- The Story of the Butterfly
- ““stuck on stupid.” It meant that you kept doing the same dumb things over and over without learning from them.” The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level (Gay Hendricks) Page 31
- “Understand that learning and personal growth, skill development, courage, persistence, the potential for empathy and other important life assets, all come from your struggles, and especially your failures.” Beating the Midas Curse, by Perry L. Cochell and Rodney C. Zeeb, Page 52
- “If we succeed in passing through the approaching fiery ordeals with our fidelity and integrity unimpeached, we may expect at the close of our trials, a great and mighty outpouring of the Spirit and power of God–a great endowment upon all who shall have remained true to their covenants. …” Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow.Chapter 7: Faithfulness in Times of Trial: “From the Shadows into the Glorious Sunshine”
- “Zen teacher JakushoKwong suggests becoming “an active participant in loss.” We’re conditioned to seek only gain, to be happy, and to try to satisfy all our desires, he explains. But even though we may understand on some level that loss is a catalyst for growth, most people still believe it to be the opposite of gain and to be avoided at all costs. If I’ve learned anything in my years of practicing Zen and coaching basketball, it’s that what we resist persists. Sometimes the letting go happens quickly; other times it may take several sleepless nights. Or weeks.”Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success (Phil Jackson and Hugh Delehanty) Page 333
- “Every trial a man goes through, if he is faithful in that trial and does honor to God and his religion he has espoused, at the end of that trial or affliction that individual is nearer to God, nearer in regard to the increase of faith, wisdom, knowledge and power, and hence is more confident in calling upon the Lord for those things he desires. I have known individuals who have trembled at the idea of passing through certain ordeals who after they were through the temptation have said they could approach the Lord in more confidence and ask for such blessings as they desired. …” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow, 2011
- “…Lord’s primary patterns for growth and development. “Thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more.” David A Bednar, October 2020 General Conference
- “Elder Jeffrey R. Holland told of a young man who was the brunt of his peers teasing during his school years. Some years later he moved away, joined the military, received an education, and became active in the Church. This period of his life was marked with wonderfully successful experiences. After several years he returned to his hometown. However, the people refused to acknowledge his growth and improvement. To them, he was still just old ;so-and-so; and they treated him that way. Eventually, this good man faded away to a shadow of his former successful self without being able to use his marvelously developed talents to bless those who derided and rejected him once again. What a loss, both for him and the community!” Ensign, 2016, General Women’s Session, I Will Bring the Light of the Gospel Into My Home
- “I am not asking that all criticism be silent. Growth comes with correction. Strength comes with repentance. Wise is the man or woman who, committing mistakes pointed out by others, changes his or her course. I am not suggesting that our conversation be all honey. Clever expression that is sincere and honest is a skill to be sought and cultivated. What I am suggesting and asking is that we turn from the negativism that so permeates our society and look for the remarkable good in the land and times in which we live, that we speak of one another’s virtues more than we speak of one another’s faults, that optimism replace pessimism. Let our faith replace our fears.” Manual, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Gordon B Hinkley, Chapter 3, Cultivating an Attitude of Happiness and a Spirit of Optimism