tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47635520534616031262024-03-22T14:37:07.076-06:00Tuesdays with MuerteSelf growth is tender; it's holy ground. There's no higher investment.Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.comBlogger1169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-8178949115632102662024-03-22T13:58:00.005-06:002024-03-22T14:07:59.893-06:00Clutch<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4modlqwQLsvrCRfCI9cUeHiMoxegVEnuiAdyq2aMaRtN3avy7IbLMdhVcbmTEtaqVjoomioO8PRJ3frkY8FNnKelOTCL9Ub1XsokfmzKe2-wqVaj7zIhsTtJ9JU0mWwHGSp1B-u8sT157QHLZhsdcNlOCcJHM9Sk6nGixVnL44EsivY6C5z8P7caUx8I/s7934/AdobeStock_539662962.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5292" data-original-width="7934" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4modlqwQLsvrCRfCI9cUeHiMoxegVEnuiAdyq2aMaRtN3avy7IbLMdhVcbmTEtaqVjoomioO8PRJ3frkY8FNnKelOTCL9Ub1XsokfmzKe2-wqVaj7zIhsTtJ9JU0mWwHGSp1B-u8sT157QHLZhsdcNlOCcJHM9Sk6nGixVnL44EsivY6C5z8P7caUx8I/s320/AdobeStock_539662962.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winning after a <i>clutch </i>penalty kick, <a href="https://stock.adobe.com/images/success-happy-team-or-winner-for-soccer-player-celebration-during-match-at-soccer-field-stadium-or-sport-workout-teamwork-achievement-or-friends-for-fitness-goal-wellness-or-football-exercise/539662962?prev_url=detail" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Adobe Stock</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">I love the word <i>clutch</i>, especially when it describes a person winning a game or accomplishing a difficult activity (such as being the only remaining player on one's team against several opponents). When I hear the word "clutch," I think of multiple meanings simultaneously:</span><p></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Etymologically, <i>clutch</i> comes from the Middle English <i>clitch</i>, which means to "close the hand," or "grasp something tightly" which reminds me of cinching the win (like a horse saddle strap), leaving no room for escape.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">In Old English, <i>clyccan</i> means "crook" or "bend," which adds a new dimension to the word's meaning. A clutch play can be illustrated by a shepherd's crook, illustrating a sudden 180-degree change in the momentum of the game.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">In the vernacular, I imagine a bird of prey's clawed <i>clutch</i>, unexpectedly (or luckily) swooping in and snatching victory away from one's opponents.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Clutch </i>might also describe the inner sensation of the spectator. I.e., tightness in the chest from nervousness or excited anticipation.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">I do not think about the handheld accessory-storage device often used by women on the go, but I could see a potential connection there.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">The most unique meaning I ascribe to <i>clutch</i> is my favorite. I imagine the person/players releasing a metaphorical "clutch" (like in a manual transmission). They must be stress-free and relaxed to accomplish the unlikely feat. You could also extend this transmission analogy by considering a player taking their play to the next gear or level.</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4Zom6siQdpO9PTmM0tLt5YCFzz3N2uGZJY_3vyf5IvY43UGZw-m_o4so0aRuXc5jSjB4Bfb5byj_f0rt288GFVvhghS76VazbI9xBO1YJGVUP19-XF-G3VvL0JbQj9mP85WvQlW6n83m6QY445rVT9_gzKbJvUmis1dtfe7C940MYuPF6G1hbEmEs1VX/s6912/AdobeStock_81659996.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="6912" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4Zom6siQdpO9PTmM0tLt5YCFzz3N2uGZJY_3vyf5IvY43UGZw-m_o4so0aRuXc5jSjB4Bfb5byj_f0rt288GFVvhghS76VazbI9xBO1YJGVUP19-XF-G3VvL0JbQj9mP85WvQlW6n83m6QY445rVT9_gzKbJvUmis1dtfe7C940MYuPF6G1hbEmEs1VX/s320/AdobeStock_81659996.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Transmission, <a href="https://stock.adobe.com/images/set-to-replace-the-automobile-clutch/81659996?prev_url=detail" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Adobe Stock</a></td></tr></tbody></table></li></ol><p></p>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-5315697319021018142024-02-21T16:59:00.003-07:002024-03-22T14:36:35.080-06:00The Book of Mormon and Continuing Cold-War Politics<div>Nixon predicted the current state of U.S.-Russian politics in 1992. Say what you will about Nixon's Watergate coverup, he was one smart guy and a heck of a statesman. When Nixon was wrong, he was very wrong. But when he was right, he nailed it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kgG_fLNBv6A?si=IPo3Xfz28fpmCsMJ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">After the U.S. "won" the Cold War with Russia</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> in 1991</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">, the ideals of freedom (free-market capitalism and </span><a href="https://youtu.be/fLJBzhcSWTk?si=MT3kxdlwTQTPVWxe" rel="nofollow" style="white-space-collapse: preserve;" target="_blank">educated</a><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> democracy) have stood trial on the world stage. The Cold War isn't over. The opponents of liberty and justice for all are lying in wait. As the Great Experiment of democracy has succumbed to the consequences of pride (e.g., </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">a false sense of security</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">) and </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">constant </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">subversive influences</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (e.g., </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Russian imperialism</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">) over the years</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">, free nations (including the U.S.) have begun to revert to (not communism, which has failed) but a new despotism or <a href="https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/amp/rcna132082" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">authoritarian</a> </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">demagogism</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">.</span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Book of Mormon demonstrates this same dynamic in the book of 3rd Nephi. In Chapter 1, we read that though signs and wonders abound, the wicked plan to slay the righteous if Christ does not reveal himself to them </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">by a certain day</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">. Lyings and deceivings increase, and the Gadianton robbers slaughter many.</span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The same can be said for our day. Systems of freedom are on trial, and it's not going well. Shootings at Football parades, "Stolen" U.S. Presidential elections, biased Supreme Court rulings, and blatant corruption among those elected and appointed to serve the people are commonplace. Those who defend the American Constitution and religious freedom are ridiculed and even threatened. The political din of loyalists to political figures is so loud that many even-minded citizens like myself are fearful of participating in honest political debate.</span></div>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-6622220247688707362024-02-02T12:32:00.006-07:002024-02-02T12:32:41.799-07:00Song Review: My Shepherd Will Supply My Need<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/70kdwGBv8fQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="70kdwGBv8fQ"></iframe></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2015/09/my-shepherd-will-supply-my-need?lang=eng" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lyrics</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/images/magazines/ensign/2015/09/september-2015-ensign-magazine-mormon_1523499_prt.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sheet music</a></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Review</h2><p>Few hymns bring me greater peace than <i>My Shepherd Will Supply My Need</i>. And no one sings it better than the Tabernacle Choir.</p><p>Here are some of the couplets I find most meaningful:</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">In pastures fresh He makes me feed, Beside the living stream.</h3><p>For me, this imagery reminds me that wherever I am, I am partaking of God's creations for me. He is my constant source of nourishment, whether I recognize His hand or not. (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/2?lang=eng&clang=eng&id=20-24#p19" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mosiah 2:20-24</a>) He is the living stream. But it is up to me to come to him to receive His life-giving water.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">A word of Thy supporting breath, Drives all my fears away.</h3><p>"Peace." (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/mark/4?lang=eng&id=35-41#p35" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mark 4:35-41</a>) This lyric reminds me of the many times God's Spirit has banished my fear. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Thy hand, in sight of all my foes, Doth still my table spread;</h3><p>When my senses are trained on the surrounding threats, this verse reminds me to keep my attention on the Savior. He will provide. In fact, these perceived threats may just be opportunities to become more like Him.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">The sure provisions of my God, Attend me all my days;</h3><p>When I worry about <i>want</i>, I remember God provides all I <i>need</i>.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">O may Thy house be mine abode, And all my work be praise!</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">There would I find a settled rest, (While others go and come), </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">No more a stranger or a guest, But like a child at home.</h3><p>This reminds me of the lyric from Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, </p><p></p><blockquote><p></p><blockquote><p>"Let Thy goodness like a fetter</p><p>Bind my wandering heart to Thee</p><p>Prone to wander, Lord I feel it</p><p>Prone to leave the God I love</p><p>Here's my heart, oh take and seal it</p><p>Seal it for Thy courts above."</p></blockquote></blockquote><p>These lyrics provide a resolution to the story. As the singers rededicate themselves to Christ's yoke (Matt 11:28-30), they draw a line in the sand. Will I also make the Lord's house (Gospel) mine abode, or will I go and come (tossed to and fro; <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/eph/4?lang=eng&id=14#p13" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ephesians: 4:14</a>)</p><p></p><p><br /></p>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-25190184758100184192024-01-25T11:41:00.009-07:002024-01-25T13:40:30.833-07:00The Itsy Bitsy Spider Fan Theory: Water Spout or Sprout?!<p>I just learned about <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_sprout" target="_blank">water sprouts</a>. These bad boys love to grow on fruit trees. They provide the perfect structural support for spiderwebs. Fruit farmers are all too familiar with them because they qualify as "deranged wood" and need to be regularly pruned. However, as we will explore later, they can also serve as powerful metaphors.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/V%C3%ADzhajt%C3%A1s2.JPG/1280px-V%C3%ADzhajt%C3%A1s2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/V%C3%ADzhajt%C3%A1s2.JPG/1280px-V%C3%ADzhajt%C3%A1s2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>It reminded me of the familiar nursery rhythm "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" (based on the original 1910 folksong, "Spider Song"). I wondered if the song included the lyric <i>water spout</i> at some point in its <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itsy_Bitsy_Spider" target="_blank">evolution</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9WJc4qnRSz9YJzqUstjrmTtyTvQSgO1hP7jSmLyXGKKOGJP67fKLN5COHAFpAjt2eEigZReGF896AEWiGv0PuXvtM4eowOkkr78TYYXlE-tq8pcbTgsuNBkjUaF8rJFTfMjtJgzuOqU-d29CIvYuSCoOnNL31gaoUakiYa_C9HSMC7cPdhBbW6zEmeoP/s958/Itsy%20Bitsy%20Spider.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="958" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9WJc4qnRSz9YJzqUstjrmTtyTvQSgO1hP7jSmLyXGKKOGJP67fKLN5COHAFpAjt2eEigZReGF896AEWiGv0PuXvtM4eowOkkr78TYYXlE-tq8pcbTgsuNBkjUaF8rJFTfMjtJgzuOqU-d29CIvYuSCoOnNL31gaoUakiYa_C9HSMC7cPdhBbW6zEmeoP/w400-h246/Itsy%20Bitsy%20Spider.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>The first publication of the song involved a spider climbing and being washed from a <i><b>web</b></i>.</p><p></p><blockquote><p>"Oh, the blooming, bloody spider went up the spider <b>web</b>,</p><p>The blooming, bloody rain came down and washed the spider out,</p><p>The blooming, bloody sun came out and dried up all the rain,</p><p>And the blooming, bloody spider came up the <b>web</b> again."</p></blockquote><p>Originating in Southern California during the pre-dustbowl (Grapes of Wrath) era, some think it was an "allegory of the struggle of the lower classes" (<a href="https://theitsybitsyspider01.weebly.com/origin.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">source</a>). Think about it. The lowest-paid workers were fruit farmers. Coincidentally, California's chief export was fruit farming at the time. Spiders were viewed as co-workers by those who worked and sang in the fields. They may have resonated with unsung, never-ending labor performed by the spiders to keep their fruit insect-free. What if the lyric evolved from <i>web </i>to <i>water sprout</i>, and we just don't have a record of it?!</p><p>However, as the song became more accepted by a national and global audience, non-farmers didn't know what water sprouts were so they naturally changed the lyric to a term they were familiar with: water spouts.</p><p>Today, children may never know the song's true origin or intended meaning. Regardless, I love the theme of resilience it conveys. I especially appreciate when storytellers continue to make it their own by changing the melody and adding a love story angle, as shown in this modern adaptation:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w_lCi8U49mY" width="320" youtube-src-id="w_lCi8U49mY"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Note</b>: I don't actually believe my own fan theory, but I'm hoping the <a href="https://youtu.be/3VEkzweBJPM?si=EUhWxiaC7QaGswCb" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">conspiracy</a> catches on.</div>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-21221319482115705652024-01-22T12:00:00.020-07:002024-01-24T08:25:11.582-07:00What Does It Mean to Be "Beyond One's Ken"?<p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">My entire life, I incorrectly heard a song lyric from </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">"Sixteen Going on Seventeen" in </span><i style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Sound of Music</i><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">. </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">I thought Rolf sang, "Timid and shy and scared are you of things beyond your <i>kin</i> (as in family)." But I recently learned while reading <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5982133964" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How To Know A Person</a></i> by the wordsmith David Brooks</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">that the lyric is </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">not </span><i style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">kin, </i><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">but </span><i style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">ken</i><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">. I had to look up the <a href="https://genius.com/Brian-davies-and-lauri-peters-sixteen-going-on-seventeen-lyrics" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">full lyrics</a> </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">to confirm.</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Sure enough, <i>ken</i>. So what does <i>ken</i> mean?</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hwK_WOXjfc0" width="320" youtube-src-id="hwK_WOXjfc0"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Turns out, it's a nautical term. <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ken#:~:text=ken%20nowadays%20almost%20always,or%20knowledge." rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Merriam-Webster</a> has this to say:<p></p><p></p><blockquote><i>Ken </i>appeared on the English horizon in the 16th century as <b>a term of measurement of the distance bounding the range of ordinary vision at sea—about 20 miles.</b> British author John Lyly used that sense in 1580 when he wrote, "They are safely come within a ken of Dover." Other 16th-century writers used <i>ken </i>to mean "<b>range of vision</b>" ("Out of ken we were ere the Countesse came from the feast." — Thomas Nashe) or "sight" ("'Tis double death to drown in ken of shore." — Shakespeare). <b>Today, however, <i>ken</i> rarely suggests literal sight. Rather, <i>ken</i> nowadays almost always implies a range of perception, understanding, or knowledge.</b></blockquote><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Why was this an apt description employed by the songwriters Brian Davies & Lauri Peters?</span><p></p><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Leisl's father, Captain Von Trapp, is an icon in the Austrian Navy. As evidenced by his regimented parenting style (e.g., use of a naval whistle, firm dress and appearance guidelines, and strict activity schedules and regulations), Leisl no doubt grew up well-acquainted with this kind of naval terminology. By employing the language of her Father, Rolf is symbolically asserting himself as Leisl's new protector.</span></p><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Or perhaps Rolf is actually a social progressive who is (ironically) manipulating Leisl through </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">reverse psychology.</span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> But I doubt it; Rolf isn't that smart, sociopathic, or in control of his own emotions. Based on the genuine feelings of pride, fear, and elation he expresses in the Gazebo scene, he's probably a normal, </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">self-important </span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">teen from an entitled family, feigning confidence but frightened to commit to a relationship. </span></p><p>I don't love the (realistic) notion of poor Rolf becoming a blundering Nazi sheep. For you fellow wishful thinkers who'd prefer a different story, here's a fan theory suggesting that Rolf joined The Hitler Youth to strategically position himself as an asset to the Austrian Resistance. This song was his way of testing Leisl's aptitude and loyalty (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/FanTheories/comments/ng4b7k/sound_of_music_secret_spy_in_plain_sight/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reddit</a>).</p><p>Bonus: This song has another lyric I've always wondered about: "Roués and cads." A <i>roué</i>, according to <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rou%C3%A9#:~:text=rou%C3%A9%20%5Croo%2DAY%5C%20noun,life%20of%20sensual%20pleasure%20%3A%20rake" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Merriam-Webster</a>, is a smooth-talking, pleasure-seeking, morally lax, no-good ladies' man or a rake (not to be confused with its feminine counterpart). This one deserves a full etymology: it's French, a participle of <i>rouer</i>, "to break on the wheel." Since <i>the wheel</i> is a torture device, the French were implying that such dissolute beings deserved this punishment. It's also the name first applied to the profligate companions of Philippe II, France's regent from 1715 to 1723. (Remember how the conservative bourgeoisie of the French Revolution (1790s) were fed up with the opulent, aristocratic members of Percy's League of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Roués<i> </i>were their more promiscuous predecessors.) Modern-day roués might be spotted dirty dancing at a nightclub while drinking his and his companion's drinks. </p>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-40999594013182398882024-01-21T15:34:00.037-07:002024-02-14T10:55:09.732-07:00Who is Pinocchio's Mentor: The Blue Fairy or Jiminy Cricket?<p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Preface</h2><div>Thank you for engaging with this post. My purpose for writing this was to map my thoughts, which means it isn't <i>easy</i> to read. But rewriting it for a public audience would take me more time than I'm willing to spend. So, I hope you enjoy seeing how my mind works.</div><h2 style="text-align: left;">How Did This Question Arise?</h2><div>This question is a discarded tangent from another project I'm working on about The Hero's Journey. Although it didn't fit into that project, it was too good to dismiss completely. </div><div><br /></div><div>This specific question arose when I came across a video that clearly suggested that <span><b>Jiminy Cricket</b> was </span>Pinocchio's mentor, but I wasn't so sure. When I saw the video's title, <a href="https://youtu.be/XI-KPdKdwU4" rel="nofollow" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Pinocchio | Sidekicks And Mentors | Disney+</a>, I wondered why Disney couldn't commit to a single label for Jiminy<i>. </i>"Is he a sidekick or mentor?" To me, sidekicks (or allies) are very different from mentors. To be fair, they probably intended for Jiminy to serve both roles, like Timothy the Mouse from <i>Dumbo </i>(1941), but it still got my wheels turning.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAh8Wh7aouEZXrBwfd5RXppnh1y9zFu0O9jWZVHal37x5qVkcbyOGv1KScTJTS8WzOaguKffzvD7-HkJGIfXn1W377nbVDKFYfuc61dRq5HWknySh-ZttdRUtBNsLAocmfJ9khxY1Ip0KROjP_sbfc1AzQdHiSKBQvGCfZGWprNHi2bY1phcCGV_Zbf6C_/s2047/Meeting%20Pinocchio,%20the%20Blue%20Fairy%20and%20Jiminy%20Cricket.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAh8Wh7aouEZXrBwfd5RXppnh1y9zFu0O9jWZVHal37x5qVkcbyOGv1KScTJTS8WzOaguKffzvD7-HkJGIfXn1W377nbVDKFYfuc61dRq5HWknySh-ZttdRUtBNsLAocmfJ9khxY1Ip0KROjP_sbfc1AzQdHiSKBQvGCfZGWprNHi2bY1phcCGV_Zbf6C_/w266-h400/Meeting%20Pinocchio,%20the%20Blue%20Fairy%20and%20Jiminy%20Cricket.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lorenjavier/7084308373" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Meeting Pinocchio, the Blue Fairy, and Jiminy Cricket</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><h2>The Debate</h2><p></p>"Who is Pinocchio's mentor?" This question is causing a heated debate in certain circles (admittedly, just me). For this discussion, let's use the term <i>mentor</i> in reference to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Hero's Journey</a> set forth by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Campbell" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Joseph Campbell</a> and expounded upon by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Vogler" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Christopher Vogler</a>. Each expert's writings seem to champion a different mentor:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>The Blue Fairy</b>—Purists align with Joseph Campbell, an early 20th-century scholar who first operationalized the need for a guide or magical helper to appear before the hero crosses the threshold into the special or unknown world. These "Campbellians" espouse the Blue Fairy as Pinocchio's mentor. (E.g., <a href="https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/movie/pinocchio/analysis/heros-journey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Verbose blogger's opinion</a>)</li><li><b>Jiminy Cricket</b>—However, given the complexity of Campbell's writing, many have sought clarity from a Disney screenwriter named Christopher Vogler, who offers a more accessible writers' guide to Campbell's Hero's Journey. "Voglerites" seem to view Jiminy as the story's undisputed mentor. <span color="initial"><span style="letter-spacing: 0em;">(E.g., </span><a href="https://www.irismarshedits.com/post/heros-journey-mentor-archetype#viewer-3qaff" rel="nofollow" style="letter-spacing: 0em;" target="_blank">Less-verbose blogger's opinion</a><span style="letter-spacing: 0em;">)</span></span></li></ul><p>Watch this clip from <a href="https://youtu.be/sDyDmKNX3Js" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pinocchio (2022)</a> if you need a memory jog. At first blush, who do you think is Pinocchio's mentor? Here are the two available options:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Campbell’s <b>The Blue Fairy</b>?</li><li>Vogler’s <b>Jiminy Cricket</b>?</li></ul><div>Let's get into it.<div><p></p><h2>Volgerites</h2><div><p>In his book, <a href="The Writer's Journey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Writer's Journey</a> (2007), Christopher Vogler overtly names Jiminy Cricket as Pinocchio's mentor. In fact, Vogler specifically uses Jiminy as a prime example of a mentor. </p><p><span></span></p><blockquote>Some <i>Mentors </i>perform a special function as a conscience for the hero. Characters like <b>Jiminy Cricket</b> in <i>Pinocchio</i> or Walter Brennan's Groot in <i>Red River</i> try to remind an errant hero of an important moral code. However, a hero may rebel against a nagging conscience. Would-be Mentors should remember that in the original [darker] Collodi story Pinocchio squashed the cricket to shut him up. ~Christopher Vogler, <i>The Writer's Journey</i>, p. 42 (emphasis added)</blockquote><span style="color: #374151;"></span><p></p><p></p>Additionally, Vogler was the first to introduce the "Meeting the Mentor" stage of his interpretation of The Hero's Journey.</div><div><br /></div><div>In his other writings and interviews, Vogler has outlined the defining characteristics of the mentor:<div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A mentor generally shows up in the first act of the story. (<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Both; depends on the version</span>)</li><li>A mentor generally has a backstory that informs his or her trustworthiness. (<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Jiminy</span>)</li><li>A mentor is often flawed but lovable. (<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Jiminy</span>)</li><li>A mentor provides strategic gifts and guidance along the path. (<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Both</span>)</li><li>A mentor acts as a moral compass and guide for the hero. It should push the hero out of their comfort zone. (Both, but more <span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Jiminy</span>)</li><li>The mentor has a personal reason for helping the hero. A hero needs a mentor to undertake the Journey, but a mentor needs the hero to help complete his or her life’s path. (<span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Jiminy</span>)</li><li>A mentor may be present for much of the hero’s journey, but he or she must abandon the hero at some point. A mentor can never face a final test in the hero’s place. (Both, but more <span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Jiminy</span>)</li><li>A mentor provides essential encouragement or a magical gift to the hero, enabling his journey into the unknown world. (<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Blue Fairy</span>)</li><li>When the hero makes a difficult choice, they look to their mentor for comfort, strength, and advice. (Both, but more <span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Jiminy</span>)</li></ul><h3>Vogler's Mentor Characteristics Scores</h3><div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: #374151;">Jiminy - 3 characteristics</span></div><div><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; color: #374151;">Mostly Jiminy - 3 characteristics</span></div><div><span style="color: #374151;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Both (Shared Equally) - 2 characteristics</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #374151;">Blue Fairy -1 characteristic</span></div><br />Note: These categorizations may differ among the various versions of the story.</div><div><br /></div><div>By my count, eight out of nine characteristics describe Jiminy. These scores speak for themselves. But what if Vogler was chirping in the wrong field?</div><div><h2>Campbellians</h2><p>While writers and scholars have written about the monomyth since the nineteenth century, Joseph Campbell popularized in his 1949 treatise, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thousand-Faces-Collected-Joseph-Campbell-ebook/dp/B08MWW2VDL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Hero with a Thousand Faces</a>. The term <i>mentor </i>finds its roots in Greek mythology, specifically from the name of the servant whom Odysseus relied on for his household affairs. Later on, Athena took on the physical form of this servant to lead Odysseus's son in the quest to find his missing father. Campbell used this term to describe one of eight archetypes employed frequently in the hero-story. However, as mentioned above, "Meeting the Mentor" was not one of Campbell's original 17 stages of The Hero's Journey. Instead, he had a stage called “<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey#Supernatural_Aid" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Supernatural Aid</a>,<span style="color: #374151; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">” which provided a similar effect</span>—to share knowledge and gifts with a less experienced hero<span style="color: #374151; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0em;">.</span> Campbell's sources were primarily mythological and religious in nature, which regularly showcased mentors as supernatural beings and mystical forces (as opposed to Vogler's more tangible mentors written for the Hollywood screen).