Thanks for the Chat, Dad. :)

I had a really great conversation with my dad this morning. I was feeling frustrated about a few things in my life, and it felt great to talk with my dad about it. Along with advice and insight, he shared some of his experiences of when he was my age. That meant a lot, and helped me a lot.

I also learned, from a side comment, that not much has changed when it comes to good dance parties. My dad mentioned that during college he and his friends enjoyed going to dances, where they made long dancing trains of people (conga line, if you will), and would sometimes gather in a large circle to watch people get in the center and do crazy dance moves. That's been my experience with dance parties, so not much has changed these past couple of decades!

I am grateful for this morning's conversation with my dad, especially the insight and encouragement he provided by talking about his own college years. It helped to know that he went through the same general issues I;m going through now. :)

I Can Read Lips...Not

I was sitting in a room, meditating (almost dozing off, actually, I was so tired). Across the room, I noticed a couple of women chatting with each other. Though I couldn't hear them, one of them moved their lips in such a way that it seemed like she said, "Oh my gosh, it's Nick Totten." She didn't look familiar to me at all. It turned out, it was a total stranger, and I had misinterpreted her. Talk about bad lip reading!

For a while, I have believed that I am slightly better at lip reading then the average person because I have a slight hearing loss. Today, I am grateful for this small, silly, humbling experience. I now know that I am not an expert in lip reading, and that's okay with me. :)

"She Could Use Some Help."

On my way to class, I saw a girl on crutches. A thought entered my mind: "She could use help." I remembered, as I did whenever I see someone on crutches, the week I myself was on crutches and how several people helped me by opening doors, carrying my backpack, and talking with me. Unfortunately, I hesitated. Fortunately, I decided to walk back to her and offer to carry her backpack. She accepted my offer, and was surprised how much the lack of burden made her journey easier. I walked with her into the building and returned her backpack when she reached her destination. It was clear from her expression of gratitude that my service was very helpful and appreciated. Crutches are harder than they look.

I am very grateful for this special service opportunity. I am grateful that I listened and looked for such an opportunity.

Together, We Set Up A Success

This morning, I got a lot done on my own. This was a day of errands. This evening, however, I had a lot to do to put together a barbeque activity for me and my neighbors. I didn't think there would be that much to take care of, but I quickly learned from my mistake. I was able to recruit some friends for help, for which I am tremendously grateful. I am grateful not only for the success of the activity, but also for the people who helped me make it successful. It is true what John Donne said: no man is an island. Alone, I would have set up an average activity. Together, we set up a success.

Letting Go

I have just returned from a wonderful vacation. I said "goodbye for now" to my friend's great family as we parted ways in our travels back home. I recently wished my good friend all the best in his new marriage. A major theme in a movie I watched with friends tonight was moving beyond the past and continuing forward progress. Today I received several reminders about letting go and moving forward. This thought is expressed really well in the musical Children of Eden: "The hardest part of love is letting go."

It is often very easy for me to spend time reliving good moments in my mind over and over and over. I would wish it would happen again. I would wish for those good, simple moments again. This isn't all bad, unless I make poor comparisons between the state of the past and the state of the present.

What I'm trying to say is, I am grateful for today's reminders to ease my grip on the good times of the past and look ahead to find that the best is yet to come.

A Boston Duck Tour

I had never heard of the Boston Duck Tours until today. I am grateful for our tour guide today! He was entertaining and knowledgeable. He is very good at his job.

I am also grateful for the awesome "duck" vehicle we rode in for the tour. It was a large car that looked like a boat because it could drive on roads and travel on water! I was so impressed! What a great experience. I was blown away by the amphibious vehicle, our hilarious tour guide, and the stories that make Boston what it is. I am grateful for a truly eventful, enlightening, and entertaining tour of a wonderful city.

Most Beautiful Moment was the Most Important Moment

For the second time in my life, I attended a friend's wedding ceremony. This time, I was also actively involved as a groomsman. The past 24 hours have been quite the exhausting adventure, and I know my now-married friends (I am friends with the bride and the groom) are more exhausted than I am. The reception was beautiful and well-executed. Everyone in the wedding party looked wonderful in coordinated outfits. Many beautiful candid photos were taken to preserve the emotions and events of the day.

