1. The number one thing that I have noticed that has happened to me this month is a more sensitive conscience. Perhaps in my striving to better myself, and praying for the spirit each day, the spirit is quicker to tell me when I have done something wrong, which has led to me saying "I am sorry" more, and led me to think about my behavior and recommit to changing on a very regular basis. I have loved this. I know almost immediately when I have said or done something that I should not have because of a sensitive conscience.
2. There have been two hard things for me--the first is my goal to take time to pause and listen after my personal prayers, and the second is to gain control over my tongue. I have found that when I am praying, I do better pausing and thinking as I am talking to the Father about a matter during a prayer, but I am not sure whether or not that is disrespectful to Him. I have found that if I pray about a matter, ponder and pause, then move on in my prayer, ponder and pause again, and so on, that the prayer flows better for me than to pray, finish my talking and then stop, pause, and wait. I don't know--I think I am getting too technical, but the desire to listen, not only talk during a prayer, has been good. My tongue, oh my tongue. Will I ever get control of it? I do not swear or take the name of the Lord in vain, but I have said things this month that are not necessary, or critical or somewhat judgmental. It is by far the thing I repent of most often, but I am not going to give up and I continue to push myself to do better.
3. It has been a joy to pray for opportunities to help someone each day.
1. I have loved the studying part of the goal. I have enjoyed picking up different books and searching for thoughts on this topic. Here are some that I have read recently:
Balance. That is the key. I have come to sense the need to balance a
type of "divine discontent"--a healthy longing to improve--with what Nephi called a "perfect brightness of hope", the Spirit given assurance that in and through Jesus Christ we are going to make it.
(Robert Millett)
The natural man is a highly durable creature and
often takes a long time to evict.
(Ensign Article, September 2014, pg. 57, Professor Mark Butler)
When we repent, our life changes.
(Gospel Principles)
Man's chief concern in life should not be the acquiring of gold,
or of fame or of material possessions. It should not be the development of physical prowess, nor of intellectual strength, but his aim, the highest in life, should be the development of a Christ-like character. It is by little things,
by little actions, that every one of us is going--not be leaps, yet surely
by inches--either to life or death eternal.
(David O. McKay)
I feel to urge upon the Latter-day Saints the necessity of a close
application of the principles of the Gospel in our lives, conduct and words
and all that we do; and it requires the whole man, the whole life to be
devoted to improvement in order to come to knowledge of the truth as
it is in Jesus Christ. Here in is the fulness of perfection.
(Brigham Young)
Thank God for one more day! For what?
For the opportunity to take care of some unfinished business.
To repent; to right some wrongs; to influence for good some wayward child;
to reach out to someone who cries for help--in short, to thank
God for one more day to prepare to meet God.
(Harold B. Lee)
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