Enjoying life NOW.

How many of you have heard the saying, busyness is a blessing? I'd like to contest that a little. I realize that having obligations, priorities, and responsibilities all are important, even vital, to our growth as human beings. However, do you ever pack yourself in too tight? Do you ever find yourself struggling to make time to even eat dinner or breathe? I know that last school year is history now but I can't help but to reflect on it because it taught me.
I piled on my plate church activities and leadership, club responsibilities and internship, honors classes, and athletics; lots of late nights and really early mornings but I'm not complaining! I was a happy person, but there were struggles. I can remember the stress of late night cramming because it was the week of the dance show and I had an essay due, the state track meet and committee meetings scheduled all within the same three to four days(definitely an exaggeration, it wasn't that bad). I think the entire point of that year was teaching me that you really can't do it all; you can try but it is hard. And is it worth it?
Think about this though, when you sign yourself up for 17 different assignments and responsibilities, how can you expect to give 100% to everything? You can't! I'm sorry but it isn't possible. You can do a dang good job and succeed but will you look back and say man I wish I did this or I wish I had done that?
I by no means am saying that busyness is a bad thing or that you're a horrible person if you're busy because you're NOT, heck I'm busy all the time! But is there a limit? All things in moderation.
Moreover, I've been really evaluating what I put my value on. "Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured," President Hinckley once said, and how true! I get to live this Earth life once. One try. That's all we get. And that is enough time! I don't want my life to be a rut; I want to travel, I want to go on adventures, I want to spend more time with those I love than stressing over a textbook. Life doesn't hand you money, I know, and it requires work; however, I don't necessarily think overworking yourself is healthy. Find a balance.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE learning and I am very dedicated to my studies; knowledge is a gift of God, but I don't think He intended this life to be a burden. I know He didn't intend it to be wasted idely waiting for life to begin; live your life now before you miss it. So don't waste it with hard feelings, jealousy, bitterness, judgement, or negativity. Life is a GIFT of God, treasure it, do good things for others, SMILE, dance, go on an adventure, LOVE, pray, and never take it for granted because when you are 80 on your death bed you will remember all the chances you didn't take, the memories you didn't make, and the time you wish you had again.

“Cultivate an attitude of happiness. Cultivate a spirit of optimism. Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature, in the goodness of those you love, in the testimony which you carry in your heart concerning things divine.” ― Gordon B. Hinckley