Nearly Headless Nick

One of my favorite characters in the Harry Potter book series is one of the ghosts at Hogwarts, Nearly Headless Nick. I am grateful for this charming character, for several reasons:

• His full name is Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, which I think is a rather charming and classy name. 
• I discovered today that this "nick"-name could be an intentional pun. Sir Nicholas died from more than a few "nicks" and cuts from a blunt ax. J. K. Rowling, you are a clever one. 
• For those who are interested in exactly when the events of the Harry Potter books take place, we have Sir Nicholas' 500th Deathday Party (in the second Harry Potter book) to be grateful for. The party took place during Harry's second school year on Halloween 1992. Since Harry turned eleven the previous year (first book), and turned twelve in 1992, he was born on July 31, 1980. This also means that Nearly Headless Nick died on Halloween 1492, a notable year for humanity. Thanks for the party, Nick! 
•  Sir Nicholas is a kind friend to Harry, giving as much assistance as a friendly ghost can, as well as celebrating his successes and reacting sensitively to his losses. All in all, Nick is a rather likeable side character in the Harry Potter series. 

I can be a bit of a nerd when it comes to my favorite fiction characters. I am grateful for Nearly Headless Nick, but I suppose that really means I'm grateful for J. K. Rowling's imagination and writing. In any case, it can all give us an excuse to celebrate something today, right?

Happy 35th birthday Harry Potter!

Packing In Stages

The process of packing my things for moving is always taxing for me. It requires physical, mental, and emotional energy through lifting boxes, playing Tetris with the boxes to make everything fit, and saying good-bye to a place.

Today that process was made easier for me, not just from knowing that I'll be coming back again later, but from being able to pack in stages. With help from family, I was able to put away a few things earlier this week, and a few more things today. For me, that made the entire process much easier to handle, and I am grateful for that.

A Force That Turns Heavy to Light

This has been a long day, but an enjoyable, eventful, productive day. At one point, I felt the need to pray to God about a few things that were weighing heavily on my mind. I prayed sincerely as I walked to my last event of the day, which happened to be a special church meeting. During the meeting, answers to my earnest prayers came to my mind and my heart. I felt loved. I felt inspired and uplifted. I honestly felt that things would be alright regarding the issues I was pondering. After the meeting, a friend talked with me and expressed great appreciation for the fact that we were friends. I gave a prayer of gratitude to God for hearing and answering my honest and sincere cries.

I know that love is a real force for good in this world. Today I received love and comfort from God. I also felt the love and appreciation that others, friends and family, have for me. No matter how heavy the burden on your mind or in your heart, there is an infinite source of love and light that can help you carry on and become stronger. I am grateful for the love I felt from many sources that lifted my heavy heart today.

Inside Out, All Over Again

There are some movies out there that I don't mind watching more than once in theaters. I get really excited to see a great new movie in a cinema, but I also really enjoy sharing that movie with a friend or family member who hasn't seen it. This happened for me today with Inside Out. I had already seen that wonderful and adorable movie a few weeks ago, but I saw again today anyway because my dad hadn't seen it. I enjoy sharing a movie like that. I am grateful that I was able to share a great movie with my dad today.

Homework Parties

I've participated in a few homework parties since my parents have been in town. We had another one today, since my parents still have a lot of their own work to do and I had a draft of a paper due tonight. So, we spent several hours in a library again, working away. I am grateful for our "homework party" today. Being surrounded by people focused on their work is truly motivating for me, and it helped me to stay focused on my work until I finished it. It's a nice way to spend time with family before calling it a day and going out to dinner afterwards. :)

Living Family History

Family history is a small hobby for me. I've become fascinated with the stories of my grandparents and my ancestors. I was able to spend a couple of days with my grandparents. Each time I am at their house, I feel that I get a glimpse of their personal histories. They told me a few stories this weekend, which was a lot of fun. It is fun to see the differences and similarities between the way their lives were when they were young, and the way my life is now.

I really appreciate visits like this because sometimes, when I'm researching family history, I feel distant from the names I see on my family tree. I often see a lot of facts, dates, and places. I still enjoy looking into family history, but I really appreciate reminders of how real that history is. The visit to my grandparents' house this weekend reminded me of that, for which I am grateful.

For the Beauty of the Earth

Hiking is one of my favorite things to do with my family while on vacation. None of us are advanced hikers, but we generally know what we're doing. For a couple of miles, we enjoyed marvelous views of a great red rock amphitheater. Breathtaking, made all the better by the efforts we made walking there and back. Such natural beauty never ceases to impress and inspire me, even though I've been on many such hikes.

