j . a . m . k . m . b: As the week goes by...

Pres. Thomas S. Monson, Oct 2008

"This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.

... Professor Harold Hill, one of the principal characters in [The Music Man], voices a caution that I share with you. Says he, “You pile up enough tomorrows, and you’ll find you’ve collected a lot of empty yesterdays.”

f you have children who are grown and gone, in all likelihood you have occasionally felt pangs of loss and the recognition that you didn’t appreciate that time of life as much as you should have. Of course, there is no going back, but only forward. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future.

Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, “They do not love that do not show their love.”³ We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.

Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”

In the 1960s, during the Vietnam War, Church member Jay Hess, an airman, was shot down over North Vietnam. For two years his family had no idea whether he was dead or alive. His captors in Hanoi eventually allowed him to write home but limited his message to less than 25 words. What would you and I say to our families if we were in the same situation—not having seen them for over two years and not knowing if we would ever see them again? Wanting to provide something his family could recognize as having come from him and also wanting to give them valuable counsel, Brother Hess wrote—and I quote: “These things are important: temple marriage, mission, college. Press on, set goals, write history, take pictures twice a year.”

Said one well-known author: “Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend . . . when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.”

Said the Lord in a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith, “In nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things.”¹⁰ May we be found among those who give our thanks to our Heavenly Father. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues.

Brothers and sisters, my sincere prayer is that we may adapt to the changes in our lives, that we may realize what is most important, that we may express our gratitude always and thus find joy in the journey."

Thursday, June 25, 2009

As the week goes by...

We're getting along pretty well without Angela and Micah at home, but I'll admit that we're really excited to have them home tomorrow evening. Thank goodness for Anne, who's been great in helping the kids throughout the days and some evenings as I have many of my usual commitments. However, even with things running pretty smoothly at home, it just feels different for us to not have the others at home with us. I find myself wanting to tell Angela about things constantly, but then since she's out of touch, being slightly disappointed that she's inaccessible. Oh well, it'll all be good when they get home.

I went for a bike ride this morning, and then in checking my exercise log I realized that I went over 1,000 miles for the year so far. It's definitely the earliest I've ever hit that mark, so I'm pretty psyched. I estimate between now and the end of the 111 mile ULCER century ride in Utah this August I'll probably put in up to another 400-500 miles or so, so I'll be well on my way to a great year on the bike. I'm really enjoying it, but dreaming more than ever about a shiny new bike...

Cool experience last night as I got to talk with a person who has gone through some real challenges and struggles with church and spiritual things. We had spoken about a year ago in which the problems were laid out, and then last night the report was made on progress, and I was so happy to see the complete turnaround and personal commitment that was exhibited. It was a real faith building moment for me to see how the simple things that we easily take for granted - prayer, fasting, scripture reading - are truly the foundational blocks of the building of a strong testimony. I need to be better...

j . a . m . k . m . b

Pres. Thomas S. Monson, Oct 2008

Thursday, June 25, 2009

As the week goes by...

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