Stretching

I saw a quote today that made me a little uncomfortable:

‎"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have 
to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is
 comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying 
to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we
 are."

-Marjorie Pay Hinckley

I wish I could hear this in context with what she was saying to try to better understand her meaning. I totally agree with the need for us to simplify our lives, to decide what is important and move forward, without feeling the need to prove anything to anyone, but it’s the ‘pace that is comfortable’ and ‘learn to be content with what we are’ that makes me feel a little squirmy. From my understanding of the teachings of the Savior and His Apostles, we are to be stretching and moving just beyond what is comfortable, toward the achievement of the potential of godhood within us. I don’t want to be content with where I am, as far as not seeking to overcome the ‘natural man’ within me, and becoming more and more like the Savior each day.

So I guess if her meaning might have been that we need to be content with the fact that we are immortal beings having a mortal experience, a time of testing, and that we are going to make mistakes, and yet get up each time and continue forward until we reach our goal, and that we need to do that without any feeling of ‘I have to keep up with Sister So&So,’ finding joy and contentment in the moment we are in AS we are stretching and moving, then that feels more ‘true.’

I looked up some quotes by Pres Hinckley regarding this:

This is my prayer for all of us—"Lord, increase our faith." Increase our faith to bridge the chasms of uncertainty and doubt. . . . Grant us faith to look beyond the problems of the moment to the miracles of the future. . . . Give us faith to do what is right and let the consequence follow.

     Lord, Increase Our Faith, Ensign, Nov. 1987, 52–53.

Please don’t nag yourself with thoughts of failure. Do not set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. Simply do what you can do, in the best way you know, and the Lord will accept of your effort.

     Rise to the Stature of the Divine within You, Ensign, Nov 1989, 94.

The time has come for us to stand a little taller, to lift our eyes and stretch our minds to a greater comprehension and understanding of the grand millennial mission of this, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

     Conference Report, Apr. 1995, 95.

In all of living have much of fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.

     Stand True and Faithful, Ensign, May 1996, 91.

It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don’t worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. … If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers.

     Priesthood Session of Jordan Utah South Regional Conference, March 1, 1997.

It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don’t worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. … If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers.

     Priesthood Session of Jordan Utah South Regional Conference, March 1, 1997.

I am an old man!... I’m given to meditation and prayer. I would enjoy sitting in a rocker, swallowing prescriptions, listening to soft music, and contemplating the things of the universe. But such activity offers no challenge and makes no contribution. I wish to be up and doing. I wish to face each day with resolution and purpose. I wish to use every waking hour to give encouragement, to bless those whose burdens are heavy, to build faith and strength of testimony.

     Testimony, Ensign, May 1998, 69.

You are people with a present and with a future. Don't muff the ball. Be excellent.

     The Quest for Excellence, BYU Devotional Address, November 10, 1998.

Cram your heads full of knowledge.

     Life's Obligations, Ensign, Feb. 1999, 2.

None of us will become perfect in a day or a month or a year. We will not accomplish it in a lifetime, but we can begin now, starting with our more obvious weaknesses and gradually converting them to strengths as we go forward with our lives. This quest may be a long one; in fact, it will be lifelong. It may be fraught with many mistakes, with falling down and getting back up again. And it will take much effort. But we must not sell ourselves short. We must make a little extra effort. We would be wise to kneel before our God in supplication. He will help us. He will bless us. He will comfort and sustain us. He will help us to do more, and be more, than we can ever accomplish or be on our own.

     Standing for Something: Ten Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes, Times Books

You can be excellent in every way. You can be first class. There is no need for you to be a scrub. Respect yourself. Do not feel sorry for yourself. Do not dwell on unkind things others may say about you. Polish and refine whatever talents the Lord has given you. Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great and strong purpose in your heart. Love life and look for its opportunities.

     How Can I Become the Woman of Whom I Dream? Ensign, May 2001, 93.

Oh, how I love and miss them both! 


Would love to know your impressions regarding this :)


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