I had the usual ensign jitters as I looked over the more than 200 men of "my" department. All of them knew more about the procedures, personalities, policies, even the physical layout, of the ship than I did, and I was supposed to be their leader! Despite four and a half years of Navy training, I still felt overwhelmed, so I turned to the method that had always worked for me in the past—I prayed for God's guidance.
I studied the Bible and Mary Baker Eddy's writings diligently. The keystone I found was so simple, and turned out to be very effective. It was to examine each task, realize the spiritual qualities that needed to be expressed in completing it, and then pray to understand why I included them in my identity and to express them.
In the process, I learned to like myself better.