For the beauty of the earth, I am grateful.

The Taming of the Shrew

I saw a professional production of this play with my parents tonight. I had never seen of read the play, and I really enjoyed it. The show was very well done and very hilarious. As I read the synopsis in the playbill, and as I watched the entire story conclude, the point of the show seemed very outdated. A wife being completely subservient to her husband, showing complete obedience to him? In the play, this is extolled and praised. Was there something valuable to learn here?

There was. Of course, I do understand that the culture of Shakespeare's time was quite different compared to present day culture. But, that doesn't mean we can't find relevant meaning and truth in old texts. During Kate's final speech, the biblical connection was made in my mind, that of Jesus Christ and the members of His Church being compared to a bridegroom and a bride. As I thought of the relationship I have with the Lord, everything Kate said in the play made sense. I came to see the relationship between Kate and her husband as an allegory for one's relationship with God.

I can recognize times when I think and act "shrewish," my imperfect self rebelling against my true potential. Don't we all need at least a little bit of taming to become better human beings and better children of God? I think so. In this context, I have no problem with the story and message of Shakespeare's play.

And, as I said before, the show was really good and I'm glad I was able to see it tonight.

Enlightenment, Captured on Paper

The morning hours can truly be a time of inspiration if your heart and your mind is quiet enough. As I prepared to go to work, I was pondering an issue that bothered me at the time. I had been hearing many differing opinions about this topic, and I was studying things out in my mind to try to make sense of it all. I was especially trying to discover truth. What is at the heart of the matter, and what is the truth?

I was blessed with a few inspiring thoughts that brought greater clarity to my questions. Verses of scripture came to my mind, as did relevant examples. I felt enlightened, and I had a great desire to write it all down. In a couple of hours, I had written my thoughts in the form of an organized essay, at least a draft of an essay.

Not only am I grateful for the illumination I received by the Holy Spirit, but I am also grateful to have this record of my thoughts and feelings on a particular issue. I am passionate about keeping records, and now I have a record of this morning's revelation.

Keep Working Nick, You'll Thank Us

So I have this paper for class, and the rough draft is due next week. Add the fact that my parents are in town to visit and do some work. They invite me to join them at the library to work, and they convince me that my time would be better spent working on my paper than going off to watch some vintage movie with friends. Some things never change.

But, I am very happy with the way things turned out today. Because of the extra time of work and study, I got more done than I thought I would. I feel a little more confident in the direction of my paper. And as an added bonus, I actually didn't miss much of that vintage movie (Charades, that silly face at the end, after all the rotten and hilarious deceit, so priceless!).

Anyway, I am grateful that everything turned out well tonight. My parents helped me to accomplish more, and I shared some laughs with good friends after my work for the day was done.

More Light Bulbs

Several of the light bulbs in my apartment were burned out these past few weeks. My roommates and I generally made do because there was still quite enough light to see. When a few additional bulbs burned out, I decided it was high time to get more.

I am certainly not new to changing light bulbs. Even so, it always surprises me, even just a little bit, how bright it really is when all the light bulbs are working again. What I notice even more is that I feel a little more cheerful in the presence of more light, in that moment when I recognize the difference. Of course, our eyes always adjust to the amount of light in a room, but doesn't it feel much better to have more light, even if you take it for granted?

This is a nice reminder to me of the nature of spiritual light or intelligence. It gets dimmer with negligence, and gets brighter with consistent effort. Furthermore, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, providing the encouraging and enlightening hope that can help us conquer any darkness.

Study and Research, It Gets Better

My parents are in town, and today I was able to spend some time with my dad in the campus library. He had a lot of his own work to accomplish and I, of course, had homework. We sat at a table and we each focused on our own work for about three hours. I didn't mind that we didn't talk that much. We were in a library, after all, and I was very glad just for his company.

I struggled a bit on my work, research for a paper. I looked up word after word after word in some Indo-European roots dictionary, and that filled up the three hours. I felt the need to pause and stretch my legs every hour or so, to take a break from the tedious mental labor. But, my dad kept plugging away at his work.

While my dad and I had dinner together, I asked him, "Was it hard for you to build up your academic stamina?" Meaning, you weren't always that good at focusing on academic work for that long, right? My dad said it was a struggle for him too, and that it such work didn't get much easier for him until the he reached the end of grad school. He also said that he discovered his significant interest in academic research when he was my age, and I'm more interested in other career possibilities.

