So, this has been an interesting year, as the title suggests. I've gone through many life changes. I've discovered I like having an mostly absentee roommate compared to one that is always moving my things around. I've always known that I'm an teeny bit territorial, especially when stressed and sick. I passed this semester really well and that's with working an almost full time schedule. I didn't blog as much as I wanted to, but I guess it's something that takes practice. I guess it could be a new year's resolution.
30 December 2011
19 December 2011
Winter
Everyone who knows me, well or not, knows I HATE being cold. It's almost enough incentive to get very fat so I have extra insulation. ... not really a fat joke.
Anyways, I've survived the semester and now my brain has shut off. On top of that, I feel bad for keeping a blog when I don't even write in it regularly. I've become very good at turning my mind off. Or maybe it's just been more occupied worrying over personal issues. Women do tend to do that. They pull everything they are feeling inside and internalize it. I know most men are probably thinking that's nuts after the many crazy reactions of women, but those reactions are what happens AFTER the internalizing.
But I've already had my self-pity days this month.
Anyways, I've survived the semester and now my brain has shut off. On top of that, I feel bad for keeping a blog when I don't even write in it regularly. I've become very good at turning my mind off. Or maybe it's just been more occupied worrying over personal issues. Women do tend to do that. They pull everything they are feeling inside and internalize it. I know most men are probably thinking that's nuts after the many crazy reactions of women, but those reactions are what happens AFTER the internalizing.
But I've already had my self-pity days this month.
07 November 2011
Ask and Ye Shall Receive
Revelation is communication from God to His children. (True to the Faith)
Discernment is acuteness of judgement and understanding; to perceive by sight or some other sense or by the intellect. (dictionary.com)
Yes, I am religious. In fact, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. From a child I was taught about different levels of revelation. For, instance, I can receive personal revelation for myself. I don't need another person to tell me what God wants me to do, because I am equally able to receive those messages directly. I can receive revelation for my family. Parents can receive revelation for their families. As members of the LDS church we participate in lay ministry which we refer to as "callings". These come through the direction of the spirit. We are able to receive revelation for those under our stewardship or in relation to our callings. The Bishop of a Ward or Branch President of a Branch (Ward and Branch being terms for big or smaller areas of groups of members) can receive revelation for their callings. The Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, and the Twelve Apostles receive revelation for the entire Church and World.
This is simple.
Lately, I've come to know another level of revelation, one that deals with discernment. This coupling, allows me to expand my mind to the Lord's promptings. I am not stuck in a narrow view of what the Lord can and cannot do. Honestly, he can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. We do understand that his will is aligned to the Father by his own choice. Point is, we don't dictate to God what he can and can't do. When We release ourselves from this perspective, we begin to see that the Lord's hand is everywhere more easily.
And we can receive information about other people. For instance, when an acquaintance broke his arm during a professional fight. I knew that he wasn't going to win and I knew afterwards that he would never fight again. In the long run, does him not fighting affect me? I don't know. And frankly to me and this point of time, it doesn't matter. That revelation did help me in the moment though to keep a calm head and provide a quiet strength to his wife as she worried.
I've had the experience many times of looking at people and seeing into their hearts. Poetically speaking, maybe. But in reality, I knew in an instance what type of person they were, what their intentions were, and how far I could trust them.
I've had the experience of knowing when a friend needed me across a campus full of people. When I entered the building he was in, I knew what room he was in.
The Lord has said many times, "Ask and ye shall receive. Knock and it shall be opened unto you". I testify that those are true words. For they have been fulfilled in my life many times. I know that if you also put these words to the test, the Lord will manifest the truth of what you desire to know to you.
This I say in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Discernment is acuteness of judgement and understanding; to perceive by sight or some other sense or by the intellect. (dictionary.com)
Yes, I am religious. In fact, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. From a child I was taught about different levels of revelation. For, instance, I can receive personal revelation for myself. I don't need another person to tell me what God wants me to do, because I am equally able to receive those messages directly. I can receive revelation for my family. Parents can receive revelation for their families. As members of the LDS church we participate in lay ministry which we refer to as "callings". These come through the direction of the spirit. We are able to receive revelation for those under our stewardship or in relation to our callings. The Bishop of a Ward or Branch President of a Branch (Ward and Branch being terms for big or smaller areas of groups of members) can receive revelation for their callings. The Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, and the Twelve Apostles receive revelation for the entire Church and World.
This is simple.
Lately, I've come to know another level of revelation, one that deals with discernment. This coupling, allows me to expand my mind to the Lord's promptings. I am not stuck in a narrow view of what the Lord can and cannot do. Honestly, he can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. We do understand that his will is aligned to the Father by his own choice. Point is, we don't dictate to God what he can and can't do. When We release ourselves from this perspective, we begin to see that the Lord's hand is everywhere more easily.
