Of Things that Matter Most

My thoughts on President Uchtdorf's talk "Of Things that Matter Most"

The more this man talks, the more I love him. I see why the Lord trusts him to be one of His Apostles, Prophets and Seers. We truly need to listen and study his words.

"Therefore, it is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions."

Slow down? HOW?

"This is a simple but critical lesson to learn. It may seem logical when put in terms of trees or turbulence, but it’s surprising how easy it is to ignore this lesson when it comes to applying these principles in our own daily lives. When stress levels rise, when distress appears, when tragedy strikes, too often we attempt to keep up the same frantic pace or even accelerate, thinking somehow that the more rushed our pace, the better off we will be."

I have been made to slow down. It truly was counter to all I thought I knew. I've learned to stop, take a breath and then begin again.

I think this next paragraph can sum up my life:
"Let’s be honest; it’s rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list. They flood the open spaces in their time with lists of meetings and minutia—even during times of stress and fatigue. Because they unnecessarily complicate their lives, they often feel increased frustration, diminished joy, and too little sense of meaning in their lives."

Am I of worth if I'm not doing something? What about the saying, "Idle hands are the devil's playground"? If I'm not scheduled then I won't know what to do.

When I started chemotherapy, I had to cancel almost EVERYTHING. It was interesting to see what happened to my life and how it turned out. I like the down time. It was nice to think for myself for once.

"There is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity that we sometimes do not appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions."

WOW! That makes you pause and think. Pens don't work in space, but pencils do. My kids don't need a three course dinner, but they need a healthy dinner. The Plan of Happiness is truly the path--we don't need to come up with a new plan. Stop wasting time figuring it all out.

President Uchtdorf then talks about fundamentals and basics. I know that while I was in treatment (and even today) I go back to the basics. Sometimes a successful day is a day you just make it through. Not the day you make five wedding cakes, decorate the cultural hall and plan the next four YW lessons. It is the day you stop and enjoy the blessings of the scriptures, the Prophets' words, the smile of a child and the delight of a PB&J. That's what a successful day looks like.

"My dear brothers and sisters, we would do well to slow down a little, proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most. Let us be mindful of the foundational precepts our Heavenly Father has given to His children that will establish the basis of a rich and fruitful mortal life with promises of eternal happiness. They will teach us to do “all these things … in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that [we] should run faster than [we have] strength. [But] it is expedient that [we] should be diligent, [and] thereby … win the prize.”"

Here are the basics:
1. our relationship with our Savior.
What do we do to cultivate this? Very simple answers: scriptures and prayers.

2. our relationship with our families.
What do we do to make these relationships stronger? Do we spend time? Do we look for the positive? Do we hold FHE? Do we study the scriptures together? Do we have wholesome recreational activities together? I have an easy time with the people who live in my house, but those who don't--boy it is hard.

3. our relationship with our fellowmen.
"We build this relationship one person at a time—by being sensitive to the needs of others, serving them, and giving of our time and talents."

4. our relationship with ourselves.
"It may seem odd to think of having a relationship with ourselves, but we do. Some people can’t get along with themselves. They criticize and belittle themselves all day long until they begin to hate themselves. May I suggest that you reduce the rush and take a little extra time to get to know yourself better. Walk in nature, watch a sunrise, enjoy God’s creations, ponder the truths of the restored gospel, and find out what they mean for you personally. Learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you—as His precious daughter or son with divine potential."

He ends with these two helps for us:
"Strength comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most."

"Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship—the path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace."

May we all strive to simplify our lives so that we can have a life of meaning, gladness and peace.