Revolutions

So, someone slipped today and talked about their New Year's Revolutions. Most people laughed, but I was struck by the phrase. A revolution usually signifies either a turning motion to or away, or an upheaval or battle for change, usually in response to tyranny or the oppressor. I decided to view things in a little different light. I have many battles I am fighting and some that I need to fight--things I am turning away from and things I want to turn to. Here are some of the things I thinking about:

I want to fight perfectionism. It is useless because it never leads to ultimate perfection, it leads away from the only person who can make me perfect, I can't even make myself perfect, it has to be done through the Savior, Christ Jesus. Down with tyranny and the false oppressor.

I want to fight for hope. Life is hard, and the last six months have been so very hard. I need light and hope to get me through. That hope is an enabler. It can help me get to where I want to be--again, it is hope in the Savior I am fighting for.

I want to fight against the illusion of self-esteem and focus on self-worth. What I want is the confidence and assurance of a Child of God. A Daughter of God. We talked in Relief Society about all the false realities that are thrown at the daughters of God. This false realities can shatter and cut us to the quick. Basing my self worth on anything but my relationship with the Savior is not going to work. He is the only one I should seek to please--and unlike the many others I have sought to please, He is the only one who will make sure everyone else is taken care of--even I.

"As daughters of God, you cannot imagine the divine potential within each of you . . . You cannot imagine the gifts and talents each of you has. All women have appealing features. I do not refer to model-type appeal, but rather that which comes from your personality, your attitude, and your expressions. I urge you to enhance the natural, God-given, feminine gifts with which you have been so richly blessed. . . You sisters do not know the full extent of your influence. You sisters enrich all of humanity. . . .Being a daughter of God means that if you seek it, you can find your true identity. You will know who you are. This will make you free--not free from restraints, but free from doubts, anxieties, or peer pressure. You will not need to worry, 'do I look all right?' 'Do I sound okay?' 'What do people think of me?' A conviction that you are a daughter of God gives you a feeling of comfort in your self-worth. It means that you can find strength in the balm of Christ. It will help you meet the heartaches and challenges with faith and serenity. I wonder if you sisters can fully appreciate the innate gifts, blessings, and endowments you have simply because you are daughters of God" (James E. Faust, "What it Means To Be A Daughter of God," Ensign, Nov. 1999.)

I want to fight against entropy. I don't want to lose momentum. I want to learn and grow and be curious and do new things. I want to keep taking my three mile walks, I will have to find a way to do them indoors without much cost. I want to keep moving forward.

Now that is a revolution. More to come.