slowing down, finding peace

Did you ever think it would come to this? Information withdrawal?  Really? 

Let me back up here.

Over the past two weeks I've been trying to slow down because I feel like I'm in the midst of chaos so often that I've lost time to just "be still" and think.  I've been working to cut out the extra "noise" in my life and just "smell the roses."  I've been trying to live in the moment, appreciate what's around me, get more in-tune with myself, and most importantly, contemplate my relationship with God.  I've been doing simple things like meditating 20 minutes daily, going on walks and bike rides, sitting outside and watching the sunrise more often, staying in bed for a few extra moments in the morning just to listen to the birds chirp outside my window, reading books I want to read, making time to talk with people and be more aware of what they need.

It was hard at first, because since my junior year in high school I've been cramming things into my life--always trying to do more.  I think I believed, "The more I do, the better I'll be."  (wrong!) So of course slowing down was hard at first!  But after only two weeks of slowing down, I look back and wonder why I chose to go at such a crazy pace.  I now feel so much more peaceful because I'm more in-touch with myself!  I'm making time to contemplate what life's about, where I'm headed, and what God wants me to accomplish.  So slowing down and creating a more peaceful lifestyle has been quite an exciting revolution for me.

I've been doing a lot of thinking and praying about what I want to change in my life to become the person I want to be and to live the best life I can--cause here's the fact:  We're only living this life once, so we've gotta make it good!  I've been thinking about this talk by Elder Oaks.  In our personal efforts to come closer to Christ, we need to figure out the best things in our lives--and then choose to pursue the best things over the "good" and "better"options.

One last thought: When I'm more in-touch with myself, it's easier for me to be more in-touch with others.  Rather than becoming more selfish, I begin to look outward and to be a more giving person.  I think it's easier to love people when we feel inner peace.  

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