"By the time it came to the edge of the Forest, the stream had grown up, so that it was almost a river, and, being grown-up, it did not run & jump & sparkle along as it used to do when it was younger, but moved more slowly. For it knew now where it was going, and it said to itself, "There is no hurry. We shall get there someday." But all the little streams higher up in the Forest went this way & that, quickly, eagerly, having so much to find out before it was too late." by A.A. Milne in The House At Pooh Corner

This just perfectly described how I've been feeling lately...like those little streams that are scurrying about unsure of themselves & where they are going. And so I am inspired by the grown-up stream who, "knew where it was going" and then slowed down & enjoyed getting there!!

I'm always trying to create this day that will run smoothly and weeks in which we'll get "it all done." But the other night, I realized that I don't remember a whole day in sequence of events. So am I trying in vain to create something that is of no value? We don't remember days, it is moments that we remember.

And so, in all of my planning & working & eagerness to "make it down out of the Forest" am I creating these moments that we can all cherish & remember?

Sister Beck asked these questions at BYU Women's Conference:

"Am I aligned with the Lord's vision of me & what He needs me to become & the roles & responsibilities He gave me in the heavens that are not negotiable?

Am I aligned with that or am I trying to escape my duties?

In putting all of these thoughts together, I've thought of a few things. It is important to me to plan my days & weeks. I think of my roles & responsibilities & my testimony, my husband & my children, my own dreams & education & growth & the care & upkeep of our home as I make these plans. But my goal has changed from creating the 'perfect day' to slowing down & doing less everyday so that we can create memories instead of speeding onto the next item to be checked off of a busy day's agenda.

Sister Beck also taught us "Mothers who know do less." I've had to decide what that means for me. It's a challenge in a busy world to slow down & believe the grown-up stream who says, "There is no hurry. We shall get there someday."

I guess we just have to know where we're trying to go.

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