2012 RESOLUTIONS....well the ones I am sharing

1. Write down things I learn while studying the gospel. I have been decent about writing down three things I am grateful for each day I would like to also add something new I learned about the gospel. Probably won't do everyday but at least a couple of times a week.
2. Pay a little extra on my mortgage each month.
3. Rehabilitate my hamstring. I want to leave the pain in 2012. It may mean sitting out a few sports seasons which will be difficult but in the end worth it.
4. Live the abundant life as suggested by President Monson in this months Ensign: Have a positive attitude, be believing in myself, others and gospel principles, and have the courage to live decently. Not quite sure how to measure this one but at least think about it.
5. Study the Book of Mormon more, not just read it

That is plenty to keep my busy for the year. As I finished the Book of Mormon last month I loved a few versus in Mormon 9. Especially Mormon 9:17-21. Here Moroni is explaining that miracles can still take place in we have faith. I love that! And that if we ask with nothing doubting it will be granted unto us...what a promise.

Elder Holland spoke at the BYU Hawaii commencement ceremony and exerts from his talk were posted on lds.org. I really like some things he said:

“Don't go to your first job or first neighborhood or first staff meeting and just begin to act like everybody else. Be strong. Be true. …Teach—rather than being taught. You can't control everyone's morals, but you can control your own. You can't control everyone's language, but you can control your own. You can't control everyone's personal standards, but you can control yours. And thus the light of the gospel—the figurative lighthouse of Laie—can shine in all the world to which you go. Don't give up and don’t give in. Be strong if you are the only Latter-day Saint for a hundred miles in any direction. Stand straight and true and firm.”

“It is incumbent upon us as students, as Latter-day Saints, and as children of God to see the divine potential in ourselves, to believe in ourselves, and to know that with God’s help there is quite literally nothing in righteousness that we cannot become,” Elder Holland said.

Elder Holland began the first lesson by frankly stating, “For Latter-day Saints in general and BYU—Hawaii students in particular, there should be no ‘blur in the vision of what is humanly possible.’ We of all people should not be guilty of ‘living under our moral capacity’ or, as Brigham Young regularly phrased it, ‘living beneath our privilege.’ I’m saying, in short, that if you lack confidence or always sound apologetic or feel you have an inferiority complex, get over it.”

Everyone starts humbly and with feelings of inadequacy, Elder Holland said. We all have our fears and insecurities. But like the visions seen by the prophets in the eras before us, Elder Holland said, remember that God always needs us to elevate our views.

Elder Holland counseled graduates not to dwell on what they might see as personal disadvantages, but to focus on the wonderful blessings they have had and the wonderful world of possibilities before them. And though some students may apologize for not studying hard enough, they should never apologize for the lack of opportunity, lack of possibility, lack of divine love to guide them, or lack of dreams to make them better than they ever thought they could be—because, Elder Holland said, those are gifts for the taking if they are wanted.

This year I want to be better, live better, represent the Savior better. That is difficult and I know I will mess up but I want to wake up each day with the desire to be better and not apologize or feel bad for who I am and what I believe. I don't want to blend into the background I want to be different!

So there you are.