I Want To Be Better

I want to be a better person. A simple statement that so many of us say every day because somehow by just saying it, it makes us feel a little better about ourselves. It shows that we at least have the desire to be better people. Right?  But do we actually work at being better?

Unfortunately lately I have found that being a Mormon is not a well liked think to be. Now this isn't the case everywhere thank heavens, but a lot of people I have come in contact with have not had good experiences with those of our faith. They felt snubbed, looked down on, excluded, and judged. I do understand that a lot of that has to do with insecurities on the offended's part, but perception is reality. I actually feel like I am defending my faith everytime I meet someone who had a bad experience with our church. It makes me sad.  I have met the most amazing people that are not members of my faith. They are good people who are doing the best that they can. Just like I am. I am no better than they are and am no more special than they are in Heavenly Father's eye's.

How can I be a better person? I want to find more ways to show my husband just how much I love him. I want my children to know without a doubt that I love them. I want to do more to show my friend that is struggling right now, that I will do whatever I can to help ease her burdens. I want the stranger that I meet tomorrow to know that I want to get to know them, not what they've done in the past.  I just wish that we could see everyone the way that we want to be seen. As good, friendly, smart, pretty, kind, handsome, generous, thoughtful, loving, considerate, selfless, motivated people. We all have something amazing about us. I am learning this truth as I get out of my safe little bubble. It's amazing out here!

When I was little, I used to see homeless people asking for money. Someone told me not to give them any money because they would just buy drugs or alcohol with it and it wouldn't help them. Now I know that it doesn't matter what they do with the money because it isn't my job to judge them. It's my job to serve and give, not to judge.

I want to be a better person. And I am going to look for opportunities to do so. One of my hubbies favorite sayings is: I may not agree with what you are saying, but I would fight to the death for your right to say it.  We don't always have to agree with everyone. We don't have to have something in common for us to be kind to someone. We don't have to judge someone on  their appearance before deciding to talk to them. And we don't have to politely ignore someone because we are afraid of what people will say if they see us talking to them.

So instead of saying that I want to be a better person, I am going to say I WILL be a better person.