Spirit of Contention

"Contention fosters disunity."

-- Elder Russell M. Nelson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

**"The Canker of Contention"

This one is a good one for us all in my opinion. I don't know a single person who has never gotten angry and yelled or have vindictive thoughts at one point or another. For example, driving on the road and someone cuts you off, I know that personally I really hate that, or when someone is driving so slow in front of you and you can't pass them. I am only giving driving examples because I think that most of you can recognize that exact feeling.

This week has been an interesting one for me in learning about contention. I find that the first step in really working with the spirit is recognizing in ALL areas where contention arises. Contention doesn't even have to be physically or verbally between one person to another!! It can be stired up in your own mind and heart! Lets give an example, you are looking forward to something and it doesn't happen exactly the way you planned it. Well..whats your first reaction? Frustration, anger, dissapointment..then what do you start to do? Think negative towards that situation or usually find something to pin-point your anger towards. WOW..thats contention! Of course we all like to feel better when getting our anger out, however I believe (and its funny that I am the one saying this..because I need help in this area as well sometimes..) that anger can be taken out in different ways besides negativity. Here are just some ideas:

• Exercise!! This REALLY helps me take all my frustrations out on whatever it is that is bothering me or something that has upset me. Plus science has proven that by exercising, not only can it increase your health, it decreases your anger and depression because of the chemicals that are being involved in exercise.
• Write!! I know this sounds a bit corny, but it helps SO much. Even if its in the moment, if you have the time and ability to have paper and a pen..really..just write out what is making you upset and how you feel and then list ways you can deal with it. Science has also proven that by writing things out it activates the writing and reading part of the brain which can strengthen your ability to get in touch with what is going on in the situation than just the small part you are experiencing.
• Pray for help! Yes, whenever you are feeling the spirit of contention, it is possible to counteract negative with positive. To put your faith in a power greater than yours can lift burdens and weight off of your shoulders. Try it! :D

Of course not everyone is perfect and we all will still have our moments of frustration, anger and contention but like I said, the best thing is to recognize how often we jump to these feelings and how you might be able to make some of those angry moments into pleasant or smaller issues and think positive.

3 Nephi 11:29

"..he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, whois the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another."

Proverbs 18: 6-7

"A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul"

**"The Canker of Contention" link to: http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=fe6127cd3f37b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1

Ok, so I have been trying to post this video to this website but its not working :( so I have decided to post the link. Its really a great story and I hope you will take the time to just watch this video real quick. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naqX9iYE0V0

Acting and Reacting

In most encounters we can determine the kind of experience we are going to have by how we respond.

Today's topic I chose is talking about the difference between "reacting" and "acting" in our lives. To perfectly introduce what I am talking about, I will share a section of the very talk given that enlightened me on the subject.

"On a Saturday, my wife and I decided to take the children for a drive and to do some shopping. During the drive the children fell asleep, and not wanting to wake them, I volunteered to stay in the car while my wife ran into the store.

While waiting, I glanced at the car parked in front of me. It was full of children, and they were looking at me. My eyes caught the eyes of a small boy, six or seven years old. As our eyes met, he immediately stuck his tongue out at me.
My first reaction was to stick my tongue out at him. I thought, What have I done to deserve this? Fortunately, before I reacted, I remembered how important it was to act instead of react to the events around us. So I waved at the little boy. He stuck his tongue out at me again. I smiled and waved again. This time he waved back.
Soon he was joined in his enthusiastic waving by a little brother and sister. I responded by waving this way and that until my arm became tired. Then I rested it on the steering wheel and continued with every creative wave I could muster, all the time hoping their parents would quickly return or that my wife would soon come back. The parents finally did come, and as they pulled away, my newfound friends continued to wave for as long as I could see them."
-- "Our Actions Determine Our Character" **
Elder Wayne S. Peterson Of the Seventy

It is so interesting to look at how many times in our very own lives we react, and also take a look around you and see how the world is constantly "reacting" as well. Of course its not easy to simply brush off a negative comment or action, but isnt it interesting to see how we instantly "react" and take it so personal!? Don't think for ONCE that this is only with strangers, this especially can happen in our day to day contact with our very close loved ones as well. Of course it's not nice to have these things happen to us, but more times than not there is probably something more than meets the eye.

That person might have a family tragedy or arguement that is preocupied in their minds that they don't even realize how they are presenting themselves. That person might be feeling incredibly down on themselves for one reason or another, especially right now in this economic crisis, he could have just lost his job and is trying to figure out how he is going to provide for his family. You just NEVER know, and that is why it is up to each and every one of us to take the time and create a positive experience out of a negative one. To choose to "ACT" in a positive way instead of "REACT" to the negative way with a negative action.

I know, this all seems sooo good and easy, when in reality it really isn't at first. It takes time and effort, both of which need to be understood and where you need to be patient. Alot of times I believe that we are all surrounded in our own worlds that we rarely take time to step out of our world and REALLY observe whats going on around us. It's easier to "react" to those things that happen directly to us which is why we must be more aware of our surroundings if this "acting" will work properly. You can just start with one thing a day, just a small and simple thing, you will be rewarded with feeling better knowing that at least YOU did something good to counteract the bad. I have found a few scriptures in my studies and would like to share them:

Proverbs 3:27 says:

"Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it."

Doctrine and Covenants 6:33 says:

"Fear not to do good, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap.."

All I would hope for from you reading this topic is to become more aware of your day to day actions and realize that in such a compressed world that its ok to step out of your comfort level and be that fish swimming upstream! Act instead of React! :D

**If you would like to read more on the above talk, here is the following link: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=d0538d00422fe010VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1

Welcome to Latter Day Insights!

Dearest One and All who have been invited to this blog:

I have felt on a daily basis the need to express my thoughts, studies and impressions on this gospel known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Therefore, being the writer that I am, I feel that a daily blog would not only help myself, but possibly help inspire or uplift someone else who is having an off day by reading this blog.

President Russell M. Ballard of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles once shared with us the following:

"The Internet allows everyone to be a publisher, to have his or her voice heard, and it is revolutionizing society.."
contd...
"Now, may I ask that you join the conversation by participating on the Internet to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration. Most of you already know that if you have access to the Internet you can start a blog in minutes and begin sharing what you know to be true."

This blog will be a great strength for myself and hopefully for others as well. I would like to mention that I would simply LOVE to hear others insights and opinions on the different topics mentioned here on this website, so please comment when you feel like it. It is encouraged!
Wishing you all the very best!
Sincerely,
Rachel