That was very encouraging for me. I really appreciated talking a bit with my dad about the nature of school work and academic research, which occupies much of my homework load now. I am grateful to be reminded that my parents, as perfect as they are, had the same struggles and challenges that I have now. Today, I received encouragement in my challenging school work. :)

InsideOut A Cappella

My close friends and family are aware of my love of beat-boxing, and contemporary a cappella music in general. I've become quite involved with it at school. How did it all start for me? The answer: An a cappella group called InsideOut.

When I was in high school, my parents had a copy of one of the group's albums at home and my siblings and I listened to it all the time! The music was hilarious and moving. They took songs we knew and loved and made them brand new. Impressed by the talent expressed in this six-man a cappella group, I became interested in other such groups, which brings me back to today.

I don't think InsideOut actively performs anymore, but their music is still out there. Today, I express my gratitude for the laughs and the inspiration brought by this group's music. I listen to them now, and I am still very impressed by what they've done with a cappella. I am grateful that they were my first exposure to the genre, and now I'm hooked.

What artists have inspired you in this way?

Mental Work, Physical Work, Then Family

Well, this morning I spent about three hours on a lengthy exam, feeling mentally exhausted afterwards. Soon after, I spent about three hours dancing and acting for a music video, which left me physically exhausted.

Then I took a bit of a nap until I met up with some family members and had dinner with them and chatted with them for a few hours. I wasn't tired at all after that, in fact it refreshed me!

Mental work, physical work, then family. This must be what an average day is like for a father and/or a mother. It looks like exhausting, fulfilling, and exciting days are in my future!

I am grateful for the work I was able to accomplish today, which made time with family tonight more worth it.

A Delightful Little Adventure

Tonight I took a train, explored a few blocks of a big city, and took a train back. Traveling and exploring, all with great company. We talked and admired the goodness and beauty around us. It truly felt like a little, four-hour adventure. Train tracks, big hills, tall buildings, and lovely lights. It was a great highlight of my day and of my week. :)

Fashionably Late

A friend of mine had a birthday party tonight, and I knew I was going to be a couple hours late because of an evening class. So, after the class, I walked straight to the party and it seemed I didn't miss much. I was able to be there with lots of other people to wish this person a happy birthday. After a long day of work and school, I am grateful I was able to enjoy the company of good friends at a birthday party tonight. It was a good way to end the day.

Wasn't Weary, Didn't Faint, Played Some Soccer

I walked to and from campus (about a mile each way). I then walked to and from the local LDS temple (also a mile each way, and in hotter weather). Soon after that, I danced for an hour (social dance).

I got some adequate rest after that, and then some friends invited me to play soccer with them. At first, I didn't feel like playing soccer because I'm not too great at it, and I was quite tired. But, I decided that I had enough energy to play for a bit, so I played soccer with my friends for about an hour.

Not only did I have enough energy to enjoy the game and make a meaningful contribution for my team, I gained some degree of confidence in my soccer playing. I realized that I could best serve my team by hanging out back near the goal. Not nearly as much running around, and I was actually semi-successful in helping to defend the goal!

Not only am I grateful that I wasn't weary as I ran nor faint as I walked, I am grateful that I've found a suitable place to be useful in friendly soccer games. :)

Feeling Good, Feeling Better

Right now, I'm thinking of a couple of people who have current health struggles: a friend from out of town, and a teacher. My friend has had a rough semester and will soon be undergoing a surgery to take care of his problem. The teacher suffered from dizziness, but when he took a few moments for rest and nourishment he was able to teach the two-hour class without incident.

Being aware of such problems around me helps me appreciate blessings of health and strength. I am grateful that both of the people I mentioned are feeling better or will feel better soon. I am reminded of the precious blessings that seem so ordinary to many of us because we use them everyday: being fit and able to work and play and do what we need to do. I am grateful for health and strength, in myself and in those I meet and know.

Technology Use at Its Best

App games (games you can play on a smartphone or tablet) have recently been a weakness of mine. Games fascinate me, especially when I find one that is enjoyable, beautiful, and challenging. I do work hard to stay focused on more important things, though, (education, work, family, friends) to avoid spending countless hours on handheld video games. It often feels like a struggle to avoid too much technology.

