Silverthreads89: Joy in the Journey

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Joy in the Journey

One of the series of classes that I went to during Education Week was on finding joy in the journey, now. It was taught by Randal Wright, a funny guy from Texas. I had never heard of him but he entertained me because he would say the funniest things or tell a funny story in the most sober and straightforward manner - it really cracked me up.

An interesting point he brought out was how we periodically need to be reminded of who we are. In the daily rush of life we sometimes forget that except on Sundays and then depending on our church responsibilities often not even then. I have been reminded of that a lot recently with the news reports about the mosque in New York and the crazy guy who wants to burn the Quran, and the other hate mongers spouting their various brands of hatred. I am even saddened by the number of LDS followers who claim to believe in the church and its leaders but spout hatred all the same towards those of other faiths. If we believe what the church leaders and the scriptures tell us we have no need to fear but we do need to live our beliefs and not spread our hatred and fear of those of other religions. We as LDS should be above that. But, the point is, I felt that being at Education Week was reminding me of who I am and should be. I resolved to try to be more diligent at following the principles that I profess to believe in. I, like many others, need to continue to strive to be better in action and not just in theory. I have been so remiss in doing those things I should to let the Savior know that I know who I am and that I value that knowledge. I have been trying since Ed. Week to do better and in some ways I have, although I have far to go and so far this past month I have been consciously enjoying the journey.

I have to admit though, that as I have thought about it, I find it easier to enjoy the present moments now that I don't have as many other things and people competing for my attention. My stress levels are down and being aware of the present is easier when there isn't so much competition for my attention. I love the scripture about there being a time for everything. This is my reflective time, I guess. I hope I am able to go to Ed. Week again next year.

2 comments:

UnknownSeptember 13, 2010 at 10:19 AM
I really can't think of anything to say but a smiley face so...

:)
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CourtneySeptember 13, 2010 at 10:40 AM
I'm glad that you are better able to live in the present. I know that is something that I struggle with, but I'm working on it. There is definitely joy in the journey! (I hope you get to go to ed week next year too.)
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The Hunger Games Trilogy, by Suzanne Collins. Three good books that you must read together to get to the end. I really enjoyed reading them but didn't think the girl was really 17-18. She just didn't think or behave like one so I had to give her the benefit of the doubt that her society would make her more mature. She seemed more like a woman in her mid twenties to me, as did the men who loved her. But a fun read and good discussion books. I would not recommend to any of my junior high kids, just high school. 4 of 5 stars

Follow the River, by James Alexander Thom. This was a reread for my book club. The novel is based on a real woman and her escape from an Indian tribe who captured her and her two children, after killing her mother and others in their small settlement. She walks over 800 miles in early winter with only a blanket and another old woman who escaped with her. It is really an amazing story and highly recommended reading. 5 of 5 stars.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, by Helen Simonson. Delightful romance about an English widower in his late 60s and a Pakistani widow woman in her late 50s. The English sense of humor took a while for me to understand but when I did I had to go back and reread some to see what I had missed. A charming and happy read. 4 of 5 stars.

A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson. Bill and a friend of his decide to walk most of the 2200 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Along the way he gives the reader an amusing look at the trials they endure and an interesting look at the history, as well as editorial comments on the history and events of his journey. He is a funny writer of the things he observes and writes about. 4 of 5 stars.

The Silence of God, by Gale Sears. An historical novel about the first LDS family in Russia. It takes place during the Russian Civil War when the soviets were taking over and not letting people use churches. Gale is a neighbor and has written other books but this is my favorite. It has enough notes so that I understood the politics of what was going on in Russia during this time. 4 of 5 stars.

Smart Women, by Judy Blume. Yes, that Judy Blume - but this is for adult women not young girls. Interesting story but she is definitely a youth writer. The writing is not very sophisticated (? I think that is the word I want to use.) but the story does ring true for many of the situations. I read it many years ago and just reread it - I will now give it away. 2 0f 5 stars.

Fly Away Home, by Jennifer Weiner. Senator's wife takes off for her childhood vacation home when she finds her husband has cheated on her. While there she evaluates her life, her husband's and daughters'. The three women go through major trials and meet at the oceanside home to reassess their lives. Nothing profound but Weiner is a good story teller though I missed the humor from her other books I have read. 3 of 5 stars.

becoming Kate, by Dixie Owens. Very clever plot idea. A young girl is given a brain transplant from a young mother who died in a car accident. Stirs some very interesting questions. I think the story moved a bit too fast and there were many other problems that could have been hashed out but on the whole it was a great quick read. 3 1/2 stars of 5

Last Night in Twisted River, by John Irving. Covers life of young man 12 years old into his 60s and how he deals with major events and losses during that 5 decade span to the present time. We don't have always have a choice on who comes into and out of our life; we only have a choice on how we deal with them in a positive or negative way to the benefit or detriment of our life and memories. 4 of 5 stars.

