I think this was said by Ben Franklin. Or maybe it was Gandhi...Oh heck, I don't remember. Some one bald if I recall. I suppose this quote is the intellectual equivalent of "If you chance to meet a frown...".
So, this week may prove to be a tough one. Frankly put, we can come out of it with stronger testimonies of the Gospel, or not. We may start next week with a better understanding of the world and our place in it, or a sinking feeling in the pit of our stomachs.
I encourage you, in light of conference and the things said, to get on your knees, or at least keep a prayer in your heart that the spirit will let you know through his famous subtlety what is needed to get you where you want to go and where your particular focus should lie.
It may indeed be your miracle week.
Good reminder. Thanks for the blog.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. We can't control a lot of things, but we can control how we choose to react. I endorse your thinking. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI came across your blog by way of my husbands facebook account. Needless to say, I had to check it out. As a 53 year old woman who is a member and an ordinance worker in the temple to boot, I would just like to go on the record to say how glad I am that there is a man out there like you! This is a topic I have thought about many times, and through my 53 years with the gospel as my guide (ok there where some times when I wasn't what I should have been) this is where I have ended up...It is a given that when we came to this earth we were going to have challenges. It's part of the plan. It is how we learn and become more like Him. There are as many challenges out there as there are people....from abuse to addictions of all kinds, poverty to birth defects, horrific death to living a life under tyrannical rule and homosexuality. Some challenges we bring on ourselves and some not, BUT, here is where we are all put on the same playing field. We have the right to choose how we deal with it. I was never under the impression that if I lived my life right down the line that I would never have challenges, but that with the gospel I could get through them (and some may take a lifetime) and be a better person. I have learned more in life from the hard things I have done and am still doing than anything that has been easy. I have become more understanding, compassionate, caring and non judgmental because of my challenges. More like the Savior. I applaud you for being a gay man who hasn't turned away from the Lord to make your life easier. I appreciate that you acknowledge that there is much to be thankful for in your life even though everything isn't perfect. No one's is. You are wise beyond your years in realizing what this life is all about, where you want to end up, and that life may have it's difficulties to get there. Lastly, somewhere on your blog someone said something about the higher law of controlling our thoughts. What they said was true, but to President Hinckley's dying day he always talked of how he was trying to be a better person. If in the end it is just my thoughts I am trying to perfect, I will consider myself very lucky, and on the other side, will most likely be in good company. The Lord knows you and many like you. He is so greatful for your strength, integrity, courage and faith. For what it is worth.. so am I.
ReplyDeleteCal,
ReplyDeleteI'm 51. The post from anonymous above could not have come, unless you had your blog. I for one, am glad to subscribe to a community as this where people like me, who struggle with SSA, active unmarried member of the church, can get support. In church and other religious activities, I would not expect the support that I see here. The above comment just shows how successful, relations are beginning to take place. I have never had any intention of rebelling against the church, but have found a small enough support in unrelated topics to keep my membership in the church active. I don't see us moving in reverse, and I think your blog is one huge step in the right direction! I just can't let the faith wither and die! Yeah!