Official Porch Sitter

By Kimberly Jensen

I first heard of the "Official Porch Sitters Club" during the end of a newscast one evening. You know, the last story of the nightly news that is full of fluff and good feelings to help you sleep at night after watching previous stories of dread and fear. I haven't officially joined the club on paper but I consider myself a member of this club because everytime my father comes to visit, that is what we do. We sit on the porch. My dad stays with us about once a month for a few nights so that my mom can get a few things done and get a much deserved break from being a full time caregiver to my dad who has Parkinson's. One of my dad's favorite things to do is just sit on our front porch and watch the woods for deer. He sees them often, but they don't always come into his view. But still we sit and visit. Sometimes there are long conversations about his childhood growing up in Pleasant Grove and memories of family vacations. But those long conversations are few and far between and most of the time we just sit in the presence of each other and breathe. I've found peace in those moments of just breathing and sitting beside the man who struggles for nearly every breathe he takes. He is thankful for each one and I am thankful that I am there to witness his gratitude, strength and endurance. Because of my father I have a greater appreciation and understanding of one of the famous "Be's," that being "Be Still."

Be Still and Know that I am God, Part II

-- By Sidne O'Reilly

Please forgive me for taking so long to write the second installment of this blog. Life just kind of swept me away for a while, but I am back.

The question I asked last time is how we can learn to be still and cancel out the brain noise so that we can “know that I am God?” Prayer is a good option. Meditating in the Celestial Room of the temple is a wonderful idea. But is there a way to create temple moments in our day-to-day lives?

I don’t know about you but it seems that time is condensing or going faster. (I have heard that this happens as you get older, but I wouldn’t be surprised in younger people are feeling the same thing.) How do we find a way amid noise, (self inflicted or otherwise) and hectic surroundings to bring our spirits in alignment with Heavenly Father’s spirit?

I have found some solutions to this in a very unlikely place – Oprah Winfrey.

You may have heard that she has been giving free internet classes on Eckhart Tolle’s book, “A New Earth, Awakening to Your Life’s Purposes.” Since it was about finding you life’s purpose which is one of the things I talk about in “The Twelve Week Challenge” I thought it would be wise to look into it.

I was put off by Eckhard’s disregard for organized religion and his discounting of the Divinity of Jesus Christ. In spite of these deep failings, as I read the book and put it through the filter of gospel understanding, I found some principles of great value. He teaches a theory of how to:

• clear the clutter of the mind
• recognize the natureal man, (which he calls ego)
• get in touch with your spirit, (which he calls being)
• make contact with Heavenly Father, (which he calls Presence)
  

He accomplishes this through a very simple practice of becoming still. So how do you become still?

It is just a matter of taking conscious breaths. You know we will breathe whether we think about it or not. So what we have to do is focus on nothing but our breath going in and out of our body. Just notice our breathing; what it feels like as it enter and exits. As we do this, the thoughts about our past or future dissolve into the quieting present. It may take a few practice times for the brain clatter to dissipate, but it can happen. It is extremely refreshing. This practice gives your spirit the opportunity to come to the forefront. It is not our spirit that worries about the future or stresses about the past. Our spirit-selfs live in the present and are aware of “Presence” or Heavenly Father.

I has been my experience that as we become still more often, we find more of the peace we are seeking and come to know God better.

I am cheering for you!