A Nun in the Closet, by Dorothy Gilman. I read this for our book club selection. A short, quick mystery read. It is rather dated in many references but that adds a bit of charm. 3 of 5 stars.

The Girl Who Played with Fire, by Stieg Larsson. This is the 2nd of a trilogy. (see below) A good mystery but the author tells too much back story for each and every one of his characters. He could have easily knocked off 150 pages of this book. Liked the story but he goes into way too much detail. 4 of 5 stars

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. This is the 50th year since publication and having read it in the 60s decided it was a great time to reread. It is more impressive now to read than it was when I was a teenager from the far north. It seems more real now, especially with the way people are acting over the illegal immigrant problem. So many of us do not learn from the past or even from the religion we profess to believe in. Maybe this should be required reading for adults rather than teens. This is in the top 5 of books I have read. 5 of 5 stars.

Birds of a Feather, Jacqueline Winspear. A mystery in 1929 London written in 2004 (?). The second in a series of Maisie Dobbs mysteries. Good story but the proof reading was annoying, more errors than I have found in any other books. 4 of 5 stars

Remembering Isaac, by Ben Behunin. An interesting Christian novel. A potter is hired to take over from an old potter who has died with interesting conditions attached. He learns some stories and "lessons" from those in the town who stop by to share a cup of tea and their story. 4 of 5 stars

The Constant Gardener, by John Le Carre. Le Carre is the intellectual mystery writer. The plot is complicated and the words are sophisticated and the story is heart breaking. Not a quick summer read but an excellent mystery. I would say he is the mystery writers' mystery writer. Now I am off to rent the movie, also. 5 of 5 stars

A Lantern in Her Hand, by Bess Streeter Aldrich. Reread this book for the third time. One of the best written examples of what it is like to grow older. Each young person has hopes and dreams for the future that often do not come to fruition because of various circumstances. The next generation does not understand their parents and their choices because they don't seem to know the right questions to ask but family and love holds us all together. 5 of 5 stars

The Book of Awesome, by Neil Pasricha. Have been reading a few pages a day since receiving this for Mother's Day. Just delightful! Even went so far as to mark the pages I totally agreed with, LOL. Then I went to his blog so I could even read more now that I am done with the book. Helps make a positive outlook.
4 of 5

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson. It took me 100 pages to realllly get into this and then I couldn't put it down and stayed up until 4 in the morning trying to finish. Almost 600 pages but a real page turner with 2 mysteries (maybe 3) going on. Excited to get to the next in the series of 3.
4 of 5 stars

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, A Memoir, Laugh out loud funny remembrance of growing up in Iowa in the 50s. It did bring back the memories of growing up in Minnesota also during that time. Have read this twice (I really needed a good laugh) in the last few years and will go get another book of his soon.
5 of 5 stars

Look Again, by Lisa Scottoline. Good very quick read about an mother who adopts her son and then a few years later learns he had been kidnapped as a baby. I would have preferred a different ending but since Scottoline is a mystery writer the ending fit with her genre.
4 of 5 stars

The Shack, by Wm. Paul Young. Not impressed. Nothing new or novel in the book I didn't already think about. I don't get what all the hoopla was about that I was hearing on this book unless it is from people to whom belief in God is new.
3 of 5 stars

The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell. Fascinating book on the psycho/sociological reasons on what starts epidemics of ideas, fashion, products, crime, etc. Written so very easy to read and understand. Great follow up to his book Blink which was also great.
5 of 5 stars

Can't Wait to get to Heaven, by Fannie Flagg. Fun book about an old lady who dies and comes back to life for another year before dying again. The lives she has influenced and the far reaching effects of her kind deeds are gradually revealed. I even made the "heavenly" cake recipe that was included. Have now read this twice in the last couple of years and even baked her cake for my book group.
5 of 5 stars.

Good Hope Road, by Lisa Wingate. Great read about a young woman and an old woman brought together by a tragedy and how they both change and grow to become better people and help those around them. Positive, inspiring story without being sappy. 4 of 5 stars.

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built, by Alexander McCall Smith. Love this series and this book is no exception. Precious is aptly named as a character - I love her! 5 of 5 for adults.

Little Bee, by Chris Cleave is quick read but sad read about how countries and individuals treat immigrants without concern about the individual situations involved with their immigration. It made me sad. 4 of 5 stars.

Goose Girl by Shannon Hale is great for the 8-18 but not for me. I totally would have recommended this when I was teaching to the young girls but I can't believe the reading group of over 40 women wanted to read this. I felt it was a waste of time so I listened to it on CD while quilting. 3 of 5 for adult women and 5 of 5 for teens.

Silverthreads89

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Joy in the Journey

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