I heard a story on the radio this morning of a woman who found a diamond ring - a big one - and it was worth - I can't remember - but I think well into the 5 figures. She found it in a box on the road. I don't recall where either. But she came on with her thick Southern accent and said something like, "Oh, it didn't even cross my mind not to give it back."
She was also engaged at the time and they had no ring of their own.
I thought, "Didn't even cross her mind?" Not even *cross* her mind? Just slip across real quick-like? I mean, dart across? Wow. Cuz I'm telling you, it would've crossed my mind. I mean, yeah, I would've (probably) given it back in the end, but I'll tell ya - it would've crossed my mind. (Besides the fact I can't find my wedding ring.)
And this would have been more an "instinct" feeling rather than some cultivated thought. It just would've been like, "Cool! Look what I found!" and then I would have to get back on track from there.
Apparently there's people that don't even have these "instincts" ... I was very impressed with her honesty. I have a long way to go...
Oh, and the rest of the story... she did receive a 1/2 carat diamond ring and $250 from the jeweler for returning it, so that's nice.
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Life is tough but it's tougher if you're stupid. -John Wayne
Oh, now see, I'm very "cash register" honest. I'd find a ring and not be able to rest until I saw it back to the rightful owner. If I imagined what I could do with that kind of money, it would be very much an after thought.
If that was the only kind of honest I needed to worry about being, I'd be done learning honesty. Let me pause to laugh my head off at the thought of myself being done learning honesty.
I'll flat out make junk up in my head and to other people to seem like a better or more interesting or more sympathy-needing person. I'll tell myself I'm doing something for different reasons than I really am. (Like I won't know I'm lying. Self, you are in denial.) I'm starting to recognize when I'm doing it and I'm doing it way less these days, but there you have it.
Also, Coco, being tempted to be dishonest doesn't = being dishonest.
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"The promptings of the Holy Ghost will always be sufficient for our needs if we keep to the covenant path. Our path is uphill most days, but the help we receive for the climb is literally divine." --Elaine S. Dalton
Interesting... I guess there's so many aspects of this. I always find myself pausing at that one interview question... like, "Ok, give me 20 minutes here while I mentally review myself..."
I've always been into treasure - I think it would be the coolest thing to find some Nephite coin or something. Ever since I found that $5 bill in 4th grade... Then I found this little tiny gold coin from Mexico - an old one - like right in my own front yard in Seattle! Actually, among the beauty bark by the roses, but anyway... right THERE. Amazing.
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Life is tough but it's tougher if you're stupid. -John Wayne
For me, learning honesty is a line upon line type deal. I have more understanding and awareness now, so I'm responsible for being a higher level of honest now. Wherever I'm at in the process, I can do better. That's just part of my human struggle. But I'm also doing better than I was just a couple of years ago. So, when I say I struggle with honesty, that's in part because I keep having that bar raised. (And in part because of how I still struggle with selfishness. And that's another line upon line dealie.)
So, while honesty is an absolute, my ability to live it and my understanding of it aren't. I sorta let the Spirit prompt me about answering that question.
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"The promptings of the Holy Ghost will always be sufficient for our needs if we keep to the covenant path. Our path is uphill most days, but the help we receive for the climb is literally divine." --Elaine S. Dalton
I find that "line upon line" concept to be true with so many things. As you are obedient, a new level of understanding and obedience is presented to your mind. You just keep going.
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Life is tough but it's tougher if you're stupid. -John Wayne
)
Then I found this little tiny gold coin from Mexico - an old one - like right in my own front yard in Seattle! Actually, among the beauty bark by the roses, but anyway... right THERE. Amazing.
