Have you ever felt like this:

or better yet, and more appropriately, like this:

Lately I have. And when I am lucky I realize some things I don't like about myself. And in answer to this, I've felt the spirit of the strenuous age. A period in American history where the nature of accomplishments were different. A day wrapping up during Gordon B Hinckley's youth and a day of Teddy Roosevelt's creation. And on even better days I'm too engaged productively to think about it. (I don't think hearts are like cars. You can't fix a heart by troubleshooting it, and you can't improve an engine by using it.)

And so on reflection of the age, previous feelings, experiences, and pictures; and, after having read Mosiah 2:22 - And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you - have you ever felt like this:

or like this:

or better yet, in admiration of this man:

I know these two men are different but they both represent to me work of forward movement or momentum.

I think I can say right now that although I make bad decisions and do stupid things - even when fanatically trying not to - I am not done, I am not forever stuck with my weaknesses. And here's the important thing, I'm not moving on in the fallacy of the strenuous age. I am not, or hope I don't, move on the strength of my own back or will power. That just won't work, William Henley was wrong. I must move on as TR would hammer, but I must move on meekly, dependent, and confident. Confident solely for the reason that the tapestry of my life is being woven by someone who has my good and benefit in mind. An omniscient, loving God who is trying to make me happy and meet my needs. And I think in some twisted way the strenuous age was or is the product of Matthew 10:39.