The truth about the BIG Secret is that it is not really big in the literal sense, but it is a nice acronym.  And although it is contrary to common wealth seeking approaches, it is not necessarily secretive to many wise people, including many Latter-day Saints.  It is a secret in the sense that it runs counter to conventional and common approaches to happiness and wealth.  It is rooted in Latter-day Saint doctrine, or simple truths, yet its application is not limited to the Latter-day Saint life.  People all over the world exemplify the blessings of the BIG Secret as they apply these truths, knowingly or unknowingly, that are part of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

The BIG Secret is an “uncommon sense” approach rooted in simple truths, including the fact that wealth is more than money.  These truths foster a self-reliant, self-governed, principled life.  As you read and apply the principles in this blog (and possibly a book in the future), you will discover scientifically proven approaches to happiness as you apply the BIG Secret.  Specific examples and applications will be shared.  The BIG Secret is a simple, yet broadly applied formula that is universally relevant to individuals, families, teams, businesses and organizations.   It is a guide to help Latter-day Saints and others find self-reliance, increased “net worth,” and things money can’t buy.  As you read, you may notice alignment with the counsel and corresponding promises found in the Latter-day Saint scriptures.

Undoing the Paradox

A paradox is a truth that seems self-contradictory.  The traditional view of self-reliance is a bit of a paradox.  As noted in a previous post, I did not fully understand the truth of self-reliance when I focused on the literal meaning of the word:  relying on the self.  It is indeed about the self, but not entirely.  It is indeed about relying upon one’s personal effort and contribution, but not entirely.  It took some prayerful pondering to undo my original understanding and to expand awareness of the truths of self-reliance and things money can’t buy.  That original understanding was that self-reliance is about temporal things, primarily providing for the self and his/her family.  The paradox was that the more one focuses on the self, temporal things, and money the more impoverished, less wealthy and less self-reliant one becomes.

Consider the example of Eli Herring.  Growing up in Utah, it was a rarity to be exposed to an elite athlete.  Eli was one of those rarities.  I first noticed Eli in junior high school when he was listed as 8th grade state record holder in the shot put and discus.  He was also an elite football player.  Although I never competed against him, it was no surprise that he was listed as a top football recruit for my graduating class.  Although offered scholarships by several major universities, he ultimately signed with Brigham Young University.

After his freshman year he served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) in Salta Argentina.  While on his mission he was thoroughly impressed by a Tahitian professional soccer player who sacrificed his professional career after converting to Mormonism. The value of money was also called into question as he watched the value of the Argentine currency deflate significantly during his two year mission.  When he arrived in Argentina, the United States dollar was worth about 15 australs.  By the end of his mission, it was worth about 10,000 australs.  The value of money was noted to be very relative and unpredictable.

Eli resumed his football career at Brigham Young University upon returning from his mission.  He was an All-Conference performer and was rated as a top prospect in the National Football League (NFL in the United States of America) draft in 1995, and it was anticipated he would be drafted in the first three rounds.  Eli faced a dilemma because most professional football games are played on Sunday, which he honored as the Sabbath.  While not judging others decisions to play on the Sabbath, Eli felt it inappropriate for him to do so.  The scriptures teach that the Sabbath blesses us and keeps us in balance.  He chose to forego a career in the NFL and notified all NFL teams that he would not play on Sunday.  The Oakland Raiders however chose to take a chance on him and drafted him in the 5^th round.  They offered him a 3 year contract worth $1.5 million.  He declined, choosing instead to begin a teaching a coaching career at a public high school with a starting annual salary of $22,000.

Eli sacrificed a huge contract that would have paid him in three years more than he will likely make during his entire life outside of the NFL.  Why?  Because the value of the Sabbath and the balance that it introduces in our lives is something the NFL’s money can’t buy.  Eli’s observance of the Sabbath and his ability to balance his financial needs with his physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs are a great example of the “B” in the BIG Secret:  Balance.

What does balance look like and how might I know if I am in balance?  That will be the subject in future posts, but I would really appreciate your perspective about maintaining balance in your own life.  What does balance mean to you and how do you maintain balance in your own life?  Please share by replying to this post.  Please share this blog with others and invite them to share as well.

If you have not yet done so, please click here to share briefly your perspective on things money can’t buy.