My heart was pounding. Picking up each foot took effort and determination, as if there were twenty-pound gnomes clinging gleefully to each ankle. I could see the end of the 5K race; I was almost there. Just a little more. Hoofta. Just a little more. When I finally crossed the line, I heaved and rested with my hands on my knees for a while, sucking in huge quantities of air. There was a celebration! We ate watermelon on Mainstreet and congratulated old friends on finishing the annual Summer Festival race. Then we gathered our things and walked the three miles back to the car.
Finish lines are funny things. They aren't really the end. They are a milestones, but you still have to keep walking. You still have to run another race tomorrow morning. And I like it that way. Most good stories have closure, but a healthy life does not. I discovered this when I came here this semester. I, like most senior graduates, had been eulogized, given money in the mail for months, and treated like the cat's meow during high school graduation. My senior class and I thought we were pretty darn cool, and it was a good finish line. Our story was done, and what a great story it had been.
But then we went to college. It was strange to realize that I was a college student. I guess I supposed I would never get this old, I would just somehow magically end as soon as I was done with high school. I realized (as I saw others among our freshman class realize) that I wasn't dead yet, and I had "miles to go, before I sleep." The finish line was a good place to stop and rest and regain my perspective, but it wasn't the end, thank Heaven.
We now approach the end of a truly remarkable first semester. I wouldn't trade it for anything. But I also know that as Einstein said, "Life is like riding a bicycle: you have to keep moving if you want to keep your balance." I am ready for the new race to start. I can't wait to see what mountains we all climb in the days and years ahead.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Meaty Thoughts
On Thanksgiving day, I went hunting with my father, uncle, sister, and cousin in Montana. We woke up early and traveled out to a private ranch chock full of deer.
Deer are stupid animals. Some will be stand there and let you shoot at them for long periods of time before they finally run away. They run into cars, they eat people's gardens, and eat the bark off of your trees. Hunting is population control, and it not only helps citizens, but benefits the deer community at large by reducing pandemic ups and downs.
With two bucks in the back of the truck, it was my turn to shoot whatever presented itself. I had a doe tag, and when we found a whitetail doe about 200 yards away, I took the shot. I pulled the trigger; the deer jumped and ran about five steps, staggered, and fell over dead. It was a good clean shot thru the heart. The deer didn't suffer a long, painful ordeal.
That week my dad showed me how to make teriyaki jerky out of the meat. I was proud of my deer jerky, (it tasted pretty darn good!) and brought some back to Provo with me. My friends had diverse reactions. One (guy) friend tasted and enjoyed, and kept on eating. A girl I am friends with came to the party and tasted it graciously, then declined based on the flavor. The guy ate her piece, I think. A third friend, a beautiful girl who I have a lot of respect for, wouldn't touch it. "You killed a deer!" She gasped. I suddenly felt like I was eating a baby. She didn't condemn me, but she was clearly not supportive of killing Bambi.
Now I'm pondering. I don't particularly like killing ungulates. Fish are fine, I have no qualms, but it is a little sad to see a four legged creature die at your hands. But a part of me suggests that it is important to kill an animal and eat it's meat every once in a while. Why? Because I am eating the meat of animals that someone had to kill almost daily. Who killed the chicken cordon bleu you ate at the Cannon last night? What about that burger? Did it grow on a tree? We know that the Lord gave us these animals in part for our nourishment. The scriptures do say to have moderation in meat, but they also denounce vegetarianism. If animals are going to die for your sake, isn't it important to literally take part in that process occassionally, as a reminder of what the animals go thru for you? On a deeper note, this parallels the sacrament. Just as animal sacrifices reminded ancient Israel of the sacrifice Christ would go thru to bring them life, so the sacrament is a way for us to symbolically partake of the flesh and blood of Him who gave his life that we might have eternal life. Reverently participating is a very important reminder.
I hope this doesn't sound sacrilegous. I may just be defense, but I think hunting is a good thing to do every now and then. Not only does it make you self-reliant (you would be able to provide meat for your family should a catastrophe occur) but it also keeps you in remembrance of the animals that die regularly so that you can live.
Deer are stupid animals. Some will be stand there and let you shoot at them for long periods of time before they finally run away. They run into cars, they eat people's gardens, and eat the bark off of your trees. Hunting is population control, and it not only helps citizens, but benefits the deer community at large by reducing pandemic ups and downs.
