Happy New Years everyone!
There is something about the Holiday Season that lends itself to reflection and introspection. Maybe it is the focus on family or tradition; maybe it is the fact that during this time we tend to look on things with a more compassionate gaze; or it could be all of the wonderful sites, scenes and smells of the season that arouse long forgotten memories. Often, for me, reflection and introspection comes in the form of a word. I have a unique relationship with words; at a particular time, place and situation a word may trigger a thought or image. In this vein, I have been thinking a lot about the word regret for awhile.
Funny thing regret, it is the manifestation lf all the things we quite haven’t let go of, or forgive ourselves for. I woke up on my birthday with the thought of; I am 36, yet a feel so young. I thought about friends who have been married for over a decade, parents of tweeners and some teens; those who haven’t been so lucky but have weathered the storm and those who didn’t and failed to find peace on this earth. In that moment, in my heart I felt gratitude but also a tinge of regret.
I regretted all the times I took things for granted in my life, not realizing how blessed and talented I really was. I regretted not cherishing the laughter and conversation shared with others, especially family and friends more than I did. I regretted not telling those same individuals how much they meant to me or better yet sharing a compliment. I regretted being to prideful and not letting others in when I felt inferior, overwhelmed or in over my head. This life, after all, is a shared experience. I regretted all the times in my life when I have wasted the resources and opportunities given me. Most of all though, I regretted making my life too often about what I wanted and how I felt and not about others, robbing myself of a broader influence due to being so doggedly focused on one possibility.
The funny thing is that I felt such a peace as I reflected on my regrets and the phrase cried out to me, “I’m still here with a smile on my face and laughter in my heart!” It is so easy to check out of life put it on “auto pilot” while we slowly atrophy socially and emotionally. It is as if this life is only about the harrowing and not about the growth. Repentance is when the struggling bud busts through the topsoil to behold the radiance and warmth of the sun. It is that radiance and warmth of the sun that I cherish as regret falls away. Regret allowed to stay too long becomes a cancer that leads to debilitating despair. As it decays by the effects of the sun the nourishment it provides in the form of experience leads to a perfect brightness of hope in which seeds long ago planted reach their eternal fruition.
I hope all of you are well and living lives of inspiration. I admire each of you very much in a myriad of ways. Your character and devotion instill greater hope and mercy.
Love,
Steve
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Dear Family and Friends
Dear Family and Friends,
The semester is over! AMEN! Always a wonderful feeling; I don’t think that exsuberation of childhood when the last day of school arrives ever leaves us. No matter how much we have enjoyed the year or semester in this case, there is a joy in being done with something. It can now serve as a building block to bigger and better things.
Interviewed with the University Library this week for their Government Publications position and I feel it went well. Interviews have never bothered me. I actually find them rather fun. There’s something about the challenge of establishing to an organization that you are a boon, a choice oppurtunity that they dare not pass on. I don’t think I have ever not gotten a job based on the interview and have gotten a few that I might not have otherwise gotten based on the interview.
The Christmas lights are beautiful with snow as a backdrop and in many cases a cover. I have spotted a couple of snow covered evergreens where the lights beamed through that looked like something out of a storybook or Christmas special. Christmas is a wonderful time of the year where the spirit of love and mercy abounds. On that note, before I forget, I wish you all a Merry Christmas.
Love,
Steve
P.S. Here are some snow and Christmas decoration photos I think you’ll enjoy.
The semester is over! AMEN! Always a wonderful feeling; I don’t think that exsuberation of childhood when the last day of school arrives ever leaves us. No matter how much we have enjoyed the year or semester in this case, there is a joy in being done with something. It can now serve as a building block to bigger and better things.
Interviewed with the University Library this week for their Government Publications position and I feel it went well. Interviews have never bothered me. I actually find them rather fun. There’s something about the challenge of establishing to an organization that you are a boon, a choice oppurtunity that they dare not pass on. I don’t think I have ever not gotten a job based on the interview and have gotten a few that I might not have otherwise gotten based on the interview.
The Christmas lights are beautiful with snow as a backdrop and in many cases a cover. I have spotted a couple of snow covered evergreens where the lights beamed through that looked like something out of a storybook or Christmas special. Christmas is a wonderful time of the year where the spirit of love and mercy abounds. On that note, before I forget, I wish you all a Merry Christmas.
