Pineapple

Who would have thought that pineapple could go so well as a staple ingredient for so many things? I participated in a small Iron Chef competition with friends tonight, and the secret ingredient was canned pineapple. The three groups made a variety of foods: a yummy smoothie (we also cooked bacon and dipped the bacon in the smoothie), pineapple fondue (it was meant to be pineapple fudge but it didn't harden in time), and pineapple served with chicken and rice. It made for a fabulously impressive meal, by college student standards! I am grateful for pineapple.

Sacred Music, and the People Who Share It

The sermons in my church meetings today were on the topic of sacred music and how they enhance public and personal worship. The talks reminded me of the couple of years I served as the music chair for my congregation. I really enjoyed serving in that capacity. To work with and share sacred, uplifting music is nothing short of inspiring and incredibly fulfilling. I serve in a different capacity in my church now, and I truly enjoy it. I just have so many fond memories of my service as a music chair. I am grateful for the time I got to serve in music positions, and I am very grateful for the wonderful, capable people who serve in those positions now.

I am also grateful for sacred music because it is an outlet for me to express my emotions, especially gratitude, to God. Whenever I walk alone, usually headed back home after a long day, I sing out loud. I sing what comes to my head, usually LDS hymns. In such moments, I feel I am offering a continuous prayer to God.

Dungeons & Dragons

On this blog, I have expressed gratitude for a game called Munchkin. It is a hilarious spin-off of role-playing games, especially Dungeons & Dragons. I have been curious about Dungeons & Dragons. A friend told me about it, and it sounded fun. I enjoy fantasy novels, creative writing, storytelling, board games, acting, and strategy. This has all of that. I quickly learned how to play and got involved in a game with some friends. Today, I helped someone create a game character for the first time.

For years, I believed the stereotype of super nerdy people absorbed in a fantasy world for hours and hours on end with no other social interaction. I suppose that happens somewhere, since anything can be taken to extremes. But for me and most other people who like to play casually, it is a lot of fun! Besides, I'm a bit of a nerd anyway. Moreover, the game focuses on interacting with other people. It is yet another way for people to make and keep good friends, and I like that. Yes, today I am grateful for the Dungeons & Dragons game.

Early Bedtime

I am so used to staying up past midnight. Sometimes I stay up late for legitimate reasons (studies, rehearsals, etc. on campus), but usually I just don't feel like going to sleep. It is commonplace for me and I usually don't think of it. Today I did. I realized that I really didn't have anything else to do, and it was only 10pm. The night is still young, right? Yeah, I am such a college student.

I wanted to stay up and out for a little while longer on a lovely Friday night; but it was clear to me that it really would be best to call it a night then and there. I am grateful that I did. I feel so much better about an earlier bedtime. More rest means more health, wealth, and wisdom, right? I truly believe there is legitimate truth in that.

"There's A Spider on the Wall." "Awesome."

This post is a little bit random. The words in the title were said in one of my classes today. Someone was giving a presentation and several of us noticed a spider climbing down the whiteboard. A student said, concerned, "There's a spider on the wall." The professor, nonchalantly and without looking up from his papers said, "Awesome," and we all left it at that.

I just found that moment funny and delightful. Furthermore, this exchange led me to wonder: What is awesome about a spider on the whiteboard? I don't even like spiders that much. I couldn't help but think of the song from The Lego Movie. Yes, you guessed it, "Everything Is Awesome!" Really, there is something awesome, something positive and good, you can find in just about anything. In this case, I thought it was awesome how we all just rolled with whatever happened. A couple people freaked out about seeing a spider, but in the end, we just left it alone. Life is good.

I am grateful for an "awesome" wall-climbing spider. :)

Scanners

I needed to use a scanner today to scan a bunch of my class notes for a couple of classmates. They had asked for help and I had the time and resources to do so. I am grateful for scanners because they make it so easy to deliver documents from paper to computer to email.

A Successful Recording Session

My songwriting class involves, well, writing songs. There is a great quality studio at our disposal during the semester, and I used it tonight. I was nervous because this song (an instrumental piece) would be due this Thursday, and I hardly had the whole song formed in my head. I came up with the melody for the verse section just an hour and a half before my recording session, to say nothing of the bass line. I had a few sections solid in my mind, but the rest of it...I need to come up with almost on the spot. Yes, I could have come more prepared, but I came with what I had.

