Grateful for 2015

I do truly believe that any day can be the beginning of a new year for anyone. But, I think it is still fun and productive to consider ways to improve myself for the new year. I looked at my resolutions from last year, and I didn't really accomplish most of them. But, I have noticed that I've done many great things right, and consistently. A couple of recent examples include working out with my parents every day this Christmas break (except Dec. 24 and 25), and never missing a day in this blog for the last four months of the year. For me, 2015 also included many wonderful friendships, an internship, and many great family relationships that continue to be great blessings to me.

So here's to 2015, and here's to an even better 2016!

Vacation at Home

A couple weeks ago, I told myself that I was going to get so many things done over the holiday break. I did get a few things accomplished, but not nearly as much as I hoped because I often have very high expectations for my productivity during off-time. In general, this has felt a little like vacation for me. I got to spend the holiday season with my family in my hometown, and it has been quite relaxing. Very soon, I will be back in the full-time school/part-time work routine.

I am grateful for a few weeks of vacation time at home.

Haircut at a Men's Hair Salon (or "hair-cutting place," whichever is more manly, I guess)

It's been too long since the last time I got my hair cut. Now, my hair has been reduced from about 3" to about 1", and it's such a relief! Even better, the hair-cutting place was pretty good. They specialized in men's hair, and I appreciate the work they do.

Go Speech Team!

I had the privilege of helping out at a "speech camp" today. It was an event for a local high school speech team of which I am an alumnus. Some of my greatest memories of high school came from my involvement with the speech team, and I am always very happy to help at the annual speech camp.

It was a productive activity for the current team members. I enjoyed witnessing the creativity, the energy, and the silliness of today's "speech kids," similar to the speech kids I worked with a few years ago. What a delight it was for me to be involved in all of this for a day!

I am grateful for the time I had to be with a high school speech team, to give them my support, advice, and encouragement.

Threadbarely Had A Chance

Often, without thinking about it, I find myself following an old saying: "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." This holds especially true for my socks. I didn't ask for any new socks this year because I thought I had plenty of them. They all worked fine for me, and if they got a little thin, I wore slippers more often. Who cares?

A-parent-ly, my parents care.

My mom asked to look through my socks before I packed them away in my suitcases. If she found any holes in them, they were thrown. Seven socks (yes, an even seven, odd isn't it?) were found wanting, and they were thrown away. To make up for my loss, my mom found some brand new socks among the leftover stocking stuffers. "Oh, alright, I'll take the new ones," I said. It's not like I don't like getting new socks; it's just that I usually don't get around to it, and my parents are only too aware of that.

Today, I am grateful for new socks. :)

Celebrating Love

Today, we celebrated my parents' anniversary by going out to a nice restaurant for dinner. They gave us a free dessert, and they even wrote "Happy Anniversary!" on the plate in chocolate! We all (my parents and I) had a lovely time.

Tonight, we decided to watch the film Interstellar. Oh. My. Goodness. Gracious. My mind was blown several times in the space (or was it time?) of 2.5 hours. I was quickly invested and wrapped up in all the emotion and science and technology and disaster and [insert further raving about this spectacularly stellar movie that blew me away while my confusion dawned into recognition and amazement...multiple times]...etc.

Anyway, that's enough raving. What impressed me the most about Interstellar was that at the heart of the film was love, hope, and humanity, especially love. Today, I am grateful for a celebration, followed by a wonderful film, centered on human love. :)

A Family Christmas

My parents and I opened all our presents and enjoyed Christmas treats and Christmas dinner today. We had a three-way Skype call between my parents and I at home, my sister on her mission, and my brother on vacation. Both of my grandmothers called to say hi, see how we were doing, and wish us a merry Christmas. My parents even played two rounds of Munchkin, the Christmas Lite version, with me (my mom won the first game, and my dad the second)!

My Christmas 2015 was all about family, and at the center of my family is Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrated with beautiful traditions. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve Traditions

After coming home from a Christmas Eve party at a friend's house, my parents and I decided to watch "White Christmas." It was soon getting late and we had just barely finished wrapping all the presents and putting the Christmas stockings out. It was actually approaching midnight when I suggested we do two more things; two things we did as a family every year on Christmas Eve: First, read the Christmas story in the scriptures. Second, each person gets to open one present.

My parents were feeling more tired than I was, so I read the three scripture passages that make up the true Christmas story in the scriptures: Luke 2:1-20 (the most well-known Christmas passage); Matthew 2:1-12 (the three wise men); and 3 Nephi 1:4-23 (the Book of Mormon tells of how the ancient American people knew of the birth of Jesus Christ). I love those passages. They center me on the reason for the Christmas season.

Oh, and the present was nice, too. :) I am grateful for my family's Christmas Eve traditions.

Electronic Workout Trainer

At the gym, there are lots of treadmills and elliptical machines available for use. Most of them have a video monitor, which displays information about your workout, as well as TV shows. I am grateful for the elliptical machine I used today because the machine helped me recognize target heart rates and adjusted its slope and resistance according to how I was doing. Technology! Amazing, eh?

Caroling, Caroling, Down I Went and Down They Go.

One of the activities that kept me busy back in high school was high school caroling. I was able to don a coat, gloves, a cravat, and a top hat (the girls had dresses and hand muffs) and sing as a tenor in a dozen Christmas carols in many gigs across the town, for most of December. It was hectic and busy, but it was so much fun.

It's been a while since I was a high school caroler, and I'm glad that tradition continues on. I was able to visit my old high school and listen to this year's group of carolers. I found myself remembering most of the tenor parts, which surprised me a little. It was a lovely and cheerful performance. It was a good mix of nostalgia and Christmas cheer for me. I am grateful for high school carolers, from the time I was one of them to today, when I was able to watch them.

Film Commentaries

The things that go on behind the scenes to make a movie fascinate me. That is why I am grateful for film commentaries. Today, I listened to George Lucas and other filmmakers discuss how they made Star Wars: Episode IV. Great stuff! As an added bonus, they give me more bits of trivia that I can share with family and friends. 

Acquainted with Many Minds

It is easy for me to feel frustrated with politics. Sometimes, when I work out on cardio machines, I like to flip between news channels to catch up on current events using several viewpoints. For example, one day I switched between Fox News and CNN. What frustrates me the most is the competitive attitude against the "opposing" party. I notice this a lot on social media as well:

"[Some Democrat] does not care about the American way of life."
"[Some Republican] does not care about the American people."
"Liberals are astray and do not uphold any established values."
"Conservatives are backwards and do not see different points of view."

I don't quote any one source, but I paraphrase many of the arguments I've seen and heard.

I know it's hard to settle differences. As I ponder all of this, I am reminded of my own background, my own biases. I realize my ideological background is more diverse than I originally thought. Looking at my friends, family, acquaintances, and everyone I interact with in person or online, I realize that I have influences on both sides of many political, ideological, and even some moral issues. On some things I feel certain, on others I feel less certain, and I sometimes get frustrated with arguments and verbal attacks. But, I am grateful to be acquainted with many minds. I am grateful to know a diverse circle of people, and that allows me to see the world in more ways than I could on my own.  From there, I have the freedom to think, speak, and act according to the dictates of my conscience. 

The People at Home

I went with my parents to a Christmas party tonight. We knew several friends there, and I knew people would ask me how I was doing and what my next step in life is. I'm one of those kids who's out of the house but returns home for Christmas and most summer holidays. I'm always happy to be home, and I am always happy to see these familiar friendly faces, most of whom I know from church. I have never doubted that these people, who have been teachers, leaders, and friends in my growing up years, have anything but hope and encouragement for me and my future. I am grateful for my friends in my hometown. They are an essential part of what makes my hometown feel like home.

Going A Mile in Record Time

I've been getting back into an exercise routine this holiday season. I begin by jogging for a mile. I'm interested in seeing how fast I can cover the distance. I still remember the dismal running times I had in elementary school. I was a slower kid who watched the athletic kids finish a mile in seven minutes while I finally arrive in double the time. Earlier this week, I clocked in with a 10:10 time in jogging a mile. Today, I impressed myself with a 9:10 time. I never thought I'd cover a mile with a single-digit time!

I don't think I've gotten considerably faster in under a week. Rather, I now have a slightly better idea of my physical limits and I started to push them a little. Also, I think it has a lot to do with increased confidence, too.

So, I'm grateful for significant improvement in running a mile. This gives me encouragement to continue my workout efforts.

STAR WARS VII!!!!!!!!!

I am grateful for Star Wars!!!!!!! Predictable? Admittedly. Ashamed? Heck, no!

...I'm actually not going to see the movie for another week or so...but that aside, I'm pretty sure most people in the country, nay, in the world are very grateful that Star Wars exists! People have been excited about Episode VII: The Force Awakens for over a year. Can you believe there was a time when people thought it was all over after The Revenge of the Sith was released!?

Explanation hardly seems necessary here, but I'll have a go anyway. Who doesn't love the majestic scrolling introduction, the awe-inspiring lightsaber battles, the madness of Sith lords, the wisdom of Jedi masters, the myriad of unstoppable duos (Han Solo/Chewbacca, Luke/Leia, Han/Leia, R2D2/C-3PO, Jango/Bobba, Anakin/Padme, Qui-Gon/Obi-Won, Obi-Won/Anakin, Anakin/Palpatine, and on and on), the timeless film quotes, and that EPIC John Williams score, to name a few of my favorite things.

Yes, I am grateful for Star Wars, and thanks to this new movie, the world has awakened with a new hope that this epic franchise will go on.

To all who are off to see the movie: May the Force be with you. 

