You know what I’ve learned about Alma?

He seems to have established his personal boundaries pretty well.

He had two giant jobs (chief judge and high priest). It was causing him a lot of sorrow, so he gave up the chief judge position.

And then, after teaching the saints in Gideon, “he returned to his own house at Zarahemla to rest himself from the labors which he had performed.” (Alma 8:1)

He needed to go home and rest – so he did!

He knew that he couldn’t keep going from city to city without a break. Other people had done it, but he knew that HE could not handle that without resting.

So he went home.

He used his down time to rest and refresh himself, and then he got back to work the next year as he traveled to Melek and Ammonihah.

That’s a delicate balance in the self-care realm, right?

To know when to rest, and to know when to get back to work.

I most certainly do not have this balance down perfectly. But I think I’m improving each day.

We can’t do the work we are meant to do on this earth if we are too tired.

And we also can’t do the work we are meant to do on this earth if we get lost in our relaxation.

The cool part? I guarantee Heavenly Father wants to help us find this balance.

I’m sure Alma prayed as he traveled back home to rest, and I’m sure he prayed for guidance when he knew it was time to continue his high priest duties.

So I’m trying better to include my Heavenly Father in my self-care habits – to know when I’m over-indulging, and to know when I’m over-stretched.

Alma knew how to say “no” and how to rest when he needed it – and I can learn how to set those necessary and divine boundaries, too.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

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