With two bucks in the back of the truck, it was my turn to shoot whatever presented itself. I had a doe tag, and when we found a whitetail doe about 200 yards away, I took the shot. I pulled the trigger; the deer jumped and ran about five steps, staggered, and fell over dead. It was a good clean shot thru the heart. The deer didn't suffer a long, painful ordeal.
That week my dad showed me how to make teriyaki jerky out of the meat. I was proud of my deer jerky, (it tasted pretty darn good!) and brought some back to Provo with me. My friends had diverse reactions. One (guy) friend tasted and enjoyed, and kept on eating. A girl I am friends with came to the party and tasted it graciously, then declined based on the flavor. The guy ate her piece, I think. A third friend, a beautiful girl who I have a lot of respect for, wouldn't touch it. "You killed a deer!" She gasped. I suddenly felt like I was eating a baby. She didn't condemn me, but she was clearly not supportive of killing Bambi.
Now I'm pondering. I don't particularly like killing ungulates. Fish are fine, I have no qualms, but it is a little sad to see a four legged creature die at your hands. But a part of me suggests that it is important to kill an animal and eat it's meat every once in a while. Why? Because I am eating the meat of animals that someone had to kill almost daily. Who killed the chicken cordon bleu you ate at the Cannon last night? What about that burger? Did it grow on a tree? We know that the Lord gave us these animals in part for our nourishment. The scriptures do say to have moderation in meat, but they also denounce vegetarianism. If animals are going to die for your sake, isn't it important to literally take part in that process occassionally, as a reminder of what the animals go thru for you? On a deeper note, this parallels the sacrament. Just as animal sacrifices reminded ancient Israel of the sacrifice Christ would go thru to bring them life, so the sacrament is a way for us to symbolically partake of the flesh and blood of Him who gave his life that we might have eternal life. Reverently participating is a very important reminder.
I hope this doesn't sound sacrilegous. I may just be defense, but I think hunting is a good thing to do every now and then. Not only does it make you self-reliant (you would be able to provide meat for your family should a catastrophe occur) but it also keeps you in remembrance of the animals that die regularly so that you can live.
Monday, November 24, 2008
My cup is somewhere at the bottom of the Ocean
This is to be an interesting blog. I have much to be grateful for, but right now, I'm grateful to be alive and able bodied. I had a bad collision just a few hours ago on Canyon road, and my car is probably totalled. The airbag went off, and it was the most dramatic crash I have yet been involved in.
I realize a little shakily now how grateful I am to be alive. I love life. I deeply and truly love my friends and especially my family. The Lord is so infinitely good to me. He is merciful and patient, gracious and understanding, to those who trust in him. What ridiculous wealth, prosperity, and happiness are all around us! I am especially grateful for the happiness. Prosperity is not a fair means for measuring happiness; some of the most miserable people on earth are the wealthiest. But with the bounty we as Americans enjoy, we as Latter-Day Saints ALSO have reason to be SOOOOO happy! It is easy to lose sight of, but there are truths we have that justify our being the happiest people on earth, collectively.
I am grateful for prophets. Where would we be without revelation! In utter darkness and confusion. Much of the world is. I am grateful for the knowledge by the Spirit that I have, that God does again speak to prophets on the earth for the benefit of His children. There is so very much to be grateful for! This is the best holiday ever! and it really is what you make it.
My cup is done running over, it's basically drowned. I think many people are in my state as well, and how wonderful it is to ponder.
I am alive. I will not always be. I almost wasn't tonight. But today is a gift, and what a gift it is.
P.S. I am also grateful for food. It is delicious. :)
I realize a little shakily now how grateful I am to be alive. I love life. I deeply and truly love my friends and especially my family. The Lord is so infinitely good to me. He is merciful and patient, gracious and understanding, to those who trust in him. What ridiculous wealth, prosperity, and happiness are all around us! I am especially grateful for the happiness. Prosperity is not a fair means for measuring happiness; some of the most miserable people on earth are the wealthiest. But with the bounty we as Americans enjoy, we as Latter-Day Saints ALSO have reason to be SOOOOO happy! It is easy to lose sight of, but there are truths we have that justify our being the happiest people on earth, collectively.
I am grateful for prophets. Where would we be without revelation! In utter darkness and confusion. Much of the world is. I am grateful for the knowledge by the Spirit that I have, that God does again speak to prophets on the earth for the benefit of His children. There is so very much to be grateful for! This is the best holiday ever! and it really is what you make it.
My cup is done running over, it's basically drowned. I think many people are in my state as well, and how wonderful it is to ponder.
