My Entrepreneurial Journey

  27 November 2021 My attitude toward money?   Money is a necessity to provide for our families, help other people, and achieve our dreams.   My parents have been great examples of living honestly.   They have made their obligations to the Lord (tithing, fast offerings, missionary service) a priority and have taught all of their children to honor those same obligations.   Not only have they been honest with the Lord, but they are also honest with their fellowman.   They have taught through example to pay bills on time.     I feel the same way about money as my parents do.   I pay my tithes and offerings first before anything else.   The Lord has blessed me so much; giving back what he asks has blessed me even more.   I also pay my bills right after paying the Lord.   We must meet our obligations before we spend money on anything else.   I feel I can use my money to bless others.   The scriptures teach, "For of him unto whom much is given much is required;" (D&C 82

  20 November 2021 I have enjoyed thinking and learning about the companions I need on my journey.   I have had some work experiences where great people have surrounded me, and as a consequence, work was a happy, fulfilling place to be.   I have also had a few occasions where my work environment was very stressful and full of drama. However, I always found a way out of those stressful jobs.   Surrounding myself with good, optimistic people makes a difference in my performance, attitude, and happiness.   I shouldn’t forget that I not only need to surround myself with good people, but I need to spend time strengthening my relationships with those people, especially my family.   Chapter 4 of "A Field Guide for the Hero's Journey" says, "Much of our long-term happiness comes from strong, relationships, but such relationships require a deliberate investment of time and thought. As you sow, so shall you reap" (pg. 54). So I need to spend deliberate time strengthen

  13 November 2021 I enjoy revisiting stories I have heard in the past and learning new ones.   Reading stories and poems with a purpose and moral is uplifting.   “The Golden Touch” by Nathaniel Hawthorne and “How Much Land Does a Man Need” by Leo Tolstoy are touching reminders of what is most important in life.   Our families and this beautiful world God has given us are far more valuable than material wealth and things.   When Midas changes the roses into gold, it made me sad that he thinks they are more beautiful as a piece of gold than as a living, vibrant creation of God.   I've heard the story before, and I knew what was coming.   He finally realized how foolish he was when he turned his sweet daughter into gold.   I've never read the ending of the story as told in our study this week.   I was pleased to read that his daughter was restored to life, and King Midas became a wiser man. Leo Tolstoy's story reminds me that I can't take possessions when I leave th

  4 November 2021 I have loved all the stories in our “Study: Overcoming Challenges” this week!   I am a reader, and I connect well with stories. However, what stood out were some of the classic poems and the stories of personal sacrifice to do what is right under challenging circumstances.   A few that have touched my heart and inspired me are the life experiences of Archbishop Van Thuan, Diet Eman, and Nelson Mandela.   Each person faced significant opposition and evil, yet they all held to their principles and did what was right.   The Archbishop’s story reminded me of Joseph of Egypt. Both men came to trust the Lord and had hope instead of despair even though they were imprisoned unjustly for many years. Diet Eman worked so hard to save as many Jews as she could during World War II.   When asked why she did it, she said, "…if you love God and love Jesus, you would have done the same…."   "She didn't have to think twice about doing what was necessary to figh