Backflips

Everyone, meet my friend Skyler.  I asked him if I could take a picture of him doing a backflip, and it turns out he can not only do backflips, but just about any other kind of flip.  Skyler deserves his own post without a doubt, but this one is just going to be about backflips :)

When I was a kid I learned to do backflips on my trampoline, and I quickly found that a backflip takes TOTAL commitment.  If you aren't ready to finish the backflip when you start, you end up landing on your head.  Backflips aren't that dangerous...unless you get half way and decide you don't want to do one anymore.  What's more, most of my head-landings interrupted otherwise perfectly executed flips.

I had Skyler pose at the exact point at which it is most crucial to NOT  freak out!

As I've thought about recent choices I have made, specifically the choice to get a master's in social work, this is the analogy that has come to mind.  It was a scary choice to make, but I've made it.  If I start wavering in my commitment, I may end up landing on my head instead of completeling what would have been a wonderful experience.

Have you done a 'backflip' before?  Are you in the middle of one?  Are you contemplating one?  Make sure before you jump that are you committed!

President Uchtdorf shared a similar message in the magazine my church puts out every month, here are a few gems from it:
"Two young brothers stood atop a small cliff that overlooked the pristine waters of a blue lake. This was a popular diving spot, and the brothers had often talked about making the jump—something they had seen others do.

Although they both wanted to make the jump, neither one wanted to be first. The height of the cliff wasn’t that great, but to the two young boys, it seemed the distance increased whenever they started to lean forward—and their courage was fading fast.

Finally, one brother put one foot at the edge of the cliff and moved decisively forward. At that moment his brother whispered, “Maybe we should wait until next summer.”

The first brother’s momentum, however, was already pulling him forward. “Brother,” he responded, “I’m committed!”

"Those who are only sort of committed may expect to only sort of receive the blessings of testimony, joy, and peace. The windows of heaven might only be sort of open to them."

Two dear friend's of mine who's names I do not remember jumping into an icy Alaska lake

There is a difference between intention and action. Those who only intend to commit may find excuses at every turn. Those who truly commit face their challenges squarely and say to themselves, “Yes, that would be a very good reason to delay, but I made covenants, and so I will do what I have committed to do.”

A German proverb says, “Promises are like the full moon. If they are not kept at once, they diminish day by day.” 

In some way, each of us stands at a decision point overlooking the water. It is my prayer that we will have faith, move forward, face our fears and doubts with courage, and say to ourselves, “I’m committed!”

The moral of the story:  If you're going to do a backflip, do a backflip!