I am alive. I will not always be. I almost wasn't tonight. But today is a gift, and what a gift it is.
P.S. I am also grateful for food. It is delicious. :)
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The STRESS! Factor
Stress is an interesting thing. It is a hinderance and a source of harm, but it also is often a help and a motivator. I find it much easier to write a paper or do some homework I know will be due tomorrow than to do homework due in a few weeks. Pressure is helpful at times. I would liken it unto a kite....
If there is not enough tension on the string of a kite, the kite will come crashing down. It needs a little stress to keep it up in the air. Similarly, if we as people were without ambition, purpose, or stress, we would be useless and uneffective in the purpose of our creation. However, just as a kite with too much tension will snap from its string and plummet to the ground, so do we risk destroying ourselves by putting too much strain and stress in our lives.
I am always astounded to ponder the lives of the general authorities. My sundays are really busy; I am just a ward mission leader. I cannot imagine having the responsibilities those men and women have! And yet, they don't seem stressed. I think stress is a choice in many ways. What is required of you is required of you, what is going to happen is going to happen, so why stress about it? Why not choose to be relaxed and work quickly instead?
Stress definitely affects the way we eat. I usually don't eat hardly at all when I am stressed and working on a big project, and then I eat a ton afterwards to celebrate and relax. Food is a good destresser.
If there is not enough tension on the string of a kite, the kite will come crashing down. It needs a little stress to keep it up in the air. Similarly, if we as people were without ambition, purpose, or stress, we would be useless and uneffective in the purpose of our creation. However, just as a kite with too much tension will snap from its string and plummet to the ground, so do we risk destroying ourselves by putting too much strain and stress in our lives.
I am always astounded to ponder the lives of the general authorities. My sundays are really busy; I am just a ward mission leader. I cannot imagine having the responsibilities those men and women have! And yet, they don't seem stressed. I think stress is a choice in many ways. What is required of you is required of you, what is going to happen is going to happen, so why stress about it? Why not choose to be relaxed and work quickly instead?
Stress definitely affects the way we eat. I usually don't eat hardly at all when I am stressed and working on a big project, and then I eat a ton afterwards to celebrate and relax. Food is a good destresser.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone...
Re-vision, to see again. I really like this topic, as I had not thought of revision in this way before. Revision is looking at a paper in a new light, in a different way, with new perspective. I suppose we are all constantly revising our attitudes and actions as well, and learning to see again.
On Sunday, our bishop shared a powerful story called "The Spyglass," I believe. There once was a kingdom in disrepair and disaster. The fields were unfruitful and unkept, the economy was in shambles, and the countryside was disgusting. One day a traveler came by and stopped at the king's palace, mistaking it for an inn. He talked with the king about the state of the kingdom, and promised him a gift if the king would let him stay the night. The next morning, the stranger gave the king a magic spyglass. When looking thru this spyglass, the king could see things as they had the potential to be. The fields looked fruitful and beautiful. The economy was healthy. The people were productive and happy. The king traveled around the country sharing the spyglass with his citizens, showing them what their country could be. With new motivation, having seen the outcome of their labors, the people revolutionized the country and made it an amazing and ideal nation. Then the stranger came back and requested his spyglass. The king responded, "No! I need it!" The stranger told him he did not need it, all he had needed all along was faith and vision.
I think this story applies to revision. Sometimes we have to stretch our minds and look at what our papers (or our lives, for that matter) have the potential to become. This "vision again" provides us with the motivation to work toward that goal. I am grateful for good people, and divine prophets in particular, who have the perspective to inspire me, to hand me a proverbial spyglass thru which I can see my potential. Writing is rewriting is rewriting; vision is revision is revision; and life is reliving is reliving.
On Sunday, our bishop shared a powerful story called "The Spyglass," I believe. There once was a kingdom in disrepair and disaster. The fields were unfruitful and unkept, the economy was in shambles, and the countryside was disgusting. One day a traveler came by and stopped at the king's palace, mistaking it for an inn. He talked with the king about the state of the kingdom, and promised him a gift if the king would let him stay the night. The next morning, the stranger gave the king a magic spyglass. When looking thru this spyglass, the king could see things as they had the potential to be. The fields looked fruitful and beautiful. The economy was healthy. The people were productive and happy. The king traveled around the country sharing the spyglass with his citizens, showing them what their country could be. With new motivation, having seen the outcome of their labors, the people revolutionized the country and made it an amazing and ideal nation. Then the stranger came back and requested his spyglass. The king responded, "No! I need it!" The stranger told him he did not need it, all he had needed all along was faith and vision.
