Years ago we had a woman from Lithuania living with us for approximately six months while she was learning the administrative procedures at an American University. At the time, I was the Dean of Student Administrative Services at a University in Utah. While staying with us, she was also trying to learn as much as…
On Choosing To Believe
I read a weekly email from my granddaughter, Sarah, to the family. She is serving a mission in Arizona. She gets a little frustrated with her missionary contacts from time to time. She described one encounter this way: ”We were…out knocking doors. One door we knocked on, this gruff looking man answers, and as soon…
On What Would The World Be Like If
In a very interesting and provocative article. Bradlee Dean asked the question, “What would it be like, if…?” I have never thought too much about a question like that because it is pure speculation. There is really no way of knowing now how things would be different if history could be changed. We can’t change…
On Giving It Our All
We sometimes hear the term, “I am sorry but I gave it my all, the whole nine yards.” When we hear that, we know it came from a person who probably failed the task and failed, as well, to “give it their all.” Ordinarily, a person or a group will never undertake to do something that…
On Nice Things People Do And Say
Many people feel that they are invisible and unimportant and that nobody notices them whether they do anything good or not. As soon as they make a mistake or do something wrong, then they are noticed. Their moment in the spotlight is based on a negative. After a few experiences like that, it becomes their…
On Being Creative
I remember my very first term at the university; I had registered for an English Literature course along with other basic courses. I had just recently been discharged from the army and had the benefit of the GI bill, meaning that the U.S. Government was willing to partially pay for my college education because I…
On Who Inspires Me
I have been blessed or cursed, depending on your point of view, to be a sensitive person. I can be moved to tears by what many people do and by what they say. Too, just viewing a new born baby in all of its sweetness and innocence will touch me to the point of bringing…
On The Power of Storytelling
The Church has always emphasized the importance of the family unit. And every member of each and every family has lived a life worth remembering, not just the family patriarch, whose story is often the only one written. Elder Dennis C. Brimhall said, “Every person who has ever lived has a right to be remembered…
On Racism
It is always more comfortable for a person to be around familiar things and people, especially if that person is a little shy or backward. I remember my first day in school. It was the first grade; I was six, as in those days there wasn’t a kindergarten program. I was shy and kept to…
On Optimism
Life on earth is too short to spend it with negative events, places and even negative people. Many of us work hard at maintaining an optimistic view of life; it is very much like maintaining oneself physically and spiritually. We have to nourish all three in order to maintain a healthy being. We feed optimism…