Completely Fulfilled?

Yesterday, after a church meeting, someone (actually it was the recently called Relief Society president) came up to me and asked me if I was planning on returning to the practice of law.  I was surprised by the question.  It gave me pause.

I told her that I didn't think so.  I told her that home is where I felt I should be.  (To provide you with a little background: she has worked her whole adult life in business settings; she has three children, two of whom are married).  She stood there, shaking her head at me.

She then asked a rather interesting, yet disturbing question, which was "Do you find yourself completely fulfilled at home?"

I responded, once again to her, that home is where I felt I should be.  That being at home was the right choice for me.  She didn't seem to understand.

Throughout the day I thought about her question. When I was going to bed and trying to fall asleep I thought about her question.  Then it dawned on me.  It was the wrong question.

The question she posed was "self" centered.  Me, I.

Do I, and have I always, felt completely fulfilled at home?  No.  Not all the time.  But, has she...felt completely fulfilled...all the time...at work?  I rather doubt it.

Life is a series of choices.  Most of us try to make the best choices for our individual situations.  Those choices and decisions are different for everyone.  We need to appreciate, respect and support those choices.

A favorite quote of mine, by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, is the following:

"[Some] feel they don't belong.  Perhaps because they are different...They may look, act, think, and speak differently than those around them and that sometimes causes them to assume they don't fit in. They conclude that they are not needed.

"Tied to this misconception is the erroneous belief that all should look, talk and be alike.  The Lord did not people the earth with a vibrant orchestra of personalities only to value the piccolos of the world.  Every instrument is precious and adds to the complex beauty of the symphony.  All of Heavenly Father's children are different in some degree, yet each has his own beautiful sound that adds depth and richness to the whole."

I am grateful for the beautiful "symphony", we, as women of faith who have been trained in the law, make.  Thank you to each one of you for the instrument you "play".

Merry Christmas!