There are certain things, some of them essential to our exaltation, that we can learn only through experience. We could not have remained in our premortal condition, memorized all the attributes of godhood, and then, after passing a written exam, become like our heavenly parents. We came to earth to "prove" ourselves, to learn from our own experiences how to know good from evil and other important lessons we could learn only by our own experience.
In things that are routine but essential to our eternal progress--things like daily prayer, daily scriptures study, and regular church attendance--we should strive to eliminate all failings. In these matters we can come very close to perfection very quickly, and it is important that we do so, because success in these endeavors provides a secure foundation.
Challenge yourself. You may discover skills, talents, and joys you would otherwise miss out on. Your mortal experience will be a more productive part of your quest for perfection if you intentionally stretch yourself with new challenges, especially those that involve a real risk of failure. As someone once observed, "If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?"
The most common characteristic of those who are able to overcome almost any kind of uncontrollable failure is that they are optimistic. And the good news is that people can be taught to some degree "to think like optimists."
No comments:
Post a Comment