Comments on: Straining toward achievement http://mormonconversations.com/straining-toward-achievement/ Discussions on faith, religion, Mormonism, and other important topics Tue, 22 May 2012 07:14:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Blog Safari 9-19-08 http://mormonconversations.com/straining-toward-achievement/#comment-1428 Blog Safari 9-19-08 Sat, 20 Sep 2008 02:07:01 +0000 http://ongofu.wordpress.com/?p=559#comment-1428 [...] Straining toward achievement & Ongofu - an LDS... A very truthful anecdote comparing working out at the gym to the challenge of life for all of us. [...] [...] Straining toward achievement & Ongofu – an LDS… A very truthful anecdote comparing working out at the gym to the challenge of life for all of us. [...]

]]> By: Eric Nielson http://mormonconversations.com/straining-toward-achievement/#comment-1427 Eric Nielson Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:27:17 +0000 http://ongofu.wordpress.com/?p=559#comment-1427 Well said again. And by the way, the most I have ever bench pressed is about 160 lbs. So...... Whatever you say, Mr. Lindquist. Well said again.

And by the way, the most I have ever bench pressed is about 160 lbs. So……

Whatever you say, Mr. Lindquist.

]]> By: Rusty Lindquist http://mormonconversations.com/straining-toward-achievement/#comment-1426 Rusty Lindquist Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:31:30 +0000 http://ongofu.wordpress.com/?p=559#comment-1426 I know so well what you mean. There must be moderation in all things. In the religious sense, we have to balance "Be still" with "waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness" (Doctrine and Covenants 123:13). I think a lot that precarious balance is found in picking our battles. We needn't thrash about trying to be the best at everything (as I mention in "being remarkable"), but rather pick an area or two where we may have the most impact ("find your sweet spot") and in those areas do all that we can to leverage our strengths and abilities to build God's kingdom on earth. But you don't strike me as an "average" guy. I strongly suspect that where you take a more passive approach to some things, you take a far more extraordinary approach to others - such as intellectual development with a firm, deep grasp on eternal concepts. Joseph Smith said "Thy mind, oh man, if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss and the broad expanses of eternity. None but fools will trifle with the souls of man". You seem to have a grasp on concepts that belies your cliam to mediocrity (I suspect you're just being humble). The beautiful thing about this world is it's variety. I thank my heavenly father that the wold is not full of people just like me. Believe me, THAT would be bad. ;-) I know so well what you mean. There must be moderation in all things. In the religious sense, we have to balance “Be still” with “waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness” (Doctrine and Covenants 123:13).

I think a lot that precarious balance is found in picking our battles. We needn’t thrash about trying to be the best at everything (as I mention in “being remarkable”), but rather pick an area or two where we may have the most impact (“find your sweet spot”) and in those areas do all that we can to leverage our strengths and abilities to build God’s kingdom on earth.

But you don’t strike me as an “average” guy. I strongly suspect that where you take a more passive approach to some things, you take a far more extraordinary approach to others – such as intellectual development with a firm, deep grasp on eternal concepts.

Joseph Smith said “Thy mind, oh man, if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss and the broad expanses of eternity. None but fools will trifle with the souls of man”.

You seem to have a grasp on concepts that belies your cliam to mediocrity (I suspect you’re just being humble). The beautiful thing about this world is it’s variety.

I thank my heavenly father that the wold is not full of people just like me. Believe me, THAT would be bad. ;-)

]]> By: Eric Nielson http://mormonconversations.com/straining-toward-achievement/#comment-1425 Eric Nielson Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:42:00 +0000 http://ongofu.wordpress.com/?p=559#comment-1425 I could really learn a lot from you I'm afraid. In so many areas of my life I am very passive. Mostly getting by, surviving, performing as expected. I must admit much of my life is spent trying to avoid failure. I wonder about some of this in a religious sense. There is the 'be still and know that I am God' advice. There is the 'let virtue garnish thy thoughts' resulting in confidence waxing strong and knowledge distilling on your soul like the dew of heaven without compulsary means. (D&C 121 about verse 30 if I remember). At any rate, I am not naturally a very emotional/passionate person, and unfortunately I am probably an underachiever in many ways. I sort of relate to George Washington and Captain Moroni, who both seemed to want to just go back to being a common guy after the wars were over. Not seeking for 'power', but to bring it down. I sometimes admire the virtues of some of the more passive goodness then the ambitious, assetive achievements. I sometimes struggle with these concepts. Thanks for your encouraging words. I could really learn a lot from you I’m afraid. In so many areas of my life I am very passive. Mostly getting by, surviving, performing as expected. I must admit much of my life is spent trying to avoid failure.

I wonder about some of this in a religious sense. There is the ‘be still and know that I am God’ advice. There is the ‘let virtue garnish thy thoughts’ resulting in confidence waxing strong and knowledge distilling on your soul like the dew of heaven without compulsary means. (D&C 121 about verse 30 if I remember).

At any rate, I am not naturally a very emotional/passionate person, and unfortunately I am probably an underachiever in many ways. I sort of relate to George Washington and Captain Moroni, who both seemed to want to just go back to being a common guy after the wars were over. Not seeking for ‘power’, but to bring it down.

I sometimes admire the virtues of some of the more passive goodness then the ambitious, assetive achievements. I sometimes struggle with these concepts. Thanks for your encouraging words.

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