rafting the san juan + latest epiphanies

Family is the best. Sometimes I forget how great it is to have people around that know you, love you, and that will just be around for a long time. I was reminded of this again these past couple of weeks as I got to spend time with three of my siblings and their families. Being an aunt is the best and fills a void I sometimes don't realize I have until it's filled (ignorance is bliss).

Not only is family the best, but time in nature with no cell reception or distractions is the best. It forces you to enjoy the moment -- a treasure that is lost with all the new luxuries of technology. I was recently listening to an awesome BYU speech (because, let's be honest here, that's all I do these days...that, and hike mountains...) that has really made me, and is still making me, reevaluate the cost of my technology. Some of my favorite quotes from his speech include:

"Allow yourself a space of quiet wherein you can add to the knowledge of the good and learn to curb your restlessness. Build spaces of quiet into your lives, be patient, and I think you will be surprised by the results."

"Build absence into your lives...embrace today's gifts [technology] but realize what they ask in return."

Being on the river for a week made me realize how freeing it is to let that go for a while. I'm working at doing more of that, but it's hard as it is everything we do.

Another epiphany I've (re-)had lately is that every challenge, sin, whatever you want to call it - is a matter of self control (natural man vs. spiritual man). Overeating? Battle of self control. Being unkind to those around us? A matter of acting vs. reacting, or controlling your initial natural reaction. Sleep longer than is needful? Self control. Fasting? Self control. Paying your tithing and living within your means? Self control. Law of chastity? Self control. Exercising? Self control. Reading your scriptures when x,y,z are reasons not to? Major self control. Although I've known this cognitively my whole life, I've felt it's importance poignantly the past few months as I've become aware of my complete lack of self control in one or more areas of my life. It's been a struggle, but it's one we're all in for for the long run, so, might as well start now. Or ten years ago. Late bloomer much?

This scripture is rediscovered gold in my life:

 "19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."

tangent. wow. back to my family and river trip...