Monday, February 26, 2018

Where's My Sword?


I’m tired. Maybe I’ve got spring fever, even though winter just showed up last week. Maybe I’m tired because it’s half-way through the semester and I’ve got a Sophomore form of Senioritis.  Maybe it’s because it’s almost March; I have personal experiences that make me agree with Shakespeare about March. Maybe it’s because I stayed up too late last night watching the Olympics, got up early this morning, went to the gym, did a half hour on the treadmill, completed 3 sets of 9 different weight-lifting exercises, and came home to 27 minutes of yoga. Maybe it’s because I’m “getting up there,” and I’m frustrated because I don’t learn as quickly as I once did.

Regardless, I need to do something. A nap sounds good. But, that is only a temporary fix. Maybe I need a new attitude. Anyone know where I can get one?

Elder Holland (I L.O.V.E. him!) knows how we feel; he’s been there before, too. He gave some great counsel to BYU students clear back in 1983 that still applies to us today. He says, “If your eyes are always on your shoelaces, if all you can see is this class or that test, …this disappointment or that dilemma, then it really is quite easy to throw in the towel and stop the fight. But what if it is the fight … for your eternal life? What if beyond … this disappointment or that dilemma, you really can see and can hope for all …that God has to offer? Oh, it may be blurred a bit…faintly, dimly, and ever so far away you can see the object of it all. And you say it is worth it, you do want it, you will fight on. Like Coriantumr, you will lean upon your sword to rest a while, then rise to fight again (see Ether 15:24–30) …As long and laborious as the effort may seem, please … take advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow… work, [and]… wait patiently when you have no other choice. Lean on your sword and rest a while, but get up and fight again…however long and hard the road.” 

Elder Holland also reminded us during Conference recently that we get credit for trying. Thank heavens.

Okay. I can do this, just let me take a little break, rejuvenate, and get an outlook makeover. Now… who moved my sword?

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