Renaissance Men and Women

Had a really good guest lecturer in my songwriting class today. He talked about some recent successes he had in pursuing some songwriting projects that he has been working on for years. This lecture was very inspiring for me because he was a guy who worked a 9-5 job and pursued his passion after work. I have often thought about being that kind of guy in perhaps the next 5-10 years.

I have determined that I may not have a life in music, but I will definitely have music in my life. I am grateful for the people I have worked with and met who are dedicated spouses/parents and/or outstanding full-time workers, and yet are excellent in their other pursuits. It may be in music or in writing or in any number of artistic pursuits. I am grateful for them, because I hope to grow up to be that way as well. I hope to be someone who focuses their life on the most important things, and also creates great contributions to serve and inspire others. You might call such people Renaissance men and women.

Made It! Two 7:30 Performances

So today, I was scheduled to perform in two shows. One was an a cappella concert and the other was a songwriter showcase for my songwriting class. Both performances began at 7:30pm. ...Yeah, it was an interesting night...

For the past week I've been talking with people to try to arrange things to make everything work. I tried to do impossible math, like whether an a cappella group with a three-song set that performs after two other groups with three-song sets would be singing before or after a couple dozen one-song acts in a building that is a three-minute run away. Gosh, it stressed me out! I worked it over and over in my head, and switched things around and back again. I prayed for help, as well. More than anything, I needed to keep calm, and deep down I truly felt all along that everything would work out. It didn't stop me from worrying though.

My a cappella group sang, and I ran to my other concert with four one-song acts to spare. I had so much fun performing in both concerts. The amazing thing was that I really could have left both performance orders the way they were and it would work out. I truly didn't have to worry and fuss over it nearly as much as I did. Everything worked out, and I thanked God for it.

Now, I'm sure that everything could have worked out even if I didn't pray to God for help. But, I truly believe that all good things come from God, and tonight's successes were certainly good things. I am grateful that everything worked out with my two 7:30pm concerts today.

P.S.--One of the songs I performed tonight was one I wrote, expressing my thoughts and feelings about America and the 2016 elections here. People seemed to really enjoy the song, so I think it's worth sharing. Here it is.

Getting It All Done, But Still Forget Something

I have a lot going on this week. It will get better when I survive these next couple of days. In any case, my schedule got pretty full today, but when I finally got back to my apartment I was feeling pretty good about the day. I had even accomplished several things I almost forgot to do, and I got it all done! I felt I deserved some down time.

During this down time, I looked at the clock and realized something: I had completely missed a teaching appointment! I had arranged to make a visit at a certain time tonight, and over 90 minutes later I remember it...ugh...

I will figure it out, though. It's not the end of the world. It's so easy to believe that something is, and yet the world continues.

I am grateful for all I accomplished today, and for the reminder that I am still not perfect.

Am I Drifting?

I wondered that these past couple of days. I had a hard time focusing in church yesterday. I was feeling really stressed and so behind on internal and external obligations. I felt I have been slacking on my church duties, as well as my school work. I haven't felt much of a desire to make new friends. I wondered if I was drifting from God. I wondered if I was becoming more hardened against His influence because I keep focusing on other needs or wants that aren't as important.

I was reminded today that I am never out of God's reach or influence, as long as I have even a sliver of a desire to come unto Him for love, support, and guidance. My home teachers visited me in my apartment and taught me a short spiritual lesson. It was really more of a discussion, and it was very encouraging and uplifting. I felt God's love for me and for those around me. I felt closer to God, and felt that, overall, I was doing well. I felt peace, and at peace.

I am grateful that I am drifting towards God, not away from Him. I think drifting is a good word for this because when you're making that lifetime pursuit to be better, to be God-like, you never notice the progress you make from day to day. It is slow going, but it is going. :)

Happy Easter 2016!

Because Jesus Christ lives, we all shall live after death. We will all see Jesus Christ again when we are brought before His judgement seat. Because Jesus Christ suffered every sin, sorrow, affliction, and pain, He can strengthen us and empower us to eventually become perfect as He is.

This Easter Sunday, I feel like I really lived today. I attended church with immediate and extended family, I ate a lot of goodies, and I got to spend the entire day, from 8am to midnight, spending time with people I appreciate and truly love.

I am grateful for a lively and lovely Easter Sunday. :)

Eight-Year-Old's Baptism

I have been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints for 17 years, since my baptism on my 8th birthday. Today, I got to attend an 8-year-old's baptism, and it brought me back to my own baptism. It was a special service, and it was wonderful to be there with people I love. I know baptism is a commandment of God. That's why I went through it myself. That's why I spent two years of my life inviting people to experience baptism. That's why I truly believe that the baptism I witnessed today was a significant and wonderful moment in that young person's life.

I am grateful for a baptismal service, and the loved ones I saw and talked with there.

A True Easter Egg

People can use the term "Easter egg" to refer to something hidden in a movie or a book to delight those who are clever or lucky enough to find it. Well, I found a true Easter egg.

While walking back from campus to my apartment, I found a plastic Easter egg in a bush by the sidewalk. Naturally, I picked it up, and I found a piece of paper inside. The paper said this:

"My darling, as the days of our time together grows shorter, I feel prompted to remind you of my love. Finals are coming, and I will lose you for the Summer. You can do well on anything you try. Good luck!

Love, [name of university]"

That made me smile and laugh. What a sweet message from "my university"! Somewhere out there is a student who is trying to do good, to cheer people up in a very busy time in the semester. I never thought I would get such a sweet message of love from my campus! It was even written with a purple marker, which made it even more delightful.

I put the note back in the Easter egg and returned the egg to its original hiding place to brighten another person's day.

I am grateful for a true Easter egg in the form of an anonymous message of encouragement and love.