As I review the day, I realize that the most beautiful moment was during the ceremony itself, before all the pictures and the reception. That moment I saw my great friends married for life and for eternity. I am well aware of their personalities, as well as some of their imperfections and talents. In that moment I knew in my heart that true happiness comes from the most significant relationships in your home. There, true love exists, and I saw true love manifested today.

I am grateful and very honored that I was able to be there today when my good friends officially established their new marriage and family.

A Long Day of Travel, Made A Little Better

It's been a long day of travel for me. I rode trains, planes, and cars to get to my friend's wedding destination. It's been tiring and it's been fun. Today I am grateful for the delightful and friendly airport employees I met today. It is impressive how effective good hospitality is for travel weary patrons.

What are Exams Compared to Rocks and Mountains?

I went on a hike with a few friends today. It was a wonderful four hours! I love hiking for the opportunity to appreciate the sheer beauty, majesty, and magnitude of the world around me. I love hiking even more when I get to share such moments with people I appreciate, admire, and care about. Yet another great way to end a successful semester. I realize that no matter where you are, there is something to admire about the world around you, and there is especially something to admire and appreciate about the people around you. Also, there is always someone in heaven who knows where you are and who you are, and also knows what you need right now. God loves you.

I am grateful that I was reminded of the beauty of the earth, and that I was able to share those moments with wonderful friends.

Blistery Fingers

I finished my last final exam today. To celebrate (and really just for kicks and giggles, as well as possibly encouraging those who still have exams), I played my cello on campus for a while. It turned out that I played for so long that a couple of my fingers started to get blisters. I wanted to keep playing because I enjoyed it so much. However, I knew that this was my cue to stop.

I am grateful for the human body's reaction to pain and fatigue. It is true that we experience pain in order to avoid more serious pain. :)

Always in the Middle

With my situation as a college student, there is a lot of turnover between semesters. Many friends are leaving town whereas I will stay for school and work over the summer. In such bittersweet times of transition, I appreciate the enlightening perspective given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a general leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: 

Beginnings are times for making resolutions, for creating plans, for bursts of energy. Endings are times for winding down and may involve feelings of completion or loss. But with the proper outlook, considering ourselves as in the middle of things can help us not only to understand life a little better but also to live it a little more meaningfully.

In school, in work, in family life, in anything, this principle applies. Those who just started the journey (read: job, class/degree program, marriage/family, etc.) generally feel inexperienced, and such thoughts can lead to a lack of confidence, which affects their effectiveness. Those who are near the end may have a tendency to get a case of "senioritis," that lack of motivation that can accompany such a situation.

As it is with space, so it is with time. We may feel we are at the beginning or end of our lives, but when we look at where we are against the backdrop of eternity—when we realize that our spirit has existed for time beyond our capacity to measure and, because of the perfect sacrifice and Atonement of Jesus Christ, that our soul will exist for an eternity to come—we can recognize that we are truly in the middle. 

We are always in the middle of eternity. This earth experience is a tiny point on the timeline. No matter where or when we are, we can have the confidence and the motivation, the faith and hope and love, to be a force for good and for progression. 

Yes, there will be moments of beginnings and moments of endings throughout our lives, but these are only markers along the way of the great middle of our eternal lives. Whether we are at the beginning or the end, whether we are young or old, the Lord can use us for His purposes if we simply set aside whatever thoughts limit our ability to serve and allow His will to shape our lives.

Being always in the middle means that the game is never over, hope is never lost, defeat is never final. For no matter where we are or what our circumstances, an eternity of beginnings and an eternity of endings stretch out before us.

We are always in the middle.

(Full article here) 

I am grateful for beginnings, and endings, knowing that they are really multiple steps in eternity. :)

Classy...Saturday? Oh, Finals Week...

Ah, almost done. Just a 3-5 page paper about Lord of the Rings characters' speech. After that, I'll be a free man! Another semester of finals completed!

