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Sunday, February 08, 2009

My Word of the Year 2009
YES I CAN!

Last October I was in a lesson in church where we talked about making a return to Virtue. I don't know if I could have told you what the definition of the word meant before that day. That word stuck with me and I knew it would be in the running for my word of the year this year.

Here was the quote from the lesson that day.

"Virtue begins in the heart and in the mind. It is an accumulation of thousands of small decisions and actions. Virtue is a word we don't hear often in today's society, but the Latin root word virtus means strength. Virtuous women possess a quiet dignity and inner strength."

Elaine S. Dalton


There has never been any thing quiet about me, so that part of me may not change very much this year. The part that I hope does change is that I will find some more inner strength ( I think I may be running low) I also want to value more the effect of small decisions. Virtue being an accumulation of thousands of small decisions is hard to wrap head around because I am a so all or nothing type of person.


"There is nothing in all this world as magnificent as virtue. It glows without tarnish. It is precious and beautiful. It cannot be bought or sold. It is the fruit of self-mastery."
Gordon B. Hinckley


I recently found this silver candelabra at Goodwill for $8.99 and it is valued at $1499.00. It is all tarnished and taking Annie Kate and I weeks to clean off. This seemed to be the perfect photo for me to demonstrate this quote by Gordon B. Hinckley. As beautiful as this is it has to constantly be polished to be beautiful and may have been sold many times over. But virtue is more beautiful than this piece of silver.
The principle of self-mastery is something that can never be taken away, sold or purchased. Even the word (self mastery) is amazing - being the master of myself. What does that even mean? - of course I am the master of myself, who else would be the master of me... ah ha! let me see

my list of what has been or could be the master of me besides myself
  • time wasters like t.v.(do I dare say computer)
  • diet coke
  • food
  • my bed after 6:00 am
  • unhealthy friendships
  • expensive items that are not in my budget but I convince myself that I need them
  • media
  • degrading thoughts
  • depression
  • fibromyalgia
  • bad habits
  • expectations
So, I guess it is the big question - am I really ready to become the master of myself? Am I ready to value the small, quiet decision that no one will see or recognize or give me a t-shirt or medal for doing. Am I ready to be the master of myself? yikes now I am scared. But have to stick with it since I already engraved my silver ring and wear it every day.

Any thoughts
on self-mastery?
Virtue?
finding inner strength?


14 comments:

Costa Rica Baby! said...

Love this post. I'm so using it for our FHE lesson tomorrow about "Where our hearts are?".

I heard it said once that the purpose of our life here is for our spiritual self to control our physical self.

I remind myself of this often, as I eat another cookie or get more upset than I should.

Love your blogs. I hope it doesn't take too much from your family. :)

Bond Girl 007 said...

My dear Kristi, what comes to mind when I read that word VIRTUE is INNITIATORIES...make memory. I think a lot of things that truly are there for our perfection or betterment are found in these blessings, in these blessings that will become reality in our fidelity to our self-mastery petetre...perhaps?

Bond Girl 007 said...

and yes, you are ready, if you are a marathon runner you are more than ready to take on anything; and there is never a better start than yesterday!

michelle said...

I absolutely love both of those quotes about virtue. Personally I love the idea of a thousand small decisions adding up to big things -- it seems more doable to me. And self mastery... I so want to achieve it! It seems so very difficult, but to quote one of my favorite friends, "There is one who wants this even more than you do, and He will help you."

Jill said...

I love this Kristi! This word has some many aspects to it and I love that you see those and are ready to embrace them. Your list of things that can be masters of you is insightful and something everyone can relate to. I always like to think I'm the boss of me, but there are quite a few things that boss me around.

I love the metaphor of the candelabra with this!

My name is Andrea said...

I love that the YW program has added Virtue to the values. I love Sister Dalton's definition of Virtue and love that you put into words what I have been feeling about it. Virtue is my word too...I could use some mastery in my life. :o)

Serendipity said...

Small world...just made the MS connection with your friends {via their mom}... :)

I love your quotes on virtue...and the image of the silver -- perfect!

LJ, DC and ML said...

Awesome word, and a hard one too. You're already brave for taking it on in the first place. I know you'll do great.
PS. that is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL candelabra ever. Even if it wasn't valued more than 10 bucks I'd have picked it up and loved it forever anyway. What an awesome pic and story!

j said...

what a great word, kristi. i love that you chose this for this year. and i love how you delineated what could be or has been a master in your life. my list is scary- but i think it's useful to get that figured out.

this is a great tool for you with your yw, too, i think. it's fantastic that it's one of their values- and i think through you, they'll see how those values are not just words, but that they have real meaning and power behind them. :)

i'm glad you got to go to denver! i admit, i was jealous of your getaway and wondered "how does she find someone to watch her kids on the spur of the moment like that?!" :) taking photos of the manhole covers is a great idea i'll have to use.

Tasha said...

I know the struggle we each have to find balance. You seem to do it well, evem while throwing your heat int service an creative endeavors

Elizabeth said...

I love that they added virtue to the young women theme.

Janae said...

This is an amazing post! I loved reading it..a very inspiring post:)

apple slice said...

Very important and something I'm working on too. Thanks!

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