Chapter 1 Favorites

 "The selfish pursuit of material things, the constant need to look good in order to impress others, and the persistent seeking for sensory pleasure are not the goals of people who have a mature understanding of life, of  themselves, and of their relationship to others." P2p2

When I read this quote I immediately marked it as a quote to always remember. If I were a person who hung quotes around my house, this would be one of them :)

For me this was a self check. If I am going to be teaching my children about moral standards, how am I doing? How mature is my understanding of life, myself and my relationship to them and others? I can see people in my life on both sides of this: I know people who DO have a mature understanding, they don't see after the material things, or try to impress others. I see others, who are the antithesis of this.

I need to have a mature understanding of these things to be most effective in teaching them to my kids. Kids are good a deciphering when we don't live what we teach.

It goes on: "Chidlren who seek only these things are empty, and in their hollowness they find little to contribute." (P2p2) It also states "...no one has been able to help them find something of substance, significance, and true worth - something enduring." (P2p2)

These are the type of children who seek after drugs, sex and alcohol because they are "thrill seeking" looking for that next feel good thing. They haven't been able to find something of significance, so they continue to seek in all places that lead to hollowness and contribute little to themselves or society. I know I didn't choose to stay home with my kids to watch them grow up to contribute little and seek after fleeting thrills. I expect them to feel their significance in this life to carry them to lasting happiness. The holy ghost can fill that void that kids are trying to fill when they seek after thrills.