Learn, live, love

When we incorporate this formula into our lives, we fill not just own our social needs but those of others as well.

Last week we spoke about revelation, spending some significant time discussing that revelation relative to that special someone many LDS singles are seeking.  But in truth we can and should be receiving revelation about all the relationships in our lives.

After all, we have many emotional and social needs.  True, that special someone fills needs no one else can fill.  But those aren’t our only emotional and social needs.  We also have needs to give and receive the pure love of Christ from other family and friends.

On that note, we LDS singles can apply a tried and true formula for acquiring and improving the social relationships we need in our lives.  This formula works because it’s based on true principles.  As such it can work for anyone, not just singles.

The formula has three parts: Learn it, live it, love it.  When we incorporate this formula into our lives, we fill not just own our social needs but those of others as well.

Learn it

We first need to learn what to do before we can do.  That may seem obvious, but this step is about more than just learning the what or even the why.  It’s also about learning the how, as in how to think more effectively.

Many of our problems stem from how we think.  That means many of the solutions we seek will also come from how we think.  Learning more effective ways of thinking makes possible more effective actions which in turn lead to more effective realities.

Of course, the what and the why are also important.  Believing in a brighter tomorrow is essential, but knowing how to use the tools and materials you need to build that brighter tomorrow is no less necessary.

What tools and materials will you need to build all the relationships in your brighter tomorrow?  Many resources offer potential answers.  Certainly partnering with the Lord will help.  Seeking counsel from Him and trusting in His direction will lead you to the resources you need to learn what you need to learn in your individualized journey through mortality.

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Live it

Once you’ve learned what you need to do and how to do, the next step is to live it.  It’s time to bring the hammer down and get cracking.

And that means now.  Often we want to understand the entire plan — how all the puzzle pieces fit together — before we take the first step.  But your delay in taking that first step will delay the blessings that come from building the social relationships you need in your life.

You don’t need to know the end from the beginning to take the first step.  All you need to take the first step is to know the first step.  Beyond that, you can walk in faith that He who does see the end from the beginning will give you each next step you need once you take the prior step.

You’ll also find the light will move with you as you step out in faith, especially when the next step you need to take is into the dark.  Take each next step, and the light will again move with you.  The Lord will not abandon you as you follow His plan for you.

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Love it

The third and final step is to apply the not-so-secret sauce to the whole mix.  I’m talking here about love.  You just got to love it!

Of course, loving it means sharing love in your interactions with others.  It means placing love in the driver’s seat behind your actions towards them.  But it also means loving your journey.

We’re talking here about social relationships.  That means whether we’re talking about family or friends, we’re talking about people.  And people, as we all know, are imperfect.  That means some of our efforts will yield less-than-desired results.  In those moments, we need to love the journey enough to continue the journey.

On that point, the final General Conference address of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin comes to mind.  He likewise acknowledged life won’t always go as we would like.  But we can find joy when we face life with the attitude of “come what may, and love it.”

When it comes to the relationships you want in your life — family and friends as well as that special someone — you’ll succeed more when you learn it, live it, and love it.  Learn how to think and what to do.  Live the counsel you receive after partnering with the Lord.  And love, love, love.  When you do, you’ll feel the enjoyment of more satisfying relationships in your life.  And that will bring you more joy in your journey.

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You can listen to the monologue from today's episode of Joy In The Journey Radio here.  Please also feel free to continue the conversation by leaving a comment below.  Want to hear more?  Listen to the whole show by going to the show page for this episode.