A few months ago the doorknob that opened the door between our garage and our house broke. Since that is such a fascinating event, I felt the need to blog about it here.
I did leave out some details that seemed rather insignificant at the time. When my son and I were at Lowe’s, figuring out what knob to buy to replace the broken one, my son suggested we get a lever. It made sense, considering most of the door knobs in our house are actually door levers. So, we bought one, brought it home and installed it.
Here we are, almost six months later, and almost every single day I am glad we bought a lever instead of replacing the knob. Why?
It seems that almost every time I get out of my car and need to go through that door, my hands are full. Whether it be my laptop, bags of groceries, boxes or a large beverage. In the old days, I would have to stack things precariously, or set them on the ground to then turn the knob.
Now, it is as simple as pushing on the lever, with a box, an elbow, or my hands. Voilà, the door opens. I love it, and every time I open that door without having to turn the knob, I am glad we made the choice we did.
Sure, it was a simple, almost insignificant thing, but I am glad we made the change almost every day. Especially since our house has been undergoing some sort of construction for the past few months and that has become a high-traffic door.
You might be asking why I am rambling on about a door lever in a Sunday post? Here is my thought: What other small changes could I make in my life that could make my life just a little easier, a little better?
Elder L. Tom Perry took us through this idea when he encouraged us that, “In our search to obtain relief from the stresses of life, may we earnestly seek ways to simplify our lives.” (link)
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.” (Link)
Life is stressful, and I know from experience that a complicated life is even more stressful. I know what it feels like to have more plates spinning than I can possibly maintain. Busy is good, but overwhelmed – not so much.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf added, “Isn’t it true that we often get so busy? And, sad to say, we even wear our busyness as a badge of honor, as though being busy, by itself, was an accomplishment or sign of a superior life.” (Link)
One way we can make our lives simpler is by being righteous. It does sound a little vague, so here are the words of Elder William R. Bradford: “In righteousness there is great simplicity. In every case that confronts us in life there is either a right way or a wrong way to proceed. If we choose the right way, we are sustained in our actions by the principles of righteousness, in the which there is power from the heavens. If we choose the wrong way and act on that choice, there is no such heavenly promise or power, and we are alone and are destined to fail.” (link)
Here is a timely example of simplicity through righteousness: When I was a bishop, I used to love tithing settlement. It was a great time to visit with all the members of the ward. However, some people weren’t so excited, particularly those who had procrastinated their payment of tithing unit the end of the year, rather than making normal payments throughout. I have done both, and I can reassure you that December can be stressful enough without having to play catch-up with tithing. A simple change? Pay tithing every month.
I have written before that I think that as church members we have often failed in adopting the concept of simplification in our lives and or church units in my post, “Simplicity: Our Generations “Fail.”
Today I am thinking smaller. Door knob small. What kind of things can I do, or change to make my life easier? I’m sure there are a bunch, and my list would be completely different than your list, so I’ll leave it at that. (You probably have better ideas anyway. Please share.)
I do think that sometimes we are reluctant to change ourselves or our circumstance because we think the change has to be gigantic to be significant. I think the reality is more in line with what Alma said:
“Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.” (Alma 37:6)
President Hinckley added a lot to the discussion of “little” when he coupled us, “Now, brethren and sisters, let us return to our homes with resolution in our hearts to do a little better than we have done in the past. We can all be a little kinder, a little more generous, a little more thoughtful of one another. We can be a little more tolerant and friendly to those not of our faith, going out of our way to show our respect for them.” (link)
He didn’t ask for a seismic shift in our behavior, he merely asked us to make small adjustments. Door knob-sized adjustments.
Thank you Charlotte. Your sharing did help me. Your ‘One Truth, One Law’ reminds me of something my therapist brother in law has told me to ask myself: ‘Is what I am about to say or do, bringing me closer or further away from… (God, your spouse, your siblings, your children…). Great perspective.
I love simplicity! I have even boiled life to one Truth and one Law.
