I've never been very fond of the idea that life is like a juggling act. If you use that analogy, then small things like housework seem just as important as big things like children, and something is bound to get dropped.
I have a new idea. It comes from Julie B. Beck, our church's General Relief Society President, through my friend, Laura, and her Relief Society lesson last Sunday. It is this: instead of seeking the impossible balance of trying to do it all at once, I am going to focus on one thing at a time, using the Spirit to help me choose where to place my focus from one moment to the next.
To help with prioritizing, Sister Beck divided our tasks as women into three categories: essential (like reading scriptures and praying), necessary (like making dinner and cleaning house), and nice to do (like sewing and blogging). I don't want the nice to do things to take up all of my essential time. If I choose my focus wisely, then I will accomplish more of the essential and necessary things, and the nice to do things will fill in the cracks of my day, making my life more joyful.
So this new year, in lieu of making the usual resolutions, I will accept the fact that I can't do it all (I never believed I could, anyway), and instead I will narrow my focus.
It feels fantastic already.
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This is my goal as well. Great minds think alike, eh?? I love that talk- thanks for sharing it. I love how she splits it up into those categories.
ReplyDeleteFantastic idea. I like it. Thanks for sharing...
ReplyDeleteWhile I was in Salt Lake this past summer, I went and visited the R.S. Building on Temple Square. On the bottom floor (I think), they have a plaque on the wall that showed the things from Sister Beck's talk (essential, necessary, and nice to do, etc. and it listed items under each one). I had some pictures taken of each plaque so that I could remember each one. Since then I've been thinking a lot about them. I think Satan is working really hard on women to have us fill up our time with a lot of good things...but those things don't always include as many essential things, or even necessary things as they should and we can get unbalanced in our lives. I made the hard decision recently (well hard for me anyway) to take a break from blogging for a little while. I'm not sure how long. Maybe a few weeks, maybe a few months. Just so that I could become more intune with what really matters in life and in my family's life and to make sure that I'm getting all those "essential and necessary things done" first. And then when I feel okay inside again with allowing blogging to fill up some of those free moments, I'll do it again. Anyway, sorry for the super long comment, but your topic today is exactly what I've had on my mind ever since I saw that plaque this last summer. So thanks for sharing it on your blog today. :)
ReplyDeletegenius. love you steph!
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE this. You know I have never been fond of the "juggling" thing as well, and I love the narrowing of focus. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to make you time count for the important as well as the nice things. Love you
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration! As I look around at the post-holiday bomb my house is, this makes me feel better inside! There is only so much we can do.
ReplyDeleteSuch an encouraging post, thanks, I needed that today!
ReplyDeleteIt's bad that I need someone to tell me which things are essential and necessary opposed to those that are not nearly as important. You'd think I could figure that out on my own! :)
ReplyDeletethat is a great idea.. thanks so much for sharing. although i look at your life and by the outside looking in, it seems your doing fantastic!
ReplyDeleteSister Beck's simple categorization is a powerful practice. It is easy for me to see where blogging fits and scripture study, but what I struggle with most is knowing where my relationships fit in those categories. We are responsible for cultivating relationships with so many people, the little people in our homes being the most important. The thing that is hardest for me is knowing what things are essential, necessary, and nice with relation to my children. Can you relate?
ReplyDeletelove this!
ReplyDeleteFinally sat down and listened to this. I sure appreciate the simplicity yet complexity of it. Sometimes I get stressed that the "me" thinks won't fit, but it's true. If I do the other stuff first there's always time and I'm/we're happier all around. Cheers.
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