</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCuylhrD0vCk7gs6NbHVAHH9rgZOcsDOA93QCRSZDjfSyrclBbUbPrBnCHl4Y4EyzZKdrBOL-IM3nscud6Jejhq1kxQQJwJDT1TRowgHOS5j68XIwbVhixLyAAD5Rifvdd5xC1hCzdTgmZ43kzQkapsdvBqymOt3FR6X_rvsCfNnOnJPz48NiBB94sWLa/s1146/Campbell%20and%20Vogler%20Act%201%20Comparison%20Chart.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="1146" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCuylhrD0vCk7gs6NbHVAHH9rgZOcsDOA93QCRSZDjfSyrclBbUbPrBnCHl4Y4EyzZKdrBOL-IM3nscud6Jejhq1kxQQJwJDT1TRowgHOS5j68XIwbVhixLyAAD5Rifvdd5xC1hCzdTgmZ43kzQkapsdvBqymOt3FR6X_rvsCfNnOnJPz48NiBB94sWLa/w640-h162/Campbell%20and%20Vogler%20Act%201%20Comparison%20Chart.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey#Summary" rel="nofollow" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1a62ff; font-size: xx-small;">Campbell and Vogler's Act 1 Stage Comparison Chart</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #374151;"><br /></span><p></p><div>The Blue Fairy neatly fulfills all the essential requirements of the hero's mentor. According to Campbell, a guide or magical helper appears when the call to adventure occurs (e.g., The Blue Fairy inviting Pinocchio to fulfill his grieving father's wish—for Pinocchio to become real). Typically, the helper provides the hero with talismans or artifacts that will prove beneficial along their journey (supernatural aid). The Blue Fairy not only extends Pinocchio a call to adventure; she endows him with the knowledge and equipment necessary to survive it, including a temporary conscience (Jiminy).</div></div><div><div><br /><div>Additionally, the Blue Fairy fulfills the role of mentor by revisiting Pinocchio throughout his journey to give warnings, offer encouragement, and bestow gifts. Sounds very mentor-y to me, even from Vogler's definition.<br /><p>Campbellians agree that it's easy to mistake Jiminy Cricket for Pinocchio's mentor because of his role as Pinocchio's temporary conscience or inner moral voice. Vogler argues that <i>mentor</i> and <i>conscience</i> (or "higher Self") are always the same thing. However, being Pinocchio's conscience does not necessarily make Jiminy his mentor.</p></div><div><p></p><p><span style="color: #374151;"></span></p><blockquote>In the anatomy of the human psyche, Mentors represent the Self, the god within us, the aspect of personality that is connected with all things. This higher Self is the wiser, nobler, more godlike part of us. Like Jiminy Cricket in the Disney [1940] version of Pinocchio, the Self acts as a conscience to guide us on the road of life when no Blue Fairy or kindly Gepetto is there to protect us and tell us right from wrong. ~ Christopher Vogler, <i>The Writer's Journey</i>, p. 40</blockquote>If Vogler thinks that Jiminy represents Pinocchio's "Higher Self," I boldly assert that Vogler fundamentally misunderstands the meaning of Self in Jung's process of <a href="https://youtu.be/uhAeXyVDDTc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">individuation</a>. According to Jung, one's personal conscience (or lower Self, as Vogler might understand it) is a primary component of one's eventually higher Self. The Hero's Journey is the crucible for the painful integration of one's consciousness and unconsciousness (personal and collective unconscious), which ultimately yields the Self. When viewed from this Jungian perspective, Jiminy Cricket is the boon or aid given to Pinocchio to help him navigate the special world. The Blue Fairy is obviously the supernatural helper bestowing that aid.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's an LDS parallel regarding Jiminy as the supernatural aid: The Blue Fairy's gift of Jiminy is not unlike Christ's gift of the Comforter to the 12 Apostles in His absence (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/14?lang=eng&id=5,16-23,26#p5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">John 14:5-26</a>, <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/john/16?lang=eng&id=7#p7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">John 16:7</a>)<span style="color: #374151;">. The Greek word <i>paraklētos</i>, translated “Comforter” in the King James Version, appears exclusively in the writings of John. The title <i>paraklētos </i>is applied to two individuals: the Holy Ghost and Jesus Christ (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/new-testament-student-manual/introduction-to-the-gospel-according-to-st-john/chapter-26-john-14-16?lang=eng&id=p22#p22" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</a>). So, like Christ and the Holy Spirit, we might think of Jiminy as a personified extension of Pinocchio's true mentor, The Blue Fairy.</span></div></div><div><span style="color: #374151;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #374151;">Vogler acknowledges that the mentor's role is defined by the guiding energy the hero experiences. Mentorship is not about ongoing continuous tutelage; it's about giving the hero purpose and <i>general </i>direction. The following Vogler quote describes The Blue Fairy more than it does Jiminy Cricket: </span></div><div><blockquote>“Mentors provide heroes with motivation, inspiration, guidance, training, and gifts for the journey. Every hero is guided by something, and a story without some acknowledgment of this energy is incomplete. Whether expressed as an actual character or as an internalized code of behavior, the Mentor archetype is a powerful tool at the writer’s command” ~ Christopher Vogler, <i>The Writer’s Journey</i>, p. 47</blockquote></div><h2>Conclusion</h2>Both Voglerites and Campbellians pose strong arguments, and I can see merit in both ontologies.</div><div>Ultimately, the decision hinges on your preference for definitions that are either more explicit or abstract. Your choice may also be influenced by the specific version of the tale you choose, as different versions support varying perspectives.</div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Pro-Voglerite Conclusions</h3><div>On the one hand, I want to go with Jiminy for several reasons:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Given the Argument's Premise, There Is Only One Real Choice</b>—If we're going to insist on using the term, <i>mentor</i>, there really is only one choice. Vogler coined the term "Meeting the Mentor" and named Jiminy in his definition of <i>mentor</i>. Now, if a <i>mentor</i> means the same thing as <i>one providing supernatural aid</i>, then we have a debate.</li><li><b>Jiminy Statistics</b>—There is no contest when comparing tallies of Vogler's Mentor Characteristics. Jiminy is the obvious winner. Campbellian note: Vogler's definitions do not account for alternative versions of the story other than Disney's <i>Pinocchio</i> (1940). Additionally, his defining characteristics are tautological (or self-referencing) in nature.</li><li><b>The Blue Fairy's Role is Already Spoken For (According to Jungian Archetypes)</b>—The Hero's Journey was heavily influenced by Carl Jung's theory of archetypes. Based on Jung's lesser 12 <a href="https://www.masterclass.com/articles/writing-101-the-12-literary-archetypes#4VXhTl6IAvFjZ1f74gQaIn" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">archetypes</a>, The Blue Fairy clearly represents the <i>Ruler</i>. Gepetto is the <i>Creator/Artist</i>. And Jiminy is the <i>Sage </i>archetype. <ol><li><i>Ruler</i>: The authoritative figure who provides structure and order. Often associated with leadership and responsibility.</li><li><i>Creator/Artist</i>: The imaginative and creative individual who brings new ideas and innovations to life.</li><li><i>Sage</i>: Wise and knowledgeable, the sage seeks truth and understanding. Often portrayed as a mentor or guide.</li></ol></li><li><b>Awesome Dead Mentor</b>—I intentionally did not limit the discussion to a single version of <i>Pinocchio</i> because I love the original fairytale so much. The visceral image of Pinocchio throwing a hammer and squashing Jiminy in a fit of rage adds an additional layer of drama and symbolism to the story. The hero killing off the mentor is a delightfully shocking twist on the dead-mentor trope (E.g., Obi-Wan Kenobi, Gandalf, Uncle Ben). Doing so adds dramatic conflict to Pinocchio's journey. By murdering his mentor, Pinocchio succumbs to his darker nature (shadow self). It makes his ultimate transformation into a real (virtuous) boy that much more meaningful. This gruesome act drives home the message, "We can all change and be redeemed, no matter our natures or what crimes we have committed."</li><li><b>Jiminy is Not Just a Sidekick</b>—Disney clearly wanted Jiminy to play a bigger role than he did in the original telling of the story. By giving Jiminy WAY more screen time, providing him with a redemptive backstory, and creating some emotional stakes for his character, Disney is indicating that he is more than a sidekick. </li><li><b>Nagging Plot Hole</b>—Hang with me because this one is a bit complicated. Campbellians and Vogerlites concur that the hero must confront the final test alone (without anyone's help except for what he brings with him, including his boon). For the sake of argument, let's say that Jiminy is not Pinocchio's mentor but rather functions solely as a supernatural boon (conscience), as suggested by Campbellians. In that case, it raises the question of why Jiminy was absent during Pinocchio's Ultimate Ordeal with Monstro. If Jiminy is just a boon, there would be no apparent reason to exclude him from the scene; he should have been alongside Pinocchio, offering guidance throughout the Ordeal. Jiminy's absence is evidence that he is not just a boon.</li></ol></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Pro-Cambpellian Conclusions</h3><div>Despite these persuasive Voglerite arguments, I lean more towards The Blue Fairy as Pinocchio's mentor for the following reasons:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Campbell's criteria are a Better Fit</b>—The only required defining characteristic for a mentor is that the Hero wouldn't survive the unknown world without first meeting the mentor. Vogler's additional characteristics feel superfluous and "overfit" the term, especially when examined outside of <i>Pinocchio</i>. For example, when you look at Disney's Mulan, is Mushu the mentor? Or is it Mulan's lame war hero father, Fa Zhou, who teaches her about honor and (unwittingly) provides her with the sword that saves China? Is Maui Moana's mentor? Or is it her grandmother who frees her from her village's expectations, emboldens her with stories of her ancestors, and shows the hidden vessel she uses to cross the threshold? Though Campbell's criteria are more broad and ambiguous, I appreciate that they are more inclusive.</li><li><b>I'm a Purist</b>—Vogler's derivative writer's guidebook will always be a watered-down interpretation of Campbell's seminal work on The Hero's Journey. Campbell's model examines the greatest works throughout all of history. Vogler's model accounts for the last 100 years of American cinema. </li><li><b>Jiminy is the Aid</b>—While Campbell's and Vogler's respective stages, "Supernatural Aid" and "Meeting the Mentor," serve the same function, remember that the <i>supernatural helper</i> is distinct from the <i>aid </i>that force provides. The Blue Fairy is the mentor and Jiminy is her gift to Pinocchio.</li><li><b>Mentor Timing</b>—According to Vogler, the mentor's fundamental role is to <i>quickly</i> and <i>generally</i> help the hero learn how to survive the perils of the new world, not to offer the hero specific commentary and feedback as Jiminy does. The mentor's defining trait is describing how the new world works for the hero before the story can progress to Act II. That timing works perfectly for The Blue Fairy but not for Jiminy! Let's look at Jiminy's problematic timing. In the Disney films, we always know right where Jiminy is in proximity to Pinocchio throughout the films. In Collodi's 1883 story, Jiminy doesn't even show up until after Pinocchio has entered the unknown world (the beginning of Act II of the Hero's Journey, <i>The Departure</i>). After Pinocchio is brought to life, he immediately starts causing trouble. Frustrated, Geppetto sends him off to school. Pinocchio encounters the Talking Cricket (Jiminy) for the first time along the way.</li><li><b>Vogler's Criteria Are Based on Fallacious Reasoning</b>—Many of you may still be hung up on Vogler's biased traits of a <i>mentor</i>. This list is an example of the logical fallacy, “post hoc, ergo propter hoc,” which assumes that one thing is caused by another merely because the first thing preceded the other. For example, the Kansas City Chiefs won the NFL Super Bowl LVIII <i>because</i> all the players ate chicken the night before. Vogler's traits must be true by the same faulty logic because they describe a story written before the list was created. Even if the list of mentor-y traits accurately describes Jiminy's role in <i>Pinocchio</i>, Vogler's post hoc traits are specific to visual media, not universal stories. </li><li><b>The Blue Fairy as Mentor Follows a Popular Formula</b>—Screenwriters like to follow crowd-pleasing formulae. <i>Pinocchio</i> (1940) and <i>The Wizard of Oz</i> (1939)—perhaps one of the greatest examples of the Hero's Journey in cinematic history—were released at approximately the same time. The writers likely used the same formula. The Disney writers wanted The Blue Fairy to serve the purpose role as Glinda. </li></ol></div><blockquote>For you math geeks, consider the associative property of arithmetic (A = B = C): </blockquote><blockquote><div>If Glinda (A) and The Blue Fairy (B) are the same (A = B). </div><div>And Glinda (A) is Dorothy's <i>primary</i> Mentor (C) in <i>The Wizard of Oz</i> (A = C). </div><div>Then, The Blue Fairy must be Pinocchio's Mentor (B=C). </div><div>Likewise, the ruby slippers (A) and Pinocchio's conscience (B) are the boons or supernatural aid (C).</div></blockquote><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Your Choice?</h3></div><div>Did your initial impression change? Which way are you leaning now? Which arguments did you find most compelling? Does Pinocchio have a mentor? If so, who is it? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.</div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>01/24/2024 Edit: Two other votes have come in. My older sister initially voted for Team J, but I have yet to hear back from her since I beefed up the arguments for Team BF. And my father-in-law firmly believes both BF and J are co-mentors.</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Postscript</h2><div>Dear Reader,</div><div><br /></div><div>This section is for philosophical masochists. You do NOT have to read it. However, if you thought Gepetto or someone or something else ought to be assigned the role of mentor, you might find it interesting. This part of the discussion goes beyond the dichotomous choice, allowing for a more comprehensive examination.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want more choices than just The Blue Fairy and Jiminy, here you go:</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li><b>Both</b>? Can there be more than one mentor? Probably; I don't think Campbell or Vogler are so dogmatic as to not allow for some flexibility. Additionally, based on the <a href="https://www.nowsociety.org/story-mentor#:~:text=Athena%2C%20Goddess%20of%20War%20and,friend%2C%20teacher%20and%20wise%20person." rel="nofollow" target="_blank">original myth</a> from which the term <i>mentor</i> is derived, <a href="https://www.evidencebasedmentoring.org/who-was-mentor-a-stunning-revelation-with-important-lessons" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">some scholars think a hero may have multiple mentors</a>, especially if the hero is young. However, while all allies are mentors in a sense, in The Hero's Journey, a mentor and an ally play distinct roles in supporting the protagonist on their quest. It might be worth reinforcing this distinction.</li><li><b>Someone else</b>? While Campbell and Vogler concur that all heroes need some sort of assistance, you doubtlessly have your own criteria for a hero's mentor. How does your definition compare to Vogler's and Campbell's?</li><li><b>No one</b>? Is there a compelling reason to reject The Hero's Journey framework altogether for this story? Perhaps...</li></ul></div><h3>No-Need-for-a-Mentor Conclusions</h3><p>Then again, perhaps both Voglerites and Campbellians are wrong. What if the story has no mentor per se? After all, Campbell and Vogler's writings weren't before in 1940 when Disney's <i>Pinocchio</i> was released. A hero can embark on a quest sans a mentor. According to Chat-GPT, a hero's journey without a mentor typically involves the protagonist navigating challenges and growth without the guidance and wisdom of a mentor figure. In such a narrative, the hero must rely on their own instincts, experiences, and internal resources to overcome obstacles, make crucial decisions, and undergo personal development. Without a mentor, the hero may face increased hardships and uncertainties, but their journey becomes a more solitary and self-driven quest for self-discovery and transformation. The absence of a mentor can lead to a more introspective and independent hero's journey, where the protagonist becomes the sole architect of their destiny.</p>What if Pinocchio's story represents a more fundamental experience than The Hero's Journey? The saddest consequence of focusing on the narrative role of the <i>mentor</i> is that it steals focus from the unique Jungian narrative <i>Pinocchio</i> has to offer. Jung believed that our collective unconscious (an essential aspect of the psyche) contains inherent, universally human experiences, such as belonging, love, death, and fear. The fascinating thing about this story is that, as a non-human, Pinocchio is disconnected from these experiences. (E.g., Pinocchio didn't fear death when he lit his finger on fire after innocently touching a candle.) He, therefore, required a surrogate experience to interact with the collective unconscious, which he found in the shadowy underbelly of the unknown world. Jiminy wasn't a mere mentor; he was Pinocchio's temporary conscience or <i>persona </i>(one of Jung's fundamental four archetypes) or a representation of who Pinocchio wanted to be. Focusing on this role makes Pinocchio's journey much more internal. As an audience, we are drawn into Pinocchio's mind.<p><i><i>Pinocchio</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> is so much more than a half-baked "shoulder angel" story about obedience. It represents the highly symbolic </span><a href="https://youtu.be/EGM_Pl8j_QU?si=ojdoypcJw9DQgUGC" rel="nofollow" style="font-style: normal;" target="_blank">Jungian journey toward individuation of the Self</a><span style="font-style: normal;">. </span></i>It's the building blocks of The Hero's Journey; the core of conflict of the monomyth—to accept the call to bathe one's conscious self in the shadow world of the unconscious, experience ego-death, and be reborn an integrated Self ("real boy"). Freud and Jung, two of Campbell's greatest influences, would likely agree that labeling Jiminy as Pinocchio's mentor is trivial compared to the beautifully resonant internal dynamics happening inside Pinocchio. </p><p>From this even broader perspective, the supernatural aid that Campbell would argue Pinocchio receives from The Blue Fairy is really his <i>ego</i> and <i>super-ego</i>, two of the three psychological components of one's psyche. </p><p></p><ul><li><b>EGO</b> (Conscious self) - Pinocchio plays this role himself. The Blue Fairy bestows Pinocchio with a sense of self when she touches him with her wand. E.g., "Hi! I'm Pinocchio!" "I, I, I, me, me, me, my, my, my..."</li><li><b>SUPER-EGO </b>(Personal unconscious) - She assigns Jiminy the role of super-ego. "The super-ego aims for perfection. It is part of the personality structure, mainly but not entirely unconscious, that includes the individual's ego ideals, spiritual goals, and the psychic agency, commonly called 'conscience,' that criticizes and prohibits the expression of drives, fantasies, feelings, and actions" (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Id,_ego_and_super-ego" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>).</li><li><b>ID</b> (Collective unconscious) - Many other characters of questionable morality represent Id-driven aspects of various archetypes existing in the human collective unconscious (primordial images). E.g., The Sly Fox Mr. Honest John (Greed), Stromboli (Pride), The Coachman (Ambition), and Lampwick (Hedonism).</li></ul><div><i>Pinocchio</i> is awesome because it confronts audiences with the bizarre dilemma, "How does an animate wooden puppet learn to become a virtuous human? Pinocchio must grapple with the complex philosophical underpinnings of the human experience from the ground up: ontology (What does it mean "to be"?), epistemology (How can I know what is true?), axiology (What is of most worth?), and logic (How can I make decisions?). By assigning external influences, like mentors, we cheapen the true gift of self-discovery through inner exploration. </div>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-22080148569293279242024-01-11T22:18:00.025-07:002024-02-07T21:52:52.739-07:00The Hit Single *Bang!* by AJR is about Suicide<h2 style="text-align: left;">Introduction</h2>I listened to the lyrics to the AJR song, <i>BANG! </i>for the first time today and immediately noticed its connection to suicide. Curious why this wasn't obvious to more people, I googled it and discovered that I may be <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/FanTheories/comments/mv78gg/the_song_bang_by_ajr_is_actually_about_committing/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">one of the few people</a> who think this way. I'm not crazy, right?<div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRvAxYwJ0aLNRcEeFgCf2QyfcQJG2VtGhopBohwOfm88rAlvqEf_pVzr4LDQ7t-MTOcgX0Tp0WvHlM3SMNwY6RoNVYTsqUoM-c0YIY6kuANRFPzwIF32cArEOHIE4jHTPJnWmqYegTS0E7j3zI69tVoQYxQc3Kc_FeXwbhFvLNhlnFCFoPuwJ81MF86AC/s5826/pexels-%D0%B2%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80-%D0%BF%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9-9799031.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3826" data-original-width="5826" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRvAxYwJ0aLNRcEeFgCf2QyfcQJG2VtGhopBohwOfm88rAlvqEf_pVzr4LDQ7t-MTOcgX0Tp0WvHlM3SMNwY6RoNVYTsqUoM-c0YIY6kuANRFPzwIF32cArEOHIE4jHTPJnWmqYegTS0E7j3zI69tVoQYxQc3Kc_FeXwbhFvLNhlnFCFoPuwJ81MF86AC/w640-h421/pexels-%D0%B2%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80-%D0%BF%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9-9799031.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/vintage-gun-and-cards-9799031/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span>Pexels.com</span></a></div><div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Lyrical Analysis</h2><p>Listen to the chorus: "Everybody come hang (come hang). Let's go out with a bang. Bang! Bang! Bang!" These repeated words brought to my mind a couple of terrifying statistics: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death for college-age youth and youth ages 12-18 (<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html" style="white-space-collapse: preserve;" target="_blank">CDC WISQARS</a>)</li><li>The two leading methods of suicide (in high-income countries) are hanging and firearms (<a href="https://prp.jasonfoundation.com/youth-suicide-statistics/" target="_blank">The Parent Resource Program</a>).</li></ul><p></p>
<p>As I continued to examine the song lyrics, I realized EVERYTHING about the song supported my interpretation. This radio hit doesn't necessarily glorify suicide. It's more of a social commentary on the frustrating plight of American youngsters. It draws in listeners with its seductive tune, upbeat tempo, and subtle yet resonant message. ("I'm thinking it's time to grow.") The lyrics describe the collective coming-of-age experience of Gen Z young adults, who, despite their revelry, find themselves prematurely confronted with crucial life decisions and a losing hand. As reflected in their gambling-themed <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/4763552053461603126/2208014856929327924#" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: 400;" target="_blank">music video</a>, the privilege and responsibility of adulthood are represented by finally being allowed to play craps. However, observing other adults literally losing their shirts in this unfair game, they defiantly choose to cash out of life while they're ahead. ("I'm thinking it's time to go...") What an anti-happy message! Even the ironically positive melody colliding with the dark lyrics serves to illustrate the devil-may-care attitude of youth as they stare down the barrel of hopeless futures.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9e2buqBpSBU" width="320" youtube-src-id="9e2buqBpSBU"></iframe></div>
<p>This song was a wake-up call for me. I work with youth, both professionally and in my church service. I worry that I do not fully understand just how present this issue is for many of them. Like the topic of homosexuality, talk of suicide was taboo in my youth. Younger Millennials regularly "joke" about wishing they were dead. But suicidal ideation seems to be on a whole other level among Gen Zers. I must work much harder to actively identify youth struggling with this issue. </p><p>As I jumped into the latest research, one big takeaway stood out – one of the most important things an ally can do is to simply ask, "<b>Are you thinking about hurting/killing yourself?</b>" when you notice tell-tale signs in someone. And if they say yes, the following suicide prevention PSA gives some tips on what to say (and what not to say).</p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3BByqa7bhto" width="320" youtube-src-id="3BByqa7bhto"></iframe></div></div>
