Self Mastery

Self mastery is the result of self control. Self control is disciplined agency: it is to act instead of being acted upon. Self discipline is the key to personal freedom. The more we have control over the more we have freedom from. Growth is the result of harvesting our efforts in areas we have control over. We truly grow when we focus our energy on things we have control over and not waste out time and energy on things we have no control over. Wisdom is to knowing the difference.

Pride keeps us from correcting our character flaws. Our character flaws keep us out of heaven. May heaven help me be humble enough to see my faults before it's too late. Thankfully, His amazing grace is sufficient!

Bad choices are like opening a dozen credit cards: they are easy to open, the allure to use them is intense, the personal freedom to use them is almost addicting, there is a delayed reaction before having to pay them back-- but the compounding consequences can be devastating.

Agency is a double edged sword. Personal freedom is liberating and empowering but the consequences are just as great. The higher the freedom, the higher the consequences. Choices have consequences. Cause has resulting effects. What you sow so shall ye reap.

There is often a "consequence window" between cause and effect. The time between the iceberg and the sinking ship. The time between the earthquake and the resulting tsunami. Personal freedom is appealing, but without some restraint, personal freedom can be dangerous.

The rarest of gems are usually of the highest quality and in the highest demand. Sometimes, like gold, the things of highest value require a refining process to purge and to polish and to purify. We seek who we are and if we seek to be like the Savior we will be the highest quality and we will attract the same. He is the standard of excellence and, no matter what the world can offer, only He can offer Eternal Life.