Still Pursuing Excellence??!!

I wanted to shout out a reminder that it's been 6 months since you've set your goals!! If you didn't set any at the beginning of the year or if you did and you just need to refocus... now is the time!! It's never too late, at least let's hope not!! Those of you who are on track- reevaluate & stay the course! Here are a few thoughts about continuing your Pursuit of Excellence!

• Once you have selected your goals, commit yourself to a carefully developed plan to achieve those goals. Be diligent in following the plan. Account to your Father in Heaven regularly concerning your progress. Do not undertake at one time more than you can reasonably accomplish. Your goals and plans should be challenging but realistic. Wise King Benjamin counseled: "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order." (Mosiah 4:27)
• Personal growth and increased power to be of service to others are the rewards for achieving! President David O. McKay taught: "Every noble impulse, every unselfish expression of love, every brave suffering for the right; every surrender of self to something higher than self; every helpfulness to humanity; every act of self-control; every fine courage of the soul, undefeated by pretence or policy, but by being, doing, and living of good for the very good's sake-that is spirituality....Spirituality, our true aim, is the consciousness of victory over self, and of communion with the Infinite. Spirituality impels one to conquer difficulties and acquire more and more strength. To feel one's faculties unfolding, and truth expanding in the soul, is one of life's sublimest experiences."
• In pursuit of anything noble & worthwhile there will always be distractions! There isn't anything convenient about pursuing excellence. We have to make it happen! The scriptures say, "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things."
• This is a reminder for me too! I woke up this morning thinking about my goals and dreams. I love the stillness of the mornings. My mind and heart were open and i was able to clarify my specific purpose for being here (as i understand it)! One of my goals this year is to memorize a proclamation put out by my church~ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It's titled: "The Family; A Proclamation To The World." There are nine paragraphs and i made it to #7 a couple months ago, but then because of 'distractions' i stopped. I realized i had lost focus &/or purpose for doing this, but i am picking up where i left off!! We're not perfect~ it's overcoming and recognizing our dependency on Deity that makes us stronger. We must be humble. We can't do it alone. I have a specific book that i have put copies of different papers that mean soooo much to me. It contains both my Personal and Family Mission Statements, The Relief Society Declaration, my Patriarchal Blessing, The Living Christ, The Family Proclamation, The Optimist Creed and a list of daily alphabetical Affirmations. Just this morning i was inspired to add a copy of The Constitution of the United States of America. All of these documents truly empower me! Be prayerful about your specific goals and if putting together a book with words inspires you...then Go For It!! Love you!!