When growing conditions are not ideal trees slow down their growth and focus their energy on the fundamentals of survival.

Let’s be honest, it’s rather easy to be busy.

The wise understand the lessons of tree rings and turbulence. … We sometimes have to forego some good things in order to choose better things (Good, Better, Best)

Leonardo DaVinci said simplicity is the ultimate sophistication

Four key relationships:

1. relationship with God
• In order to improve our relationship with god we need to spend time with Him alone.
2. family relationships
• in many families love is spelled T-I-M-E
3. relationships with others
4. relationship with ourselves
• get to know yourself I need to work on this

t is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions.

Let’s be honest; it’s rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list. They flood the open spaces in their time with lists of meetings and minutia – even during times of stress and fatigue.

The wise understand and apply the lessons of tree rings and air turbulence. They resist the temptation to get caught up in the frantic rush of everyday life. They follow the advice “There is more to life than increasing its speed.” In short, they focus on the things that matter most. This is where he references Good, Better, Best.

The search for the best things inevitably leads to the foundational principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ – the simple and beautiful truths revealed to us by a caring, eternal, and all-knowing Father in Heaven. These core doctrines and principles, though simple enough for a child to understand, provide the answers to the most complex questions of life.

There is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity that we sometimes do not appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions.

…

Leonardo da Vinci is quoted as saying that “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” When we look at the foundational principles of the plan of happiness, the plan of salvation, we can recognize and appreciate in its plainness and simplicity the elegance and beauty of our Heavenly Father’s wisdom. Then, turning our ways to His ways is the beginning of our wisdom.

I think most of us intuitively understand how important the fundamentals are. It is just that we sometimes get distracted by so many things that seem more enticing.
Printed material, wide-ranging media sources, electronic tools and gadgets – all helpful if used properly – can become hurtful diversions or heartless chambers of isolation.

The holy scriptures and the spoken word of the living prophets give emphasis to the fundamental principles and doctrines of the gospel. The reason we return to these foundational principles, to the pure doctrines, is because they are the gateway to truths of profound meaning. They are the door to experiences of sublime importance that would otherwise be beyond our capacity to comprehend.

My dear brothers and sisters, we would do well to slow down a little, proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most. Let us be mindful of the foundational precepts our Heavenly Father has given to His children that will establish the basis of a rich and fruitful mortal life with promises of eternal happiness. They will teach us to do “all these things?.?.?.?in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that [we] should run faster than [we have] strength. [But] it is expedient that [we] should be diligent, [and] thereby?.?.?.?win the prize.”

Brothers and sisters, diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world. That is why “we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ,?.?.?.?that [we] may know to what source [we] may look for a remission of [our] sins.” In the complexity, confusion, and rush of modern living, this is the “more excellent way.”

As we turn to our Heavenly Father and seek His wisdom regarding the things that matter most, we learn over and over again the importance of four key relationships: with our God, with our families, with our fellowman, and with ourselves. As we evaluate our own lives with a willing mind, we will see where we have drifted from the more excellent way. The eyes of our understanding will be opened, and we will recognize what needs to be done to purify our heart and refocus our life.

1. Our relationship with God is most sacred and vital.
• As we seek Him, as we learn of His Son, Jesus Christ, as we open our hearts to the influence of the Holy Spirit, our lives become more stable and secure. We experience greater peace, joy, and fulfillment as we give our best to live according to God’s eternal plan and keep His commandments.
• We improve our relationship with our Heavenly Father by learning of Him, by communing with Him, by repenting of our sins, and by actively following Jesus Christ, for “no man cometh unto the Father, but by [Christ].”
• We need some meaningful time alone with Him. Quietly focusing on daily personal prayer and scripture study, always aiming to be worthy of a current temple recommend – these will be some wise investments of our time and efforts to draw closer to our Heavenly Father.
2. Our second key relationship is with our families.
• Since “no other success can compensate for failure” here, we must place high priority on our families.
• We build deep and loving family relationships by doing simple things together, like family dinner and family home evening and by just having fun together.
• In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time.
• We talk with, rather than about, each other.
• We learn from each other, and we appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities.
• We establish a divine bond with each other as we approach God together through family prayer, gospel study, and Sunday worship.
3. The third key relationship we have is with our fellowman.
• We build this relationship one person at a time – by being sensitive to the needs of others, serving them, and giving of our time and talents.
4. The fourth key relationship is with ourselves.
• Reduce the rush and take a little extra time to get to know yourself better.
• walk in nature
• watch a sunrise
• enjoy God’s creations
• ponder the truths of the restored gospel, and find out what they mean for you personally.
• Learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you – as His precious daughter or son with divine potential.

Brothers and sisters, let us be wise. Let us turn to the pure doctrinal waters of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us joyfully partake of them in their simplicity and plainness.

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.

Strength comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most.

Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship – the path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace.