Just throw it away and use the Lord's scale

There is a very interesting part of "A River Runs Through It" that was recently brought to my attention:

Check it out (it's about 5 minutes in):

(If the video doesn't work, you should be able to click on the image to go to it on youtube.)

The dad just throws the paper away!!  I am the queen of saving every cute and adorable paper that has my children's scribbles on them..."look at what they have done!" 

In a recent article by Andrew Pudewa, "Process verses Product: What matters more?" he uses this example to address his point:

This short scene illustartates something we so easily forget: Teaching a skill is more about process, less about product.  Honestly, the essay of the moment is often not worth keeping; it merely represents another step on the pathway of mastery.

But as Americans we are easily obsessed with products.  We want to obtain the writing sample we can hang on the refrigerator or proudly place in a portfolio.  Beliveing that what a student produces is proof of what has been learned, we put great weight on "finishing" a "final copy" and hope that the porduct is "good enough" so "he'll be ready for college."...But what are we really doing, and what is our real goal?" (http://bluetoad.com/publication/?i=199029 page 6)                   

It reminds me of a quote in a recent article I read, that what we do with our knowledge is more important than how much knowledge we have.

We cling to the success of the moment, thinking it will win us worldy acknowledgement, give us that boost of self-esteem, or validate our existence and will us our eternal glory.

Here is another great article, titled "Truth, Lies, and Your Self-Worth" from lds. org that reinforces this, particularly the section titled: "Lie: Self-esteem comes from worldly success" and the following section:

Lie: Self-esteem comes from worldly success.
This lie is related to the one about comparing yourself to others. Who determines what success is? Everyone’s definition may be a little different. And when you base your self-worth on achievements, you’re only telling yourself that you’re as good as your latest achievement. That’s simply not true.
Truth: God’s view and expectations are what matter.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has taught, “Disciples of Jesus Christ understand that compared to eternity, our existence in this mortal sphere is only ‘a small moment’ in space and time (D&C 121:7). They know that a person’s true value has little to do with what the world holds in high esteem. … The Lord uses a scale very different from the world’s to weigh the worth of a soul” (“You Matter to Him,” Ensign, Nov. 2011, 20, 22).

Once again, you can overcome this lie by following the Lord’s way and being more concerned about His definition of success than the world’s. If you can consistently feel the companionship of the Spirit in your life, then it means you’re living the way the Lord wants. And if you do feel like you’ve failed in the Lord’s eyes, remember that you can come back through repentance

Another great quote:

Some years ago Elder Dallin H. Oaks explained: “The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.”¹