Who do you want to be?

Two weeks ago I was assigned to give a talk in church on obedience. I was excited because public speaking is something I enjoy as long as I have enough time to prepare. I presented the talk in church yesterday and have had plenty of time to reflect on different aspects of what obedience means. I realize not all who are reading share my religious views. In fact for most of my life, I didn't agree with what I now know to be true. But I think obedience can be a concept that we all can understand whether from a religious standpoint or not.

Giving this talk has given me perspective in the many ways that I can be obedient to the Lord's commandments but also to the standards I want to hold myself to. We can make the right choice if we set our minds to it. Visualize yourself as who you want to be. Visualize yourself remembering to make the right choices. Hold the door for the person who just snuck in line at the checkout. Smile at the man who grumpily bags your groceries and thank him graciously. We are commanded by the Lord to love one another, so let's try it. I think the world could use a few more smiles and a few more helping hands.