Not the Best Day, But It's Part of the Best Life

I had six and a half hours of church meetings today. Six and a half hours! Choir practice, regular church meetings, and a leadership training meeting. At one point, I realized I was tired and hungry, and I wondered why I was doing all of this. Was it my sense of duty? Was it because I just like to help people? Was it because I love God and want to do my best in the church assignments He has given to me this semester? I think it's a combination of all the above.

At some point today, I wondered whether my volunteer work in my church was making me miserable, especially during my last meeting when it was all I could do to stay there instead of heading off to make myself a sandwich and take a nap that instant. As I thought about it some more, I realized that my volunteer work was actually making me happier and more satisfied with my life. Sure, I have miserable moments like I did today, but I am happier and more fulfilled in the long run. Why? Because I believe I am accomplishing much good, just a little at a time. I am not entirely grateful for the immediate consequences of my church service. But, I am so very grateful for the long-term blessings and improvement I see in my life and in the lives of others, because I choose to be anxiously engaged in what I believe to be a great cause.

A True Winter Wonderland

When the snow gets heavy and sticks to the ground. When piles of white accumulate on tree branches so much that you're surprised the branches still hold up. When you stop looking at the wet, brown slush at your feet and look up around you; then you know you are in a true winter wonderland. I am grateful that today's winter weather produced such gorgeous scenery to enjoy and walk through.

St. Francis of Assisi

This has been a wonderful day for me. It was a long day of school, work, and other activities and commitments. But, as the day came to a close, I felt incredibly happy and grateful. The words of a hymn came to mind, and I sang them (below is only the first of four verses):

"All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam,
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Oh, praise him! Alleluia!"

The words come from St. Francis of Assisi (as translated by William H. Draper). I have loved this hymn for years, and it served me well tonight as a fitting expression of my feelings at today's end. Among other great things today, I am grateful for St. Francis of Assisi's poetic words in a beloved hymn.

Songwriting Class

I'm taking a songwriting class, just for fun. I like to write music (often inspired by classical or film music) and songwriting is a newer genre for me. Today, each student presented their first song of the semester to the class. I enjoyed presenting my song, and I enjoyed listening to the other songs just as much. It is amazing how much creativity we have around us all the time. The humor, energy, and emotions expressed by my classmates in their songs was touching. I am grateful to be among a bunch of creative artists in a beginning songwriting class.

Friend In Need, Novel In Need

One of my classes is focused on group projects. My group was assigned to work on editing and designing a fiction book. The problem we had for the past week was that we didn't have a manuscript to edit. Thankfully, the friend of a group member had written a draft of a fantasy novel, which would work perfectly for our project. Everything went into place, and now our group project can continue unhindered!

I am grateful for a classmate's friend who wrote a fantasy novel. This is just a great situation all around where we get to edit and design and the author gets help on improving their novel.

Like A Printer of the Old Days

I was at an interactive museum this evening, and while I was there I was able to help operate an old printing press, with all the movable type and ink and everything. It was a great experience because I felt like I had gone back a couple centuries and had become a printer's apprentice. I really enjoy experiences like that. The people at the museum are very passionate about their jobs, and I was so happy to see that as well.

I am grateful for this time-traveling experience. I am grateful that I was able to operate an old-fashioned printing press.

A Short Film...Quasi-Improvised

People may say that they aren't good actors. People may say they aren't creative types. There's creativity in all of us, and I noticed that when I joined a group of friends to make a hilarious short movie! We had a very rough plot, with a few characters. In a matter of two hours, a lot of improvising let to some awesome, hilarious moments! I can't wait to see the final, edited version.

I am grateful for improvised, spontaneous hilarity put to good use to create a short film with friends.

Sharing Goodness, A Renewed Effort

There was a presentation tonight on the subject of sharing goodness and the gospel through social media. It was later in the evening, and I didn't think I'd be going. But, some friends and ecclesiastical leaders encouraged attendance, so I went. I am very glad I did. This blog is the result of a desire to share goodness and truth on social media. At the presentation, I got the idea to include a feature that would let any of you blog readers share with me what you are grateful for. I'd like to share a few of these responses from time to time.

I am grateful for the inspiration to renew my efforts in sharing goodness through social media, including ways to improve my blog.

A Private Organ Concert

After watching a wonderful, heart-warming, adorable movie, I met up with a friend who was finishing up his organ practice for the day. He played a few organ pieces for me. The organ was in a small office space, but the acoustics worked for the good of the instrument. I stood and basked in the grand sound that my friend brought out of the magnificent instrument.

Today I thought a lot about the possibilities for my future, and it started to make my head hurt. Tonight's private organ performance was so refreshing for my mind and for my soul. I am grateful for a private organ concert. I appreciated and enjoyed it much more than my friend realized.

Planetarium!