Interior Design--Christmas Style

I've never taken a class on interior design or anything, but I have taken some basic art and design classes and I am intuitively aware of the basic principles of color, shape, space, composition, layout, etc.

With my parents busy with work and other things, and with me being all done with school for the semester, I've started to decorate the living room a little more with our Christmas things, starting with the tree and a Playmobil nativity set. I was in a very blissful Christmas mood as I listened to Christmas music while winding colorful lights around the tree. I felt I was playing the role of artist as I carefully considered and implemented the placement of each piece of the nativity set. when I create something, I like to have meaning in it, even if it's not obvious. For example, a nodding head or an upturned hand might seem appropriate for the scene I want to create. Also, we've had Mary stand up in years past, but I decided to have her sit down, closest to the manger this time to show her resting after delivering the baby Jesus. Little things like that came to mind as I worked, and it made me smile.

I am grateful to be involved in Christmas decorating this year. There always seems to be a hint of magic or inspiration in the process.

Grad School Applications...It Has Begun...

I finished a couple of grad school applications tonight. They are just the beginning of the dozen or so schools that need transcripts, letters, statements, resumes, and anywhere from $30-$100. Definitely not my first choice of an activity for Christmas break, but at least I've got a good start. Also, I've had an incredible amount of help today and in the past couple of years, in preparing for graduate school, not the least of which has come from my parents.

I am so very grateful for the amount of time and effort my parents give to support and encourage me as I apply for graduate schools.

YMCA

You know, the YMCA is fantastic. I have some good memories of that place from when I was a kid, and the facilities are still very good. I am grateful for the service and experiences they provide to the communities that have them. Yes, they do deserve that popular song!

Christmas Drop-Offs

Today, I went with my mom to drop off some treats for some friends, as well as a person in need. While we visited with these people and dropped off our Christmas goodies, I had this thought that encompassed in this activity is not just true Christmas, but true Christianity. We gave gifts because we wanted to share some love, friendship, fellowship, and Christmas cheer. I am grateful for these kinds of drop-offs.

Washington D.C.

For a place drenched in rich history and fascinating politics; 
For the capital of the United States of America;
For the city in which I've lived, worked, learned, and explored for the past few months;
I am grateful.

This past semester has been a tremendous adventure. I've gained experience, friendships, memories of memorials and museums, professional confidence, some political enlightenment, and a desire to continue my service and learning. I could not have asked for a better, more fulfilling internship experience. I am grateful for a fulfilling semester in Washington D.C.

Finding Value in a Short-Term Investment

For my last day in the East Coast, my roommate and I decided to make a day out of Mount Vernon. We traveled for a while to get there and got to walk around the home and estate of George Washington, including the tomb where he and Martha Washington have been laid to rest. It was beautiful, all around, especially the view of the river from the mansion.

We met up with a friend about halfway through the trip. We had only known this guy for a week or so, but we had great conversation. I could tell he was a little sad to hear that my roommate and I would be leaving tomorrow. This encounter made me wonder: what is the worth of getting to know someone and invest in a short-term friendship when you will part ways soon? Personally, I sometimes struggle with this question. Tonight, I received an answer: It's worth it in this moment. Why not work and act and interact with people as if you'll be staying for years? People will come and go throughout my life, but I should do what I can to make every interaction worthwhile. It is worth interacting and conversing with people in such a way that, when all is said and done, you and the other person have both become better people because you've met. There should be some sort of learning, edification, enlightening, or rejoicing together.

Today, I am grateful for a joyous adventure in Mount Vernon, and the very pleasant interactions I had with a couple of guys I met only recently.

Successful Internship

Today was the last day of my semester-long internship. Wow, what a delightful and challenging experience it has been! I couldn't have asked for anything more in an internship. The people who work there are wonderful, and I felt that thank you cards were the least I could give them for their help and support. As I said goodbye to the other employees, I had a sense of fulfillment. It's that victory I long for at every goodbye: Knowing that I left a place better off than when I arrived. The full-time employees thanked me for my contributions this semester.

I am grateful to know that my internship has contributed to the organization, as well as my growth from student to professional.

No Such Thing As Free Lunch, But What About Free Cupcakes?

I am almost at the end of my semester-long internship. My supervisor invited me and our other co-workers to have lunch together today, and he brought cupcakes for all of us! It was a pleasant lunch because I felt I was in pleasant company, and that these people were genuinely grateful for the work I had done these past few months.

I am grateful for free cupcakes, shared with good co-workers.

Need to Improve, But Doing Many Things Right

I attended my weekly religion class, the last one of the semester, actually. It has been beneficial for me to attend a class about Jesus Christ and His teachings. As I participated in the class, I thought and felt that I needed to improve, and I recognized specific things I needed to better about. I actually felt frustrated with myself, since it seems so hard to be better, even if I try.

Then, I was reminded of something my parents said to me recently: "Ask God what you're doing right." I think a lot about how I can be better, but it is easy for me to disregard the fact that I'm already a very good person that has done very good things. I was reminded of that tonight, while I committed to work a little harder on this habit or that little thing that holds me back.

I believe in improvement and progression, and sometimes it's hard to recognize that it's even happening. I am grateful for a good, challenging semester of weekly religion classes. I believe I have become a little better because of it.

Yoga

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed yoga. I think the last time I did a real yoga session was in high school. I did yoga with some friends for about half an hour today and I'm glad I did it. The most fulfilling moments for me were at the end. After all the stretching and balancing and such, we ended by sitting cross-legged and taking deep breaths. All this while a lovely piece of music ("The Light," by Album Leaf) played from someone's phone. The meditation did me good. I felt relaxed and free. I felt quite happy and accomplished. I felt mentally refreshed after a full day of work.

I am grateful for a successful and refreshing yoga session.

When Your Favorite Carol Comes On...Twice

I watched the Christmas Devotional tonight at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, UT. Wonderful Christmas messages given by good Christian people. My favorite aspect of the devotional was the music. Not once, but twice the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (informally, MoTab) sang my favorite Christmas carols (I have about half a dozen favorite Christmas carols). They sang "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "Carol of the Bells."

I am grateful for those awesome moments when MoTab sang my favorite Christmas carols...twice!

The Man and the Birds: Beauty and Storytelling...and Christian Parables

At a Christmas party tonight, part of the festivities included someone sharing a Christmas story. I had never heard of it before. It was this story: The Man and the Birds. I knew there was a point to the story somewhere, so I listened patiently until the end. I soon realized that the story acted as a parable. I expected the narrator to explain what the man and the birds each represented. But no; the story ends wit the man kneeling in the snow. It seemed to be an abrupt ending at first, but then I realized how it left the audience to realize the conclusion for themselves. Jesus Christ often taught this way, not always giving obvious explanations to His parables.

I am grateful for a beautiful Christmas story and the silent lesson it tries to teach.

Magical Christmas Lights

I attended a Christmas-themed concert today. I enjoyed it, and there was a wonderful and impressive display of Christmas lights outside. Christmas lights often feel magical to me. I remember visiting the Salt Lake Temple Square in Utah a few years ago, admiring the light display there. I am grateful for Christmas lights. Though schoolwork is not over for me yet, I really appreciated this display of holiday cheer so early in the month. :)

When Your Laptop Just Isn't Enough...

I was excited for an NBC special tonight: "The Wiz Live!" I was once in a production of "The Wiz," so I was hoping to watch this NBC version tonight. However, I didn't have access to a TV (they were all being used by others), so I tried to access it through live streaming. Not on Netflix; not on Amazon; can't get it on my phone; don't have Hulu; don't have Dish Network or access to any other cable network on my own. I finally resigned to my fate and started on that homework I never really got to this week...

But I'm glad my laptop couldn't get me "The Wiz Live," because I got all my homework done tonight! Yes, I'm up really late, but it's done! I feel that sense of accomplishment. I also feel a sense of hope that perhaps I'll get to watch that show on the NBC website or on Youtube or something. I can dream, right? :)

Good Podcasts

I listened to a few NPR podcasts while doing some repetitive work at the office today. Fascinating stuff! I really enjoyed the content, and felt that I learned some great things. I am grateful for good podcasts, especially from NPR.

An Encouraging Inquiry

If you aren't aware, Blogger provides lots of really great statistics for their bloggers. Of course there is never any personal information shown to me or anyone else. What I can see is number of page views, where those views come from (what country, browser, referring URL, etc.), and which posts have been more popular than others. I don't look at those stats very often, because that has never been the purpose of this daily blog. But, every so often I look at it, just 'cause I'm curious to see where people are coming from.

One interesting stat is "Search Keywords." I don't know exactly what this is, but it seems to be a list of the internet searches that lead to my blog posts. I've looked at this before, but there was one particular search that came up this week that caught my eye:

"what can the united states be grateful for"

According to the stats, this search generated two page views. I don't know who made that search or why, but that's not my business. In the end this gives me the idea that what I'm writing here every day is making a small difference. I imagined someone asking that question and literally searching for an answer to see what comes up, and they read something that I wrote here. This encourages me. This is my hope and dream: to be assured that the world is a little better because of what I could do and be.

By the way, if I were asked that question in person, I would say something like this: "I think the United States has more to be grateful for than anyone realizes, or believes. [name a few general things like social progress, certain freedoms, prosperity, life, liberty, etc.] It surprises even me whenever I stop to seriously think about it." :)

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! Happy 50th!

This year is the 50th anniversary of the Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schulz. Tonight, on the ABC Family channel, there was an hour-long tribute concert starring famous Broadway, jazz, and a cappella performers. This was followed by the TV special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas." I have loved the Peanuts comic strip for many years, and today I am grateful for Charles Schulz's wonderful creation. Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!

