Dream Big Dreams

There were a few quotes that really resonated with me this week. One that I have heard before and has stuck with me the past couple of years and it was a nice reminder again. Coincidentally, on my walk with a friend, she talked about this same one that she talked to her seminary kids about. Working towards my dreams can look differently than another person. Mine is more just getting past my insecurities and embracing the goals that I have.

In "The Challenge to Become" By Elder Dallin H. Oaks he tells of a parable. A wealthy man talks to his son and says, “All that I have I desire to give you—not only my wealth, but also my position and standing among men. That which I have I can easily give you, but that which I am you must obtain for yourself." This stood out to me because I thought of my goals to get to the Celestial Kingdom with my Father in Heaven. I want to do everything I can to be worthy of that. Of course everyone falters and sins, in whatever form that is, but Jesus Christ has given us a way through His Atonement for that to happen. I am forever grateful for His sacrifice and example so that I know by what way I need to pattern my life. If I am obtaining for myself what the Father already has, and wants to give to me. 

In "Think Big" by Taylor Richards he says at the end, "So I challenge you, pursue your goals and dreams. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it. And involve the Lord, you can do great things. And it's fun." I like that. His process was a neat one to hear about. He was excited to be in the top 100 of boat dealers in North America. When he found out he was in the top 20 it was even more exciting. I love that his goal was not to be the last two. That's not a bad goal! I think it's good to have goals and to not set them too high at first. Once you have accomplished the smaller things on the way, then those loftier goals don't seem so lofty. Then the next year his goal was to be the top 10 which he was able to do. The Lord blesses us when we have goals and involve Him in them. Then, sometimes, he gives you a better deal than you had aimed for. I am grateful for those moments. I need to aim high but not too high than to be discouraged. 

"Your Emotional Fingerprint" by Jim Ritchie he tells the story of an old Cherokee man. The man is telling a story to his grandson about two wolves in each of us. Each one wars with the other. One represents the good side of us. The other, the bad. "The grandson, after thinking about it for a minute asked his grandfather, “Which wolf wins?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”" I love this story. This is the one I have heard before. I really like that there are two sides. Which one are you going to feed? In business you can feed the white wolf that represents the ethical, moral side. When you are working on everything and come to a decision to choose one or the other. The white wolf decision will be an easy one. The black wolf one won't even be a possibility. I want to always feed the white wolf and be on the Lord's side in all I do. Whether that is personal, family, church, community, and business. 

There is a video that this reminds me of that is put out by the church. It had to do with a three friends wanting to further their career options during school and vie for an internship in Japan. They were able to procure it and went together. During their time there they were invited to a party to which the friend was adamant about going to. These young men went but felt uncomfortable with the things they were doing there. He told the friend they should go but he did not want to. The young man ended up leaving and the other went with him, discouraged that his friend didn't go. He chose early on that he had certain rules that he would not back down on. Moral rules set by God. They ended up heading down the elevator and found that police were heading up. They found out that the police arrested everyone at the party and the friend that stayed lost his internship because of it. The two young men went on to finish his internship and led a good life. The other was expelled and had to leave Japan. At the end of the video Elder Stevenson says, "Remember, what you do, where you go, and what you see will shape who you become." Your dreams need to stay within those guidelines. The Lord will bless you along the way.