Time For Ourselves – Sunday, March 11, 1984
Life is a serious matter. It’s a time to learn, a time to progress, a time of purpose. The Lord doesn’t want every little thing to get us down. He expects us to be tough, to be emotionally strong. Some individuals seem to have developed a greater capacity than others to cope with life. The closer we become to our Creator, the clearer our perspective will be, the greater our joy, the more manageable our challenges.
The scriptures tell us that we “…must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope…”1 We need to be positive and confident. We must create mental expectations about life, about our futures, about ourselves.
Perhaps those who have an easier time with life have invested in their inner space and have developed it to a higher degree. These are the people who have simplified their lives. They search for regular periods of solitude. They take the time to commune with themselves and to come to an understanding of what duties and priorities should be emphasized in their lives.
Anne Morrow Lindberg observed, “There is a quality of being alone that is incredibly precious. Life rushes back into the void, richer, more vivid, fuller than before.”2
“When one is a stranger to oneself, then one is estranged from others too. If one is out of touch with oneself, then one cannot touch others.”3
It is unfortunate that sometimes we must apologize for wanting to be alone, as if it were a secret vice. We should treat ourselves to the benefits of solitude on a regular basis. It isn’t difficult. We can begin by scheduling at least 15 minutes a day, preferably longer, to be alone. A good time is early in the morning when we are refreshed, and our minds are clear. There should be no review of the day’s activities, no worries about events that lie ahead—simply a few minutes of solitude for introspection.
Being at peace with ourselves is critical, for spiritual harmony within quickly translates to outer harmony. Even in the midst of life’s troubles and challenges, we will find that the person who has well-developed inner space remains wholly at peace, trusting in God and not in the world.
1 Book of Mormon, II Nephi 31:20
2 Anne Morrow Lindbergh, “Moon Shell,” Gift from the Sea, Vintage Books. 1978. p 42.
3 Ibid. p 44.
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March 11, 1984
Broadcast Number 2,847