For most of the "me" generation, this article is right on target. However for those of us who have moved along that path of live a good ways, we realize that being super intense in any one direction has its drawbacks. An Italian named Vilfredo Pereto (1848-1923) recognized a trend in life that he defined as the "80-20 rule." E.g., twenty percent of the people cause eighty percent of the problems. I have seen a lot of people burn out in the church for lack of a balance between serving others and taking time to serve their own maintenance needs. You can't give a person a drink of water from your bucket if your bucket is empty. I am aware of a lot of people in the church (and out) who suffer from clinical depression. They don't want to leave the house. They don't want to eat. They don't want to do anything. The answer given in the last General Conference for this malady is to be of focused and engrossing service to others and to have an attitude of gratitude for the good and the bad. Mixed with that is the requirement to feed our own souls. Soul food consists of reading the scriptures, praying, eating well balanced meals, sleeping seven to eight hours per night, exercise, and giving and receiving love. I believe that God has mastered this process and we need to do the same as we become like him.
DianaMarch 24, 2014
Thanks; great article! "what would thou have me do?" and "thy will be done" are such amazing lessons to learn. Keep up the great work! Remembering that through small and simple things, great things are brought to pass. - Diana, 1992 convert
Sharon McLarenMarch 24, 2014
I am from Vancouver Island. If you are in Vancouver BC, I am not far away. I have a niece on a mission in Manitoba and is loving it. I am going to pass on some of what you wrote.
God be with you.
Liz ShearerMarch 24, 2014
Thanks for those helpful insights Audrey. I daresay these things can be applied in some ways to everyday life as well as to life on a mission? Maybe it's just a question of taking the selfishness out of our lives. It can be a life-long struggle !
All the best to you.
Comments | Return to Story
Tom OliphantApril 18, 2014
For most of the "me" generation, this article is right on target. However for those of us who have moved along that path of live a good ways, we realize that being super intense in any one direction has its drawbacks. An Italian named Vilfredo Pereto (1848-1923) recognized a trend in life that he defined as the "80-20 rule." E.g., twenty percent of the people cause eighty percent of the problems. I have seen a lot of people burn out in the church for lack of a balance between serving others and taking time to serve their own maintenance needs. You can't give a person a drink of water from your bucket if your bucket is empty. I am aware of a lot of people in the church (and out) who suffer from clinical depression. They don't want to leave the house. They don't want to eat. They don't want to do anything. The answer given in the last General Conference for this malady is to be of focused and engrossing service to others and to have an attitude of gratitude for the good and the bad. Mixed with that is the requirement to feed our own souls. Soul food consists of reading the scriptures, praying, eating well balanced meals, sleeping seven to eight hours per night, exercise, and giving and receiving love. I believe that God has mastered this process and we need to do the same as we become like him.
DianaMarch 24, 2014
Thanks; great article! "what would thou have me do?" and "thy will be done" are such amazing lessons to learn. Keep up the great work! Remembering that through small and simple things, great things are brought to pass. - Diana, 1992 convert
Sharon McLarenMarch 24, 2014
I am from Vancouver Island. If you are in Vancouver BC, I am not far away. I have a niece on a mission in Manitoba and is loving it. I am going to pass on some of what you wrote. God be with you.
Liz ShearerMarch 24, 2014
Thanks for those helpful insights Audrey. I daresay these things can be applied in some ways to everyday life as well as to life on a mission? Maybe it's just a question of taking the selfishness out of our lives. It can be a life-long struggle ! All the best to you.
ADD A COMMENT