Week 1 AH, BUT A MAN’S REACH SHOULD EXCEED HIS GRASP, OR WHAT’S A HEAVEN FOR? ~ ROBERT BROWNING BLAKE

I enjoyed reading a talk by David A. Bednar entitled Your Whole Souls as an Offering Unto Him​​. www2.byui.edu/Presentations/transcripts/devotionals/1999_01_05_bednar.htm 

The Principles of Sacrifice and Consecration were especially poignant to me. He said:
As we live the law of consecration, we are willing not only to offer anything and everything we possess for the sake of the gospel, but we also promise to develop and devote our best selves—our time, talents, and strength—to the building of the kingdom of God on the earth.  
Our pledge is:  I will give me and all that I can become, and I will live for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  
The principle of sacrifice is a lesser law preparation for the principle of consecration. Consecration includes and encompasses sacrifice and much more.  We are not only willing to offer up our possessions, but we will become the best we can be and assist however possible in building the kingdom in righteous ways.  
We will not only die for the gospel, but we will develop ourselves and live for the gospel.  
​True consecration is motivated by charity and produces an increased desire to serve.

I like being reminded to give my whole self to serving the Lord. The idea that I need to make myself a better person - not because it will make my life better but because I can bless the lives of others is enlightening. It shows a better way to live one's life. I believe were everyone to implement such a strategy then the world would indeed become a better place for all of us.

I found this quote among my reading online this week. I think it pertains well to being an entrepreneur:
It’s not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live. —Marcus Aurelius

I also want to incorporate the idea Jeff Sandefer puts forth about the need to ask more questions. Tapping into the minds of others really does allow for greater creativity than trying to do everything alone. This not only applies to starting and running a business but running a home, fulfilling church responsibilities, being on the school board, or countless committees one might volunteer for.

Sandefer's main conclusion that captured my attention was that life should be lived like a hero's quest. Like a story with all the elements needed to develop the character into a true hero. We are meant to echo the temple pattern or monomyth with our own trials and successes living our very own long journey through life. The hope is that we reach for the stars and find joy along the way.