This week I learned the importance of having integrity, and how it transcends all aspects of my life.  I learned that integrity is the first virtue we all must have, and that it is necessary for all other values to build upon.

There were seven things listed in the talk, "True Blue, Through and Through," that helped me to take inventory of where I am, and where I want to be.

1.) Decide today, once and for all, that I will be worthy of trust.
2.) Have faith that the Lord can and will help me, and then diligently seek His help.
3.) Make covenants and keep them.
4.) Stand up for what I believe.
5.) Expect my integrity to be challenged.
6.) Don't give up.
7.) Renew my covenants with the Father and His Son to do what I came here to do.

I also had the opportunity to write down ethical guardrails, by writing a list of three "I will never" statements, and three "I will always" statements.  Initially this sounded like an easy assignment, but it did require me to think about what is most important to me, and the legacy I want to leave behind.  My family will always be my first priority, and seeing it on paper solidified for me the commitment I have made to them.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to be deliberate and thoughtful as I plan out my life and the impact I want to make in this world.

After watching and reading Randy Pausch’s last lecture, I believe he was able to achieve his dreams because he kept trying and also because he had a support system in place.  Randy’s parents, wife, teachers and friends were all a part of helping him accomplish his goals.  Dreaming is essential to discovering our passion and talents, and ultimately to becoming an entrepreneur.  I believe it’s important to surround myself with people who believe in my and encourage me to follow my dreams.  I want to be that person for my family and friends as well.

One of my childhood dreams was to become a dancer.  My mom signed me up for dance lessons when I was little, but after we moved to Alaska we didn’t have the money to continue them.  I remember being envious of the girls in high school who were on the dance team.  They seemed to exude confidence and grace and of course they were always the popular girls.  I am in my mid 40’s and although a career in dance might not be possible, I do believe that I can learn to dance no matter my age.  I added this dream to my bucket list for this week’s assignment.

This week in class we were given an assignment to make a bucket list of 50 items.  As I was pondering this assignment on Monday, I learned that Jim Fox, a great friend in our ward, had passed away suddenly that morning.  I was stunned and saddened by the news, but it also gave me a different perspective as I approached this assignment.  Jim was only 73 when he passed away, but he was always doing something.  He was on the golf course playing golf when he died.  He was in the process of staining his log home, and had just been called as the High Priest Group Leader at church.  Most of us have no idea when our time will be up, but life is about continually learning and growing, overcoming fears, and following our dreams.

I added this class at the last minute and only had yesterday to read through the materials.  I don't know that I really understood what I was taking on or how it would make me feel.  As I read and watched the videos yesterday, I experienced a wide array of emotions.  I first felt fear, then stress and then excitement.  I prayed that I would be able to learn what it is that holds me back and that I would be able to overcome my fears.  

Organization and planning are two of my greatest strengths, but i'm finding that they can also be a weakness.  It is the unknown in being an entrepreneur that is terrifying.  I am also terrified of failure and being perceived as weak.  I guess the one thing that you learn as you get older is that failure and weakness are opportunities to break through the ruts that we get stuck in.

I'm looking forward to the opportunity to face my fears, and make plans for my future.  In one of my previous business classes I read the book, "Good to Great" by Jim Collins.  In this book he explains how important it is to fill our bus with good people who support our vision and who add to it.  I am grateful for the support I have from my family and friends, and I know that they will be there for me as I move forward to accomplish my dreams.