Uchtdorf encourages serenity

Slow down a little, focus on essentials and do not face the bumps and turbulence of life alone was the counsel President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave in the Saturday morning session of General Conference.

Many people are living their lives like there is no tomorrow, and Uchtdorf admonished members of the LDS faith to look for signs of being too busy doing good things while ignoring turbulence in their lives.

“Let’s be honest,” he said, “it’s rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list.”

As life becomes stressful, many of us tend to keep up the game at the same pace and play even harder and faster. It is easy to completely ignore the fact that we are only five minutes into the second quarter and there are two full quarters left.

According to LDS beliefs, it is easy forget that life is just a test and individuals don’t have to fill in every single second of their lives and as they go through it. People need to remember the reason they are here and not just go through the motions.

It is beneficial to take time to think, to meditate, to relax physically and mentally and to let the Holy Ghost give guidance through those things that will shape individuals into who they need to be.

Life is not easy, and as Uchtdorf counseled in his talk, it is a good thing to slow down a little and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions.

Comparing aircraft turbulence with speed bumps and real life, he asked his audience to analyze their lives and see the things missed by speeding through those bumps.

It’s best not to complicate life more than it already is. Like Uchtdorf said, people “often feel increased frustration, diminished joy and too little sense of meaning in their lives” when things are taken to an extreme. Trying to become the best possible person is good, but people should remember to enjoy the journey while becoming that person.

“There comes a point where milestones can become millstones and ambitions, albatrosses around our necks,” Uchtdorf said. “The wise understand and apply the lessons of tree rings and air turbulence. They resist the temptation to be caught up in the frantic rush of everyday life. … In short, they focus on the things that matter most.”

He reminded listeners of what they already knew: to understand the fundamentals of the gospel – scriptures and the words of the prophet – and not be distracted by other things that seem more enticing in the world.

“Turning our ways to His ways is the beginning of our wisdom,” Uchtdorf said.

The Savior’s message is as loving and as simple as learning the ABCs.

“He doesn’t speak with a powerful megaphone but with a still, small voice,” Uchtdorf said. “Lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most.”