Don't let what you want now get in the way of what you want most!

A few weeks ago we had a lesson in our youth meeting about priorities. The discussion centered around our plans for the future both short term and long term. What are/should be our biggest goals. Appropriate goals could be around finishing High School, going to college, going on a mission, getting married in the temple, being parents, etc.

They key is should we allow what we want this second; an extra slice of pie, a ride on our bike with friends, or the way that certain someone makes us feel; keep us from the items in the bigger picture. One way to apply this logic is to have a daily reminder of what is most important. A mantra, a constitution, etc. that we can read or listen to every day that will remind us of what is most important. In concordance with that concept I will offer a brief constitution of my own.

I Timothy Paris Naylor in order to achieve my life's goals do ordain and establish this constitution.
Article 1 Family
The most important thing in my life is my wonderful wife Heidi. without her I cannot achieve the highest level of the celestial kingdom. Nothing I do should drive a wedge in our relationship and I should give significant preference to items which improve our relationship.
Number two is my children. I have been entrusted with their education and safety. I need to provide for them physically, emotionally, economically, and intellectually. When working with the children I should verify that they are safe, they have that which they need, and that they are learning how to be appropriate contributors to society.
Article 2 Religion
The Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want... He sees my life from a holistic standpoint. By being obedient to his commands and following his spirit I can take the path in my life which will guarantee my happiness and that of my family.
Article 3 Socio-economics
Finally I can best ensure my own happiness and the happiness of those around me by contributing to my society. This involves appropriate donations to charity, social awareness, and economics. Ideally my employment would be more than a service, but an activity that contributes a product to our society.

Like the US constitution, this is intended to be a working document with appropriate amendments over time. I commit to reading it every day this month of May.

New year again

Ok once a gain a new year is upon us. Just a few things going on. Matt is the newest addition to our family. He came to live with us the first of July and he is 11. Yeah you read that right 11. We hope to finalize his adoption soon. I will post something more about him later. I mention him because

My first Goal for 2010 is to memorize a scripture with Matt every night. We have started with the Old testament scripture mastery scriptures since the OT is what we are studying in Sunday School this year.

Goal Number 2 - Marathon! I am on a plan to run a Marathon in June. Slowly adding base miles every week with a longer run on Saturdays. Good Times! oh BTW I am running mostly "barefoot" that again will have to come in another series of posts later on.

I am now the Secretary in Young men. Matt comes in as a Deacon in April if all goes to plan. My current Fanatism is with Ultra Light Backpacking and making my own equipment. I would like to share some of that with the young men so we can enjoy more and more the scouting activities.

I need to be better about writing in here also so I am setting a goal to write in here at least twice a week from now on. obviously I have lots of things I can write about so that should be pretty easy.