Change of heart

I have always been concerned with sincerity. I learned at an early age what "hypocrisy" means and have tried hard to avoid it. In the scriptures there are references to "not giving a gift grudgingly" because it doesn't mean anything, or doing things (like "praying as the Sadduccees and Pharisees") just for the show, or not being "fully converted"- all things that refer to ways of doing things because it's genuinely from your heart rather than "aspiring to the honors of men". Here in Arizona, in the nursing home where my mother is staying, there are lots of people that are at a point in their life when they are confined, unable to do what they want when they want or how they want. None of us are at our best when we don't feel totally in control- when we're sick, or really tired, or incapacitated in any way. Some people who may seem like just regular, pleasant people, are terrors as patients. There is a man in the nursing home here who is clearly not long for this world. Yet, when you touch his hand and speak to him to wake him, he is immediately smiling and sweet. It always amazes me that he reacts so immediately in such a pleasant way. It makes me think about the Savior's admonitions to not just claim to follow Him but to have a true "change of heart". That means you aren't just wanting or hoping to be like the Savior. You deeply and sincerely change your basic personality. It takes time and consistent effort. But it is always nice to be in the presence of someone who has succeeded, even just most of the time, in being Christlike- patient, forgiving, understanding, helpful (to whatever extent possible at the time), and kind. That is my goal. I'm working on it.