Strengths and Weaknesses

Yesterday I was having a conversation with a good friend and I commented that I wasn't sure if it was a blessing or a curse that I tend to be a deep thinker. He said often our greatest strengths are also challenges. I laughed, because I have found this to be very true in my life. (I think it relates to the need for balance in our lives. I'll have to write more about the idea of balance another time - it is a concept I really love!)

This morning I was thinking about that idea again. It hit me that the reverse is also true. Our biggest weaknesses can also at times be strengths, or be turned into strengths. That reminded me of a scripture in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ that reads: "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." Ether 12:27

What a wonderful thing. To me, this is all about progress, about becoming a better person. Does that mean it is easy, no. Life has a way of teaching me over and over again that most things that are worth doing, and that are truly rewarding, are not easy. Those worth pursuits often require effort and struggle. And, are totally worth it once accomplished, even if that is hard to remember during the battle.

No More Than We Can Handle

Life is an interesting thing. I often find myself feeling overwhelmed and wondering how in the world I'll be able to do everything required of me. I also find myself from time to time trying to explain to someone why I hold myself to the standards I do. In both cases I find solace in the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ and my testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is something no one can take from me. It is also something I can't give to anyone else. I can offer them a chance to learn and grow and come to know truth, but I can't make anyone understand.

I want to share a few scriptures that help me and bring me comfort as I face things that are hard or that I don't understand:

In the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ a man named Nephi is asked by his father who is a prophet called of God to carry out a task. When Nephi's brothers question whether or not to follow through with the direction that came from God through the prophet, Nephi responded in faith saying: "I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."1 Nephi 3:7 Nephi's faith was not in vain, he was able to accomplish the task he was given.

In the New Testament (King James version of the Bible), Paul, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, shares his testimony with the Philippians. He is in prison and writes to strengthen and cheer the people. Despite theawful circumstances in which he found himself, Paul shares that one of the things he has learned is to be content with whatsoever state he finds himself in. Then he assures the Philippians, and perhaps himself as well, "I can do all things through Christ whichstrengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

In the Doctrine and Covenants, a collection of revelations from God mainly to Joseph Smith, the Lord Jesus Christ gives the following council: "Stop and stand still until I command thee, and I will provide means whereby thoumayest accomplish the thing which I have commanded thee. And if thou art faithful in keeping my commandments, thou shalt be lifted up at the last day"
Doctrine and Covenants 5:34-35

I have found these things to be true in my own life. I too know that there is nothing I have been asked to do by God that I have not been enabled to accomplish. Despite this, at times the things that I am asked to do at the moment seem too hard. In those moments I try to remember like Paul that through Christ's help I can do anything, and likeNephi that if the Lord commands, he will provide a way. It also helps me to remember that blessings and help are conditional upon my faith and efforts to move forward with the command I have been given.

Redistributive Policies

Today in my Economics review I was able to give voice to some of my concerns about redistributive policies. There were three specific thoughts that came out of the feelings of unease I've felt for years about this. In theory it sounds good, and I agree with many of the principles, but couldn't completely jump on board.

First, redistributive policies can hurt more than they help. I don't think this WILL happen I think this CAN happen and should be something that is considered and that they possible negative impacts are accounted for and protected against as well as possible. Some of the potential negative consequences include a disincentive to work, both at the top and the bottom. If it is more financially beneficial to not work and get a welfare check, it may happen. If there is going to be too much of your paycheck taken away if you make over a certain amount, what is the incentive to work as hard as you can? The cost of transferring wealth can be more than the wealth that is being redistributed. Now, these are some of the arguments that I have heard over and over again and I think are not good enough reasons not to try to make a difference and help those who really need help making ends meet.

Another unease I felt comes from the fact that what we call "wealth redistribution" is actually not. We rarely give someone money. Rather, we provide services. These may or many not meet the individual needs of the families we are seeking to serve. It is great that small children can in theory have access to healthy food through the WIC program or to decent pre-schools through Head Start. But what if what they need is a warm jacket? Taxes are the biggest form of wealth distribution in this nation that I know of. Taxes don't always go to help those who need it most. Often they go to help everyone - better roads, or national defense do not help those who have less more than they help those how have a lot.

Among my classmates there tends to be be a Robin Hood feel to talk about wealth redistribution. That is not the way it actually works. We do not take from the rich and give it to the poor. I think in some ways I would feel better about things if that was more how it happened. But, even that is not compeltely true. I hear almost no end to the wonders of Sweden and its socialized medicine etc., but I remain unconvinced that it is the best thing since sliced bread and America is the worst. I belive there are pros and cons to each. Comparing the best of one to the worst of another does little justice to either.

I do think we need to do more to help people thrive. Do we all have to have the same amount of money or things? I don't think so. Do we all need to have a safe warm place to sleep, food to eat, honorable work to do, a chance to learn and grow? I think so. I believe we should work towards having a better way of dealing with these things at the goverment level, but I also believe there is a lot that individuals and non-profits can, and in many cases already are, doing to raise the level at which all humanity operates. May we all do a little more good, help one another a little more, be a little more generous with what we have. That is my wish.

True Love

A few days ago I was watching TV - something I don't often do. After channel flipping for awhile we found a documentary about The Cosby show. The actors were talking about their experiences filming the show and some of their favorite, and funniest memories. Malcom-Jamal Warner, who played Theo for those familiar with the show, was sharing one of his favorite memories and I thought there was a powerful lesson in his story.

He said part of the reason he loved being in this cast was that it was different from most other shows about families. In one episode, he is in his room with his father talking about a recent report card and they play a clip from the show. It turns out Theo has been getting D's in his classes. His father is predictably unhappy about this. Theo turns to his dad and starts expressing his view that he isn't smart like his doctor father and that his father needs to just accept him for who he is and not expect him to be just like him. At this point, they shift from the clip back to Malcom. He says that in any other show, the music would have cued and the father and son would have embraced. Then he laughs as they shift back to the clip. Dr. Huxtable sits up from his launging position and says "Now that is the stupidest thing I've ever heard!" He goes on to explain that he expects his son to do his best, and he knows his son is capable of more than D's. He says he expects his son to make an effort. Then he walks out of the room, turns around walks back in and tells his son "come here" and then he gives him a hug.

My father did plenty of things like that as I was growing up. He filled his role as my mentor, guide, coach, disciplinarian, loving advocate. He was not afriad to push me and help me learn. He set boundaries and standards and then held me to them and did his best to enable me to reach my goals. He did not allow me to short change myself. There were moments when like Theo I wanted to be accepted for "who I am" or what I thought I was capable of. Looking back I am so grateful for my father, and other amazing people in my life that wouldn't let me settle for what I thought was my best but instead guided me toward what they knew I could become.

I am also very grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who does the same thing. He has provided me with commandments and standards. Sometimes they seem unattainable. Sometimes I want to just be accepted for who I am now. But ultimately that is not what I want. I want to be guided to greater joy and accomplishment. I want to have lasting joy through doing what is asked of me through the growth that comes from doing what seemed too hard and not fleeting happiness from settling for what seems good enough to me now. I hope that at least in the end I will always be grateful for those in my life who will tell me "That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard!" and expect more from me than I'd be willing to give on my own.