Munchkin

Munchkin is one of my favorite card games. It is a hilarious parody of role-playing games (like Dungeons & Dragons), and it takes less time to play. I love play Munchkin games as much as I love to teach people how to play. I am grateful for the creators of the Munchkin game. They created something great.

Parental Reinforcements

I've been attempting to get into an exercise routine, but it has been difficult for me to make it a steady habit. These past three days, went to a gym with my parents, who have also found exercise difficult but they are working hard at it. I am grateful for my parents for reinforcing and encouraging me in establishing steady health habits.

Looks and Sounds like Chrismas!

If lots and lots of colored lights set up on a yard and synchronized to music (preferably Mannheim Steamroller or Tran Siberian Orchestra or classic Tchaikovsky) doesn't scream "Christmas season," I don't know what does!  Those set-ups never get old for me! I am grateful for Christmas light shows that are synchronized, or choreographed, to festive music.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I quote from "Thankful," a song performed by Josh Groban:

"So caught up inside ourselves, we take when we should give.
But for tonight we pray for what we know can be;
And on this day we hope for what we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change;
And even though this world needs so much more,

There's so much to be thankful for."

I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving.

For This Season of Gratitude

Elder David A. Bednar shared the following story in a Facebook post today:

"A number of years ago, our family learned a meaningful lesson on gratitude that we have never forgotten.

"While I was serving at Brigham Young University–Idaho, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve "Apostles visited our home. Earlier in the day Sister Bednar and I had been informed about the unexpected death of a dear friend, and our immediate desire was to pray for the surviving spouse and children.

"As I invited my wife to offer the prayer, the member of the Twelve, unaware of the tragedy, graciously suggested that in the prayer Sister Bednar express only appreciation for blessings received and ask for nothing. 

"Sister Bednar responded in faith to the direction she received. She thanked Heavenly Father for meaningful and memorable experiences with this dear friend. She communicated sincere gratitude for the Holy Ghost as the Comforter and for the gifts of the Spirit that enable us to face adversity and to serve others. Most importantly, she expressed appreciation for the plan of salvation, for the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, for His Resurrection, and for the ordinances and covenants of the restored gospel which make it possible for families to be together forever.

"Our family learned from that experience a great lesson about the power of thankfulness in meaningful prayer. Because of and through that prayer, our family was blessed with inspiration about a number of issues that were pressing upon our minds and stirring in our hearts.

"The most meaningful and spiritual prayers I have experienced contained many expressions of thanks and few, if any, requests. Let me recommend that periodically you and I offer a prayer in which we only give thanks and express gratitude. Ask for nothing; simply let our souls rejoice and strive to communicate appreciation with all the energy of our hearts."

Truly, gratitude is a most redeeming virtue. As an added bonus, I found a sign of gratitude as I walked down the street with my parents today (see below). I am grateful for this special season of gratitude. 

Notes to Think About...

As I ponder and memorize (or, "ponderize") verses of scripture, I like to set the exact words to music. It is fun to play around with melody and rhythm to convey the way I feel about the verse. This musical endeavor aids the ponderizing process! I'm grateful for music as a mnemonic and artistic device.

Basic Statistics At Work!

I knew my 100-level statistics class would be useful, but I didn't think I would be using it in my internship! Someone at the office distributed the results of a survey to everyone in the editing team. The charts and numbers made sense, for the most part. There was one question that seemed to have conflicting results, however. I looked at it, trying to remember what I learned in that statistics class. Then I came to a conclusion and shared it with the editor. My suggestion turned out to be very helpful and the results made sense. I am grateful to have background knowledge in basic statistical principles. It has proved useful in figuring out what is true and what is misleading.

Some Holiday Cheer on a November Sunday Evening

This was such a good Sunday. I heard inspiring messages from Church leaders (including President Russell M. Nelson), grilled sandwiches for dinner (grilled cheese & ham, as well as grilled PB&J) was a good success, I was busy communicating with friends and family through letters, email, texts, and phone calls, and I've started to listen to Christmas music on Pandora! The Christmas music has become a nice benediction to a good Sabbath day.

Regardless of how you feel about Christmas music and when to start listening to it and all that jazz, I am grateful for Christmas music on a November Sunday evening. :)

Intermediate Hymn Wake-Up Call

Yesterday, today, and tomorrow I had and have church meetings. They were stake conference meetings, gatherings for hundreds of local Mormons. In such meetings where I sit down and listen to inspiring spiritual messages, it is easy to feel sleepy sometimes. In addition to an opening an closing hymn, there is an intermediate hymn, about halfway through the meeting. Sometimes, the congregation stands to sing this hymn. I am grateful for the intermediate hymn today because I was falling asleep and it helped me to wake up and stay attentive for the rest of the meeting.

Syrian Refugees and the Book of Mormon

I was thinking a lot about recent events in the world, determining what I knew and figuring out what I thought about them. One particularly relevant issue I've been thinking about is that of allowing Syrian refugees into America. I had heard many arguments on both sides of the issue. I posted some of my conclusions on social media and I had some great conversations (online and in person) with great friends. During my scripture study this afternoon, I found a relevant passage that confirms my current stance. This passage is in the Book of Mormon, the twenty-seventh chapter of Alma.

Here's some context and a brief synopsis: The Nephites and the Lamanites are two different groups of people, and there is deep animosity and tremendous conflict between the groups. A group of Lamanites, the Anti-Nephi-Lehis, have been converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and they face persecution from the rest of the Lamanites (those who call themselves the Amalekites). They are rather hesitant to seek refuge from the Nephites because of the age-old animosity that exists. Nevertheless, the Anti-Nephi-Lehis decide to go to the Nephites, and the Nephites vote in favor of accepting the Lamanite-born refugees. The Anti-Nephi-Lehis are even given their own land and receive protection through the Nephite army.

When I read this chapter, I noticed many surprising similarities between this story and the current refugee situation. Truly, the Book of Mormon is true, and applies directly to our time. I am grateful for truth and surprising relevance in the Book of Mormon.

I Can Work Remotely!

So, I had a pretty productive day at the office. The problem is...I forgot to finish up a short article that's set to go out tomorrow! Well, good thing I can work and communicate on my laptop at home. I don't work from home very often, but I'm grateful that I can when I need to.

Got the Work Done, and I Enjoyed It.

Had a school assignment due tonight, brief responses to a few articles. I put it off until late tonight, which is the unfortunate norm for several such college assignments. It felt like busy work for a little bit, but I learned a few things. More than anything, I am happy I got it done. I just sat down, did the work, and turned it in. It feels great to have a simple reading response completed. Actually, I think this was the last of its kind for the semester.

I am grateful that, though it was late, I was able to get my schoolwork completed. I am especially grateful that it didn't feel completely like busy work.

"I Can't Even!"

While eating dinner with friends, at the end of a long work day, one of my friends (let's call him James) gently asked if we could all take a break from talking about politics for about 15 minutes. Politics comes up a lot when you're surrounded by political science majors. Our conversation went to movies. James had clearly been feeling tired, but when we talked about movies he started to get quite animated. He was actually quite passionate as he described the wonder and awe he felt when he first saw The Dark Knight. He was amazed at the sheer suspense, complexity, and intensity of the action and dialogue in the movie. "I just thought, 'I can't even! I can't even handle it!'" he exclaimed as he explained to us his first reactions to the film several years before. We all laughed together over this joyous outburst. This was definitely a highlight of my day.

We can find so many things to be passionate about. Some of those things excite us with angry passion. Other things, like an incredibly good film, fill us with joy and wonder. I am grateful for a moment of joyous laughter, brought on by the excitement and wonder of a superhero movie.

Punderful Enlightenment

If you didn't know yet, I love puns. I've heard many of them. Sometimes I feel like I've heard them all. Then, a friend shows you a really good one, a pun that is almost too clever and beautiful for its own good. Here it is, for your enjoyment (Warning: Disney references):

"What do you get when Sleeping Beauty gives a lecture [about] the Northern Lights to the people in Wonderland?"

[wait for it...]

"Aurora boring Alice."

It's so clever, isn't it? I'm grateful to be the recipient of a wonderfully gorgeous new pun today.

P.S.--If the joke went over your head, I give a brief explanation in the comments below.

A Gorgeous Fifth Verse

I'm fairly knowledgeable about LDS hymns. I commit my favorite ones to memory and sing them to myself, especially when I walk outside alone. I find joy in them. One hymn I love is called "Redeemer of Israel." I had only memorized the first four verses though. For some reason I never paid attention to the last two. I discovered these "hidden" verses at a choir rehearsal, and now my favorite verse in the hymn is the fifth verse. In the choir arrangement, this verse is sung a cappella by the women, and it is gorgeous.

"Restore, my dear Savior,
The light of thy face;
Thy soul-cheering comfort impart; And let the sweet longing
For thy holy place
Bring hope to my desolate heart."

I wondered, do I have that desire? That longing? How do I feel about my religion and about my faith in God? (Alma 5:14, 19, 26)

I am grateful for a gorgeous fifth verse that has me pondering my approach to my own beliefs.

Good Eats and Good Talk

I had a weird eating schedule today. I had large breakfast with a friend at a nice restaurant. We had very good, productive conversation about recent events and their connections with the media.

I went with some friends to a board game cafe (yes, it exists, and I wonder why it doesn't exist more often) and drank some water and orange juice over a couple of fun board games.

