"This day we sailed on..."

A few weeks ago, the entirety of the world made New Year's Resolutions.

I made one: Develop more faith.

"Faith implies trust," President Monson said last night, and boy do I believe it. I have long known that lack of trust is my tragic flaw. I've spent the majority of my life in the spirit of fear: fear of rejection, fear of misinterpretation, fear of hurt, fear of loneliness, fear of denial, fear of life in general, but this you already know.

With my newly established goal ever eating at my intentions for the day, I have spent the entirety of this last week in utter gratitude for the strength that has been lent me. Saturday I went to Seven Peaks to play broom hockey with my ward. Incidentally my roomie locked herself out of the house so I missed the beginning of the games in an attempt to help her out. As I reentered the arena & awaited her call to confirm entry, I naturally took my place amongst the sideline dwellers - the injured & the fearful - in the place where I've camped for far too long. As a break in the game occurred I begged my companions to play a short game. "Who teaches us to fear," I said jokingly. "I'm not answering that," said one,"& I'm not going anywhere." No, I don't suppose you are, but I finally plucked up the courage, grabbed a broom, & walked onto the ice. First thing I was whacked in the ankle by our ward executive secretary & my toes went numb, but other than that I was completely unscathed. I laughed & laughed, and although my boundaries did not span the width of the arena, I played & enjoyed the for the remainder of our allotted time. What relief it brings me to know that I was not overcome.

Now is not the time for regrets, nor fear, nor shrinking against the sidelines. Now is the time that I prove myself by living up to my potential instead of hiding behind excuses. Now is the time that I learn to have a little more faith in myself, in my fellow beings, and most importantly, in my Heavenly Father.

"When the time for decision arrives, the time for preparation is over," said President Monson, and it cannot be denied that my prep time has flown the coop.