Keep Your Eye on the Ball

Here's a warm-fuzzy story for you: Last night, I was looking for several important pieces of documentation for my new job. (You know, human resources doesn't want to hire someone who doesn't actually have the credentials they claimed on their resume.) Normally, I'm a fairly organized person who knows exactly where everything is—all things color coded and filed alphabetically. (Ok, maybe not that organized, but it paints a picture of how I see myself on the inside.) However, after having moved recently, I'm still a little discombobulated as to where I put everything—having saved my “office” area for last in the realm of getting settled.

So, there I was, in a storm of papers and files trying to find the few transcripts and certificates I needed. I hate this sort of thing, jumping through hoops. It's necessary—I get that—but it isn't the most fun I can imagine having. Amidst my shuffling of pages, my 4 year old nephew had edged his way into my room and had comfortably plopped himself onto my bed—covers and all. He was watching some cartoon on his tablet. Netflix is his favorite.

Anyway, I was in my grown-up “let's check off some boxes on my ever-growing to-do list” mode when—out of the blue—my nephew said, “Auntie 'icole, me just love you so much.” It was really quiet, and his eyes never even left the screen. He didn't try to get my attention first, and—had I been less aware of my surroundings—I probably wouldn't have heard it at all.

Don't know where I was going with that, exactly, but I think it's a good story for me to remember. I think the moral is this: Life is full of important choices—how we choose to use our time is critical. If we get too busy, or if we become distracted, we may miss out on the important little things. Little things like a nephew telling his aunt that he loves her.

That's been on my mind a lot lately, especially as I've moved on to another phase in life, this idea of balancing my life in all its needs, wants, and demands. I certainly don't profess to have everything worked out, but I have come to one conclusion: It's all about priorities.

It's kind of like this: When I played softball a looooong time ago, my dad—also the coach—always gave us the same first lesson at the beginning of the season. “Keep your eye on the ball.” (Also promptly followed by, “Don't throw the bat after you hit the ball.”) It was a useful lesson in softball, and I think it's a useful lesson in a discussion of priorities. It's awfully hard to hit a softball if you don't keep your eye on it. It's, likewise, awfully hard to achieve a goal—whether its doing something or becoming something—if you don't keep your eye on whatever it is you're trying to do or become.

And it's not just about staying away from the bad—you know, drugs, alcohol, pornography those sorts of things. If those were my priorities, I wouldn't have much to show in way of positive life consequences.

Personally, I think the hard thing about this prioritizing thing is that there are so many good things with which I can distract myself. (The aforementioned Netflix, for example.) I find that when I take all things in stride—whether it's developing a talent, writing a book, or treating myself to a movie—I am much happier when I don't let these things consume me and occupy time that would be better spent doing something better. (Except for writing the book—I could do that all day. PS- I have 173 pages done on my novel!)

Guess I should probably wrap this up—I need to go finish making dinner. (Greek style roast, Mediterranean style rice, pita chips, and a salad with tzatziki sauce—in case you need ideas for what to make for dinner tonight.) So, here's my religious soap-box for the day:

Don't get distracted from what is most important. For me, that is in following all the commandments of God, especially the seemingly strict “Mormon” commandments like no rated R movies, no coffee, and dress modestly. Then, there are the big ones—keep the Sabbath Day holy, pray, love and serve others. These are the priorities of highest significance. These are those things on which I should be continually focused if I expect to achieve my full potential as a daughter of God.

Just because the world seems to be slowly forgetting how crucial these priorities are to one's happiness doesn't mean that the priorities have changed. Love God and keep His commandments--nothing more important than that. That, to me, is where true and lasting happiness lies. Because, at the end of the day, it isn't a sporting event, a new outfit, or that one awesome Korean drama on Netflix (curse you, Netflix... I love you) that will make my life whole. Yes, they can make me happy momentarily. However, I can attest to the fact that living Christian principles brings an increased measure of contentment and understanding all of the time, even when circumstances are tough. Isn't that lasting kind of happiness the sort of priority we should all be seeking?

Ok, seriously, I need to go finish dinner.

But, friends, do something for me. Decide what your priorities are. If you're not religious—make sure that your priorities align with whatever it is you do believe—and don't get distracted. If you are religious—make sure your priorities align with the counsels given you from God and his prophets, both ancient and modern—and don't get distracted.

Keep your eye on the ball.

Or you might just strike out on some of the smaller, yet eternally more significant, things.