I've recently completed a 12-week course of Self Reliance: Starting and Growing a Business. Most of my classmates either had a business or had a solid idea for a business. I've been on the fence with the a business idea. Mostly all I know about my business is that it should be called EarthRest. That's a story for another post.
Coming to the end of the class we are all required to give a short presentation on how the class has helped. This is the presentation I have prepared:
Final presentation for Self Reliance class
The final words of Steve Jobs -
“I have come to the pinnacle of success in business. In the eyes of others, my life has been the symbol of success. However, apart from work, I have little joy. Finally, my wealth is simply a fact to which I am accustomed. At this time, lying on the hospital bed and remembering all my life, I realize that all the accolades and riches of which I was once so proud, have become insignificant with my imminent death. In the dark, when I look at the green lights of the equipment for artificial respiration and feel the buzz of their mechanical sounds, I can feel the breath of my approaching death looming over me. Only now do I understand that once you accumulate enough money for the rest of your life, you have to pursue objectives that are not related to wealth. It should be something more important: For example, stories of love, art, dreams of my childhood. No, stop pursuing wealth, it can only make a person into a twisted being, just like me. God has made us one way, we can feel the love in the heart of each of us, and not illusions built by fame or money, like I made in my life, I cannot take them with me. I can only take with me the memories that were strengthened by love. This is the true wealth that will follow you; will accompany you, He will give strength and light to go ahead. Love can travel thousands of miles and so life has no limits. Move to where you want to go. Strive to reach the goals you want to achieve. Everything is in your heart and in your hands. What is the world's most expensive bed? The hospital bed. If you have money, you can hire someone to drive your car, but you cannot hire someone to take the illness that is killing you. Material things lost can be found. But one thing you can never find when you lose: life. Whatever stage of life where we are right now, at the end we will have to face the day when the curtain falls. Please treasure your family love, love for your spouse, love for your friends...Treat everyone well and stay friendly with your neighbors.”
I have appreciated so much the journey of this Self-Reliant Class: Starting and Growing a Business. The foundation principles have been the best part of the study and are the principles upon which Steve Jobs did not build his Apple empire. We can avoid the regretful statement: “Only now do I understand that once you accumulate enough money for the rest of your life, you have to pursue objectives that are not related to wealth” by partnering the spiritual and practical principles we have learned in this class.
Care for Self and Others - An abundant life means we can take care of ourselves and our neighbors. This gives new meaning to “love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Faith - Having faith to take the first step creates power and self-confidence.
Money Management - Paying tithing helps us to be mindful of a budget that is strictly adhered to.
Repentance and Obedience - In order to receive blessings we need to recognize what we must change and how we should obey so that the Lord can give us the righteous desire of our hearts.
Wise use of time - means creating a task list inspired by the Lord. What we accomplish each day can be determined in our morning prayer.
Persistent, hard work - Elder Christofferson said, “Work builds and refines character, creates beauty, and is the instrument of our service to one another and to God.”
Problem Solving - The Lord’s house is a house of order. Problems can be solved when things are clear and precise.
Seek learning and then convert that knowledge to wisdom and remember that inspiration from God is an expression of total wisdom.
Show integrity - By living with integrity we are choosing to be Godlike. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin explained that “the consummate reward of integrity is the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.”
Careful communication builds lasting relationships.
Temple Covenants give us the strength to keep going. Knowing their time in Nauvoo was short the early latter day saints built a temple and made temple covenants. It was these covenants which gave them the strength to endure the challenges of the trek.
At the end of his life the money didn’t matter. His final words of advice were not based on principles of business, they were based on principles of love.
“God has made us one way, we can feel the love in the heart of each of us, and not illusions built by fame or money, like I made in my life, I cannot take them with me. I can only take with me the memories that were strengthened by love. This is the true wealth that will follow you; will accompany you, He will give strength and light to go ahead.”
