Today's Quote

“If you dwell on the things you’re not, you’ll miss out on the things you really are.”

Today's Challenge

How much time do you spend getting ready each day? Today, use the same amount of time to get ready on the inside. Meditate, write in your journal, or perform an act of service.

WHY:    Women spend thousands of hours on their appearances over a lifetime. Think about what you could accomplish if you spent the same amount of time each day preparing your inner self. How would you be different? How would each day be different?

JOURNAL: Journal: Did you notice a difference in how you felt throughout the day? Explore why or why not.

I didn't spend enough time on either one today. I find that I have grown lax about "getting ready" on the inside - not that I have stopped doing my dailies (although sometimes that is true) but I find that I am not doing them as often FIRST. I think this has become a bad habit due to a new job that I have. I am a deal finder for Pinching Your Pennies and I like to get up and get it done first thing... The problem is - work isn't what should be done first in my life. I am making a commitment to change that this coming week. I hadn't even realized it full force until this exercise today. I KNOW that I will be noticing a difference once I get first things back where they need to be - FIRST.

I think that overall I need to be better about getting ready. I feel I need to spend more time FIRST on my spiritual and physical self... then move to other things of value. Great reminder for me.

In my studies today I looked up an article a friend (thanks, Tracy!) recommended I read while doing this experiment. It is On the Wings of Eagles, by President Uchtdorf. It is from a BYU Devotional, The Wind Beneath Your Wings, November 2003. Specifically, I found pertinent the section, "First, You Have to Learn to Control Yourself." In it, President Uchtdorf said, "It isn't until you come to a spiritual understanding of who you are that you can begin to take control of yourself." I think that is what this journey is turning into for me - gaining a deeper understanding of who I am with the help of the Spirit.

He also said, "Your choices are the mirror of your self-control." I think that self-control is sometimes the mirror of my self-esteem. So, as I hold myself in a higher regard (as a daughter of God, etc.) my self-control becomes better and then my choices. I wonder if sometimes I turn this around and think that as I DO more, make better choices my self control will go up and then I will have self esteem...