Kathryn's School Blog

     This week's discussion was on Gratitude. A few synonyms or connecting words that go with along with gratitude and stuck out to me during my research included humility, flexibility, and appreciation. There was a great video called, "Avoid the Wrong Job" and it really talked about the importance of finding a job. A lot of myths regarding working your way up the ladder were discussed and it made me realize that sometimes we try to control the entire process rather than being flexible and enjoying the journey that we are on. We don't want to live. We want to simply plan living and never actually starting enjoying the process. It is easy to spiral that way and get stuck when something doesn't go the way our plan said it should.      In the talk by President Monson, titled "An Attitude of Gratitude," I loved that we don't need to seek constant positivity but by continuing to try and find hope, we will be happier and able to serve others which is ultim

      As I listened to the article, "What's a Business for?" by Charles Handy. He discussed capitalism, our economy, and the importance for virtue and integrity. He even shared that integrity directly affects the economy. The real justification for the existence of businesses was "something" and investors don't care. He talked about "the American disease" because business was "the key engine of progress" but things have changed and some things were neglected. It has become very self-consumed according to Handy. Everything from education, healthcare, and food, and housing is involved. Everyone is playing a game with rules that are fed by fraud and only profitability. It's not necessarily better for everyone. Buying businesses or stock market focus is now a huge way to steal back from share holders. This was an eye-opening article for me. It was bold and straight forward. He suggested that perhaps we can learn something from Europe. The

       I think there is an important balance to money and knowing how it works but not letting it define you or matter too much. There are people that are destroyed by the need to have money. They overspend. They live in unnecessary debt. Money defines them and having things matters so much. I also see, however, the other side. People who don't have tons but they are also so thrift and are not generous. They hoard their money. They count the pennies and dimes to the point that it too defines them and money is everything. Money, even just saving it so much so you can say you have it is a definition that is unhealthy as well.       I read the article, "Attitude on Money" from my reading and it talked a lot about how we see things and how we think about money.  I like the topic about money that was brought up. It is an important part that even the church doesn't ignore. We are asked to pay with money a tithing. We are asked to support missionaries with moneys, and we use

 This week my reading was about following your dreams. It especially talked about BIG dreams. I feel like there are two groups of people. People that believe you should dream big, and others who believe you squash anything that is not realistic.  President Oaks talks about how God requires us to act and think and do in order to return to the Celestial Kingdom. 1 He also talked about how it must be a family experience and not just based on our church attendance. We have to focus more on what we are striving to become rather than stats and numbers.  I also loved in my reading about how being okay with the plan changing and the dreams changing is a huge part of life. It's okay to dream big in multiple areas and realize that God has a different plan for you. Dreaming big doesn't need to change even if the specific dream does. I also loved that it was mentioned how you can't control everything and so it's more about how you balance your time, and that you can set time aside

       In my reading this week, we learned about leadership. I was thinking about leadership qualities as I listened to the many articles. It seems there is an important balance between knowing how to delegate to the right people and not do it all yourself but also having a clear plan and enough courage and integrity to see that plan through. It also requires being able to communicate well with others and take responsibility for your own shortcomings or the results that didn't go as planned.      Being able to point out setbacks and move through them will require a lot of pivoting. To be a leader, I think you have to be good at thinking quickly and moving to a better solution rather than sitting in pity or frustration over something that failed. There will be failure and you have to be willing to see it as it comes.      I loved in the article, "" how everyone has special gifts that were given to us by God. Not every leader needs to be the same. Surrounding yourself with

       This week I read about overcoming things. Since reading the book, "Mastery" I have realized that I am an obsessor. I don't think I'm quite as self-destructive yet but I do tend to be very afraid of failure and seek after the perfect idea, the perfect business plan, etc. I'm not often willing to settle for less but I also don't like to take risks. In my family life, I have been feeling like bad things just keep happening but I loved the video by Jeffrey R. Holland about the family and the car. The car breaks down many times as they try to reach their destination. It reminded me that I'm just on a journey and that it won't always be this bumpy but when it is, I need to surround myself with people that will cheer me on and offer help. I need some motivation to not be so angry about it all the time. I need to let it go and enjoy the moments I have, even if they aren't perfect or what I expected.      Perfectionism is such an  interesting struggl