For dinner, I attended a large, Thanksgiving-style dinner party. I arrived late and ended up taking an empty chair at a table with people I didn't know very well. I was feeling tired and I was focusing on my food, but the young lady next to me decided to be friendly and we started talking. It seems clear to both of us that we won't really see each other again (since I'm headed out in a month), but we weren't talking with anyone else anyway. We just kept the conversation going for a little while until she decided she needed to head home. If nothing else, it was pleasant conversation, and it made the activity a little more enjoyable for me.

As much as I love to eat good food, I love meal talk even more. I have bonded with people over many a family meal, friendly lunch, dinner date, and potluck. Today, I am grateful for three good interactions over three good meals.

The Best of Humanity in the Worst of Times

I had an eventful evening with my friends. We had a murder mystery dinner party. It was a couple weeks in the making, and it was a lot of fun. Everyone enjoyed getting into their character roles and we enjoyed solving the mystery of this mock tragedy.

However, many of us are aware of a real tragedy that occurred in Paris tonight. Mon coeur est avec les francaises ce soir. Even with all that happened, I encountered a great deal of compassion in destruction's wake. People have opened their doors to those affected by the attacks, and many people around the world are thinking, feeling, and praying for the people in Paris and in France. Isn't it encouraging to see that a great majority of the people who see this tragedy desire to do good? Even if they can't do anything else to help, they try to send as many good vibes, prayers, blessings, etc. to those who need it. I am grateful that, in the worst of situations, we get to see the best of humanity in action as well.

The Great Composers of Film and Games

I went to an orchestra concert tonight. I was very excited for it because the program included orchestral music from film (especially by John Williams) and video games. The great composers of films and games are my heroes. For years I have dreamed of writing music like that, and I have been moved enough to even write a few pieces inspired by such work. There is often a lot of emotion and, well, epic-ness to it all. Each score might have small, subtle moments of magic in them (a bell chime, a small glissando on a piano, a shrieking trill from a flute, a thump from the timpani). Above all, I often feel hope in the music. Most films and games feature the theme of good over evil, and the music reflects that hope-filled triumph.

Being a tremendous fan of film and video game music, I am grateful for the great composers that write it.

To Those Veteran to Patriotism: Thank You

As of now, I am aware of at least one ancestor who fought in the Civil War, and at least one relative who fought in the Korean War. I've been to memorials of both wars and of several other conflicts. I once visited the Medal of Honor Grove near Valley Forge. War is never pretty. It is awful. In spite of this, or perhaps because of this, the memorials built for the people involved in those wars are often breathtaking and beautiful. Out of war and hard times comes the dedication of great men and women.

Another way to use the word veteran is to describe someone with experience, the opposite of a novice. Those who serve their country in the armed forces are certainly veterans of courage and patriotism. I am grateful for veterans.

My Support, Regularly Manifested

I've mentioned General Conference on this blog before. It occurs every six months. In the second session of each conference (the Saturday afternoon session), there's a segment called "Sustaining of Church Officers." What happens is the names and positions of the general Church leaders are given, and everyone is given the opportunity to give a sustaining vote. This isn't a vote to elect anyone to a position because members believe such positions are callings from the Lord. Rather, this gives each individual the opportunity to physically show their support for the leaders.

Here is a video of the most recent sustaining vote (and that one was special because three new apostles were announced and sustained).

For years I have raised my hand before myself and before God as a sign that I support the leadership and inspiration of those leaders. I still stand by that. My belief in Christ includes a belief in what I believe to be His Church.

At times I struggle. At times I have questions. At times things don't make sense. In those times I try to listen and understand. This is why the Church emphasizes personal conversion and personal prayer with God. In all things, I know in Whom I have trusted (2 Nephi 4:19), and I trust His servants as well.

I am grateful that I can sustain modern prophets and apostles, in a raise of my hand every few months, and in my heart every single day.

Water Supply

At my apartment, there have been issues with the water heater, so we're low on water right now. But thankfully I have a modest supply of water bottles stocked away just for emergencies. This isn't exactly an emergency, but I decided to take one of the bottles because I was really thirsty. I am grateful to have a personal water supply for times when I need it.

German Expertise, and More Reasons to Chat with Family

I'm going to be in a role-playing sort of party later this week, and I've been assigned a German character. Thankfully, I know someone in my family who spent some time in Germany! Just one more excuse for a Skype call with my family, which lasted over two hours! For this and several other reasons, this was a good Sunday for me.

I am grateful that I had a need for a family member's knowledge of German.

Effective, Eloquent Extemporaneous Speaking

I went to a concert with my friends tonight, and afterwards we hung out for a bit in the theater lobby. There was some art there, naturally. One was particularly intriguing so we started looking at it. I took a look at the informational plaque about the sculpture, and one of the more theatrically-oriented friends asked me, partly in jest, "Tell us more about this!" They invited me to make stuff up too.

I did. I started with what I knew and went from there. I just kept talking like I was a tour guide or something, giving random "facts" about the materials and methods behind the sculpture. I even threw in some "quotes" from a few "comments" I got from an "interview" with the artist "two days ago." I must have been yammering for  several minutes before I decided to wrap up (I could have kept going, but I didn't want to bore my captive audience). I impressed myself, actually! I don't consider myself much of an improv actor. However, I have been surrounded by creative people long enough to know how to carry on such a performance.

Another friend told me, after I finished, that during my improv yammering, there was a person or two that were behind me, admiring the sculpture and even nodding their heads a little bit as they heard what I said! We had some good laughs about it. Oh boy. I don't like to mislead people, but if a weird little urban legend goes around about this sculpture, I'll take that as a compliment. ;)

I am grateful for effective spontaneous performance!

Good Compromise

I am grateful for compromise. In a class today, someone mentioned the importance of compromise. Someone was talking about how the American Constitution was built on numerous compromises. The idea is that was a principle that made America great. In government and in conversations, there seems to be too many instances where people aren't willing to compromise. There is something to be said for being strong in principle, but of course that doesn't mean that compromise is weakness.

The scriptural phrase says "The meek shall inherit the earth." As I understand it, a meek person is someone strongly grounded in principles yet humble enough to listen to others and consider other ideas. I wish that was happening more often. More real conversation. That's why I'm grateful for good compromise when it happens.

Ranch Dressing, and Similar Things

Any time I eat spicy food, I am very grateful if I have dairy nearby. By "dairy" I mean milk or sour cream or ranch dressing or something similar. There's always something in my mind that says water will cool it down. It really doesn't. I'm grateful for dairy products when they're on hand as I eat something spicy.

Hidden Rainbows

I witnessed a fascinating phenomenon in my office today. My desk faces away from a wall of windows, and the front wall of my cubicle, right behind my computer, is made of glass. The windows behind me illuminate my workspace, including that glass wall. So, I can see a reflection of the windows behind me.

When I looked to my left, onto the glass wall, I noticed a stretches of rainbow across two of the windows. I turned around to look directly at the windows, but there were no rainbow colors. Somehow, the glass wall at my desk could detect at one angle what my unaided eyes couldn't see at another. The effect was reminiscent of a Lens of Truth (like in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time game), showing me more than I could see otherwise. The effect was actually kind of magical.

I am grateful for hidden rainbows. Actually, I'm a little more grateful that hidden rainbows can exist and be seen. :)

An Interdisciplinary Gospel

It is a great feeling to submit an idea to an organization and then have the chance to write about it. One of my favorite articles to write got published today. It is wonderful to me how the gospel of Jesus Christ can be applied to just about anything. There is a way to find truth and goodness in everything around us, and I truly believe that whatever is good comes from God (Moroni 10:6-7).

I am grateful for an opportunity to combine my beliefs with other fascinating disciplines in a recent article!

Happy Hour!

Work was long today. At times it was hard for me to stay awake. But, I got everything done that I needed to, and at the end of the work day was an all-staff happy hour. There were platters of cheese, fruit, meat, and desserts, as well as some beverages. It was a nice way to end the work day. I'm not used to happy hour anywhere (except at Sonic restaurants), and this was a nice change of pace. I am grateful for a happy hour at the office.

Temporary Losses

Today I lost my scripture bag. I also lost my weekly planner a few days ago. These are both important to me so I got a little worried. But, I figured I had just forgotten where I put them last and sure enough, I now have both. My planner was on my desk, beneath a book. My scripture bag was in the library for some reason, and there my roommate found it. I am grateful that neither my scripture bag nor my weekly planner are lost.

I Survived Another Halloween!

I survived another Halloween! This year, it actually feels like I have survived an ordeal. I was involved in setting up, participating in, and cleaning up a big dance party. This event consumed almost my entire day. Worth it? Certainly! My feet are very sore from dancing and walking and standing for hours, which makes sleeping in my comfy bed tonight a great blessing.

I am grateful I had a great costume this year. I had limited costume resources, and pairing up with my roommate to dress in suits as security guards was a great idea. So much fun! It worked out great as a costume for an energetic dance party tonight.

I'll also say I'm grateful we had safe travels to and from the event.

Leaf Fighting

October birthday traditions are the best.

I ran into a friend today, and she invited me and one other friend to go leaf fighting. It was a birthday tradition for her. This was a new concept to me, but it's quite simple: grab a bunch of leaves and throw them at each other. Yep. It's just like snowball fighting, but with autumn leaves. I hadn't had such child-like fun in the great outdoors in a while, at least not since I went puddle jumping! Actually, that puddle-jumping episode was almost exactly a year ago. Hmm...well obviously autumn is the best season ever.

I am grateful for a great session of leaf fighting.