<h2>Suicide Awareness</h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: 400; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Since this is such a pervasive and critical societal issue, and since I don't really hear about it, could a solution be to sponsor more suicide awareness days? Why is there currently only one day? Maybe the powers that be don't want to make it a bigger issue than it really is. But I think we're all underestimating the issue's prevalence and magnitude. I'm going to look it up.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Why is <i>World Suicide Prevention Day</i> on September 10th?</h3><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.iasp.info/wspd/" style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD)</a><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"> was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organization (</span><a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide" style="white-space-collapse: preserve;" target="_blank">WHO</a><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">). The 10th of September each year aims to focus attention on the issue, reduce stigma, and raise awareness among organizations, governments, and the public, giving a singular message that suicides are preventable. (The U.S. and other nations extend this day to the entire month of September in </span><i style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">National Suicide Prevention Month</i><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">.)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I can think of a number of reasons why they selected this date:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>Importance to Educators</i> - </span>Educators feel the brutal impact of suicide in their workplace each school year. These community caretakers demonstrate how personally they take this issue by prioritizing it early into the school year. This way, students immediately have the resources they need as they navigate their new environments.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>A Statistically High Month</i> - I can't find any international or national statistics on this, but September had the highest youth suicide in <a href="https://leg.mt.gov/content/Committees/Interim/2015-2016/State-Tribal-Relations/Meetings/Oct-2015/suicide-review-team-report-2014.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Montana in 2014</a>. (January was the second highest...)</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>The Theme of Death is Naturally Reflected in The Change of Seasons</i><b> </b>- </span>The transition from summer to fall often marks a period of change and adjustment, making it a suitable time to address mental health concerns. </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>New Information Dissemination</i><b> </b>-</span> Perhaps organizations that develop materials and provide resources revamp them during the summer months. Observance in September allows leaders to share the latest stats and resources just as students return to school.</span></li></ul><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What If We Added Another Round of Awareness in January?</span></h3><p><span style="font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I can think of a number of reasons why adding another National Suicide Prevention Month in January would be beneficial:</span></p><p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)</i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> - </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">January is often associated with higher rates of SAD, a type of depression that occurs at a specific time of year, usually in the winter when daylight hours are shorter. People with SAD may be more vulnerable to suicidal thoughts during this time. By placing National Suicide Prevention Month in January, there could be increased awareness and support during a period when individuals with SAD may need it the most.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">Post-Holiday Blues</i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> - From my limited understanding, suicide doesn't occur at people's lowest points necessarily. It happens immediately after a specific triggering event or a rapid change in affect. The holiday season, which typically spans from late November to early January, can be challenging for many individuals. The sudden shift from connection with loved ones to the post-holiday blues, financial stress, and feelings of loneliness can contribute to emotional struggles. Alternatively, students who had terrible holidays are thrust back into daily interaction with peers with well-groomed personas, which can be jarring. Shifting National Suicide Prevention Month to January may allow for a more immediate response to those who are experiencing heightened distress after the holiday season.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>New Year, New Start</i></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> - January is often seen as a time for new beginnings and resolutions. By aligning National Suicide Prevention Month with the start of the new year, there may be an opportunity to piggyback on this temporary but powerful emotional lift by encouraging individuals to prioritize mental health as part of their resolutions (James Clear, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5704623317" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Atomic Habits</a>). The symbolism of a fresh start and a new year could be leveraged to promote positive actions, destigmatize seeking help, and foster a sense of hope for those struggling with suicidal thoughts.</span></span></li></ul></h4><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">How You Can Help?</span></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text <b>988</b>, or chat at <b>988Lifeline.org</b>.</span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Additional Suicide Prevention Resources</span></h4><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/prevent-suicide/index.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wisconsin Department of Health Services</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.mass.gov/info-details/suicide-prevention-resources" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">National Institute of Mental Health (NIH)</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.chhs.ca.gov/suicide-prevention-resources/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS)</span></a></li><li><a href="https://texassuicideprevention.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative</span></a></li><li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/resources/general-resources.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">CDC Suicide Prevention (General Resources)</span></a></li></ul></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Conclusion</span></h2><div><span style="font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In 2018, 18% of U.S. high schoolers surveyed by the CDC said that they had experienced suicidal ideation in the past year. Please educate yourself to help our children to <a href="https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240026629" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LIVE LIFE</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>L</b> - Limit access to means of suicide</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>I</b> - Interact with the media on responsible reporting</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>F</b> - Foster life skills of young people</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>E </b>- Early identify and support everyone affected</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/360460/WHO-MSD-UCN-MHE-22.03-eng.pdf.jpg?sequence=4" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="170" height="400" src="https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/360460/WHO-MSD-UCN-MHE-22.03-eng.pdf.jpg?sequence=4" style="color: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;" width="283" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-MSD-UCN-MHE-22.03" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Suicide: 2022 Global Facts Sheet</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><p></p></div></div>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-56775091672215291162024-01-11T08:01:00.010-07:002024-01-16T09:12:47.484-07:00Beating the BYU Winter Blues<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_hYMAeoxpPHiQAZtSoF_EU2oefiWOO4F01bpkp6cjljsdMzMidbp7PCbuTW_ruriegJpHApTaV2M7D5J4MZalgPTR4SGSokR8bAOM-Y4qCNlRgeFQaXHSqoA37NOYBm-ZSIZyz85aa0gJimuYM5OS11c0AOLWnRfCIaEc-wrw1KGGrsYtSaUZuY5oDbG/s3126/pexels-kristin-vogt-54200.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3126" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_hYMAeoxpPHiQAZtSoF_EU2oefiWOO4F01bpkp6cjljsdMzMidbp7PCbuTW_ruriegJpHApTaV2M7D5J4MZalgPTR4SGSokR8bAOM-Y4qCNlRgeFQaXHSqoA37NOYBm-ZSIZyz85aa0gJimuYM5OS11c0AOLWnRfCIaEc-wrw1KGGrsYtSaUZuY5oDbG/s320/pexels-kristin-vogt-54200.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/women-s-black-zip-up-hooded-jacket-54200/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pexels</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><span color="inherit" face="Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span color="inherit" face="Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Brigham Young University (BYU) students, like students anywhere else, are susceptible to the winter blues. Here are some common ways students might cope with the winter season:</span></p><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div><ol start="1" style="margin-block: 0px;"><li style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: medium; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Outdoor Activities</b>: Taking advantage of <a class="OWAAutoLink" href="https://isports.byu.edu/semesters/1" id="LPlnk391406" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://isports.byu.edu/semesters/1">winter intramural sports and activities</a> can be a great way to stay active and enjoy the season. Additionally, students might prefer going out on their own by taking advantage of local, world-class skiing or snowboarding resorts <a href="https://www.alta.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Alta</a> or <a href="https://www.snowbird.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Snowbird</a>, or simply taking a walk in the snow. Don't like the cold? Soak in the sunshine by heading to St. George for a day.</span></li><li style="display: block; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: medium; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></li><li style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: medium; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Indoor Recreation</b>: Keep up with exercise routines and plan weekly activities to break the winter routine. BYU and Provo offer indoor recreational facilities where students can engage in activities like pickleball, or <a href="https://studentwellness.byu.edu/pool" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">swimming</a> at the Richards Building (RB), <a href="https://quarryclimbing.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">rock climbing</a> at the Quarry, or playing <a href="https://studentwellness.byu.edu/open-play" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">indoor activities</a> with friends during open court times at the RB gyms. Whatever indoor activity you choose, create an environment for positivity by remaining close to full-spectrum light sources (considered light therapy; especially helpful at home).</span></li></ol><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: medium; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div><ol start="3" style="margin-block: 0px;"><li style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: medium; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Socializing</b>: Building a strong social support network can help combat feelings of isolation during winter. Students may join <a class="OWAAutoLink" href="https://clubs.byu.edu/p/clubs" id="LPlnk861784" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://clubs.byu.edu/p/clubs">BYU Clubs</a> such as <a class="OWAAutoLink" href="https://clubs.byu.edu/link/Clubs/BBC3" id="LPlnk808459" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://clubs.byu.edu/link/Clubs/BBC3">Badminton</a>, <a class="OWAAutoLink" href="https://clubs.byu.edu/link/Clubs/BBC" id="LPlnk782718" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://clubs.byu.edu/link/Clubs/BBC">Baking</a>, <a class="OWAAutoLink" href="https://clubs.byu.edu/link/Clubs/Beatbox-Club" id="LPlnk734879" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://clubs.byu.edu/link/Clubs/Beatbox-Club">Beatbox</a>, <a class="OWAAutoLink" href="https://clubs.byu.edu/link/Clubs/BSU" id="LPlnk404635" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://clubs.byu.edu/link/Clubs/BSU">Black Student Union</a>, or <a class="OWAAutoLink" href="https://clubs.byu.edu/link/Clubs/BYUBGC" id="LPlnk852104" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://clubs.byu.edu/link/Clubs/BYUBGC">Board Game Club</a> (to name the first few Bs). Students could pop on a "warm-island-vibes" Spotify playlist and go hot tubbing with some close friends to stay connected.</span></div></li></ol><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: medium; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div><ol start="4" style="margin-block: 0px;"><li style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: medium; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Wellness and Fitness Programs</b>: BYU's SWELL department hosts many <a class="OWAAutoLink" href="https://studentwellness.byu.edu/programs" id="LPlnk316399" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://studentwellness.byu.edu/programs">Winter programs</a> to keep students active. Additionally, SWELL offers <a class="OWAAutoLink" href="https://studentwellness.byu.edu/yfitness-classes" id="LPlnk587822" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://studentwellness.byu.edu/yfitness-classes">Yfitness classes</a> to support students' mental and physical well-being. These programs include yoga, Zumba, or Aquafit classes.</span></div></li></ol><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: medium; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ol start="5" style="margin-block: 0px;"><li style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: medium; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Cultural and Entertainment Events</b>: Attending cultural events, concerts, and performances on or around campus can provide a break from the routine and add some excitement to the winter months. <a class="OWAAutoLink" href="https://arts.byu.edu/events/" id="LPlnk172987" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://arts.byu.edu/events/">BYUarts has a full calendar of events</a> to choose from. Outside of campus, find joy in community activities like spending time in the temple and chatting with coworkers.</span></li></ol><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: medium; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div><ol start="7" style="margin-block: 0px;"><li style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: medium; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Seasonal Celebrations</b>: Embracing winter festivities and holidays can bring a sense of joy. <a class="OWAAutoLink" href="https://provolibrary.org/whattodoinprovowinter" id="LPlnk458670" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://provolibrary.org/whattodoinprovowinter">The Provo Library hosts and publishes a number of Winter events</a> that students may participate in for free, including holiday-display-making, a Messiah Sing-In, performing groups, and Christmas-light-viewing activities.</span></li></ol><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: medium; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div><ol start="8" style="margin-block: 0px;"><li style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Academic Support and Stress Management</b></span><span style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">: Winter can be a challenging time academically, with exams and projects. Seeking academic support, managing stress through healthy coping mechanisms, and maintaining a balanced schedule can contribute to overall well-being. BYU's <a class="OWAAutoLink" href="https://caps.byu.edu/" id="LPlnk820841" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://caps.byu.edu/">Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)</a> offers many off-line <a class="OWAAutoLink" href="https://caps.byu.edu/mental-health-resources" id="LPlnk" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://caps.byu.edu/mental-health-resources">mental health resources</a> and <a href="https://caps.byu.edu/get-started" id="LPlnk" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="https://caps.byu.edu/get-started">clinical services</a>.</span></span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Don't be SAD. Proactively combat the blues. Connect with others. Plan some Winter events today! </span></div></li></ol>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-31621587311540115942023-07-21T10:08:00.044-06:002023-12-03T11:05:07.370-07:00The Power of Dim Lights<div style="text-align: left;">I want to be an under shepherd for Christ, but I fear my light is not super bright. Is my dim light enough?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcyNcgI7Il0WsBmo9TypUfbsQ-_ASgKKfa4-JPZgWFq92VwTEqvRbBGwFJfBUsToGZgFvipthPaPAm6bnH6qiCGpZX8-JImgLOU1XK6zTjmiASzjHbfXfz5clWc1fPaoJooh9bcKtt_9XneGD5rXGdR37ImhrR7-FyAETJ36Y3KchJRpZCwVoA3W-NmFr/s3456/Dim-Lightbulb-5x7-aditya-vyas-EPmJtn_lYs0-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="2468" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcyNcgI7Il0WsBmo9TypUfbsQ-_ASgKKfa4-JPZgWFq92VwTEqvRbBGwFJfBUsToGZgFvipthPaPAm6bnH6qiCGpZX8-JImgLOU1XK6zTjmiASzjHbfXfz5clWc1fPaoJooh9bcKtt_9XneGD5rXGdR37ImhrR7-FyAETJ36Y3KchJRpZCwVoA3W-NmFr/w286-h400/Dim-Lightbulb-5x7-aditya-vyas-EPmJtn_lYs0-unsplash.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/EPmJtn_lYs0" rel="nofollow" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">Dim Lightbulb</a><span style="font-size: small;"> by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@aditya1702" style="font-size: small;">Aditya Vyas</a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I love people, I desire to be open with them. That includes the deep joy I find in my relationship with Jesus Christ.</div><h2 style="text-align: left;">The Rub</h2><p>But here's the rub. When I hear "motivational" quotes like, </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;">"If you want to give light to others, you have to glow yourself.”</i> And <i style="background-color: #fff2cc;">“Ours is the responsibility to keep our lights bright for others to see and follow.”</i> —Thomas S. Monson</li></ul><p></p><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.25); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: rgb(128, 128, 128); caret-color: rgb(212, 212, 213); color: #313131; font-family: -apple-system, "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 16px; font-variant-caps: normal; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%; word-spacing: 1px; zoom: 1;"><tbody style="border-color: rgb(128, 128, 128);"><tr style="border-color: rgb(128, 128, 128);"><td align="left" class="m_-5448844639184158304em_blue_M" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" data-originalfontsize="16px" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-color: rgb(34, 35, 37); color: #222325; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 22px;" valign="top"><ul><li><span style="font-size: 1rem;">"Stand as witnesses of God at </span><i style="font-size: 1rem;">all</i><span style="font-size: 1rem;"> times and in </span><i style="font-size: 1rem;">all</i><span style="font-size: 1rem;"> things, and in </span><i style="font-size: 1rem;">all</i><span style="font-size: 1rem;"> places" (Mosiah 18:9, emphasis added).</span></li></ul></td></tr><tr style="border-color: rgb(128, 128, 128);"><td height="20" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); height: 20px;"><br /></td></tr><tr style="border-color: rgb(128, 128, 128);"><td align="left" class="m_-5448844639184158304em_blue_M" data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" data-originalfontsize="16px" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-color: rgb(34, 35, 37); color: #222325; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 22px;" valign="top"><ul><li><span style="font-size: 1rem;">"As we live the gospel, love and serve others, stand strong in the face of temptation and persecution, and bear testimony in word and deed, we will draw others to Jesus Christ" ("</span><a data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" data-removefontsize="true" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://em1.churchofjesuschrist.org/dc/I5VwQRqwb6hoQDRN29iKOY4MU7U3MVmKTQESS-7sFHY47wdwTIs-ZdWoZTKcoFytAAYnTAtTW1wWOh1DZ7pmMUedpWn2AKdEUDpiHYfB8sGQHb_1GvwOgIaCkZ48hc2Zg49g_jkywna7Km6ArgPYSd_WWVxOfHTAtKaX-R05Cg0XV7eFTIuN-UoOSB3Va4lQ0KnEaEdCXBY9a_77qeT2gQ%3D%3D/NzUyLUlOUS02NzQAAAGNIjp3YCax8fxYUQUmpAmTn_EHEcS3rLegAADT3XTVyb2qKNuGS1RWmKIRwH0CEltjlaFA-2I%3D&source=gmail&ust=1690244756237000&usg=AOvVaw0XSMmGYmRm_lPlxCSkceTe" href="https://em1.churchofjesuschrist.org/dc/I5VwQRqwb6hoQDRN29iKOY4MU7U3MVmKTQESS-7sFHY47wdwTIs-ZdWoZTKcoFytAAYnTAtTW1wWOh1DZ7pmMUedpWn2AKdEUDpiHYfB8sGQHb_1GvwOgIaCkZ48hc2Zg49g_jkywna7Km6ArgPYSd_WWVxOfHTAtKaX-R05Cg0XV7eFTIuN-UoOSB3Va4lQ0KnEaEdCXBY9a_77qeT2gQ==/NzUyLUlOUS02NzQAAAGNIjp3YCax8fxYUQUmpAmTn_EHEcS3rLegAADT3XTVyb2qKNuGS1RWmKIRwH0CEltjlaFA-2I=" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-color: rgb(23, 124, 156); color: #177c9c; font-size: 1rem; line-height: inherit;" target="_blank">Our Call to Share the Savior's Gospel</a><span style="font-size: 1rem;">,"</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;"> </span><i data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" data-removefontsize="true" style="border-color: rgb(34, 35, 37); font-size: 1rem;">Liahona,</i><span style="font-size: 1rem;"> July 2023, 7).</span></li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I think: <i style="background-color: #f4cccc;">"You must be flawless before you can invite someone to be more like Christ."</i> —Bryan's <i>Perfectionism Greatest Hits</i> soundtrack</p><p></p><h2>The Lie</h2><p>I often feel the desire to share the gospel in normal and natural ways, motivated by my love for others. However, that wholesome desire is often accompanied by a perfectionistic voice that warmly suggests, "What a nice thought, Bryan. But wouldn't it be <i>better</i> if your light shined just a little bit brighter before you come out from under that bushel?" (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2008/09/line-upon-line-matthew-5-14-16?lang=eng" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Matt. 5: 14-16</a>) "Your light isn't bright enough to effectively guide others to Christ. In fact, instead of promoting Christ, your hypocritical imperfection will sabotage others' journies toward Christ."</p><p>While I love the idea of being a witness, beacon, or a "lower light" to Christ's lighthouse, my fear of imagined hypocrisy deters me from that goal. I am aware that the fearful voice in my head is Satan's attempt to spread misery.</p><p>So what can I do about it?</p><h2>The Fix</h2><div>Remember: <i style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>ESLSL</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><i>Even small lights save lives</i>.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I'll play this new soundtrack on repeat whenever those discouraging voices of perfectionism creep in. Let me share a story and a personal application that illustrates this truth.</div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Story: The Security Light That Saved a Life</h3><div><div>There are two kinds of stories that immediately pull at my heartstrings. One is that of anyone who survives a life-devastating event, and two, anything concerning children. Well, what I’m about to share with you combines them both.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Sailor was only seven years old, the lone survivor of a plane crash that killed her parents, her sister, and her cousin. The sheriff said, “She literally fell out of the sky into a dark hole.” He called her survival “a miracle.” This “miracle” survivor somehow managed to crawl out of the upside-down wreckage of her dad’s plane, dressed only in shorts and a t-shirt on a winter night. Shoe-less, through brambles and underbrush, this, who they called a “remarkable” young girl, navigated two embankments, a hill, and a creek bed all in the dark!</div><div><br /></div><div>Then, much like the book of Genesis, “there was light.” Actually, it was just a single security light on a house. But when she knocked on that door, a kind, grandfatherly man brought her inside. Then she was safe. One report said this: “He thinks his security light may have been a beacon.” I agree. A beacon of light for a little girl who had lost so much in the dark. Thank God for the light that saved her life.</div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hb-J4o6rk9U" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Personal Application: The Dim Glow of a Cellphone Screen</h3><div><div>I love the benefits of sleeping in a pitch-black bedroom. But as you can imagine, answering nature's call can be quite treacherous without a little visual assistance. One night, on my way to the bathroom, I remember feeling especially discombobulated. Groping the air with one hand and fumbling with my cell phone in the other, I barely managed to eke out a faint glow from the cell phone screen (on dark mode). Surprisingly, that was enough light for me to successfully navigate the labyrinth of obstacles between me and my destination. I narrowly dodged the pile of clothing I had set out for the following morning and somehow avoided stubbing my toe on any furniture or fixtures along the twisted path. My cellphone's feeble screen light pushed back the shadows and revealed the immediate path before me. Once in the bathroom, I bathed myself in light.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I returned to bed, I reflected upon the profound truth I discovered: even the smallest glow could make all the difference, keeping me from stumbling, and illuminating my way through the darkest moments. I realized that just like my cellphone light, I, too, could be a guiding beacon, proving that even in the most ordinary times, small lights mean the world to those struggling through the darkness.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96dJBcdzzibjX2kWoNr2Ix5B66ASrbONwfeG5usekk0gCxV_F9vAUuwhTYcN1_cvGwxipxFEvAimsR13HKrP-j0f9N3mZr6hjVkz6qHWwFb51Dv8U-0ckq235DPT_RYh-4uhAEsSLmOQ6CQq7TiR5XEWwz8n-oFsRyQp22XsIiUKPpORmI5GO7hOasfB5/s3438/Smartphone-in-Darkeness-5x7-pexels-gift-habeshaw-3348724.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3438" data-original-width="2455" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96dJBcdzzibjX2kWoNr2Ix5B66ASrbONwfeG5usekk0gCxV_F9vAUuwhTYcN1_cvGwxipxFEvAimsR13HKrP-j0f9N3mZr6hjVkz6qHWwFb51Dv8U-0ckq235DPT_RYh-4uhAEsSLmOQ6CQq7TiR5XEWwz8n-oFsRyQp22XsIiUKPpORmI5GO7hOasfB5/w286-h400/Smartphone-in-Darkeness-5x7-pexels-gift-habeshaw-3348724.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/crop-person-using-smartphone-in-dark-room-3348724/" rel="nofollow" style="font-size: small;" target="_blank">Smartphone in Darkness</a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">by Gift Habeshaw</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Conclusion</h2><div>In 2022, Ryan Murphy and the Tabernacle Choir performed a special arrangement of the classic hymn <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/music/library/hymns/brightly-beams-our-fathers-mercy-mens-choir?lang=eng" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy</a>. If you listen to the recording below, pay attention to the introduction. The first 15 seconds are almost too quiet to hear. The tinkling overture is then augmented until it grows into an encompassing harmony. The beautiful simplicity of this introduction symbolizes both the meek but powerful role of Christ's lower lights and the potential of these lights for growth.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kRiMpZfWajI" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>I don't have to be the brightest light; that's Christ's role. I don't even need to be in the <i>right place </i>at the <i>right time</i> for Christ to use me; I believe he will use me <i>anywhere</i>. I just need to not dim my light when Wormtongue comes a' whispering. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sure, I've been brighter in the past. And I hope to grow even brighter in the future. But regardless of my current level of luminosity, my light is enough. I appreciate April Meservy's call to action in the 2004 EFY soundtrack, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKsGAG6n8gQ&t=776s" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">All people sitting in the darkness, stand up and share a little brightness.</a>" I am a committed disciple of Jesus Christ. And though I am imperfect, my simple but fixed light can make a difference for those tempest-tossed sailors who are struggling along my stretch of shore; my dim light can mean the world for those seeking the serene and healing harbor that Jesus Christ offers all.</div>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com0Utah, USA39.3209801 -111.093731111.010746263821154 -146.2499811 67.631213936178852 -75.9374811tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-37711603642735080762023-01-25T19:29:00.029-07:002024-02-14T13:56:38.203-07:00Novak Djokovic's X-Factor<h2 style="text-align: left;">2023 AO Prediction: Djokovic Will Win</h2><div style="text-align: left;">After watching his 4th-round, post-match interview, I predict that Novak Djokovic will win the 2023 Tennis Australian Open (AO). While this prediction may seem obvious since Djokovic is the tournament's favorite, he is getting older and up against 15 to 31 excellent young players, many of whom have beaten him in the past. Regardless, this interview tells me enough for me to feel confident in calling it right now. Take a look for yourself and see if you also see something special.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nyz2Nj6A800?start=21&end=36" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">The Reason Why Djoker Will Win the 2023 Australian Open</h2><div>I just finished watching Novak Djokovic's 4th-round, post-game, on-court interview, and I can just tell he will win. Something about his confident swagger and playful demeanor cinched it for me. Here's what he said in the interview: </div><div></div><blockquote><b>Jim Courier: </b>"I'm not going to ask you HOW you beat him so convincingly; I'm gonna ask you WHY you beat him so convincingly." ― American tennis great Jim Courier said to Novak "Djoker" Djokovic after the later dismantled his opponent Alex de Minaur in straight sets. </blockquote><blockquote><div></div><div><b>Djoker</b>: "<i>Because I wanted to</i>," Djoker calmly replied with a grin on his face. <b>*Mic drop*</b></div></blockquote><p>Did you catch Djokovic's <i>X-factor </i>in the interview<i>?</i> It resides in the mental/emotional domain. This elusive element, combined with his physical preparation, makes him unstoppable. I'm still unsure how to exactly define this X-factor. So, the rest of this post will be my exploration of it.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">What Djoker's X-factor Is NOT</h2><div>Though it hurts my Federer-loving heart to admit it, Novak Djokovic is THE GREATEST MEN'S SINGLES TENNIS PLAYER OF ALL TIME (in nearly every meaningful category of the game). The following traits contribute to his general greatest:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Mental toughness</b> that allows him to elevate his game when losing or when the crowd is against him. There are many other facets to mental toughness as well. (At this level of competition, the mental game of tennis is what makes the difference between winning and losing. The X-factor is definitely adjacent to this aspect.) </li><li><b>Extensive tournament experience </b>playing in big matches frees him to hit with power, accuracy, and ease.</li><li><b>Diet and training. </b>While his dedication and intensity to his physique are noteworthy and likely contribute to his longevity and on-court endurance, it's not enough to make him a champion. </li><li><b>Confidence </b>and <b>ability to harness fear </b>in the face of devastating odds. <ul><li>This is indirectly related to his X-factor. “If your goal in life is to become fearless, then I believe you’re already on the wrong path, because the only truly fearless people I’ve ever met were straight-up sociopaths and a few exceptionally reckless three-year-olds—and those aren’t good role models for anyone. The truth is, you need your fear, for obvious reasons of basic survival. Evolution did well to install a fear reflex within you, because if you didn’t have any fear, you would lead a short, crazy, stupid life.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear</li><li>“It seems to me that the less I fight my fear, the less it fights back. If I can relax, fear relaxes, too.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert, <i>Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear</i></li></ul></li><li>His vampire-like ability to <b>draw energy</b> from his opponent and from the crowd.</li><ul><li>This is also related to his X-factor, but not exactly it. “Recognizing that people's reactions don't belong to you is the only sane way to create. If people enjoy what you've created, terrific. If people ignore what you've created, too bad. If people misunderstand what you've created, don't sweat it. And what if people absolutely hate what you've created? What if people attack you with savage vitriol, insult your intelligence, malign your motives, and drag your good name through the mud? Just smile sweetly and suggest - as politely as you possibly can - that they go make their own fucking art. Then stubbornly continue making yours.”― Elizabeth Gilbert, <i>Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear</i></li></ul><li>The intense ability to <b>focus </b>on the moment and avoid distraction.