Song: Hymn 249, "Called to Serve" (sang along to the MoTab version)
Prayer: Moi
Lesson: continuation Preach My Gospel chapter 1, "My Purpose"
Takeaway: As Elder Holland says, "be devastated" when someone does not keep a commitment to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. These two things are the first steps on the most important path that person will ever take. I've been trying to find a constructive way to express such devastation so that the person is motivated to change, and I think that it would help to discuss what might be holding them back from keeping the commitment. Then, we could brainstorm solutions together. I could emphasize why I believe these steps are so important and how the Atonement of Jesus Christ enables us to change, including starting new habits of prayer and study. I could then bear testimony of the good and powerful changes I have experienced from reading the Book of Mormon.
Activity: writing a letter to a lonely friend
Treats: popsicle (nothing for Ghost because he's constipated)
I don't remember how I stumbled across this campaign, but I'm glad I did. Better Days 2020 is a non-profit organization seeking to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave American (white) women the right to vote, and the 150th anniversary of the first woman voting in Utah. They have a clearly organized agenda that includes museum displays, education projects, and plans for the future expansion of women's opportunities in Utah. I am excited to see what they come up with and to help wherever possible. It's got me thinking about getting a graduate certificate in Women's Studies...
2. Utah Valley Magazine
A few months ago, I heard Jeannette Bennett, the founder and editor of the Utah Valley Magazine, talk at BYU about her journey into starting and running a business as a woman. I've since started to read her publication, and I have loved it right from the premise: a magazine focusing on local people and local needs. The magazine is top-quality from design to writing to topics. It has helped me love where I live and connect to my community.
3. #PRINCEofPEACE
The Church has done a phenomenal job with their Easter and Christmas campaigns in recent years. I still think of the Easter theme "Because He Lives" from a few years back. This year's campaign emphasizes Christ's divinity, and I needed a reminder that He is indeed Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace.
4. "Let Peace Then Still the Strife"
Just listen and still the strife.
5. Faculty Women's Association Spring Retreat
This month, I attended an amazing retreat with other female faculty members. We learned about trusting Plan B (and even turning Plan B into Plan A), responding to sexual assault on our campus (start by believing), and designing meaningful life experiences. I had a blast, and I'm still thinking about how to design my life--whilst still trusting in Plan B. Hopefully, I'll have more to say about experience design later.
6. Target's Mother's Day Gift Bag Collections
So cute! And fairly cheap. Now, if I could only find a way to mail them safely to my mum and sisters...
7. Random Acts
This show on BYUTV is thoughtful, inspiring, and hilarious. I enjoy watching familiar faces serve random people. It makes me want to be a better person!
When I saw Moana in the theater, I sat down front and was covered in salt water by the end of the movie. I blamed my condition on the beautifully animated ocean, but I was actually drowning in my own tears. The movie was sad and joyous and inspiring, and my eyeballs could not handle it. But my brain could! Here is my favorite lesson that I learned from Moana:
Bad things do not define you.
The whole concept of defining a person has interested me for a long time. I pay attention to how people identify themselves. I listen for the words, "I am." I am Bob, or I am tired, or I am the Avatar. Often, in a story, a character will identify themselves in several different ways before the end. Moana, in particular, learns her identity over the course of the movie (as a Disney protagonist should) and then something interesting happens. She discovers the true identity of someone else.
There be soft spoilers in this territory.
Moana sees beyond the scary exterior of an antagonist and sings a chilling song as she realizes what is going on. Speaking of the villain's monstrous appearance, she sings, "But this does not define you. This is not who you are."
The gospel has a similar message. It teaches us that we are eternal beings who lived before this existence and who will live after it. We came from Divinity and we will return to Divinity. But sometimes it is hard to remember that. We lose sight of our true identity and make mistakes. We may even be viewed as monsters. Villains. Bad guys. Sometimes bad things happen to us even when we're doing good things, and they distract us from our potential and our goal. We become antagonists to ourselves. When that happens, we could learn from Moana: This is not who you are. Bad things do not define us.
Instead, how are we defined? Another song provides the answer: I am a Child of God.
