Figuring it Out

A simple phrase can change my way of thinking. A quote, a scripture, music lyrics, or just a profound truth can touch my heart and change how I feel about things. This happened for me last week during a church meeting. I want to write down what I experienced, so I will not forget the message I received. And I want to share what I learned.

I was visiting with my brother's family in Utah, and so we attended his church meeting. It was a short meeting, less than an hour, because it was New Year's Eve day. The focus in their ward lately has been to simplify things.

Simplify.

I love that word!

They have reduced meetings, including meeting times. (They now have two and a half hours of church!) In their ward (maybe Stake?) they have made it so once a month, on Sunday, there will be no extra meetings, so there can be more family time on the Sabbath. How sweet is that?

In the spirit of simplification, the Bishop was the only speaker on that day, and he cut to the chase with his remarks, and encouraged everyone to go home and be with their family.

It was pretty awesome! I love it when people tell me to go home and be with my family!

During his remarks, the Bishop mentioned how overwhelmed he felt when he was called to be the Bishop of his ward. He was so busy, and really did not have the time for it and his other responsibilities with work and family. He expressed his concerns to his Stake President, and the Stake President said to him, "You will figure it out."

You will figure it out. 

Now that is profound life advice!

For me, that simple counsel could not have been more perfect. As I move forward in my life, I alway wonder how things will work out. I wonder how I will handle certain situations and events before they even occur, or before choices are in front of me. I want to be prepared for every, single, little thing that could possibly happen. I just want to be ready for anything, that's not a bad thing, right?

Well, I have discovered that trying to pre-plan life -- down to the details -- is pretty much useless, and a waste of valuable time. From the experiences I have had, I have discovered that when I am in a situation that might have once been scary, or intimidating, I tend to rise to every such occasion with courage I did not know I had. I cannot think of one single time, when in the pivotal moment, my courage has failed me. In fact, in every single moment that has been full of pressure and intensity, my courage has always come to the rescue! Thank goodness!

Hooray for courage!

Today as I sat in the very first Relief Society council meeting in our ward, the thought came to my mind again, of the importance of keeping things simple. (This thought occurred to me after the closing prayer, so I did not get to share it out loud.) Perhaps, quality over quantity is really the best way to go when it comes to meetings, extra activities, and even service to others.

I do not know how to apply the simplification process, other than for my own specific calling as a teacher, where I have learned to keep it simple and straightforward. I just think that if things can be simplified and more straightforward, it would be nice. In my brother's ward, with the shortened meeting times, they will have less time during Sunday School, Priesthood and Relief Society. They have been encouraged to better prepare their lessons, so they can "pack a greater punch" in a shorter amount of time. This will be especially beneficial to those who work with the Primary children, and might reduce the amount of time playing "spiritual word hangman" for the last ten minutes of class. I am guessing the Primary teachers will be loving that benefit!

One of my favorite quotes from the movie Sabrina is, "More isn't always better, sometimes it is just more."

Good life advice.

Simplify!

I also love the concept of reaching out to the "one." I really believe that loving and reaching out to the one is where true religion is lived, and where true love is felt. There is no deeper connection than the one-on-one connection. That is hard to accomplish as much in group settings, though group functions are important too, for sure. But for me, when I reach out to the one, and when someone individually reaches out to me, that is where I have felt the most love and sincerity in service. (Can we say hooray for the Home and Visiting Teaching programs?)

These are just some thoughts on a Sunday evening. Perhaps with the beginning of a New Year, it is a good time to figure out what is necessary, and what is nonsense in daily life, including church callings and activities. These are not always easy decisions to make. Sometimes something good has to be sacrificed for something better.

And better is better than good.

There is something really beautiful about keeping things simple.

Take courage that things can be figured out, and things will all work out!