With it being a new year, the young women’s organization has been asked to create goals for 2010. Some of the goals that we have for the girls as well as us leaders include going to the temple monthly, reading the Book of Mormon, completely Personal Progress experiences and projects, etc.
While coming up with the goals, I have felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility for the girls that I am over. This responsibility has had me wonder, “Am I doing enough and am I spiritually prepared to have Heavenly Father be able to guide me to know what to do for the girls?” Lately I have been feeling stressed and overwhelmed with things that I know I should be doing. I need to get into the homes of our inactive girls and sit and visit with their families. I need to clean the 3rd bedroom (our ‘collect-all’ bedroom that contains my countless crafts, books, and seasonal decorations). I need to read to James more. I need to stay up on my school reading. I need to go to the temple more often. I need to spend more quality time with Matt rather than watching TV with him. I need to take down the Christmas stockings (yes they are still up). I need to find new recipes for dinner. I need to set aside more time for in depth scripture study. I need to remember to take my vitamins everyday. I need to take more pictures of James. I need, I need, I need. The list goes on and on.
In this overwhelmed state, I decided to talk to Matt about it. I have found that by just voicing what I am feeling, I am able to work out problems and find a solutions better than when I just think about it. In talking to him he reassured me that I am doing a good job, but we came up with an action plan… I guess you could say my own personal 2010 goals. For me, I need a clean house to feel motivated to do other things- if the house is dirty, I tend to get lazy and not want to do anything. So the first thing that I do everyday is make sure that the living room, dining room and kitchen are clean. My goal everyday is to then do something ‘extra’ (aside from the normal things I do) in each of the following categories: spiritual, temporal, and relationship.
The relationship category has reaped the most blessings. For the relationship category I find one new way every day to show my love for either Matt or James. Yesterday it was spending 45 minutes reading to James. The day before that was getting Matt an tiny accessory for his Ipod. The day before that was making him brownies (his favorite) in the shape of a heart. I have noticed that it is so easy to put Matt on the back burner when there is lots of homework to do, James to take care of, and young women stuff to complete. By doing this goal Matt and I are able to serve each other and really become closer rather than just staying the same.
For the temporal goal, I do one chore that I wasn’t planning on doing or one assignment that isn’t due until later. This goal helps me feel accomplished. There are so many times when I finish the day and I feel like, “What have I done today? I don’t have anything to show for myself.”. This goal helps me feel like I have accomplished something.
For the spiritual goal, everyday I try to really take time out of my day to grow spiritually whether that is through reading the Ensign or New Era, watching a church history dvd, or share my testimony with a less active young woman.
Overall this has really helped me feel better about myself because I know that slowly but surely I am improving :)