To the Temple

It has been too long since I've been to an LDS temple. It's been almost three months, actually. My roommate and I made a night of it tonight. It took some time with travel, but once we arrived at the temple, we felt was peace. I felt my faith in God renewed and strengthened a little more, just enough to continue confidently.

I am grateful for an evening trip to the temple with my roommate.

A Good Run

Tonight, I watched the Republican Presidential Debate, and what a wild ride that was!

But instead of going on about that, I'd like to express my gratitude to the success of my jog after work today. It was hard and my body seemed to complain because I struggle with establishing a consistent exercise schedule. But, the light drizzle, the Piano Guys music, and a small labyrinth made this jog an adventure. I am grateful for a good run tonight.

And, of course, all the best to all the men and women who are continually running for the American presidency.

"My Heart Sorroweth..."

This was a rough day for me. A few blunders in the office, attempts to correct said blunders, and general self-frustration. In short, my pride took a few hits today. Then my friends, my home teachers, shared 2 Nephi 4:16-19. I know those verses well, but they never occurred to me today, and I realized that I needed to hear them. My eyes had the beginnings of tears from emotion. Those words from Nephi were exactly what I was feeling and thinking, and the answer at the end of verse 19 is simply perfect.

I am grateful for a familiar answer at the end of a rough day.

The Heart of "Hamilton"

I was once in a theater class in which the teacher expressed the idea that every show has a scene, every musical has a song, that can be called "the heart of the show." My classmates and I didn't get it at first, so he asked us to name that song at the heart of Fiddler on the Roof. We all knew the show, and we named several of the songs: "Tradition," "If I Were A Rich Man," "Mazel Tov," "Sunrise, Sunset," and "Anatevka." None of us were right. The teacher's answer: "Far from the Home I Love." That song, in the teacher's view, captures the central theme of the story. Since then I've enjoyed looking for the heart of every show I encountered, such as Seussical's "Alone in the Universe," or the scene in Our Town where Emily realizes the value of every moment of life.

Tonight, I tried to find the heart of Hamilton. Like every show, it has a lot to say, and many different messages resonate with the different people who see and hear it. If you were to ask me what the heart of Hamilton is, I would say "It's Quite Uptown." Alexander and Eliza have been devastated by awful scandal and terrible loss. The conclusion reached in this song can be heard at 3:40 of the linked video:

Forgiveness, can you imagine?

I believe fewer concepts can be more encouraging. After all that happened to the Hamiltons, forgiveness appeared, and both husband and wife could start to move on with lighter shoulders. I believe that kind of healing is possible because of the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ. How very vital is forgiveness in life, love, and liberty.

I am grateful for what I believe to be the heart of Hamilton the musical. 

Same Story, Different Books

You guys! Check out this cool connection I discovered today! Two stories, one from the Bible and one from the Book of Mormon, that parallel each other.

The Bible tells the story of Paul and Silas when they were persecuted and sent to jail. After a miraculous earthquake, Paul speaks with the jailer and the jailer is converted to the gospel of Christ. (Acts 16:19-33)

In the Book of Mormon a group of new converts, people who used to live on contention and bloodshed, buried all of their weapons. Soon after, their enemies came to their city to attack them. The enemies came and killed everyone they could find, but the converts would not fight. They had fought too much and they decided they were going to be peaceful. Many people died while praying to God. The enemies soon realized what they were doing and were ashamed of what they had done. Many of them were converted to the gospel. (Alma 24:16-27)

In both cases, believers of Jesus Christ are severely persecuted for their beliefs, and their persecutors later saw the error of their ways and were converted. I think it's really great to find more similarities between the stories and principles of the Bible and those of the Book of Mormon. I am grateful for a testimony of two witnesses to the power of staying strong in what is right and true.

Unexpected Delight

Today was a true adventure because I spent the day out fishing and boating on the river with a few friends. It was all very refreshing. There was a time this morning when we went kayaking. We only had one kayak that could hold two people, so I spent some time waiting at the dock. I admired the trees and the river, and watched the larger motor boats go by.

The first motor boat sped along, followed by its wake. The waves spread to the dock where I was sitting, which was built very close to the surface of the water. Each wave from the sake passed under the dock and some waves were high enough to slap the dock's underside and leak through. This phenomenon made a rather amusing sound, like the sound of someone brushing a stick against the bars of a wooden fence. I watched, listened, and laughed. I don't know why I was so delighted by that sight and sound, but I was. I looked out on the river, hoping to see more motor boats. Soon there came another one, wake and all, and the delightful sounds under the dock occurred again.

There is so much in life and nature and people that can be unexpectedly enjoyable and fascinating. I am grateful for the sound of wake waves under a low dock.

Conversational Learning

I had lots of great conversations with friends about many different topics today. One of my favorite topics was about government, particularly the judiciary. I learned so much today about the responsibility of a federal judge, which is to learn what the law is and apply it to the cases they hear. That's basically it. Learning is so empowering. I feel more able to understand other people,  and to live well with them. I am grateful for the new things I learned about government today.

Collective Encouragement in an Individual Struggle

This has been a rough night for me and my classmates. We all have papers to write and we're all either stressed out or we're beyond caring. Either way, we're burning midnight oil. What I am grateful for are the encouragements we give ourselves. Three or four times at least, someone in our group has posted a Facebook message or brought food or something to offer a brief respite from our late-night work. The fact that we're all here together, working individually but supporting each other, that's encouraging. I am grateful for the encouragement and smiles we provided for each other tonight as we wrap up a particularly stressful week of homework.

P.S.--One of my classmates posted a song ("Non-stop") from the new musical, Hamilton. It was the first time I heard a song from the show, and it blew me away! A highlight of the evening, I'd say. :)

A Small Statement on Would-Be 2015 Fashion

So, today's the day Marty McFly arrives: Oct. 21, 2015. It's fun to compare a 1980s interpretation of the future to the actual future (meaning, of course, today). One thing that hasn't been pointed out very much is men's business fashion, particularly as demonstrated in this photo.

Two ties!? Really? What an odd concept. To celebrate this noteworthy day, I put on an additional tie after work. It's a strange fashion, but doable, also impractical, and rather fun. That being said, I am grateful we don't normally wear two ties with a suit in 2015. Yes, that is what I'm grateful for today. I guess I could also say I'm grateful for the yummy pumpkin pancakes I had for dinner, but I'll stick with gratitude about fashion.

Forgiveness Miracles

In this week's religion class, we discussed the miracles performed by Jesus Christ in the New Testament. You know, healing the sick, causing the blind to see and the lame to walk and the deaf to hear, raising people from the dead, and forgiving. For some reason, I had never thought about those forgiveness incidents (woman taken in adultery, man sick with palsy, etc.) as "miracles." That label is more often given to events that are more tangible. However, to begin anew, to start afresh, to be clean from the sins and mistakes of yesterday, that is a miracle. Also, to see eye to eye with someone else, to put grievances behind you, to look forward and not backward, to forgive yourself and press confidently on, that too is miraculous.

I am grateful for a discussion of miracles, particularly miracles of forgiveness.

Some Alone Time with the Book of Mormon

Why am I not overly stressed about the additional work load at the office or the five-page paper due this Friday? As I consider this, I think I'm still focused on enjoying this semester-long adventure. I find opportunities each day to grow in one way or another. Today, during lunch, I had a few moments alone with the Book of Mormon, especially Moroni 10:5-7. I pondered my search for truth, light, and goodness in life, and I saw how much I am learning about myself and the issues of the world in just a matter of months. I am grateful for that alone time because my dedication to truth and goodness was renewed.

Yeah, I'll get the work done, and I'll do the best I can with the time I have. And through it all, every day is an adventure.

Gaining Ground

There are a few weaknesses I've noticed in myself, and I've told myself many times that I need to improve. I try to progress away from bad habits, but it seems like I'm not gaining much ground.

To some degree it's true, I'm not tremendously different from the person I was a week ago or a month ago or more. But I realized today that if I'm not gaining much ground, I'm still gaining.

I've just noticed several times today how I've become a little quicker to improve or fix my mistakes. When I notice I'm doing one of my habits, I react and change more quickly. It is a little easier for me to do good for myself and others.

I could say that I'm grateful for small progress. But, I am more grateful that I was able to notice that progress. When I am grateful for something, I think there are many times when what I received was not just the "something," but also the ability to notice it.

Late Birthday Cards

You know what's better than a birthday? A prolonged birthday! This happens when birthday cards and letters arrive in the mail a few days after the fact, renewing the birthday celebration! As you may guess, that happened to me today. It brought smiles to my face. I am grateful for late birthday cards and letters.

"You Are Amazing/You Suck!" Why, Thank You!

Within a three-hour period today, two opposing phrases were directed at me: "You are amazing!" and "You suck!" Both times, I smiled and appreciated the compliment.

Let me explain.

The first one is easy. I had just shared my beat-box and echo-voice skills at a talent show, so a few people were impressed enough to tell me afterwards, "You are amazing!" I may not be a professional performer, but I currently have enough skill to impress my peers.

The second phrase was spoken a couple hours later. I was playing Ticket to Ride with some friends. I had placed my train pieces to claim a space that one of the other players really needed. I got in the way of their strategy. The other player let out a burst of temporary frustration: "You suck!" That made me laugh because such things are spoken by many players when they run into an obstacle in a game.

Taken in isolation, the two phrases are opposites. However, both times it was a compliment to me. First a compliment to my beat-box skill, second a compliment to my board game skill (or just sheer luck). Funny how the English language works, eh?

I am grateful for today's social activities: a talent show and some board games.

