"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered" - Nelson Mandela. This has always been one of my favorite quotes. The insightful nature of it almost anyone can relate to.
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the home ward I grew up in. It was a great time to see old friends and recount the wonderful memories of my childhood. One of the comments that I continued to get was that I hadn’t changed much. I took great pride in this. I still look 18 years old. Then, one woman said, it was because I did not have any responsibilities. So much for feeling good about it, then that feeling only lasted a minute. I decided it did not matter what she thought or said, I knew the truth about my life. I had changed. I had grown and matured and become someone unswayed by a perceived insensitive comment.
It reminds me of the letters exchanged between Pahoran and Moroni during a time of war. Moroni writes and condemns Pahoran for neglecting them. Pahoran’s response is one of compassion and understanding. Essentially he says, it mattereth not. I was grateful in that moment to be in a place where I can say, it mattereth not.
How do we get to this place? I don’t have a clue, but it is a lovely place to be.
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