“Follow your bliss, follow your blisters, and go forth and serve.” Jeffery Thompson, What is your calling in life,  June 1, 2010.

I took the liberty to watch again the talk by Jeffery Thompson ‘What is your calling in life’ I was inspired by this quote and explanation that he gave “Follow your bliss, follow your blisters, and go forth and serve.” I made the captioned picture above so I could share it with my friend on social media. They say a picture is worth a thousand words so I figure I have already posted the word requirement for this assignment with just the one picture. J

This teaches a simple yet true principle that hard work is necessary. This understanding really lead into the topics discussed this week. The formula for success called the ‘Formula and Happiness’ by Jim Richie left a very powerful impression on the importance of this.

What I learned:

Plan to Happiness:

1.     Get up early.

2.     Work hard.

3.     Get your education.

4.     Find oil.

5.     Make your mark.

6.     Prepare to serve / give back.

Regarding this plan Richie pointed out that you could “conquer the world with these principles,” and that was in regard to the three-step plan from the oil tycoon J Paul Getty. Get up early, work hard, and find oil. He then adds three additional points he gained through missionary service from David B Haight. Get your education, make your mark, and prepare to serve /give back.

Richie describes finding oil as a “product, idea, or service that multiples their skill set in such a manner that it truly becomes their oil of success.”

Jim Richie leaves is promise that if we follow and apply these steps they will work for each of us. He shares his inspiring story, and it leaves me with the hope that I could also apply these things.

What I have not yet learned:

There still remains in me doubt and skepticism.  I’ll work it out as I apply these principles in and day out. I’ll leave with one last thought on integrity from the talk by Sheri L. Dew, she shares this story of President Joseph F. Smith. In the recent shooting in Oregon, the man asked the college students their religion and then killed them if they responded that they were Christians. A few comments have been put up what would you do if you were in that situation. I think I’ll take some wisdom from President Smith here as follows:

An incident in the life of President Joseph F. Smith bears out this point. In the fall of 1857, the nineteen-year-old Joseph F. was returning from his mission in Hawaii, and in California he joined a wagon train. It was a volatile time for the Saints. Johnston’s Army was marching towards Utah, and many had bitter feelings towards the Church. One evening several hoodlums rode into camp, cursing and threatening to hurt every Mormon they could find. Most in the wagon train ran and hid in the brush. But Joseph F. thought to himself: “Shall I run from these fellows? Why should I fear them?” With that, he walked up to one of the intruders who, with pistol in hand, demanded, “Are you a Mormon?” Joseph F. Smith responded, “Yes siree; dyed in the wool; true blue, through and through.” At that, the hoodlum grasped his hand and said, “Well you are the [blankety-blank] pleasantest man I ever met! Shake hands, young fellow. I am glad to see a man that stands up for his convictions” (See Gospel Doctrine, 518).

And so the gospel stands with me, “Yes siree, dyed in the wool; true blue, through and through.”