The Truth is our profound connection to God and, by extension, our profound connection to each other as His children. Everything we do in the Church and in our daily lives are opportunities to strengthen or weaken the experience of connection. “If ye are not one, ye are not mine.” And turn the hearts of the children to the fathers and the fathers to the children lest the whole earth be wasted… (paraphrasing of the many scripture references referring to this distinction). We are allowed to choose what level of connection we desire and are willing to work for. The most connected experience we have access to is through the covenant life offered through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
The one Law is love (think the two Great Commandments). Obedience to the one “Law, irrevocably decreed” is what works to keep us connected to God and each other. We can try doing things outside the Law (and the Savior’s Atonement lets us learn from our trying without the consequences of eternal damnation), but if we are paying attention, we see that doing so keeps us from the connection we all fundamentally long to experience.
I feel to put an asterisk by “we all,” as there are some (but I think relatively very few) who seek not connection, but forceful domination. These are Satan’s true disciples.
Anyway, this simple view has helped me keep perspective on my priorities, motives, management of my time and energy. Maybe my sharing can help someone else, too. ?
great post, thanks
When I was doing my internship for my teaching degree I was under a seasoned teacher of 6th and 7th graders. One day we were working together and I was writing down and taking notes for some assignments we were working on for the following week. My pen kept skipping. I had to stop and shake it a few times while I was writing down what he wanted me to do. Out of no where he snatched the pen out of my hands, threw it in the trash, and replaced it with his own. He said, something I’ll never forget. “Don’t not let something we can control be an added frustration. Just get a new damn pen.” The older I’ve gotten the more wisdom I find in this idea. Replace all the handles with leavers and don’t waste your time with frustrating pens!
This reminds me of Elder Larry Lawrence’s talk in October 2015…”What Lack I Yet?” If we ask the spirit what we lack or what we need to change, it will give us personalized counsel. He said, “I would like to suggest that each of you participate in a spiritual exercise sometime soon, perhaps even tonight while saying your prayers. Humbly ask the Lord the following question: “What is keeping me from progressing?” In other words: “What lack I yet?” Then wait quietly for a response. If you are sincere, the answer will soon become clear. It will be revelation intended just for you.”
He also explained that the Holy Ghost won’t ask us to change everything at once. “The Holy Ghost doesn’t tell us to improve everything at once. If He did, we would become discouraged and give up. The Spirit works with us at our own speed, one step at a time, or as the Lord has taught, “line upon line, precept upon precept, … and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, … for unto him that receiveth I will give more.”
In other words, the Holy Ghost will give us one small and simple thing to work on and then another and another.
Great post.
Just the other day, I decided to make a rule for myself: no texting while cooking. I’ve usually got lots of children underfoot making me multi-task too much anyway, and when you throw texting into the mix, I end up snapping at my children (as I’m slaving away trying to make a nutritious meal FOR THEM). So, simple solution: no more texting!
I love your thoughts on this matter. I am well past my youth and have had many, varied experiences. I recently made one of those small everyday changes that have impacted my everyday life – like your door knob. It has made me ponder on what other things that I could simplify, both temporal and spiritual, that would make my life more productive. Really enjoy your posts. Thanks.
Excellent post…. Excellent advice. Thank you MMM
I like this idea. Small and simple things are often the greatest, as Alma said. I think too that we often expect change to be bigger or harder than it actually is. Like those times where the anxious anticipation for an event ends up being greater than the stress of the event itself. Or when we finally decide to make a switch after months of agonizing and dragging our feet, only to exclaim when the change is made, WHY didn’t I do this sooner!? I tell ya, sometimes I can almost hear Heavenly Father saying (in the most loving way of course), I told you so 😀
I need to work on getting to bed on time. Mornings are always hectic and even worse if I get up late because I stayed up too late.
As i get older and walk a little slower, I see the wisdom more and more to simplify my life. Often I feel that I am letting others down if I am not involved and contributing. But, I am now so tired all the time. It would be wise of me to evaluate and prioritize in a more meaningful way. That way I can contribute and still enjoy some down time.