Friday, October 19, 2007

Choices Choices Choices

I have been thinking a lot lately about listening to promptings, counsel & advice . I understand one needs to be humble or teachable in these situations to make much progress. Too often it is easy to rely on our own wisdom or the wisdom of the world and sometimes don't hearken to other's with greater wisdom and judgement or to other's with great interest and love in us. I'm not necessarily speaking of only great decisions in life although this definitely applies here. I'm also aware of the choices made daily - my decisions as how to use my time, what foods I choose to eat, making myself exercise, what to read, read or watch TV, what TV programs are even decent enough to watch if my Savior were sitting next to me. You get the idea. Reminds me so much of the talk by Elder Oaks at this last conference on GOOD, BETTER & BEST. Am I getting too personal here and making anyone uncomfortable? Hope not. I'm striving here folks.

Here's a story about destructive relationships that was printed in Ann Landers' column. I have also heard a very similar story about a young native American boy and the lesson was the same. I hope we can all be mindful and cautious in our big and little decisions of life and continue to love, support and pray for one another.

A young girl was trudging along a mountain path, trying to reach her grandmother's house. It was bitter cold, and the wind cut like a knife. When she was within sight of her destination, she heard a rustle at her feet.

Looking down, she saw a
snake. Before she could move, the snake spoke to her. He said, "I am about to die. It is too cold for me up here, and I am freezing. There is no food in these mountains, and I am starving. Please put me under your coat and take me with you."

"No," replied the girl. "I know your kind. You are a
rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you will bite me, and your bite is poisonous."

"No, no," said the
snake. "If you help me, you will be my best friend. I will treat you differently."
The little girl sat down on a rock for a moment to rest and think things over. She looked at the beautiful markings on the snake and had to admit that it was the most beautiful snake she had ever seen.


Suddenly, she said, "I believe you. I will save you. All living things deserve to be treated with kindness."

The little girl reached over, put the snake gently under her coat and proceeded toward her grandmother's house.

Within a moment, she felt a sharp pain in her side. The snake had bitten her.

"How could you do this to me?" she cried. "You promised that you would not bite me, and I trusted you!"

"You knew what I was when you picked me up," hissed the snake as he
slithered away.

I'm trying to be more careful what I pick up. Thanks for letting me share. 3

2 comments:

Audra said...

Hmmm. You made me think. THANKS!

It seems like an hourly reminder is needed in my life. "Be careful what you pick up." Daily decisions are what I am working on, too. Good "choices" (instead of "luck") for both of us!

Have a happy weekend. It looks like you had a good start last night at the farm.

Christie K said...

Thanks for the reminder!

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