Tuesday, February 12, 2008

The Greatest of Causes


I am loving the current issue of BYU Magazine. There are a few articles in it that are giving me food for thought. The following quote, (from the commencement address at BYU in 1994 by James Q. Wilson, then of UCLA,) is one that found to be both inspiring and fitting for my blog's theme of motherhood.

"The easiest thing to do is to support great causes, sign stirring petitions, endorse grand philosophies. The hardest thing to do--and it is getting harder all the time--is to be a good husband, a good wife, a strong father, a strong mother, an honorable friend and neighbor."

So think about one thing that you can do today in your quest for greatness in one of these areas. I choose to make a concerted effort to show more tenderness to my family today.

9 comments:

Rebecca Blevins said...

I like that quote a lot. I had already decided to be more tender towards my family today, as I had been getting angry far too much. I haven't been perfect, but today has gone so much better. The children have even listened better.

Anonymous said...

Love that quote thats one for the fridge.... Great food for thought , I needed it today Thanks
Mandy

Martin said...

The recent training broadcast on families was very good, and I felt Elder Oaks offered some nice stories about growing in trying circumstances that did not come off as boasting or complaining.

Ok the rest of my comments are wise cracks - feel free to skip over them.

The BYU magazine cover would indicate an inspiring quote along the lines of "Cowboy Up!"

BTW it's not easy to sign stirring petitions - since there are so few that are actually stirring.

Off the top of my head, I don't know if I have ever signed a "stirring" petition, but not because I felt it beneath my status as a strong father.

Now that you mention it North Carolina is a bit short on grand philosophies too.

Michal said...

martin, you are cracking me up! glad to know that the bitter eastern cold hasn't destroyed your sense of humor!

Andrea said...

That is a great quote. Such simple things can really be the most important.

mindyluwho said...

I choose to wash the clothes that my husband has been asking me to wash for the last week.

Thank you!

mindyluwho said...

BTW, I emailed you, did you get it? If not I must have typed in your email wrong. If I don't hear from you in a couple of days I'll try again!

Anonymous said...

You're so right, Michal. So often we encounter great corporate people who devote the time and effort to a company - at the expense of their own family.

Daryl said...

Found my way here via David's authorblog and I am glad I did .. :)