Mastery

This week I did a book report on George Leonard's book, Mastery.  As I was looking back over the book and the things that I learned, I am really grateful for his focus on the journey of life.  I am someone who sometimes looks forward to events, or deadlines, or performances.  When I ran my one and only half marathon I realized I am a person who needs landmarks.  I willed myself to keep going to the corner, then up the hill, then to the red house, etc. etc. Especially when I was so exhausted. Not once did I consider quitting, but I don't think I enjoyed the journey as much as I might have had George come along sooner in my life.  I really liked the idea that most of our growth happens on the plateau.  It's true, even with kids, you see they are growing, but it happens so slow you don't notice until at the end of summer, you take a double look because dang, somebody grew and although you live with them you didn't see it day by day.  I think this book helped me adjust my perspective on the worth of my time.  I think I was under the misconception that my time must always be productive, producing results of some kind. And, honestly somedays I am so busy, my days are non-stop and there is still so much I didn't get to.  Maybe it is the part of life I am in right now.  Which might also be the reason why when I think of owning my own business (as in a small retail shop) I just don't want to anymore.  I don't have time for that.  I can barely keep my current ship afloat, I can't imagine trying to sail a business to success in my current state.  But my days are not wasted.  Even though I can't always tell what you what I did all day.  I recognize that I am building in the doing.  I am building myself, my family, my ward and stake, and my friends little by little.  I do important things, just not things that will bring any kind of notoriety, and I am ok with that.

This week we also read a condensed version of Stephen R. Covey's book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  I think the habit I liked most is #3 Putting First Things First.  My best friend once told me I was scattered.  I was so upset for two seconds and then I realized she was right.  Ouch the truth hurt a little, but it also helped me see something I could improve on.  Sometimes I think I have ADD as I get up and do this, comeback to my studies, get up and change the laundry, up and down, up and down.  Prioritizing the important things is truly important to me and I still need help getting better at this.  In the pathway program I remember a quote from President Spencer W. Kimball who said something like, before he would go to bed each night, he would ponder on the next day and write down the three most important things that needed to happen the next day.  Then when he woke up, he would start with the most important and work his way down the list.  I love this idea.  If I can't prioritize ALL of the many things I do in a day, I can at least consider what the three most important are and follow President Kimball's good example.

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