I want to do more.

Isn't it amazing how we can have such scattered thoughts in our minds, and then be able to transfer those onto paper, for others to see?  In a way it makes us vulnerable. Before, those thoughts are ours, and ours only. In an instant though, those thoughts can become alive and dance on a public stage. Often our thoughts involve other people. We can choose to keep thoughts to ourselves, write them down, or vocally express them. Many times others could be edified if only we chose to communicate. Our expression is precious. Some of the most tender moments in my life have been moments where someone truly expressed their feelings to me. I have felt love, joy, pain, hope, excitement, and many other emotions just because someone chose to let me in on their thoughts....Communication is truly of the essence. 


How often do we think things that we wouldn't want others to know we were thinking? A NEW GOAL. Express every good thought, think only that which would lift someone else, if they saw on paper, or heard what I was thinking. There is no reason we should ever feel it's alright to secretly hate, mock, scorn, lust, or look down on others. Just because we aren't outwardly expressing those thoughts, doesn't justify our thoughts. I know how good it feels to genuinely make someone feel good about themselves. I also know how painful it is to lose ourselves momentarily to tearing someone down. We all feel inadequate enough, that we don't need one more person against us. Oh how I would love to be one that consistently lifts up others. It's hard to do, but it makes us better. I want to be just a little better each day. That's all I can do, but that's also a lot. The beautiful words of Rabintranath Tagor inspire me...

I slept and dreamt

That life was joy

I awoke and saw 

that life was duty 

I acted and beheld 

Duty was joy

Tomorrow, I want to wake up and truly wake up. I want to see that I have a duty. I want to live each day in gratitude. Gratitude to my Heavenly Father for all that He has given me. For the potential I have to become. My thoughts should be more turned to Him and his undeniable existence and involvement in my life. I can serve Him more faithfully as I outwardly express my love for Him through my actions towards others. This is a moment of truth. I want to be better tomorrow than I was today. My thoughts will drive my actions. My actions will drive others to be inspired, just as my Heavenly Father inspires me daily to become more than I am . And as a wonderful man and prophet of God, Gordon B. Hinkley once said, “Cultivate an attitude of happiness. Cultivate a spirit of optimism. Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature, in the goodness of those you love, in the testimony which you carry in your heart concerning things divine.”