Today:

Wake up 5:00 am    -  Teach Water Aerobics 6:00-7:00 am   -    Buy Food for Bridal Shower tomorrow  -   Get kids ready and leave house by 8:45 am to be mentored for piano performance at the University next week -  Mentor Session in Salt Lake City  10:30-12:00  -  Drop off Library books   -  Eat lunch on the go   -   Child threw up in the car   -    Shakespeare play dress rehearsal (I am co-directing) 12:00-5:00 pm in Tooele (one hour away)  -  Eat Dinner  - Make food for the Shower tomorrow  -Etc.  -Sleep

This morning I woke up with this list of things to do today on my mind.  OK, I didn’t plan on one of my children throwing up, but the rest was planned.  Before I even got my swimsuit on to leave for the pool, I felt this tight feeling in my chest.  My head seemed to ache as well.  I tried taking some deep breaths to calm myself down.  It didn’t seem to work.  “Well, maybe the workout will relax me.”  I thought. 

I worked out and showered for the day.  My body felt strange.  It was almost as if I was living a dream.  I couldn’t calm down either.  I knew I shouldn’t worry, but I did.  I had felt that feeling before.  This was the same stressed feeling I felt after swimming the first 50 yards of my first triathlon a year ago.  I was panicing.  I was stressed.  Why?  I am not a stress kind of a person.  In fact I am usually known for being the easy going rational person in a crowd.  Could it have something to do with getting about 4 hours sleep too many nights this week?  Well,  probably.  My life is always a little nuts and I am usually fine.  It probably was the sleep factor. 

Well, regardless of the reason, I was stressed to the point of feeling like I was going to have a panic attack.  The thought that came into my head was, “you know what to do for this.  Ask God for peace”  In the locker room at the city pool, all alone, on a bench, I bowed my head and asked the Lord to bless me with the spirit of peace so that I could be relaxed throughout my fast paced day.  I was comforted with a feeling of calm assurance that I would have peace today. 

As I drove to Salt Lake, I was impressed with the thought to pay attention to how I felt.  We were running late, doing our family cannon, even scriptures, in the car, and I was so at ease.  I was completely calm.  The day was wonderful.  I enjoyed, really enjoyed all the craziness.  Well, maybe everything except the throw up. 

My loving Heavenly Father saw me today, and reminded me to turn to him for strength, peace and answers to my problems.  I felt the comfort of His arms today because I listened to His prompting to ask Him for help.  Humility is such a great teacher.  As a mother, wife and person I need Him.  I have a responsibility to listen to His messages to me, and if I do, life is enjoyable. 

This may be an unusual experience to share, but I think it applies to so much of what we do as parents.  First off, we do a lot.  Sometimes too much.  If I could have said No to things today I would have.  Sometimes we get stressed.  We need to make sure that days like I had today are the exception, not the rule. 

Second, everything is easier, and more enjoyable if we follow the guidance of God.  I think we need to think about consulting him more often though.  We are very capable people, but that doesn’t mean we have to suffer when life gets hard.  Whether it is a crazy car day or an out of control child, He can give us peace and clearness of mind, so that we can see what to do to change our outlook.

“When the outlook is bad, try looking up.”   (bathroom poster ~ author unknown)

What a day!