Does this happen to you?

I go to do a quick check of my email,

I plan to be there for just a second but then I pass by the news on yahoo and something catches my eye leading me to more news that is usually just plain depressing or totally useless.

Then I forget checking my email and end up going to blogger and check out what's on my dashboard which can lead me from one blog to another in an endless sea of blogs.

After viewing so many other blogs I begin to think of fun or different things I can add to mine or what my new post will be about.

So I'll work on my blog only to remember I never got around to checking my email.

I stop by at my email and find my inbox full of messages, some forwards, some stopping by to say "hi", some long, some short so I take a bit of time to respond to them.

I had only "planned" to be on the computer for just a couple of minutes and before I know it, those couple of minutes have turned into a couple of hours!!

I turn around from the stupid computer and see I have 10 min. or less to get my kids ready for school, their hair is a mess, the house is a mess, I am a mess, they aren't dressed, I'm not dressed, they aren't fed and I'm not fed and the baby is screaming. This is where I usually end up in a full scale panic, usually blaming my kids for playing all morning, instead of getting ready (duh. hello! who is the real one to blame?)

Now this doesn't happen to me every day... but it has happened to me and it's an awful feeling. Maybe I'm the only one who has experienced this... Either way.. I have decided to exercise more self control, to exercise a little more self restraint.

Yes the Internet can be used as a really great tool for education, for learning, keeping in touch with family and friends, for downloading yummy recipes (wonderful tool for this)... and my personal favorite thing the Internet can be used for is sharing the Gospel.

A web can be used for two things to capture or to be captured. So the internet must be used wisely.

So I think it's a matter of making the decision of what is most important at the moment and taking care of those things first. There are many things on the Internet that can wait and will still be there moments or even months later. But some things won't be there at the next moment or months later... and it is usually those things that are most important.

There was a really great talk given not long ago that helps to emphasize and clarify where I'm coming from called... Good, Better, Best

I am going to limit my total screen time, (television, Internet or whatever) to absolutely no more than one hour a day. Occasionally there will be those weekends where I might put in a movie. But during the week I am putting my goal to have absolutely no more than 1 hour of SCREEN time per day.... Because I've just got "Better" things to do.

Reason #1 to limit my screen time: So I have more of this little miracle...

Reason #2 to limit my screen time: So I have more of this little miracle...

Reason #3 to limit my screen time: So I have more of this little miracle...

Reason #4 to limit my screen time: So I have more of this little miracle...

Reason #5 to limit my screen time: So I have more of this...

If you are raising children...

I enjoyed General Conference so much!!! It is my favorite time of year. I know we have a living Prophet of God to guide us and direct us. I know that Thomas S. Monson has been called by God to lead us all, I know it with all my heart! I love to sit at the feet of these great leaders, The First Presidency, The Quorum of the 12 Apostles, The Quorum of the Seventy, The General Relief Society Presidency etc. I love to sit at their feet and be fed spiritually, to be counseled, warned, guided, encouraged and uplifted. For this blessing alone I am RICH, my cup is overflowing... for they lead me to Christ, the one and only way to God. Thanks be to my Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ for this TRUE and restored Gospel on the earth today!

I want to share just a small little portion of what the Prophet of God said this most recent conference. I really needed to hear this!

"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly.

Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, “They do not love that do not show their love.” We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.

Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”

- President Thomas S. Monson - Prophet, Seer and Revelator of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

This is a world-wide church. To listen to conference in almost any language click on this link: http://www.lds.org/conference/languages/0,6353,310-1,00.html

Babies don't keep.

I spent alot of time yesterday on the computer and it was very frustrating because my internet was slow, files weren't saving, and nothing was working right. It wouldn't have been so upsetting if I could say I got something accomplished after a few hours. Instead, I ended up losing files and undoing most of the things I worked so hard on.

I spent very little time with my kids and the house went to pot. Those mom's out there who have 2 yr. olds or 3 yr. olds know how quickly they can make a mess.

But I'm not going to worry so much about all the mess today. And as soon as I'm done with this post.... I'm logging off for the rest of the day.

I found a poem that goes with how I feel right now. I don't know who the author is... if anyone out there does, please leave it on a comment and I'll make sure I give the proper credit.

"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait ’til tomorrow.

For babies grow up, We’ve learned to our sorrow.

So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.

I’m rocking my baby, And babies don’t keep."