Love,
Steve
P.S. Here are some snow and Christmas decoration photos I think you’ll enjoy.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Dear Family and Friends
Dear Family and Friends,
The Holiday Season is upon us and with it has come frigid cold. I now know what it feels like to live in the frozen foods section of the grocery store. I kid. This time of year gets me to thinking about traditons, specifically those associated with Christmas. I have a few: I study scriptures of the Saviors birth and life in general, Watch Classic Holiday Movies and Television Specials, and many more. Last year I started a tradition of reading a Christmas Carol. I found a cool radio renditon of it on the internet by Orson Wells from the 30’s that I think I will listen to. There are a few others that I plan on trying this year. Like anything else, Christmas is what one makes it and makes it about. So many of the memories I hold dear are from Christmases’ Past. One of my favorites is putting Christmas lights each year.
The semester is almost over. It went by rather fast, but is dragging towards the end. Only one more to go though. Yeah for me. There is a lot to be said for not letting a dream die. I have an interview with Michener Library, with whom I am interning with and I think my chances are good that I will get a position. Right now a position at the University of Hawaii sounds so much better, but Colorado is beautiful as well, when warm. Maybe Cocoa is the solution to my woes.
I’ve written three poems in the last week. It has been a few years since I last wrote one but as of the other night I have had a rush of inspiration. The story: I literally woke up out of a dead sleep with lines running through my head. I wrote them down and couldn’t go back to sleep until I finished it. Inspiration is a wonderful experience. It is like magic when something comes to you out of thin air. It is a gift. I often feel the inspiration of the Holy Ghost is similar, in terms of being a gift anyways. The difference is that one must be prepared and its influence come when one is prepared to listen and obey. Wait a minute, may they are the same.
With that a bid you adieu. I hope the Savior’s birth and his adventual atonement is at the foremost of your thoughts in this giving season. I love you all and pray this season finds you fulfilled and happy.
Love,
Steve
The Holiday Season is upon us and with it has come frigid cold. I now know what it feels like to live in the frozen foods section of the grocery store. I kid. This time of year gets me to thinking about traditons, specifically those associated with Christmas. I have a few: I study scriptures of the Saviors birth and life in general, Watch Classic Holiday Movies and Television Specials, and many more. Last year I started a tradition of reading a Christmas Carol. I found a cool radio renditon of it on the internet by Orson Wells from the 30’s that I think I will listen to. There are a few others that I plan on trying this year. Like anything else, Christmas is what one makes it and makes it about. So many of the memories I hold dear are from Christmases’ Past. One of my favorites is putting Christmas lights each year.
The semester is almost over. It went by rather fast, but is dragging towards the end. Only one more to go though. Yeah for me. There is a lot to be said for not letting a dream die. I have an interview with Michener Library, with whom I am interning with and I think my chances are good that I will get a position. Right now a position at the University of Hawaii sounds so much better, but Colorado is beautiful as well, when warm. Maybe Cocoa is the solution to my woes.
I’ve written three poems in the last week. It has been a few years since I last wrote one but as of the other night I have had a rush of inspiration. The story: I literally woke up out of a dead sleep with lines running through my head. I wrote them down and couldn’t go back to sleep until I finished it. Inspiration is a wonderful experience. It is like magic when something comes to you out of thin air. It is a gift. I often feel the inspiration of the Holy Ghost is similar, in terms of being a gift anyways. The difference is that one must be prepared and its influence come when one is prepared to listen and obey. Wait a minute, may they are the same.
With that a bid you adieu. I hope the Savior’s birth and his adventual atonement is at the foremost of your thoughts in this giving season. I love you all and pray this season finds you fulfilled and happy.
Love,
Steve
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Adam's Suit
Here's a joke I like:
Ancient Artifact?
A little boy opened the big, old family Bible with fascination, looking at the old pages as he turned them. Then something fell out of the Bible and he picked up and looked at it closely. It was an old leaf from a tree. The leaf had been pressed in between pages. "Momma, look what I found," the boy called out. "What have you got there, dear?" his mother asked. With astonishment in his voice, the young boy answered:"It's Adam's suit!"
Ancient Artifact?
