Adventure #58: Gratitude

"Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." ~Melody Beattie

It's been a debate for a few days now whether to put this up or not. But in the end, I decided it was worth sharing for anyone who wanted to be there but couldn't make it. These are a few of my thoughts on gratitude. Thank you for reading them (but sorry about the length...haha...). Enjoy your adventures!

Hello everyone! While I am somewhat excited to be up here, my nerves have now had over a month to build, so I will admit right now that I’m far more nervous today than I would have been four weeks ago but we’ll get through this together and see how this goes.

My name is Melody. I typically introduce myself with a list of three random things about me that apply somewhere in my talk. I’m going to do something similar but considering I was assigned to speak on gratitude, I’m going to list three things I’m grateful for instead.

●     I am grateful for Star Wars. Lightsabers, the Force, everything.

●     I am grateful for Chinese food. It’s definitely among my favorites.

●     I am grateful for Isaiah. I’ve always found comfort and guidance in his words.

As mentioned, I was asked to speak on gratitude. So one would think that I’d take this opportunity to express my appreciation for this chance, right? Objectively, this is the perfect moment for that kind of sentiment - that I would be grateful to be standing here today. That sort of statement has just a hint of irony because of the topic and would show how clever I can be as well as set a good example leading into a discussion of the importance and power of gratitude - which I absolutely believe in, by the way. However, in this circumstance, I’m not going to say that I’m grateful to be standing here (even though it turns out I really am). However, I won’t say it at this time because I can tell you that accepting this request was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. And I’ll briefly explain why.

Imagine this: Several Sundays ago, I was sitting at our kitchen table, cry-venting to a roommate about the state of my faith. This wasn’t the first time I’d done this that week (she had been exceptionally patient with me). But part of the cause of my difficulty was due to a decision that was about to be made - one I was struggling to accept. It was the culmination and conclusion of several months of discussion, during which I had become frustrated and discouraged. And while this is a somewhat a simplification of the events that had led me there, I expressed to her in that moment that I would like to just be done. To just walk away from all of this and give it up for good. She implored me to give her and everyone else a chance - to hold on a bit longer. Specifically, she said this: “I’m only just finding out about this. Let me - let us - help you before you decide to walk away.” And - while I’ll never admit it - my heart did soften and deep, deep, deep down what she said felt right.

If it wasn’t in that instant, it was really close to it that I got the text from Bro Myers asking me to speak today. My roommate described it to me later but my face apparently registered terror, confusion, and just an all-around sense of what the heck??? (This is exactly how I felt but those were her words). At that point, I was crying harder and shaking all over. I was practically in a state of shock. So I didn’t respond right away, mostly because it felt like I was facing a significant crossroads.

And I hadn’t faced a choice like it before, as far as I can remember. I could have said no, which would have likely been the first step in just walking away forever. And even though I’m not always great at saying no, that day I knew I could have gone either way. As you can see however, that’s not what happened. Obviously, I said yes because here I am. And while I’m not entirely sure that I’m the person that should be standing up here today or ever, you’re all stuck with me. Don’t you feel so lucky?

What began then and has continued until now was weeks of research, some humbling, more prayers than I had said in this year up to that point, and a whole lot of coincidences. Or what I called coincidences until faced with something I couldn’t deny.

Albert Einstein put it this way: “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.” What that means, and what I’ve learned and re-learned over this time of reflection, is that coincidence is not coincidence at all. God is in everything and gratitude is how we find Him in it.

Sister Bonnie Parkin in her 2007 general conference address gave us this perspective: “Gratitude is a Spirit-filled principle. It opens our minds to a universe permeated with the richness of a living God.” This universe is absolutely filled with God’s influence. She then adds, “Through it, we become spiritually aware of the wonder of the smallest things, which gladden our hearts with their messages of God’s love.”

Similarly, Elder Uchtdorf once said, “How blessed we are if we recognize God’s handiwork in the marvelous tapestry of life. Gratitude to our Father in Heaven broadens perception and clears our vision...Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike attributes.”

This concept, this theme has undeniably been present in this journey. The same day I got the text about speaking, I received a blessing from a dear friend that specifically said: “God is in the minute details of your life, in every day. Some days it is so small but if you look, He is there.” The powerful part of that moment was that he whispered those words. I had to be paying attention to recognize the strength in that promise. Later in the week, while we were on Temple Square for stake temple night, I spent some time in the visitor’s center where some missionaries shared their thoughts with me, which included: “Look for Him in the little details and don’t deny the Spirit.” Over and over again, this message kept resurfacing: He is there. Look for Him. Are you looking?

So I tried. And even though Yoda says, “Do or do not. There is no try,” I don’t think anyone will be surprised by what happened. When you open your heart, even just a bit, to the Lord’s influence in your life, He is so easy to find. He isn’t hiding. He isn’t intentionally keeping you in the dark. He is waiting for you to acknowledge His presence through gratitude. According to Sister Parkin, “Gratitude requires awareness and effort, not only to feel it but to express it.”

With that in mind, I’d like to tell you about a few of the places I found Him then. One evening, we were eating Chinese food. And what always comes with Chinese food? Fortune cookies. These cookies get mocked for their regular lack of actual “fortune.” But this isn’t the first time that one of these cookies has definitely been meant for me. Here’s what it said: “You have the ability to sense and know higher truth.” The fortune cookie knew what I need to hear! Or maybe since Heavenly Father knew I was looking for Him, He decided that this was an opportunity to talk to me. It’s possible even cares about which fortune cookie we get, maybe. After all, Doc & Cov says, “...those who receive ALL things with thankfulness shall be made glorious…” That applies to fortune cookies, right?

Okay, how about a slightly more consequential example? A different day, I was again at our kitchen table with a different roommate (I’m not sure what it is about the kitchen table that causes these conversations). She remembered a scripture that she had read recently with my name in it. I suspected that I knew which one she meant because I’ve always loved it for vain reasons. I mean, I also love it because, first of all, it’s Isaiah and he is my favorite. Secondly, it’s one of those scriptures that I turn to when I need comfort because of its power of reassurance. This is what it says:

(Isaiah 51:3) “For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.”

Five years ago, I wrote about this scripture in my journal. This is what I thought then: “Perhaps it is a coincidence that my name is at the end of this scripture. However, I believe less and less in luck or happenstance because I’m seeing more and more that each event in a life has a purpose.” That was five years ago! Coincidence? I think not!

So joy, gladness, thanksgiving, and the voice of me will be found there - what more could you want from a place? Honestly though...what this says to me is that the Lord is going to take everything, all the waste places, wilderness, and deserts we go through, and make them beautiful. He already is, in fact. As we continue to see through the eyes of gratitude, we are more fully able to acknowledge that beauty, feel it, and express it.

Sister Parkin posed two questions: How do you feel when someone expresses gratitude to you? How do you feel when you express gratitude to another? These are two of the best feelings there are! When someone expresses their gratitude to me, I realize that I haven’t gone unnoticed and that someone cares enough to remind me. And when I express it to another, my love for them expands and more light comes into my life. This is the same when we make the effort to express it to God.

One final story as I wrap up: When we play games, and need to draw a certain card or roll a specific number or whatever to win, the roommate I have yet to mention proceeds to say, “I hope you’ve been living righteously.” And when it’s down to just two people, she adds, “I guess we’ll see who’s been the most righteous.” Along this line of thinking, I submit that whoever has been most grateful has been most righteous because, going back to Elder Uchtdorf’s quote, gratitude is a catalyst for all Christlike attributes. When we are willing to open our hearts and minds to gratitude, it seems only natural that faith, hope, charity, virtue, knowledge, humility, and more would also find their way in.

And not only are we able to gain these but gratitude is also an expression of them. Sister Parkin put it this way, “As we pray and express gratitude to a loving but unseen Heavenly Father, we are also expressing our faith in Him. Gratitude is our sweet acknowledgement of the Lord’s hand in our lives.” And Elder Uchtdorf said: “It comes from acknowledging that we do not always understand the trials of life but trusting that one day we will.” Growing in gratitude will prove the Lord - we will see where He is in our lives in the present and the past. This will then show that He can and will be in our futures. We discover that we can trust Him in all things and be grateful to Him in them as well. This gratitude will then lead us to the development of those Christlike traits that will further our progression to our highest selves.

It has been recommended to me several times during this process that when we have questions, we should start with what we know. So here’s what I know but also what I’d like to know more of. I know the Lord is there. I know He is in the little and the big things. Coincidence is not coincidence at all but instead, the Lord’s hand in our lives. I know that this is one of the many ways in which He shows His love for His children. We are those children and He loves us more than we can comprehend at this time. And as we are looking, as we feel and express gratitude to the people in our lives and to Him, we will grow in that love and it will change us. I plan to continue looking for Him in all things and I hope you will too.

Adventure #57: Starting Again

"So take a deep breath, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, start all over again."  
-Frank Sinatra

How often are we allowed to start again? In anything? For me, it's about every 5 seconds. And I don't know if I'm allowed that many chances but I take them! Which is why I'm writing this...right now...instead of two months ago when I actually set the goal to start writing again.

I meant to start again in January and then again in February but here we are in March. And while my brain likes to tell me that I shouldn't even bother because two months have already passed, I'm ignoring that voice and instead taking another chance that I may or may not deserve.

So for the rest of the year, I will be writing at least once a month. Or what will average once a month. 12 posts is what I'm saying. At least.

But for today, I wish you luck in starting again and again and again and one more time again. Enjoy your adventures!

Adventure #56: Generic Goodbye Letter

“Saying goodbye doesn't mean anything. It's the time we spent together that matters, not how we left it.” ~ Trey Parker

I debated starting off this new year with goodbyes. But since I believe that the ‘good’ in goodbye is the opportunity for the next hello, as stated in my first blog post, which you can read here as a refresher, I came to the conclusion that goodbyes were actually an excellent place to start. So here we are.

What I didn’t discuss previously was the risk that comes with every goodbye. There’s a likelihood in every parting that there will not be another hello. There is also a chance that the goodbye is coupled with a permanent change. Like when someone moves, be it friends or parents or whoever, there’s still hellos in the future but circumstances are permanently altered, hence a permanent goodbye.

When my bishop was released last year, there was quite the upheaval in the equilibrium of that ward. Was it all negative? No. Was it lasting? Yes. I am grateful for both bishoprics? Absolutely. Goodbyes were said and so were hellos.

Many more things happened, mostly with people moving, like moving myself to a new town and and friends moving to different states and my parents buying a new house. But all were filled with goodbyes and hellos. And my life is permanently different.

And in some ways this is the hardest part for a person like me. I prefer consistency. I like things how they’ve always been, especially when they work. And I like it when the people I care about stick around. But that is not the nature of things that grow, that is not the nature of earth life. To grow, we must change. We’ll be stretched and find our limits but we will also find that most limits can’t actually hold us. It’s up to us to say when enough is enough.

Because of this learning, growing, changing life, I hope I find that for myself. That, in the coming year, I end up somewhere completely unexpected, living life better than I did last year (and I’m proud of how last year turned out. So that might be a taller order than I thought). But more on this another time.

I have one more thought on goodbyes, I’ve written a Generic Goodbye Letter. With permanence in mind, I wrote what my heart seems to say with every goodbye to anyone and anything. And if when you read it, you’ve felt the same way, feel free to share any stories you have with me. Also, if you need to use a copy of it at any point, please do, especially if it’ll help with your goodbyes.

I rarely can bring myself to say even the word goodbye. Goodbyes are the reason I started using, ‘Enjoy your adventures.’ And so that’s how I conclude here.

Enjoy your goodbye adventures.

Generic Goodbye Letter

Dear Sir or Madam,

I will miss you. Our time together has meant the world to me. I’m so glad I was able to meet you and learn from you. Because, for what seems to be the better, your influence has help shaped who I am. And this is what makes it most difficult for me to let you go.

I don’t want to forget. I don’t want to forget you. I don’t want to forget who I was with you. I don’t want to forget our time together. We spent our adventures, mostly laughing. And when there were tears, we were together.

