Week 11: Measuring the Cost

I love the readings and videos this week about finding work/family life balance.  It’s so helpful to hear how other successful people have done this and made boundaries that work for their family.  I remember one entrepreneur talking about how he was always home for breakfast and dinner and that was an important way their family spent time together and stayed close.  In our family, my husband spends many hours per week at work as an emergency medicine resident.  But when he’s home, he’s really home.  He’s present, he’s engaged, he’s involved.  We take time to go on dates and spend time in the Temple together.  We focus on quality time over quantity time right now while he’s in training with the plan to cut back drastically on hours once he’s an attending.  It has been a challenge at times to stay close and connected.  There are times when life isn’t balanced and we have to wait until the pendulum swings back into view so that we can devote time to marriage, family and church responsibilities.  What impresses me the most is that putting your family first has to be deliberate; you have to set boundaries, set goals, and plan ahead.  It doesn’t just happen. 

§  What is your attitude toward money?

• My attitude toward money has been changing over the past few years, in a good way I think.  Like Brother Gibson, I believe it’s acceptable to seek for riches when you have the intent to do good with the money you earn.  I think it’s important to have a very forward thinking view about money.  What do you want out of life?  There are so many good things in this world, but the reality is you won’t have the money to do or experience all of them, so I think it’s important to choose the few things that are worth saving for and spending your money on.  You have to learn how to control your money otherwise it can control and limit you with debt and credit card payments and more.    

§  How can your view of money affect the way you live?

• I think when you’re scared of money or scared of talking about money or spending money, it can make it difficult to understand the importance of knowing where your money is going and why.  In some ways, I think money is similar to sex in that many youth in the church grow up thinking that it is bad or evil, in and of itself.  When really, the proper way to understand both money and sex, is that when used within the parameters the Lord has set, both can yield and produce good, wonderful and righteous goals. 

§  What rules are recommended for prospering?

• Brother Gibson recommends spiritual goals first like seeking the Lord and obeying the commandments.  When you seek the kingdom of God first, everything else falls into place.  He also talks about education and self-reliance and being generous and giving to the poor.