It is a gem. I would recommend it to everyone. It is odd, but push through it, and think about your own life as you're going through it.
The whole book is about dealing with change. It's a short story that talks about four different characters that deal with change a little differently.
I would always hope that I can deal well with change. So far in my life I've been lucky to not have to deal with a lot of change. A couple moves, a couple school changes, nothing major. But I have seen some of my very close friends go through some very, very hard things. Most have adjusted so well, they are simply amazing and so very inspiring to me. And some go through a rough patch and have a hard time moving on.
I just wanted to share my favorite part of the book with you.
"What would you do if you weren't afraid? He thought about it. He knew sometimes some fear can be good. When you are afraid things are going to get worse if you don't do something, it can prompt you into action. But it is not good when you are so afraid that it keeps you from doing anything."
What really struck me here is, what would you do if you weren't afraid? Ever since I read this book, that question has been stuck in my head. I know I'm terrified of the future. I'm terrified of failure, of disappointing those I love, of what trials and hardships might come, of heartbreak and heartache, of not completing my mission in life, of not being ready to return to my Heavenly Father when it's my time, and many more.
So what would I do if I weren't afraid?
Would I be more confident in myself? Would I take a chance on somebody I usually wouldn't? Would I let my true personality come out in all situations? Would I participate more in class? Would I go somewhere I wouldn't usually? Would I talk to someone I usually wouldn't? Would my life be better because of all these things?
Turning to the scriptures, I also find a lot more reasons to think... what would I do if I weren't afraid?
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
-2 Timothy 1:7
"... as the Lord God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged."
-Deuteronomy 1:21
"Wherefore the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved."
-1 Nephi 22:17
Living in fear is no way to live. Countless servants of the Lord have told us that faith and fear cannot exist together. We must choose DAILY to live in faith, to not be afraid of what the future will bring, but to have faith that whatever it will bring, our Heavenly Father will help us through it, that it will be for our benefit, to make us stronger and more like our Savior.
I'm not saying that I'm any good at this, I have countless fears about my future, and the future of those who I truly care about. But despite these fears, there is one thing I know, and that is that because I have the marvelous blessing of having The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in my life, I have power. I have the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost that I have the privilege of having with me at all times to not only guide me and lead me, but to comfort and strengthen me, and bring me peace when I am troubled by the world around me, when I am afraid of what the future will bring, or when I'm confused.
Without the gospel would I be a little coward, hiding away in my room where I don't have to make any big decisions, where I don't have to be hurt or hurt others, where I don't have to be stained by evils of the world? Probably. But because I have it, I know that I can confidently move forward with faith in my decisions that I have prayed about and received an affirmation that they are on the path that Heavenly Father would have me take. I know that no matter what happens, as long as I stay faithful and look for the best in every situation and learn the lessons from every experience, I am slowly being molded into the goddess I want to be and that Heavenly Father knows I can be.
So, especially as this new school year starts, whether you're starting at a new school, a new program, a new job, or continuing on with whatever you're doing, just think, what would you do if you weren't afraid?
Be a little bolder, stand a little taller, have a little more confidence in yourself, smile a little more, take a couple more chances, pray always, and you can't even imagine the possibilities.
I'm not saying that I'm any good at this, I have countless fears about my future, and the future of those who I truly care about. But despite these fears, there is one thing I know, and that is that because I have the marvelous blessing of having The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in my life, I have power. I have the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost that I have the privilege of having with me at all times to not only guide me and lead me, but to comfort and strengthen me, and bring me peace when I am troubled by the world around me, when I am afraid of what the future will bring, or when I'm confused.
Without the gospel would I be a little coward, hiding away in my room where I don't have to make any big decisions, where I don't have to be hurt or hurt others, where I don't have to be stained by evils of the world? Probably. But because I have it, I know that I can confidently move forward with faith in my decisions that I have prayed about and received an affirmation that they are on the path that Heavenly Father would have me take. I know that no matter what happens, as long as I stay faithful and look for the best in every situation and learn the lessons from every experience, I am slowly being molded into the goddess I want to be and that Heavenly Father knows I can be.
So, especially as this new school year starts, whether you're starting at a new school, a new program, a new job, or continuing on with whatever you're doing, just think, what would you do if you weren't afraid?
Be a little bolder, stand a little taller, have a little more confidence in yourself, smile a little more, take a couple more chances, pray always, and you can't even imagine the possibilities.
"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."
-D&C 6:36
