HAVE A PLAN

A good leader has a plan.  Jesus had one.  He gave clear instructions to us regarding how we could attain desired results.  He also had received a plan that he was working on implementing.  He spoke often about how something was either part of or not part of the plan.  He did not claim to know all the details, but he certainly saw the big picture and acted on a day to day basis according to his inner instructions.  What good does it do to stir up a crowd if you do not give them a constructive outlet for their energy?  So few people have plans that people will flock to almost anyone who comes up with a vivid sketch of how something could or should be done.  Plan your work and work your plan.

That's from a book called Jesus CEO - Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership

ILLUMINATION

Life is so, so busy.  I wish I could be you and have ample study time every day.  Today I would've studied more about light and illumination.  I read D&C 11:12-14 during church today. Such a wonderful passage of scripture.   

11For, behold, it is I that speak; behold, I am the ^alight which shineth in darkness, and by my ^bpower I give these words unto thee.

 12And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your ^atrust in that^bSpirit which ^cleadeth to do ^dgood—yea, to do ^ejustly, to walk^fhumbly, to ^gjudge righteously; and this is my Spirit.

 13Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall ^aenlighten your ^bmind, which shall fill your soul with ^cjoy;

 14And then shall ye know, or by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of^arighteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive.

Then this random quote on the internet - There are very few human beings who receive the truth, complete and staggering by instant illumination.  Most of them acquire it fragment by fragment, on a small scale, by successive developments, cellularly, like a laborious mosaic.

And Karamea's most recent Facebook post - Never tempt fate by thinking negative about a situation, that which you illuminate in your mind, will turn out positive.

SUCCESS IS AN ENDLESS JOURNEY

It is the whole story of a man's life that must ultimately determine whether or not he is successful, and not any single page or chapter of it.  And there are none so young but what their performance has its effect upon the whole of their lives, and none so old as to place them and their actions beyond judgment.  A little foolishness may destroy a long-standing reputation for wisdom, and a little brilliance may seem to cover a multitude of sins.  But life is not a thing that begins and ends at two definable points.  It is an eternal journey, to endless destinations; and the highest reward is for consistency of performance--not merely for occasional flashes of brilliance, or isolated acts of goodness, or brief periods of dependability.  It is still true, as it was when it was anciently spoken, that he "that endureth to the end" has the greatest assurance of success and the greatest promise of having the labors of his life pronounced "well done."  

THE JOY OF WORK

President David O. McKay said, “Let us realize that the privilege to work is a gift, that the power to work is a blessing, that the love of work is success”

 

I slept and dreamt

That life was joy

I woke and saw

That life was duty

I acted, And behold!

Duty was joy!

TESTIMONY

Elder Richard G. Scott - A testimonyedit testimonyedit testimony is fortified by spiritual impressions that confirm the validity of a teaching, of a righteous act. Often such guidance is accompanied by powerful emotions that bring tears to the eyes and make it difficult to speak. But a testimony is not emotion. It is the very essence of character woven from threads born of countless correct decisions. These choices are made with trusting faith in things that are believed and, at least initially, are not seen. A strong testimony gives peace, comfort, and assurance. It generates the conviction that as the teachings of the Savior are consistently obeyed, life will be beautiful, the future will be secure, and there will be capacity to overcome the challenges that cross our path. A testimony grows from understanding truth distilled from prayer and the pondering of scriptural doctrine. It is nurtured by living those truths with faith anchored in the secure confidence that the promised results will be obtained.

REVERENCE

As people show reverence for God, they also show reverence and gratitude for His blessings, His commandments, His prophets, His Church, His ordinances, His priesthood, and His plan for His children. A reverent attitude includes self-respect and personal purity. It leads to proper worship and right conduct.  Reverent behavior includes prayer, scripture study, and fasting. It includes having wholesome thoughts, wearing modest clothing, and using clean, wholesome language. The depth of a person's reverence is evident in his or her choice of music and other entertainment, in the way sacred subjects are spoken of, and in the way the person dresses and acts when attending church services and worshiping in the temple. Reverence also includes making righteous choices even when no one is watching. Reverence for the Lord leads to serving other people and treating them with kindness and respect. Reverence leads to a quiet transformation in life. The Lord will pour out His Spirit more abundantly on those who are reverent. They are less troubled and confused. They are able to receive revelation to help them solve personal and family problems. Just as reverence brings an individual closer to God, irreverence suits the purposes of the adversary. Satan will tempt people to follow the world's trend to more noise, transitory excitement, and contention and to less restraint and quiet dignity.

FASTING

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin - "Fasting and prayer can help develop within us courage and confidence.  It can strengthen our character and build self-restraint and discipline.  Often when we fast, our righteous prayers and petitions have greater power.  Testimonies grow.  We mature spiritually and emotionally and sanctify our souls.  Each time we fast we gain a little more control over our worldly appetites and passions."

That is such an amazing quote!  Did you ever imagine that fasting could mold your character like that?  Develop courage and confidence, strengthen character and build self-restraint. Encourage spiritual and emotional maturity and sanctify our souls.  These are wonderful blessings.