I think we can't go around measuring our goodness by what we don't do, by what we deny ourselves, what we resist and who we exclude. I think we've got to measure our goodness by what we embrace, what we create and who we include.
-Pere Henri, Chocolat
As a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I think we...I...tend to base my successes on what I deny myself and what I resist (hopefully NOT who I exclude...because we shouldn't be excluding anyone). And though it is important to resist many things in this life that are tempting and will lead us away from the gospel path, our Father and our Savior...there are so many more things we can actually be doing that will bring us closer to all three of those AND without much conscious effort we will be steering ourselves clear of temptations.
I think this is comparable to sins of commission verses sins of omission. It is easy to look at what I have done, in terms of NOT choosing the right...but I so often forget to see all the times that I DO choose the right. And even if I do recognize those moments, I don't think I really give myself a deserved pat on the back. I'm not saying that we should have a parade for ourselves each time we do something good, but I think that as we are more able to see the goodness in ourselves we will find ourselves further along on the straight and narrow...further along than perhaps we might be if we are only judging ourselves based on what we do resist.
The truth is, I am human. And though I strive each day (some days with greater conviction than others...today being a "less conviction" kind of day) to resist all the temptations around me, I am not always...actually I'm not ever as successful as I would like to be. Maybe some of you are. Maybe some of you are pros at resisting. (Perhaps we could get in touch and have lessons). But I am not. And though I will work my whole life to overcome all the temptations that I may face, I know that I will not achieve perfection in that goal. That reality is somewhat disheartening to me. However, what counter acts that, and gives me the motivation that I need to live a righteous life, is recognizing when I do embrace others, when I do create something to put out in the world that is beautiful or helpful or inspiring or funny, etc... and I definitely find great fulfillment and a continued desire to continue towards the gospel in my relationships with my friends and family. When I let others into my life, when their successes and failures bring me joy or heartache, when I find my love for them becoming more Christlike, it is then that my desire for righteousness and success in this life is increased one hundred fold.
My life really is so much better when it isn't all about me.
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