53 - Umarekawari

As many of you know I have been on a brief sabbatical. Consider this my recommitment to a second go. Life gets busy and things fall by the side. I hope I haven't stopped being grateful, but I decided it is time to start again. There are so many things that we get second chances at and I am grateful for that. I am grateful that no matter what happens we have the chance to commit to being a better person. I can decide at any moment to study more diligently, to love more fully, to pay attention more intently. I have been fascinated lately with the idea of being born again.

The Buddhist believe that at the end of your life you will become either a higher life form or a lower one based on your previous life and actions. This idea is called Umarekawari. It is a compound word taken from the word Umareru (to be Born) and Kawaru (to Change). It is a beautiful idea of life continuing but never the same. Sometimes we need a little push, a little Umarekawari if you will to make us new, give us hope, and change us in some way. I hope to make Umarekawari a daily part of my life as I strive to become, not a high life form, but just a better person in all respects. Here is my best hope of an Umarekawari:

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52 - Prayer

The descent to my apartments seemed never-ending. One foot slowly in front of the other, tranquil and lethargic. A sense of urgency longs them to move faster, to be productive. My mind protests. Eyes watering slowly at first, I feel a little numb. There is nothing specific that I yearn for... in fact, I couldn't tell you why I feel the way I do. I change my clothes to exercise and before I start the words to a favorite song come into my mind: "Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray? In the name of Christ your Savior, did you seek for loving favor as a child today? Oh how praying rests the weary." I fall to the floor and have a good long conversation with my savior.

I know that God is there listening to me. I know that my Savior Jesus Christ is always ready to save. Prayer is the only reason I have this assurance and I glory in it. 

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51 - James Christensen

Bought some cards for them to sign :)

James Christensen is and always has been one of my heroes. If you don't know who he is you really need to look him up. Today, at the Springville Art Museum, he and his two daughters came and spoke to a group of us. Listening to him talk and seeing his personality was an awesome experience. I was able to talk to him afterward and get his autograph. He is a genuinely nice person and I loved talking to him. I can't even being to express the influence that he has had on my life. Since I was a kid I loved his style and sense of imagination and creativity. As far as thinking outside the box goes, he was one person that let me know that it was okay to do as an adult. If you haven't had a chance to look at his art then please do so now. What an awesome night to meet a childhood hero.

What a nice guy.

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50 - Summer

If you can't see it, there is snow all over the plant...and still coming down.

I woke up to this. I am afraid I was not grateful for the surprise. I am grateful that Summer is coming soon. I don't think I will miss winter for a while.

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49 - Paintings

We just manages to hang all of our pictures on the wall of our new apartment. Standing back and looking at them brings a certain sense of gratitude, but just being in the same room manages to bring a sense of warmth and comfort. On the wall is a grouping of three paintings. All of them are my wife's and she has great taste in art. One is from her study abroad to Italy, the other from her time visiting Jerusalem and Egypt. And a third is American, but depicts Christ at the Sea of Galilee. From three different parts of the world, these three paintings don't match in style or theme, but they come together beautifully on the same wall. Art seems to have a way with transcending cultural boundaries. I am so grateful for the paintings that are hanging on my wall.

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48 - Walking

Fifteen minutes before church starts and we are making our way toward the door. It creaks behind us and we are outside in the shadow of our house. The air is a little brisk, but comfortable in a way. Stepping out into the sun is exhilarating. The sudden rise in temperature is both welcome and needed. A cool breeze is blowing and we feel as though church should be held outside as well. There are four of us trekking down the road about a quarter mile to the church. Step after step I think less about being on time and more and more about the beautiful scenery that surrounds us. I feel as though I have been cooped up indoors for the last several months. Right now, however, the air seems sweeter than it has been. I am grateful for my feet that can carry me to Church on this beautiful morning.

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47 - Saturdays

Why does it seem like nothing in the world gets done until the weekend? Crazy how life just seems to pile up day after day like dirt on the floor until the one day that you can clear it away and start again fresh. What truly baffles me is that it happens day after day in the same exact pattern. Maybe I can offer some suggestions that will improve your Saturdays just a little bit:

1.) Never go to Walmart at Midnight - People don't like shopping on Sunday. I am actually ardently opposed to it. Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy and all that kind of prohibits shopping on Sunday. This must be the case with other people as well because it was a madhouse on Saturday evening.

2.) Wake up Early - I know you don't want to hear it, but getting up early actually makes your day longer and a lot more productive.

3.) Plan out your day - Saturdays are notorious for being unplanned madness. There is always a lot to do, but we take a strange pride in not budgeting our time...thus adding to the craziness.

I am grateful for saturdays, but they need to be done right. Maybe these help, maybe they don't. I know they help me though, so give them a try.

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