</li><li>The unwavering <b>commitment </b>to be the best he can be.</li><li><b>Genetics</b>.</li><ul><li>This is unrelated to his <i>X-factor</i>, but it facilitates it. “Genetic randomness had already determined how much talent I’d been allotted, and destiny’s randomness would account for my share of luck. The only piece I had any control over was my discipline. Recognizing that, it seemed like the best plan would be to work my ass off. That was the only card I had to play, so I played it hard.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert, <i>Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear</i></li></ul></ul></div><div>These combined factors make Djokovic better than almost any player on the court on any given day, which alone gives him a ~70% chance of winning this tournament. However, combining these things with the <i>X-factor</i> (illustrated in this post-match interview) puts it over the top. I'd say he has at least a 97% chance of winning.</div><div><br /></div><div>Clearly, all these Australian Open tennis players are outstanding athletes. So, what is it that makes the difference? What does <a href="https://youtu.be/qZYkUOUxAwI?si=860mkLHuFYuc-I7y" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Djoker </a>have that other players don't in this tournament do not?</div><h2 style="text-align: left;">The X-Factor In Creative Writing</h2><div>Elizabeth Gilbert <span>(the author of the international sensation </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Eat Pray Love</i><span>)</span> might have the answer. After writing her bestseller, she felt immense pressure to "do it again." Surely, Djokovic must deal with similar pressure, having won this particular Grand Slam tournament eight times. </div><div><br /></div><div>Passages from her book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Big-Magic-Creative-Living-Beyond/dp/1594634726" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear</i> (2015)</a>, a self-help guide for struggling creatives, swam around in my head while I watched the on-court interview. So, I started comparing her advice to what I was watching on TV.</div><div><br /></div><div>It occurred to me that what truly sets Djokovic apart from most of his competitors is not <i>his</i> passion for the game, but that he knows deep down that <i>the game loves him</i>. Let me illustrate this idea by relating a story that Gilbert actually facilitated in a classroom full of burgeoning writers (adapted for tennis players) in her chapter on Trust<i>.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rwQFv5tz7DZwdkEHbjzlI-7nD8tnYIjc5QQDRdZQUgCuyf7Iyl_n4OozJH6wArM9mHpmV4V1tBvuit2c9uzJj66MhXAg9rugM4CAI3XVWJko7fSDZ3hpRZOFKHedWt84ApHEIJlilemNEydU-FjsYFjmsE8qkccusHZzH_Sl4Eqkl_gZ_4mH_K5RKA/s2772/Tennis%20Cosmos%20kevin-mueller-Q-fL04RhuMg-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Decorative imagees of a tennis ball floating in the Cosmos" border="0" data-original-height="1848" data-original-width="2772" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rwQFv5tz7DZwdkEHbjzlI-7nD8tnYIjc5QQDRdZQUgCuyf7Iyl_n4OozJH6wArM9mHpmV4V1tBvuit2c9uzJj66MhXAg9rugM4CAI3XVWJko7fSDZ3hpRZOFKHedWt84ApHEIJlilemNEydU-FjsYFjmsE8qkccusHZzH_Sl4Eqkl_gZ_4mH_K5RKA/w640-h426/Tennis%20Cosmos%20kevin-mueller-Q-fL04RhuMg-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><blockquote><div>Imagine that you've gathered the world's best tennis players in a room. If you were to ask them, "How many of you are passionate about the game of tennis?" I'm positive they would unanimously and emphatically raise their hands. Nick Kyrgios would probably whoop and throw in a few expletives. However, if you then asked the same individuals, "How many of you believe that the game of tennis loves you," I imagine that―like Gilbert's classroom of writers―the majority of the tennis players would tragically lower their hands.</div><div><br /></div><div>Like writers and all artists, professional tennis players frequently see their connection with Tennis personified as being quite one-sided. In the beginning, each tennis star felt blessed by Tennis's favor. They discovered they had an aptitude for the sport, and they flamed their passion with tireless practice and sacrifice. However, after Hardship, Injury, and Defeat had their way with them over the months and years, they began to question whether Tennis was their muse or whether Hard work, Suffering, and Luck made them great.</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>The Greeks and the Romans believed in the idea of an external daemon of creativity—a sort of house elf who lived within the walls of your home and who sometimes aided you in your labors. The Romans had a specific term for that helpful house elf. They called it your genius—your guardian deity, the conduit of your inspiration. Which is to say, the Romans didn’t believe that an exceptionally gifted person was a genius; they believed that an exceptionally gifted person had a genius. It’s a subtle but important distinction (being vs. having), and I think it’s a wise psychological construct. The idea of an external genius helps to keep the artist’s ego in check, distancing him somewhat from the burden of taking either full credit or full blame for the outcome of his work. If your work is successful, in other words, you are obliged to thank your external genius for the help, thus holding you back from total narcissism. And if your work fails, it’s not entirely your fault. You can say, “Hey, don’t look at me—my genius didn’t show up today!” Either way, the vulnerable human ego is protected. Protected from the corrupting influence of praise. Protected from the corrosive effects of shame. </div><div><br /></div><div>― Elizabeth Gilbert, <i>Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear</i></div></blockquote><h2 style="text-align: left;">"Having" a Genius vs. "Being" a Genius</h2><div aria-description="" class="content" tabindex="0"><div class="ac-container ac-adaptiveCard"><div class="ac-textBlock"><p>In her <strong>2009 TED talk</strong>, titled <strong>“Your Elusive Genius,”</strong> Elizabeth Gilbert delves into the challenges faced by creative individuals. She proposes a <strong>radical perspective</strong>: rather than considering genius as an inherent trait possessed by a select few, we should recognize that <strong>everyone has access to their own genius</strong>. This shift in mindset can alleviate the <strong>crippling fear</strong> associated with performing at one’s best, especially in high-stakes situations like elite competitions.</p><p>Gilbert draws inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman beliefs. These cultures viewed creativity as a <strong>divine gift</strong> bestowed by a mysterious external source (a muse or daemon) rather than a personal attribute. By engaging in a <strong>playful and respectful dialogue</strong> with this creative force, artists can navigate the unpredictable and sometimes otherworldly nature of their work. This approach encourages humility, gratitude, and a commitment to showing up for creative endeavors, regardless of the outcome.</p><p>In essence, Gilbert’s talk invites us to embrace our creative genius, recognizing that it is not solely our burden but a collaborative dance with something greater than ourselves. My favorite example of hers is the Tom Waite story that begins around <a href="https://youtu.be/pMTs5aTZ18k?si=MPoEHP2BJZz3NA5r&t=749" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">12;30</a>. </p></div><div aria-hidden="true" class="ac-horizontal-separator"></div></div><cib-overlay></cib-overlay></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/86x-u-tz0MA?si=wnDreYQan5YlGms9" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In contrast, tennis players who take a more humanistic view of their game (who feel that they are solely responsible for their performance) will show up to interviews very seriously. They talk about preparing as best <i>they</i> can, and sticking to <i>their </i>game plan.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Those players with X-factor (trickster) energy are much more playful. They say weird stuff like, "My next opponent is playing great tennis! I'll be just as excited as you to see who will win." This implies that they are there to win, but they don't take full responsibility for the outcome. They will show up with their A-game, but they recognize that their tennis "daemon" will need to play its role too. It almost seems like the more Romantic and playful creatives are, the more receptive they are to help from their muses. </div><h2>Trickster Energy</h2><div><span style="color: #202124; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">I think Djokovic's <i>X-factor</i> is his playfulness, or as Gilbert puts it, his trickster energy. (I mean come on. It's in his name, "Djoker." Not to forget his <a href="https://youtu.be/i1XDj4d7nKw?si=-Z6WUze8wP71-yV1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">classic tennis impersonations</a>.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #202124; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gilbert </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">explains why it's better for artists (and tennis players) to be <i>tricksters </i>rather than <i>martyrs</i>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"></span></span></div><blockquote><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">'Better a trickster than a martyr be.'</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">What's the difference between a martyr and a trickster, you ask?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Here's a quick primer.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Martyr energy is dark, solemn, macho, hierarchical, fundamentalist, austere, unforgiving, and profoundly rigid.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Trickster energy is light, sly, transgender, transgressive, animist, seditious, primal, and endlessly shape-shifting.</span></span></div></blockquote><h2 style="text-align: left;">I Bet the Two Tennis Tricksters are Going to the AO Final</h2><div>I'll do you one better than predict the winner. I'll predict the final match: Djokovic vs Tsitsipas. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tsitsipas still has some fear in him, but he's getting to Djoker's level of trickster energy. Although he attributes his own ability to dig himself out of holes to "experience" and a "Spartan Attitude" (he's Greek, btw), Tsitsipas shares the same kind of relationship with Tennis that Djokovic does. Neither one pretends to be fearless. They accept their fear and play anyway, which are textbook traits of heroic champions. Notice how playful and re-directing Tsitsipas is in his on-court interview. He barely talks about tennis. He is much more curious about other things, like seeing his favorite Aussie actress courtside and hopefully donating the champion's purse to the State of Victoria to build a school.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PJJkHDA98K8?start=101" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><h2>Conclusion</h2><div>My sense of the current tennis scene is that all these next generation players are all taking their shot at a title too seriously. They should all read Elizabeth Gilbert's <i>Big Magic </i>and relearn how to <i>play at</i> tennis.</div>
<blockquote>“Creativity is sacred, and it is not sacred. What we make matters enormously, and it doesn’t matter at all. We toil alone, and we are accompanied by spirits. We are terrified, and we are brave. Art is a crushing chore and a wonderful privilege. Only when we are at our most playful can divinity finally get serious with us. Make space for all these paradoxes to be equally true inside your soul, and I promise—you can make anything. So please calm down now and get back to work, okay? The treasures that are hidden inside you are hoping you will say yes.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert, <i>Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear</i></blockquote><p><b>Post-tournament edit</b>: Novak Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final, 6–3, 7–6, 7–6 to win the men's singles tennis title at the 2023 Australian Open. It was his record-extending tenth Australian Open title and 22nd major title overall, tying Rafael Nadal for the all-time record of most Grand Slam men's singles titles won. (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Australian_Open_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_singles#:~:text=Novak%20Djokovic%20defeated%20Stefanos%20Tsitsipas,Slam%20men's%20singles%20titles%20won." rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</p></div></div>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-40634840271070979542022-03-09T21:44:00.009-07:002024-01-27T07:36:17.840-07:00Kai's Lullaby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9mlad7XhKykA7neco3D8FGSf7IU9zlF9ndqAoLW57gAAJzkjHSSINW0KUhwK3ZViQsRQm-dUnopb8uZCR7H8bfhgMSvb9WmiSsgDIwaOLNj3TH3-0MEoLiVEZwM_OS1OuDNi1wcLlZ5XqAhlx6vj2BMyM6cF8W3ZwVjtu-C9OdMKthIkMj4H55B1Xeg=s3520" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Our Baby Kai 5 months" border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9mlad7XhKykA7neco3D8FGSf7IU9zlF9ndqAoLW57gAAJzkjHSSINW0KUhwK3ZViQsRQm-dUnopb8uZCR7H8bfhgMSvb9WmiSsgDIwaOLNj3TH3-0MEoLiVEZwM_OS1OuDNi1wcLlZ5XqAhlx6vj2BMyM6cF8W3ZwVjtu-C9OdMKthIkMj4H55B1Xeg=w560-h317" width="560" /></a></div></div><p>Stacia and I wrote a lullaby for our 5-month-old baby, Kai. Here's how it happened:</p><p>Before Kai's birth, we intended to create a personalized lullaby like my sisters’ kids had. However, busy schedules made it challenging. During our Christmas vacation at Heather's house in Spokane, WA, we aimed to fulfill that goal and compose a special lullaby for Kai. However, with the house packed with family to interact with, we never made the time. Fortunately for us, my sister invited us to extend our stay by a week. Once the house was quiet, we immediately got to work on Kai's goodnight song. After months and months of anticipation, it all came together—<i>in a single afternoon</i>! First, I threw a favorite chord progression together on the guitar. Then Stacia and I figured out the vocal melody, lyrics, and form and wrote it all down on sheet music. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQfcJztqp0dSwR5vJg1AqyNLpTtqkhzZ0MBuU87_JAik-48U8ECsbWBOL-m_x0_ueuRM7-62UB3U2Ss_mSyLtKIzkFt9-B2feYMXUj0fVftsmeWF1dHLvPxjQxvfJ16osU9BowsZUeNQOkVHB5XMl6Y1YTVk1K9xUyn_GvJvFhVUZR9daMCRdD9FJ2BA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2600" data-original-width="2805" height="593" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQfcJztqp0dSwR5vJg1AqyNLpTtqkhzZ0MBuU87_JAik-48U8ECsbWBOL-m_x0_ueuRM7-62UB3U2Ss_mSyLtKIzkFt9-B2feYMXUj0fVftsmeWF1dHLvPxjQxvfJ16osU9BowsZUeNQOkVHB5XMl6Y1YTVk1K9xUyn_GvJvFhVUZR9daMCRdD9FJ2BA=w640-h593" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The following day, we were still in the flow, so we added descants and harmonies. My 12-year-old niece Annika and my sister Heather pitched in by making up a piano accompaniment. We laughed and laughed while trying to record it later that night. I couldn't keep both the lyrics and the chord progression in my mind at the same time. (That's what I get for not touching an instrument in years.)</p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OWAOE0oijxY" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><p>After seven recording attempts with me fumbling on the guitar, we asked Heather to accompany us on the piano, allowing us to concentrate only on singing.</p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lnjhmWcCcUA" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><p>Upon returning home to Provo, UT (and with another week of practice), Stacia and I recorded a live version in our bedroom closet while putting Kai to sleep. Since I loaned my guitar to Heather's freshman son, Tanner, a freshman at BYU, I accompanied us on the ukulele. The uke is better anyway because it easily fits into our closet space and it gives the song a fun, island vibe that we love. We hope you enjoy it too! Download the .m4a version here: <a href="https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/001ypxxAJzw5OZRTMJajaESlQ#Our_Kai_(Uke_Version)">Our Baby Kai</a></p>
<iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1229521237&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/tuesdayswithmuerte" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Bryan Bertón Tanner">Bryan Bertón Tanner</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/tuesdayswithmuerte/our-kai-uke-version" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Our Kai (Uke Version)">Our Kai (Uke Version)</a></div>
<p>Stacia and I plan to write lullabies for each of our kids. I guess we'll have to visit The Whitehead Spa & Resort in Spokane about 11 more times in the near future for continued inspiration! (Just joking, Mom; only 8 more kids...)</p>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-46123823482480414872021-09-23T16:08:00.007-06:002022-03-21T11:31:24.537-06:00Let's Read Some Mind-Altering Speeches & Talks<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdOjldHXFAoTadxZwP7AQdjSWYEadnMrY9tcPCxC8va2J0DyGmFABqRGhAhr6AQ0b7Q8gnQ6kTuA94gpFz-ZYWhZVkbfKe2SL2BGTo6Cqz1UDr_gs9DO2s94ukcocTFwvr6ZCgun4dkGu/s910/speaker-public-speaking-message-speech-communication.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="910" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdOjldHXFAoTadxZwP7AQdjSWYEadnMrY9tcPCxC8va2J0DyGmFABqRGhAhr6AQ0b7Q8gnQ6kTuA94gpFz-ZYWhZVkbfKe2SL2BGTo6Cqz1UDr_gs9DO2s94ukcocTFwvr6ZCgun4dkGu/s320/speaker-public-speaking-message-speech-communication.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by <a href="https://www.pxfuel.com/en/free-photo-xdppb">pxfuel</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>My mom emailed me this great list of talks to read. I am currently going through them and would love for you to join me. Click the links below to jump to a specific speech. On each page, you'll find a full transcript of the speech as well as some additional background information, most of which was put together by <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches" style="background-color: transparent;">James Clear</a>, author of <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40121378-atomic-habits">Atomic Habits</a>.<ul><li>Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/the-danger-of-a-single-story-by-chimamanda-ngozi-adichie">“The Danger of a Single Story”</a></li><li>Jeff Bezos, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/statement-by-jeff-bezos">“Statement by Jeff Bezos to the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary”</a></li><li>Jeff Bezos, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/what-matters-more-than-your-talents-by-jeff-bezos">“What Matters More Than Your Talents”</a></li><li>John C. Bogle, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/enough-by-john-c-bogle">“Enough”</a></li><li>Brené Brown, “<a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/the-anatomy-of-trust-by-brene-brown">The Anatomy of Trust</a>“</li><li>John Cleese, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/creativity-in-management-by-john-cleese">“Creativity in Management”</a></li><li>William Deresiewicz, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/solitude-and-leadership-by-william-deresiewicz">“Solitude and Leadership”</a></li><li>Richard Feynman, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/seeking-new-laws-by-richard-feynman">“Seeking New Laws”</a></li><li>Neil Gaiman, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/make-good-art-by-neil-gaiman">“Make Good Art”</a></li><li>John W. Gardner, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/personal-renewal-by-john-w-gardner">“Personal Renewal”</a></li><li>Elizabeth Gilbert, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/your-elusive-creative-genius-by-elizabeth-gilbert">“Your Elusive Creative Genius”</a></li><li>Albert E. N. Gray, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/the-common-denominator-of-success-by-albert-e-n-gray">“The Common Denominator of Success”</a></li><li>Bill Gurley, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/runnin-down-a-dream-by-bill-gurley">“Runnin Down a Dream”</a></li><li>Richard Hamming, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/learning-to-learn-by-richard-hamming">“Learning to Learn”</a></li><li>Richard Hamming, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/you-and-your-research-by-richard-hamming">“You and Your Research”</a></li><li>Steve Jobs, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/2005-stanford-commencement-address-by-steve-jobs">“2005 Stanford Commencement Address”</a></li><li>Peter Kaufman, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/the-multidisciplinary-approach-to-thinking-by-peter-kaufman">“The Multidisciplinary Approach to Thinking”</a></li><li>Admiral William H. McRaven, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/make-your-bed-by-admiral-william-h-mcraven">“Make Your Bed”</a></li><li>Arno Rafael Minkkinen, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/finding-your-own-vision-by-arno-rafael-minkkinen">“Finding Your Own Vision”</a></li><li>Charlie Munger, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/2007-usc-law-school-commencement-address-by-charlie-munger">“2007 USC Law School Commencement Address”</a></li><li>Charlie Munger, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/a-lesson-on-elementary-worldly-wisdom-by-charlie-munger">“A Lesson on Elementary, Worldly Wisdom”</a></li><li>Charlie Munger, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/how-to-guarantee-a-life-of-misery-by-charlie-munger">“How to Guarantee a Life of Misery”</a></li><li>Charlie Munger, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/psychology-of-human-misjudgment-by-charlie-munger">“The Psychology of Human Misjudgment”</a></li><li>Nathan Myhrvold, “<a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/roadkill-on-the-information-highway-by-nathan-myhrvold">Roadkill on the Information Highway</a>“</li><li>Randy Pausch, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/achieving-your-childhood-dreams-by-randy-pausch">“Achieving Your Childhood Dreams”</a></li><li>Randy Pausch, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/time-management-by-randy-pausch">“Time Management”</a></li><li>Anna Quindlen, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/1999-mount-holyoke-commencement-speech-by-anna-quindlen">“1999 Mount Holyoke Commencement Speech”</a></li><li>John Roberts, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/i-wish-you-bad-luck-by-john-roberts">“I Wish You Bad Luck”</a></li><li>Sir Ken Robinson, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/do-schools-kill-creativity-by-ken-robinson">“Do Schools Kill Creativity?”</a></li><li>J.K. Rowling, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/the-fringe-benefits-of-failure-by-j-k-rowling">“The Fringe Benefits of Failure”</a></li><li>George Saunders, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/failures-of-kindness-by-george-saunders">“Failures of Kindness”</a></li><li>Claude Shannon, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/creative-thinking-by-claude-shannon">“Creative Thinking”</a></li><li>BF Skinner, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/how-to-discover-what-you-have-to-say-by-bf-skinner">“How to Discover What You Have to Say”</a></li><li>Jim Valvano, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/dont-give-up-by-jim-valvano">“Don't Give Up”</a></li><li>Bret Victor, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/inventing-on-principle-by-bret-victor">“Inventing on Principle”</a></li><li>David Foster Wallace, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/this-is-water-by-david-foster-wallace">“This is Water”</a></li><li>Brad Wilcox, "<a href="https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/brad-wilcox/his-grace-is-sufficient/">My Grace is Sufficient</a>"*</li><li>Art Williams, <a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/just-do-it-by-art-williams">“Just Do It”</a></li><li>Evan Williams,<a href="https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/a-journey-on-the-information-highway-by-evan-williams"> “A Journey on the Information Highway”</a></li></ul><div>*Talks I added to Clear's list.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's talk about any of the ideas these talks brought up for you. For example, how there is one female speaker for every six male speakers.</div></div>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-49528582388974992482021-09-01T14:18:00.013-06:002022-06-17T12:05:19.745-06:004 Ways to Practice Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB)<h3 style="text-align: left;">Context</h3><p>In the wake of the volatile response to <a href="https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-jeffrey-r-holland-2021-byu-university-conference">Elder Holland's recent BYU address</a>, my friend, Melanie Parry-Winkle, shared the following compassionate invitation on Facebook.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJ3clfkXYaexmGWbjTP6Z37sv_QcMOl5WNX8fYtrSNAT-XOn4pncz-iDDvkhJZmhLlySd03yZyHHZMtxAjPmBxkQmXnUK96GmXuevI3kdYrXEN4my6J9nZKMBYEimvrv06qlmc1-KMVxo/s1100/Melanie+Parry+Elder+Holland+Response.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="1100" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJ3clfkXYaexmGWbjTP6Z37sv_QcMOl5WNX8fYtrSNAT-XOn4pncz-iDDvkhJZmhLlySd03yZyHHZMtxAjPmBxkQmXnUK96GmXuevI3kdYrXEN4my6J9nZKMBYEimvrv06qlmc1-KMVxo/w400-h175/Melanie+Parry+Elder+Holland+Response.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I took Melanie up on her offer and reached out in a private message. We had a terrific conversation. With patience and gentle curiosity, she helped me articulate some of the tension I was experiencing. She also offered me a deeper appreciation for the experience of those who were feeling hurt and afraid for their safety after Elder Holland's address. </p><p>My thoughts then turned to how I could <i>take a step closer</i> to those with different perspectives instead of draw lines in defense of my own views. With her permission, I'll repeat the counsel she shared with me:</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Excerpt from facebook Conversation</h3><p></p><p><i></i></p><blockquote><p><i>Bryan:</i> I've recently been feeling sensitive about my privilege. As a white, cis-gendered BYU grad trying to get a job in the valley, I'm working hard to uncover and publicly acknowledge my biases and be open to working with others. Any advice?</p><p><i>Mel:</i> The first thing is to accept that you’re never going to arrive. This isn’t something we, the Privileged, can accomplish. We always have to be unlearning.</p><p>The next is to seek out and consume content from people who aren’t like you. It doesn’t even have to be about race, gender, sexuality, class, etc. Just consuming the stories of people who live different lives will expand your thinking in very important ways. [One way you could do this is to t]rain your social media algorithms to feed you diverse content. On TikTok you can search things like natural hair, black girl magic, native traditions, cultural dance, stuff like that. Then you consciously like, comment, and share those videos, and the algorithms start doing the work for you.</p><p>I think the most important though, is holding your fellow Privileged accountable for their bad behavior. If a male coworker makes a comment about a teenage girl’s body, let him know he’s gross. If you hear someone victim-blaming, speak up. We have to hold each other accountable, we can’t leave it to the victims of the bad behavior to make these changes.</p><p>And the last one for extra credit (and I think this can be the most emotionally heavy one) is to allow yourself to be the avatar for oppression when needed/appropriate. If a person of color calls you colonizer, let them. If someone says white people ruin everything, agree. We really have.</p></blockquote><p></p><h3>My Summary: 4 Ways to Practice Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging</h3><p></p><ol><li>Stay humble and curious. Once you think you're "woke," you're not.</li><li>Actively seek out and consume diverse stories. Yours isn't the only view in this big world of ours.</li><li>Speak up to injustice. Silence perpetuates privilege.</li><li>Avoid defensiveness in the face of someone else's genuine pain. Validate feelings. Validating is different than agreeing. You can still disagree while also respecting the other person’s thoughts and feelings. As you try to validate their feelings, you might realize that you see things more similarly than you originally thought.</li></ol><div>Let me know in the comments if you learned more from this exchange.</div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Resources</h3><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4104591947?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1">White Fragility</a> by Robin DiAngelo</p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/learning/bystander-training-from-bystander-to-upstander">Bystander vs. Outstander</a>, LinkedIn Learning Training by Catherine Mattice Zundel</p><p><a href="https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2021/09/digital-only-young-adults/how-to-disagree-without-being-disagreeable?lang=eng">How to Disagree without Being Disagreeable</a> by LDS psychotherapist, Nathan Acree</p>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-48879032412084237442021-08-27T18:04:00.006-06:002023-03-29T13:47:46.655-06:00My Tragic EFY COW Story<h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEy-LiK_OqYX1veYje0GjwRkWtHxDwtuE86jvAKw5PapjPLmoaEqaRG5JU7rxgkQtb4KJXX3H_DRKNyklsm3xkKBgoTaHEtPAH3LGTNCdOfZAftY0ksyzNmDENjHL9BkrBwh45G7In0aWC/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEy-LiK_OqYX1veYje0GjwRkWtHxDwtuE86jvAKw5PapjPLmoaEqaRG5JU7rxgkQtb4KJXX3H_DRKNyklsm3xkKBgoTaHEtPAH3LGTNCdOfZAftY0ksyzNmDENjHL9BkrBwh45G7In0aWC/w300-h400/EFY_2006_Forest_Grove_Picture+483.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Introduction</h2>Note: I originally wrote this circa 2016.<div><br /><div>It is springtime in Provo and the air is, once again, thick with love. With all of the Especially For Youth (EFY) counselors dotting the BYU campus in their brightly colored polos, I am reminded of a traumatizing, would-be-love story that is finally ripe for serious self-reflection after 10 years.<br />
