My Foundation: Live a Balanced Life—Maximum Time: 20 Minutes

Ponder:How do I keep the daily demands of life in balance?

Watch:“Of Regrets and Resolutions,” available at srs.lds.org/videos. (No video? Read page 55.)

Of Regrets and Resolutions

If you are unable to watch the video, read this script.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: 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.

Is it?

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.

Instead I see the compassionate and caring Son of God purposefully living each day. When He interacted with those around Him, they felt important and loved. He knew the infinite value of the people He met. He blessed them, ministered to them. He lifted them up, healed them. He gave them the precious gift of His time.

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Of Regrets and Resolutions,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 22)

Back to page 54.

Discuss:What did the Savior do to achieve a balanced life?

Read:Mosiah 4:27, 2 Nephi 9:51, and the quotes by Elder M. Russell Ballard (on the right) and President James E. Faust (on page 55)

“See that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength.”

Mosiah 4:27

“Do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy.”

2 Nephi 9:51

“Just do the very best you can each day. Do the basic things and, before you realize it, your life will be full of spiritual understanding that will confirm to you that your Heavenly Father loves you. When a person knows this, then life will be full of purpose and meaning, making balance easier to maintain.”

M. Russell Ballard, “Keeping Your Life in Balance,” Liahona, Sept. 2012, 50

“Balance in large measure is knowing the things that can be changed, putting them in proper perspective, and recognizing the things that will not change.”

James E. Faust, “The Need for Balance in Our Lives,” Ensign, Mar. 2000, 5

Discuss:What things can be simplified or eliminated from our lives so we can experience more joy?

Activity

Step 1: Read the quotes by Elder Dallin H. Oaks (on page 55).

Step 2: On your own, think about how you live your life each week. Now imagine you are 25 years older and you are still living the same way. Complete the two statements below about your life:

I just didn’t spend enough time

I spent too much time

Step 3: To avoid future regrets, write one or two things you can do to bring more balance in your life.

Commit:Commit to do the following actions during the week. Check the boxes when you complete each action:

• Act on your idea to bring more balance to your life.

• Share with your family or friends what you have learned about finding balance.

“Many breadwinners worry that their occupations leave too little time for their families. … However, I have never known of a man who looked back on his working life and said, ‘I just didn’t spend enough time with my job.’”

Dallin H. Oaks, “Good, Better, Best,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 105

“The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives.”

Dallin H. Oaks, “Good, Better, Best,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 104