At the beginning of the year, I think I mentioned that I was given the calling to help the sisters in our ward with a program called “Pursuit of Excellence”. I was given the calling near the end of September (’09) , and had 3 months to kind of figure out how I wanted to implement the program.
In preparation, I set 3 goals, one in each of the three areas of Faith, Family, and Relief. Though I was able to accomplish (almost) all 3 goals, I recognized that the hardest part for me was staying motivated, and remembering that I was working on them. I wished that I had someone cheering me on, and helping me to stay motivated.
This became the bulk of my calling. I decided that I would write a weekly email to the sisters that were participating, encouraging them to continue with their goals. In addition the Relief Society President asked if I would write something in the Relief Society newsletter that went out once a week to each of the sisters in the ward. This meant that I would be writing twice in the week! I set this as one of my “relief” goals, to write both times in the week. Most of the time, I would start out sitting at my computer and not have a clue what I would write. After I would say a prayer though, for the words. Thoughts came into my mind, and I was able to write. It became such a blessing in my life, especially when a sister would reply that the words helped her in some way.
At our last Relief Society night, we celebrated and gave out awards to all the sisters in the ward that had accomplished their goals for the year. We had over 50 sisters that signed up, including some that moved out, or were new in the ward. 42 of them accomplished all 6 goals! I didn’t know so many were working on them. Though I had the opportunity to talk and discuss goals with some of the sisters, the majority did it on their own. What a blessing it was, to call each of them, and hear the wonderful things that they had been able to accomplish. It was such a wonderful, inspired program, and I was so blessed to be a part of it.
One thing I learned, is that most sisters don’t realize the good that they are already doing. One of the sisters told me that they hadn’t really been working on their goals, but after discussing what they were doing with their lives, their free time, and their jobs, it was very apparent what wonderful sisters they are. Many of them spend their time helping their families, serving their loved ones, and being the best they can. I told one sister that she had completed a family goal by the time she spent taking care of her aged father each day. She told me that was just “what she did”, and don’t you have to suffer to call it a goal? Absolutely not!!! Your goals are your priorities. The things that are most important, and that bring you closer to Christ. If those things come easy to you, that’s wonderful… and do more. My favorite definition I found about goals was to find things that put you just a little out of your comfort zone – something that stretches you just a little bit. This calling did it for me. I was stretched and enriched. What a blessing!
May you all have a very Happy New Year, and may the goals you set continue to bless and enrich your lives, helping you to accomplish just a little more than you were doing before!