And we can receive information about other people. For instance, when an acquaintance broke his arm during a professional fight. I knew that he wasn't going to win and I knew afterwards that he would never fight again. In the long run, does him not fighting affect me? I don't know. And frankly to me and this point of time, it doesn't matter. That revelation did help me in the moment though to keep a calm head and provide a quiet strength to his wife as she worried.
I've had the experience many times of looking at people and seeing into their hearts. Poetically speaking, maybe. But in reality, I knew in an instance what type of person they were, what their intentions were, and how far I could trust them.
I've had the experience of knowing when a friend needed me across a campus full of people. When I entered the building he was in, I knew what room he was in.
The Lord has said many times, "Ask and ye shall receive. Knock and it shall be opened unto you". I testify that those are true words. For they have been fulfilled in my life many times. I know that if you also put these words to the test, the Lord will manifest the truth of what you desire to know to you.
This I say in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
19 October 2011
What constitutes a friend?
Friend. A relationship so easily ascribed to those around us. But what is it?
Many times, we'll meet some briefly and when we see them later on we introduce them as our friend. ... But are they really?
I like the Jane Austen time convention, of you met someone and they were an acquaintance. The only one Elizabeth termed friend outside of her family was Charlotte, and that's because they were intimate (meaning they confided more personal thoughts and feelings to each other).
For me, I have a series of relationships:
Classmate, Co-worker/Boss, Teacher, Roommate - all these people are in my life but have no other attachment to it beyond a specific time range that I am at a certain location.
Acquaintance - someone who I've met several times, done things with in a group setting, see frequently and we chat. Many times they are a friend of a friend. Since acquaintance can be an awkward word, I might just say, "I know them".
Casual friend - someone I can hang out with on a one by one basis. We're connected by common interests. Still do many things with them in groups though.
Friend - someone who takes more than a casual interest in my life, and I in theirs. We talk on a more frequent basis. Plan extended and more detailed activities together. I care about what happens in their lives, however, when we're separated by distance, it isn't the end of the world. It isn't hard. Our friendship will pick up again whenever and where ever we next see each other.
Family - this can include biological family, but in the concept of friendship, these are those persons to whom I am closest. I turn to them for help when in need. Their advice is important to me. We talk fairly regularly no matter the distance and we make plans to get together no matter what.
Many times, we'll meet some briefly and when we see them later on we introduce them as our friend. ... But are they really?
I like the Jane Austen time convention, of you met someone and they were an acquaintance. The only one Elizabeth termed friend outside of her family was Charlotte, and that's because they were intimate (meaning they confided more personal thoughts and feelings to each other).
For me, I have a series of relationships:
Classmate, Co-worker/Boss, Teacher, Roommate - all these people are in my life but have no other attachment to it beyond a specific time range that I am at a certain location.
Acquaintance - someone who I've met several times, done things with in a group setting, see frequently and we chat. Many times they are a friend of a friend. Since acquaintance can be an awkward word, I might just say, "I know them".
Casual friend - someone I can hang out with on a one by one basis. We're connected by common interests. Still do many things with them in groups though.
Friend - someone who takes more than a casual interest in my life, and I in theirs. We talk on a more frequent basis. Plan extended and more detailed activities together. I care about what happens in their lives, however, when we're separated by distance, it isn't the end of the world. It isn't hard. Our friendship will pick up again whenever and where ever we next see each other.
Family - this can include biological family, but in the concept of friendship, these are those persons to whom I am closest. I turn to them for help when in need. Their advice is important to me. We talk fairly regularly no matter the distance and we make plans to get together no matter what.
09 October 2011
Let's Get On With It
After talking with my school adviser on Friday, I found out that I'm going to graduate in May, instead of next December like I originally thought. YAY! Once I've decided something like this, then I'm just ready for it to be done and over. And my first thought after finding this out was, "Now what am I going to do? Real reassuring after I'm getting a degree in film and my first inclination wasn't to hurry out into the film industry. Well, whatever, I have other goals I want to conqueror.
As one dear friend put it, we should make six-month resolutions after every General Conference. Well, here are some of my goals, though not all of them can be accomplished in six months.
1. Write a book. First I want to concentrate on writing one, then I'll worry about getting it accepted to be published.
2. Visit all the temples in the world. I have thirty something out of a hundred something, so I'm on my way with that. And the KC Temple will be done next spring, so I'll be able to add a new one to my tally then.
3. Make several family history documentaries, first about my grandparents and great-grandparents.
All right, I now know what I'll be doing for awhile.
As one dear friend put it, we should make six-month resolutions after every General Conference. Well, here are some of my goals, though not all of them can be accomplished in six months.
1. Write a book. First I want to concentrate on writing one, then I'll worry about getting it accepted to be published.
2. Visit all the temples in the world. I have thirty something out of a hundred something, so I'm on my way with that. And the KC Temple will be done next spring, so I'll be able to add a new one to my tally then.
3. Make several family history documentaries, first about my grandparents and great-grandparents.
All right, I now know what I'll be doing for awhile.
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