It turned out to be enough. With just a little bit of practice and review, I was able to record all the parts and get it mixed, all in about 70 minutes. The studio technician was wonderful, and we worked very efficiently together. The final product sounded great! Better than I imagined it would. I came to the recording session with what I had, and I was able to improvise and polish what I had into a single instrumental piece! Everything just...worked. It all worked efficiently and effectively.

I am grateful for a successful recording session.

Quails

Walking back to my apartment after yet another day on campus when a family of quails crosses the sidewalk. I've always considered them delightful creatures. They go as fast as their little legs can carry them, and the sound of their name (quail...quail quail quail) adds exponentially to their quaintness. The sight of the scurrying quail family on my way to my apartment made me smile.

Also, every time someone tries to find an animal for every letter of the alphabet (for a class of kindergardeners or something), what do they use for "Q"? Quails. Every time.

I am grateful for quails. :)

Pinterest

I started a Pinterest account a little while ago. I was curious to see what was on there and what a 20-something male like me could do with it. I was intrigued by the amount and style of content available, and I was able to create a few boards that reflect a few of my interests. I even made a wedding board (because why not)! I've even followed The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Pinterest, and I appreciate the content they produce for social media.

I am still unsure about how I will continue to use this, but I enjoy and appreciate the website. I've also found a way to connect my blog with Pinterest, especially since I have a Gratitude board on there. I am a young single male, I am a Mormon, and I am grateful for Pinterest. :)

A Meatball WHAT Sandwich!?

For lunch today, I went to a Subway. I decided to order a meatball marinara sandwich. I don't know how it happened, but when it was my turn to order, I said I wanted a "meatball marijuana" sandwich.

I quickly corrected myself, and the lady at Subway knew what I was trying to say, but boy was I embarrassed. I can't even call it a Freudian slip because marijuana, or any other related substance, was never on my mind. Like I said, I have no idea how that that happened.

It was really embarrassing for me at that very moment, but it would soon be alright. Now, it's funny. I shared my anecdote with a few friends today and we had a few laughs about it. I am grateful that such moments can be funny in the future. The ability to laugh at yourself is truly a blessing.

Chewing On MInts

I have a container of mints in my coat pocket. Normally, when I eat a mint, I play this game with myself in which I keep it in my mouth for as long as I can without biting it. It is strange how strong the temptation is to chew on a mint in your mouth. I like to make these mints last as long as possible, but sometimes I end up chewing on it and the mint falls apart easily.

Today, I had a job interview, so I brought the mints with me and ate a couple (without chewing) beforehand. After the interview, which I thought went well, I rewarded myself with a couple more mints. I was feeling like celebrating a little bit more than usual, so...I bit my mints as well. It was strangely liberating. Yes, the mint didn't last long, but I let my teeth go at it. The liberating burst of freshness in my mouth was worth it. It's the little things, right? :)

Music and Numbers, in Real Time

I'm taking a songwriting class this semester, and my teacher is awesome. He was talking about charts, especially the Nashville number system. This system is used to aid musicians in playing the right chords for a particular song. I know a little bit of music theory, but I'd have to listen to a song over and over and over again to even begin to figure out what chords the song uses.

My teacher plays a pop song, and starts writing numbers and symbols in time with the music. He wrote in a bit of a fury, keeping up with the beat of the song. By the song's end, he had drawn up all of the chords in the Nashville number system. I was incredibly impressed!

Today, I am grateful for a songwriting teacher with an impressive ear for musical chords.

A Clear Day!

It has been quite foggy in the area recently, but now it's clearing up. I looked around today and noticed how clear everything was! It was like the HD had been turned back on all around me. I am grateful for a clear day.

Good Rehearsal, in Many Ways

I direct an a cappella group that rehearses for an hour every week. I try to make it fun, especially since the group is made of other college students. We made good progress in learning our music, but we (myself included) also got sidetracked with jokes, puns, and movie quotes. There was a lot of laughter and chatting throughout the hour. I didn't care. We were enjoying ourselves. It was a productive rehearsal, but it was also a fun rehearsal. I'm grateful for that.

Being There

This has been a day focused on friends. I went to the temple with a friend and roommate, I went over to a friend's apartment to play a role-playing game, I wrote a letter, and I helped someone do some deep cleaning. I think the common theme in all of these activities throughout the day was just being there. I am grateful for all the opportunities I had to "be there" for one of my friends. Such moments make for rewarding friendships and relationships.

