Friday, April 10, 2009

I guess it will never end...

So, I have been wanting to work on my personal progression. I had my 35th birthday this past weekend and received a gift from my very good friend, Janae. We have been friends for about 10 years now and we will be eternal friends. Janae gave me a book titled

Heaven Bound SPEED BUMPS On the Way to Perfection, by Lynn C. Jaynes. I started reading the book this week and have enjoyed it so far. It is a book to give us ideas for personal progression. She talked about her 76 year old aunt that was still working on herself. Each week would set goals to better herself. She said, "I just wanted to plan for a few quiet, comfortable, reasonably secure retirement years for an aging lady who wanted very much to be self-reliant." Every day she would write down what she would work on having different areas as these:
  • SPIRITUAL--read scriptures, study the gospel, pray
  • PHYSICAL--stay healthy, take a walk
  • INTELLECUTAL--avoid getting stuck in a rut, read a good book, keep learning, watch good programs on public television
  • CULTURAL--explore the arts, read from those best books, see if I can still read French, practice the organ
  • SOCIAL--phone a friend, write a letter, make a visit, do something for somebody

Aren't these great goals this lady chose to do. This seems like a simple way of creating a day of learning to become self-reliant. The lady that writes the book has taken this example for herself and chose three areas to work on instead of all that her aunt did. The author tries to teach to do what you can do, so that you don't become loaded down with so much to carry.

I just started the book and can't wait to keep reading for more ideas.

I figured out today that this is something that we will always need to work on. It doesn't matter how old we become we still need to work on ourselves and become a healthy, self-reliant person. I would say it is definitely something worth working on.

Something to think about: "...let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed" (D&C 123:17)

4 comments:

CB said...

I think that is wonderful. Sounds like a great book and definately great goals.
I think if you stop working on improving yourself life kind of stops too. How sad that would be.

I loved sister Camilla Kimball and I remember her talking about how she always had herself enrolled in some kind of class so that she could continue learning. It didn't matter what the class was about just something she was interested in.
I never forgot that!

Blackdrop said...

I really liked your post very insightful. Love it.

Small House said...

The scripture that you have at the end of your blog was the scripture I used last year as my personal scripture as Stake Young Womens' Pres. last year. Then...when I becamse the Relief Society Pres. this year, I decided to just keep using that scripture for this year to. When I'm getting a little bugged, I say that over and over.

Have a good Easter SUNDAY!
Sandra

Shed In The Stix said...

I am the worst friend in the world. I am so sorry I missed your birthday. Hope you had a good one. I am thankful everyday that you are doing so good and that you have a happy family!