<h2>
Storytime</h2>I worked for EFY in varying capacities for 3 summers (2005-2007). It was one of the most demanding, most satisfying things I've ever done. I used to joke that the pay wasn't great, but the (spiritual) benefits were out-of-this-world.<br />
<br />
As a 23-25-year-old BYU-Utah undergraduate student, I was beyond my dating prime and feeling serious pressure to be in "wife-finding mode," despite not feeling emotionally prepared for that kind of commitment with another person. In EFY culture, there is an end-of-week relationship tradition observed by both participants and counselors. Although counselors were prohibited (and participants were discouraged) from acting on romantic inclinations during the week, it was popular to let your friends know whom you had a crush on. These crushes were referred to as C.O.W.s or "crushes of the week." For counselors, the acronym was the same, but it stood for "Counselor of the Week." If you were lucky, you would have time to go out on a date once or twice before you either headed home or began a new week of EFY (with a new set of counselors). And the ritual would begin anew.<br />
<br />
After completing 8 consecutive weeks as an EFY counselor one summer, I plucked up the courage to invite my final week's COW, Ashley, over to my Raintree apartment for dinner. Ashley was the full package. She had a stunning figure and features. Her gospel testimony was deep and rock solid. And most importantly, she was into me.</div><div>
<br />
Primed by months of sharing my testimony and being spiritually open with my EFY groups, I spent the evening enjoying a profound personal conversation with Ashley. We were like the couples you see in movies who spend hours in a coffee shop, not knowing where the time has gone. I shared with her my innermost feelings. And she trusted me with hers. It was as honest and intimate as I've ever been with anyone. It felt so good. But at the same time, it terrified me.<br />
<br />Even in my mid-20s, I was not confident in my ability to read (much less interpret) "feminine signals," but even I could tell that Ashley desperately wanted me to kiss her; who knows, maybe even marry her.<br />
<br />
I remember thinking: <i>I want to kiss her. I think she wants me to. But above all, I have to be honest about my feelings. I don't know if I can trust my emotions. Is this true intimacy, or are my hormones just getting the better of me? Will I feel the same about her tomorrow? When will I see her again? I don't want to hurt her. What should I do?</i><br />
<h2>
What Does A Kiss Mean?</h2>In that moment of indecision, I experienced a deluge of competing thoughts.</div><div><br /></div><div>At first, I was all for it. My hormones were definitely a go. I'd even come up with some spiritual justification-- Elder Bruce C. Hafen of the Seventy advised young adults to make sure their <i>actions</i> matched their <i>intent</i>: “During the time of courtship, please be emotionally honest in the expression of affection. Sometimes you are not as careful as you might be about when, how, and to whom you express your feelings of affection. You must realize that the desire to express affection can be motivated by other things than true love.” Elder Hafen continued: “When any of you—men or women—are given entrance to the heart of a trusting young friend, you stand on holy ground. In such a place you must be honest with yourself—and with your friend—about love and the expression of its symbols” (<a href="https://www.lds.org/new-era/2004/10/what-do-kisses-mean?lang=eng&query=John+bytheway#footnote1-24950_000_014">source</a>). I felt like my actions would be aligned with my intent. But then I second-guessed myself. What if we kissed and then, for some reason, our relationship ended that night!</div><br /><div>I really wanted this to work out. So I reassured myself by buying into the popular Provo cultural belief that a kiss was a contract (made famous by <a href="https://youtu.be/9iSlPoQm2XY">Flight of the Concords</a> around that time).</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9iSlPoQm2XY" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>So, there I was awkwardly frozen on the apartment couch with Ashley, too scared to commit. </div><div><br /></div><div>But then the thought came to me, if I didn't kiss her, it could be considered cruel. It had escaped me until then that our evening-long conversation was equivalent to an emotional make-out session. I was then reminded of Matthew Richardson's strong caution against developing incongruence between emotional-physical intimacy levels, which inevitably results in unstable relationships (<a href="https://bryantanner.blogspot.com/2009/02/relationship-seasons.html">The Relationship Seasons</a>). I.e., my turbo-charged emotional/spiritual cart may be ahead of my physical horses. I guess I'd better catch up physically. (Horny logic.)</div><div>
<h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZZ4CmmI9Dqk_5pS6h0NHkTzrQabqUf02UA3IBNzxM9BteF3ufyMNyx0nDitHQpPPo48_XYsDW6t8Ykc0-HQVElyMKH0weXNyn_2jxNcK8w9-xCx9Wt6uAngb8T7NDKTlAsOBv3Jzi57U/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZZ4CmmI9Dqk_5pS6h0NHkTzrQabqUf02UA3IBNzxM9BteF3ufyMNyx0nDitHQpPPo48_XYsDW6t8Ykc0-HQVElyMKH0weXNyn_2jxNcK8w9-xCx9Wt6uAngb8T7NDKTlAsOBv3Jzi57U/w300-h400/The_Kiss_IMGP0034.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo of a 2007 EFY handout</span></td></tr></tbody></table>The Tragic End to Our Story</h2>With these thoughts still swimming between my ears, I seized up emotionally. I created some physical distance between us on the couch and poorly expressed my desire to "respect" her. Unfortunately, I came off more like a malfunctioning robot than an articulate, caring human.<br />
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Ashley left that night, heartbroken. I never saw her again. We never spoke again. After trying once or twice to contact her, I was too ashamed to continue. I imagine she felt used and rejected and all sorts of shame too. I can only assume she hated/hates my guts. What a tragic end for us both.<br /></div>
<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Conclusion</h2>I absolutely should have leaned in for the kiss. <div><br /></div><div>At that moment, I wish I would have said, "Ashley, I want to tell you something, but it's super hard for me because I have the emotional intelligence of a dreidel. Are you okay if I give it a try? *Wait vulnerably for her response.* You are totally incredible. I've been wanting to kiss you all week. But I worry I won't be able to contain my feelings for you if I act on them—I feel like a baby cobra incapable of regulating his venomous bite. This might sound silly, but I feel personally responsible to guard your virtue as well as my own and I'm not confident in my ability to control myself with you, here, now, on this couch, alone in my apartment. I feel stuck because I can't think rationally due to said racing emotions. I just wanted to put that out there. Oh, also, I worry about what it would mean for you if we kissed and then the worst-case scenario happened and we never saw one another again. I've been talking a lot. Will you please tell me what's going on for you?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Even after 10 years, I'm not sure I would be emotionally fluid enough to be able to blurt all that out. But it's fun to review now. I don't know where Ashley D. is today, but I wish her the best. And I gift myself a large slice of self-compassion as I continue to practice being comfortable with and expressing my emotions.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhdeDOTbuNosUoIZ5GARYQ0xkJnSsQ_j-T8Hz67TSA3ZdaAbBEFE9fWPauk51Uq-xHNlymli-ZIa0PN1UGKWktDuPHJpulfxjaDzoCjGl90RgIw1LBtstIqEANZI_6rbgtK-mT0QpFpX0szke6yuVcE77cazc72UKiqt58_qvn3W6rFuVp5ziYm-1vQ/s3888/Matador%20Torero%20Bullfighting%20giovanni-calia-ezvIERAtqZc-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2588" data-original-width="3888" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhdeDOTbuNosUoIZ5GARYQ0xkJnSsQ_j-T8Hz67TSA3ZdaAbBEFE9fWPauk51Uq-xHNlymli-ZIa0PN1UGKWktDuPHJpulfxjaDzoCjGl90RgIw1LBtstIqEANZI_6rbgtK-mT0QpFpX0szke6yuVcE77cazc72UKiqt58_qvn3W6rFuVp5ziYm-1vQ/w320-h213/Matador%20Torero%20Bullfighting%20giovanni-calia-ezvIERAtqZc-unsplash.jpg" title="#MatadorEnergy" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#MatadorEnergy</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-48162427991814566802021-08-27T00:31:00.009-06:002022-06-17T12:05:02.039-06:0010 Things We Weren’t Expecting in the first 10 Days of Parenthood<p></p><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCDLoKqlOOzHoZdDGDbtgUF2K_Ekmdv4bRoaC8pEq_PBCQ1-eqXjnkEhLIaW_0NJeebufHMq7euKrCBPhvOr7ZJi8G2T5P3zCsZ5hkkkafnf6klG2586HLAKb75_Iqq0hAu4QNUXkDDAJ/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCDLoKqlOOzHoZdDGDbtgUF2K_Ekmdv4bRoaC8pEq_PBCQ1-eqXjnkEhLIaW_0NJeebufHMq7euKrCBPhvOr7ZJi8G2T5P3zCsZ5hkkkafnf6klG2586HLAKb75_Iqq0hAu4QNUXkDDAJ/w240-h320/e4b451754709a6a55c698f8534728cfe1e3da373.heic" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10-day-old Kai</td></tr></tbody></table></div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>His name</b> — We thought Kai's name would be much easier to settle on than it was. Honestly, it was the last thing holding us up before the nurses would let us leave the hospital. Kai was always at the top of our list of names, but I supposed we would lock it down immediately after seeing him for the first time.</li><li><b>Community</b> — In these COVID times, we were surprised (and grateful for) how many people served us (e.g., food, gifts, time). Prepared to be on our own, we bought 2 weeks of frozen food from Beehive Meals that we haven't even cracked into yet.</li><li><b>Burp rag supply</b> — We severely underestimated the number of burp rags we would initially go through. Despite having 30 rags, there were numerous times we had zero in reserve. (Granted, we have not been efficient in their use.)</li><li><b>Back pain</b> — We weren't expecting backaches for both of us. (Stacia is obviously still recovering from 2.5 of pushing. I just have terrible form while holding Kai.) We should’ve been doing preparatory yoga.</li><li><b>Scentless poop</b> — We knew about the meconium stool. But we didn't realize that Kai's diapers wouldn't stink (at first).</li><li><b>Involved feeding</b> — We didn't realize that we would need 4 hands to feed him. (Ever since the hospital, we fed him with a syringe through a nipple shield. It took lots of practice for us to get reasonably good at it.)</li><li><b>Still growing</b> — The tear duct in Kai’s right eye was plugged. We didn't know that that is a super common thing for newborns in their first two weeks. After Googling it, we decided to use a Q-tip to cleanse and clear eye goop almost every time he woke up. That quickly got old, so we resorted to a warm washcloth compress, but only when he really needed it. Hopefully, it will clear up on its own soon. </li><li><b>BURP!</b> — I was surprised how excited we both are any time Kai burps after feeding. We celebrate like we've all accomplished something great! I feel a misplaced sense of pride in the part I played in his "great feat".</li><li><b>Exhaustion</b> — We knew we would be tired, but we didn’t appreciate just how exhausted we would be. We sleep for only 1-3 hours at a time.</li><li><b>Doula</b> — I was skeptical about how much a doula could offer us during postpartum care. Even if was only 4x4 hour visits, I felt like my manhood was being challenged a little bit—as if I couldn't take care of my wife. I was wrong! She was amazing. Her name is Tobie from Pleasant Grove. She gave Stacia needed counsel and comfort. She sent us to bed (worry-free) and then cooked us meals and tidied up our living space while we slept. 10/10 on Yelp.</li></ol><p></p>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com0Provo, UT, USA40.2338438 -111.658533711.923609963821157 -146.81478370000002 68.544077636178855 -76.5022837tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-54419673306805532892021-07-13T11:55:00.004-06:002021-08-21T20:14:47.663-06:005 TED Talks that Encourage Socio-Political Reunification<h3>1. The Moral Roots of Liberals and Conservatives</h3>
<div style="max-width: 854px;"><div style="height: 0px; padding-bottom: 56.25%; position: relative;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" scrolling="no" src="https://embed.ted.com/talks/jonathan_haidt_the_moral_roots_of_liberals_and_conservatives" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; width: 100%;" width="854"></iframe></div></div><br />
• Disabuse yourself of your natural self-righteous position by acknowledging that everyone believes they are right, and by being open to others' experiences.<br />
• Step out of the moral <i>Matrix</i> to which we are all connected. "If you want the truth to stand clear before you, never be for or against. The struggle between 'for' and 'against' is the mind's worst disease;” ― Jianzhi Sengcan (15:10)<br /><br>
<h3>2. How to Step Outside your Biases</h3>
<div style="max-width: 854px;"><div style="height: 0px; padding-bottom: 56.25%; position: relative;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" scrolling="no" src="https://embed.ted.com/talks/michael_patrick_lynch_how_to_see_past_your_own_perspective_and_find_truth" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; width: 100%;" width="854"></iframe></div></div><br />
• The phrase, "man is the measure of all things," is a self-serving rationalization disguised as philosophy. Seek truth. not confirmation. (5:00)<br />
• It's seductive to believe that all your believes happen to be true. Being right feels good, which leads to seeking support your position and acting in bad faith. (5:58)<br />
• Social media (including Google) is designed to feed us information that cooresponds to beliefs we already espouse, re-inforcing our respective confirmation biases. (9:00)<br />
• Humbly dare to know the truth by stepping outside your bubble of catered information. (10:50)<br /><br>
<h3>3. Can a Divided America Heal?</h3>
<div style="max-width: 854px;"><div style="height: 0px; padding-bottom: 56.25%; position: relative;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" scrolling="no" src="https://embed.ted.com/talks/jonathan_haidt_can_a_divided_america_heal" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; width: 100%;" width="854"></iframe></div></div><br />
• Rational self-interest is not the dominating factor in decision making. Studies have shown that people are highly motivated to punish cheaters. (E.g., Negative partisanship or voting for the lesser of two evils) While altruistic punishment may be the glue that temporarily holds society together, we will require a new kind of empathy to cooperate in order to realize a more sustainable future. (14:30)<br />
• We can benefit from ancient wisdom to help us navigate modern-day political animonsity. Jesus, Buddah, Marcus Auralius, etc. help students to drop their fear, reframe things, and stop seeing others as enemies. (18:00)<br />
• Don't just sit there and <i>decide</i> to be more understanding. Make the effort to reach out and appreciate others' different views. (18:30)<br /><br>
<h3>4. How to Disagree Productively</h3>
<div style="max-width:854px"><div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://embed.ted.com/talks/julia_dhar_how_to_disagree_productively_and_find_common_ground" width="854" height="480" style="position:absolute;left:0;top:0;width:100%;height:100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div><br />
• Contempt has replaced conversation. (0:35)<br>
• The way that you reach people (debate most productively) is by (a) finding common ground no matter how narrow it is, (b) separating ideas from identity, (c) being genuinely open to pursuasion (3:00)<br>
• Common ground — What psychologists call <i>shared reality</i> is the antidote to alternitive facts. (4:40)<br>
• Seperating ideas from identity — Our public and personal discourse can be transformed by debating ideas rather than discussing identity. (9:00)<br>
• Being open to ideas — Engaging in debate (arguing both sides) flips a switch in the mind that opens the individual to intellecutal humility. (9:30)<br><br>
• Julia Dhar's <a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/julia_dhar_how_to_have_constructive_conversations?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare">2021 TED talk mirrors this one</a>. To have a constructive conversation, you need three elements: (1) to listen (2) to be heard and (3) to understand.<br>
<h3>5. How to Lead a Conversation Between People who Disagree</h3>
<div style="max-width: 854px;"><div style="height: 0px; padding-bottom: 56.25%; position: relative;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" scrolling="no" src="https://embed.ted.com/talks/eve_pearlman_how_to_lead_a_conversation_between_people_who_disagree" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; width: 100%;" width="854"></iframe></div></div><br>
• Establish a safe environment where people are open to hearing, being heard, and understandings one another. This requires a deinflamation of ego.<br>
• Real dialogue is possible once biases are verbally acknowledged. (4:00)<br />
• Individuals report that they are relieved to put down their political arms and openly learn from one another. (6:40)<br />
• Hearing real people's voices (instead of just reading their typed words) actually encourages humility and openness to the humanity in one's opponent. (a different TED talk?)<br>
• Snark, shame, and condescencion is an immediate shutdown to dialogue. (8:00) <br />Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-79546066824531115042021-06-21T01:06:00.013-06:002021-06-22T17:21:56.436-06:00Faith (In Him) to Move Mountains, YSA 98th Ward, July 2021<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi213ICnRqoAo-kXfP1Zlr2RxoV1uApu9ocj7L7PRVE37CB1dgZaH8pmn8713m5UBKrYFuZh07zRMbXchuOixd18eX1L3u809iompEUaSYwTCIlqZVqsmwz_06_6YBJLhJADGJzzgINrlut/s1200/person-woman-standing-on-rock-in-front-of-mountain-during-daytime-people-people-image.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi213ICnRqoAo-kXfP1Zlr2RxoV1uApu9ocj7L7PRVE37CB1dgZaH8pmn8713m5UBKrYFuZh07zRMbXchuOixd18eX1L3u809iompEUaSYwTCIlqZVqsmwz_06_6YBJLhJADGJzzgINrlut/s320/person-woman-standing-on-rock-in-front-of-mountain-during-daytime-people-people-image.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The purpose of my talk is to help you to move the mountains in your life by following President Russell M. Nelson’s 5 suggestions from his April 2021 General Conference talk, </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/49nelson?lang=eng" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-544f2946-7fff-6eb1-87e9-1aa1b08de042"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I was taught my first lessons on faith, I mistakenly thought that I would, one day, be expected to develop sufficient faith to literally move mountains. I can’t tell you how relieved I was, 30 years later, to hear President Nelson clarify that those mountains were figurative. He elucidated, </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My dear brothers and sisters…through your faith, Jesus Christ will increase your ability to move </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the mountains in your life</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, even though your personal challenges may loom as large as Mount Everest.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your mountains may be loneliness, doubt, illness, or other personal problems. Your mountains will vary, and yet the answer to each of your challenges is to increase your faith. That takes work. Lazy learners and lax disciples will always struggle to muster even a particle of faith…</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your growing faith in Him will move mountains—not the mountains of rock that beautify the earth but the mountains of misery in your lives. Your flourishing faith will help you turn challenges into unparalleled growth and opportunity.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To help us develop the faith in Christ required to move the mountains in our lives, President Nelson offered 5 suggestions (which I will repeat in no particular order): </span></p><br /><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Partake of sacred ordinances</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">worthily</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Ordinances unlock the power of God for your life.</span></p></li></ol><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What does it mean to participate in ordinances worthily? Fundamentally, the sacrament is a weekly opportunity to remember three of our baptismal promises: (a) to take Christ’s name upon us, (b) to always remember Him, (c) and keep His commandments. Participating in the sacrament ordinance is our opportunity to review our week and renew our covenants. As I listen for the promptings of the Holy Ghost during this sacred time, I am often mercifully reminded of specific things I need to change in order to improve my discipleship. In this way, the sacrament helps me grow ever closer to Christ.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Does being worthy mean being perfectly righteous? Of course not. We cannot become like the Savior all at once. None of us is perfect. We all make mistakes. But as long as we are trying to improve and be a better disciple of Jesus Christ, we are worthy to take the sacrament. “</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Lord does not require </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">perfect</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> faith for us to have access to His </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">perfect</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> power.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*Share analogy about how my identity as an elementary school safety guard (fluorescent vest) influenced me to not J-walk. Compare this to my identity as a Christian served to help me always remember Him in my moments requiring faith.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*If prompted* When faced with the choice to partake, we could ask ourselves questions like these:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Am I taking the sacrament just so my parents or friends sitting nearby won’t wonder about me?</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Am I doing it to try to hide the bad choices I am making?</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Am I ignoring an uncomfortable feeling that is nagging me?</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Am I turning off my mind so I don’t have to think about what I am doing?</span></li></ul></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you answered yes to any of these questions, let me say two things: (a) Good for you. When we pause to ask, “Am I worthy?” we are in one sense far ahead of those who partake routinely without giving it any thought. (b) Talk with your bishop. If you are afraid of what you might lose by confessing, you might exercise your mustard seed of faith by simply talking with your bishop about your fear. We are so lucky to be in this stake that I know has a healthy perspective on the repentance process.<br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">However, if you are willfully sinning without any inclination to repent, then your bishop may counsel you to refrain from taking the emblems of the sacrament as part of your journey toward healing.</span></p><br /><ol start="2" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Study</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Become an engaged learner. Immerse yourself in the scriptures to understand better Christ’s mission and ministry.</span></p></li></ol><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ll share with you a life-changing secret that has made scripture study meaningful for me—make it more of a hobby. For example, I love blogging about the minutiae of definitions and theological quandaries. I can read a single verse of scripture and then go off on my own for 2 hours cross-referencing and searching other sources if it’s investigative “blog research.” I invite you to consider what might make studying the scriptures more meaningful for you. Here are some ideas you might experiment with: mark up your scriptures in a meaningful way, journal your thoughts & impressions, find someone special to share them with, organize your thoughts with lists, create art, form afternoon study groups in the park, prioritize scripture study and calendar it. </span></p><br /><ol start="3" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Choose to </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">believe</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in Jesus Christ. Take your questions to the Lord and to other faithful sources. Study with the desire to believe rather than with the hope that you can find a flaw in the fabric of a prophet’s life or a discrepancy in the scriptures. Stop increasing your doubts by rehearsing them with other doubters. Allow the Lord to lead you on your journey of spiritual discovery.</span></p></li></ol><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While preparing this talk, I optimistically clicked on a REDDIT post that promised a discussion about President Nelson’s 5 suggestions. Unsurprisingly, however, the comment section was an echo chamber of doubt, reverberating with words like “cult” and “reason." Most of the commenters' defensive energy revolved around being called “lazy learners and lax disciples.” I thought about dropping 1 Ne 16:2 (“the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.”) in the comments and bouncing, but I didn’t. Honestly, I’m not too different from these self-proclaimed atheists. I value reason and often have very similar doubts. The real difference between me and these naysayers is our attitudes toward faith. I am willing to believe, and they are not.</span></p><br /><ol start="4" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Act</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in faith. (a) Think about it. (b) Write about it. (c) Then </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">receive more</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> faith by doing something that </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">requires more</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> faith.</span></p></li></ol><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*Share story about using this 3-step model while recently working on my dissertation.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*Bear testimony about President Nelson’s promise: “the Savior is never closer to you than when you are facing or climbing a mountain </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with faith</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.”</span></p><br /><ol start="5" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ask</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> your Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, for help. God knows what will help your faith grow. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ask, and then ask again.</span></p></li></ol><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God doesn’t necessarily answer our prayers in the time or way we prefer. We must trust "His will and timetable—</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">how</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">when</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> He will bless you with the miraculous help you desire. Only </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">your</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">un</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">belief will keep God from blessing you with miracles to move the mountains in </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">your</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> life.” The most repeated invitation in the New Testament is to ask and knock. I am convinced this repetition was purposeful. Let us not be afraid to ask, and then ask again, sharing our feelings about our growth with Him along the way. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*Share my values shift from putting a premium on obedience to developing a personal relationship with Christ and seeing life through a growth mindset.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All of you in this congregation have exercised faith by being here today. “Do not minimize the faith you already have. It takes faith to join the Church and remain faithful. It takes faith to follow prophets rather than pundits and popular opinion. It takes faith to serve a mission during a pandemic. It takes faith to live a chaste life when the world shouts that God’s law of chastity is now outmoded. It takes faith to plead for the life of a loved one and even more faith to accept a disappointing answer.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two years ago, Sister Nelson and I visited Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Tahiti. Each of those island nations had experienced heavy rains for days. Members had fasted and prayed that their outdoor meetings would be protected from the rain.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Samoa, Fiji, and Tahiti, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">just</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as the meetings began, the rain stopped. But in Tonga, the rain did </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> stop. Yet 13,000 faithful Saints came hours early to get a seat, waited patiently through a steady downpour, and then sat through a very wet two-hour meeting.