It's a place to start.
This week, being my first week back in school at BYU-Idaho since the mission, I was quite nervous. I was and I suppose am especially nervous about this online class. Online classes freak me out. I think it's because it seems harder to communicate and get help, which asking for help in the first place is really difficult for me, which I can definitely say is a lesson that I want to learn that I haven't quite got done yet:
Learn how to happily and humbly ask for help!
But I think I just love the physicality of a 'live' classroom. I enjoy the people and the feeling and the ease of connections, so I suppose I'll have to learn to love the online class for the positives it holds.
But I saw all the links and all the folders in this class and I just felt more overwhelmed. But, as I just slowed myself down I worked at the things one at a time and I was just fine. I actually quite enjoyed the readings and videos we had this week.
We read these too addresses that were given by the schools previous president, Elder David A. Bednar. I had heard parts of one of them but I found both of them quite interesting and inspiring. The first one I read was "A Disciple Preparation Center (DPC)" and I really loved how he reminded us that we need to have a "might heart" AND a "strong mind". God gave us smarts and He wants us to use them to have balance and to understand this world He's created for us and how to follow His will as we journey through it. It was a good reminder for me of why I am here and of just how blessed I am to even be here. That I have such great resources and opportunities on this campus.
The other one was "Your Whole Souls as an Offering Unto Him", which was also a powerful address. Elder Bednar quoted a few people throughout his speech but I really connected with these two:
"Elder Bruce R. McConkie has taught that sacrifice pertains
only to mortality. In the eternal
sense, there is really no such thing as sacrifice.
Sacrifice involves giving up the things of this world
because of the promises of blessings to be gained in a better world. In the eternal perspective there is no
sacrifice in giving up all things—even including the laying down of one's
life—if eternal life is gained through such a course. (Mormon Doctrine, pg. 664) "
and--
"Remember the promise of Elder Evans:
When young people can acquire the skills, the techniques,
and the knowledge of these times, and along with it have a spiritual commitment
and a solid faith and cleanliness of life, there is nothing that you can’t
achieve; nothing in righteousness or in reason. (From an address given to the young people at the Northwest
Inland Division Gathered for Zion’s Camp, October 15, 1971)"
Powerful reminders and promises.
We also watched some clips from a speech given by a business man named Guy Kawasaki and he talked a lot about how you have to have passion for what you're doing because otherwise you'll probably end up miserable. He didn't say you couldn't do something just because you'll make money, you can, but you'll still probably end up miserable. On the other hand, if you invest yourself into something you love then you'll be happy. You might not have as much money as if you did the dull money making option, or maybe you will, but you'll be happier. I love that perspective and I agree with it. I also liked his clip about listening to your customers because it's really important to do that. Customers will help you see what you're doing right and what you're not and sometimes help you see a use for your product that you hadn't seen before.
We also got to watch this clip of President Gordon B. Hinckley. I loved that. I loved how you could feel his love for the young people of the church and for his faith in the gospel.
There was a lot of things to be gleaned from our assignments this week and I think a lot of it was reminders to me but remembering is important and so I'm grateful. I think one of the big reminders from this group of assignments was that if I are true to the Lord, true to myself, and I don't live below my potential, then I am going to be successful. Good lesson.
-Katie
