I've always loved reading my friend's blogs. I think it's such a fun way to keep up with others and what they're doing, and hear more than just the general things that are going on. For a long time I've thought about creating my own blog, but I always scare myself out of it! I'm afraid I won't be very good at updating it consistently. I'm afraid that every post will be like my poorly written in journal, where every segment starts with, "I haven't written in here for (such and such) months (sometimes years...)! I have so much to catch up on!" Then I continue to attempt to catch up, then I get distracted mid sentence and it gets left for another lengthy amount of time. I have also somehow convinced myself that I needed a reason to start a blog, like a life changing event or something, but I know that's not true.
It wasn't until the other day that I really decided to just jump in and do it. Even if it was only me that would read it or receive any benefit from it. The cause? A wonderful, wonderful message from President Dieter F. Utchdorf. He wrote the First Presidency message for January, and he titled it, "The Best Time to Plant a Tree."
I initially decided to give it a listen because I was home alone for a bit, and I was cleaning. Instead of listening to music, I wanted to listen to a conference talk from October 2013, so I got on lds.org to find those talks, but instead I was intrigued by the title of this message. What I found in the message was fulfilling.
Although I don't intend to summarize President Utchdorf's message, I want to share some of my thoughts from it. President Utchdorf starts by discussing the Ancient Roman God of Beginnings, Janus, who January is named after. He explains that Janus is generally depicted with two faces. One looking backward, and the other looking forward. This rung true to me as there are many times that we look back to our memories that we've learned from, appreciated and gained from, but it is so important to look forward and remember to be happy now. This is hard for us to come to terms with because as we look forward we think more and more about what will happen that will make us happy. For me, this phrase as of late has been, "I will be so much happier when I'm done with school." Although in a lot of cases this may be accurate, it does not help me at all to dwell on this thought. I agree that looking forward to things is always good, it's that dwelling aspect that can cause us harm where it isn't intended.
President Utchdorf also talks about setting goals, and how it is important to personal success, but we procrastinate due to our fear or failure. This ties back to large parts of our lives or even small. For me, a goal as large as completing my bachelor's and something as small as starting a blog both come with the idea of potential failure - which is something that I mentioned previously when describing my personal apprehensions of starting a blog.
The solution is this: An old proverb says, "The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second-best time is now."
In starting my blog, I'm planting a new tree. Establishing a new goal for all aspects of my life. I am not going to let my fear of failure prevent me from doing something new. If I fail, I will pick up and try again. Like my Daddy always taught me: On my honor, I will do MY best.