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We saw vibrant faith at work among each of those islanders—faith sufficient to stop the rain and faith to persevere when the rain did not stop.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The mountains in our lives do not always move how or when we would like. But our faith will </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">always</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> propel us forward. Faith </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">always</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> increases our access to godly power.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This story masterfully illustrates two kinds of miracles: (a) Miracles where circumstances are generously changed and (b) miracles where we are able to rise to the occasion and become equal to or greater than whatever trial we face. Personally, I think the second version grows us more.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*Share a final personal example that illustrates this second kind of miracle.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Conclusion:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Your </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">growing</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> faith in Him will move mountains—not the mountains of rock that beautify the earth but the mountains of misery in your lives. Your </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">flourishing</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> faith will help you turn challenges into unparalleled growth and opportunity.”</span></p><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioc5zu-Uo2peTEYOt4kXxnMPknZ1gRZ8z_4S0ReQdy1q-0KOe9UUTMaCJxNEdZEwtIPBJZ3_AYV234gKwu1ljNR1Hr54tcstsVT1zJtIZtW1qmu4drmdX78aGEGH4gHuw8jst_MO7NQaz9/s1920/Move+Mountains+Confusius.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioc5zu-Uo2peTEYOt4kXxnMPknZ1gRZ8z_4S0ReQdy1q-0KOe9UUTMaCJxNEdZEwtIPBJZ3_AYV234gKwu1ljNR1Hr54tcstsVT1zJtIZtW1qmu4drmdX78aGEGH4gHuw8jst_MO7NQaz9/s320/Move+Mountains+Confusius.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-72757651793884927062021-03-21T15:56:00.015-06:002021-08-21T22:38:58.843-06:00The Gospel of Christ During a New Normal (YSA 229th Ward, March 2021)<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Personal Introduction</span></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-2d4dd6e0-7fff-01dc-a2ab-a5ab568c59b1"><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">By way of introduction, my name is Bryan Tanner.</span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">30 years ago, I was a kid in Redmond, WA; I lived just down the street from Microsoft campus and the U.S. HQ for Nintendo. </span></li><li><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">20 years ago, I was a freshman here at BYU, positive that I was going to revolutionize the biotech industry. </span></li><li><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">10 years ago, I got my first big-boy job in a completely different field, creating learning experiences for companies—first for the Air Force, and then for Church HQ. That obviously didn’t work out because a few years later, I came back to BYU as a student. I attended a South Provo ward in this stake. (For those doing the math, yes, President Hansen was Stake President at the time.) </span></li><li><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">2.5 years ago, I married my dream girl and we have a baby boy on the way. Last week, I successfully defended my doctoral dissertation on a potential model to help people in my field transition from academia into the business world.</span></li></ul><p></p><h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 16pt;"><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Purpose</span></h3><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m grateful for this brief moment I have to be with you. I believe that the Spirit will help me to share those things that I know He knows you need most. The purpose of my talk is to encourage you to </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">optimistically </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pursue your eternal potential </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by applying </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6 principles </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">from President Nelson’s October 2020 Conference talk, </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2020/11/58nelson?lang=eng" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A New Normal</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Despite it being a short “temple-reveal” talk, President Nelson crammed some pretty powerful doctrine. Referring primarily to the effects of COVID on our standard discipleship routines, He said,</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Despite the world’s commotion, the Lord would have us . . . </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not spin our wheels in the memories of yesterday</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The gathering of Israel moves forward. The Lord Jesus Christ directs the affairs of His Church, and it </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">will</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> achieve its divine objectives. The challenge for you and me is to make certain that each of </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">us</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> will achieve his or her divine potential. Today we often hear about ‘a new normal.’</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> If you really want to embrace a new normal, I invite you to turn your heart, mind, and soul increasingly to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Let </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> be your new normal (emphasis added).</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sisters and brothers, you can embrace </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">your</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> new normal by doing the following 6 things:</span></p><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">repenting daily. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seek to be increasingly pure in thought, word, and deed. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Minister to others. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keep an eternal perspective. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Magnify your callings. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And whatever your challenges, live each day so that you are more prepared to meet your Maker.”</span></p></li></ol><div><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h4 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Repent Daily</span></h4></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a class="hoverZoomLink" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_KQWP6ycONYTnl5ifJoNhirIa40V_0-B3N4PsuKVOP6Zhgwjn9oVHMuSsGyeFjZlVQzadhAHXF4bJMgrrWQDFEyVWcppjDmJ0ZPPIDS29_vWcBfmYsO18YnlQmBI0_w4vOeUI7G3aQfk/s500/Love+Fear+Michael+Scott+Office.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" class="hoverZoomLink" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_KQWP6ycONYTnl5ifJoNhirIa40V_0-B3N4PsuKVOP6Zhgwjn9oVHMuSsGyeFjZlVQzadhAHXF4bJMgrrWQDFEyVWcppjDmJ0ZPPIDS29_vWcBfmYsO18YnlQmBI0_w4vOeUI7G3aQfk/s320/Love+Fear+Michael+Scott+Office.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Not God's approach.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Satan wants to keep us from repenting daily. One of his tools is to make us believe that living with the painful effects of sin is preferable to daily repentance. In President Nelson’s 2019 conference address titled, </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2019/04/36nelson?lang=eng" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We Can Do Better and Be Better</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, he counseled,</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Too many people consider repentance as punishment—something to be avoided except in the most serious circumstances. But this feeling of being penalized is engendered by Satan. He tries to block us from looking to Jesus Christ, who stands with open arms, hoping and willing to heal, forgive, cleanse, strengthen, purify, and sanctify us.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many people will do just about anything to avoid pain; especially so for those who may have felt unsafe sharing their negative emotions. LDS scholars, Terryl and Fiona Givens, wrote in their 2020 book, </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/All-Things-New-Rethinking-Everything/dp/1953677002/ref=pd_lpo_14_t_0/147-9906281-8787439" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All Things New</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> that the language we use to talk about sin is a barrier to healing:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Penance</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> has the same root as </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">penal</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">penalty</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">—the Latin </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">peonalis</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, which means “pertaining to punishment.” Underlying this sacrament of penance, then, is the rationale that sin is primarily an offense committed against God and that a penalty must be paid to obtain pardon” for that offense . . . How dreadful that an invitation to change one’s heart became instead a demand for punishment” (p. 120).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our stake presidency gets it. President Hansen, a professional therapist, just taught us this morning in a high council training that we ought to challenge the Calvinist view that repentance equates to pain. Traditionally, the role of an LDS bishop and stake president in the 1970-90s is to facilitate “<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/1999/11/do-you-know-how-to-repent?lang=eng">godly sorrow</a>” by selecting the appropriate torture device for us, thereby disconnecting us from the blessings we need most—typically, depriving them of the sacrament and the temple. As a result, young adults moving around Provo play “bishop roulette” and have to gauge whether or not to be truthful regarding the heavy weight they carry. If they do not feel safe, they’ll find a way to justify their sin a while longer. If they do trust their priesthood leader not to upbraid them, as the boy Joseph trusted in God before seeking forgiveness in the Sacred Grove, they might, finally, cast their burdens on the Lord. Repentance is not about pain; it’s about clearing the pathway for connection with the Savior and others. "Sex, drugs, and rock & roll" is all about altering our emotional state. The reason we turn to sin is that we want to escape the bad feelings that already exist inside us. We don’t sin because we are bad people; we do things because we want to feel differently.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The purpose of the Bishop and Stake President in facilitating the repentance process is <i>not</i> to help us really feel the pain "required for repentance." Suffering is in the sin, not the correction of it. These priesthood leaders are there to help us increase our connection with the Savior and with others. When Christ called his 12 disciples in the ancient Americans, he counseled them on how to help guide people to come unto Him</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out of your synagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/18?lang=eng" style="text-decoration-line: none;">3 Nephi 18:32</a>)</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus Christ is the Great Healer. John 3:16-17 teaches us Christ's mortal part in the Great Plan of Happiness:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><blockquote><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be <i>saved</i>.</span></blockquote><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Koine Greek, a closer translation of the phrase <a href="https://biblehub.com/lexicon/john/3-17.htm">sōthē</a> or would be <i>saved</i> could be <i>made safe, well,</i> or <i>healed</i>. I testify that He stands ready to heal our every pain and sorrow. The only condition is our willingness to vulnerably be seen in our imperfection. His powerful arm is outstretched, not to strike down, but to lift up.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aside: another terrific resource on repentance (if you appreciate metaphors), is </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Divorce" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Great Divorce</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, my favorite C.S. Lewis novel.</span></p><ol start="2" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h4 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seek to Be Increasingly Pure</span></h4></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a class="hoverZoomLink" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi8WrL4vfBMEgENlZYclck8M-2mDxcIyClcg-EFi1lCG8zi34_PYQFRVSFehS6WBi09op1a_ltIF-Lip5KAsDabg0McXES-cOf_hAF5rl85AF3kDT3JICWdkV1ynqE0TrNSwV0-MbsW49/s1010/Boy-Mission-GrowAFootOrTwo-Growth-Chart.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" class="hoverZoomLink" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1010" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi8WrL4vfBMEgENlZYclck8M-2mDxcIyClcg-EFi1lCG8zi34_PYQFRVSFehS6WBi09op1a_ltIF-Lip5KAsDabg0McXES-cOf_hAF5rl85AF3kDT3JICWdkV1ynqE0TrNSwV0-MbsW49/s320/Boy-Mission-GrowAFootOrTwo-Growth-Chart.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"...when I have grown a foot or two."</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When surrounded by such incredible people in Provo, it can be easy to feel pressured to measure up; that we are never enough. Professor Brad Wilcox, in a 2011 BYU Devotional entitled, </span><a href="https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/brad-wilcox/his-grace-is-sufficient/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His Grace Is Sufficient</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, shared a story about a born-again Christian friend who said to him, “You Mormons are trying to earn your way to heaven.” And Brad said, “No, we are not </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">earning</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> heaven. We are </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">learning</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> heaven. We are preparing for it (see D&C 78:7). We are practicing for it.”</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In his April 2018 address, </span><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/until-seventy-times-seven?lang=eng" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Until Seventy Times Seven</span></a><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Elder Lynn G. Robbins taught: “Repentance isn’t [God’s] backup plan in the event we might fail. Repentance is His plan, knowing that we will.” Imperfection is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, I believe the more we embrace the reality (and inevitability) of our imperfection, the more ready we will feel to turn to Christ for healing.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For me, daily repentance looks like joyfully waking up, knowing that I’ll never be enough to </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">earn</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> heaven. I’m just excited to grow that day in my personal discipleship with the goal of </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">learning</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> heaven.</span></p><ol start="3" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h4 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Minister to Others</span></h4></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a class="hoverZoomLink" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QDrTbf8078RX9WW8x3MdSc0g33x67iNoc8VfrBYibTUomyIlZ5Qved6amQ7H6G3fSs8jn6-P8gW8y1mGOh4uWTF10_2Ng4pwKUcC0aIUJs6NBaOKR-B_-TxZjye3AVsDTgX-A5AeiVM-/s1220/Heaven+and+Hell.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" class="hoverZoomLink" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="958" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QDrTbf8078RX9WW8x3MdSc0g33x67iNoc8VfrBYibTUomyIlZ5Qved6amQ7H6G3fSs8jn6-P8gW8y1mGOh4uWTF10_2Ng4pwKUcC0aIUJs6NBaOKR-B_-TxZjye3AVsDTgX-A5AeiVM-/s320/Heaven+and+Hell.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Serving others… The difference Between Heaven and Hell.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ministering during COVID can be hard. The pandemic has been the perfect excuse for those of us with social anxiety to not reach out to people. Here’s an idea for those who are looking for </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">new</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> ways to minister: vulnerably reach out to those to whom you minister (or your ministers) and let them know what kind of contact you prefer and ask their preference in return. Once the logistics are out of the way, the new modes of connection naturally fall into place.</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ll share a personal example that may be a little extreme, but it illustrates what a “new normal” looks like for me: I minister to one brother who moved to Seattle to intentionally get “lost in the system.” He refuses to give me his residential address or return any Church-related texts, but I’ve subscribed to his Goodreads account and leave friendly comments on the stuff he’s been reading.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Helping others is what heaven is all about. In </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Happiness Contagion</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Harry Bridgeman, fellow author, Gretta Brooker Palmer was quoted as saying, “Happiness is a by-product of an effort to make someone else happy.” Perhaps one of the greatest we can offer others struggling in these COVID times is to ask them how they feel and listen as they attempt to process their complex set of emotions.</span></p><ol start="4" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h4 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keep an Eternal Perspective</span></h4></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a class="hoverZoomLink" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRK1zigDC-AMTxsLSH9PeUZ_yFbW29x68JdvCT5KxX-Sn5xWhwZB1etrRJZTyObY2b1VoPqQw7OanSZaBPU5WmWZ5P469nHMQuJwZ9Vohp94Tm960oI17EXr3BUB2ewvvLa_ojFAbIhfY/s682/Perspective+Creator-+Andy+Reynolds++%257C++Credit-+Getty+Images.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" class="hoverZoomLink" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRK1zigDC-AMTxsLSH9PeUZ_yFbW29x68JdvCT5KxX-Sn5xWhwZB1etrRJZTyObY2b1VoPqQw7OanSZaBPU5WmWZ5P469nHMQuJwZ9Vohp94Tm960oI17EXr3BUB2ewvvLa_ojFAbIhfY/s320/Perspective+Creator-+Andy+Reynolds++%257C++Credit-+Getty+Images.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Creator: Andy Reynolds | Credit: Getty Images</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />[Bear testimony about the blessings I’ve received when focused on my eternal horizon. E.g., my self-worth is not dependent on my academic achievements.]</span></span><div><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aside: One of my favorite happiness quotes comes from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit: “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”</span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span><p></p><ol start="5" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h4 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Magnify your Callings</span></h4></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you have been using the pandemic as an excuse to not magnify your calling, may I suggest that you stop it? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you will forgive a video game analogy, incessantly praying for </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">life to return to normal</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (life before the pandemic) is like finally making it to the underwater level in Mario, and then rage quitting after repeatedly running into those squid things because the physics are different than what you have been used to in the previous world.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are smart, independent people adept at solving problems. Most of us don’t have any kids, and we do have plenty of personal time. Not to call out anyone calling in particular, but for example, I believe in the Sunday Munch & Mingle committee’s ability to find ways to gather Israel without munching or mingling. We all have been given the glorifying opportunity to creatively reimagine our church callings and responsibilities. This new normal forces us to reexamine the purposes behind our callings and not just fall back on routine and tradition.</span></p><ol start="6" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><h4 dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Live Each Day so you are More Prepared to Meet your Maker</span></h4></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a class="hoverZoomLink" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7QiDO3ptqovd3Sb0zJ9TvTt7s4rcpKHXWY0eSkcX7VhCOpJ7guR_mwq2OirD1kuO43-TZfjSE1WM7IdOC46vkUZS9ANdMik44xz5fNU9TdZGC9jOgqfeI_1dKhsC4j4wAU8wMzgIiO1V/s2048/4630944-Colin-S-Smith-Quote-The-God-you-worship-will-shape-the-values-you.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="hoverZoomLink" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7QiDO3ptqovd3Sb0zJ9TvTt7s4rcpKHXWY0eSkcX7VhCOpJ7guR_mwq2OirD1kuO43-TZfjSE1WM7IdOC46vkUZS9ANdMik44xz5fNU9TdZGC9jOgqfeI_1dKhsC4j4wAU8wMzgIiO1V/s320/4630944-Colin-S-Smith-Quote-The-God-you-worship-will-shape-the-values-you.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>In the same 2011 BYU devotional mentioned above, Brother Wilcox also shared this idea regarding one's personal desire to change:</span><p></p><blockquote>The miracle of the Atonement is not just that we can <span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">go home</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> but that—miraculously—we can</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> feel at home</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> there. If Christ did not require faith and repentance, then there would be no desire to change. Think of your friends and family members who have chosen to live without faith and without repentance. They don’t want to change. They are not trying to abandon sin and become comfortable with God. Rather, they are trying to abandon God and become comfortable with sin. If Jesus did not require covenants and bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost, then there would be no way to change . . .. Put simply, if Jesus didn’t require practice, then we would never become pianists.</span></blockquote></div><p>While "practice makes perfect" is true, I find that that mindset is not a helpful focus in achieving our ultimate goal of exaltation. Why? Because we are not on earth to practice perfection; we will never be perfect here despite our Sysiphian efforts. Rather, we are here to develop our relationship with the Savior. And improvement is a natural consequence of closeness to Him. It's all about relationships. Heaven is less of a place as it is a way of relating to one another.</p><span><h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 4pt; margin-top: 16pt;"><span style="color: #434343; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Conclusion</span></h3><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we optimistically pursue our eternal potential in this new moment in mortality, the prophet has offered us the following blessing:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I bless you to be filled with the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ. His peace is beyond all mortal understanding. I bless you with an increased desire and ability to obey the laws of God. I promise that as you do, you will be showered with blessings, including greater courage, increased personal revelation, sweeter harmony in your homes, and joy even amid uncertainty.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The future of the Lord’s church is secure. This is not a concern. Rather, we ought to tend to our own eternal potential, and invite others to enjoy the blessings of gospel living along the way. As we look forward with faith, and find creative ways to gather Israel, I know that we will not only find peace and happiness here on earth, but we will feel at home when we stand before God.</span></p><div><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><div id="hzImg" style="background-color: white; border-radius: 4px; border: 4px solid rgb(255, 255, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4) 0px 1px 3px; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: auto; left: -179995px; line-height: 0px; margin: 4px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; top: -179208px; visibility: visible; width: auto; z-index: 2147483647;"></div>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-12241925274551823292021-02-08T14:54:00.034-07:002021-08-21T20:33:12.453-06:0010 Reasons I Do Not Leave Dirty Dishes in the Sink<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a class="hoverZoomLink" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxdK0G1jwhJYLeHH2Y2uadhBaeqr56vD2w1qUKXokCCUBTQHKrduKdn7O-KdiGjdku-EFlOZcPduml1bpaJVzW0ztavx2tdQRXfSRn0WnSImYIyQP7IX_GYXu1i6RX0xrxFK2BiqW9Ypa/s1241/stock-photography-dishwashing-tableware-dirty-dishes-others-826fd92776caa35d5d60e08d3fc01ab2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" class="hoverZoomLink" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="1241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxdK0G1jwhJYLeHH2Y2uadhBaeqr56vD2w1qUKXokCCUBTQHKrduKdn7O-KdiGjdku-EFlOZcPduml1bpaJVzW0ztavx2tdQRXfSRn0WnSImYIyQP7IX_GYXu1i6RX0xrxFK2BiqW9Ypa/s320/stock-photography-dishwashing-tableware-dirty-dishes-others-826fd92776caa35d5d60e08d3fc01ab2.png" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.hiclipart.com/free-transparent-background-png-clipart-mnrjh" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Image source</span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><h2><span style="font-family: arial;">10 Arguments for Hand Washing Dishes </span>Immediately After Use</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1. SHOWS CHARACTER</span></h3><span style="font-family: arial;">The habit of handwashing dishes immediately after using them shows personal responsibility and consideration for others. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">In the absence of clear dish-doing duties, washing one's own dishes is evidence of strong personal character and respect for others. </span><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">It is a mark of social maturity </span><i style="font-family: arial;">not </i><span style="font-family: arial;">to assume that someone else will clean up your mess. (</span><span style="font-family: arial;">E.g., Necessitating "Your mother doesn't live here" signs.) </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">It also frees the sink and counters for others to use communal kitchen spaces. (</span><span style="font-family: arial;">E.g., it's tough to rinse lettuce in a sink full of dirty dishes.) </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">It also allows for the re-use of </span><i style="font-family: arial;">favorite</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> dishes throughout the day. </span></li></ol><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2. PREVENTS CRUSTIES</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Dishes are often more difficult to clean as food hardens on them over time. (E.g., post-smoothie blender.) Even electric dishwashers can struggle to clean dishes that have sat out for more than a few hours.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Exceptions to this principle include the following examples:</span></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">When you are going to be doing dishes in a batch (e.g., for your whole family), it can save time and effort to gather it all together before digging in. But even so, the sooner you can get the tough stuff soaking, the easier it will be to clean.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Some pots and pans require time to soak in soapy water to loosen grime. However, this is included in the immediate hand-washing process. Soaking dishes shouldn't reasonably require more than 24 hours </span><span style="font-family: arial;">to soak</span><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span></li></ol></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3. THE MULTIPLICATION EFFECT</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Dirty dishes beget more dirty dishes. Psychologically, it's easier for me to leave dishes in a pile that already exists. It would be fun to see how many people agree with me.</span></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4. AVOID MENTAL WEIGHT</span></h3><span style="font-family: arial;">It can be emotionally taxing for me to see a pile of dishes; knowing that, sooner or later, I'll have to clean them. The higher the pile, the more it weighs on my mind.