Hard Work

Who doesn't struggle with motivation sometimes? I do more often than I don't. I felt, as I listened to General Conference over the weekend, that many of the talks mentioned the importance of work. Maybe it only stood out to me because of my need to improve that area of my life. As a mother, and especially as a stay-at-home mom, I feel that the challenge to be self-motivated is even greater. You have no outside source telling you when to finish something, nor do you have an end to much of the work you do.

I'm having one of those days. I woke up late. I did the bare minimum necessary to get out of the house and accomplish the few things that couldn't wait: have the car checked, deposit checks, fill prescription, etc. I got home and have done a whole lot of nothing since. :) It's easy to fill my day with non-essentials. But when I get to the end of it, I feel no joy or fulfillment. I feel tired, but for no good reason. The apartment is messy, I still haven't taken a shower, there are dishes in the sink. The silly thing about all of this is that I know what I have to do to have a good day, I just don't always do it.

But tomorrow I will.

Tomorrow I will wake up early. I will get dressed and ready for the day first thing. I will roll up my sleeves and get right to work. I'll make myself a good breakfast. I'll take my baby to the library and sing and play with her. I'll go above and beyond just what must be done. I'll use my time wisely during her nap. I'll read my scriptures and other good books. I'll exercise or nap. I'll renew my energy while she's sleeping so that when she wakes up I'll be excited to read to her, dance with her, and play outside with her. I'll be prepared for whatever comes my way, whether it's an opportunity to serve, or guests dropping by, or an emergency. And when my husband gets home, I'll make him a good dinner. We'll be able to talk and relax because the work will have already been done. Our home will have the spirit because it's clean and contention-less. And when I wake up the next morning it will be easier to get everything done because I will have no catching up to do.

Hard work brings blessings. I know this. Now I just have to apply it.