On top of that, I got to dress up for a final presentation today. I noticed many more people on campus dressed up, possibly for similar reasons. It was like Classy Wednesday, but still on a Saturday! (subtle Lego Movie reference)

I am grateful for another "Classy Wednesday" for my finals weekend. :)

Great Adventures, As Another Semester Closes

My first final exam wasn't really an exam. We applied Early Modern English by composing hymns based on the scriptures. we sang these hymns for our final today. In this class, and in my language creation class, I learned a new creative skill. Now, I know a bit about creating a language and about setting scriptural text to a hymn tune. all of this accompanied by basic knowledge of the English language. I am grateful for the wonderful adventure my English language classes have become for me this semester. 

I would also like to mention last night's adventure. I was able to see Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, put on by a local theater company. The story was new to me, and it was very well done. I became invested in the story as I looked for the subtle clues that might hint towards the perpetrator. My thoughts throughout the play went like this:

"Interesting set up."
"Ooooohhhh...that's clever."
"Hmm...something happened, and they're about to find out."
"Ah, it must be [insert suspect here]."
"Wait, WHAT!?!?"
"Oh gosh! Who could it be now? It could be anyone!"
"Dang! Didn't expect that!"
"...Agatha Christie's story is brilliant."

So, I am also grateful for a fabulous interpretation of a brilliant crime story. 

Whether the Weather Be Cold, or Whether the Weather Be...Whatever.

Today is April 15th, and it is snowing outside. Hard. It is February all over again!

You may be familiar with an old Rankin Bass movie: The Year Without a Santa Claus. In that move, there are two brothers: Heat Miser and Cold Miser. They control the temperature and weather of the world. Cold Miser controls the north (resulting in cold, showy weather, making him "Mr. White Christmas"), and Heat Miser controls the south (he's "Mr. Green Christmas"). Anyway, in the movie these two opposing brothers eventually strike a deal in which Heat Miser allows snow to fall on Christmas Day in the warm climate of Southtown, USA.

What does this have to do with today? Well, I'd like to think that Heat Miser and Cold Miser struck another deal this year. We've had an unusually warm February this year, so warm that it felt like April! Hardly any snow fell that whole month because it was so sunny. Today, this week, we're getting some of that cold back. The exchange could have gone like this:

Heat Miser: Hey, you know that one town we always fight over?
Cold Miser: Oh yeah, we can never decide if it's north or south there.
HM: Well, why don't we make a deal?
CM: Will you cooperate this time?
HM: Of course! I ALWAYS cooperate!
CM: Cool down, bro. I can't take the heat here.
HM: Fine. Anyway, I'll give you April if you give me February.
CM: Again?
HM: It's been too long, bro.
CM: True. Let's do it! Haha. I love seeing their reactions. So priceless!

Here in this town, we see the results. I love the snow! It is so gorgeous! I am grateful for today's massive snowfall, even if other people aren't. ;)

I Came, I Studied, I Thought, I Wrote, I Conquered

It is the last day of classes for me, and I had a lot of work to do! Today, I am so grateful that I was able to focus and complete five short papers (two pages each), and half of a larger paper that is due tomorrow. I am grateful for the help I received from my parents (encouraging words), and from God (blessed with insights and a clear mind as I worked).

I am reminded of one of my favorite hymns, which reads in part:

"Why should we mourn, or think our lot is hard?
'Tis not so; all is right.
Why should we think to earn a great reward
If we now shun the fight?
Gird up your loins; fresh courage take.
Our God will never us forsake;
And soon we'll have this tale to tell--
All is well! All is well!"

--Second verse of "Come, Come, Ye Saints," Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Hymn #30.

Do the work, and God will bless your efforts. I have seen that time and time again.

The Sound of Birds and Crosswalks

At a crosswalk this morning, I crossed the street when the walking man icon flashed, as usual. This crosswalk also uses a chiming, chirping sound to alert pedestrians that they can cross the street. As this sound occurred, I heard another sound: chirping birds in the nearby trees. Their chirps were very similar to the sound of the crosswalk light post. In that moment I came to a realization that the birds may be chirping in response to the crosswalk sound! They were singing the same notes and interval as the artificial sound. Did the birds think they were responding to other birds? Possibly! I chuckled to myself.