A Great Debate

The highlight of my day was a small event that was related to class, but was completely initiated by us, the students. We thought it would be fun to have our own debates! We learned that some Civil War soldiers organized debate societies and they would discuss issues that were important to them at the time. Tonight, the topic was related to the United States' relations with North Korea. I knew very little about the entire situation but I decided to volunteer as one of the two debaters, and the two of us were each assigned pro or con. I got the more difficult side, and I say that because I had a hard time finding information that could strongly support what I would argue for.

Tonight was our debate. It was short and informal, only about 40 minutes, but it was fun. More importantly, it was enlightening for all of us. Half the time was presentation. The other half was taking questions from the audience. There was a vote at the end. By the vote count, I "lost," but I was personally on the edge of the two sides anyway. Everyone there enjoyed our debate activity, and both of us debaters received several compliments. More than anything, the debate focused on discussion, and I appreciate that.

It was a great debate, not because it was spectacular or significant. It was great because it was fun and enlightening for all fourteen of us that were there. I am grateful for tonight's independent debate, of students, by students, and for students.

Righting the Wrongs Against Rights

Some of the articles I read today for a class were directly related to human rights. It's not a topic I often think about, but I did today. The articles discussed tremendous violations of human rights, and described how the Human Rights Council in the UN address those situations. They helped me by making me more aware of what they see in the world. I am grateful for the way many nations work together to support human rights throughout the world.

We Heard, We Talked, We Listened

Like many people in America, I watched the Democratic Presidential Debate tonight. There is much about politics that I don't understand, and oftentimes I feel frustrated at how hard it is for me to find truth in such proceedings as these large, televised debates.

But I am grateful for these televised debates. Watching them led me to talk with my friends about it, and I was able to ask a few fundamental questions that led to great discussions. Perhaps, concerning politics, the biggest challenge for me is to figure out where I stand in principles of American government. I already know where I stand in many issues on a more personal and private level, but that's not all there is. I felt I heard and received more truth in tonight's small discussions than I did in the televised debate, and I think that's okay. The search for truth is a personal journey.

Today, I am grateful for friends who listened and talked with me during and after tonight's debate.

The Person at the Desk

I ran a few errands today, and one of them required the use of a printer and a scanner. The only scanner I could find was at the front desk of my building. So, I talked to the employee there and she helped me efficiently get the task done. A very simple exchange, but I am very grateful for the people who work at the front desk.

I Know You're Not Reading This, But Go Anne!

I was on a video chat with my brother and sister-in-law for about an hour tonight. One of the many subjects brought up was my sister, Anne. She and my sister-in-law haven't met yet because Anne has been serving as a full-time missionary. My brother and I spent several minutes talking about hilarious moments with Anne and her "anne-tics" (heh heh, that pun was so intended).

She is quite mature now, but I remember well those silly moments with my sister. Even now, when I read her letters, she is incredibly joyous. She practically smiles with her words! More than once, in describing the happy work of her mission, she has written about how "sparkles and rainbows are coming out of [her] ears." Her words, not mine. :) The best part of writing about her here and expressing my gratitude for her is that she's not going to read this. She spends very little time on the internet on her mission. If perchance she happens upon this post, well, here it is Anne. You're wonderful!

I am grateful for my sister. From what I've seen, her presence on this earth has done nothing but a lot of good.

P.S.--This is post #800, dedicated to my sister. :)

Living Gettysburg

Today, more than most days, I have a lot to be grateful for. I had several highlights today, mental, spiritual, and social. But here, I will share a spiritual highlight.

It was a privilege to spend part of my weekend in Gettysburg, yes, the historical battlefield. Before touring the fields, I saw a film followed by a cyclorama presentation. Throughout all of this, I thought of my ancestor, George Riley Hall, who fought in the battle of Gettysburg (he survived and lived to old age). The cyclorama was a large circular mural of the view of the battle as you would see it at the top of a hill near Cemetery Ridge. The arrangement, lighting, and sounds of the presentation made the battle feel very real. It was very easy to imagine myself there at that time.

After the dramatic presentation, I stayed in the room for a few moments, taking it all in as subtle dramatic music played in the background. The Civil War was to me no longer an abstract idea or a large dot on the American timeline. I spent those few quiet moments with tearful eyes and a grateful heart. An hour later, I went on a tour of the actual field and discovered where my ancestor fought and lived, but also where thousands more fought and died.

I have many people to thank for this special moment. Many people, including and especially our wonderful tour guide, made the Gettysburg conflict come alive for me today. To them, I am grateful.

George Riley Hall

For one of my classes, I've had to read a book about the Civil War and write a brief response to it. Naturally, I was curious to see if I had any ancestors that were involved in the war. I didn't think there would be, thinking of all my ancestors who were in Europe, Quebec, or Utah in the mid to late 1800s. But no! According to FamilySearch.org, I have a number of relatives that lived out on the east coast at the time (all that I've found were up in the north)! I looked around for any young men that died between 1861 and 1865, but to no avail. Then, my eyes were drawn to an old photo of a man named George Riley Hall. The thought occurred to me that he looked like a military man, so I clicked on his name and discovered his history.

This man had fought in the battle of Gettysburg, became captain of a New York regiment, and fought in many other battles. Before and after the war, he served as a Christian school teacher. He died of old age, having served faithfully for his country and his God.

Incredible.

I am grateful for my third great grandfather, George Riley Hall.

Tiny Witch Hats!

The time of the year has come, that of early October when I get to make witch hat cookies! Every year, for nearly twenty years, I have made and shared these cookies. I have the ingredients (cookies, chocolate candy, and chocolate frosting) and will make them soon.

Here's what's really awesome. I have a lot this year, given by family and friends, and I'm excited!

Here's the best part: in a package from home, I also got tiny cookies and tiny chocolate chips. So for the first time ever, I get to make tiny witch hats! I never thought of this before! What a splendid idea! Thank you, Mom and Dad, for sending me the idea and the supplies. :)

Reading a Book, Again

Lately, I have been making an effort to spend more time reading books and less time on social media and entertaining internet videos. I have always loved reading books, but I haven't really read one in a while. Reading requires a disconnect from everything around you, and the hardest part is that it's not as instantly gratifying as simple entertainment on the internet.

As I did some reading today, some for a class, some for pleasure, I was reminded of how much it engages the imagination. Here is another stark contrast between books and a computer screen: you create more when you engage with books. On an electronic screen, everything is given to you. Every sound and sight that you need is provided (though there are many videos and movies that are good and worthy of praise). My favorite part about a book is that you get to create your own images, and there is more interaction between you and the content creator.

It is interesting to me that I, a guy interested in a career in libraries, should have a sort of rediscovery of the virtues of reading books. But, it had been a while since I had allowed myself the luxury of reading a book for my own reasons. I am grateful for the excitement and inspiration I find just from reading a book.

What's So Awesome About It?

An interesting phenomenon happened to me today. I was sitting in a religion class this evening, next to a person I knew to be generally quite cheerful and happy. Whenever this person spoke in class, they would speak with very positive overtones and would say things like "I just think it's so awesome!!"

Here's the strange thing; I actually felt a bit of annoyance at such superlative cheerfulness. As soon as I became aware of that, I was taken aback. Why on earth would I feel that way? What made me feel annoyed? Was I jealous or skeptical of something? It was so strange. Really, there was nothing wrong with that person's disposition or mannerisms. They had done nothing wrong. Therefore, this must tell me that something is missing or lacking about myself.

I consider myself a happy person, but I don't think I smile very often or show much emotion. I often take care to look and act professional whenever I am around people. I think I err on the side of being professional, though. This is something that will take some pondering for me. This internal interaction has shown me something about myself.

For all of these reasons, I am grateful for the cheerful disposition of the person who sat next to me in today's religion class.

Irregular Meter

My musical tastes include pop songs, classical pieces, classical musicians playing covers of pop songs, and a cappella music (covers and original songs). I also like avant garde music, to a point. This type of music is often influenced by the music of different cultures. The other night, I listened to an Iraqi musician play some stirring music, and it had irregular meter. This means that you couldn't quite count "one-two-three-four" to count measures because the beats were more like this:

1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2
1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2
1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2
1-2, 1-2, 1-2, 1-2

Tonight I came across a piece by Philip Glass, the second movement ("Abdulmajid") of his Symphony no. 4 "Heroes." That meter went like this:

1-2-3, 1-2, 1-2
1-2-3, 1-2, 1-2
1-2-3, 1-2, 1-2
1-2, 1-2, 1-2, 1-2

Determining such structure feels like solving a mystery, and I get excited when I figure it out. I am grateful for irregular meter in music. It may be weird and unconventional, but some good music can be made that way.

Post-Conference Talks

As much as I enjoy General Conference (and I do enjoy it a lot), I really appreciate opportunities to talk about it afterwards. It is encouraging to see other people that you know talking about and applying what they heard during the conference. Such conversations confirm the impressions I felt while I listened to the talks. I am grateful for conversations about General Conference after the fact.

Three New Apostles

It is General Conference time, once again! The messages are inspiring, as always. This General Conference is especially exciting because three new apostles have been called. They fill vacancies that have been left by three apostles that had passed away in recent months.  I truly believe that they and the other nine apostles hold the very same positions as the twelve that Jesus Christ called and sent forth to teach all nations some 2,000 years ago. Their primary calling is to serve as witnesses of Jesus Christ and to direct the affairs and direction of The Church  of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today.

I can only imagine the sort of burden it must be to hold such responsibility. The three men called today to be apostles have already given many years of service in the Church, but now they will serve in a much higher capacity. I am sure the responsibilities of an apostle can be exhausting and time-consuming, so my thoughts and prayers are with them and their families as they strive to do the work that God directed them to do.

