Know your why and make it meaningful.

After reading through the first week's content from my BYU-Idaho course, Introduction to Entrepreneurship, it became clear that this class is an answer to prayers. I am always in pursuit of knowing God's will for me so that I can fulfill my mission here on earth. The callings of wife and motherhood have come naturally and have given me the greatest joy and fulfillment I could have hoped for. But outside of those roles, I feel lost and unsure. Going back to school was not high on my list, but I had a strong impression that this is where I should invest my newly found extra time  (now that all of my girls are in school). I have dreams that I have rarely been brave enough to say out loud, but after reading through the articles from our first week of this class, I realized I have precious time that I can not waste. In trying to wait for the Lord to tell me what to do, I see that I am acting like the third servant in the Savior's parable of the talents. Now is the time to put my talents to work and multiply them instead of letting fear stop my progression.

"Living a life of meaning is about living life with intent. It's about deeply, honestly knowing ourselves. Ant it's about developing the wisdom to appreciate that this brief spark of consciousness of ours in and enormous, rare privilege - one in which we're capable of extraordinary things." (Action Foundation for Entrepreneurial Excellence)

After reading this quote in particular, I began pondering the questions: How I can live my life with more intent. Do I honestly knowing myself. What is my "why" and how can I make that meaningful? Here is one realization I came up with after that moment of meditation:

My dad was an independent pharmacy owner while I was growing up and starting at the age of twelve I started working for him. It started with moping the floors and dusting the shelves. But when I was fourteen, I took the pharmacy technician license because I knew the pharmacy from inside out. I loved working there so much, I naturally wanted to become a Pharmacist. Upon entering college, I quickly realized how much I despised chemistry. I did not get too far in my college career, so I thankfully did not waste too many tears and money on a degree that would not have necessarily given me purpose. Now, looking back, it was the entrepreneurial spirit that I fell in love with. My dad made a business that radiated his spirit. He loved his customers. He loved knowing their stories. He loved serving them and lifting them up and sharing his knowledge with them. This is what excites me! This is the legacy I hope to carry on!  Whether it be in my family, my callings in the church, and any business path I might take. This is my why.