</span></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">5. TOUCH IT ONCE</span></h3><span style="font-family: arial;">Cleaning-as-I-go reduces the number of <i>touches</i> of each item making the process more efficient/faster. Each second I spend picking up and setting down a dish can add up to significant time costs. ("</span><span style="font-family: arial;">Touch It Once" principle </span><a href="https://youtu.be/1kAqaGmes9I" style="font-family: arial;">testimonial video</a><span style="font-family: arial;">,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><a href="https://www.asianefficiency.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Touch_It_Once_Flow_Revised.001.jpeg" style="font-family: arial;">flowchart</a><span style="font-family: arial;">.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Reusing dishes is a double-time saver! When I need a dish and pull one from the drying rack, I have saved the time I would have spent putting that away. Additionally, the drying rack is typically more accessible than the far reaches of wherever that dish is store. This time is increased for every tool I pull from the drying rack.</span></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">6. MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SINK</span></h3><span style="font-family: arial;">The sink serves more functions than just a repository for dirty dishes. When the sink is occupied, it is challenging to use it for other daily activities. E.g., refilling my Brita water pitcher.</span></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">7. CESSPOOL STINK</span></h3><span style="font-family: arial;">Piling dishes cultivates a cesspool over time. When dishes and food chunks cover the drain, the soupy, greasy water that collects a the sink bottom can smell and spread bacteria. (Cesspool growth is </span><span style="font-family: arial;">expedited because I </span><span style="font-family: arial;">use a drain guard.)</span></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">8. CESSPOOL FILTH</span></h3><span style="font-family: arial;">Related to the cesspool stink, dishes covered in sitting water require more time and effort to clean than they would had they been cleaned immediately after use.</span></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">9. REDUCE SPILLS</span></h3><span style="font-family: arial;">Countertop spills are more likely to occur when dishes are forced to be washed above the top of the sink line.</span></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">10. SAVES RESOURCES & TIME</span></h3></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In my experience, dishwashers use resources but don't offer effective results. I have two main reasons for not using washers:</span></div><div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm always skeptical of whether or not dishes have been adequately cleaned after coming out of the dishwasher. Every dishwasher I've had access to has been trash. I try my best to remove crud beforehand, but if any hardened food remains on dishes upon going it, at least part of it is often on there even harder after coming out. Perhaps, if I had a better washer, I would use it more regularly than once or twice a month.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">The more time dishes spend in the washer, the fewer opportunity I have access to those tools. With a small family, I rarely fill the dishwasher to its maximum capacity in one go. And when I do run it when it's full, the washing quality seems reduced even further.</span></li></ol><p></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Time is my main argument for not using an electric dishwasher. A few extra swishes of the dish brush can replace all the time spent loading, washing, and unloading the dishwasher. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I will use a dishwasher on three occasions:</span></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">If there is limited drying space on the countertop.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">If I feel like the washer would adequately clean the dish faster than I could. Or, honestly, if I'm just feeling overwhelmed at that moment.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">If I haven't run the dishwasher in over a month. Note: unlike other appliances, the less you use your electric dishwasher, the more likely it is to break down. When the dishwasher is not used for long periods of time the water evaporates, seals dry out and leaks and motor problems become likely. I think the longest I've gone without running it is two months.</span></li></ol></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Note: I did find a dishwasher money-saver exception as I researched my assumptions for this post: If you use your dishwasher efficiently, you are almost guaranteed to use less water than dishwashing by hand. According to a 2011 European dishwashing study of 200 households, the average amount of water used to wash eight full sets of dishes in their dishwashers was equivalent to the amount of water used when running the sink faucet for 2 minutes on full. (<a href="https://www.womansworld.com/posts/money/does-using-a-dishwasher-save-money-168098#:~:text=Results%20showed%20that%20the%20households,households%20that%20had%20no%20dishwasher.&text=But%20according%20to%20Telegraph%20Money,that%20water%20from%20your%20sink.">Woman's World</a>.)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, in my American experience, most people use way more water than is necessary when preparing dishes for the machine. These people use just as much water "rinsing" dishes before putting them in the washer as they could to completely wash them by hand. Then, after all of that, if the washer didn't adequately clean the dishes, they re-run the same load in their less-effective washer, in the vain hope that it will improve the outcome.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This was mentioned above, but another minor waster of time/energy/water is running loads that are only partly filled.</span></p><h2><span style="font-family: arial;">Conclusion</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: arial;">My 10 reasons are not going to work for everyone, but they have certainly served me well—especially as a single person (with roommates), or as a member of a small family unit. Surely, some of these reasons spoke to you more than others. I'm curious to know which ones resonated, and which new ones were less convincing, and why? Let me know in the comments.</span></p><div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">ANTICIPATED REBUTTALS</span></h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div><span>Me: "Why do you put off doing dishes (by either resting them </span><span>in the sink, </span><span>on the countertops, or in the dishwasher)?" I imagine three negative responses to this question:</span></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span>"</span><span><i>I don't feel like it right now</i></span><span>. It isn't necessarily a conscious choice; it's one that happens naturally. I find myself feeling this way when I don't have anything pressing to do, and yet, doing anything else seems more attractive than doing dishes. Why do a chore now when I could do it later?</span></li><ol><li>That's a fair reason. (Incidentally, I felt that way growing up.) You may not want to change and that's fine. But if you do, here's how I did it. When I decided I wanted to change this behavior, I had to change it from an issue of lack of momentary willpower to one of habit adherence. I was able to avoid having to make the hard decision in the moment by making it into a decision-less habit.</li><li>If the habit approach doesn't work for you, consider another rule taught in the book, <u>Getting Things Done</u>, which is much easier to follow, "Every time you touch it, move it forward." While this isn't the most efficient method, it is better than putting it off.</li></ol><li>"<span><i>I just don't have time</i></span><span>," is the second-most common argument I hear for putting off immediately doing dishes.</span></li><ol><li>I would argue that, in many cases, if we were to try, we might just find that we did have the time after all. Additionally, the perpetual perception of busyness could also be viewed as a lack of preparation.</li></ol><li>"<i>I need to do something more important/pressing.</i>" Some fall back on their moral high ground; whatever their alternative—not feeling well, fun alternative activity going on, a crying baby—it is more important than spending seconds upholding a habit.</li><ol><li>While values are important, they can set up false dichotomies. For example, if you really care about your house guests, you will sacrifice everything else of lesser importance. My mom's mom would be appalled by this notion. She would say, "people are more important than things," and "a good host is never seen doing dishes, let alone allow their guests to clean up after themselves." However, while it may seem rude to those with a traditional sense of propriety, </li><ol><li>people, these days, respect good habits/boundaries. In fact, when you kindly explain to others why you're doing a certain thing, it might even strengthen your relationship with them. In our current milieu, asking others to step into your life by inviting them to assist you with common household tasks, like washing dishes is a great way to connect. The key is to do it together; not Tom Sawyering them.) People often jump at the chance to connect with you and support you in your goals.</li><li>Even if you were to excuse yourself and leave your guests alone momentarily, dishwashing only takes a few minutes; you'd be back with your loved ones in no time.</li><li>There's no rule that says you have to give the dishes 100% of your attention. In open kitchen layouts, it's easy to attend to your guests/values while maintaining your habit.</li><li>If immediately cleaning dishes really is a habit you desire, you will feel good about yourself for making it work under unique circumstances rather than giving yourself a pass. </li></ol></ol></ol></div></span></div><h2><span style="font-family: arial;">Bonus: My Personal History with Dishwashing</span></h2><span style="font-family: arial;">As a child, I was given an ultimatum </span><span style="font-family: arial;">by my mom</span><span style="font-family: arial;">—"finish washing the dishes, or you'll have to stand at the sink FOREVER."</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="430" src="https://gifimage.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/sandlot-forever-gif-4.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sandlot, 20th Century Fox</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://gifimage.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/sandlot-forever-gif-4.gif"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></a></div>
<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Ever since then, I've had a fear/fascination with efficient dish washing. That scar accumulated scars of its own in college. When I lived in BYU's Foreign Language Student Residence, I woke up late one morning and was forced to wolf down a bowl of cereal to fuel me for a full day of work and school. I didn't even have the 30 seconds required to both wash my dishes and run across the street to start work on time. With my apartment's native speaker watching me, my consequences were to either get a verbal warning at work or potentially getting kicked out of the FLSR. I chose to get my hand slapped at work. After that experience, I've made time to do my dishes as a part of the meal process.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">With this new habit ingrained, it was difficult living with roommates who left their dishes in the sink for literally weeks. [Insert epic-sink-to-ceiling-dish-tower photo from Monticello, 2007.] That was the worst dish-related anxiety I have ever experienced; it caused me to move out.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Since getting married, I've talked with my wife about my dishwashing history and preferences. She has been incredibly understanding and respectful of my idiosyncrasies and accommodates my sensitivity. Gratefully, in recent years, I've discovered helpful strategies to avoid or healthily respond to dish piles.</span></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Everyone knows that cleanliness issues bother the party with the least tolerance first. Since my wife has a more comfortable relationship with dirty dishes than me, I am the one who first struggles with my feelings about them. I have a number of coping mechanisms:</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">I regret ever doing this first coping strategy; it was passive-aggressive and counterproductive. I would attempt to change my negative attitude about the ugly pile of irresponsibility left by my roommates as a gift of raw material for me to craft into household art. It only took me a minute or two to construct my dish creations, which is coincidently the same time it would have taken to clean them. However, I never would clean up after others; I didn't want to encourage any future slothfulness in the dish owners. This strategy never worked. In fact, it only damaged relationships. Here's a masterpiece I created c. 2016 in the Pioneer neighborhood home (1182 S. 1750 E. Provo, UT 84606) I rented and sublet to three other roommates</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Nowadays, I take a deep breath and remind myself that my reaction is not commensurate with the situation. I tell myself to chill.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">I challenge the egoistic bias that my way is always the best/only way. Recently, I've been much more accepting of others' dish-washing preferences—especially since getting married.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">When self-denial doesn't work, however, I can typically squelch my inner turmoil by happily volunteering to bang them out. Small acts of service are a great way to express my love. (Unfortunately, since my recent shoulder surgery, I haven't able to do dishes. #praisestacia)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">When I can't do them myself, and the feeling doesn't subside, I'll tell my wife about my inner struggle. She's usually really good at helping me talk through my feelings and grounding me.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Occasionally, I turn to my blog as a release. (Which is totally NOT what I just did for the last 2 hours.)</span></li></ol><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a class="hoverZoomLink" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEg7kMqZzJgYMquoI_Uljvuy_cnc2-IEGWNp-MJcQq8VRUNu8PQ2APSRxKvhMoyBf32ixF6h7TNf_VIa_GPw5tPMmlLgU_zm6NEGYVlKFbcEtkmx0-hVUVGrkLt4pNe3mzugQ7bpNn9mA5/s801/This+is+fine.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" class="hoverZoomLink" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="801" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEg7kMqZzJgYMquoI_Uljvuy_cnc2-IEGWNp-MJcQq8VRUNu8PQ2APSRxKvhMoyBf32ixF6h7TNf_VIa_GPw5tPMmlLgU_zm6NEGYVlKFbcEtkmx0-hVUVGrkLt4pNe3mzugQ7bpNn9mA5/w400-h209/This+is+fine.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>“On Fire.”</span> <span class="credit" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #767676; letter-spacing: 0.25px; text-align: start; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Photo: KC Green</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div id="hzImg" style="background-color: white; border-radius: 4px; border: 4px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4) 0px 1px 3px; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: auto; left: 5px; line-height: 0px; margin: 4px; opacity: 1; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; top: 115px; visibility: visible; width: auto; z-index: 2147483647;"></div><p></p></div>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-12056990959113643372021-02-02T23:13:00.026-07:002021-08-27T16:17:49.378-06:00Five Grammar Issues I Love to Hate<div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a class="hoverZoomLink" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxow03Ba9EdpWZlmXfAsilELExJoQf4Ykjt84cO-qOFgeJEpBVsX4q-IkuqopqED_m5ODZqabKgDb-GnuYCuxMsYzYyAoyxw2Vy2eJBJu49nQh8hOscMogbOG0AvRKXzaMzvm4hXq4rWZ/s700/noun_crying+stomach_2804849.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" class="hoverZoomLink" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxow03Ba9EdpWZlmXfAsilELExJoQf4Ykjt84cO-qOFgeJEpBVsX4q-IkuqopqED_m5ODZqabKgDb-GnuYCuxMsYzYyAoyxw2Vy2eJBJu49nQh8hOscMogbOG0AvRKXzaMzvm4hXq4rWZ/w200-h200/noun_crying+stomach_2804849.png" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;">I dislike all five of these terms and will avoid using them when possible. But when they are misused (by myself or others), a little grammar nazi in my head starts to cough and spit.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h2 style="text-align: left;">Common Misspellings</h2><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"Disconscerning" vs. Disconcerting</li><li>"Alot" vs. a lot</li><li>"Could/Would/Should of" vs Could've/Would've/Should've</li><li>"Ecetera" vs et certa</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: left;">Less vs. Fewer</h2><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>When you’re trying to decide between <a href="https://experteditor.com.au/blog/the-30-most-common-grammar-mistakes/">“less” and “fewer”</a> first ask yourself: am I talking about a specific number of things? If you can count it, then use "fewer." If not, then use “less.” Fore example:</li><ul><li><b>Less</b> — If you’ve got a big bowl of salad (with an indiscernible or irrelevant number of leaves) and you can’t eat it all, you might ask for “less salad.”</li><li><b>Fewer</b> — If, however, there is a specific number of tomatoes in the salad and you think there are too many, you would ask for “fewer” tomatoes (or a fewer number of tomatoes).</li></ul></ul></div></span></div><h2 style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Nauseous vs. Nauseated</span></b></h2><ul class="ul1" style="text-align: left;"><li class="li4" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="s2">For hundreds of years, <i>nauseous</i> and <i>nauseating </i>meant the same thing, defined as "causing nausea or disgust." According to the <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/can-you-feel-nauseous-or-nauseated">Merriam-Webster Dictionary</a>, you feel nauseated when you smell a nauseous/nauseating odor.</span></span></li><li class="li4" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="s2">But in the middle of the 19th century, the MWD observed that the terms <i>nauseous</i> and <i>nauseated</i> began to be used interchangeably.</span></span></li><ul><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>According to <a href="https://www.grammarly.com/blog/nauseated-vs-nauseous">Grammarly</a>, most people now accept that "nauseous" is synonymous with "nauseated<i>"</i>. Purists (like me) probably ought to stop insisting that people can ONLY feel nauseated. </span><a href="https://getitwriteonline.com/articles/nauseated-nauseous">Getitwriteonline</a><span> condescendingly suggests, if you only have room in your vocabulary for one of the two words, choose "</span><span>nauseous</span><i>"</i><span>.</span></span></li></ul><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Usage:</span></li><ul><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Note: nauseous is different than <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noxious">noxious</a>, which means harmful or destructive to living beings. Also, disagreeable or obnoxious.</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Both can be used when saying, “I feel ________.” [nauseous, nauseated]</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you're searching for alternatives to "feeling <u>nauseous</u>", you might consider any one of the following synonyms: anxious, appalled, bilious, blah, brackish, concerned, crummy, diseased, feverish, fidgety, frail green around gills, groggy, grossed out, ill, ill at ease, indisposed, laid-up, nauseated, pale, peaked, pukish, qualmish, queasy (also queazy), queer, queerish, restless, run down, shaky, sick, sickish, seasick, squeamish, under the weather, unwell, upset, vomity, weary, worried.</span></li></ul></ul><h2 style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Juncture vs. Junction</span></b></h2><ul class="ul1"><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="s3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>MWD suggests that if you aren’t sure which one to use, <i>juncture</i> is a good choice because it can refer to both time and space, whereas <i>junction</i> typically only refers to physical meeting places.</span></li><ul class="ul1" style="list-style-type: disc;"><li class="li4" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="s1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span class="s2"><a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juncture">Juncture</a> (time/space)</span></span></li><li class="li4" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="s1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span class="s2"><a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/junction">Junction</a> (space)</span></span></li></ul><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="s3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Usage:</span></li><ul class="ul1" style="list-style-type: disc;"><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="s3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>In highly formal or bureaucratic language, "at this juncture" is often used as a fancy way of saying "now". For example, "I'm unable to ascertain its whereabouts <a href="https://wikidiff.com/junction/juncture">at this juncture</a>."</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="s3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>“<a href="https://grammarist.com/usage/junction-juncture/">Critical juncture</a>” is redundant. Although not widely observed, all junctures are inherently critical.</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="s3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>“<a href="https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/juncture">At this juncture in time</a>” is also redundant. Time is inferred in the context of the sentence. It might be more clear to say, “point in time,” or just "time".</span></li></ul></ul><h2 style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">“Regards” vs. “In/With Regard To” vs. “Regarding”</span></b></h2><ul class="ul1" style="text-align: left;"><li class="li4" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="s1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span class="s2"><a href="https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/regard-versus-regards">Grammar Girl</a> explains the differences among these three terms best:</span></span></li><ul><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Regard</b> — The correct phrase is "in/with regard to." “In regards to” is incorrect. You may, indeed, hear the plural—“in regards to”—all the time, but it rarely shows up in edited text such as the kind you find in <a href="https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=in+regard+to,in+regards+to,regarding&case_insensitive=on&year_start=1800&year_end=2000&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t4;,in%20regard%20to;,c0;,s0;;in%20regard%20to;,c0;;In%20regard%20to;,c0;.t4;,in%20regards%20to;,c0;,s0;;in%20regards%20to;,c0;;In%20regards%20to;,c0;.t4;,regarding;,c0;,s0;;regarding;,c0;;Regarding;,c0"><span class="s4">a Google Books search</span></a>. The Oxford English Dictionary calls it “regional and nonstandard.” Furthermore, employers will likely correct you if they catch you saying "in regards to".</span></li><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Regards</b> — Used when sending greetings or asking someone to pass along your warm or affectionate thoughts to another person. Just sing "give my regards to Broadway" a few times and you'll remember it. And then sing the next line, "remember me to Harold Square" to realize how goofy it all sounds.</span></li></ul><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="s3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Usage: </span></li><ul class="ul1" style="list-style-type: disc;"><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Many people view these phrases as unnecessary business jargon. Better options, depending on the particular sentence, include <i>concerning</i>, <i>regarding</i>, <i>about</i>, <i>in</i>, and <i>with</i>. Generally speaking, less formal is mo' betta (clearer).</span></li><ul class="ul1" style="list-style-type: disc;"><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For example, this sentence is correct:</span></li><ul><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“ This letter is in regard to your message dated January 5.”<b> </b></span></li></ul><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But this sentence is better:</span></li><ul><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> “This letter concerns your message dated January 5.”</span></li></ul><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And to me, this would be even better: </span></li><ul><li class="li3" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“This letter is about the message you sent January 5.”</span></li></ul></ul></ul></ul><h2><span style="font-family: arial;">Quiz</span></h2><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-960e4ee4-7fff-50cd-bd8b-ebe48412d1a7" style="font-family: arial;"><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Choose the better word or phrase.</b></span></div><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How [disconcerting/disconcerning]! We [could of/could have] avoided [alot/a lot] of pain if we [would of/would've] known earlier.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can have [less/fewer] ingredients, dollars, people, or puppies, but [less/fewer] salt, money, honesty, or love.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I feel [nauseous/nauseated].</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The [nauseating/noxious] gas burned my eyes.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was near the [juncture/junction] of City Road and Old Street.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At this [critical junction//juncture] the President must decide whether or not we will go to war.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I want to talk to you [in regard to/in regards to] the confetti incident.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[Regarding/In regards to] your text message, let’s pretend it never happened.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[Send my regard/Send my regards] to your mother.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 15pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have one rule [in regard to/with regard to] your driving: Always wear your seat belt.</span></p></li></ol>
<details closed="" open="" style="display: hide;"><summary><b>Answers</b></summary><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">How [<u>disconcerting</u>]! We [<u>could have</u>] avoided [<u>a lot</u>] of pain if we [<u>would've</u>] known earlier.</span></span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">You can have <u>fewer</u> ingredients, dollars, people, or puppies, but <u>less</u> salt, money, honesty, or love.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[Both.] I feel <u>nauseous</u>. I feel <u>nauseated</u>.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">[Both, depending on the meaning.] The "<u>nauseating</u> gas" means that it causes nausea. The "<u>noxious gas</u>" means it's harmful to living things.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It was near the <u>junction</u> of City Road and Old Street.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">At this <u>juncture</u>, the President must decide whether or not we will go to war.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I want to talk to you <u>in regard to (good)/regarding(better)/about (best)</u> the confetti incident.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>Regarding</u> your text message, let’s pretend it never happened.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Send my <u>regards</u> to your mother.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.92; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I have one rule <u>with regard to</u> [<u>"concerning" would be better</u>] your driving: Always wear your seat belt.</span></span></p></li></ol></details></span></div>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-833866941752798612021-02-02T22:22:00.001-07:002021-02-08T17:14:44.197-07:008 Lessons from 8 Months of Marriage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJZntIOEdCr6PDZrvCuZYikkuTbM_2UsB1u-I9tgWaHtAYvsGhdMrpj1pCOeDMzfUGomwoRfYQVd_vCBQlclU379jOstwI2O0Eccus0cCs2OFaaXpM6KmkMpMgvb7SCvZ6cx08stlsqyv/s1600/Stacia+and+Bryan+Tanner+at+Matilda.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="hoverZoomLink" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJZntIOEdCr6PDZrvCuZYikkuTbM_2UsB1u-I9tgWaHtAYvsGhdMrpj1pCOeDMzfUGomwoRfYQVd_vCBQlclU379jOstwI2O0Eccus0cCs2OFaaXpM6KmkMpMgvb7SCvZ6cx08stlsqyv/s640/Stacia+and+Bryan+Tanner+at+Matilda.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u>Bryan's Lessons</u></h2><ol>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">My idea is not necessarily the <i>right</i> idea.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">But even if it were, the relationship is more important than being right.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">When one of us is sad, and once the space is safe, it's helpful to approach an interaction with a tender hug. </span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">It's an important habit to share a meaningful kiss as we come and go. (I picked that one up from watching <i><a href="https://youtu.be/ynQZBhzY7YQ">The Importance of Kissing</a></i> on The School of Life YouTube channel.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't need many facial tissues before marriage. But now, it's worth investing in the Costco 12-pack.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">The temple is an excellent place to unwind from a stressful week.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">It's my job to never forget weekly date night or FHE.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Intimacy cues are hard. It's important to clearly communicate what I want, whether it be that I'm tired…or not tired.</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u>Stacia's Lessons</u></h2>
