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?