I Should Do .....

This has nothing to do with what I "should" do.  This is just a really cute picture
of Jake and his two favorite dogs -- Teddy (Kayli's dog) and Chewy (Trisa and Trav's Golden Retriever)

Sometimes I say, "I should do ...." (insert any number of things afterwards).  I have learned that, if I hear myself say I should do something, it is a good idea to stop and ask myself some questions.   Saying I should do something is often a clue that I may not actually want to do that thing, and I am doing it for the wrong reasons.

I really do need to occasionally do things I don't want to, but it is best if I can choose to do or not do something for good reasons -- reasons that don't leave me frustrated, or feeling picked on.  Sometimes when I have thought that I should do the dishes I have chosen to do them because I know I will have less stress in the morning if I wake up to a clean kitchen.  Other times I have chosen not to do the dishes I should do because I really want someone else to do them and I don't want to resent them when they don't jump in and volunteer -- especially if I'm not willing to ask for help.

I love the scriptures, but saying I should study them might be a clue that I haven't had experiences with the scriptures lately that I have found useful.  I may only be doing it right now because I think I am supposed to.  These are important things to realize! Doing something because we should is less useful and enjoyable than doing something because we want to.

The scriptures are the word of God, and so I believe that not studying them would be foolish.  It is important for me to keep doing it.  But when I notice that I am doing it just because I should, it signals a need to make some changes.  In this case it can be a good idea to try a different way of studying the scriptures.  I can be creative, pray for ideas, and keep trying different ways of studying until I find one that is enjoyable, and useful.

Every "should" can be a learning opportunity.  Asking ourselves questions about the things we think we "should" do, can lead us to better motivations.  It can lead us to choosing to do things because they are right, and to make changes that will lessen our frustration and resentment, and increase our peace and joy.