Cultivation Station

"Find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests. Pick one or two things that you would like to learn or do that will enrich your life, and make time for them. Water cannot be drawn from an empty well, and if you are not setting aside a little time for what replenishes you, you will have less and less to give to others, even to your children." - M. Russell Ballard For full article link here.

So I was thinking about this fantastic talk the other day, and thought, what do I do to enrich MYSELF? What if I do a gazillion things? I think I may take his advice a LITTLE over the top. I don't remember my mom doing all of these things for herself? And she was the best mom ever. Of course, I only have one baby, so I have more time? In any case, here are the things that I do to enrich my life. What do you do to enrich your life?

I work part-time. Once a week I leave Emma with my fantastic mother-in-law to visit with veterans. I travel to their homes to assess their living conditions and quality of life. I then write a 10-12 page report on my findings making recommendations for improvement to the VA. I write all my reports from home. It could quite possibly be the best part-time job EVER. I love my boss. I love my company. I love social work. I really really love working with veterans. No, we really don't need the money to pay the bills, but I do it for personal enrichment. The money goes into savings or to pay off student/car/home loans.
I play my violin in the Tempe Symphony. I've played the violin since I was three. It is just part of who I am. I fought with my mother every day she MADE me practice... but I am so grateful now that she persevered. I rehearse every Monday night and have four performances a year. I am so happy when I pull out my violin and play with the orchestra. It is so fulfilling and I hope I can do this for many, many years to come.
I love to read and belong to a FABULOUS book club that meets once a month. Reading is something I have loved since I was young. I started on Babysitters Club, Encyclopedia Brown, Nancy Drew and the "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" trilogy. Nothing says "relaxation" better than curling up to a great book on a comfortable couch. I'm not a big television fan and would MUCH rather entertain myself with characters from a novel. Do I sometimes neglect Emma so that I can finish my latest read? ummmm.... perhaps.
Sure, I'd love to get liposuction, a tummy tuck and a butt lift - but it's never gonna happen. Instead, I get up early on Mon, Wed, Fri to meet my aunt at the gym and on Tues and Thurs evenings I have joined a "stroller strides" class through the City of Tempe. Greg and I try to do some exercising together on Saturday mornings (although the summer heat has prevented this for the last 4 months). I have not always loved to exercise. In fact, I bought my first sports bra in college (if that tells you anything). Since my BYU step aerobic days, I have continued to exercise and really do enjoy it. Sure, I still have cellulite and fat rolls, but I'm out there exercising, so it's gotta be doing SOMETHING good for me.
You name the Relief Society activity, I do it. We are so blessed to have this organization. For more information click here.