To dig a straight furrow, the plowman needs to keep his eyes on a fixed point ahead of him. That keeps him on a true course. If, however, he happens to look back to see where he has been, his chances of straying are increased. The results are crooked and irregular furrows...Fix your attention on your...goals and never look back on your earlier problems....If our energies are focused not behind us but ahead of us--on eternal life and the joy of salvation--we assuredly will obtain it.
Interpretation
Focusing on your goals and future keeps you on a straight path, while dwelling on the past leads to distractions.
This quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus on future goals rather than being distracted by past problems. Just as a plowman needs to keep his eyes on a fixed point to ensure straight furrows, individuals should concentrate their energies on their aspirations and the positive outcomes they desire. By doing so, one increases the likelihood of achieving success and finding joy, rather than becoming lost in past failures or challenges.
In practice
In a motivational speech about overcoming adversity.
Let us be a temple-attending people. Attend the temple as frequently as personal circumstances allow. Keep a picture of a temple in your home that your children may see it. Teach them about the purposes of the House of the Lord. Have them plan from their earliest years to go there and to remain worthy of that blessing.
If we will be true and faithful to our principles, committed to a life of honesty and integrity, then no king or contest or fiery furnace will be able to compromise us. For the success of the kingdom of God on earth, may we stand as witnesses for Him "at all times and in all things, and in all places that we may be in, even until death."
Let us truly be a temple-attending and a temple-loving people….Let us make the temple, with temple worship and temple covenants and temple marriage, our ultimate earthly goal and the supreme mortal experience.
The ability to stand by one's principles, to live with integrity and faith according to one's belief-that is what matters, that is the difference between a contribution and a commitment. That devotion to true principle in our individual lives, in our homes and families, and in all places that we meet and influence other people-that devotion is what God is ultimately requesting of us.
Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind.
How is Christmas regarded today? The legend of Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, the decorations of tinsel and mistletoe, and the giving of gifts all express to us the spirit of the day we celebrate; but the true spirit of Christmas lies much deeper than these. It is found in the life of the Savior, in the principles He taught, in His atoning sacrifice-which become our great heritage.
I began singing in dive bars and really small clubs. I dragged my piano down the stairs, and I went down the street with my keyboard, and I would go to every different dive bar that I could get to agree to let me play. I'd call and pretend I was Lady Gaga's manager.
Greatness starts with a clear vision of the future.
God planted a dream in your heart for a reason. No one else can dream it for you. No one else will accomplish it for you.
As long as I can compete, I won't quit.
Never try to be better than somebody else. But most importantly, never cease trying to be the best you can be.
The only side effect of too much training is that you get into better shape. There is nothing wrong with that.
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