Sunday, October 3, 2010

52 Blessings – Inspirational People

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, this weekend was the bi-annual LDS General Conference. A couple of dozen speakers spoke to us – each talented and inspired in their own right. I like hearing them speak for they have walked the walk of which they speak. Yesterday Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke about simplifying our lives, slowing down, and focusing on the important things in life. He used the analogy of speed bumps to make a point. Going over a speed bump faster doesn’t necessarily make it smoother. He mentioned that some people even determine their self-worth by the length of their to-do list. Since I had written an e-mail to my sister earlier this week telling her how I’d been simplifying my life, I sanctimoniously nodded amen and proudly agreed to President Uchtdorf’s words. And therein lay my problem.

This morning the family settled in on the couch to watch more hours of the conference. During one of the first few speakers I thought of something I didn’t want to forget to do later: make blackberry jam and jalapeno pepper jelly. I quickly grabbed the little, striped notebook and wrote it down. Then another item came to mind so I wrote it down, too. Down, down the page went my list while the speaker talked on; we finished at the same time. I’m didn’t hear a word he said but I’m sure he gave quite a talk for I had quite a to-do list.

-blackberry jam
-pepper jelly
-clean garage
-wash windows
-paint toy drawers
-paint tv table
-print journals
-cut hair
-scrapbook retreat prep.
-make book for Bruce (my brother-in-law)
-get Christmas ready
-read Molakai
-find another book to read
-get Abraham Lincoln print framed
-buy rug
-finish circle journals
-pay bills

Satisfied and out of lines, I put the notebook away.

After watching four more hours of conference and eating dinner, we gathered on the couch with pie and ice cream to again watch President Uchtdorf’s message (not everyone had seen it the day before).

I was comfortable. I was full of myself. Don’t you know I’d been simplifying. And then he came to the part in his talk about the to-do list.

Curses. Foiled again. Pride gets me every time.

I’m grateful for inspirational people (I could make a list with dozens of them) who teach us how to walk the walk of which they preach.  Thanks to them, someday I shall humbly conquer simplifying . . .

10 comments:

Cali said...

I find the irony in that soooo funny. Especially because every time I saw you writing in your notebook this weekend, I thought you were writing down inspirational things... nope things like pay bills and make jam. I love you mama. Thank you (Dad that includes you too) for creating a home where we could ENJOY conference.

Cali

Marie said...

Did you know that President Utchdorf's talk in Priesthood was about Pride? Because that is just too funny that both of his talks found their way into this post!

I had a lovely conference. It was such an outpouring of love and instruction. Loved it.

Neighbor Jane Payne said...

Cali, Cali, Cali, I PROMISE the rest of the time I was writing notes. Well, except for when I was writing down the colors of the men's ties. (I had all of the kids keep track of what color the speakers' ties were and SOMEONE had to have all the right answers.)

Yes, Marie! Ray and Calvin said so and do you know what my first thought was? "Hey! I know all about Pride. I just read Pres. Benson's Pride talk (that Pres. Uchtdorf referred to) this week three times and I read it every year besides. Oh yes. I know ALL about pride."

Which just makes my story that much more pathetic . . .

But thanks to inspirational people there is hope. Right?

Jill said...

This is just so funny! I think we can all relate.

Samantha said...

Jane I currently have "Molakai" checked out from the library. It's on my list of things to do too.

Becky said...

We watched every session of conference except Saturday morning because Jeff had a soccer game to coach. It sounds like I missed a GREAT talk!

If it's any comfort, I do believe that a list can help you simplify if you use it wisely :)

P.S. Your caramel apples look so lovely--it makes me wish that I liked to eat them!

Julie said...

I too loved Elder Uctdorf's talk. I also have lists and lists of things to do. When everything is out of my house, THEN I can slow down. It's a good thing the Lord knows our hearts.

melanie said...

I make lists then lose them so in a sense I'm simplifying. I can't remember what's on the list or what is says so much of it doesn't get done. But then if I think I'm simplifying, I'm full of pride. I better stop...

Such a funny post.

Emma J said...

This hits too close for comfort. Been there, et al. and right about the same time you arrived. Curses indeed!

michelle said...

oooooh yes. I can totally relate to this. Pride gets me every time, too!