Today in Relief Society, 4 July 2010

Happy 4th of July! Sacrament meeting had some lovely testimonies on freedom, independence, and service; as well as a lovely closing hymn of all 3 verses of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Our lesson was taught by Wendy Bonham, and it was about using our time wisely.

Sis. Bonham started out by expressing her appreciation for the testimonies borne. She said that the testimonies helped her realize more clearly that everyone is here for different reasons, and everyone has had different experiences.
She then read this cute little article; (Barbara Stockwell, “Mirthright: It Takes Only Thirty Minutes a Day …,”Ensign, Jul 1982, 71)
"A few weeks ago I read an article about the importance of studying scriptures, so I set my alarm for thirty minutes earlier every day. Then I remembered I should write in my journal every day, so I stayed up a half-hour later each night.

Then last week in Relief Society we were admonished to exercise daily to keep our bodies fit, so I got up a little earlier each day to jog. Later in the week, I read a magazine article that promised me beautiful skin in only fifteen minutes a day, and another one said that a half-hour a day of meditation could change my life. A self-help book told me I should spend at least thirty minutes a day visualizing my desires and repeating positive affirmations. I had to get up earlier to do this.

Still, I was able to squeeze other activities into my already heavily scheduled day. I learned to do the pelvic tilt to relieve my lower back pain while driving to work. And I did my isometric exercises while at my desk. I cut my lunch hour in half in order to read the Ensign. In only half an hour a day I was able to finish it before the next one came … except for the conference issue. For that I had to stay up a little at night and read, after my goal planning was done.

Another woman’s magazine said I could give myself professional nail care in only ten minutes a day. It also suggested that a foot soak after work would do wonders to relieve tiredness. I tried to do that while I was preparing dinner, but I got so relaxed I kept dropping the carrot sticks in the gravy. Dinner would have to be delayed a little, and that would push bedtime back about a half-hour. But it was all worth it; I was becoming a new woman.

I learned in a class on success that the only way to make it in life is to write a “to do” list each night and then review it every morning to set priorities for the day. It only takes a few minutes and saves a lot of time in the long run. And did you know that if you spend only an extra forty-five minutes a day on housework you never have to get bogged down in spring cleaning?

It is marvelous how many things can be done in such a short time, and I would feel negligent if I said I couldn’t find those few minutes. After all, is a few minutes a day for all that improvement too much to ask? I can always set the alarm a little earlier.

But last night as I was setting the alarm after my prayers I realized it was time to get up and jog. Maybe I should make out a new schedule—it will only take a few minutes. … "

We are all very busy, but we need to make the effort to better use our precious time to serve the Lord. Sis. Bonham shared with us that when she was set apart in the RS presidency, she was told to "use my own experiences to teach." She thought at the time it was because her experiences had made her wise. She told us that from preparing this lesson, she now realizes that the reasons she needs to share her experiences is so that the rest of us sisters can help her navigate through her personal journey.

Sis. Bonham was in a plane crash 5 years ago. She was one of only two survivors. Sis. Bonham said that in order to deal with it she became numb. The 13 that died were amazing people. They used their time well, serving others, doctoring throughout the world. One was a Bishop, with 8 children, the youngest only 5 months old. Sis. Bonham began to feel a heaviness about herself. She felt that she needed to make her life more worthwhile. She needed to live up to the standards of those who had died. In order to do this, she became a volunteer. She started the Special Olympic program here in Clallam county. She still runs this program. She became a volunteer mediator for the county. She continues to take care of ailing parents and grandparents, while helping with her 7 grandchildren and various callings. She does all of these things to try to better use her time. Recently, she began feeling overwhelmed. She felt she could not do all the things she had to do. She had budgeted her time to the minute, and a few urgently important things came up that required her time. Sis Bonham realized that just like a financial budget, we need to add cushion time to our budget in case of emergencies.

Sis. Bonham then asked two questions;
1. What is the task(s) we are given to accomplish with this time Heavenly Father has given us?
2. How can we best use our time to accomplish the task for which it is given?

I will leave it to you to answer these two questions for yourself, as every one has different reasons and experiences.
I would suggest that we pray to keep in mind the task(s) that Heavenly Father has given us. Each of us can learn from each other's experiences. The Lord has put us all together that we might learn and grow from one another. What can you do today to better use your time? Dede B.