But that is not the case any further. I understand the reasons that both time and space must separate us. Our paths weren’t meant to be connected forever. However, the part of me created by our time spent together remains. And I am grateful for it.

Thank you for your time. It is and was a valuable commodity. I continue to feel the privilege of that gift. Thank you for your support. I knew that I could come to you for both comfort and motivation. You were there for me and I was blessed for it.

Finally, I hope you find the same thing in your pursuits. On whatever road you take, I hope there will be people to give you hope and courage. I pray you discover the strength or peace or whatever it is you are looking for. And most of all, I’m cheering for you, from here to the moon and back, with all the love I have.

Enjoy your adventures.

Warmest regards,

Me

Adventure #55: Transitioning

"You ready?" - Lorelai
"No." - Rory
"You ready?" - Lorelai
"Yes." - Rory
(Gilmore Girls)

In classes to become an elementary school teacher, we are advised to give children time to transition from one activity to the next. This is usually done with a procedure set up at the start of the year and is consistently followed so that students are trained and comfortable with the process but also so that learning moves at a fluid pace and less time is wasted...in theory.

Something similar has been used on me. Several of my friends have instigated the use of "transition words." Perhaps, they thought I was unaware that it was time to leave or say good night or whatever. But I was always aware, just unwilling to remove myself from the comforting presence of one I love. Each one, though, knew it was necessary and thoughtfully prepared me for the goodbye. And, even though I didn't want to be any sort of burden or inconvenience, each transition word, whether 'okay' or 'alright' or 'therefore,' came with a twinge of sadness.

I'm grateful, however, for the warning. In fact, the use of transition words became a tool for me. Like a child given the five minute signal, I knew I had a limited time to say or do the important things before the goodbye. This example has been portrayed on a grander scale for me this year. 2016 has been the year of 'prepare yourself' and every other month seemed to have had a drawn out 'soooo' attached to it.

I don't know if I've made the best use of my transitional periods or not. Even if you know you have one or two or four months before your friend is leaving, how can you know the time you were given was used adequately? Even if your parents are moving a month from now and you're not freaking out yet (which is a reaction everyone expects of you, even yourself), in fact you're excited for them, what happens when the freak out comes?

I've done more this year to change my life than any year previous. Starting Kung Fu, asking a boy out on a date, moving (same city, just a change of scenery), reading several books on boundaries and beginning to apply unheard of concepts, encouraging my best friend to move (and then discouraging it because I'm confusing and a conundrum and selfish), encouraging my parents to move (and as mentioned not panicking yet...) I'm proud of what's happened, both what I've done for myself and how I've handled things that come my way.

Mercifully, I have had transitional periods for all of these things though. They were built up to and I was able to rely on a step-by-step nature to the major changes especially. I can say I wasn't always graceful; I can definitely say I had stubborn moments, still do even. I can also attest to the fact that as I was willing to listen, God prepared me for each step. And He has been with me through everything -EVERYTHING - to get me here.

But this is a lesson that I'm relearning constantly. Life happens in transitional periods. Change is always looming but Heavenly Father prepares us if we align ourselves with His will. I can feel changes still coming but He always sends a transition word. And if I'm listening, I'll hear it and be prepared for all the adventures ahead.

Adventure #54: Messiness

It’s been a while and because of that, this entry is going to sound somewhat like a giant excuse but honestly, I’ve been pondering this for at least 3 months now. So here’s an obscure thought for the day.

“Life is messy, and we’re all a little screwed up in our own special snowflake kind of way.” - Mark Manson

Maybe it’s just part of growing up but I feel more and more confused all the time. I’ve hit the point where I’m trying to escape my own brain because the thinking going on is muddled and difficult and not producing the results I would like. I don’t know if this actually is because of the whole growing up thing or not but I’m going to blame it on that. Basically, everything I dislike I blame on “growing up.”

My point, you ask?

Life is messy. And much messier than I could have imagined. I might have had second thoughts about growing up if I had realized that NOTHING would make sense and clarity is the biggest myth of them all.