</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Vulnerability…is hard. It's tough being seen as less than perfect by the one you wanted to be perfect for.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Trials are much easier to face with two.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Having a shared church calling (primary teachers) is a great way to get to know one another even better.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">You can travel using any name for which you have a valid ID. You don't have to change your last name right away.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Share bank accounts. Or don't. It doesn't really matter as long as you are open about where the money is going.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">The family is still very interested in knowing everything that's going on but will respect your space.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">The Lord wants couples to be successful. He provides opportunities for you to grow closer together as a couple.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Healthy eating and hydration habits can become less of a priority. Make them one.</span></li>
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</div>
<div id="hzImg" style="background-color: white; border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.33) 3px 3px 9px 5px; cursor: pointer; display: none; left: 0px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; opacity: 1; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; top: 0px; z-index: 2147483647;"></div><div id="hzImg" style="background-color: white; border-radius: 4px; border: 4px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4) 0px 1px 3px; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: auto; left: 5px; line-height: 0px; margin: 4px; opacity: 1; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; top: 5px; visibility: visible; width: auto; z-index: 2147483647;"></div><div id="hzImg" style="background-color: white; border-radius: 4px; border: 4px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4) 0px 1px 3px; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: auto; left: 5px; line-height: 0px; margin: 4px; opacity: 1; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; top: 5px; visibility: visible; width: auto; z-index: 2147483647;"></div>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-43792352712077620452021-01-14T15:48:00.001-07:002022-02-08T18:01:22.999-07:00Jim Thorpe: My Lifelong Hero<div style="text-align: center;"><img class="hoverZoomLink" id="id_e70a_6c2e_9e73_ef83" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/GDhVAPHLysSx6H6xbCxGWsSDX_Ho9qWmveGck9sJVuYkjDIJEtMVdxAV2AXyT44=s16000" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="Jim Thorpe" tooltip="" /></div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Jim's Amazing Story</h2><div>I was reminded of this PowerTales<span style="background-color: white; font-family: DDG_ProximaNova, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_0, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_1, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_2, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_3, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_4, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_5, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_6, "Proxima Nova", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Segoe UI", "Nimbus Sans L", "Liberation Sans", "Open Sans", FreeSans, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;">™</span> story on Facebook today:</div><div><br /></div><div>“This is Jim Thorpe. Look closely at the photo. You can see that he's wearing different socks and shoes. This wasn't a fashion statement. It was the 1912 Olympics, and Jim was a Native American from Oklahoma representing the U.S. in track and field. On the morning of his competitions, his shoes were stolen. Luckily, Jim ended up finding two shoes in a garbage can. That's the pair that he's wearing in the photo. But one of the shoes was too big, so he had to wear an extra sock. Wearing these shoes, Jim won two gold medals that day.”</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Why I Want to Be Like Jim Thorpe</h2><div>I knew who Jim Thorpe was from an early age. A common Sunday afternoon activity for me was to listen along to recordings as I read, <i>PowerTales</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: DDG_ProximaNova, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_0, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_1, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_2, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_3, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_4, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_5, DDG_ProximaNova_UI_6, "Proxima Nova", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, "Segoe UI", "Nimbus Sans L", "Liberation Sans", "Open Sans", FreeSans, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;">™, </span>popular character-development books for children in the 80s. Jim Thorpe's book on <i>Sportsmanship</i> was my favorite. Thorpe's multiple extraordinary athleticism and praiseworthy traits leaped off of every page. At that time, I wanted to be the humble and caring all-star athlete that he was.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thirty years later, I want to be like Thorpe for different reasons. My sports career is slowing down now. I had my shoulder operated on earlier this year and therapy hasn't been easy. Honestly, I wasn't sure if I would be able to lift my arm to type my dissertation. This particular story is a perfect reminder to me that, like Thorpe, I don't have to resign to excuses of limitations to accomplish my goals. So what if life hasn't given me a fair shake? What am I going to do about it today?</div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Take Action!</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6yGVKMLmJhghiTF-9DTTFdJyXZRZYilSMDg43QwC5UPIghlfJGCE5cXBbyosp50mFydASKurnQVgw0S2ODFEUjmJP6iXjNll40zdNe5WfFdTE0NKiVD-KSiXKr6qbHw_cIs-oUbgH88x-NgwLzl8DNqR66Q-gws5I85RO0VtaSFl8Ogc5ul4XxPMuTQ=s268" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="268" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6yGVKMLmJhghiTF-9DTTFdJyXZRZYilSMDg43QwC5UPIghlfJGCE5cXBbyosp50mFydASKurnQVgw0S2ODFEUjmJP6iXjNll40zdNe5WfFdTE0NKiVD-KSiXKr6qbHw_cIs-oUbgH88x-NgwLzl8DNqR66Q-gws5I85RO0VtaSFl8Ogc5ul4XxPMuTQ" width="268" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Whatever situation you woke up with this morning; stolen shoes, ill health, an ended relationship, a failed business, don't let it stop you from running your race. You can experience more in life if you'll get over the excuses and get on with living. You can have <i>reasons</i> or you can have <i>results</i>...but you can't have both.</div><div><br /></div><div>My friends, may we all strive to keep running in this life no matter what the problem with our shoes (life) may be. Now, be happy and go for gold as you live life without excuses.</div> <div id="hzImg" style="border-radius: 4px; border: 4px solid rgb(255, 255, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4) 0px 1px 3px; display: none; line-height: 0px; margin: 4px; opacity: 1; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; visibility: hidden; z-index: 2147483647;"></div>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-10155367600312681752020-11-23T18:08:00.010-07:002021-02-02T23:42:57.181-07:00The Unexpected Racial Impact Dogs Have in Multicultural Neighborhoods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a class="hoverZoomLink" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstSqRYGtmU0wtGmNDN_VfFAfHYEv7YQG-rdILI6JDYEUVeqCtxSz9M4kDlgSQBSGNQYlZHnshxrjYmT_1lW0PG_hoT-A58sGemyQAS_pAC3to-J4Pc38VafIdCh4n_HDbhO1vwedwUk1g/s200/2678664-200.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="hoverZoomLink" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstSqRYGtmU0wtGmNDN_VfFAfHYEv7YQG-rdILI6JDYEUVeqCtxSz9M4kDlgSQBSGNQYlZHnshxrjYmT_1lW0PG_hoT-A58sGemyQAS_pAC3to-J4Pc38VafIdCh4n_HDbhO1vwedwUk1g/s0/2678664-200.png" /></a></div><p>TL;DR Dogs are just another (cute) vehicle for racism.</p><p>The subject of racism has been on my mind pretty much all of 2020. I just finished reading the book, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3655203453">Race Without Racism</a>, which argues that the chameleon-like system/institution of racism is alive and well despite a cultural shift toward racial "colorblindness."</p><p>My interest in America's new racism led me to an article from a decade ago that shocked me—<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-dogs-help-keep-multiracial-neighborhoods-socially-segregated-116120">How dogs help keep multiracial neighborhoods socially segregated</a>. Author and Editor of The Conversation, Beth Daley's findings went against my natural assumption that dog owners would be drawn naturally together in friendship. I naively imagined multicultural neighbors walking their dogs, stopping to chat, finding common ground, resulting in BBQs or even vacations together. Daley painted quite a different picture with her robust sociological investigation of a multicultural, North Carolina neighborhood between 2009-2011. She offers readers three alarming examples of how, through dogs, whites leverage their privilege.</p><p>The article reminded me of a racist encounter in NY's Central Park earlier this year. It illustrates that even when whites can't heave their privilege around proactively, we still use it to claim victimhood.</p><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Oh, when Karens take a walk with their dogs off leash in the famous Bramble in NY’s Central Park, where it is clearly posted on signs that dogs MUST be leashed at all times, and someone like my brother (an avid birder) politely asks her to put her dog on the leash. <a href="https://t.co/3YnzuATsDm">pic.twitter.com/3YnzuATsDm</a></p>— Melody Cooper (@melodyMcooper) <a href="https://twitter.com/melodyMcooper/status/1264965252866641920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2020</a></blockquote></center> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-56446615894348428332020-10-27T16:07:00.021-06:002023-05-03T13:29:49.112-06:00Gretchen Rubin's The Four Tendencies<h3 style="text-align: left;">Introduction</h3><p>After reading <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3616106105">The Happiness Project</a> (2009) by <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author, Gretchen Rubins, I decided to read two of her more recent books:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3603214303">Better Than Before</a> (2015)</li><li><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3530201918">The Four Tendencies</a> (2017)</li></ul><div>These books talk about habits and how our personalities orient us toward certain motivational techniques. Both showcased Rubin's revolutionary personality profile called, <i>The Four Tendencies</i>. She explains that "The Four Tendencies explain <i>why we act</i> and <i>why we don’t act</i>." And boy, did I learn a lot about how I personally derive motivation. Now, I'm dying to discuss them with my friends and family. </div><div><br /></div><div>Take the <a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/quiz/the-four-tendencies-quiz/">ONLINE QUIZ</a> now, or read on to discover your Tendency. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">A Summary of <i>The Four Tendencies</i></h3><div>The <a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Questioner-Report.pdf"><i>Four Tendencies</i> framework</a> describes how we respond to expectations. We all face two
kinds of expectations:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>outer expectations</b>, such as meeting work deadlines or observing traffic regulations, and</li><li><b>inner expectations</b>, such as quitting napping or keeping a New Year’s resolution.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a class="hoverZoomLink" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjew6YblJm7r-ZjtCaWriNT4o8Lo6zhmiG6N9MXVJOhMTR_imX4cga0YIhtesfssxcElP-Lbiu7GY7AER88CBomfluI8o2fANJdeCc9X3Sng-POwYwPSm3UjFHsYP3UUOS5FqMWsXZ87j-P/s1140/Four+Tendencies+Framework.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="https://quiz.gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Questioner-Report.pdf" border="0" class="hoverZoomLink" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1118" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjew6YblJm7r-ZjtCaWriNT4o8Lo6zhmiG6N9MXVJOhMTR_imX4cga0YIhtesfssxcElP-Lbiu7GY7AER88CBomfluI8o2fANJdeCc9X3Sng-POwYwPSm3UjFHsYP3UUOS5FqMWsXZ87j-P/w313-h320/Four+Tendencies+Framework.png" title="" width="313" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://QUIZ.GRETCHENRUBIN.COM">QUIZ.GRETCHENRUBIN.COM</a></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></li></ol><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://quiz.gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Upholder-Report.pdf">Upholder</a> (19%):
“I do what others expect of me—and what I expect from myself.”</li><li><a href="https://quiz.gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Questioner-Report.pdf">Questioner</a> (23%):
“I do what I think is best, according to my judgment. If it doesn’t make sense, I won’t do it.”</li><li><a href="https://quiz.gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Obliger-Report.pdf">Obliger</a> (41%):
“I do what I have to do. I don’t want to let others down, but I may let myself down.”</li><li><a href="https://quiz.gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Rebel-Report.pdf">Rebel</a> (17%):
“I do what I want, in my own way. If you try to make me do something—even if I try to make myself
do something—I’m less likely to do it.”</li></ul><div><br /></div></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">What is my personality tendency?</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxa8S9EuH4TbM7ozUHs7V24sbGqjj3lENSHira287s1aX0zWEabChaU5vPJq8OnzGbhdXFqZ74DluH7Rb598IObkl-r0_-c4ST0KtRBX67WwQbmUIBRilTHmXOmzBs_1q_J0ybQU6rDliAU2MI0Wg6Iy2jalNHpverKg-TXTnLbKsqJVKBkiT61LGuqw/s1747/IMG_6977.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1747" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxa8S9EuH4TbM7ozUHs7V24sbGqjj3lENSHira287s1aX0zWEabChaU5vPJq8OnzGbhdXFqZ74DluH7Rb598IObkl-r0_-c4ST0KtRBX67WwQbmUIBRilTHmXOmzBs_1q_J0ybQU6rDliAU2MI0Wg6Iy2jalNHpverKg-TXTnLbKsqJVKBkiT61LGuqw/s320/IMG_6977.jpeg" width="176" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's why: “<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Questioners question all expectations, and they respond to an expectation only if they conclude that it makes sense—in essence, they meet only inner expectations. They’re motivated by reason, logic, and fairness, which can lead to conflict when they don’t have enough information.”</span></span></div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;">I am internally motivated</h4><div style="text-align: left;">I am motivated solely by inner expectations. Give me the data, but I always want to make up my own mind. I'm still stewing about the time I got a traffic violation for rolling through a stop sign a block away from my house at 2am when I was clearly the only one on the road (besides the hidden cop). I have no problem question the rules, and I only obey the ones I can justify internally. In fact, like countless other Questioners, I initially questioned the validity of this framework. I felt skeptical that it had a sound basis in science. E.g., "How can a single framework with only four categories describe all of humanity?"</div><h4 style="text-align: left;">I am a data-driven decision maker</h4><div>My decisions are data-driven. And I can never get enough information. When playing family games like Mafia, I can count on my mom being moved by emotional persuasion. However, I am convinced by logic and reason. The more evidence I have, the more confident I become.</div><div><br /></div><div>When taking tests, I often suffer from analysis paralysis. I crave a perfect information set. But when I the data are incomplete, I manage analysis-paralysis with strategies such as setting deadlines, establishing limits, or consulting trusted authorities. When I don't have clarity around something, I get stuck. (E.g., dissertation) Professionally, I crave opportunities to improve and streamline inefficient systems and processes. I get a special sense of satisfaction out of saving companies time, money, and effort. Also, long lines (especially at Walmart) are the worst! (Perhaps it's the inefficiency I hate.)</div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;">I am unafraid of questioning authority</h4>I am comfortable bucking the system, if it's warranted. I love to play devil's advocate or adopt perspectives other than my own in an effort to draw out additional information. I can't stand it when people justify a rule by saying, "because so-and-so says so," or "it's always been that way."</div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;">My judgements are based on a synthesis of facts and therefore more fair towards all</h4>I am open and fair-minded, according to my own judgement. This blog has numerous examples of me fairly discussing issues that important to me. I do my best to maintain an open mind when addressing topics like voting for President, or overcoming discriminatory beliefs. </div><div><br /></div><div>Additionally, I am often annoyed, and even feel insulted, when others question me. I make decisions carefully and logically. Once I feel confident enough that I have enough to make a good decision, it can be exhausting to explain my entire process to others. While I don't love having my reason questioned. Ask me how I reached my conclusion and I'd be happy to share my knowledge.</div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;">I feel a need for rationale/justification</h4>I am have a hard time accepting baseless decisions from authority figures. I commonly ask myself, "why should I listen to you, anyway?"</div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;">I desire exactness</h4>I regularly qualify and find exceptions to answers to test questions. And when I do settle on a "best" response, I feel the need hedge my answers with phrases like "in most instances." I remember asking a Spanish literature professor if she would allow me to write an exam covering the information instead of taking the one she had planned. (She agreed. I got an A.)</div><h4 style="text-align: left;">In order for me to act, the request has got to be reasonable</h4><div>No one can make me do anything that doesn't make sense to me. When something makes sense, I uphold. When I disagree with something, I rebel. The best example I can think of this was how my mom convinced me to make my bed in high school. For years, I left my bed unmade in the morning because I figured I was saving time. One day, my mom told me making one's bed can help.</div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3></div><div> This framework is important because, as Rubin explains it, "when we understand ourselves and how our Tendency shapes our perspective on the world, we can adapt our circumstances to suit our own nature—and when we understand how other people’s Tendencies shape their perspective, we can engage with them more effectively."</div><div><br /></div><div>By keeping <i>The Four Tendencies</i> in mind for myself and others, I hope to be able to:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>more effectively motivate myself to start and follow values-driven habits.</li><li>ask for what I need from others.</li><li>offer tendency-targeted understanding and support to others.</li><li>have something fun to talk about at parties.</li></ul></div></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Practice:</h3><div>To practice communicating with people of different tendencies, I came up targeted requests that ought to appeal to each type. How persuasive was I for you? Let me know in a comment.</div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d;">To Obligers:</span></h4><div>I really want you to take this fun quiz. It's only eight multiple-choice questions and takes 2 minutes. Let's do this; I believe in you!</div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">To Questioners:</span></h4><div>I know online quizzes are a bit hokey, but if you take this it, we can dissect it together and hopefully deepen our relationship. I'd spare you the time by taking it for you, but I can't because you're the only one who really knows how you truly think and feel.</div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">To Upholders:</span></h4><div>You should take the quiz; not just for me—you deserve to know this about yourself.</div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">To Rebels:</span></h4><div>There's a Four Tendencies quiz available. I found my result to be uncanny and offered a fascinating, new perspective into my identity. I'm curious to see if you and I get different results. But, of course, it's up to you whether that something you're interested in. (Pattern: information-consequences-choice.)</div><div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/4763552053461603126/5644661589434842833#">Link to Quiz</a></h3></div>Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com0Provo, UT, USA40.2338438 -111.658533711.923609963821157 -146.81478370000002 68.544077636178855 -76.5022837tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763552053461603126.post-88419826881933018172019-11-03T16:28:00.003-07:002021-01-25T17:32:29.467-07:00Doctor Who Explores the Laws of Justice and Mercy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sometimes, the most painful things I have experienced in life are sad memories I've held on to long after the painful event has past. This issue was brought to mind for me this week as I watched some <i>Doctor Who</i> with Stacia.<br />
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Doctor Who</i> Explores the Universal <span style="color: red;">Law of Justice</span></h3>
Stacia and I just finished watching an episode of Doctor Who called <i>A Town Called Mercy</i> (s07e03) where an alien, scientist named Kahler-Jex hides out in the old west. His character was based on J. Robert Oppenheimer, a.k.a. “the father of the atomic bomb.” On Jex's home world, he developed an army of cyborg super-soldiers (through awful torture) who nearly-instantaneously ended a nine year war by “decimating the population.”<br />
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After the war, Jex and his cyborg-project cohort were hunted down and being eliminated by “The Gunslinger,” a renegade super-soldier. Jex escaped to earth and hid out in a small town in the American West where he led a serene life of service and redemption. But soon the rogue cyborg—personifying Justice—tracked him down. The thought of death terrified Jex, because according to his beliefs, upon death his people would be forced to carry the weight of every soul he or she wronged up a mountain. The remorse and fear portrayed by Jex's character stood out to me as Jex described his beliefs to Doctor Who.<br />
<h3><span style="color: #38761d;">Mercy</span> Through Jesus Christ is the Great Mediator</h3>Back in our universe, I believe Christ not only met the demands of Justice for all of God’s children; but Christ’s atoning sacrifice also covers heartbreak and agony, which I call the aftershock of sin (ours or others’). In Jex's hypothetical example, Christ had already paid Justice's price for Jex’s “war crimes.” But more importantly, Christ suffered for Jex's ongoing guilt, which haunted him so.<br />
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And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/alma/7.html?lang=eng&verse=11-13">Alma 7:11</a>)</blockquote>
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Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; but if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men. (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/19.15-19?lang=eng#p14?lang=eng">DC 19:15-19</a>)</blockquote>
<h3>My Personal Take Away</h3>
I don’t want to be just forgiven for my mistakes at Judgement Day; I want Christ's healing power to take effect in my life now. Fortunately for all of us, Christ promised all men salvation (not only from Death and Sin) but from our current pains if we will endure (in Him) to the end. (Note: Like the Jews of His day who hoped to be liberated from Roman rule, we must not hope that Christ will deliver us from our current afflictions. But we can see and experience our trials with peace.)<br />
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But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/matt/24.13#p12">Matt 24:13</a>)</blockquote><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">
In <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/he-that-shall-endure-unto-the-end-the-same-shall-be-saved?lang=eng">April 2018, Elder Zivic</a> suggested a formula that will help us endure the trials of our lives:<br />
</span><ol>
<li><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Daily, pray and read the scriptures. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Weekly, partake of the sacrament with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Pay our tithing and our monthly fast offering. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Every two years—every year for the youth—renew our temple recommends. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Throughout our whole lives, serve in the work of the Lord. </span></li>
</ol>
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He suffered for our sins, pains, depression, anguish, infirmities, and fears, and so He knows how to help us, how to inspire us, how to comfort us, and how to strengthen us so that we may endure and obtain the crown that is reserved for those who are not defeated. </blockquote>
For me, Elder Zivic's second point stands out most. Weekly participation in the Sacrament has proven to be a miraculously healing experience for me similar to that of looking upon the fiery serpent for the Israelites in Moses' day:<br />
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And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/num/21.6-8#p5?lang=eng">Num 21:6-8</a>)</blockquote>I felt healed through the purifying power of the Holy Ghost as I participated in the sacred Sacrament ordinance today. By taking the emblems of Christ inside of myself, I promise Heavenly Father that I will always remember Christ, and He promises me that I will have His Spirit to be with me (<a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/18.7#p6">3 Ne 18:7</a>).<br />
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Our Heavenly Parents and our Savior, Jesus Christ, love us. The Plan of Salvation is designed not just to offer us salvation from our sins, but like what Jex craved everyday in that town called Mercy, the Plan provides healing for us now from the pains of this world.
To receive this healing, our Redeemer simply asks that we don’t give up.<br />
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<h3>
Spoilers</h3>
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<h3>Nerd Bonus: Episode Analysis Time</h3>
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I loved that this episode was set in the Old West! I excitedly anticipated a traditional "white hat versus black hat" Western and an adventure, but I ended up getting neither one, which was a welcome surprise. </div><div><br /></div><div>My biggest beef with the episode was that they had yet another opportunity for the show's protagonist to learn the big lesson—that killing is wrong regardless of motivation, but missed it. In order for the Doctor to truly come to terms with committing genocide, he needs to defend someone as bad as Solomon (from <i>Dinosaurs in Space,</i> the episode just before this one). While I yearn for this kind of relief for the Doctor, I realize that if that his issue were resolved, we wouldn't need anymore episodes.</div><div><div>
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All I really got out of this episode was that Doctor Who still hasn't forgiven himself and he's working out his rage on other war criminals throughout time and space. Also, it introduced the origin of his affinity for Stetson hats.</div>
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It's a shame this episode wasn't reserved as an epic series closer.<br />
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Kyle Anderson, a columnist at <a href="https://archive.nerdist.com/doctor-who-review-a-town-called-mercy-minor-spoilers/">the Nerdist</a>, agrees with me. He argued that <i>A Town Called Mercy</i> would have been great had it followed the Good Guy/Bad Guy, Western motif more strictly.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This could have, and I think should have been a Good/Bad/Ugly setup, with the Doctor representing the “Good,” Jex representing the “Bad,” and the Gunslinger representing the “Ugly.” As it stands, we had a Pretty Good/Fairly Bad/Somewhat Ugly setup and it just didn’t work. Westerns, at least in the early days, were morality plays that worked because the hero had to be faced with ultimate villainy. This tried to be a morality play where everyone was basically the same. The Doctor refused to hurt anybody, Jex repented his past crimes, and the Gunslinger didn’t want innocents to be in the way. There are no stakes at this point. When nobody is doing anything at each other, it becomes a pretty boring Mexican standoff.</blockquote>
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Bryan Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737711722825490496noreply@blogger.com0