Right this very moment there is a partial carton of peppermint stick ice cream in my freezer. There is also a container of homemade hot fudge in the fridge. However, due to holiday binging, I am trying to cut down on desserts for health and vanity reasons. Yes, I am foregoing ice cream for the time being.
But it calls to me. Like the ring calls to Sméagol. Calling me, my precious…
*Be right back*
OK. I am proud to say that the ice cream is no longer calling to me. Right now it is no longer a challenge to overcome. It was delicious. Yes, I failed, and the siren’s song is now suppressed.
That is exactly the reason why I chose “Mind the Gap” as my personal motto acronym for the year. Sure the PIG was fun and funky, but this motto is more about what I struggle with. My behavior does not always live up to my expectations, or to what I know God expects of me. That is the “Gap”. (Besides, I couldn’t help but think that PIG would somehow lead of increased consumption of peppermint ice cream and hot fudge.)
I hesitate to use the term “Cognitive Dissonance” too frequently because a lot of people in the ex/anti mormon world use the term to justify their opposition to the church – the claim is that they couldn’t continue to live “the church way” when it didn’t line up with their beliefs and understanding. (I just consider it a fancy way of saying you lack faith and willingness to be obedient.) When I use the term, I simply mean that my behaviors don’t line up with my desires.
But this gap is real, and I encounter it often. It is rarely about gigantic sins – I love the way the prophet Joseph explained it:
I was left to all kinds of temptations; and, mingling with all kinds of society, I frequently fell into many foolish errors and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature; which, I am sorry to say, led me into divers temptations, offensive in the sight of God. In making this confession, no one need suppose me guilty of any great or malignant sins. A disposition to commit such was never in my nature… (Joseph Smith History v. 28)
Nope, nothing great or malignant here. My sins are more like “Death by 1,000 Papercuts” – small, frequent, and painful, but still offensive to God. And that’s where the motto comes from. None of the three foci are 10 commandment/temple recommend issues, but they are character traits that I struggle with. And yes, I did re-write that sentence so that I could use the word “foci”, because I am trying to impress you with my verbiage. There, I did it again. I digress..
I need to show my gratitude more through my prayers, and my interactions with others. I shouldn’t need to remind myself – but I do. I know the tremendous value of gratitude – but there is a gap there between knowledge and action.
I need to be more industrious. I need to use my time more wisely. There are a lot of things that I feel I need to accomplish, and I know the Lord expects a lot out of me. I truly don’t have time to watch the NBA every night, or pick up a new TV show. But there is a gap there, too. I’m not sure where searching for pictures of Leo Tolstoy fits in…
Patience is a flighty concept for me. Sometimes I have the patience of Job, and a very slow trigger. Other times I am off like a rocket, and woebeunto whomever is in my path. I surprise myself. The gap is not just between knowing I need to be more patient, and not being patient, it is also that it is between actually knowing that I am capable of being more patient that I am.
So there you go. No PIG. But I intend on spending the year “Minding the Gap.” That sounds like such a great excuse to visit London…
.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Discover more from Thus We See...
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I just read through President Monson’s January Message and challenge to Live the Abundant Life through these ABC’s:
Attitude
Believe
Courage
http://lds.org/liahona/2012/01/living-the-abundant-life?lang=eng
and thought of your acronym posts 🙂
Since you made my choice I guess we can still be friends. 🙂
Sandy
I love your goals and the logo you created.
I am still refining mine. I want them to be simple and easy to remember but life changing.
I need to keep them where I can see them so a logo is a great idea. I might just steal (um borrow) that idea.
I love peppermint ice cream with chocolate sauce! You should really share with the rest of the class!
I always have used cognitive dissonance in the other direction. People that leave the church feels uncomfortable with the way they are now choosing to live. This explains their obsession and hatred of the church. If they were confidant in their beliefs hatred would not be necessary. A calm peace would result. Peace is the last thing they will experience. Cog dis…
I like it, thanks for sharing! Wish I had some of that dang ice cream though… so nevermind, thanks for nothing!!
He has promised to take me to London one day, though. I’d look for you there, but then again, how would I know it was you? Add another M for Mysterious.
Wobeunto? Wow, I am astounded at your use of vocabulary in this one. Obviously no “gap” between clever thinking and clever writing. Which is good if everyone is on the same page. My husband thinks he’s clever a lot of the time, but sometimes he says things that need “selling” in order for others to agree. He probably won’t ever be more mature than a 14-year-old, so I’ve just learned to placate him by laughing along. Love him dearly, but he has a definite “gap”. :0)
I’m impressed with your verbage or is it verbiage? Hmmm…I hear chocolate coconut cookies calling me…
Yes, visit London. Fieldtrip!
I like this one better than the pig. And now I want ice cream And hot fudge. Thanks. Jerk. Haha
I assure you, you’r’e not alone. 😉