Always Enough Time

As I watched the life of Gordon B. Hinckley in review on BYU television I was impressed with the influence he had on so many aspects of the Church during his lifetime. His own life mirrored what he taught, “Stand a little taller; walk a little faster; work a little harder.” He seemed to have a sense of “urgency” in doing the Lord’s work here on this earth.  Each phase of his life was filled with doing and accomplishing good works. It just wasn’t his later years in which he exemplified this attitude…it was in his younger years also.

Both of my parents are in their eighties and have very busy lives, serving as family history librarians, weekly temple trips, experts on their computers (they each have one), compiling and creating books of life stories, ward histories, just to list a few of their major activities.  They always have “projects” going on, in addition to their daily routine. I was checking in with my mother the other day and she made an interesting remark.  “Sometimes we forget that we are not sixty anymore!”  I responded that their secret to accomplishment is in the fact that they don’t remind each other they are in their eighties.   She made the comment that this is the best time of their lives and her only regret is that she probably doesn’t have the years left to accomplishment all her mind has thought to do.

This made me reflect on my own life and that of my children’s families.  We have someone in most every phase of life from baby, preschool, teen, college, mission, engaged to be married, newlywed, new first baby to in the middle of raising a family. All of our children have just left the nest. We have siblings who are leaving on missions and finally my parents who are still teaching us by example even now.  Life is just full, but the thread I see woven throughout their lives consists of two main patterns.  First, I see demonstrated attitudes of… “This is the best time of life!” and second, I see a desire to accomplish.  I sense that same urgency in doing the Lord’s work in all the different phases of life they are in.  Time is not wasted on projects that do not matter. Their lives are all in different seasons yet they find time to accomplish what the Lord requires of them in their respective circumstances.

In talking with others I often hear them lament… “Oh, I’m too busy” or “I just can’t find enough time.”  We all are busy but is our life full of constructive busyness or destructive busyness?  I don’t believe we ever heard President Hinckley say in his life… “I’m too busy to…” His life was full of service and in building up the kingdom.  Planning with a purpose and with an end in mind will help us have a life that is full of accomplishment and great works.  There is always time, if we make time, to do the things we want to accomplish. I guess the question is…are our chosen activities the ones that move us forward?

"I urge you to examine your life. Determine where you are and what you need to do to be the kind of person you want to be. Create inspiring, noble and righteous goals that fire your imagination and create excitement in your heart. And then keep your eye on them. Work consistently towards achieving them." --Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Life's Lessons Learned", May 2007 Ensign

President’s Hinckley’s life’s accomplishments will be written in history but I, for one, hope that I will always remember is ability to accomplish.  Standing taller, walking faster, working harder and focused in on doing good works.