Painting: "The Touch of Innocence", by Alicia Rawlins http://aliciarawlins.com/

Where does the time go?

I am so grateful for this gift of life I've been given. I think it's meant to be spent wisely and purposefully. Of course we can have fun and do leisurely things. But it seems to me that those things that matter most are often at the mercy of that which matters least.

I think it's good to put a limit on the amount of time we all spend watching television.

I think it's good to put a limit on the amount of time we spend on the computer or web.

I think it's good to put a limit on the amount of times we go to the theaters.

We can choose to watch good movies, good television, and view good things on the web. We can choose to only entertain those things that have strong moral values and messages.

But there is always something better to do than any of these things and you will not miss the media so much if these better things become habit, become first and foremost in your life.

It's better to spend time with your kids, to talk with them and get to know them... to show your love by being interested in them.

It is better to help a neighbor or a friend in need, by a phone call or a visit or a simple act of service.

It is better to mend relationships that have been destroyed by bitterness or unforgiving.

And how much time do we spend reading the Bible or compared to how much time we spend with T.V., movies, video games, Internet? Better yet, how much time do we spend living the Bible?

Is there an imbalance?

I know we would be a happier people if we put the most important things first.... and suddenly the least important fall out of place because we won't have time for them so much anymore. This is just my opinion.

What Matters Most

I've been thinking about events such as the Tsunami that hit Indonesia a few years ago, Hurricane Katrina, September 11th and so on. Events like these really caused people to think about what really matters most.

One person who was in New Orleans during Katrina said that the most common question they heard come from peoples lips was, "where is my family, my children, my loved ones... are they alright?"

I worked in a nursing home a few years ago and I recall that the most common question among the residents there too was"where is my family, my children, my loved ones... are they alright?" Completely different circumstances but both faced with the frailness of life.

Can you imagine when you are faced with the possibility of dying tomorrow saying, "Oh I wish I could just spend one more hour at the office" or "I wish I could have one more chance to watch my favorite sitcom or play my favorite video game." Guaranteed that these will not be what we are thinking about.

We will be wondering if we have shown our love to our family, our loved ones and especially for God. We will be thinking about the things we taught to our children, the examples we set for our friends and how much devotion and time we gave to those things that really matter most.

I think that if we start off each day and list the three most important things to be done... and I mean most important... and then do these three things... we will live with very few regrets and when our life on earth is through we will be at peace.

Here is an example of 3 things a person could list that would be most important on a daily basis.

1- Spend quality time with the Lord through studying His word and communicating through prayer to our Father in Heaven - (offering thanks, sincere repentance and seeking for guidance.) Write impressions or thoughts down in a journal.

2- Spend quality time with your spouse and children. It could be for at least just 30 min. Focus on them. Listen to them. Express your love. If you are not married or don't have children think of your parents, niece, nephew, brother or sister - someone who is close to you and spend this quality time with them.

3- Try a little harder to be a little better, a little kinder, a little more patient, a little more soft spoken, to listen a little better... to basically practice the "golden rule."

I think if we all did this first of each day or at least made them the top priority of our day, we would enjoy more peace in our life... don't you?

If Tomorrow Never Comes

For part of our Sacrament Meeting in church last Sunday, a little 9 yr. old girl gave a great talk she put together herself about showing love for our families and following our Savior today.... because tomorrow may never come. Part of her talk she quoted from Elder Claudio Costa who spoke in the world-wide broadcast this past October. This is what she read:

"We can lay down our lives for those we love not by physically dying for them but rather by living for them- giving of our time; always being present in their lives; serving them; being courteous, affectionate, and showing true love for those of our family and to all men- as the Savior taught.

We don't know what could happen to us tomorrow, and that is why today is the time to start showing your love through small acts such as a hug and an 'I love you' to your spouse and children and those around you.

I recently read a text which expresses the urgency of not leaving for tomorrow what you can do today. In July of this year Brazil witnessed the most devastating aircraft accident in its history. There were 199 people killed, including passengers, airline workers, crew members, and others who were at the site when the accident happened. The text I mentioned was said to have been posted on the airline communication board by the husband of one of the flight attendants who died in the accident. It is entitled 'If Tomorrow Never Comes' and is based upon a poem by Norma Cornett Marek. (click on this link to view the poem http://heartwhispers.net/poetry/00040.html)

Let us express our love to our spouse and children and our brothers and sisters today." - Claudio Costa