Focus on Strengths

This week in lecture Christi Lively spoke to us about focusing on improving our strengths rather than on correcting weaknesses and how it will help our weaknesses not seem so weak. I've thought about some of my strengths as a Gospel Doctrine teacher and have chosen one to focus on for next week. One of my strengths is that I sincerely love to read the scriptures. Because I love to read the scriptures, I have an enthusiastic attitude about teaching them. This week I would like to focus on having more enthusiasm when I teach. How can I do this? First, I will pray before I start preparing the lesson and ask Heavenly Father for the Spirit as I prepare. As I pray I will ask Heavenly Father to help me gain my own personal testimony about what I will be teaching. Secondly, I will prepare so that I feel comfortable teaching the lesson without having to read it off of a paper. This will be better because I will know the material better and be able to look people in the eye as I teach. This is more personal. Thirdly, I will smile and have a happy attitude when I teach. If I love the Gospel, then it will shine through. In the last General Conference, Elder McConkie, speaking specifically to teachers, said that "Attitude is not taught, it is caught." I think that as I do these three things, pray for a personal testimony, know the material so well that I can teach it from my heart, and smile during the lesson then I can help the class members catch enthusiasm for the Gospel. I'll let you know how it goes!