At the beginning of the year, a lesson in Relief Society at church wedged itself into my mind and has only intensified as a call to action. I seem to consistently have this lesson and it's concept pop into my mind. I believe it is something I must act upon. As some of you know, this year we have been studying the teachings of the prophet George Albert Smith. One of the earlier lessons was entitled " Living What We Believe ". In it, President Smith shares what he calls his Personal Creed; 11 ideals he is committed to living. I think it is human nature to say we believe something but not always behave in a way that proves that. I'm not talking about perfection, just the standards of personal character that propel the decisions we make. Yes, religion plays a part in those things, whatever religion you believe in, but does our life really show what we profess to stand for? It's easy to sometimes forget the many goals we have made to be better people. We get overwhelmed with the idea of all the things we want to improve on, at least I do. We go through seasons of change, for one reason or another. Moving, ages of our children, financial situations, people coming into our lives or leaving them. Those are moments to really look at yourself and see who you have become. What do you want to keep? What do you want to let go of? What do you want to add? I personally have been in the middle of transition compounded by several events and through the transition more transition of course has occurred. I find myself guilty of saying I believe or really admire something yet my devotion to it as a character attribute is not as evident as I would sometimes like to believe. In other areas I am proud of who I have become. I think I'm being prodded to create a Personal Creed so I can say "I, Rachel, stand for this. This is how someone can describe me because of the decisions I have made in my life." It will help define and shape my decisions and thoughts.
Below is President Smith's personal creed. Read it, see if it inspires something in you to add to your life, maybe question if you are living up to who you want to be. I am. I hope to be able to post by my birthday my personal creed. I have given up New Year's Resolutions and instead have decided to use my birthday, my beginning, to start anew. By posting it, I hold myself more accountable with my dealing with my loved ones, and those that I come in contact with. It will be out there and I am hopeful you will hold me to those commitments. I would so love to hear yours, if you so choose. It's powerful when we love each other and help keep one another to our best selves. Respect and honor for each other has a deeper meaning as we are living our own personal creed and allowing ourselves to know others by theirs. I'm again not talking about perfection, but forming that core integrity and alignment that will solidify into the best selves we are committed to becoming and holding others lovingly to theirs.
I would love to hear your thoughts.
Much love and until next time.....
President George Albert Smith's Personal Creed
“I would be a friend to the friendless and find joy in ministering to the needs of the poor.
“I would visit the sick and afflicted and inspire in them a desire for faith to be healed.
“I would teach the truth to the understanding and blessing of all mankind.
“I would seek out the erring one and try to win him back to a righteous and a happy life.
“I would not seek to force people to live up to my ideals but rather love them into doing the thing that is right.
“I would live with the masses and help to solve their problems that their earth life may be happy.
“I would avoid the publicity of high positions and discourage the flattery of thoughtless friends.
“I would not knowingly wound the feelings of any, not even one who may have wronged me, but would seek to do him good and make him my friend.
“I would overcome the tendency to selfishness and jealousy and rejoice in the successes of all the children of my Heavenly Father.
“I would not be an enemy to any living soul.
“Knowing that the Redeemer of mankind has offered to the world the only plan that will fully develop us and make us really happy here and hereafter, I feel it not only a duty but also a blessed privilege to disseminate this truth.”
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