Are there so many fascinating, exciting things to do or so many challenges pressing down upon you that it is hard to keep focused on that which is essential? When things of the world crowd in, all too often the wrong things take highest priority. Then it is easy to forget the fundamental purpose of life. Satan has a powerful tool to use against good people. It is distraction. He would have good people fill life with “good things” so there is no room for the essential ones. Have you unconsciously been caught in that trap?
Elder Richard G. Scott, "First Things First", Ensign, May 2001
It is so easy to get distracted, especially if you have a short attention span like me. 😁
Life is full of wonderful things. The trick is to learn to manage and prioritize those wonderful things. Many times, I think that I've accomplished something just because I haven't done anything wrong (that I know of) during a particular day. I think that just because I haven't caused a negative then that must be a positive, right?
But just because I haven't taken a step backwards doesn't mean that I've taken a step forwards either. It just means that I'm standing still, standing stagnant.
So, I may be busy in my life doing good things, a lot of them. But are they things that will push me forward along the path towards eternal life? Maybe they are. And maybe they need to be done. Maybe they just nudge me a little bit forward. But there are far more essential and important things that I could be doing, and should be doing, that will cause me to make great strides forward, even huge leaps. So I must find a balance between what is necessary now vs. what is essential for my eternal welfare.
How quickly I make it down the path towards perfection depends entirely on what I choose to do right now.