My Olympics

I am excited for the Olympics that are starting in just a couple of days.  The lessons we can learn from the athletes are impressive, their dedication, how focused they are on their goals, their determination to succeed, the training they are willing to do to have a few minutes in their event be incredible, the never quit attitude they display even in and when they have set backs... it is inspiring.  

In our lesson on Sunday we talked about Noelle Pikus-Pace who competed and won in the 2014 Olympics.  We discussed her years of preparation that would all come down to four intense 60- second runs.  We talked about the accident that broke her leg and kept her from the 2006 Olympic's and her disappointment when she fell short of her 2010 Olympic dreams of getting her medal by one-tenth of a second.  But she never gave up, she kept moving forward - 

"She spent years preparing for those four minutes and would spend a lifetime afterward reflecting on them."  Gary E. Stevenson said about her four minutes she would run in her race.  This is true for each of us in this life.  We have spent so long preparing for this life- this is our four minutes.  It all comes down to my what I do with the life I have been given.  I have thought about my four minutes and what I am doing with them.  Am I living the life I was meant to live, and am I living it to the fullest of my ability?  Am I dedicated to living as a disciple of Christ, Am I focused on my family, the temple, meaningful relationships, doing good, and helping those around me.  Am I focused on my goals.  Am I determined to succeed, and win- even when trials and set-backs come.  Will I endure to the end and have a never-quit attitude?   When I finish this life how will I meet my Heavenly Father?  I love this quote from Sister Hinkley

Each of us has our own "event" that we participate in.  Each of our lives are different and we each have a very special and significant purpose that we are here at this time.  Our lives are different and unique, and each of us can do extraordinary things.  President Spencer W. Kimball taught "Before we came to earth we were given certain assignments. ... While we do not now remember the particulars, this does not alter the glorious reality of what we once agreed to."  How incredible is that!  We were prepared for now, to be here now- President Russell M. Nelson said "The Lord has more in mind for you than you have in mind for yourself!  You have been reserved and preserved for this time and place.... The Lord needs you to change the world.  As you accept and follow His will for you, you will find yourself accomplishing the impossible!"  I love this truth!   We can change the world.  The Lord needs us to be strong, and to find out what He would have us do.  

What gifts do I have?  

How can I use these gifts to "change the world'? 

 What gifts do you have? 

 How are you "changing the world"?  

Together we can change lives- we can make this world a better place to be.  I love that I am surrounded by amazing people who help me want to be a better person.  Let's be that for each other!  There is no room to be unkind, and judgmental.  It would be really unfair for the figure skaters to judge the performance of the snowboarders-  it is not their event.   Each is so different- you cannot compare the two.  But we can appreciate both.  Let's appreciate and embrace the differences in all of us.  

Have a happy day!