It’s a challenge to shut out all distractions and allow myself to ponder. Preparing for the Relief Society discussion this last Saturday, I had some quiet time to read and ponder while sitting at my kitchen table, looking out the window. This was a sacred time, just because I made a choice to remove all distractions and allowed myself to commune with my Father in Heaven.
Going on walks and on hikes does the same thing for me - it’s not only enjoying being outside but it’s thinking and pondering time. When I was in school and had to write a paper going on a walk would help me organize things in my mind and how I wanted to present things. Going on hikes by the river or in the mountains or the desert brings me closer to God and helps me to see things more clearly.
It is true that very few young people take time to ponder on important things and eternal things, but they have so many distractions that young Joseph did not have. Could you imagine if Joseph, instead of growing up on a farm, doing the daily work that entails, had instead grown up in an easy life with a phone and all the social media and things that kids are bombarded with today? You think it would have been as easy for him to ponder eternal things? I truly feel sorry for those growing up in today’s world. It has to be so hard. Even as adults there are so many distractions and unimportant things calling for our attention. We have to physically and mentally stop ourselves and take time away to study and ponder.
It’s a challenge to shut out all distractions and allow myself to ponder. Preparing for the Relief Society discussion this last Saturday, I had some quiet time to read and ponder while sitting at my kitchen table, looking out the window. This was a sacred time, just because I made a choice to remove all distractions and allowed myself to commune with my Father in Heaven.
Going on walks and on hikes does the same thing for me - it’s not only enjoying being outside but it’s thinking and pondering time. When I was in school and had to write a paper going on a walk would help me organize things in my mind and how I wanted to present things. Going on hikes by the river or in the mountains or the desert brings me closer to God and helps me to see things more clearly.
It is true that very few young people take time to ponder on important things and eternal things, but they have so many distractions that young Joseph did not have. Could you imagine if Joseph, instead of growing up on a farm, doing the daily work that entails, had instead grown up in an easy life with a phone and all the social media and things that kids are bombarded with today? You think it would have been as easy for him to ponder eternal things? I truly feel sorry for those growing up in today’s world. It has to be so hard. Even as adults there are so many distractions and unimportant things calling for our attention. We have to physically and mentally stop ourselves and take time away to study and ponder.