It struck me how interesting that thought was. The realization came out of nowhere, yet it felt like a revelation. It was a very small moment in my day that made my day a little more joyful and humorous. I am grateful for that unexpected moment. Perhaps it was inspired thought, designed to bless me with unexpected insight, as well as a small measure of added joy. :)

Longtime Friend/Roommate

It is the time of year when people start to pack up and leave for the summer. For many people, including my roommate, this involves moving stuff to a new apartment shortly before his wedding. I will be at his wedding, so this wasn't goodbye for us. Still, there will be some change after 2-3 years of friendship, which has included chatting, sword fighting, serving together as teachers, and much more.

My roommate and I first met back in 2012 at a barbeque party. He came with the intent to say hi to everybody and learn everyone's names. Because he put himself out there, we met and introduced ourselves to each other. After that night, I visited him and we talked about this Brandon Sanderson book he let me borrow. We became quick friends and the next year I decided to move in with him as a roommate. I truly value our friendship, and it is truly an honor to be able to go to his wedding as a groomsman. Today, I am grateful for the best friend and roommate I've had these past two years.

I Walked, and Didn't Faint

I am so exhausted today because I did a lot of walking. I walked to and from work this morning and afternoon. Then, I walked to and from the temple in the early evening. I walked to and from a wonderful ballroom dance concert after that. Finally, I went with some friends to a small bonfire, and it was a bit of a hike to get there and back. I am so ready for bed right now.

Through all this, I realize that I had enough strength to do all of this walking, to go to all of these places and then arrive back to my apartment safely. I am reminded of a few verses of scripture, including Isaiah 40:31. This is a very common blessing, so often taken for granted, so I'll express gratitude for it today: I am grateful that throughout all my walking around all day long, I never fainted. I was always blessed with the strength I needed to continue.

A Cappella: Another Successful Semester!

I direct an a cappella group, and I've been directing this group for the past two years. Each year there is tremendous turnover, usually seeing an entirely new group of singers each year. Every semester has been enjoyable, but this semester especially. I don't know exactly what it was but I had more fun directing the group and performing with the people this semester than any previous semester. Our weekly rehearsals were productive and fun. Whenever I would see a member of the group on campus I would be very happy to see them. Our performance tonight was a great success. After a semester of hard work and a cappella fun, I am grateful for the audacious people I got to know and work with this semester to make silly and exciting music.

Lovestruck

I have a friend who is also a composer. This great composer friend has spent the last couple of years working on a movie musical. I was very happy to attend the premiere tonight! The film was lovely, adorable, and touching. The music was well done and very effective. I may not be a film or music critic, but I know it is a great work when I find myself becoming emotionally invested in the story and the development of the characters. I was, seriously, lovestruck by the beautiful work! I not only supported my friend (and several other friends who were involved in it), but I also experienced a good piece of art that left me with elevated aspirations, hopes, and ideals. I am grateful for a wonderful premiere of a wonderful, locally-made movie musical!

Procrastinating...by Doing Homework

You know what's more satisfying than procrastinating homework by doing other errands and tasks? Procrastinating homework by doing other homework that's just as hard but much more fun! Really though, I did make progress in homework for several classes today, but I spent a lot more time working on my fictitious language. I am grateful to have a senior linguistics class where I get to construct my own language. It really appeals to my creative side, and it allows me to apply several years of learning about the English language. In this difficult crunch time of final projects and upcoming final exams, I am glad that one class in particular is rigorous and very fun! In such challenging times, it is very helpful to find sources of respite and renewal in every dimension. For  mental renewal, I find joy in developing a new language!

Thanks for Your Support!

Whenever I hear of a performance or similar event in which my friends are participating, I like to do what I can to make some time available to support them. I also like to inform my friends about any performances I am involved in if they wanted to come and support me. Tonight's percussion concert was a great success, and it was such a treat to see my friend after the show and to show him and his date the percussion instruments. I am grateful that I got to see a friend in my concert tonight. It made my day! :)

Progress on School Work!

I made a goal to complete a certain amount of textbook notes today. It was hard to focus at first, but I did it. I am grateful for the progress I made in my school work today! :)

Another Weekend of Inspiration

In General Conference, I've made it a habit to listen with a few questions in mind, expecting to receive relevant answers. Here are the questions I asked this time:

1. What more should I do to invite more truth and light into my life?
2. What more would God have me do in His work and service?
3. What more should I do to work towards an eternal marriage and family?

