We began the discussion by asking what is the difference
between Success and Mastery…
This Topic was integrated into a Joseph Fielding Smith Lesson
23….Individual
Responsibility.
The thought was presented that success is sort of a one shot
deal…you win a
prize, you win a trophy, you pass a test, you lose five pounds, you give a
wonderful talk in Sacrament Meeting…on and on…Mastery is a lifelong process…on ongoing, active striving to
betterment….each and
every day….up the proverbial
mountainside…
Sometimes we think that success is the ultimate
goal….but we soon learn that when we achieve success in any
area, including spiritual growth, it is just a beginning….as we become diligent in reading and studying my scriptures, we
arise each new day to realize that we need to read again….but over the course of many days, and months and years of
reading….something begins to happen…the very principles in
the scriptures begin to take hold and change us….so it is not just one
event….but many many layers of building….line upon line, precept upon precept. Alma 32:28
The lesson reminds us that we, and only we
individually, can seek Mastery.
“We expect our members
everywhere to learn correct principles and to govern themselves.” (Joseph Fielding Smith)
The bottom line is that we, and only WE each individually can we do it…no one else, not even a spouse can do it for us….
Through sermons and
actions, President Smith repeatedly taught this principle. He emphasized that
although Latter-day Saints should diligently help others receive the blessings
of the gospel, salvation is an individual responsibility. He also encouraged
the Saints to be self-reliant and to work industriously in temporal pursuits. “That is what life is all about,” he said, “to develop our potential, and especially to gain self-mastery.”
So, how do we attain or
develop self-mastery sometimes, just like the drought
resistant Gazania flower, we bloom through challenges and even adversity. The
Gazania continues to bloom, even with little water, and harsh conditions. So
we, likewise, by adapting to challenges in our lives, can become more resilient…indeed spiritually strong.
it is the CHALLENGES that make us grow and adapt and change…..Not the successes….but sometimes even the near wins….the topic was discussed in a TED lecture entitled The Near Win presented
by Sarah Lewis, Art Historian….."Mastery versus Success....The Near Win”...look at difference between the
silver medalist versus the bronze medalist....silvers focus on trying again....bronzes
do not….”why the near win is so important, it
helps us to refocus on what we might do to reset our sights to try again”
Our Heavenly Father certainly must have known that OR he
surely would not have given us free agency....we would have remained in the
Garden....and been yes, "perfect" BUT not
"perfected".....it is the daily struggle to hit our targets,
physical, mental and certainly spiritual, that propel us forward as we achieve
Mastery. It is no wonder that we often refer to the Savior as The
Master.....even He needed to be tried and tested and proven.....
"This is what a near win does right now, it allows us to
focus right now on what we plan to do right now to address that mountain in our
sights."
"We thrive not when we have done it all....but when we
have yet more to do”
Michaelangelo is said to have offered this prayer: “ Lord, grant that I may desire more
than I can accomplish.”
A little exercise was
offered to the sisters…..for a few minutes….write down what is truly important
to you…not goals…..just what is most important in your
life….it may be
different for each person….all of us might say family…but be more specific….is it eating together at night, is
it having family prayers or a consistent family night….or just having fun together….sharing family stories….think of 3-4 “targets” that you want to make a priority….some days, you will be like the
archer who didn’t even hit the target, much less the 10 ring….other days, with practice…you will come close…
the key is to FOCUS….next few months will be busy, and
will give way to a multitude of distractions,….tuck these four items away or post
it somewhere that you will see in order to periodically readjust…..
The last thought shared was from President Finnigen, our
outgoing Temple President….when you have a tendency to be too hard on yourself…remember this “You are doing better than you think”.
The Lord will, through personal revelation, guide your arrow….at those targets HE feels are most
important.