Every so often, I come across something that only brings out the best of everything. A friend showed me a really neat game that you can't play by yourself. The game is designed so that you have to play with other people, up to 8 in a group! There is cooperation and real interaction, even though the game is mainly available as an Apple or Android app. Using technology to strengthen human cooperation and interaction? Now you're talking! Me and my friends played this game for a couple hours straight, having lots of laughs together as we played!

I am grateful for an example of technology use at its best.

All Together Now!

Being a novice choir director has its ups and downs. As I've been trying to get a performance together for later this month, I've run into some frustrations with scheduling and absences. I was worried that the choir piece would become more of a solo voice (or two) with piano.

But, as it always does, things work out. Today's choir practice was very successful. I am very grateful for the people who came and contributed, and each person made meaningful contributions. I am no longer worried about the choir performance, especially since we're singing next week and it wouldn't do to worry much more. Besides, the choir sounded great today, so I'm confident that they will sound great next week.

I am grateful for a successful choir practice, and for the people who made it happen.

Hang In There, Man. You Got This.

That's what I told myself a few times as I was completing some homework today. I have a lot of textbook reading to do for my summer class, and I have a hard time getting through it. The general ideas are easy enough to understand, but for me it is challenging to get through the academic language (sometimes specific, sometimes vague).

But, I decided to keep reading. If nothing else, I wanted to stay on the same page as the rest of the class (also, there are points associated with completing reading assignments). So, I hung in there, and I read the necessary chapters. I'm grateful that I was blessed with the time, energy, and determination to complete some reading homework today.

Pres. Packer's Funeral Service

The funeral service for Pres. Boyd K. Packer was held this morning, and it was broadcast through lds.org. I caught the last half of it, in which a few people spoke about Pres. Packer's life of service and about God's plan of happiness for His children. After the talks and the lovely songs were over, the coffin was brought into a hearse to be carried to a nearby cemetery.

The event didn't feel like a sad occasion, though there is certainly some sorrow at parting. Instead of sorrow, I felt reverence, respect, and hope. I felt confirmed in my belief that our spirits live on after we die, and that we will eventually be reunited with those we love. I am grateful for a lovely, reverent funeral service. I am grateful that I was able to watch what I could and feel in my heart what I know to be true: life doesn't end at death, because death is essential to progress in God's plan of happiness for His children.

Dance-Off! (From Wallflower to Center)

There was a spontaneous dance-off between me and two of my roommates tonight. My roommates put on some hip-hop music and away we went. There was some friendly competition between the three of us, including some gentle "trash-talking" to encourage each other to show off our best dance moves. I enjoyed it, and I felt quite confident in my dance steps!

I realize that it's been about ten years (my first year of high school) since my first time attending a dance. Gosh, I was such a shy kid. I was content to be a wallflower, watching the cool dance moves of others. The next decade included many more dances, a number of plays and musicals, and many dance classes (ranging from ballet to tap to ballroom).

Though I certainly don't have the skill and experience of professional dancers or serious dance students, I do know enough about dancing to really enjoy it.  I even seem to dance well enough to get an occasional compliment about it, from a stage to the center of a circle at a dance. What was once a weakness is now one of my strengths. I am grateful that, in a decade's time, my comfort level with dancing has evolved from "wallflower" to the center of a dance circle.

A Little Self-Inventory

On Wednesday nights, I attend a religion class. This class is focused on the gospel of Jesus Christ, as taught in The Book of Mormon. It is a great place for me to reflect on how well I am living according to true principles. Am I happy? Are my choices going to lead to happiness in the future? How am I doing now? What should I do to improve myself? I ask myself such questions and find answers and insights in the class.

This is an effective way for me to conduct a self-inventory, if you will. In such an environment I am able to consider my values and how well I am living up to them. I try to do the same thing on Sundays as well. I am grateful for today's opportunity to evaluate myself, and that I am able to set aside time to devote to self-reflection and self-improvement.

Participated in a Miracle

If you look for miracles everyday, you will find them. Not all of those miracles may be directed at you, but it is a true blessing to witness one or even to participate in one.

One of my friends sent the word out this morning that he really needed help cleaning the apartment that he and his fiancee will move into next month. It was a real mess (left that way by the previous tennants), and he didn't have a lot of time to clean it all up himself.

I saw the call for help and decided I had the time available. So, I arrived to help clean. My friend expected one or two people to show up. What was remarkable and miraculous for him was that six people showed up to help. Instead of it being an all-day project, we got the place wonderfully clean in a matter of hours. My friend was so incredibly grateful, and was amazed at the great response to his time of need.

