Words To Live By

"I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train." - Gwendolyn (Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Ernest)

Sunday's lesson for the young women was about maintaining our personal records. This lesson always excites me because this is something I'm passionate about. There are so many ways to keep personal records. Journals (written and audio), letters & emails, blogs, essays, scrapbooks - the possibilities are endless. I never have liked scrapbooking because it feels like a project that never ends. There are always more pictures to catalog and more supplies to purchase. Journaling works best for me, however, to each his own. 

Since I was teaching the lesson, I took the opportunity to peruse through my volumes. I've been a mostly diligent journaler since 1995. Of course, my early attempts are rather indicative of my age, but I consider some of those entries to truly be gems. Here's one from 10 years ago:

Today I was playing a trivia game with [my brother Marc]. His question was "what are the five senses?" In all seriousness, Marc answered, "The sense of touch, the sense of taste, the sense of humor . . . "  

Just a glimpse at the workings of my family. I think "sense of humor" should be added as the sixth sense. 

It was interesting for me to read through and see what has been important to me over the years, to see what has influenced my decisions and my personality, and to see how I have grown. I reviewed moments that made me smile, moments that made me grimace, moments that filled me with chagrin, and moments that brought me closer to God. 

I love the happy stories, the insights into my family, and seeing how my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ has grown. I treasure the writings from my predecessors. Sometimes I'm more like them than I like to admit. And ultimately, the things that were most important to them - like family and faith - are most important to me too. 

I left Sunday feeling a firmer resolve to write more frequently. And to write better. 

Further spiritual enlightenment here.