Some who read these blog posts may not see these apostles the same way I do, while others agree with me that they are directly inspired and chosen by God to be apostles. Either way, just about anyone can see that the leaders of the Church accomplish a lot of good in the world. For a few months, there were a few empty chairs among the apostles. Now three more have been called, and they are ready to get to work. I am grateful for the three men who accepted the tremendous responsibility that comes with being an apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Poetry Out Loud

I came across a poem written by the Poet Laureate of the United States, Jean Felipe Herrera. It was a longer poem, and I didn't really understand it. It didn't really speak to me. I had no emotional connection with it. Then I remembered what one of my professors said about how poetry is meant to be read out loud. Poets don't just play with words, they play with sounds, like Shakespeare and many others did. So, I read the poem out loud. There was beauty in the rhythms and the sounds, and those elements created a mental picture of a place and time in America. I don't know if that was the poet's intention, but that's what I got from it that time. I am grateful for a professor who encouraged reading out loud.

Successful Navigation of the Informational Maze

More researching, more writing at the office today. My main focus for the day was one article that was especially difficult. There just wasn't much information readily available, almost nothing, actually. I made some inquiries and got mixed results. Back to my own devices (though my only device was my desk computer), I went back to Google. With maps, searches, Wikipedia, and a lot of scrolling, I hit a few breakthroughs and found the sources I needed to fill up several paragraphs for the article. I was amazed with how things unfolded. I was truly going one step at a time without quite knowing what the next few steps were until I got there.

By the end of the work day I still hit a couple of roadblocks, but I'm working with that. I am impressed and grateful to know how to navigate the internet for the benefit of my information needs. One of the main reasons I want to be a librarian is that I want to be the guide in people's quest for information (and, hopefully, truth). I don't want to be the guy who knows everything, but the guy who knows where you need to go next.

Ultimate Rock Paper Scissors

I got to play a really neat group game today. It only took about five minutes with a dozen people. Ultimate Rock Paper Scissors is essentially a tournament. Everyone pairs up, and the loser of each pair is eliminated, making the playing group smaller and smaller until there are two contestants left for a final round. I've done this before, but not with the fun twist we had today.

In today's Ultimate tournament, the losers became the cheerleaders of the winners. First, each winning player had one cheerleader, and that pair would find another player-cheerleader pair. The winner of that now has three cheerleaders. This goes on and on until there are two players left, but each player has a group of cheerleaders behind them! A final winner is decided and everyone cheers. The energy of that particular game was impressive. It gained momentum up to the final round. It was a way to play so that everyone, in a sense, wins. I like that. Cheering someone on, giving support, that helps you forget your own disappointments, your own loses. This is perhaps one way to "lose" your life so that you may "find" it in the service of others.

I am grateful for a spectacular game of Ultimate Rock Paper Scissors.

Thank You for Your Reply

Today, I am simply grateful for the people who respond when I contact them (by phone or email). I'm mostly thinking of my internship, but this applies outside of an office as well. I don't intend to go on any sort of rant about poor responders, because in reality most people respond. Sometimes the response is very helpful and sometimes the other person just doesn't have what I need. Either way, I move forward with my project/objective. It is wonderful that we have the technology to instantly communicate over long distances, but it is even more wonderful that we really do use this technology to communicate.

Oh Yeah, Work Really IS Going Well!

Today felt like a slower day at work, mostly because I don't have a lot of pressing assignments. But, I think my attitude had something to do with it as well. I had started to slip into a mental routine of going to the office, sitting there at the desk from nine to five, and then leaving for my apartment. I came to a realization later tonight, though. I remembered that I have a fantastic internship in a marvelous place among wonderful people. I'm three weeks in and I already have to remind myself about this! I am grateful for that reminder. I will go to work tomorrow with that perspective of gratitude that opens my eyes a little more to the good and the great around me.

Don't Want to Go...Should Go...Glad I Went

There were a few things going on after church today, but I didn't feel like going. I felt ready to take a Sunday afternoon nap. Some friends asked me, "Are you coming?" and "You're going to sing with us at the old folk's home, right?" I didn't really want to, but I evaluated my hesitation. The only reason I didn't want to go was that I didn't feel like it. I was tired. I do believe in giving myself downtime if I need it, but in this case I felt that coming along would be a good and right thing to do. At that point, all of my reasons not to go felt like excuses.

So, I went, and I'm glad I went. I had some enriching experiences over the next few hours. If I hadn't gone in the first place, I wouldn't have lost anything. Since I did come along, I gained a lot. I've been looking for ways to improve my Sabbath day observance, and today I did that. Today, I showed God that I was willing to serve Him and His children, even when it isn't convenient. I am glad I took the time to go beyond my personal cares today.

Mini Fridge

There are many nice things about my apartment, and one of those is a mini fridge. I am very grateful to have one here. It makes storing leftovers possible, and those leftovers have saved me money on several lunches and dinners. This kind of appliance would normally be a luxury I couldn't afford, but I am fortunate that I can afford it where I have my internship.

"That My Children May Have Better LIves."

Today I listened to Steve Reich's piece, "Different Trains," twice. It is one of my favorite pieces of music. I listened to it today because I and other interns had an academic assignment on the subject of the Holocaust. I never learned so much about those events before in my life. That subject and all it entailed was on my mind for most of the day.

There are many lessons to be learned from the Holocaust, especially how such events still exist in our modern world. One of the more profound takeaways for me, however, came from a specific quote. I don't have the exact words, the essential idea is this: "Though I have been through terrible tragedy, and have lived through horrible times, I will work and live so that my children can live in a happier and more secure world."

We are the children, the grandchildren, the great-grandchildren. Is our world happier and more secure? Are we better off now than they were then? Yes, I think in many ways we are. This leads me to wonder, do we have that same desire? Do we live with our children, the future generation, in mind?

Even after today's studies, learning so much more about the Holocaust, I have never felt depressed today. Tired and emotionally drained, yes, but not depressed or discouraged. In fact, many other good things happened today. A friend gave an exclusive tour of a historic building, I encountered a decent guitar player/singer out on the street, and I had a delightful dinner with more delightful conversation.

I am grateful for the countless heroes of the 1930s and 40s that helped make this world better than it was in the 1920s.

An Afternoon Chat: Missionary Success

I was involved in casual conversation with some people at the office when I was asked one of the most profound and thoughtful questions about my mission: "In your mission trip, how do you define success? What makes a mission successful?" The person who asked wondered if it had to do with the number of conversions, or perhaps it was just a matter of community service, or something else.

When I was a full-time missionary, the definition of success was something I thought about a lot. Even so, I took a moment to think about my answer. In essence, I said that my focus as a missionary was to meet people to teach them about Jesus Christ, and to find opportunities to serve the people in other ways as well. I remember the many times I helped chop wood, as well as the weekly visits to a local nursing home. To be sure, helping others come unto Christ is just as frustrating as it is rewarding, and I am grateful for the times I witnessed people change for the better as they followed Christ's teachings in their lives. My answer to the question, in summary, is that a missionary is successful if they leave an area better than it was when they arrived. Someone in every somewhere you go should be better because you were there.

The conversation moved on to other topics. I am grateful for an afternoon chat today. It was real conversation that benefited everyone. Also, it led to opportunities to share aspects of my beliefs in ways that are relevant to the work I am doing. This internship truly is a blessing.

Dinner Groups

I've never done these before, though I had heard about them. I've always figured that I am adequately good at cooking to make impressive food when I give myself the time and the resources. All other times, I can still eat well and simply.

This dinner group thing is pretty awesome, actually! It's not just the free food either, but also the fact that I get to cook for other people and socialize with them over a meal. What could be better!

I am grateful for dinner groups.

Elder Richard G. Scott

To a man who was an expert in engineering and in the gospel of Christ,
To a man who will be remembered for the love he had for his wife, 
To a man who looks you in the eye as he shares the convictions of his soul,
To a man who served his Lord faithfully for many decades,
I am grateful.

God bless Elder Richard G. Scott, an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as he is now reunited with the love of his life. God bless Elder Scott's family at this time as well.

A Little Box of Thoughtfulness

I got a package from my brother today! He told me he would be sending something, though I didn't know exactly what he was sending me. It was a small box with a number of random objects. It included a letter of explanation about the items, which I appreciated. Everything he put in there was for a reason. The bracelet had meaning, as did the homemade bookmark and the shark tooth and other objects. In all honesty, some of these things aren't very useful for my time here in D.C., but my brother wasn't aiming entirely for practicality. The gifts were very thoughtful. I felt that these objects were the result of his love and kindness for me. I know how hard it can be to come up with thoughtful and meaningful gifts, since I approach my gift-giving that way all the time. I am grateful for my brother's package to me. It was a little box of thoughtfulness, like a brotherly hug sent by mail. :)

Reconnecting on Sunday

Sunday is such a good day to connect with friends and family. I wrote a couple of emails, made a couple of calls. These interactions helped to make this a relaxing and refreshing Sunday. I am grateful to know there are people I can talk to and listen to, even though they are currently far away.

The U.S. Constitution

I got back from a big excursion to Philadelphia, and part of that trip was to visit the Constitution Center and Independence Hall. The Constitution Center was impressive. The exhibits there are very well done, and they served as the perfect backdrop for my visit to Independence Hall, to the very room where that document (and the Declaration of Independence) was created and signed. No matter your opinions or feelings about how the Constitution should be interpreted, I'm sure every American can agree to its significance. It is truly a miracle, and I truly believe that God had a hand in making everything work just the way it needed to. There is a reason, I believe, that "God Bless America" is a familiar phrase in this country. He truly has blessed America, and He will continue to do so according as He will. I am grateful for the circumstances and the people (on earth and in heaven) that brought the Constitution and this country together.

