word

So, Michelle and others chose a word for 2007 and I chose a word for myself last year, but didn't ever do a post about it. Last year, my word was 'happiness.' I wanted to be able to be happy wherever I am regardless of what else is going on. I fully believe that happiness is something you can be regardless of whatever is going on. Sometimes it's harder, but it is possible, so that was my goal last year. Overall, I think I succeeded. Sometimes I had to check myself and make sure I was on the right track for choosing happiness, but I think I made good strides toward choosing to be happy wherever I am.

So now for my 2008 word.

become

I thought of this last month during my religion class after reading Dallin H. Oaks's talk "The Challenge to Become." (check it out). Elder Oaks says that "the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become." I think I always knew this, but cementing the truth that the Gospel is one of not necessarily doing, but becoming, really helped me realize better what this Gospel truly is. Heavenly Father knows ultimately who we are and he sees all the potential in us we may not recognize in ourselves. The Gospel and the Atonement are here to help us become who we're meant to be. When we're living the Gospel and God's commandments, we are individual and unique, we're more who we really are, if that makes any sense.

So, when we live as God would have us live, He helps us become who we're meant to be, and who he wants us to be. That's my focus this year. I want to become more who God wants me to be and I want to fulfill my potential as much I as can right now at this point in my life. Sometimes that's hard, but I know it's possible. I know that He can change my heart and that with the help of the Atonement, I really can become whom I was always meant to be.