As always the words spoken, as well as the spiritual thoughts and impressions received, answered each one of these questions many times over. I noticed a few habits and attitudes that were amiss in my life, and I made sure to write down what I would do to improve. I am very grateful for General Conference. Over the next six months, I will work on the ideas I've received, and I will review the conference talks to remind myself of the principles that were taught this weekend.

You can watch and listen to the conference talks here. The text will be available soon.

Above all, I truly appreciated the many witnesses and testimonies which were given about the reality of Jesus Christ, and that He lives to help us return to our heavenly home. Happy Easter!

The Center of "Conference Squares"

Today was the first day of the 185th Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I watched all the sessions on the internet, and it was wonderful. I look forward to the last two sessions tomorrow (10am-12pm and 2-4pm MDT, lds.org main page). As I was browsing on lds.org, I found some General Conference activities for children. One of them was like a Conference version of bingo. The game is called Conference Squares. Below is a pdf of the game, taken from an lds.org page with activities for children:

https://www.lds.org/bc/content/ldsorg/content/english/pdf/conference_squares.pdf

Each game card has a set of squares with gospel topics on them. When that topic is addressed or mentioned in a General Conference talk, you would mark the square. You will notice that the center square on each of the game cards is not a "free space," but something much better. Jesus Christ is at the center of each card.

This is a significant point. Jesus Christ is at the center of all the messages given in General Conference. Not a single talk will go by without having something about Jesus Christ, His life, His ministry, His example, His sacrifice, His attributes, or His role in our lives today. Jesus Christ is at the center of all the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS church). The leaders of this church witness that He lives and loves each one of us.

I am grateful for a simple yet profound reminder of the role of Jesus Christ in General Conference, in the LDS church, and in a faithful life.

Good Friday Morning

It is Good Friday, traditionally recognized as the day Jesus Christ was crucified in Calvary.

I didn't remember it was Good Friday until after I left my first class of the day. A couple of hours before that, I was just waking up. I'm still getting over my cold, so I seriously thought about skipping this morning's class. After some thought, I decided to get up and go to work (John 5:8). It so happened that as I read from the Book of Mormon this morning I came across this passage: "And lo, he [Jesus Christ] shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer..." (Mosiah 3:7, page152; see also Alma 7:11-12, page 225).

This scripture reminded me of an article I recently read in the Ensign magazine about the difference between weakness and sin (https://www.lds.org/ensign/2015/04/it-isnt-a-sin-to-be-weak?lang=eng). I pondered the fact that what I was feeling, this headache, this stuffy nose, and these tired eyes, was a result of human weakness. I also thought how Christ has suffered all this and infinitely more, so He knows exactly what I'm going through and can give me the strength I need to overcome weakness and be better (Ether 12:27, Book of Mormon, page 510).

I am so glad I came to my morning class today. The teacher even commented on how fewer and fewer people are coming to class as the semester draws to a close. To those of us who were there this morning, he said, "It's great that you're hear because you're the enthusiasts. We're glad you're here!" That brought a smile to my face, knowing my morning struggle.

Then after class, I saw a wall display about the Savior's final week of His ministry, Easter week. That's when I was reminded that it is Good Friday today. Many things fell into place between 8am and 10am today. Pieces of truth and light have come together to become a true highlight of my day, and it's not even noon yet! I am grateful for a Good Friday morning. :)

I Was Able to Work Today

I am grateful that I was able to work today. I am on the mend with my cold, and it felt good to be back at work and at school.

April Fool's Day...on a Classy Wednesday!

Still feeling under the weather, but better. I didn't do much by way of April Fool's jokes, except for my Classy Wednesday outfit. I had a lot of fun mixing a Hawaiian shirt with a pink paisley tie with a blue plaid vest with green camo socks with converse shoes. I am grateful to have these random bits of clothing that, together, made the silliness of April Fool's Day just a little more classy.

I am also grateful to be able to take myself less seriously like this. Sometimes I worry that I am not a very light-hearted person, that I over think things and take things too seriously. I am grateful that I was perfectly comfortable wearing a silly combination of fabrics today. :)