The Best!

An old teacher recently proposed the following question to me: "If you were to leave this life tomorrow, how would you act today?"

The question has been the source of a great deal of thought and analysis since. If I am truly leaving this life, what do I want to leave behind? How do I want to be remembered? Will I be able to say I lived my life to the fullest? Fulfilled my unbelievable potential? Became who I know I can become? When the moment comes for my life to flash before my eyes, I want that life to be something worth watching. I want the scenes to be the ones people line up for days to see, not an ok dollar theater movie. I want to have been, done, and sought after "the best".

I was reading Elder Dallin H. Oaks' conference talk in the October 2007 General Conference entitled "Good, Better, Best". It is such a beautiful talk and unbelievably eye-opening! All too often we draw a distinct line between good and bad, between the adversary and the forces of good. But what about when the decision does not meet those parameters? What about when the decision is between two things that are both good? Reading Elder Oaks’ talk, it became clear how often these decisions present themselves and how vital they are. The need for a talk in general conference on the subject tells me one thing: The subject is extremely important for us. These are the decisions that can be the difference between happiness and ultimate happiness, or between success and reaching our full potential. Elder Oaks referenced the frequency with which we unfortunately settle for the good, forgoing the blessings of the best.

For some reason, we always, naturally fear the best. You’d think that would be an oxymoron, but I maintain that it could not be more true. Ha. Whether it is the longer fall if failure overwhelms, or the fear of what could be, we often allow fear to dictate the decision pushing us away from what is likely “the best”. We often do not even give ourselves the opportunity to experience what could be that best, writing it off. I would even contest that the adversary encourages what is considered “good”, knowing that it is better for him than the alternative. And it is significantly more difficult to recognize his crippling influence when his endorsement does not reek of evil. He stokes our pride and our fear to no end. He knows us and knows what it takes if we let it get there. I’m sure he smirks as he watches our pride and fear overwhelm what could be the best and, in our naivety, elect to go with the good. Probably not even aware of the gravity of our decision, we do not allow the best to have its intended impact.

A short bit ago, I decided to never settle for the “good” when it is in my control, but to always seek after the “best” and to do so with an open mind. When that day comes for me to leave this life, I will leave having always sought after the best, and having never allowed what might be slip away! :) For those are the situations and experiences Heavenly Father has blessed me with to help me achieve my greatest potential and return to live with Him. :) If I am going to leave this life tomorrow, I am going to make sure I have done all that I can do, served everyone I can serve, and chosen "the best" in every scenario. I will approach that great and last day with confidence in how I spent His time, knowing fear did not dictate the choices I made. instead, it will have been faith. And that is the first domino that leads to the best! :)

Do you want to settle for what is good when you could have what is the best? 


LIVE.LOVE.LAUGH.