Monday Inspire Me

As I was getting ready to listen to Conference this weekend, I decided to read through my journal and found and entry from last year about, "Enjoying the Journey". I cut out an article from the Ensign and posted it inside.  It says:

My Wife Harriet and I love riding bicycles. It is wonderful to get out and enjoy the beauties of nature. We have certain routes we like to bike, but we don't pay too much attention to how far we go or how fast we travel in comparison with other riders. 
However occasionally I think we should be a bit more competitive. I even think we could get a better time or ride at a higher speed if only we pushed ourselves a little more. And then sometimes I even make the big mistake of mentioning this idea to my wonderful wife. 
Her typical reaction to my suggestion of this nature is always very kind, very clear, and very direct. She smiles and says, "Dieter, it's not a race; it's a journey. Enjoy the moment."
Sometimes in life we become so focused on the finish line that we fail to find joy in the journey. I don't go cycling with my wife because I'm excited about finishing. I go because the experience of being with her is sweet and enjoyable. 
Doesn't it seem foolish to spoil sweet and joyful experiences because we are constantly anticipating the moment when they will end?
Do we listen to beautiful music waiting for the final note to fade before we allow ourselves to truly enjoy it? No. We listen and connect to the variations of melody, rhythm and harmony throughout the composition. 
Do we say our prayers with only the "amen" or the end in mind? Of course not. We pray to be close to our Heavenly Father, to receive His Spirit and feel His love.
We shouldn't wait to be happy until we reach some future point, only to discover that happiness was already available-all the time! Life in not meant to be appreciated only in retrospect. "This is the day which the Lord hath made....," the Psalmist wrote. "Rejoice and be glad in it."(Psalm 118:24)

I love this talk and often think of it as I get caught up thinking to myself that life we only get better when this happens or that. It's a good reminder to enjoy each moment and make the best of every second. To look at each day as an awaiting adventure. Excited to embark on the unknown and living in the now! After listening to conference, I've decided to make changes in my life that will help me be a happier and healthier wife, mother, friend and disciple. Sometimes I tend to get eager in the beginning and make more changes than I can keep up with. I've decided to create a list that I can check each night in my journal before I go to bed. I am hoping that this will keep my mind focused on the changes I want to make.

I've started to keep track of my workouts again over on Swordhammer.com
Along with that I would like to make some changes to my eating habits. If you want to follow along or try it with me, I'd love the support. I will keep track of those changes and the progress on my workout blog.

Have a great week everyone!


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