Badge of Honor?

“Isn’t it true that we often get so busy?  And, sad to say, we even wear our busyness as a badge of honor, as though being busy, by itself, was an accomplishment or sign of a superior life.”

Today I reread Pres. Uchtdorf’s talk given in last general conference. Of all the significant thoughts he shared, the concept of busyness struck a chord in me and motivated me to write this blog post.  You see, I lived many years as a busy mom carrying the stress of trying to do everything I expected of myself.  The problem was, my expectations were not realistic and were seldom attained.  That led to feelings of frustration and failure.  It was only years later that I realized that my “to do” list would never be completely checked off no matter how fast I hurried or how proficient at multi-tasking I became. I was always hurrying to accomplish more and to do it as well as others, feeling through it all that that was part of what defined success (and wondering why life was so hard).

President went on to say . . .

“I think of our Lord and Exemplar, Jesus Christ, and His short life among the people of Galilee and Jerusalem.  I have tried to imagine Him bustling between meetings or multitasking to get a list of urgent things accomplished. 

I can’t see it.”

Being unhurried, becoming “unbusy,” is a gift we have received on our mission.  Much of the busy-ness of life has been taken away.  We have a simple focus - service.  The temple, where we spend the majority of our time, is not a place to be in a hurry, and whenever I see someone who is, it doesn’t feel right. 

For example . . . 

I admire the example of coordinators who are constantly adjusting the schedules of workers to meet urgent needs, but doing it with calm dignity.  

I overhear workers speaking words slowly, reverently, humbly, kindly, and I know that the things that matter most are not hurried.  

When I serve as greeter, as I do almost daily, I enjoy seeing the contrast between patrons arriving (hurrying, breathing hard, checking their watches, filled with concern and urgency) and patrons leaving (calm, happy, content, at peace).  It is a miraculous transformation that happens daily in 

the House of the Lord.

I hope when I return home, I will continue to remember that busyness is not a badge of honor.  I always want to take the time to enjoy the journey and to be available to assist others and in the ways that really matter along the path.