I was extremely impressed by the video we watched in our class this week featuring Stan Christensen. Much of my mental energy has been expended on trying to find out what I'm going to do for my career. This proposition is especially daunting with my impending graduation on Wednesday. Stan reassured me, many don't stay with their first job out of school. He also taught that the whole idea of a 30 year career is one that is largely changing. It is becoming more common for people to work for multiple companies or try many ventures through their working life. One of my biggest fears int he working world is getting stuck in a rut, being settled, especially in one where I am unhappy with the career I'm involved in. So, hearing that multiple ventures is a refreshing idea to me.

One of the other most comforting things, preparing me to step into the next chapter of my life is Christensen's counsel to not try and guess what future employers want from you. Find the areas in which you're passionate about and along the way you'll find like minded people and find a place where you fit in. There is so much pressure to find a job where we get paid a nice salary, or ones that our in-laws will be impressed with. I'd much rather be bombarded with comments like, "I can't believe you get paid to do that." or "You're so lucky to be doing something you love." These would mean I'm following a path that will allow me to remain happy in my work life. 

One of the greatest lesson I have learned through the readings and videos and experiences of this week is that there is so much more to entrepreneurship than money. When money is your focus, you are likely to get it, but just as likely to lose a part of yourself to it, a part that my or may not come back. 

Instead, entrepreneurship is a service. It is a means by which I have personally been able to see people look at the problems that we face as a society or even as the human race, and do their best to improve the lives of as many possible. It is so much more than having a job. It deals in the currency of purpose and passion. It allows those dedicated to its cause to do things that they believed to be outside their capacity. 

I wonder what I have to offer up to the world. One of the many things that I've kicked around in my head, something that I'm passionate about, it recreation. Everyone has to work. Its almost a certainty in life. Often the stresses of that work can be attempted to be dulled by things that are detrimental to future success, such as alcohol, drugs, pornography, promiscuousness, the selfish use of time, unplugging from those around us. My dream it to create a camp for families, where recreation can be a positive, energizing, family building time. If I could dedicate my time, effort, and means to such a cause (while being able to provide for the needs of my family), I would sign up in an instant to dedicate my life. That is more important than all the money in the world. Such an endeavor would pay me handsomely in a purpose and passion, and I intend to be blessed as a set out on such a cause.

This week has provided me with a lot of time to reflect. One of my professors, Dr. Steven Stokes, passed away on Thursday. During each of my classes on Friday, we all had the opportunity to reflect on his life and in turn our own lives. Brother Stokes taught me much about balancing the various aspects of life. He taught classes with many heavy, difficult topics such as Social Problems, Juvenile Delinquency, Race and Ethnic Relations, Law and Society, and Drugs and Society. He seemed from a student perspective, that he was always learning, and by so doing, he was showing an incredible amount of love and compassion for people caught up in unfavorable life situations. From what I've learned, he truly lived a life that was focused on helping others. He adopted children that he knew would be able to have a better life. He truly found balance in his work and family life.

My point in sharing this is that I have reflected on the life of this great man. I look around at how many people's lives I can see that he's touched and can only imagine the unseen number. It has caused me to reflect on how I can live a life that has meaning, that can influence people around me. I realize that there are many important things that are going to compete for our attention. I must strive to make sure that I'm taking care of the most important, like my friend and mentor Brother Stokes.

Now on to answer the questions assigned from the reading "Attitude on Money."

1. My attitude on money isn't really strongly that its good or bad, but much like the article, that money is a reflection of who we have already become and what priorities we've established in our lives. I would like for my money to be able to allow me to provide great experiences for and with my family.

2. The way you view money is everything. If money is at the top of your priority list, you may not give other aspects of your life the attention it deserves. Your family life, your health, your happiness, and spirituality may all suffer if you have an unhealthy expectation on the power of money. While powerful, money still cannot buy everything. Money must be something we do prioritize, just now above some of the essential things mentioned above.

3. The rules for prospering are as follows:

1. Seek the Lord and have hope in him.
2. Keep the commandments, including the temporal ones of paying tithing and fast offering.
3. Think about money and how to become self-reliant.
4. Take advantage for chances of learning so you will not be ignorant.
5. Learn the laws on which the blessings of wealth are predicated.
6. Do not send away the naked, the hungry, the thirsty, or the sick or those who are held captive.