You Are Here!

A few years ago I was thinking about my life, when the question "Where am I?" came into my mind.  As I pondered about this, I saw in my minds eye a visual of a map at the mall I had recently visited. As a tool to help me find the best way to get where I are going, the map was labeled with an identifying marker stating, "You Are Here". 

Returning to my original question, I thought about life's map.  I knew the answer to , "YOU WERE HERE"  and "YOU WANT TO END UP HERE" ,but what was the answer to  "YOU ARE HERE?"  where was I in my life's journey?

So I thought some more on this but knew I would need more time to find out "where I was" on my journey.  Well the other day I came across a talk by Tom L. Perry titled, "The Heritage of Our Summer Holidays".   At the moment I was not thinking about my question, but just reading a random talk.  However, to my surprise, Elder Perry shared in this talk  what he does once a year to determine "where he is".  He talks about his birthdays and how celebrating that day has changed over the years. I thought it was a wise council and one that I should adopt so that I can see the answer to, "YOU ARE HERE".

He says:

Birthdays have become, for me, a time of personal evaluation. Now I look at the five areas of my life each year on my birthday, and I analyze my growth and development and have a time of personal challenge and interview.

First, I look at my physical body. At the time of my birthday each year I submit myself to my annual physical examination, and I keep a record of the results and set targets for achievement each year. Vital signs such as weight, heart rate, and blood pressure are all evaluated. This is also the time when I establish my exercise program for the coming year to keep myself physically in shape.

Fortunately, I have improved since my experience with one of your good stake presidents. I came to his stake one day, and as we got involved in a conversation about his stake I noticed that he was quite nervous. I said, "What's the matter, President?" He said, "This is my first conference with a General Authority." But he quickly recovered. He soon had me down on the floor teaching me how to do sit-ups, and he saved himself from all of the questions I was going to ask him by keeping me working on sit-ups until I was so out of breath I could hardly speak. As you can see, it is important that we evaluate our physical progress and keep our bodies strong and able.

Secondly, there is mental development. I evaluate my performance in improving my mind. Have I kept pace with the program I established a year ago for my scripture study? Have I gained greater understanding and capacity in my professional field? Just because I'm a General Authority doesn't mean I want to lose the experience I have had in business, so I try to keep abreast of the latest developments in that field. Have I kept up with current events in my community and my state and in the world? Have I developed a better understanding of the cultural arts that the Lord has blessed us so abundantly with? Each of these I evaluate to see how well I have performed during the last year.

The third area is financial. Each year I take time to prepare a personal balance sheet and compare it with last year's; I make an operating statement and compare it with my financial objectives. And I ask myself: Have I given a fair return on the great blessings the Lord has given me? Is my performance up to an acceptable standard? Have I stayed out of debt? Am I preparing to be free of encumbrances as the Lord has required of us? It is very important to have a financial plan.

Fourth, social. How am I progressing in my "people skills." Am I improving my ability to communicate both in speaking and writing? Have I improved my listening skills? And--this one is always difficult for me--have I become more patient? (I try to let my wife evaluate me on this, and my ratings haven't been very high.) Have I improved in my ability to control my temper and to be in control of myself all the time?

Then, finally, I sit down and give myself a personal priesthood interview. I check myself to see if I am worthy of the temple recommend I carry. I ask myself: Have I improved in my ability to communicate with my Eternal Father? Am I faithful in my prayers? Have I shared the gospel with a friend or neighbor? (This is a responsibility we all have.) Have I completed the temple work commitment I established at the first of the year? Is my personal journal up to date? Am I recording a history so my family will know of the experiences I have had?

I have heard some people say it isn't good to "check the boxes" but I believe it is helps us evaluate where we are and helps us obtain our goals, then I think it is a good thing.

Especially if it leads to us having a Changed Heart!

One day I want hear from my Heavenly Father,  "You Are Here...right where I want you to be", as He welcomes me back home as a true and faithful servant.