President Thomas S. Monson admonished us, "At the advent of a new year, I challenge [you] to undertake a
personal,
diligent,
significant QUEST for an
abundant life, a life filled with an abundance of
success,
goodness, and
blessings."
Read his talk about how to obtain an abundant life
here.
1. Have a positive attitude.
For me, in order to have a positive attitude I must focus on expressing sincere gratitude and I try to remember that I can be influencing the attitudes of other people around me. I can be a merry sunshine, if I try to spread that joyful, radiant, life-is-just-so-good feeling.
President Monson quoted Charles Swindoll. I like that Swindoll says our attitude is more important than the PAST, than money and failures and successes and what other people say or think or do.
What has happened in life is hardly important compared to how we choose to regard the present day we have been blessed with.
My attitude determines whether my endeavors will be realized or not. I can achieve nothing if I don't believe in myself. And how can I believe in myself if I'm not filled with optimism and graciousness?
2. Believe in Yourself
"He does not believe that does not live according to his belief." ~Thomas Fuller
I've long believed that without faith in yourself, without real conviction of your purpose and your ability, you cannot actually accomplish your desires.
I also believe that if you can truly trust and have faith in your goal--which means the Holy Ghost has confirmed its goodness and worth to you, and your ability to achieve it--then Providence will assist you in achieving any good thing. You can literally do and be any{amazing}thing!
I'm so happy to have a direct quote from the Prophet of God on the topic; here it is:
"Don't limit yourself and don't let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities. You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith." ~President Thomas S. Monson
3. Face challenges with Courage
President Monson said it takes courage to determine to live decently. The word decently struck me.
Determine to live decently. To speak decently. To eat decently. To think, ponder, and meditate decently. To do every act in a decent manner. This inspires me to have honor and integrity as I pursue my goals. I like that he recognizes this takes courage.
I don't remember where I read this, but in an article about success the author advised, "Your goal should be a bit embarrassing when you tell people about it. It should be something others could scoff at, because of your boldness in attempting something so impossible. It will mean that the dream is important to you, and that it is truly what you want."
That takes courage.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide on, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them."
Basically, if you really believe in yourself and this coveted goal you've decided to pursue, you must have the courage to be determined. Even though everyone will think you're crazy. Even though you'll be tempted to question yourself and your qualifications. Even though it takes a long time to come about. Even though it takes hard work and you're tired and sometimes lonely.
David beat GOLIATH. You can do anything. Be brave.
"Have the determination to make the effort, the single-mindedness to work toward a worthy goal, and the courage not only to face the challenges that inevitably come but also to make a second effort, should such be required," President Monson said.
