i'm a leader: part ten

Part ten? Really? Holy moly this year is flying.
Last week Dean Vernon Heperi, Associate Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students, came to speak to us about utilizing our strengths and weaknesses. This may have been my favorite speaker, just because of his awesome accent. Kidding, but not really. In all seriousness what he said was extremely insightful. It was a perfect mix of leadership qualities and gospel principles that made me want to be a better leader and disciple of Christ. Here are some highlights:

• He gave a really awesome example of Success Through Love, a story about a BYU grad who is using her teaching position to turn her autistic students weaknesses into strengths. It was a perfect example of mixing our weaknesses with what we can do and it becoming a strength. 
• Everything we do comes from the Lord, including our weaknesses. Clearly they are there for a reason and to help us learn. 
• The problem with comparing ourselves is that we forget what we do have and focus on what we don't. 
• Strengths are turned into weaknesses when you allow Satan to get a hold of your strengths. Weaknesses are turned into strengths when you allow God to get a hold of your weaknesses.

The thing that stuck in my mind for long after lecture was that when our weaknesses become strengths we must remember humility and thank God for our success. This applies to college a ton. It made me think about how excited I was when I drastically improved a test score from my previous score. I instantly thought all my studying and hours in the TA lab had paid off and had confidence in myself that I could do it. However, my success was not because of me. Included, and forgotten, were many prayers for help and remembrance. This thought has made an impression and if I learn nothing else from lecture I will remember that when I put in the effort and mix in prayer and faith my weaknesses can become strengths because of the Lord, and I will remember to thank Him and give him the glory. I really wanted to insert the "Forget me Not" Mormon Message we watched in class, but for some reason I can only find the full talk. So, if you are getting ready, turn off your music and listen to that talk. Very much so worth it. If anyone has a link to it please let me know!