I went to a planetarium show with some friends tonight. I love the stars and the night sky. I am no physicist, but I appreciate outer space a lot, especially since I believe that God created the ever-stretching cosmos and is aware of every sparrow, lily, human, planet, and galaxy. I am grateful for planetariums. Though they don't actually open to the sky, they open my mind to the glories and wonders of our universe.

At Last...A Pillow!

If I don't have something I need, I usually make do until I can get it. In this case, that thing was a pillow. Luckily, I had enough blankets and other soft cloth things that I could use as a pillow for a little while. Once I got a pillow, though...wow, I forgot how soft they can be! I am grateful for pillows. They can truly be a godsend. I didn't have trouble sleeping without a pillow, but I rest a little better now.

It's Good to Have My Brother Here

It's nice to have my brother around. He is a great friend, and I am glad to be able to see him in the same town and school I'm in this semester. His friendship and his service are priceless gifts, for which I'm grateful.

Volunteering at a Museum

I get to volunteer at a museum! No one came by during my volunteer shift today, but I learned what I'll be doing: I'll be giving museum tours! I just arrived at this museum not knowing exactly what I'd be doing, and it turns out I'll be doing the best work in the museum! I am excited for such an opportunity to guide museum visitors through fascinating information and history. I am grateful to be able to be a weekly museum volunteer.

Forgot Password?

There have been many times when I've forgotten a password for one website or another. For this reason, I am very grateful for the option to reset passwords by confirming accounts through other means. It is very handy and I've made use of that feature more than once.

Ancestry.com

Part of my time at church each Sunday includes a family history class. Today, I learned of some of the newer features of Ancestry.com and began to fill out my family tree. I had used Ancestry before, but I wasn't aware of these more recent improvements. I like them a lot! I'm more familiar with FamilySearch.org right now, but I am very grateful for the wonderful genealogical resources found on Ancestry.com.

R2-D2 Cookies

I was shopping for groceries with my roommate this evening when I came across a box of sugar cookies that looked like R2-D2 from Star Wars. I thought, "this would be great for tonight's movie party!" So, although an impulse buy, I got them and added them to the array of snacks on our table when we had friends come over to watch "The Lego Movie." The cookies were very simple, but rather adorable. Other people's reactions to them were delightful. I am grateful for a box of delightful, inexpensive R2-D2 cookies.

At Ease in Social Situations

It seems that I'm more grateful for things when I've known what it's like to not have it. A personal example: social ease in dance parties. Ever since I was 14 years old, I've attended dances (for high school, church, and university events). For many years, I felt very awkward. As comfortable as it was to be a wallflower, I wanted to get onto the floor and dance. I tried to ask girls to dance and there would be three to four minutes of awkward small talk. My focus was on how my own inadequacies were messing everything up.

When I attended a dance party tonight, I had a lot more fun than I thought I would! Not only had I become more confident in my dancing abilities, but was also more concerned with being comfortable with myself. I would join dance circles or go off on my own. I asked young ladies to dance and enjoyed three to four minutes of delightful small talk (I always tried to find something interesting to say or ask.). My primary focus was making sure that people were having fun (including myself).

There are many factors that contributed to this significant improvement that I've made over the past decade. I think I've already written about how grateful I am for improved confidence in my dancing. So, today I'm grateful for a much greater social ease with my peers.

Swedish Fish

Swedish Fish are among my favorite candies. I had some today while at a party at a friend's apartment. I'm grateful that Swedish Fish exist. :)

Hey, Why Not Audition?

There was an audition on campus today, for an event that needed people to sing songs from the 40s and 50s. I'm not trained in that style of music, but I thought I'd give it a go anyway. I think the my audition went poorly, but this was a time when I told myself, "Why not? This seems fun, so I'll try it!" I am grateful for the fact that I'm surrounded by opportunities to try new things and audition for great local events.

College Academic Advisers

During my time in college, I haven't met with advisers very often. But, every time I do, I feel encouraged in my educational and career pursuits, and I even receive some insights into what I'd like to end up doing. This happens every time. I am grateful for college academic advisers, who are perhaps among the many unsung heroes in American universities.

Confidence with Names, A Rarity

It's the beginning of the semester, and that includes learning new names and faces. I try to learn people's names because I know people appreciate the effort. Learning and remembering the names of people we meet seems to be a rare skill because most people apologize for being "bad with remembering names." In all honesty, I tend to be very good with names.

For example, in my social dance classes we change dance partners frequently, so I get to meet and learn the names of each of the ladies in the class. As I approach each dance partner, I greet them by name. Today was the third session of the class so by now I've met a good portion of my classmates. When we switched dance partners and I greeted the next young lady in the dance line, we greeted each other by name. What she said next took me a little by surprise: "I'm pretty good at remembering names."

I was surprised because I just don't hear people say that very often. Usually I'm the only one in a group that seems to make such a claim. It was refreshing to meet someone else who was confident with names like I usually am. I am grateful to have met someone else with that rare gift: the confidence to "be good with names."

