Two Principles for Any Economy

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave the talk Two Principles for Any Economy in the evening Priesthood Session of General Conference. He is such an amazing man and has gone through so much in his life! He is such a positive person and amazing example of achieving our "higher self."

He said that "Even though I still remember the hurt and despair, I can see now what I was unable to see then: this was a period of great personal growth." I have been spending a lot of time reflecting on my past experiences and my reactions to them. A lot of the time anger and hurt were at the forefront of my response and I let a great opportunity to learn and grow closer to Heavenly Father pass me bye. I am trying my hardest to not pass up those opportunities today.

He talked about the importance of work. He said "That’s the thing about work. If we simply keep at it—steady and constant—things certainly will improve" I am truly grateful for my job and more importantly my membership in the church. My church membership requires me to work. To serve my fellow man. What a blessing this is! And as President Uchtdorf said, when I work at my calling I can always improve it as well as myself. I am trying to get more involved and work extra hard and fulfilling and exceeding my church callings.

I thought it was very interesting that he said that "retirement is not part of the Lord’s plan of happiness." You know they say that you should do what you love. As explained in my sport psychology class, this is because you have been given some sort of natural ability at it. I would say that you love what is perhaps one of the gifts that Heavenly Father gave you ... one of your talents. Heavenly Father wants us to develop our talents and make them more than what he originally gave us. There are so many wonderful scripture stories and parables about this.

Elder Uchtdorf also said that "For members of the Church, education is not merely a good idea—it’s a commandment." I recently remembered this fact and wondered how in the world I was to keep moving forward with my education. I at this time do not want to go back to school nor have time for it. I got my bachelors, what else did I need. Then I realized that my spiritual education is no where close to complete, in fact its hardly begun. This is what inspired me to start reading a talk every day ... to push myself to learn. That is why I started this blog, to provide an arena for me to learn. I might go back to school someday, but right now I am happy diligently working everyday to learn what my Heavenly Father has to teach me each and every day.

Elder Uchtdorf closed by saying "it is often in the trial of adversity that we learn those most critical lessons that form our character and shape our destiny." I want to make the right decisions and reactions in the face of adversity so that I can form the best me ... a "higher self."