Sometimes Needed Self Evaluation

What a summer! It baffles me somewhat to think four months came and went just like that. It felt like yesterday when summer break started for me and my housemates. I can hardly believe this will be my last school year here at BYU. It's about time, really. Time to move on to other things in life. Since it is also my half birthday today, I figured I should contemplate about my life for a bit. After all, having a quarter-life crisis is the big thing in the 21st century.

Despite of all that I did this summer--household projects, trips, etc.--I still felt somewhat unproductive. It's perplexing at first because I even kept up an exercise routine and even worked for free in the research lab (thanks a lot 29-hour rule that prevents me from working another on campus job). Then again, my sleep schedule has been so sporadic, the fatigue gets in the way of optimal function. It is difficult to appreciate all that you do (or have) when you are left wondering why you've committed to make your life uneasy.

Remember this?

As part of my summer goals, I've also implemented progress for spirituality. Sometimes, the secular world just doesn't make you feel good after prolonged exposure. I took some time and revisited the Attribute Activity found in Preach my Gospel. I'm sure most of you who have served a mission understand what I'm talking about. Oh, and it's on page 126 in case you are not sure where to look for it.

I'll admit, I actually uses this page to reevaluate myself from time to time to see where I stand, and I try to improve myself over time. The efficiency of that is another story.

I don't want to sound pretentious or prideful, but watching one of my best friends on a mission makes me want to be a better person because of the progress I've witnessed thus far in her character and development. It's not a competition, but it's always nice to have a bar, a standard, to set for short-term or even immediate long-term goals.

Granted, I've been off my mission for over three years and the spiritual high has not climaxed in comparison since then. I know I am still a better person than before the whole experience. Going through my scribbles and whatnot, there's still a long journey ahead of me. Fortunately, there has been some improvement along the way.

Discipleship is a journey in itself. We are commanded to be perfect, even as our Lord is perfect (3 Nephi 12:48). I'll probably feel like a lesser man until the day I can carve out something for myself, but I have no doubt that I can achieve whatever necessary through His blessings. Patience is a virtue (Romans 8:25).

Till I blog again,

Adieu