14 Day Challenge, Day 14: Thru God's Eyes

Today's challenge: See everybody you talk to through God's eyes. I tried to do that today. This whole two-week challenge has been about that, and it included seeing myself through God's eyes. Having this perspective is how we can develop charity and love for those around us. See others the way they can be, and it will be easier for them to achieve that potential.

I don't feel that I have changed dramatically during this 14-day challenge, but it has allowed me to become aware of the weak spots in the way I feel about and act towards other people. Self-awareness is half the battle, and I will spend the rest of the month trying to work on the weak spots I've noticed.

I am grateful for the challenge to focus on developing love for others for the first two weeks of February.

Also, Happy Valentine's Day!

14 Day Challenge, Day 13: Offer Up A Genuine Compliment

This was another easy one for me, especially since I had a very good day. I offered genuine compliments to people who served me with cooking, conversation, kindness, working at various shops and restaurants, and several other things. My day was positively impacted by many people, and I expressed my appreciation to them for that. How many times have I not noticed these small, positive impacts? Today's challenge made me more aware of this today.

I am grateful for the challenge to offer more sincere compliments.

14 Day Challenge, Day 12: What You Have In Common

Today's challenge was to focus on what you have in common with everybody you meet. I met a lot of new people today at a fun activity tonight, and I noticed how much more understanding and appreciative and respectful wad toward others when I viewed them as true children of God, and as brothers and sisters in the human race. I felt so grateful today to be acquainted with many good brothers and sisters. :)

I am grateful for the chance to focus on the good things that I have in common with the people I see, meet, and know.

14 Day Challenge, Day 11: Thank Someone

This challenge wasn't so hard for me, since I've been making it a habit to sincerely say "thank you" as often as I can. But, there was one time today when I said it when I normally wouldn't have.

In one of my classes today, the professor wasn't there to teach the class, so she had one of her assistants teach today's lecture. The assistant began by explaining the professor's absence and then went on with the lecture. She seemed nervous, but she did pretty well. She clearly felt that she couldn't yet measure up to the amazing and inspiring person who normally teaches this class. By the time class was over, I had this thought come to my head, "That assistant would probably appreciate personal gratitude for her good, honest efforts." So before I left the classroom, I approached the assistant and thanked her for her efforts in teaching today. I did think she did a good job covering and explaining the material, and I told her so as I shook her hand. Then I left, knowing I had done a little more good for someone else.

I am grateful for the challenge to look for someone to thank.

14 Day Challenge, Day 10: Speak Kindly

Today's challenge was to speak kindly. Today was a trying day for me because I needed to get up at 5:30am and I've been up until about midnight, with just an hour nap somewhere in there. But, when a friend talked to me about a recent exam they took (with less success than they hoped for), I listened and gave kind, encouraging words.

I am grateful for the reminder to speak kindly, no matter how you yourself may actually feel.

14 Day Challenge, Day 9: Really Listening (and my sister's home!)

Today's challenge was to spend ten minutes really listening to someone. Looking back on my day, I don't think I actually did that. I consider myself a kind, loving person, but I realize it is easy for me to tune out if I'm not interested in a conversation or an activity. If anything, this challenge has made me more aware of this weakness of mine.

However, I did get to speak with my family over the phone for more than ten minutes. My sister returned from her full-time mission in Argentina! It was great to get to talk to her again. Now, everyone in my immediate family, parents and children, has served a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That is a great blessing and accomplishment.

More than anything today, I am grateful my sister was able to travel safely and receive an honorable release from her 18-month full-time mission.

14 Day Challenge, Day 8: Showing Mercy

How do I show mercy to someone? It's not like anyone owes me money or wants me to spare them punishment or something.

I guess a small way to be merciful is to turn off some of the lights and close the bedroom door so my roommate can sleep more soundly. I often go to sleep later than he does, and he has told me he didn't mind the light. But, I can do my part as well by not staying up as late as I sometimes do. So, I will close down now and get some shut-eye.

I am grateful for a small reminder of day to day mercy (the kind that I can show to others, as well as the kind that God and Christ have for me each day).

