Who we are, What we do

What we do is just as vital as who we are.  Many times we are judged according to what we do or what we have done, but does that really make up who we are individually?  I don't believe so.  As an individual you should not change who you are but rather what you do.  Each person has been blessed and endowed with extra-ordinary individuality.  Within our individuality we hold strengths and weaknesses.  Our strengths are meant to be useful to ourselves and those around us.  Our weaknesses, likewise, are meant for personal growth and making other strengths useful.  We must learn to recognize and accept weakness then be willing and anxious to improve.

"Whatever you are by nature keep to it, never detest your line of talent.  Be what nature intended for you and you will succeed." ~ Sydney Smith

In the Book of Mormon there is a soldier who defines himself by his belief and moral standards; not by his actions:

11. And Moroni was a strong and mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;
12. Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which He bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.
13. Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.
14. Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary; yea, and they were also taught never to give an offense, yea and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives.
15. And this was their faith, that by so doing God would prosper them in the land, or in other words, if they were faithful in keeping the commandments of God that He would prosper them in the land; yea, warn them to flee, or to prepare for war, according to their danger;
16. And also, that God would make it known unto them whither they should go to defend themselves against their enemies, and by so doing, the Lord would deliver them; and this was the faith of Moroni, and his heart did glory in it; not in the shedding of blood but in doing good, in preserving his people, yea in keeping the commandments of God, yea, and resisting iniquity.
17. Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.

Alma 48: 11-17

 

He does not delight in bloodshed by being blessed in strength and knowledge of military tactics so that he is able to protect his family and nation.  He was successful because of who he was and applying that to what he had to do.

Who we are affects what we do.  Remember that statement and remind yourself in the decisions you make that who you are will affect the decision you make.  Sound advice also given in the Book of Mormon was that in order to cleanse the outer vessel the inner vessel must be cleansed first.  Our actions are premeditated by our thoughts, if you know who you are then you will know what you should do, or what you can do.  You will find options and opportunities opening before you.

"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are small matters as to what lies within us."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

You must be yourself, you must be what God created you to be then you and others will be blessed with success.  The greatest thing that you can do in life is what God wants you to do.  The greatest thing that you can be and become is what God wants you to be and become.  In life if you want to become something then you typically emulate those who have already succeeded in that.  You take who you are and what you can do and apply it to what they have and what they have done.  Thus, an ongoing cycle of success and improvement.

"What we do in this life echoes into eternity." ~ Maximus from "Gladiator"

 

 

Trying to be something that you aren't is like being half stupid, and not being yourself, being something else completely, is just reaching your potential of being fully stupid.

"The merit of originality is not novelty, it is sincerity." ~ Thomas Carlyle

 

 

"To every man there comes in his lifetime that special moment when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a special thing unknown to him and fitted to his talent; what a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for that work which would be his finest hour." ~ Sir Winston Churchhilll

 

Knowing who you are helps you be successful and increase your potential.  You wouldn't use a screwdriver to hammer in nails, nor would you use a hammer to dig holes.  Use the strengths you have properly and learn your weaknesses and work to make them strengths, or at the least make them not a hindrance to you.