The Mormon Hamster Wheel

From RfM:

Several years ago, a close friend of mine parted ways with the Church. She has been happy with her decision ever since and now lives a very fulfilled life. Anyway, in the first year after she left, she commented to me once that looking at the Church from the outside is like watching a hamster wheel where everyone is working feverishly to do the right thing, is exhausted all the time from all the running, and never gets anywhere. She described it as sheer madness. So we discussed some of the things that make up the hamster wheel. It is actually amazing that so many people are filling their lives with so many of these things. Here are some of them.

The DAILY things:
1. Read scriptures alone.
2. Read scriptures with the family.
3. Say personal prayers in the morning.
4. Say family prayers in the morning.
5. Say personal prayers in the evening.
6. Say family prayers in the evening.
7. Write in a personal journal.
8. Do missionary work.
9. Take time to ponder.

Add to that the WEEKLY things:
1. Go to Church on Sunday.
2. Go to PEC, Ward Council, BYC, PPI's, and various other meetings on Sunday or during the week.
3. Have Family Home Evening.
4. Attend Mutual if you are a teenager or an adult Youth leader.
5. Visit people at home if you are in a leadership position.

Add to that the MONTHLY things:
1. Hometeaching and Visiting Teaching.
2. Fasting.
3. Attend monthly meetings depending on your calling.
4. Go to the Temple.

Add to that the ONGOING things:
1. Genealogy.
2. Service projects.
3. Teaching classes.
4. Giving talks.
5. Watching or attending General Conference.
6. Attending leadership meetings.

And the hamster wheel spins on.


****My Thoughts****

This was MY life 5 years ago. The never ending rat race of Do More, Be More, Pray More, Study More, Prepare More and THINK LESS!