I am grateful that I was able to participate in a miracle today. :)

Volleyball

I don't consider myself a very athletic person, so I don't play sports very often. When I do play, it's when I'm invited by friends, and that's what makes it fun and worthwhile for me. I did have a lot of fun playing volleyball with some friends for an hour and a half. I am grateful for a fun session of volleyball, and I'm especially grateful that I don't have to be very good at it to enjoy it!

Interdependently Independent

I realize more and more that part of living independently is working with other people, interdependently. I try often to look for ways to help someone else, and in turn I'm surrounded by people who find ways to help me. Today, for example, several people stepped in when I needed some help with hymnbooks before and after church. Each Sunday, I get a cart full of hymnbooks to be distributed to the congregation before church, and I collect them to put them back in the cart after church. It's possible for one person to do it, but it is a lighter load to carry (quite literally, at times) when there is help.

I'm in an environment with many other young college-attending adults. We are all on our way to becoming more and more independent in many ways. As we each make our individual journeys, it really helps to share such burdens and experiences with others. Being truly independent and self-reliant means using your resources, including the occasionally-overlooked human resources we see around us.

I'm grateful to help and be helped by my fellow peers.

The United States of America

Floats, festival, food, fair, fireworks, family, friends, fun! That's my Fourth of July in a nutshell. As I express gratitude for the United States of America today, I praise the best of this country and hope for the best. There is much to be grateful for in this country, especially when it is so easy to tear apart our faults (real or supposed). Such thoughts are expressed in Katherine Lee Bates' lyrics of the song, "America the Beautiful" (I've rearranged the lyrics as a way to make this expression more personal):

"God shed his grace on thee...
...May God thy gold refine,
'Til all success be nobleness
And every gain divine.

"God shed his grace on thee...
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self control,
Thy liberty in law.

"For [lovely] spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain.

"America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!"

I am grateful for the United States of America!

Lifetimes of Service

I was fortunate this afternoon to witness a "candy bombing." Gail Halvorsen has dropped candy from airplanes since WWII, and even in his old age he continues the tradition. It was exciting to see the airplanes go overhead and then to see little white packages with parachutes fall down into the hands of excited children. I know Mr. Halvorsen has dedicated many years of his life to the service of his country and to his fellow men.

I likewise recognize Boyd K. Packer, who passed away today at age 90. He was a man who loved God, loved Jesus Christ, and loved truth. He loved learning, and he loved to teach. He loved to serve his country, and he loved to serve God. He was an apostle of Jesus Christ, and he served the Savior very well.

These two men led a lifetime of service in so many ways. I admire and salute them. I am grateful for lifetimes of service.

Looking Up, Going Up

These past few weeks, I have personally felt that I was lacking focus at work and in my classes. This left me quite stressed as I struggled with a number of obligations that I felt were challenging or that I lacked the motivation to do. I decided to set aside time this afternoon to seriously consider the things that demand my time from day to day. I then wrote down a set of commitments, a set of healthy and productive habits for self-improvement (better sleeping schedule, greater focus at work, etc.). I committed to them and prayed to God for help in sticking to these commitments.

I put this into action later in the day as I studied from one of my textbooks. I realized how hard this was going to be. After an hour and a half of reading, I took a break and prayed for help again. I know it's hard to improve. It's a lot of work, especially if you're attempting it alone. Thankfully, I have an omnipotent source I can turn to. Thankfully, I can turn to God and ask Him to help me be better. I know God wants His children to be happy and great. I am grateful for the help and assurance I received today as I took the time to ponder and act on my desire to rise above my own weaknesses. Thinks are looking up as I continue to go up in improvement and progression.

Happy Canada Day!

It was a Classy Wednesday on Canada Day, and you know what that means: red shirt with a white tie! I suppose I could have worn a white shirt with a red tie, but I wear white shirts quite often. Anyway, it was fun to wear Canada colors, share Canadian candy with friends, and sing all the words I know from the Canadian national anthem: "Oh Canada, the land I call my home..." That's actually all I know off the top of my head, but I suppose it's more than many Americans. :)

Today, as I did last year, I express my gratitude for Canada; our northern neighbor, the country that England decided to let go without conflict, where $1 and $2 coins exist, the birthplace of penicillin and Celine Dion and mounties (and probably hockey), land where (some of) my fathers died, and the country with one of the most bold and dynamic national flags:



Happy Canada Day!

P.S.--This is less significant than Canada Day, but I think it's cool that this is my 700th post in this blog. :)