successful failure

Week 1 of #lifestylechangenotresolution was somewhat of a success, somewhat of a failure.  I was reminded of the importance and blessings of service.  I was reminded of the power of reading and praying every single day.  I was reminded of how greatly a healthy, more-balanced-than-usual diet can improve your energy levels and attitude.  I was reminded of the importance of writing things down, such as these lifestyle changes.

On the other hand, I was reminded of how little I actually plan giving service to others.  I was reminded of how much I've been missing from regular, consistent gospel study.  I was reminded of how poorly I ate (and not only that, but how much I actually like my horrific diet).  I was reminded of the proposed lifestyle changes I didn't accomplish.

One of the wonderful things of recognizing and accepting failure is that you can choose how that failure impacts the future.  After looking at the things I've been reminded of, both good and bad, I've chosen to learn from my short-comings. On my bathroom mirror, I've written "Start each day with a clean slate".  No matter how poorly I do, how many changes I fail to cross of my list each day, I can start over the following morning.

This truth dawned on me when Friday night I crossed of only 3 of my 15 proposed daily habits.  3 OF STINKIN 15!!  I also realized I hadn't worked out once this week!!  Blech, the pit in my stomach was awful.  But as I went into my bathroom to engage in my nightly routine (1 of the 3 habits I could honestly cross of my list), I saw the reminder on my mirror of the clean slate awaiting me in the morning.  I was beyond relieved that no matter how much I didn't accomplish, all that mattered was my reaction in the morning.  Was I going to let my failure get my down?  Was I going to use my failure as an excuse to stop creating good habits?  Or could I use it as a catalyst to start bright and early to ensure I had enough time to complete everything for the day and the week that remained to be accomplished?  Luckily, I chose the latter and now I can honestly say that I've accomplished everything I set out to do for the day and the week. Go me!!

President Uchtdorf in the October 2012 General Conference said, "Let us resolve to follow the Savior and work with diligence to become the person we were designed to become. Let us listen to and obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. As we do so, Heavenly Father will reveal to us things we never knew about ourselves. He will illuminate the path ahead and open our eyes to see our unknown and perhaps unimagined talents."

I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father who is always on our side.  He is always willing to help us accomplish whatever we set our hearts and minds to, if only we ask.  He wants us to succeed in not only our eyes, but in His eyes as well.  He knows what is important to us and how we can become who we want to be.  He also knows how we can become who He wants us to be.  I truly believe that my lifestyle changes will help me become more of who I want to be as well as more of who He wants me to be.  I will learn more about myself, find new talents and things I love, and learn more of the Father's plan for me.  I know that if I ask for His help in accomplishing what I've set out to do, He will provide me with opportunities and promptings that will help me get closer to my goal.  And for that, I am grateful.