Staight and Narrow

I heard a quote once from J Golden Kimball that reads, "I may not have walked the straight and narrow, but I crossed it as often as I could." That is where the name of this blog comes from, and how I see myself now. I may not have been the best rule follower growing up, but I tried as best I can and I am trying even harder now. I think I'm staying closer to the path now, and I'm holding onto the rod, but sometimes I forget to hold on. This reference comes from the Book of Mormon, where a prophet named Lehi received a vision of a tree with delicious fruit The path of the tree was marked by a path with an iron rod. Lehi's son, Nephi, also had the vision and stated that the path was filled with a mist of darkness that clouded the path and that if the people clung to the rod they made it safely to the tree. The image shows an artist rendering of this vision. (For reference read 1 Nephi 8, 12, and 15--Lehi's vision is in chapter 8, Nephi's in 12 and the explanation in 15). My path may not have been straight and narrow, but hopefully from now on it can be.

Figuring out the "Why?"

Recently in my recovery group, I was posed the question to look at the why of what I am doing, not just the bad stuff, or the temptations, but the good stuff as well. Recovery isn't just about keeping the bad out but also about putting the good in. If I can figure out why I like something, then it is helping to keep me in recovery. Sometimes it takes a lot of work to figure out, but in the end it is worth it.

In general, I am a curious person. I like to know how things work and why they work (maybe that's why I am studying engineering). Figuring out the why has helped to curb some of that curiosity, especially the curiosity that would get me into trouble. Sometimes figuring out why and how a plane flies is easier than figuring out why I am curious, but in the end it is worth it. I can keep myself safe, all in the while satisfying that curiosity.