So if you've ever read my blog you know that I usually post things about perspective. Well.. this one isn't any different. A week or two ago I saw a video that a friend of mine had posted on her Facebook that really made me reflect. I'm always amazed at our capacity for caring and the experiences that cause us to change for the better.
Today I gave a lesson in Sunday school about the second coming. I decided to focus on the importance of knowing the reality of our Savior and His mission. If we really want to return to God we have to know and become like Him. I realized that two of the things most important to our salvation are trials and service. While Christ lived on the earth He was faced with many trials and His whole life was service to others. We are no different. We are here to be tested and our focus should be service to others.
Someone today posed the question; Have you ever regretted a decision to serve? We often neglect or delay opportunities to serve but I honestly can't think of a time that I was upset that I chose to give service.
Service is the anecdote to selfishness.
I only hope to begin to develop this level of charity.
For as long as I can remember I've had trouble falling asleep. It often takes me an hour or two to fall asleep. I've never really been interested in taking medication, not because I think I'll become dependent, just because I would take it every night and that would end up costing a lot of money. Tonight is one of those nights so I thought I'd jot down some of the activities and thoughts that keep me up.
-Reading. Sometimes I find a book that I just can't put down no matter how tired I am.
-Movies. My brother James and I will sometimes come home from our evening activities and throw in an episode or two of Psych or White Collar. (both good shows) It's kind of nice to wind down the night like that.
-Working out. Although this doesn't happen often there are times when I just work out late at night. I actually think I have an easier time falling asleep after a late night workout because I'm so physically exhausted.
-Music. This is the one that is getting me tonight. I'll play a song that reminds me of another song that leads me to a new band that helps me discover another new band... it's ridiculous but there's something so intriguing about it. I love discovering new music. I'm amazed at how many people in this world produce incredible music that goes undiscovered by so many people. It's probably in my top 3 activities of all time.
Thoughts: (These are some thoughts that often run through my head while i'm laying awake)
What do I need to get done tomorrow?
Did I pay my cell phone bill?
It was great to see my niece and nephews tonight, they're so funny.
What am i gonna do when I graduate?
Will I need to take the GRE or the GMAT?
I should be reading my scriptures right now.
I really want to go buy another canvas so I can paint.
What time is it? I've only got 5 hours till I need to wake up..
Why can't I fall asleep?!
I wonder if I can get hypnotized so I can fall asleep at night.
Is that homework assignment due tomorrow?!
Should I ask her out? I don't think it would go anywhere.
I need to write my goals down.
What am I gonna be doing in a year?
Should I go to Bangkok in the fall?
That's just a taste of what I think about at night.
I really do need to go to bed since it's after 1 a.m. right now and it's gonna take me another hour to fall asleep. I'll leave you with a song that I absolutely love. It's by Jonsi who is the lead singer for an incredible band named Sigur Ros. This song is called Boy 1904. Whenever I listen to it I have a really vivid image of walking down an old European cobble stone street at night with a light snow falling. I walk past an old chapel with the doors open and a boy's choir singing this song. The only noises are the choir and the crunching of my footsteps packing the snow down into the cracks of the cobble stones. (I know that sounds super cheesy but it's late, i'm tired, and that's really what I picture so deal with it.)
It seems like lately I only blog when I'm in a contemplative mood. Tonight I watched a documentary entitled "the Conscientious Objector". It's been awhile since I've seen a film that has impacted me so much. I don't want to give too much of it away because I want everyone to watch it but it tells the true story of a WWII soldier who, because of religious beliefs, refused to kill. I was amazed at the commitment that this man displayed to God and his beliefs amid the onslaught of ridicule and abuse from his comrades. His attitude and perspective were inspiring. During the war he literally saved the lives of soldiers who had persecuted him for his beliefs. I always feel so inadequate yet encouraged by people like Desmond Doss. The power that we posses as individuals is so great! The fact that we either don't see it in ourselves or just refuse to act on it is really sad. I know that I probably live most of my life at 20% of my potential. It's amazing how often we settle for mediocrity. We know that we are capable of so much more but for some reason we allow ourselves to get comfortable in our apathy. I'm so grateful for people like Desmond who know what they believe and refuse to compromise. I just hope that I can begin to develop that ability.
