According to Jesus Christ (Matthew 17:20), "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." Faith is all well and good, but it's more likely one will move that mountain through planning, dedication and hard work. Lake Diefenbaker is the largest body of water in Southern Saskatchewan. Formed by damming off both the Qu'Appelle River and South Saskatchewan River, the dams were officially opened in 1967 and took almost nine years (and plenty of labourers) to complete. However, the end product of this major construction project was an artificial lake that spans 43,000 hectares and provides drinking water for approximately 40 per cent of Saskatchewan's population, as well as servicing the potash and agriculture industries (according to the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority). Not only changing the surrounding landscape for practical applications, this marvel of human innovation also provides recreational opportunities, with world-class fishing, clear water and several provincial and regional parks. What an ambitious species are we. To imagine, while our closest ape cousins are flinging poop and chewing bugs off each other's backs, homo sapiens sapiens are making lakes, building cities and generally shaping the world to meet our needs and wants. However, the Qu' Appelle Dam and Gardiner Dam weren't simply wished into existence. They are the end product of extensive planning, co-operation and dedication of resources. Lake Diefenbaker is an example of what anyone can achieve through proper motivation and hard work. Rod Johnston, a school counsellor at Peacock Collegiate, told the Times-Herald goal setting is part of his everyday work with local high school students and his advice for children, as with the general public, is to set realistic and attainable intermediate goals when working towards an ultimate goal. In order to achieve one's dream, he said a person should take into account all the barriers that stand in his or her way and work towards an eventual desired end strategically. For lofty goals (such as the construction of a giant artificial lake), Johnston said strategic planning involves working towards a desired conclusion through smaller steps, rather than trying to tackle a major project in one fell swoop. "Biting things off a little bit at a time makes a lot of sense," he said, adding people have two options in life - they can either do nothing and hope for things to change or take active steps to attain their dreams. "That's what we really emphasize with kids." According to Johnston, reaching goals also requires a positive attitude, in which one believes in his or her own abilities and does not succumb to fear of failure. "It's fear that defeats all of us in doing things in our lives." It's partly because of this natural fear he recommends monstrous tasks be tackled in small steps, as it reduces the worry that any action in moving towards that final goal will result in things ending badly and one's life being worse than before. After all, failing at a minor step doesn't have the same terrifying prospect of an outcome as failing at a major one. Johnston encourages students to conquer this fear by reminding them the chances of positive change are limited without working towards a desired end. One needs to believe in himself or herself and get on with the task of living well. So maybe it does take faith to move a mountain, as says the Bible - but faith in one's own abilities. With that and some realistic goal setting, "nothing shall be impossible unto you." Carter Haydu can be reached at 691-1265.
Man can move mountains or build lakes
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- Stubblejumper
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:04:46
In responce to What?. What is your point? There is no double standard here. It is what it is. How can what B said be a double standard? I for one would like to know what you personaly believe in. Maybe you think that there is no god?
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- b
- - September 18, 2009 at 14:02:59
I would like to comment on this article. The Bible is not like any other book ever written. It was inspired by God himself. Although much of what was written is to be taken literally much of the written word has a spiritual and personal application. I would like to offer a comment on the phrase faith as a grain of mustard seed . I believe that there are struggles and personal mountains in each and everyone of our personal lives. I believe that by having Faith in God and asking Him to help us get through these struggles(mountains), even though they may seem impossible to overcome, God will.
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- Steven
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:50:59
There is no god. Get over it. :/
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- What?
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:38:13
Gotta to luv the modern day christian and the enevitable double standard. Much is literal but much is metaphorical??
Good job Carter, have to say I am a little disappointed, was looking forward to hearing about your adventures at the grocery store this week though. -
- b
- - September 18, 2009 at 13:01:54
I would like to say that the person that most needs this kind of faith is me. I am in myself a most miserable sinner whom God has saw fit to save and give eternal life
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- Jessica
- - September 18, 2009 at 12:46:06
Very intriguing! I like the part about having faith in your own abilities. :)
