When I grow up I want to be . . .

A friend of mine invited me to come to a music symposium about “choosing the life of a musician” and I was intrigued. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I like music, and I like new experiences, so I went.

The idea was that these musicians would preform songs and before and after (and sometimes in the middle) of their pieces they would talk about how they got where they are and why they chose to be a musician.

It was really cool.

One of the ideas that one of the musicians shared that really struck me was that as you know someone better, you relate more to what they play, and how they play, and then the music means more to you.

I thought back to some of the experiences I have had sitting in my living rooms in various apartments listening to someone I know play the guitar. Or growing up and listening to my brothers play the piano. Those were very different experiences than listening to the radio, or even being at a concert in a large hall. As I have thought more about it, I think it has a lot to do with my knowing the people who were playing.

At this specific living room performance, I was really moved by some of the ideas shared. One pianist spoke about his initial desire to learn to play the piano – to show medical schools that he had manual dexterity. He was a double chemistry and piano major. At one point he realized that if he kept doing both he would not be able to do either well.

Another performer who had more years of experiences than most of the other musicians talked about how she decided to pursue her career in music later in life – a decision she made when she was about the age of the rest of the performers. She said she made her decision knowing that she would never have the advantages and probably never reach the same heights as those who started younger. But she also knew that anything she kept doing she would eventually be good at. Maybe not amazing, but good (a distinction I LOVE - and has gotten me thinking that not everything has to be amazing or the best ever to be worth it and incredible moving or helpful to others). She has kept pushing and practicing and I personally think she has incredible skill.

Those two thoughts are interesting juxtapositions to me. On one hand, we can only do so much, and the more we try to do the less time we can give to any one task. This forces us to make choices about how to spend our time. On the other hand, we have the choice to pursue so many things – any number of which we can become very proficient at.

I walk away from this knowing that I must make some decisions. And realizing that the reality is I can make almost any choice I want to and, as long as I passionately pursue it, I'll likely find fulfillment and find opportunities to share what I love with others.

Leaving Lighter

Yesterday was my first day back working my shift at the Temple after my vacation. The Temple is a beautiful place, and I had missed the peace I feel there and the opportunity to work and serve with wonderful, dedicated individuals.

Since I had been gone for several weeks, I had brought my clothing home to clean and not take up space in the locker room. Naturally, I had to bring them back to use them again. So, I went into the temple with a small purse and a larger bag with my clothing.

Being back was like coming home in all the best ways possible. Seeing familiar faces and knowing that I was needed and appreciated was rewarding. Assisting those who came to the Temple to worship and serve reminded me of the purpose behind giving up so much of my time on Saturday's. I couldn't stop smiling and I often reflected on how grateful I am to have this assignment at this time.

Then it was time to leave for the evening. As I got on the elevator I realized I was traveling much lighter. I only had my small purse since my bag with my clothing was in the locker room waiting for next week. I thought about how grateful I was to be traveling lighter,  and how nice it was to leave that baggage behind.

It struck me that that is one of the purposes of coming to the Temple - to leave our worries and cares behind, to become lighter. We enter the doors full of concerns or fears or disappointments or heartaches or questions. We then worship God and are reminded of the purpose of this life. We have time to be taught and time to reflect. We end our time in the Temple in silent prayer, pondering and reflection. Then we can leave emotionally lighter. What a beautiful thing!

I am reminded of a passage of scripture in the New Testament:

28 ¶Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30

 

Why Read?

I LOVE to read. And I've been able to do a lot more of it in the past couple weeks than I have in a long time. So much so that I was almost tired of reading. Gasp, I can't believe I just typed that, or that I ever thought it!

As I was putting down the book I was reading on the bus home for a little break, I got to thinking about why I like to read, here is what I came up with:

- To slow down
- To escape
- To learn
- To grow
- To discover
- To experience
- For fun
- To pass the time
- To feel
- Because I love it
- To learn how others think/ feel
- To become someone else
- To visit a new place/ time
- To forget
- To remember

I'm sure there are many more reasons and I know there are different reasons I read different types of books. I also realized that taking a break to think and process what was read and how it relates to life and other things I've read is just as enjoyable as reading itself ...

Now I want to know, why do you read?

You just don't understand

This concept has come up a few times in the books I've been reading lately and in conversations and thoughts I've had.

It's true. I don't understand what it's like to grow up in different circumstances. I don't understand why people think, say, and do some of the things they do. I don't understand how things make people feel, and I don't know the experiences they have had in their lives that lead to those feelings or reactions.