When History Came Charging In

Out on an excursion this weekend to some historic sites. A lot of things happened today, but the highlight of my day came charging in. Quite literally, in fact. A history actor and teacher, in full colonial army garb, charged in, screaming about redcoats! For the next two hours (even though he was only hired for one) he took me and my classmates on an educational adventure. We learned so much about the time of the Revolutionary War because he helped us live it as much as was possible. He helped us understand how people thought back then. He was passionate about his subject and he had so much fun with us (which was great because we had fun interacting with him and learning from him).

After we went outside where he gave a mourning shot in honor of soldiers past, he took us back inside to show us some colonial dance steps. No matter what happened to me before this man's performance/lesson, my day ended on such a fantastic and enlightened note because of the actor's work. It looks like a terrific part-time job, and I think it would be so much fun to do something like that! I am grateful for the wonderful work of one of the best history actors I've ever seen.

"Strong Start"

People are quite busy in the office, and it's taking some time for me to adjust to the routine of working in my cubicle while everyone else works in theirs. There are occasional meetings, but most of my time is spent on researching, writing, and editing my assigned projects.

So, I really appreciated some feedback I received on a project that I completed today. The director (my boss' boss, essentially) told me I did a very good job on it, complimenting specifically on the tone of my writing, as well as the quality of the photos I used. I also appreciated a comment on how glad the director was with my "strong start" and how I've "hit the ground running." Those words were very encouraging, and that told me I was doing a little better than I thought I was. I appreciate good words a lot, and I often try to give such words sincerely to others. I am grateful for some encouraging comments from my boss' boss today.

Lots of Debate, But with Sincere Passion

I watched the Republican presidential debates tonight, all five hours of them. I have my opinions about what happened and which candidates I like more and all that. But more than that, I was impressed by this one thing they had in common: They are all passionate people who want to serve their country and make it better. Over and over the candidates brought focus back to the American people. It is clear to me that each one of them have the great and noble desire to do what they can to improve their government and to serve the people of this country. I am grateful for the people of both political parties who passionately and sincerely pursue politics this way. I am grateful for the people who have stepped up and have been showing their willingness to take on the responsibilities of the American presidency.

More on Light and Life

I believe in Jesus Christ, and I believe that He is also known as "the light and life of the world." In tonight's religion class, the following idea came to me: Jesus Christ isn't just the spiritual light and life of the world, He is the literal light and life of the world. He created the world, for "without him was not anything made that was made." He created life on the earth. He made the light that sustains life on earth.

All this may seem rather fundamental. But, when I really think about it, that truth puts things in perspective. I feel I can thank God for more things in my prayers because I can see a little more clearly how things are made possible because of Christ. Also, light and truth are topics that fascinate me. I am grateful that, for me, more light was shed about "the light and life of the world."

Too Much AC

The office felt rather cold today. In fact, when I was done with work I realized that it was warmer outside than it was inside. This allowed me to appreciate the outside weather much more. I am grateful for too much air-conditioning, because when I went away from it I felt the sun.

Attending a Baptism

I attended a baptism today. It had been a while since the last time I attended a baptismal service. Actually, I think the last one I went to was about three years ago. The service brought back memories from my two-year mission, when I had dedicated every hour of every day to the cause of helping people, teaching them about Jesus Christ. I helped prepare anyone who accepted the gospel message for baptism and confirmation. Those baptism services are always very sweet and inspiring. I always feel very happy for the person being baptized because it represented a fresh start for them, the true beginning to following and living the teachings of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for today's baptismal service. It was special, and I'm glad I was able to attend.

Dancing and Kayaking

The best moments of today were either the most energetic or the most serene. It is interesting that you can feel happy in different ways.

This morning, I attended a few free dance/movement classes (they were all part of some community event today). I was pouring in sweat after Judo, African dance, and hip-hop dance classes. But, I was happy to learn new steps and techniques. It was a lot of fun watching other people express their interpretations of the dance steps. Those of us who were there dance and moved with feeling and energy!

In the early evening, I enjoyed the serenity that accompanies kayaking. This past week, I had been enjoying the view of the water. Today, I enjoyed the view from the water, and it was beautiful.

In both cases, I felt happy. I am grateful for the happy and diverse adventures of today: dancing and kayaking!

Fourteen Years Later

9/11 was a big topic of discussion this morning. That discussion left me rather reflective and even a little concerned for the future. Anytime I saw an American flag, it was at half-mast. I recalled that day from 14 years ago.

But I was reminded that there is still a great deal of good in the world. As the day was drawing to a close, I ran into a remarkable performer on the street. It was a cellist! I was sold. I stayed to listen, and I even got to chat with the musician. The performance and the interaction inspired me and filled me with joy. The pursuit of happiness is part of the American Dream that we fight for on many levels. My day, even my week, was happier because of a cellist on the street. That made for a wonderful ending for the day.

I am grateful, on this particular day, to remember and to be happy. :)

I Know Enough About Football

I don't consider myself much of a sports fan. But, I think it is fun to watch a football game, or any sport, with friends (especially if some of those friends are particularly passionate about it). There was a good game on tonight, and I watched it with some friends after another day of internship work. I am grateful that I know enough about football to enjoy a game and understand what's going on.

I Do Care About Things!

We all individually have that one issue (or two...or five) we feel strongly about. It is an issue that you will stand by no matter what authority's quote you hear. You internally shout for joy when you find a video or a quote on the internet that just perfectly matches what you think and you want to share it with the world to convince them that you have been right all along.

Now, I like to think that I always make an effort to seek after, learn, and live by truth. I often have to think before I can determine exactly how to convey any opinion I may have about anything. This is true of me...for the most part. That first paragraph fits me to a tee when it comes to puns.

Sure, most people I know laugh at my puns. But there are naysayers, boo-ers, groaners, and chortlers (at least, it's fun to think that there are to justify writing something fun like this).  There is even a quote by Samuel Johnson, the writer of one of the first dictionaries, that degrades puns as the lowest form of comedy, or something like that. On this issue, I am fixed on one opinion: puns are awesome!

I bring all of this up because I was impressed by a video I came across called, "In Defense of Puns." It is by CollegeHumor, which is not my favorite comedy outlet, but I loved this so much that I shared it on social media. I almost never share videos or memes or anything on social media, except for this blog. This goes to show that even a mild-mannered person like me can have such strong convictions that he wears his opinion on his sleeve for all to see.

So, what am I grateful for today, exactly? Hmm...I guess I'm grateful to know that I have more opinions than I realize. Too often I tell myself I'm neutral but I am becoming increasingly aware that I'm not, and I think that is a good thing to realize.

Dear Self: You Deserve More Kindness Than You Realize

I started work today, and that prospect was of course both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. I came in with this attitude: I will be happy; I will take note of things in the orientations; I will work hard; I will ask questions but do all I can to get my bearings and become self-sufficient as soon as possible; I will show them today and this week that they can trust me with worthwhile tasks.

I came into the office with that mindset. I was ready. And yet, I wasn't quite prepared. I wasn't sure quite what to say when I saw that my supervisor's boss had given me over half a dozen worthwhile tasks (writing for them already!) over the next few weeks, or when my he took me out to lunch, or when he kindly opened the door for me as we walked into the restaurant, or when he sincerely complimented me on my work at the end of the work day. I didn't expect such kindness or friendliness on my first day as an intern.

Then tonight, I attended a weekly class that focused on Jesus Christ. This phrase, describing Christ, touched me: "my kind, wise, heavenly Friend," taken from a lovely hymn. One of my personal habits is that so often I approach my life and the things I do in just the same way I approached my internship today: I will do my best to be my best; I will be self-sufficient; I will do what is good and right. Too often I am unprepared to receive infinite kindness from God and Jesus Christ. There is more to God and His love than I am allowing myself to receive, and it can be a struggle to learn to truly trust in Him. This is true even for someone like me, who believes strongly in their religious convictions. This is why I am continuing to pursue a more focused study of Jesus Christ, in personal study and in a weekly evening class.

I am grateful for a personal lesson that applies to my work and, more importantly, to my faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

Rejoicing Together

In an effort to be a more informed citizen, I decided to take the time to watch the Republican debate from August 6th of this year. Soon after, I went with some friends to a nearby restaurant. I mentioned that I had been watching that debate and people started to talk about favorite candidates, which soon became a discussion on political issues. I still feel that I know very little about the issues of politics, both domestic and foreign (especially foreign), so I admittedly didn't say very much. But, I tried to be involved when I felt I could contribute to the discussion. Some of us talked for a good 45 minutes or more on these sorts of things. There was appropriate passion for personal convictions, as well as respect for the convictions of others. We listened to each other, which I value and appreciate highly.

After the fact, a verse of scripture came to mind. It was revealed to Joseph Smith and can be found in Doctrine & Covenants 50:22. This section talks about teaching and learning by the Holy Spirit, and I think it has applications for all honest and respectful dialogue no matter the subject. My favorite part of the verse is this phrase: "both are edified and rejoice together." That's the end result, if the conditions are right. Verse 24 talks about light and truth, which is what I hope to find in everything I learn and do. I noticed that the scriptures don't say anything about people being right. It emphasizes learning, self-improvement, and appreciation for others. I am grateful today for a fascinating discussion that edified me, and I rejoice in that.