Unveiling the New Theme

"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end."

-Ernest Hemingway

My thoughts this year will be much shorter then last year-because my theme is much more simple (don't worry, my goals are not). I have loved every step of my journey up to this point...but over the last few weeks, I've been distracted by fear and focusing to much on the end destinations. It is these experiences, and one heck of a dream series, that is leading me to make this my theme this year. 

My journey has been perfect up to this point because it has been everything that I have needed. And I need to trust in the Lord's plan and continue to be willing to change in whatever ways He requires. My goals this year are centered on two talks, one by President Monson and one by Elder Gerard Causse. 

President Monson's talk focuses on the abundant life: 'I challenge Latter-day Saints everywhere to undertake a personal, diligent, significant quest for what I call the abundant life—a life filled with an abundance of success, goodness, and blessings. Just as we learned the ABCs in school, I offer my own ABCs to help us all gain the abundant life.' The ABC's he provides are: 

1. Have a positive Attitude: So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment. We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude.
2. Believe in Yourself: Be honest with yourself, with others, and with your Heavenly Father. Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities. You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith.
3. Face Challenges with Courage: Have the determination to make the effort, the single-mindedness to work toward a worthy goal, and the courage not only to face the challenges that inevitably come but also to make a second effort, should such be required. “Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’

Elder Causse's talk is about finding happiness in our lives: My dear brothers and sisters, my message for you today is that there is a different path than ones of fear and doubt or self-indulgence—a path that brings peace, confidence, and serenity in life. You can’t control all of the circumstances of your life. Things both good and challenging will happen to you that you never expected. However, I declare that you have control of your own happiness. You are the architects of it. Your happiness is not really the result of the circumstances of your life. It is much more the result of your spiritual vision and the principles upon which you base your life. These principles will bring you happiness regardless of the unexpected challenges and surprises you will inevitably face during your journeys here on earth. The principles he focuses on are:

1. Recognize Your Personal Worth: My brothers and sisters, imagine what it would mean to you if you could see yourself as God sees you. What if you looked at yourself with the same benevolence, love, and confidence that God does? Imagine the impact it would have on your life to understand your eternal potential as God understands it. If you could view yourself through His eyes, what influence would that have on your life? I testify He is there. Seek Him! Search and study. Pray and ask. I promise you that God will send you tangible signs of His existence and His love for you. It might be through an answer to a prayer; it might be the soft influence of the Holy Ghost consoling or comforting you; it might be a sudden inspiration or a new strength that you know didn’t come from you; it might be a family member, friend, or priesthood leader who happens to be in the right place at the right time to bless your life. In one way or another, as you reach out to Him, He will let you know He is there.
2. Become Who You Are: Brigham Young said: “The greatest lesson you can learn is to know yourselves. … You have to come here to learn this. … No being can thoroughly know himself, without understanding more or less of the things of God; neither can any being learn and understand the things of God without knowing himself: he must know himself, or he never can know God.” Become who you really are. Your happiness and ability to find balance in your life will occur as you find, recognize, and accept your true identity as a child of our Heavenly Father and then live in accordance with this knowledge.
3. Trust in God's Promises: I love these motivating words of President Thomas S. Monson: “The future is as bright as your faith.” Our success and happiness in life depend in great part on the faith and trust we have that the Lord will lead and guide us to fulfill our destiny...The greatest thing we can desire in life is to align our will to the will of the Lord—to accept His agenda for our lives. He knows everything from the beginning, has a perspective that we don’t have, and loves us with an infinite love...after you have done all in your power, if things don’t turn out the way you hoped or expected, be ready to accept the will of your Heavenly Father. We know that He will not inflict upon us anything that is not ultimately for our good. Listen for that calming voice that murmurs in our ears, “All flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God” (D&C 101:16).
4. Your Future is as Bright as Your Faith: I testify, with President Monson, that your “future is as bright as your faith.” Your happiness depends a lot more on the principles that you choose to follow than the external circumstances of your life. Be faithful to these principles. God knows you and loves you. If you live in harmony with His eternal plan and if you have faith in His promises, then your future will shine! You have dreams and goals? That’s good! Work with all your heart to accomplish them. Then let the Lord do the rest. He will lead you where you cannot lead yourself; He will make you into what you cannot make of yourself. At all times, accept His will. Be ready to go where He asks you to go and to do what He asks you to do. Become the men and women He is nurturing you to become.

I know I said I wasn't going to make a long post (but its me-I always get caught up in something or another). But as I delved into my theme deeper, I knew that I needed the focus of my goals to be about living an abundant life-becoming the disciple Christ is asking me to become. And to become the architect of my own happiness. Because its my journey, back to God, which means I have to learn as much as I possibly can-but I need to do that with joy. 

And now for the GOALS (my favorite part!): 

This year, per a request from our relief society president, I broke them down into categories

Spiritual Goals

1. Study the lessons for Gospel Doctrine and Relief Society prior to Sunday, each week

2. Continue attending the temple at least 2x a month

3. Write in my journal at least once a week (on Sundays) 

4. Have one 'gratitude prayer' a day

5. Practice patience: patience is far more than simply waiting for something to happen—patience requires actively working toward worthwhile goals and not getting discouraged when results don't appear instantly or without effort.

6. Work on becoming softer (more meek): work on softening my speech (no more I'll cut yous or I'll punch yous); work on letting others take the lead; and work on not being aggressive (no more punching boys in the leg...)

Service Goals

1. Share the gospel/my testimony with at least 2 people this year

2. Continue to focus on the betterment of others-without expectations (Do my VT with the sisters as a focus, prepare my lessons focused on what others need, etc.)

3. Contact (written letters or phone calls only) family/loved ones at least once a month
4. Work on Family History at least once a month

Educational Goals

1. Read 10 church books and 10 non-fictional books about something I don't know a lot about

2. Read 5 classic books (Les Miserables, To Kill a Mocking Bird, etc) 

3. Try one new activity a month (cook a new recipe, go hiking, etc.)

Physical Goals

1. Continue running weekly and work on toning up

2. Get ready every day (no going out looking frumpy-makeup and hair must be done) 

Financial Goals

1. Get a real job!! (haha, no really...I would like to be hired on as clinical faculty at a pharmacy school)

2. Create a budget for the next year; save for and go on a trip somewhere foreign (Ireland or Africa); save for my upcoming move

3. Read a book on financial planning/take a class

Dating/Relationship Goals (this is my own addition)

1. Go on one date a month (either someone asks me or I have to ask-but they have to be actual dates-meaning planned, paid, and paired off) 

2. Practice building in relationships: Become better at listening and communicating; let go of control-get out of the pilot seat and jump into the co-pilot seat

So there you have it! My goals for my 28th year of life. This year I managed to accomplish almost all of my goals-This next year will be even better. I know that some of those goals don't seem very measurable, but I will know if I am meeting them (and I'm quite certain that a best friend of mine *AHEMthebrowAHEM* will also be able to tell me if I am meeting them!). 

'Our journey toward perfection is long, but we can find wonder and delight in even the tiniest steps in that journey...You are closer to heaven than you suppose. You are destined for more than you can possibly imagine. Continue to increase in faith and personal righteousness. Accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as your way of life. Cherish the gift of activity in this great and true Church. Treasure the gift of service in the blessed organization of Relief Society. Continue to strengthen homes and families. Continue to seek out and help others who need your and the Lord’s help.'

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf