What Makes Me Tick
Some years ago I interviewed for a job. The interviewer's first question, "what makes you tick?" caught me off guard. I hesitated, then groped, and finally came up with a few responses but it was obvious I wasn't completely aware of . . . "what made me tick," and consequently I wasn't offered the job.
One good thing did emerge from this exchange, however. I determined I would find out decisively the answer to that question.
I was 29 years old, married with two little girls, and was holding down a job I didn't enjoy. My job was selling wholesale foods to supermarkets. My success came at my competitor's demise. I held the national brand, and frequently beat them thoroughly. But I didn't enjoy their struggles. In fact it hurt me. I would not pursue a career in this field.
I concentrated on my family. I loved my wife and children with all my heart. I also loved my religion as a Christian. I discovered my pot of gold. A favorite scripture in the bible came to mind that solidified my course correction. Matthew 22: 37-40
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
That was it! I found what made me tick. I'd been taught the gospel of Jesus Christ ever since I could remember. I did love my Father in Heaven, and Jesus Christ. And next, I really did love my neighbor as myself. I love people. I always have. I was shocked at how simple the answer was.
From that moment on I swung into action. I had previously studied nursing. I returned to the field, obtained my first job in a long-term care center, and fell in love with my decision in the first hour. It's been my career ever since.
Now, 27 years later, I have taken care of tens of thousands of patients. They have truly enriched my life, and gave me the fulfillment and satisfaction that once eluded me. But again, even though I found what made me tick, I began to feel an emptiness. I purged my inner soul for the answer.
The answer was handed to me. For years all I knew in the world was unrest, chaos, wars, and sin in ever-increasing abundance. I needed to reach out beyond my patients, co-workers, and family. Again, it was an easy decision. English composition had always been a joy and strength to me. I would write a novel. One that would proclaim the yearnings of my heart to millions.
It took ten years to get it ready for publication, but at last, I held it in my hands. It's title, I'll Point to Heaven." It was interesting that during those ten years, the corruption, contention, and unrest had increased many fold. Now I had the answer that would settle the disputes and contention. Every news program I listened to, except for one, muddled in contention and debate. There seemed to be no answers. But I have the opportunity to exclaim a resounding . . . "No, that's not true. And here's the answer."
The reason I wrote I'll Point to Heaven is simply:
1. To point one's heart and mind back to the God who gave them life, and have faith and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. To simply love them with all their heart, soul and mind. The fruits of this love is obedience to God's Commandments and next, to love your neighbor as yourself.
Where is the contention, hatred, and desire for war now? It's gone! Obliterated in a loving desire to build, to bless, and serve each other.
2. God's plan of happiness for us kids rotates around the family. In the very words of Prophets; "We solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children."
My novel, I'll Point to Heaven, highlights the strength found in family, and especially, it decrees the sacred and eternal nature of husband and wife.
3. It depicts the real change that each of us can realize in our lives as we point our hearts and minds to God, draw strength from family, true, ordained church leaders, good friends and finally, one's own desire, determination, courage, faith, and endurance.
To me, this is the key in a few short words. And now, the clincher. I wrote I'll Point to Heaven in the genre of romance. A suspenseful, intriguing page-turner that takes you into the world of real-life challenges met head-on by relatable characters of faith, hope, courage and a desire to change.
I cannot quench my desire, even as a Prophet that lived in a dying civilization in Ancient America, to exhort all people to believe in God and come unto his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, that any doubt, fear, or contention may be cast from us and be replaced with the soothing comfort, peace and joy of the plan of happiness of our Father in Heaven.