Recently I experienced an episode of reduced visibility. I work at a computer approximately 8 hours a day, Monday to Friday and before work one morning, when my eyes seemed particularly blurry, I had Elder Ames help wash my eyes out with eye drops.
It did not
really help, and even though I blinked repeatedly and removed my glasses to
gently (and eventually vigorously) rub my eyes a couple times nothing made any
real difference.
At work
the blurry view continued. Since I was not working productively I decided to
spend a few minutes cleaning my glasses while waiting for any possible changes.
(I keep the cleaner and a linen cloth in my desk and regularly ensure the
glasses are clean.)
Well!!
Duh!! My glasses were disgusting.
Sometimes the simplest routine routines make a genuine difference.
Whenever I am struggling with something I begin checking basics:
ü
Did
I get enough sleep?
ü
Have
I eaten? – properly?
ü
And
had enough water to drink?
ü
Am
I following the Word of Wisdom? [1]
ü
Did
I say personal prayers – do I need to pray again?
ü
And
what about scripture study?
ü
Am
I reading the Book of Mormon?
ü
Is
there a possible health concern?
ü
Is
there a spiritual concern?
This list could go on and on and on. To avoid wasting time and effort, occasionally I must define routines or processes to improve my own clarity.
I ask myself: How do I need to
refine my understanding? What can I do to improve in any specific area? Have I
studied any resources?
I
regularly check such things. It bothered me a bit that initially I neglected
to check if my glasses were clean!
Like eyedrops and cleaning glasses, first I need to avoid making assumptions
– assumptions like thinking that because it was early in the morning sleepy eyes created blurry vision smudges.
The eye drops felt wonderful and were harmless, yet something else was needed.
Routines and habits can obscure or reveal – help or hinder! I still wonder about mine. Questions are a helpful habit for me.
What about you?
[1.] Doctrine and Covenants Section 89
President
Boyd K. Packer: “The Word of Wisdom was ‘given for a principle with
promise’ (D&C 89:3). … A principle is an enduring
truth, a law, a rule you can adopt to guide you in making decisions. Generally
principles are not spelled out in detail. Members write in asking if this thing
or that is against the Word of Wisdom. … We teach the principle together with
the promised blessings. There are many habit-forming, addictive things that one
can drink or chew or inhale or inject which injure both body and spirit which
are not mentioned in the revelation. … Obedience to counsel will keep you on
the safe side of life” (“The Word of Wisdom: The Principle and the Promises,” Ensign,
May 1996, 17–18).
