On rare occasion, I've heard someone say to a child, another family member, or worker (down the supposed food chain of employment, of course), "You're good for nothing." What sad words!

Each of us was made to be good. Some don't care to be good. Others don't seem to know how, for the life of them. A few couldn't care less. But most folks want to be good. And the definition of "good" is a changing, growing, evolving one throughout our life.

I was struck by the words of President Gordon B. Hinckley years ago, when he was addressing this issue of being good. Here's what he taught:

"You are good. But it is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others. … In this world so filled with problems, so constantly threatened by dark and evil challenges, you can and must rise above mediocrity, above indifference. You can become involved and speak with a strong voice for that which is right."

So how do we become good at something? Here's what I've been thinking:

After we do all the prerequisites like focusing, praying, and goal setting, we listen carefully and watch vigilantly those who already seen to be like we want to be. And then we go and do. Sounds like a well recited scripture, and one Nephi was really good at.

Then we take these steps:

We work on it more
We work on it more
We continue to work on it
We ask for forgiveness for slacking off or detouring, and work some more
We keep working on it more and more

President Thomas S. Monson offered great advice for our continuing saga of becoming good at something, "When the world says "Give up," hope is the voice at the end of the days that says, "Try it one more time."

It takes a lot of "one more times" to shake off the mortal man, to get rid of the pride and silly ego of the here and now. Working on it is the way to getting better at - anything. Working for something is far different (and better) than an instant, presto change-o shift in ability. Becoming truly good at something takes effort, time, energy, and the huge desire. Lots of work, over years, is required, most times.

Little wonder that work is an eternal principle.

With darkness and problems, with burdens and difficulties, this world needs all the goodness it can grow. We each have a part to play. We don't have to compare our part to anyone else's, or whine about how we want to be good at [you fill in the blank] right now.

As we practice, we get better. We more deeply internalize the concept President Hinckley was talking about. It's probably not what we thought it was, when we began the exercise of being good for something.

So - I'm off to work on polishing and practicing some more. I have a lot of work yet to do. But this goal of wanting to be genuinely good for something? It's a good one. So - I'll work some more.