I think this story applies to revision. Sometimes we have to stretch our minds and look at what our papers (or our lives, for that matter) have the potential to become. This "vision again" provides us with the motivation to work toward that goal. I am grateful for good people, and divine prophets in particular, who have the perspective to inspire me, to hand me a proverbial spyglass thru which I can see my potential. Writing is rewriting is rewriting; vision is revision is revision; and life is reliving is reliving.
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone....
Re-vision, to see again. I really like this topic, as I had not thought of revision in this way before. Revision is looking at a paper in a new light, in a different way, with new perspective. I suppose we are all constantly revising our attitudes and actions as well, and learning to see again.
On Sunday, our bishop shared a powerful story called "The Spyglass," I believe. There once was a kingdom in disrepair and disaster. The fields were unfruitful and unkept, the economy was in shambles, and the countryside was disgusting. One day a traveler came by and stopped at the king's palace, mistaking it for an inn. He talked with the king about the state of the kingdom, and promised him a gift if the king would let him stay the night. The next morning, the stranger gave the king a magic spyglass. When looking thru this spyglass, the king could see things as they had the potential to be. The fields looked fruitful and beautiful. The economy was healthy. The people were productive and happy. The king traveled around the country sharing the spyglass with his citizens, showing them what their country could be. With new motivation, having seen the outcome of their labors, the people revolutionized the country and made it an amazing and ideal nation. Then the stranger came back and requested his spyglass. The king responded, "No! I need it!" The stranger told him he did not need it, all he had needed all along was faith and vision.
I think this story applies to revision. Sometimes we have to stretch our minds and look at what our papers (or our lives, for that matter) have the potential to become. This "vision again" provides us with the motivation to work toward that goal. I am grateful for good people, and divine prophets in particular, who have the perspective to inspire me, to hand me a proverbial spyglass thru which I can see my potential. Writing is rewriting is rewriting; vision is revision is revision; and life is reliving is reliving.
On Sunday, our bishop shared a powerful story called "The Spyglass," I believe. There once was a kingdom in disrepair and disaster. The fields were unfruitful and unkept, the economy was in shambles, and the countryside was disgusting. One day a traveler came by and stopped at the king's palace, mistaking it for an inn. He talked with the king about the state of the kingdom, and promised him a gift if the king would let him stay the night. The next morning, the stranger gave the king a magic spyglass. When looking thru this spyglass, the king could see things as they had the potential to be. The fields looked fruitful and beautiful. The economy was healthy. The people were productive and happy. The king traveled around the country sharing the spyglass with his citizens, showing them what their country could be. With new motivation, having seen the outcome of their labors, the people revolutionized the country and made it an amazing and ideal nation. Then the stranger came back and requested his spyglass. The king responded, "No! I need it!" The stranger told him he did not need it, all he had needed all along was faith and vision.
I think this story applies to revision. Sometimes we have to stretch our minds and look at what our papers (or our lives, for that matter) have the potential to become. This "vision again" provides us with the motivation to work toward that goal. I am grateful for good people, and divine prophets in particular, who have the perspective to inspire me, to hand me a proverbial spyglass thru which I can see my potential. Writing is rewriting is rewriting; vision is revision is revision; and life is reliving is reliving.
Friday, October 31, 2008
What's Yo' Style?
Someone once asked Ralph Waldo Emerson, "What's your favorite book?" His alleged response was "I can no more remember the books I have read than I can remember the meals I have eaten, but both have made me.
I feel the same way about my personal style. I can't remember all the books and articles I have read throughout my short life, but I do know they have affected me and made my style what it is today.
Betimes I tend to use big words, even when they aren't needed. I share with Neal A. Maxwell a friendly faddish for alliteration. I write songs and sing, so rhyme and rhythm are engrained in my psyche.
These are all important elements of my style. What is interesting to ponder is that we as college freshman aren't done growing up yet. Is our style already set for life? Or are we going to change over time? I guess only time can tell.
I feel the same way about my personal style. I can't remember all the books and articles I have read throughout my short life, but I do know they have affected me and made my style what it is today.
Betimes I tend to use big words, even when they aren't needed. I share with Neal A. Maxwell a friendly faddish for alliteration. I write songs and sing, so rhyme and rhythm are engrained in my psyche.
These are all important elements of my style. What is interesting to ponder is that we as college freshman aren't done growing up yet. Is our style already set for life? Or are we going to change over time? I guess only time can tell.
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