father. Why am I not doing what I was called to do?
3. To Dance. Once, my mom gave me a book with the lyrics of "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack beautifully illustrated. She said she hoped I would never forget the message to dance, to take every opportunity that was given to me and to seek out the opportunities that I desired to change my life. I think I did a really good job of that in high school, but haven't developed that spirit in college.
"I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance, never settle for the path of least resistance"
And that's what I did. I settled. I've forgotten all that I can do, my divine potential. I used to be so driven, so committed to excellence, and wouldn't accept anything less than my best. I think I'm back to that mentality. It took a very good friend to remind me that I'm not just another person, I'm a special person who has a very important mission to accomplish. I can change the world, one little piece a time. I can't do that if I'm waiting for opportunities to come my way, and then lazily doing something about them. I can't settle academically, spiritually, socially, or with any other opportunity. In anything. That's not why I'm on this earth.
4. Stay Current. It took a very good friend to help me realize that I live in the Mormon bubble, which I means I don't find out current events until a day after they happen...if I find out about them at all. Next January, I'm traveling to China with International Language Programs to teach Chinese in a boarding school. I won't be able to go if there's another World War, if someone gets nuked, etc. I need to understand what's going on in the world, and how I fit into that. I need to keep up on my current events, and form my own opinions about issues and politics.
5. Maintain my focus. Sometimes, I get distracted. Like all human beings. But distractions waste time, at least in my opinion. Every second I spend sitting around doing nothing is a second I could use to be doing something good. Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy relaxing (contrary to popular belief). But I also lament lost time like a loss from the plague. So...concrete things I can do to waste less time and remember to keep my eye on the prize
1. spend less time on Facebook. I really only need to check in once a day to make sure no one needs anything. So...5 minutes a day on Facebook, except on Saturday's where I can go crazy if I want lol. And NO Facebook on Sunday's!
2. I know this sound like a totally solid waste of time, but I think I should update this blog more. So, I will try to valiantly to update once a week, and if anything super interesting happens, I'll try to do it that day. I can't make any promises, but I think it's important that I properly document my life.
Yeah, pretty much my biggest time waster is Facebook, so I'll work on not getting distracted with status updates while studying.
6. Remember who I am. I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father, who loves me and I love Him. Sometimes, I forget that I was created in His image, and downgarde myself. I look in the mirror, and am displeased with what I see. I also don't take care of my body as I should- I could definitely stand to eat healthier and exercise more. My goal is to limit my sweets intake to 3 treats a day (hopefully lower by the end of the year) and to exercise at least 3 times a week (hopefully more by the end of the year). Wohoo! I can do it!
7. Remember where I'm going. I freak out when I don't have things to look forward to, attainable events or occurrences that I can live for. In college, it's very difficult to do that since everything about life is so up in the air. Every week though, I have the opportunity to enter the Lord's house and perform His work there. If I can go every week next year, that's 52 chances to enter the Lord's house. That is definitely something I can live for. Every day, every action, word, and deed must be in keeping with the standards that will allow me to be worthy to enter the Lord's house.
8. People: they're the most important. I used to have a gossiping problem, and to some degree or another, I still do. I really, really need to work on not being so judgmental, loving my brothers and sisters for who they are and what they are becoming. I often condemn people not so much because of how they look, but how they act. I need to be kinder in word and deed, and be more compassionate to those who need my help. Our greatest opportunities to serve come when we must put aside our own desires and work to help someone else. I will be more compassionate, more charitable, more forgiving and less judgmental in this new year.
9. Hope. When I have trials, I retreat inside myself to deal with them. I also lose my happy-go-lucky optimism that categorizes me, and adapt a persona of rigidness, overly independent, and curt. I seem to push other people away, resolving that I'll have to do everything on my own. This, of course, is NOT the case and I need to resolve never to lose hope- to never believe that I am alone and have to face trials by myself. I have friends, family, and a loving Heavenly Father ready and waiting to help me succeed. Things will go wrong, that's inevitable, but I don't need to fear my life becoming one of doom and gloom. I'd never let that happen.
10. Have fun! Also contrary to popular belief, I am not so serious that I don't like to have fun. I am most definitely a people person, which means I want to have as many fun times as possible. One of my goals this next semester is to spend more time with people- to be a good friend to those I already know and to meet new friends. There are so many opportunities at BYU to do silly, crazy, and fun things, and I intend to take advantage of those opportunities!
"It's called the plan of happiness for a reason."
Here's to 2012 and the blessings, opportunities, challenges, and fun times it will bring!
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