However, I am convinced that the greatest beauty is found in this mess. Diamond Rio sang it this way, “This morning I put salt in my coffee. I put my shoes on the wrong feet. Losing my mind, I swear….What a beautiful mess, what a beautiful mess I’m in.”

And that’s what we all face here.

Confusion.

Blurred lines.

Doubt.

GLORIOUS MESSINESS.

Life is made of these things. But it’s also designed for us to overcome these. And after 27 years, I’m finally starting to figure that out. I thought I’d had adventures before but it looks like there’s many more coming that I’m sure I’ll enjoy.

Enjoy your adventures!

Adventure #53: Being a Palmer

"It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to." - W.C. Fields

No one knows who or what they're going to be before they are born. Parents can dream and imagine for you...maybe you'll be a genius, maybe an athlete, maybe a genius athlete. But at the very beginning, it's all undetermined. Except one thing: your name. I'm not referencing a first name but the name you have in common with parents and grandparents and various others who came before. As for myself, I'm a proud Palmer.

I didn't realize how proud until recently. I suppose weddings bring out all sorts of emotions, including pride and gratitude. Looking around the temple to see uncles, aunts, and cousins is a special sight. And it got me thinking...how blessed am I?

The answer? So blessed!

I was given the opportunity to grow up surrounded by this amazing extended family. Every Sunday spent at Grandma and Grandpa's - playing with cousins, being teased by uncles, laughing with aunts. Camping, fishing, adventuring - all of that time spent connecting and exploring truly important aspects of life. I realize not every moment was sunshine and rainbows but no matter what happened, we all seemed to realize we were in this together. And that has given me much to think about over the course of my life.

In many ways, I have been shaped by these interactions. I've seen kindness and humor shared. I've seen how each of my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins accept and embrace the people they come in contact with. I've watched how they deal with tragedy and disappointment in a realistic but faithful manner. They are the type of people who can make the best of any situation and choose to in every situation. Hundreds or thousands of my most memorable moments have been spent with the Palmer's.

I wish I could take the time required to adequately relay the lifetime of those moments. But each Sunday afternoon spent in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard is its own adventure. And the Saturdays of fishing trips, Easter camping outings, 4th of July and Labor Day parades, BBQ's, birthdays, get togethers just because we missed each other... I treasure every second spend in the presence of these glorious humans.

It doesn't seem like enough to just thank the whole family for being such a positive influence in my life. I hope to one day individualize that message. But for now know that I love and respect each of you. I admire your generosity and perseverance. And, as a Palmer, I am who I am because how each of you have touched my life.

I am enjoying my adventures with you all and I hope you are too. 

Adventure #52: Christmas Carols

"Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled." -Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Singing at our ward Christmas party was a rare treat. It was simple and low-key and full of joy. We sang everything from "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" to "O Holy Night." The unplanned nature of the time spent caroling around the piano made it feel like a family gathered just to celebrate the joyful season. And perhaps it was these circumstances that were the perfect setting for the thoughts that came as we sang "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."

The line written above had been sung by me probably once a year since I could sing. But I've never realized quite what it meant. And, especially what it meant to me. To be reconciled is one of the best feelings I've ever experienced. And what must it be like to be reconciled with my Creator! I've had glimpses of what that's like and I look forward to its completion. I recognize that such glimpses are due to the Savior that came and His part in bridging God and sinners. It wouldn't be possible to feel that peace and joy without Him.

This is a familiar testimony, stated many times throughout the world and the ages. And for me it continues to grow, influenced by those around me and the testimony they share, like in the instance of singing carols with my lovely ward which led to realizing what it means for God and sinners to be reconciled. So this Christmas season and as we start another year afresh, I just would like to add a few of my thoughts. 

I know that our Savior and Redeemer was born into this world to bridge us sinners with the Lord Omnipotent. That through His saving grace and infinite atonement, we can always start again, be renew, and be reconciled. As we allow Him into our lives, He has the chance to guide and strengthen us and give us opportunities to grow that we can experience in no other way. He is the source of peace for this earth and is the bridge and key to our return to our Heavenly Father.

May He bless all your adventures for the coming year!