be your best self – The Zion Chronicle

I was intrigued by a recent article on the Art of Manliness about the male desire for true brotherhood. It discussed what I have chosen to refer to as intentional brotherhood (that is the most succinct of a variety of terms that seemed to be applied to the idea being presented). The article discussed the origins of that natural desire and also ideas for how to find or foster bonds of intentional brotherhood. To put that in context, when speaking of finding those bonds of brotherhood the author and commentors frequently pointed to church groups and fraternal organizations (e.g. Elks, Moose, Rotarians, Freemasons, Knights of Columbus, or college fraternities).

The whole concept was interesting but it also reminded me of the idea of Master Mind groups (sometimes called mutual improvement societies) that the Art of Manliness wrote about a few years ago. I’d like to explore how those two concepts relate to each other, how they differ, and whether there is any connection between either of them and the theological concept of priesthood quorums. I would also like to have others share their perspectives on the relationships between the three concepts.

Olympic Torch Relay — Photo by Alistair Ross

There is something that inherently resonates with people in the idea of maximizing individual potential. I’m thinking of this for myself but as I begin to write I realize that this is a very opportune time to address this idea in the midst of the Olympics which, in its essence is a worldwide public display of athletes attempting to do exactly that in their various sporting endeavors.

I like the image of the Olympic torch to symbolize this because I am not referring to athletic accomplishments specifically but to any personal endeavor. In the Olympic Torch Relay any person could theoretically be chosen to participate – I also love the image of the runner surrounded by supporters of many varieties.

I am fascinated with the first step in realizing or maximizing personal potential which is described in The Cure for the Common Life as unpacking your bags. It is the idea that each individual is uniquely qualified to do specific kinds of things – as opposed to the popular but perhaps misleading attitude that “you can be anything you want to be.” In an ideal world a person would not be excluded from being whatever they might want to be but even in that ideal world, just because someone can be something does not mean they are really suited to that something.