Satan loves for you to get so busy that you are too busy to listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. He doesn't particularly care if everything you are doing are good things, as long as you are so busy that you step out of tune with His Spirit.
In the October 2010 General Conference, Elder Dieter L. Uchtdorf gave a wonderful talk on slowing down and keeping life simple. He stated:
"Let’s be honest; it’s rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list. They flood the open spaces in their time with lists of meetings and minutia—even during times of stress and fatigue. Because they unnecessarily complicate their lives, they often feel increased frustration, diminished joy, and too little sense of meaning in their lives.
It is said that any virtue when taken to an extreme can become a vice. Over scheduling our days would certainly qualify for this. There comes a point where milestones can become millstones and ambitions, albatrosses around our necks.
As we turn to our Heavenly Father and seek His wisdom regarding the things that matter most, we learn over and over again the importance of four key relationships: with our God, with our families, with our fellowman, and with ourselves. As we evaluate our own lives with a willing mind, we will see where we have drifted from the more excellent way. The eyes of our understanding will be opened, and we will recognize what needs to be done to purify our heart and refocus our life."
My dear family, I urge you that in the times of your life where you realize that things have gotten out of balance, take the time to take care of all 4 of the relationships that Elder Uchtdorf mentioned. Your relationship with God, through prayer, scripture study, temple attendance, among others. Second, your relationship with your family. Family prayer, scripture study, family home evening, and just plain time and fun with each other! Third, your fellowman. Look around you and see what acts of kindness you can perform. There is nothing like service to those who need it to put your own problems into perspective. and lastly your relationship with yourself. Have you gotten so busy serving others or doing life's necessities that you have neglected to nurture your individual worth? taking time to exercise and meditate and the occasional date with yourself can free your mind and heal the soul.
Let us simplify our lives a little. The simplicity of the gospel is always the true source for peace and happiness in our lives.
