When President Obama was making his run at being president, much was made of his message regarding hope and change. They became buzz words used to belittle him and to mock his campaign. But the truth is, these words resonated with folks because we wanted something different, and we hoped he would be able to bring it about. To a certain extent, he has. He hasn't been as successful as maybe he'd have liked. But it's been pretty good so far.
Change is inevitable. Though the phrase is problematic, the only real constant is change. In Korea, they say that even the mountains and the rivers change in ten years' time.
As I watch the sun rise on a new day, March 12th, 2014, I reflect on the changes that have occurred in my life - both recently and over a long time frame, both subtle and dramatic, both great and small. I am surely not the same person I was just a few months ago, and I am not yet who I will ultimately become.
I know that in the course of my life I have done things that have hurt people - people I care very much about. It causes me great distress to know that I have hurt these people. I am very sorry and remorseful.
And yet - at the risk of sounding like I'm watering down my apology (I'm not) - I know that life is about a progression. It's about making the corrections - both great and small - that lead us back to the course we desire. It's about not ever giving up, about making each day new and real and the best possible. And it's about finding ways to humble one's self to seek forgiveness, particularly of those whom I've hurt.
The hope lies in the ability of people - regular people like me - to make meaningful changes that will ultimately make a difference. That will lead to real and lasting improvement. And that will overcome the ill-effects of missteps and hurts.
The hope lies in Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
And the hope lies in those loving arms of one's friends and family who seem to love without condition and who offer gentle correction and guidance (or sometimes not so gentle(!) when needed).
I am not a perfect man. But I'm doing the best I know how.
Change is inevitable. Though the phrase is problematic, the only real constant is change. In Korea, they say that even the mountains and the rivers change in ten years' time.
As I watch the sun rise on a new day, March 12th, 2014, I reflect on the changes that have occurred in my life - both recently and over a long time frame, both subtle and dramatic, both great and small. I am surely not the same person I was just a few months ago, and I am not yet who I will ultimately become.
I know that in the course of my life I have done things that have hurt people - people I care very much about. It causes me great distress to know that I have hurt these people. I am very sorry and remorseful.
And yet - at the risk of sounding like I'm watering down my apology (I'm not) - I know that life is about a progression. It's about making the corrections - both great and small - that lead us back to the course we desire. It's about not ever giving up, about making each day new and real and the best possible. And it's about finding ways to humble one's self to seek forgiveness, particularly of those whom I've hurt.
The hope lies in the ability of people - regular people like me - to make meaningful changes that will ultimately make a difference. That will lead to real and lasting improvement. And that will overcome the ill-effects of missteps and hurts.
The hope lies in Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
And the hope lies in those loving arms of one's friends and family who seem to love without condition and who offer gentle correction and guidance (or sometimes not so gentle(!) when needed).
I am not a perfect man. But I'm doing the best I know how.
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