Focusing on the Next Phase of Our Adventure

Miller Family Message by Gail Miller –

I grew up in a Salt Lake City neighborhood a few blocks north of Temple Square. My world as a child was very small, it covered about six square blocks and contained everything I needed: my schools, my church, the neighborhood grocery store, and all of my friends.  

The State Capitol building was to the east, the city center was to the south, the railroad tracks were to the west and to the north was Ensign Peak. Beyond Ensign Peak were some intriguing mountains and I often pondered about what was on the other side. As a young teenager, I decided to find out for myself and set out one day to climb the large peak that was visible from my front porch.

Believing that my journey to the top would be rewarded with glorious views and hoping I would be able to see forever once I reached the top, kept me motivated to climb for hours. It was challenging but I was exhilarated. The higher I went, the more excited I became. I had never climbed a mountain before, and I was looking forward to the view I would see on the other side. 

When I got to the top, I could see forever but what I saw was an endless range of more mountains and valleys. I have to admit, in that moment I was disappointed. I thought I would be able to see all the way to the next state but what I did see was that the world was much bigger and much more complicated than my six-square-block neighborhood. I also began to understand that I could do and be whatever I decided to if I put my energy into the desired goal. After all, I had just climbed my first mountain! 

Mr. Rogers said, “Often when you think you are at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.” There is nothing as constant as change and you can be the change you want the world to see.

In many ways, the past year has felt like a difficult climb to the summit. But by working together and relying on each other, we made it to the top and we can see a bright path forward. As we stand on the peak of our mountain and survey the landscape in this post-covid era, may I suggest a few key areas of focus to help us as we journey together on the next phase of our adventure:

Be kind. Kindness creates permanent change for the better. Kindness is contagious, it draws people to you and works like a smile. When someone smiles at you, it’s pretty hard not to smile back, so start your own “kindness movement.”  

Serve others. Share what you have. Use your time, talents and resources to serve others. Lift someone who is down. Giving back and paying it forward will not only help those around you but will give you a new perspective. Service creates empathy and empathy shows love.

Be civil. Use good manners and be polite, even if you don’t agree with someone. We’re in serious need of civility right now. Civility can and will change the world for the better.

Be courageous. Let your courage drive out fear. If you let fear determine your actions, you will never know what you are capable of becoming. Fear is contagious but so is courage, so choose courage. Look inward and face your challenges and trials and then have the courage to look outward and welcome the future.

Be inclusive. Embrace diversity. Let’s work to create a future of inclusion of everyone. Ideas are not proprietary, they are inclusive.

Be innovative and flexible. In life and in your career, it’s imperative that you bend. If the world hadn’t responded to the challenges of COVID-19 with innovation and flexibility, more people would have lost their lives and livelihoods. These qualities will prevent us from becoming stagnant.

Be patient and forgiving. Without patience and forgiveness, our relationships will wither.

Be grateful. Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life and satisfies the soul.

Be successful: Success begets success. I believe success has at least three important components:

1. The depth of your relationship with a higher power.
2. The quality of your relationships with others.
3. Your stewardship over the gifts and resources with which you have been blessed.

I would like to encourage you to lead with love and success will follow. Remember, you can’t climb a mountain by sitting on the sidelines.