Saturday, April 13, 2013

Principles I Have Learned

     For our Final Assessment in Class we were required to write a short essay on the top three principles we learned while studying this semester and how they have affected us.
Below is what I wrote. I was originally not going to share it, but I want to now so ...here it is!


    Over the course of this semester there are many things that I have learned. Many different principles spoke to be as I read and taught me what I needed to hear at that point in my life. As I went back and reflected on the principles that I was learning I noticed that there were many that were repeated albeit in different forms. I recognized that these principles were not only the ones that stood out to me the most, but also were the ones that I needed to hear the most. Some of them even inspired me to challenge myself in good ways so that I could become better than I was.

     The principle that stood out to me the most was one that probably stood out to most people, and since we are reading the scriptures it makes sense that I would recognize it. However, I know it is also something that I constantly struggle to work with. This principle is to Love everyone, and show them kindness, charity, and patience. 

     Now I like to consider myself a pretty nice person. However, there is one part of me that tends to be unkind towards others and, dare I say, a little mean. This unfortunate part of me is my mind. I easily tend to get annoyed with people and although I do not like to be outwardly mean because I know it is unkind, I find that in my head I have no reservations. This is something that I actually noticed midway through the semester and I made a goal to change it. My goal was to let things go that didn’t matter when I was driving (I get terrible road rage) and to not complain to my husband over the smallest things that people did (because when something made me angry I would go home and vent to my husband forever about the subject.).

     At first it was really really difficult, and I noticed that Satan was really working on me. That first weekend I was so grumpy and mean to everyone, even to my husband even though he really did nothing wrong. I cannot even explain into words how angry I was at everyone and everything and my unkindness did not just remain in my mind but started to be more prevalent in my actions and conversation. As the emotions came to a close I felt awful and vowed to never get that angry again. Although it is still hard for me to push mean thoughts aside, I have found that I have been better at recognizing when I was being too grumpy in my head and for the most part I was able to push those thoughts away. I have found that I have more compassion on people and I am more willing to help and show love. I don’t nearly complain to my husband as often and I can’t remember the last time I got angry on the road. As I continued to read the scriptures for class I was constantly being reminded and uplifted that my goals were righteous and even though it was hard that I was doing a great job and needed to continue my efforts. I’m still working on it, but I have noticed a very positive change in myself.

     The second principle that stood out the most to me was that I needed to have faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and in the Gospel.  A lot of the scriptures that popped out at me were ones that taught me that I needed to trust in God more. My biggest struggle is being so frustrated with the world and at how many things that are going on that do not fall into sync with the gospel or God’s plan. I worry that when I have children I am going to lose them to the world around me because everything will look more fun or enticing to them. I fear for my friends who are struggling and I would just get so angry with people who were not living the gospel who I knew, knew better.

     As I read more and more in the New Testament, I had A LOT of scriptures that spoke to my heart. Many of them comforted me that things were going to be alright, but I needed to trust my Heavenly Father, and turn to him. That if I put my faith in him and stayed close to the Gospel that I would be okay. I have tried my best to remain close to him and through doing so I have also learned that it is okay if I don’t have all the answers, but that if I study hard and have faith that God knows the reasons why that I will not only be okay, but that one day I will have the answers to everything. I know that if I remain righteous that things will be okay in the end.

     The last principle that spoke to me probably ties a lot with the first. It was that I needed to not judge those around me. Even those who I think know better. The fact is, is that I just don’t know what is going on in their hearts. I don’t know what they are going through and I can’t possible begin to imagine. However, it is something I struggle with. I get so judgmental that I become angry and then I am not happy. I lose my ability to love and be kind. However, as I focused on my goals that I mentioned with the first principle, I noticed that I was less judgmental as well.

     All of these principles are continuing to help me as I strive to remain close to my Heavenly Father and to Jesus Christ. I know that as I work on these principles I will become a better person and I will be able to become the person my Heavenly Father wants me to become. 



Thursday I finished my classes for this semester. I have to say that throughout the semester I found a lot of joy in sharing what I was learning on my blog. I'm not sure how many people were reading but the truth is that regardless, I loved sharing.

      I am taking another class this next semester but this time I am studying the first half of the New Testament. I think I will continue this blog whether or not there is a requirement for it. I hope that I will provide understanding and insight to others who read this as I learn new principles for myself. For now though, I will be taking a break from my blog for the next week. 


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