2013 I Resolve to make Better Resolutions!

This past week I had the opportunity to give the lesson in Priesthood.  This wasn't the first time that I have had the chance to give a lesson just before New Year's.  As I was planning the lesson, I thought about giving a lesson on New Year's Resolutions and Goal Making.  That was until I discovered that 88% of all resolutions fail and 25% are forgotten or broken in the first week.  While researching for the lesson I found an incredible talk given by Elder Holland.  The title of the talk is "The Best is Yet to Be".  This was a very inspiring talk to me and it helped me to make new resolutions this year.   If you get a chance you should definitely listen to the talk.  The link is here:   The Best Is Yet to Be  In short, I will tell you what I took away from the talk.

1. Forget the past!  Learn from your mistakes but move on!
2. Look to the future!  Live for the here and now!  Exercise your faith and see what exciting things the Lord has in store for you.
3. Forget other's past!  You are a different person so are they.  Don't keep thinking someone is the same person you knew in high school or college.  Also, everyone has struggles in life, you don't need to keep reminding others of theirs.
4. The Savior will forgive you!  Turn to Him ask for His help and trust in Him and the Atonement.

This year instead of making multiple resolutions that might not be met, I am going to work on changing my life.  Finding my focus and do what I can to make me a better person.

Elder Holland finished his talk with the following quote, this is how I will finish this post:  "Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away. Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life today, tomorrow, and forever. That is a New Year’s resolution I ask you to keep."

Happy New Year!