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.