Individual Worth Value Experience #3

Read Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 and 121:45. Do all you can to build others and make them feel of worth. Every day for two weeks notice the worthwhile qualities and attributes of others. Acknowledge them verbally or in writing. In your journal write what you have learned about the worth of individuals and how your own confidence grows when you build others.

I wanted to keep track of what I noticed in others and how I acknowledged those things. I tried to make note each day by using the journal feature in the online Personal Progress site.

One of the things that really stuck with me was the experience's use of the phrase 'building others up.' I became very aware of how frequently we tend to tear each other down, instead of building up. I particularly became sensitive to it within our family. There are often words used, meant to be teasing, but in reality, are mean things just said with a teasing voice.

I even challenged our family at one point to see if they could go eight hours without saying anything negative about anyone or to anyone. They did it! Sadly, I thought it would be quite hard for some of them, but I'm grateful to know that maybe that behavior isn't as ingrained a habit as I thought it was.

My prayer is that we can learn to have humor and good natured teasing in our home without the words that will tear one another down. I know that I cannot make anyone else change just because I want them to, but I pray that as I am more aware of things I say and how I say them, that it will effect change in all of us.