So, why don't bad things define us? Whether we are guilty or innocent, don't bad things change us, twist us, transform us? They may alter our perception or our temporary circumstances, but nothing can change our core definition as children of God, as recipients of heavenly and powerful and divine love. Like with physical DNA, our spiritual DNA cannot be undone. Our parentage cannot be reversed. What can be reversed are our mistakes and distractions, the deviance from course. Because of Christ, we can shed our monstrous disguises and become who we were designed to become. He is the source of our hope and the reason we can say, "This does not define me."
I'm back in the writing game thanks to this simple feature of the Nanowrimo website that allows me to set a writing goal and track my progress--outside of November! I've wanted this function for years, and I am pleased with its customizable elements. I chose to track my writing hours as I revise (since word count during revision fluctuates significantly), and even though I am currently behind in my hours, I like what I see. 2. An old love, Star Trek: Voyager
I came to the Voyager game way late, but better late than never. As a child, I watched Next Generation occasionally, but I really got the Star Trek spin-offs when I discovered them on Netflix. Voyager is by far my favorite spin-off: a female captain with quirks and flaws, a crew of diverse ethnicities and alien races, a dramatic tale of being lost in space--this show has it all! 2a. Some favorite episodes: Season 3.25 "Worst Case Scenario," Season 2.21 "Deadlock," and Season 4.18 & 4.19 "The Killing Game, Parts 1 and 2"
3. A new love, One Day at a Time
This Netflix sitcom is about family, and I am a sucker for shows about family. I am also a sucker for shows that provide insight into a different demographic. In this case, Cuban-Americans play on center stage, allowing me to consider what I have in common with them and what their unique strengths and struggles are. Plus, Rita Moreno. What more could I want?
4. Community Involvement a la Parks and Rec
I recently finished rewatching Parks and Recreation for the hundredth time (or so), and Leslie Knope always gets me fired up to be more involved in my community. Also, certain current events are getting me fired to be more involved in local government. So, I am now a volunteer at the Orem Public Library. I had to visit the Orem Police Department and City Center for the first time in order to apply for the volunteer position, and it was neat to walk past the City Council chambers and see the Orem seal lit up in a dark room. Anyway, I repair books so that (1) the city can save money on replacing books and (2) the children of my community can read and learn and grow. Plus, I get to be around books more. 5 out of 5 stars, would recommend. 5. Roasted Baby Carrots
I don't like raw carrots. Ever since I was a baby, I have had an odd reaction to something in carrots. It's almost like eating extremely sour food. HOWEVER. I discovered this month that I enjoy roasted baby carrots. It would probably be regular carrots, too, but I am too lazy to chop them up into bite-size chunks. Baby carrots come in smaller quantities and smaller chunks. Just sprinkle some salt, onion powder, and garlic over them and pop them into the oven for about 30 minutes. Delicious!
6. Mary Poppins musical
BYU put on a production of the Mary Poppins musical, which I saw in 2010 on the Broadway tour in Atlanta. I loved it the first time, partly because of the special effects: people and kites fly, and a certain chimney sweep tap dances on the ceiling. I thought BYU would not have the means to incorporate that level of effect, but I was wrong. They did a great job! Also, "Feed the Birds" always makes me cry. Also also, I want to be as confident as Mary Poppins when I grow up. After all, the song "Practically Perfect" is her singing about how perfect she is, "so people say."
I listen to and create music for many reasons, but recently I realized that I often play music to relieve my anxiety. Sometimes, even, to prevent anxiety.
When I'm on my own, I prefer loud, jarring, dark music. I love to play the themes of movie villains on the piano. I like to sing eerie songs. I write stories to the tune of horror movie soundtracks. The emotions and the darkness help me to process my feelings of fear and anger, and I don't usually stop playing until those feelings are completed and tucked into a memory file.
A personal favorite to play loud and hard.
But I have the most anxiety right as I am falling asleep. I don't want to be processing emotions late at night; I want to make sure they are all put away. I want to tuck them into bed at night so they don't rage and bother me. So I listen to gentle, cheerful music. Disney songs. Religious music. Mindy Gledhill. You know, bedtime songs.
I love love love singing about poetry.
My iPod is ready to switch from one extreme to the other: I built in a playlist called Light Heart and another called Dark Heart. It's all about the anxiety.
Actually, this whole light heart/dark heart thing describes my storytelling pretty accurately, too. Maybe it's not all about anxiety. ;)