Tired, But Not Weary.

Wow. Normally, Sundays can be busy, but I don't think I've ever been this busy on a Sunday before! I had things going on from 8:30 am to 10pm. All of this busyness had to do with church service, friends, and family. Is that all I've been doing, just spending time with friends, family, and fellow church members? Well, I believe that relationships are the most important things in life, especially with God, as well as those we love and appreciate on earth.

The scriptures say, "Be not weary in well-doing" (Galatians 6:9). I am physically tired, but I'm not weary. I am not depressed or bored or have any reason to complain. I am very happy. This has been a great Sabbath day for me. I am grateful that, though I'm tired and very ready for sleep after a long day, I am happy and excited about all that I got to see and do and say today. Though tired, I am not weary, and I thank God for that.

When Winter Feels Like Winter

I went sledding today, and threw a few snowballs as well. I got the feeling that I hadn't done either of those things in a while. After Christmas is over, it seems to me that it's sleds and snowballs that make winter feel like winter. I am grateful for a couple of great hours in a winter wonderland.

Around the World, with Ping Pong

I was with two of my roommates at a large party, and there were a few ping pong tables set up. People were playing on them, and one of my roommates decided to go to a table that was being used by a couple of girls and ask them if we could join them. We became a group of five people, playing "Around the World" ping pong. We ran round and round and round the table, hitting the ball back and forth. We made so many mistakes, but sometimes we were able to get a really good volley going. I don't think I ever had so much fun with ping pong as I did tonight. I am grateful for many "rounds" of ping pong with friends tonight.

Homemade Barbecue Pizza...Without Onions!

I have great roommates, and one of them made some barbecue pizza and shared it with the rest of us. It was delicious, and better yet: there were no onions in it! I don't like onions in my pizza. My roommate didn't know that before, so it was a happy coincidence. It made for a delightful meal in my apartment. I am grateful for homemade barbecue pizza, without onions. 

Freestyle, Right Off the Bat

You know that moment when you meet another beatboxer and you realize that the two of you can just freestyle right off the bat? You've never experienced that? Well, I have a couple times in the past, and it happened again tonight, during an a cappella group rehearsal. It's so much fun to create spontaneous musical moments like that! I am grateful for a few moments of freestyle beatboxing with another beatboxer I had just met today.

Easiest Form Ever

I had to go fill a form this morning to get my employment situation settled. The process too a lot less time than I thought it would. The receptionists were very helpful and straightforward. Plus, it turned out to be an electronic form that took less than a minute to fill out. I was very impressed. I am grateful for the receptionists and the computer people that were involved in making an administrative process quick and easy. I appreciate their work.

"Patience"

Earlier today I was tired from a long day on campus, feeling upset about some issue, and stressed about how much I have left to unpack and organize in my apartment. While in this state, a word came to my mind: patience. That principle answered all three of the above problems. In time, the day will end and I can sleep. In time, this issue will be addressed. In time, all of my possessions and boxes and suitcases will be in proper order. I believe this was God's way of helping me to recognize what attitude I needed to have today.

I'm getting ready for bed, things will work out, and I made tremendous progress in my unpacking today. I am grateful for a reminder to be patient as well as grateful.

Also, I'd like to say how grateful I am for coat hangers. Without them, I couldn't properly unpack a lot of my clothes. :)

"Home," to Lots of New Faces

I've moved into the same neighborhood I lived in before my Washington, D.C. internship. A few of my friends from last year are still there, but most of the people are unfamiliar to me because they moved in after I left. This neighborhood has felt like home to me, because I've been here for a few years and I've made some great friends. I'm very glad to be back, and I'm excited to meet new people. It's an interesting situation, to return to a "home" with lots of new faces. I am grateful for my neighborhood, for friends old and new and soon to be.

Living Like A Settler of Jamestown

Today, I went through a great interactive museum exhibit. Each visitor was given the name and stats of a character who was in the company that settled Jamestown in the early 1600s. Visitors go through a maze, completing lots of interactive activities that simulated the lifestyle and choices of those early settlers. The goal was to "survive" the maze. I went through and my character died several times before I got through successfully. This gave me much greater appreciation for the challenges of some of the first European settlers on American soil.

I am grateful for a very well done museum exhibit that turned out to be a fantastic educational game.

"Sure, I'll Come Along."

Another move-in day, and that means meeting new roommates. It was time for dinner, and my roommates had other plans, so I went around the complex to meet other people and see if anyone else would like to join me to go out to eat. I met a guy who also hadn't eaten dinner, and we enjoyed some Hawaiian barbecue meals. We also had good conversation, and it was clear that he appreciated meeting someone on his first day in the area, since he knew no one before we met.

Oh, and a couple hours later, I went laser tagging with some other people in the neighborhood. I'd call this day a success! I am grateful for spontaneous interactions with new neighbors and roommates.