Repetition
Posted by Yam on January 10th, 2007
One of the things I like about our church is just how present it is in our lives when we’re doing it right. I mean, right off the top of my head, here’re some regular times when we encounter the church, not even counting special events:
- Sunday meetings
- Conferences year-round
- Family home evenings
- Daily scripture study
- Personal and family prayers throughout the day
I don’t think that’s by accident.
If you hear something once, it’s going to have to be pretty intense to leave any kind of lasting impression. More likely, you’ll forget about it–you might be able to recall what you heard, but it probably won’t come to your mind unbidden, which is the only way it’ll make any kind of impact on your life.
A few more times, and it’ll start to become familiar, subtly influencing your behavior even if you don’t consciously think about it. (Advertisers love this.)
The more you’re exposed to something, the more natural it becomes for you, the more it becomes a part of you. All this prayer, all these meetings, bit by bit, work towards the goal of perfecting the Saints.
What you expose yourself to becomes part of you. This applies to the time you’re not at church, too.
- If you watch violent movies, that violence will start to seem normal.
- If you listen to political commentators deriding their opponents instead of engaging in thoughtful debate, it’ll seem natural for you to do the same; their words will come to your lips.
- If you watch racy television, that lifestyle will start to seem natural to you; your barriers will be eroded.
- If you hang out with friends who smoke or do drugs, you’re definitely more likely to join them.
Pay attention to what you interact with. Does it help you feel the presence of the holy spirit? Bring it on! Do you leave it feeling angry and upset–even if it’s directed at a third party? Leave it behind; stop exposing yourself to it; anger drives away the holy spirit.
Blogs are a fountain of various thoughts and ideas. Faithful blogs can be so nourishing, a continual source of good thoughts on current-day topics. Angry blogs, mocking people of faith, are poison; they will melt your testimony away (of course, all the while claiming to be helping you find it, because if they were in open opposition it’d be a lot easier not to read them, wouldn’t it?).
This one post won’t change anything–in a month, you’ll have forgotten all about it, unless you’re reminded, or unless it changes what you listen to. So right now, while the idea’s fresh in your mind, go prune your blogroll; weed out what brings you anger, and keep the ones that bring you peace.
Set a reminder somewhere to do it again in a couple of months.
If you can make a habit out of weeding in one place, then after a few repetitions, it’ll start to seem natural to do so in other places in your life. This can only be good.
Nice work Yam.
Repetition is a useful thing. But even repetition can turn out different each time. I thought of my previous post - I knew it had been discussed before in various places. But where the discussion takes place, and with whom, can have a dramatic effect on the results of the discussion.
As a man thinketh - so is he. This came to mind as well.
As far as blogs go, I find myself reading less and less all the time. I have a group of blogs I like, and with limited time keep up on them. My blogroll is pretty small, and I rarely use it.
(if we have links on our blogroll you think should go email us).
Comment # 1 left by Eric Nielson on January 10th, 2007
I like these comments about repetition. I agree that the repetition is important. Often, an important principle is re-emphasized to me during a repetitive teaching moment at a time in my life when I really need to be reminded.
I agree too that it is so important to weed out the “bad” repetition. In a very real way, we are what we eat, watch, read, hang out with, etc.
Comment # 2 left by Jordan on January 10th, 2007
Repetition can be quite horrible at times. How many times have you (be honest now) rolled you eyes when you learn we have another lesson/talk about X? (tithing, temple attendance, missionary work, etc.). “Didn’t we just have a lesson/talk about that earlier this year?”
Comment # 3 left by ed42 on January 10th, 2007
Good post. I especially like the part about blogging.
Flashback to end of College for yours truly.
“Why do I need to read the BoM again? And the NT? OT? DC? PGP? Again? I learned all I need to know in Seminary and BYU religion courses.”
Flashforward to NOW.
Yeah, TOTALLY need to read them all again. And again. And again.
The Primary manual is EXACTLY the same for Nursery aged children through 7 years old. Every year they get a new teacher and the exact same manual. This is not by accident, either! How many times have we sat in that SS lesson and thought “Oh, I never saw it that way before!” or read a scripture with the same thought? I’m sure there are dozens examples of that for each one of us…and therefore, the reason for repitition. Not just because we need to remember the doctrines of the Kingdom, but because we are always changing, evolving and at each stage in our life, we’ll need different answers to different questions.
Once again…good post.
Comment # 4 left by Cheryl on January 10th, 2007
This was a well-done post. Lots of good things to think about. I love the element of repetition in our religion. It’s also a sobering reminder to me of how much care our spirits need. Interesting that there are patterns in our physical life, too, that teach us this…we need regular sleep, food, exercise, etc. to stay healthy.
Comment # 5 left by Michelle on January 11th, 2007