That does not, however, mean that I don't want to, or that I'm not trying to.

What I have wished lately is that I could understand more. And that people would help each other understand more - trust and share and be willing to be vulnerable sometimes so that people can understand more.

Strengthened to Abound?

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

This has been a very familiar scripture to me. When I was in college I worked in our Financial Aid Department and they had a little book of quotes/ scriptures that I read sometimes when things were slow. This verse is one I actually have memorized. I find it to be very powerful. Sometimes I believe it more fully than others and act on it more or less successfully at various points in my life. However, I have never known it in context till now.

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:11-13

In my mind verse 13 had always meant "I can do hard things" or "Christ will make difficult things easier for me as I rely on him."

I think that is still true. Now I also think there is much more to this verse. Christ can help us be content with ANY circumstances. I do not believe that means he wants us to settle for mediocre. Nor do I think that means we are not expected to work hard or push through incredibly difficult things to come out stronger on the other side. I do think these verses are teaching us that Christ can help us navigate life successfully - no matter what is currently being placed before us, or what is placed in front of us in the future.

Along this vein - some people really want a lot of money. I never have. I have always said money is a curse I don't want to deal with and a burden I don't want to hand down to my children. I do want enough money to live comfortably, and to be able to have some wonderful experiences, but I just have never wanted to have so much money it can be taken for granted and a high standard of living is expected. But Paul just taught me "I know how to abound" and "I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry." So, through Christ, I could successfully navigate both remaining humble while having a lot and not becoming bitter if I do not.

I like verse 13 even more now that I have some added context and deeper understanding about it. I hope to more fully rely on Christ in all things and allow him to instruct and strengthen me.

Lessons Learned at Westminster Abbey

Today after attending worship services at an LDS chapel near Hyde Park my travel buddy, a friend from another phase of life, and an acquaintance of my travel buddy who we randomly ran into went and explored a bit. We decided to participate in Evensong at Westminster Abbey.

As we walked down the hall, I noticed a beautiful alter cover that had "All Shall Be Well" stitched into the side. A feeling a peace entered my heart. Indeed, all shall be well. On this journey, I have been continually reminded of how blessed I am. How grateful I am for my wonderful life and the myriad of opportunities that I have enjoyed thus far in my life.

As part of the service, those in attendance faced east and recited The Apostles' Creed:

I believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead and buried;
he descended into hell;
the third day he rose again from the dead,
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost;
the holy catholic Church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting. Amen.

While I can't say I agree with everything above, there is so much in this passage that rings true with what I personally believe, and that is so beautifully put. I find the lines "was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead and ascended into heaven" particularly moving.

I believe that is true. As Peter said in 1 Peter 3:19: "...he went and preached to the spirits in prison". I believe that after death our souls go to a spirit world and that world is divided into a spirit prison and a spirit paradise. It seems very likely to me these are not necessarily different physical locations, but are denoted by a mental and emotional feeling our souls have based on our choices during our moral life and the increased knowledge we gain as we leave this life. I also thought about some of the words of Joseph F Smith on this subject found in Doctrine and Covenants 138. I am incredibly grateful that Jesus Christ was willing to descend below all things so that each of us has the opportunity to choose to rise above all things through the aid of His atoning sacrifice!

As we were waiting for the Evensong to begin, I was reading the front of the program which included the following "Whether you are Anglican (Episcopalian), or of another Christian Church or of another faith, or seeking or doubting, you are warmly welcome to take part in the service."

To me, that reflects the life and role that Christ embodied while on this earth. "Come unto me", "blessed are the poor in spirit", "my peace I leave with you" - all invitations expressing that we are welcome.

Thank you Westminster Abbey for making me welcome, for speaking to my soul and deepening my faith in Jesus Christ (and for the beautiful music, sermon and architecture!)

Pretend It's You

Whoopi Goldberg taught me a new way to think about an old topic - The Golden Rule.

In a book of hers I just read that was basically a collection of her social commentary on things that annoy her (from drunk driving to bullying to talking in a movie theater) she often repeated the phrase "pretend it's you".

I love that thought.

Pretend it is you:
- who will be coming into the airplane bathroom next
- who is trying to get on (or off) the train (or elevator or bus)
- when you are tempted to say something mean or demeaning to someone else
- when you comment on someones appearance

This thought gives me a way to operationalize the goal to "do unto others as you would have others to unto you"

Any other ideas of when you should "pretend it's you"?