Living Life to the Minimum

This past month we have seen many people pass away, both well known celebrities who have made national and world news as well as people close to us like our next door neighbor, known to only a few, in the prime of his life and leaving a young family. This has caused me much reflection on life. I’m grateful the Lord in his wisdom hasn’t sent us to earth with an expiration date stamped on our foreheads, as serious contemplation takes place when you ponder about the unknown.  Would we be kinder to others, live life to the fullest or procrastinate until the last moment if we knew our expiration date, when this life would end? I think the test of life is in the not knowing yet living as if we do.

We are always reviewing the “Thou Shalt Not” of the Ten Commandments. Consider, however, the concept of not living a “Thou Shalt Not” life but focusing instead on a higher law of filling mortality with as much good as you can. Have your existence focus on the ‘what we can do’ instead of the ‘what we cannot’ do. Living a life to the fullest rather than living a life to the minimum to just get by. To illustrate this concept I remember a young man in one of my college classes who approached the professor and arrogantly said… “Hey, I’m a busy person and I just need to pass this class.  Tell me exactly what I have to do to get a “C” and that’s what I’ll do.”  I consider his mindset representing the “min/max” life. What must I do to get through this life with the least amount of effort?

Mediocrity is always at its best, as it knows nothing better.  Yet nowhere in the gospel of Jesus Christ are we admonished to be mediocre. Though Christ will accept us, however, we come to Him, His admonition is always to stretch beyond our current attainments. Living a minimum life is so contrary to our God given nature. David A. Bednar stated, “The gospel of Jesus Christ encompasses much more than avoiding, overcoming, and being cleansed; it also essentially entails doing good, being good and becoming better.”  Liahona. November, 2007. Living a life to just accomplish the minimum robs not only ourselves but everyone around us of the fullness of life.

In our materialistic society one often contemplates what can be achieved monetarily as opposed to how one might grow, progress and become a better person for doing it. We should encourage all to excel to the best of their ability in all they do, instead of concentrating on the least they can do and still achieve their ultimate goals.

In Relief Society the other day a sister made the comment, “Did we come here as mothers knowing everything? No, we really are just learning as we go!”  That is a very correct statement! If we are learning as we go I ask myself, “What would I do starting now to develop in my children a “do-the-maximum-in-everything-they-do” attitude and to not be happy with just getting by with the minimum?”  I would work along side my child and teach them to work hard and have fun while doing so.  I would praise their growth and encourage excellence. I would never be critical of a good effort. I would reward extra effort not mediocrity.

Just a thought to ponder… The time will come when the work you do to support your family financially will end. Though many in life receive their self-esteem from their professions, what has more lasting significance is the kind of person you have become.  The years of education and experience that benefit you are essential but how you share that with others along with the character development is what brings happiness. The fullness of life that we all hear about is really integrity, kindness, thoughtfulness, people skills, and a collection of friends and family.  If I recall we are suppose to have joy and rejoicing in our posterity it doesn’t mention prosperity. Living life to the minimum instead of the maximum is a matter of choice, just doing the least to get by or doing all you can to excel and improve. One is very self-serving; the other is Christ-like and selfless. Your choice!