How to recenter on what matters most
Isn’t it good for the heart to know that Jesus walks with us every step of our journey, even if we don’t fulfill what our New Year’s selves thought we could? We might abandon a goal or project, but He will never abandon us.
And neither will we! We stand/lean/sit/rest with each other as women who love God.
Didn't make it from the couch to the 5K? We love you. Ran the 5K faster than ever before? We love you. No matter what, we are women who show up for each other through the ups, downs, and meanderings of life. Something about being women of faith is knowing we can walk side by side without judgment.
We know the value friendship brings, especially friendships rooted in gospel sisterhood. They bring us hope when our own feels lost, support when we can’t stand on our own. These relationships allow us to grow as we carry each other and rejoice with each other. And we're so grateful to have them.
“Each of us is carrying a metaphorical backpack. ... where we carry the burdens of living in a fallen world. ... Jesus Christ can lighten our load. ... Jesus Christ is our relief.” President Camille N. Johnson
Feel Better in 5! How to recenter on what matters most
Find your focus point:
Like a spinning ballerina who chooses a fixed spot to keep from getting dizzy, look for Jesus as the fixed point in life. If you can’t find Him because it is so noisy or hectic and you already feel dizzy, find a different point of peace that can help turn you to Him. Maybe it’s in a walk outside, or through deep breaths, or from a child’s cuddle. Seek and ye shall find. (Matthew 7:7)
Reach out:
It’s hard to cross the bridge of vulnerability, but once we do, we can find support. And, the bravery we show by opening up will help someone else be able to make the same journey with more strength and grace.
Zoom out:
When we zoom out, we’re able to see the beauty of our lives that we might miss because we’re concentrating on something that looks like a flaw up close. As Sister Tamara W. Runia reminds us, “Zoom out and look through a different lens—an eternal lens that focuses on the big picture, your bigger story.” With this perspective, we can be kinder to ourselves and see that what we thought was a flaw is part of a beautiful whole.
Release unnecessary expectations:
God doesn’t expect perfect chocolate chip cookies or flawless lesson plans. We are asked to serve with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, but we are not asked to do it alone, or with more gusto than we can muster.
Go with God:
Sometimes we’re on that hamster wheel, running our little legs off and not catching up because we can’t not do all the things. Yes, we simplify, organize, and pray, and when even that doesn’t make the to-do list shorter, we keep going because we know God is with us. “I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:88)