Entrepreneurial Journal #11

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.