Only days after I registered Let Why Lead—when it was barely more than an idea floating in my head—I was listening to President Uchdorf speak to the women of my church when I heard him refer to the whys of our lives. It felt as if he had personally tapped me on the shoulder before continuing. His talk touched me, and I felt impressed that (regardless of any blog) continually remembering and reevaluating the whys of my life would help me become the woman I want to be.
In what feels like a past life (even though it was less than five years ago… Having kids will do that to you!), I helped people write their life histories. I interviewed an elderly woman from Tennessee for ten cumulative hours, and at the end, all I felt was sad for her. Her candor about past affairs and estranged children cemented my desire to live a life of meaning.
Today I changed three stinky diapers and wiped a baby’s goopy eyes all day long. I called a boiler repair company and checked the strength of door closers around my building, as part of my job. Riveting, I know. But I also helped that baby (whom I should really stop calling a “baby,” now that he’s approaching two years) say the prayer over dinner:
“Hev-fadder” (Heavenly Father)
“Dane-koo” (thank you)—
“Da-ee” (for Daddy)
“Hen’s bike” (and Trenton’s bike)
“Nen!” (Amen!) with his arms extended wide and a big smile on his face.
It may not always feel like a life of meaning, but sometimes I just have to remind myself that it is.
And just for fun, I’ve uploaded the printable I made and pinned on my inspiration board back in the fall. I uploaded the full file, so it should print nicely on a full sheet of heavy paper if you’d like one too. 🙂
I remember you saying how that was the part of the talk that you really related too, and when I saw the title of your new blog I figured that was where you had gotten it from. But the fact that you were thinking of it before it was talked about… I am impressed!! :0)