This week, I read a quote from Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Work, which caused me to reflect on the nature of lasting change.
"...Stopping [bad habits] and beginning to do healthy things"
(PMG pg. 188)
It is simply not enough to stop bad habits. We must replace them with good habits.
In the April 1996 General Conference, Robert D. Hales taught:
"...by turning on an electric light or by lighting a candle, there was no more darkness...
You learned a simple law of nature, which is also a spiritual law:
Light and darkness cannot occupy the same space at the same time.
Satan and his disciples cannot tolerate the spiritual light of the gospel;
they must immediately depart."
It is only light that can chase away darkness--only good habits will replace bad ones.
Currently, I have a bad habit I am working on: going to
sleep earlier, and thereby working up earlier, and having more time.
Sleeping too late will be replaced with the following counsel:
"retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated."
(D&C 88:124)
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ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you! The process of replacing bad habits with good habits can be a tough process, but is always worth the change. That change does not necessarily have to be a large change. Often times, I find the little bad habits I change are often the hardest because those bad habits are able to easily reappear. Best of luck working on those sleeping habits! Thanks for the inspiring article!
ReplyDeleteamen brother. I consider myself a man of many hobbies. I dont only do them to replace or avoid bad things but as i fill my life with awesome activities and habits i find life and spirituality just come easier
ReplyDeleteI used to stay up until all hours of the night doing homework or other things and then not waking up until 9 or 10. I felt like my day passed by so quickly and I got nothing done. Since then I have created a habit of going to bed earlier and waking up early. This took a lot of time but it is possible. Good luck on breaking this bad habit.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those things that affects most college kids. One way I stay away from sleeping in is that I schedule classes at eight in the morning. This makes it impossible for me to sleep in. I find I have plenty of time because I'm up and at 'em early and my days are productive.
ReplyDelete