One of my new “good habits” I’m trying to make is reading something uplifting (scriptures and/or conference Ensigns) each morning before I get out the door. It is HARD. Everything that needs to be done swirls around me and vies for my attention, but if I sit for a minute and read, my days feel so much more fulfilled.

This morning I read this from President Hinckley (amidst a great article about service):

“He who lives only unto himself withers and dies, while he who forgets himself in the service of others grows and blossoms in this lift and in eternity.”

I love that. I love that being a Mother makes it easier to remember to serve others…we pretty much have to serve in order to keep our families going. And we serve others around us together with our families to show the happiness service brings (always working on that one).

But reading this made me think once again that I’m so thankful for the service that I get to give to my family as the Mother. I think it’s interesting how even though I’m trying to help them, reaching outside of myself really helps me grow the most.

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8 Comments

  1. I love the image of growing and blooming. On your extra busy days, you can pop on one of these speeches and listen while you work.

    http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=browse&year=.5

    There's something magical that happens, though, when you train yourself to just sit for a minute and read. I think that quiet time really allows you the chance to focus on what the Lord would have you do next.

  2. What a beautiful reminder! Thanks Shawni. And I love Pres Hinckley's quote. I find myself lacking in time as well and while I am getting ready every morning I listen to a conference talk on my computer. It helps my days go by so much more smooth.

  3. Last night, I had insomnia. I found this blog through Mormon Mommy Blogs and I spent hours reading it. Thank you so much for taking the time to write down your thoughts here. You are a great writer and your messages are so inspiring. Your blog made me excited to be a stay-at-home mom and excited about the gospel again. And, I also served a mission in Romania (I got home in 2005), so that is sweet.

  4. i just wanted to say 'thanks' tonight. because of an old posting i read of yours, i spent a few more minutes tucking the kids in tonight. we talked. it was sweet.

  5. It was great to hear from you! Yes, you would love Idaho…I know some people who could show you around if you ever want to come for a visit. 🙂 I loved catching up on your latest and seeing how big your babies are getting. They are beautiful! You do such a great job connecting your family together. It's inspiring!

  6. Shawni..thanks so much for sharing your thoughts here…I have enjoyed checking in once in awhile. I must tell you that a few posts back you talked about creating good habits. Well, you inspired me and we started to do the same here..and it is working and I am so thrilled. It has been a month now and still going strong. I am so relieved that maybe I won't be sending my children out into the world living like slobs (make beds and put clothes away properly) I just had to tell you thanks and thank you for this post today as well…I so agree. The older I get the more I see that in life what really matters and is of greatest worth to me is what I do for others and most especially for my family.

  7. Sometimes when we feel guilty about not helping the homeless more or spending more time in the center city with people we should be helping, we have to remember that as a mom, you already give 168 hours a week serving our families (okay take out about 40 for sleeping). What a marvelous thing that service to our families is endless!

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