A little boy opened the big, old family Bible with fascination, looking at the old pages as he turned them. Then something fell out of the Bible and he picked up and looked at it closely. It was an old leaf from a tree. The leaf had been pressed in between pages. "Momma, look what I found," the boy called out. "What have you got there, dear?" his mother asked. With astonishment in his voice, the young boy answered:"It's Adam's suit!"
Dear Family and Friends
Dear Family and Friends,
It was an inspiring Sunday starting with but going beyond fast and testimony meeting. Bishop Bagley spoke of his mission and how it shaped and directed his life. He spoke of how not a day goes by that he doesn’t reflect on his mission in some fashion. I agree so much with that sentiment. I sat there and thought to myself how the same was true in my life. It is an experience that truly serves as a foundation in life giving guidance and direction to all that occurs afterward. It truly is a map to what lies ahead. I served my mission in Los Angeles and as I have shared before, I treasure the opportunity I had to interact with so many different cultures.
Some of the challenges we face in life feel like pushing against a wall. I myself wonder sometimes if progress is made but when I look back I am amazed at the growth that is experienced. Brother Toy drew that analogy in Sunday school. He is always so inspired in what he shares. I couldn’t help but think of the pioneers as they crossed the plains. So many gave their all and kept pushing but didn’t have the opportunity to reach the Salt Lake Valle
y. It was not in vein though. They truly pushed down the walls of adversity and it is upon their devotion, faith and obedience that the some much of what allows the gospel to flourish is built. Brother Toy selected Come, Come ye Saints as the opening song in Priesthood. I felt it was inspired and very fitting to sing that song. The last verse to me says it all:
And should we die before our journey's through, Happy day! all is well! We then are free from toil and sorrow, too; With the just we shall dwell! But if our lives are spared again To see the Saints their rest obtain, O how we'll make this chorus swell-- All is well! all is well!
More often than not it is more about the journey than the destination.
Spent the latter part of the week gathering leaves. One of the piles was absolutely gynormious! I couldn’t help myself, and dove right into the pile. Spent some time cleaning out the garden as well; it produced well into October. The leaves of the strawberry patch turn such a wonderful shade of red. I think the colors of fall are almost as beautiful as those of the Spring. With that thought I bid you adieu and wish you all well. I pray your families are safe and prosper and flourish.
Love,
Steve
It was an inspiring Sunday starting with but going beyond fast and testimony meeting. Bishop Bagley spoke of his mission and how it shaped and directed his life. He spoke of how not a day goes by that he doesn’t reflect on his mission in some fashion. I agree so much with that sentiment. I sat there and thought to myself how the same was true in my life. It is an experience that truly serves as a foundation in life giving guidance and direction to all that occurs afterward. It truly is a map to what lies ahead. I served my mission in Los Angeles and as I have shared before, I treasure the opportunity I had to interact with so many different cultures.
Some of the challenges we face in life feel like pushing against a wall. I myself wonder sometimes if progress is made but when I look back I am amazed at the growth that is experienced. Brother Toy drew that analogy in Sunday school. He is always so inspired in what he shares. I couldn’t help but think of the pioneers as they crossed the plains. So many gave their all and kept pushing but didn’t have the opportunity to reach the Salt Lake Valle
y. It was not in vein though. They truly pushed down the walls of adversity and it is upon their devotion, faith and obedience that the some much of what allows the gospel to flourish is built. Brother Toy selected Come, Come ye Saints as the opening song in Priesthood. I felt it was inspired and very fitting to sing that song. The last verse to me says it all:And should we die before our journey's through, Happy day! all is well! We then are free from toil and sorrow, too; With the just we shall dwell! But if our lives are spared again To see the Saints their rest obtain, O how we'll make this chorus swell-- All is well! all is well!
More often than not it is more about the journey than the destination.
Spent the latter part of the week gathering leaves. One of the piles was absolutely gynormious! I couldn’t help myself, and dove right into the pile. Spent some time cleaning out the garden as well; it produced well into October. The leaves of the strawberry patch turn such a wonderful shade of red. I think the colors of fall are almost as beautiful as those of the Spring. With that thought I bid you adieu and wish you all well. I pray your families are safe and prosper and flourish.
Love,
Steve
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