There and Back Again Week 38:Accountability

Today During Companionship study, Elder Cullen and I read this quote. "When performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported, the rate of improvement accelerates" (quoted by Thomas S. Monson, "Thou Art a Teacher Come from God," Improvement Era, Dec 1970, p. 101)

I started thinking about the importance of goal setting (to keep growing...'cause if you're not growing you're decaying...there's no status quo in life). HOW do I measure my "performance". I sort of balk at that word "performance" since I have been a theatre director for decades it makes me feel like it's a theatatrical performance or something sort of fake. So I will say, "HOW do I measure the positive or negative change in my thoughts, feelings, and deeds"

For example: A goal I have been working on since middle school is to be more patient. Thoughts: How often in middle school would I think "Geez how stupid can you be?", "What's the matter with you?", "Get this moving!", "PEOPLE PLEASE!!" So I check myself: Am I thinking it all the time?, Often?, Sometimes? Never? If I'm working on my thoughts and I want to be more patient I will STOP the negative thought and concientiously replace it with how I WANT to be.

For example instead of the afore mentioned thoughts...."I need to ask this person or myself what their thinking is so I can understand them.", "Why would a rational, smart person choose to do this?" then seek to understand by asking questions in a emotionally safe tone of voice so we really can understand each other. "Heavenly Father, what can I do to help this situation be more effective and efficient?" then listen to His guidance and do it. "What example can I set to make these PEOPLE want better than they have?" Again, listen to the Spirit and do as HE directs. This system works. It keeps God in the process who is EAGER to help me and you. HE has great ideas and is fun and often funny even when a situation is NOT either of those things.

MEASURING: OK so I can measure my "performance" by assessing myself or others I have stewardship over by holding them up to the immovable standard of Jesus Christ and comparing myself or them to HIM only. THIS will keep us humble because...we are all so far below Him, and this will make us less condeming of ourselves and others because NONE of us measure up so who cares? BUT are we better than we were yesterday? IF yes, then good enough! If no, then repent and be better than yesterday tomorrow. REPORTING:

Who do I report to? When I set goals I first and formost keep a journal and can write my progress and struggles in honest and real ways. Then take that journal to the Lord in prayer and go over it with HIM.

I can also share those goals with a trusted friend, like Elder Cullen who can help me. I will never forget the time when we had only been married a few years and had three children under the age of three. I was using a loud voice to make something happen. I don't remember what, but I do remember this. Elder Cullen said in the kindest voice, "OH, My love! We don't want to use that kind of voice in our house do we?" I was startled because I WASN'T angry. But I was bossing people around...lol in a loud voice. I really really appreciated his remark. I WANTED to be a quieter person when I speak. I have become more self aware. I often have wished that I had a volume control, like my electronic keyboard, so that no matter how hard I pound it's always quiet enough to not bug people... LOL I remember my good friend Ms. James at school in the staff lunch room telling me once, Heather your voice is SO LOUD right now! I apologized feeling chagrined...and then thought, "Well, I am getting better." WAH! I do get loud when I'm excited and that's not fun for some people.

So those are my thoughts on that great quote we read. We can be better faster in anything we do if we set goals, measure our progress, and report to someone what our progress is...isn't that how Weight Watchers works? Someone fact check me on that. These pictures have nothing to do with my thoughts...They are just fun photos of activities I did this week after our work was done. Soybeans as far as the eye can see, Mud Truck Obstacle Course at the County Faire (this one jumped the ramp and landed so hard his battery fell out. He had to reconnect then finished the course). Minature horse pull (County Faire) then teaching my friend how to play Beat Saber with my VR. It's a great form of exercise when it's too hot or too cold outside.

ALSO another new adventure. Late last night, Elder Cullen and I were already in bed when we received a call from some young sister missionaries. "Sister Cullen! We need help! I'm in the bathroom with the door shut, my companion is in the bedroom with her door shut and there's a BAT flying around our kitchen! We can't open our doors or he'll get in where we are. We're scared."

I called around to the emergency numbers and was asked by the FM night person to take care of it. So Elder Cullen and I read up on it quickly, said a prayer and asked for help and inspiration, then outfitted ourselves in thick clothing and gloves so the bat couldn't bite us then went to the rescue.

I brought a small trash can and a floppy cutting board mat to use as a lid, but ended up just using both items as a "clapper/flapper" tool to drive the bat from the third floor appartment, down to the second floor, then the first..shutting doors behind us as we went. We remained calm and firm. As it flapped towards our faces and try to swoop back up to where it came from (the third floor apartment kitchen) I would just flap and clap my tools and say,"AH, Ah AH, head on out please, no no, wrong way. Suddenly felt I was back teaching middle school! While vocalizing calmly and doing this I was also praying that the bat would comprehend our intentions to not hurt it and allow us to drive it down down down to the main level and out the open front door. As we herded it down each level we turned off lights and shut doors so it couldn't go back. Finally 20 min later, it was outside. The sisters CHEERED! We felt like heroes. But God was the real hero of course. He gave us the good idea.