14 Day Challenge, Day 7: Non-Critical of Actions or Circumstances

While talking with a friend of mine today, the topic of dating came up. We have some minor differences of opinion on the subject, and I noticed I had been critical of his opinion and approach. I apologized to him and decided to spend more time listening and less time thinking while we continued to talk.

I am grateful for a reminder to be non-critical of someone's actions, or opinions.

14 Day Challenge, Day 6: Forgiving Someone

Today's challenge was to forgive someone who wronged you. Gosh, this is a challenge for me because I feel like with regards to each person I may have been wronged by, I have moved on. I don't feel resentful about any of them, especially since any such wrongs happened years ago.

So, who did I forgive? As has been the case for me (it may have been different for you), I noticed the need to forgive myself. I felt very sorry for some of the mistakes I've made today, and I have a habit of apologizing more often than I need to. So, I forgive myself, and I will move on by going to bed tonight to start a new day tomorrow.

I am grateful for the peace of mind that comes from forgiving someone, and knowing you are forgiven by God.

14 Day Chellenge, Day 5: Through Another's Viewpoint

Today's challenge was to see a situation through another person's viewpoint. Tonight, I had a date and I knew I would be getting back late to my apartment. I got a text from my roommate, in which he asked when I'd be back at the apartment. I wondered why he asked that, and when I arrived at about 12:15am I asked him. He said he wanted to see me arrive and ask how my date went.

Why would he do that? I realize it was because he cares, because he sees me as a good friend and wanted to hear an update on my adventures. Noticing this viewpoint allows me to realize just how much our friendship means to my friend/roommate. The situation was that I was arriving late at our apartment. I was tired. He was eager to hear from me. Two different perspectives. 

I am grateful for the different viewpoint my roommate/friend had when I came back to our apartment after midnight.

14-Day Challenge, Day 4: Avoiding Catagorization

Today's challenge was to avoid the tendency to categorize people. I didn't think I did that very often, but I found myself doing that a bit during a social dance competition tonight. There were beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels of competition. My dance partner and I had so much fun at this informal competition. Even so, I sometimes categorized myself and the other beginners as seperate from the more experienced dancers.

This changed when I noticed several people who were in my beginner section for Latin dance, but later competed in more advanced levels for ballroom dances. When it came down to it, we were all just a large group of people who love social, Latin, and ballroom dance. Some were more experienced than others, but we were all much more similar than different.

I am grateful for an exciting dance competition that avoided strict categorization of people.

14-Day Challenge, Day 3: Looking Beyond Looks

I'm taking a couple of dance classes this semester, just for fun. In these classes today, students dressed up to practice for an upcoming competition. We watched each other dance and talked about what looked good and what didn't. During this time, I looked beyond looks, in a way.

Some people were more dressed up and looked nicer than others. Then the music started and the dancing soon followed. My eye was no longer drawn to the most attractive or dressed up dancers. I paid more attention to those who smiled and looked like they were having a great time. It is interesting how easy it is to learn how to dance while at the same time forgetting how to enjoy the dance. The most beautiful and handsome people in a dance competition are those who work hard on the dance steps and techniques while smiling and enjoying every minute of it. A good way to look at life, I think.

I am grateful I could look beyond appearances at a dance practice today.

14-Day Challenge, Day 2: Shortcomings

Today's challenge was to overlook someone's shortcomings. Throughout the day, the only person on which I really noticed shortcomings was myself. Of course I know no one's perfect, but I just didn't notice things that I should overlook. If anything, it was a bit of a challenge to overlook my own imperfections. examples included arriving late for work, procrastinating a paper, and eating an unhealthy dinner. But, in spite of all that, I am still confident in my capacity to become better tomorrow than I was today.

I am grateful that I was able to overlook my own shortcomings today. Not ignore them, but let them pass without dwelling on them.

14-Day Challenge: Patience

I decided to take this challenge for the next two weeks. I consider myself a considerate and compassionate person, but I know I can improve. Perhaps focusing on something I think I'm good at will draw attention to when I'm actually not good at it.

Anyway, today's challenge was to show patience with someone. I played an intense escape-the-room game with a bunch of friends. We all got quite invested in it, and at times we got really frustrated. In such times, it is easy for me to lose patience, because it's just a game, right? I decided to keep my cool, and when I felt frustrated I just calmly asked questions and did my part. We got out and solved the puzzles!

I am grateful for this 14-day challenge to love one another, and for the opportunity I had to show more patience in a stressful yet rewarding game.