Make dinner. Check. Take medicine. Check. Say prayers. Check. Run errands around town. Check. I can go on and on. I’ve decided to be more present in these day-to-day things. Instead of it being my “chore”, I have my family help with these things. That way, when it is my time so say my prayers and read my scriptures, (the things that mean the most in this world) I am not too tired to give my full effort and attention to reading them.

My to-do list is ridiculously long with our big needs house. When I was participating in therapy, my therapist told me about a not-to-do list. It really helped me immensely to prioritize the things that absolutely needed to be done from the things that could be done another day.

Once I was able to do this, I had much more time to relax and be present and not feel like I had to run off and do something else. It’s helped me to feel more at peace throughout my day.

Recently, I was talking with a friend. They said that some people that have a lot of the truth of the Gospel will be surprised when Jesus Christ comes again and He says, “you knew me not”. (Matthew 22-23 KJV)

How much are we actually spending learning of Jesus Christ, getting to know Him, and really trying to be like Him? How much are we talking about Him and then going back and living in the world.

Are those that have a more fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ sharing that knowledge with others? Are they really appreciating what they have the knowledge of?

I have been pondering on Moses and the Israelites lately. Moses came down from the mountain with the higher law. He saw that his people were not ready for this. He destroyed the tablets and then later came back with the Ten Commandments.

Jesus came and taught of a higher law. Some people were ready to hear what he had to teach. Some were not. It was blasphemy to them. They were so fixated on the Ten Commandments, that they missed the opportunity to be taught by the Son of God.

Today we have opportunities to make covenants with God in the Temple. I have no doubt that soon there will be more knowledge given to us. Will we be ready for it?

I once heard a talk in church at a missionary homecoming. This man was talking about how he was told that he should be testifying of Christ every ten minutes of his class when he was called to teach a seminary or institute class (I can’t remember). He said that he fell short of that by far.

I am setting a more reasonable goal for myself than every ten minutes. Instead, I am just trying to talk about Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Parents in normal and daily conversations. I am trying to think about them throughout my day. To talk with Them in an ongoing prayer through the day.

I am trying to figure out how to incorporate daily repentance into my life. To see it differently than I learned about repentance growing up. That is a post for another day. I’m excited to share all that I have learned about repentance with you.

Come on this journey with me. Let’s see together how we can stop checking the boxes and be more present in the things that really matter. I have felt God’s presence and love so much more, and you know what? Things on the to do list still get done! They are just done with a much happier heart.