I’ve known a number of people who haven’t made the best choices in their lives during this last year. I’ve known a few people who have made really good choices. I’m probably somewhere in between.
And I tend to be extremely metacognitive, so I have reasons for things.
I only know my life for certain, but in talking with friends I’ve concluded something. In order to maintain strength, in order to stay strong, in order to make good choices, you have to have experiences that build faith. You have to have touchstones to rely on–things you’ve purposely chosen to do in order to maintain and grow faith.
Without purposely choosing to do things, you will fall. It’s inevitable. There is a Sisyphean aspect of life: if I am not struggling forward, I am sliding back.
Momentum is real. Choosing to progress is necessary.
As I learn more about balancing aspects of life, I realize the need to be more deliberate about creating specific moments where I experience forgiveness, repentance, atonement, guidance, and blessings.
Without choosing to engage in those types of experiences purposely, I start to fall behind. And that is not where I want to be.