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I was listening to an audio recording recently about streamlining household chores. The speaker’s intent was to share ways to make everyday chores flow more smoothly and she used the phrase “reduce the drag” in describing this process. This made me thing of airplanes, aerodynamic cars, and….swimming.
The Olympics are just closing down shop in beautiful London town. One of my very favorite summer Olympic events to watch is swimming. I know that swimmers do whatever they can to make their bodies flow more smoothly through water. Certain swimsuits “reduce the drag” that a swimmer’s body has in the water.
This made me think of other things in life beyond household chores and swimming. It made me wonder what things are producing a drag in my life. A drag on my energy, patience, charity, motivation, intellect, happiness.
In a media world filled with nonstop images that tell us we are not enough, it can be difficult and challenging to fight off feelings of inadequacy. We may be our own worst critic in nearly any and every part of our lives. Finding a way to avoid this false humility can reduce a lot of drag. How heavy life and it’s many responsibilities and challenges can feel to one who never quite feels good enough! President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said:
“Some people can’t get along with themselves. They criticize and belittle themselves all day long until they begin to hate themselves. May I suggest that you reduce the rush and take a little extra time to get to know yourself better. … Learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you—as His precious daughter or son with divine potential.”
Learning to see ourselves through the eyes of Heavenly Father. That’s a tall order, but an essential one. Prayer, pondering the messages of the scriptures, exercising faith in the Lord and in ourselves….all these things and many more can begin to give us a glimpse of our true selves. Once we begin to see this, the drag begins to get smaller and smaller and smaller.
What are some ways that you have been successful in overcoming this particular glitch in spiritual aerodynamics? Or perhaps this is not a challenge for you….what, then, do you feel is creating a drag in your daily swim through life?
Isn't it so easy to just get comfortable and then "forget" the basics? And then we wonder why things seem so stressful and chaotic! Me too, ladies…me too.
Great article, Julie. Niki, I am with you. I have the same "draggers" that you have.
Great article, Julie. Niki, I am with you. I have the same "draggers" that you have.
i think that not being consistently obedient in my gospel living is creating the "drag" for me. because when i am being obedient and praying daily; morning and night, and i am studying my scriptures daily,and etc, i am happy. i am more than happy. i feel joy, and peace. so, for me,…i need to be consistently obedient and that will reduce the drag! then i will accelerate through my progression!
great post julie!