Three Goals to Guide You ~ Goal #1

My thoughts on President Monson's talk "Three Goals to Guide You"

I’m a poor goal setter and even worse keep of the goals. I’m still overweight and go to bed too late. But Pres. Monson gives us some great goals to strive for. I have to pat myself on the back and that I’m doing these as best I can. Amidst the commotion of raising six kids, I’m doing the best I can. But of course Pres. Hinckley always tells us to do “just a little better,” so somehow I have to do better!

As an aside—I love his joke about the book titled “Man, the master of women” I was reading this during sacrament meeting and had to stifle a real out loud laugh.

Goal #1 Study Diligently:
“It is our responsibility to fortify and protect them” (“Them” is our children).
Yesterday as we sat around the table for family scripture time (we are studying Alma right now) I seriously looked at my husband and asked, “And this is supposed to bring us blessings?” How many of you struggle with reverence, attention and lack of seriousness when your family studies the scriptures? Man what a struggle. I almost want to give up. My only worry is that I’m afraid of what will happen if we stop, but it sure isn’t spiritual or fun. I have to tell the children for the thousand time to put the dog down, don’t clip your nails, read along, no spoofing (passing gas), pay attention, etc, etc. I’m so frustrated.
But I preserve on and get more and more depressed because we aren’t “studying” the scriptures. It is a test of patience and endurance and somehow my children seem to make me bite my tongue to the point it bleeds.

He says, “To an alarming extent, our children today are being educated by the media, including the Internet. In the United States, it is reported that the average child watches approximately four hours of television daily, much of the programming being filled with violence, alcohol and drug use, and sexual content. Watching movies and playing video games is in addition to the four hours. And the statistics are much the same for other developed countries. The messages portrayed on television, in movies, and in other media are very often in direct opposition to that which we want our children to embrace and hold dear. It is our responsibility not only to teach them to be sound in spirit and doctrine but also to help them stay that way, regardless of the outside forces they may encounter. This will require much time and effort on our part—and in order to help others, we ourselves need the spiritual and moral courage to withstand the evil we see on every side.”

“Time and effort” I’m so worn out and my battle isn’t half as hard as the other mothers in the ward. My children do not have the peer pressure to conform and be like their school mates. But I’m so tired of the battle. I feel like I’m perpetually in the “endure to the end” part of this. That wouldn’t be bad, but I have at least another 10 years of this and who knows who’s children will be living with me in 10 years ~smile~

“Required is the courage to hold fast to our standards despite the derision of the world.” I’m doing this and I do have to say it isn’t nearly as hard when your children (and you) don’t know all the “derision” of the world.

He also says, “I urge you to pursue your education” “secular learning is also essential.”
One of these days I want to go over the talks from the last 10 or so years and high light the First Presidencies bidding, urging and desire that we as women and that our children “get an education.” I’m not sure if it because I’m studying the talks more or if I’m in the field of education that I have noticed lately their push for children and women to become educated. I love this push. I truly wish I could hang a diploma on my wall. I can’t right now because I’m educating my children, but I have learned more from that than in a regular class room. I finally get science and history is coming alive because I don’t have to memorize dates and names! I finally know how to spell!!!! I love reading books and discussing them because a grade isn’t hanging on it. I love to write and do it! But, no paper on my wall—maybe someday. I tell everyone I’m going to go to school with my youngest and we are going to graduate together!

I say amen to this: “Your talents will expand as you study and learn.” I’m not sure my “talents” have expanded but I know I have had a better education outside of a real classroom then the 15+years inside. In fact I look over that time and I learned to read because my mom taught me. I Never really understood math until my brother sat me down and cut an apple apart. I was a great test taker but still didn’t understand it (whatever “it” was) until later in my life.