In an effort to stay focused on my goal of having eternal life I decided to re-read books that have spiritually empowered me. My current book is Power to Become by David A. Bednar. So many gems have already been read and I’m only on page 12!

The concept that strikes me most so far is that not only did Christ counsel us to be perfect in this mortal life but that He also counseled us to strive for eternal perfection by saying “even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.” I love how Elder Bednar essentially said we do our duty and try our best and we never stop striving for perfection – not now, nor in the world to come.

Improving myself gives me the focus I need to stop dwelling on the crummy things in life. I think of myself saying, “You go ahead and do that while I’m over here improving myself” and envision myself putting on metaphorical blinders to keep my focus to the task at hand. We’re each responsible for our own improvement.

In the end, when all is said and done, I’ll stand before the account settler, and, as Elder Bednar so poignantly point out, he’ll ask me not what did you do? but what did you become? I love that because it’s not about what we do but about who we are that matters.