Sunday Sentiments

I decided recently (when I heard about a friend of a friend who does this on her blog) that each Sunday I am going to start recording some of the the things I learn in church that day, as well as thing I have been thinking about during the week.  Some of the things may be funny, but mostly they will be spiritual in nature.  My goal is that one day, I (or my family) can look back and gain something from what I write.

Today the talks in church were based upon focusing on what matters most.  Sometimes we spend our time doing things that aren't necessarily bad, but also may not be the best either.   I have struggled with this recently.  I try to make good use of my time, but where do my real priorities lie?  Am I using my time as wisely as I should be/could be?  I loved this quote by President Utchdorf: 

Pause for a moment and check where your own heart and thoughts are. Are you focused on the things that matter most? How you spend your quiet time may provide a valuable clue. Where do your thoughts go when the pressure of deadlines is gone? Are your thoughts and heart focused on those short-lived fleeting things that matter only in the moment or on things that matter most?

....

Sometimes the things that distract us are not bad in and of themselves; often they even make us feel good.

It is possible to take even good things to excess. One example can be seen in a father or grandfather who spends hours upon hours searching for his ancestors or creating a blog while neglecting or avoiding quality or meaningful time with his own children and grandchildren. Another example could be a gardener who spends his days pulling weeds from the soil while ignoring the spiritual weeds that threaten to choke his soul.


I suppose that I need to reevaluate the things that matter most to me, and focus more on those things.  Spend my time serving others, instead of being distracted by the things of here and now.  That is hard, let's be honest.  It takes extreme commitment and effort.  We all need time for ourselves.  We need time to focus on ourselves and enjoy ourselves...but I think maybe, just maybe, when my priorities are in line I will not only be enjoying myself, but I will be happier.  Instead of creating unnecessary stress, I can eliminate it.  Instead of waisting my time, I can make the most of it.  The problem is, where do you start?   That is something I am still figuring out....and it may take me all my life to do it.