Change

Do you have some to spare? Well you might not have any coin to give away at this moment (who likes carrying change anyway), but your life is probably full of another kind of change…the kind that could possibly be defined as “deviation or variation from one’s daily routine.” Change is constant… Each day is an adventure. In the words of the late Tupac, “That’s just the way it is. Things will never be the same.”

I have included this video as part of my post because it is super cool. Feel free to think about how it applies to change.

If you are anything like me, you probably have a hard time adjusting to changes at times. Our outlook, optimism, and ottitude (attitude doesn’t start with an “a” so I modified it) contribute to how we react to situations. Big or small, changes require us to adjust our lives. Moving to a new country, getting a new job, or switching from Yogurtland to Farr’s Frozen Yogurt … all these are just a few of the situations that may be classified as larger changes. These may require a bigger adjustment that may take more time. You may not want to change…you may not even like the change at first…and you may even try to resist the change…but then you realize: Not only can I get yogurt here, but I can also get ice cream and custard. So many delicious options!

In the gospel, we learn from Alma that we need to have a spiritual change of heart. After all, what is repentance but changing our heart. This can be a more difficult process than changing from white to wheat bread, but in the grand scheme of things we know the change is better for us. I think Winston Churchill speaks a lot of truth when he says, “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” This goes with our underwear as well.

In general, why do we reject change so much? Why is it so hard to break out of our routines? Why do we insist on thinking that our way is the highway? Is it pride, fear, selfishness, or just an unbreakable desire to drive past that pothole on 100 E and 400 North? When it comes to change, I think we could all do a little better at embracing it instead of shying away from it… I know I can. So to all you sharky friends out there –Learn to embrace the good kinds of change (I am specifying the changes to be “good” because some of you crazies were getting some wacky ideas). In the words of Elder Wirthlin, “Come what may, and love it.”

Your friendly neighbor who is off to medical school soon,

Chris

Independent Events

Some of you probably thought I had taken a hiatus from blogging in order to establish a more refined level of independence. Some of you are right! We will just never know which of you that is. But all of you are great!

I believe the following image to be as much a part of independence as salt in the ocean, the shaky weight and big biceps, charity and service, Chris and sportscenter, etc.


If you don't know how independence and this picture are interrelated, you have a long six months to wait before you have a dream of finding out. Perhaps you should try one of those independence refining vacations too.


Concerning independence, it really boils (for some reason fish despise this word) down to agency. We have been given the freedom to make choices as we desire. This reaches far beyond the choice to eat old fish sticks in your apartment rather than head home for a good meal. Now that we have been blessed with complete freedom to choose, the purpose of discipleship is to show that with complete independence in choice, we choose to demonstrate our dependence on God. Its irrefutable that we are dependent on him. We are. The end. El fin. Romeo and Juliet are dead...etc. From the good books, the word "nothingness" comes to mind. What we choose is to recognize our dependence and live accordingly. i.e. Being humble.


So don't let all that independence go to your head. Yes, stop living off your parents and show some backbone. (I actually detest backbones when I'm eating fish but I've never had that complaint about sharks.) Learn how to develop good strong relationships with your family where you play the role of a contributor to their well-being. But remember that you live by grace.

Your friend of refined independence,
Daniel