Eternal Perspective

It doesn't seem like I don't get to teach as much as I used to in church, and I've missed it! I would rather teach and give talks all day long rather then pray in front of a big group. (I know, weird. It's an issue I need to work on...) Anyway, I get to teach this week and the lesson is on Eternal Perspective. I love it when you get to study a lesson that really hits home and makes you reflect on your life. 

It's also neat that I am reading "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey and I am just to the chapter about having the end in sight. It all seems to go together just when you need it.

This is the little reminder I made the girls to remember to reflect on the were we want to be. 

I thought this story by Dieter F. Uchtdorf was amazing and I wanted to share it.

(Full story at lds.org.)

The Story of the Lightbulb, or Losing Sight of What Matters Most

"On a dark December night 36 years ago, a Lockheed 1011 jumbo jet crashed into the Florida Everglades, killing over 100 people. This terrible accident was one of the deadliest crashes in the history of the United States.

A curious thing about this accident is that all vital parts and systems of the airplane were functioning perfectly—the plane could have easily landed safely at its destination in Miami, only 20 miles (32km) away.

During the final approach, however, the crew noticed that one green light had failed to illuminate—a light that indicates whether or not the nose landing gear has extended successfully. The pilots discontinued the approach, set the aircraft into a circling holding pattern over the pitch-black Everglades, and turned their attention toward investigating the problem.

They became so preoccupied with their search that they failed to realize the plane was gradually descending closer and closer toward the dark swamp below. By the time someone noticed what was happening, it was too late to avoid the disaster.

After the accident, investigators tried to determine the cause. The landing gear had indeed lowered properly. The plane was in perfect mechanical condition. Everything was working properly—all except one thing: a single burned-out lightbulb. That tiny bulb—worth about 20 cents—started the chain of events that ultimately led to the tragic death of over 100 people.

Of course, the malfunctioning lightbulb didn’t cause the accident; it happened because the crew placed its focus on something that seemed to matter at the moment while losing sight of what mattered most."

It's so easy to get stuck on the little mishaps and things that don't matter. They keep us from taking in the whole picture and realizing what matters. This week I want to work on not sweating the small things and focus on what really matters.