Sunshine

The Sun has returned. I thought that it had decided to leave the center of our solar system for a while and we were doomed to perpetual rain and gloomy clouds. Not So! I have felt so invigorated by the sun these past two days. Granted, spring showers are beautiful and bring life, but the sunshine makes me feel ALIVE!! I love how smiles spread to everyone's faces as the sun kisses their vitamin-D deprived skin and how those smiles translate to "hellos," "good-mornings," and "how are yous".

What is it about Sunshine that makes us so happy? Is it because it literally brightens the earth? And as it brightens the earth, brightens our souls? And that when our souls are bright, we are bright people? And that as bright people, with add to the sun's glory as we act as miniature suns and brighten the day of our fellow beings? I don't pretend to know the answer as to why sunshine makes me so happy, but I am so glad it does.

Summer Projects

So I have a really hard time blogging because I simply don’t know what to write about. Well now it’s summer and I have projects that need to be reported. There are many and I feel that if I record my progress or lack thereof to you great internet universe, that it will force me to be accountable.

Project #1: Read an unabridged version of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece Les Miserables. I have selected a new translation by Julie Rose. The novel is 1194 pages.

Project #2: Running. I would say learning to love it, but I don’t think that’s EVER going to happen. I’m actually participating in the Walk with Walgreens program and am enjoying it so far. I love walking and Provo is so beautiful this time of year that I can’t help but walk around. However, I need to run to strengthen my heart and my endurance (and shed those remaining holiday pounds).

Project #3: Blogging. My success will be obvious, but I’ve also started another blog: Eyring Encounters. It’s a hilarious account of the experiences of an early morning custodial crew. It can be found at escencounters.blogspot.com and I strongly encourage you to ChEcK iT oUt!!

Project #4: Make a cookbook. After 2 years of surviving on PB&J, tuna, pasta, potatoes and the occasional salad, I would like to compile a recipe book of healthy recipes.

Project #5: Find an organization to volunteer with and start volunteering. Ideally, I would love to work with an internationally-minded org. Perhaps refugee centers in SLC?

So those essentially sum up my summer plans. Wish me luck!

Report #1 on Les Mis.

I was reading yesterday and found a passage that I absolutely LOVE!

“‘Never be afraid of thieves and murderers. They represent the dangers without, which are not worth worrying about. Be afraid of ourselves. Prejudices are the real thieves, vices are the murderers. The greatest dangers are within us. Who cares who threatens our heads or our purses! Let’s think only of what threatens our souls’” (Hugo 25).

When we allow ourselves to be governed by prejudices, we rob ourselves of experiencing the wide spectrum of life that surrounds us. We cut off vibrant cultures, prohibit beautiful music and language from reaching our ears, miss out on great life lessons and most importantly, build fences to keep out those who could be our most valued and treasured friends. Not only do we miss out, but prejudice and vice damage our soul by denying it life. Diversity is life. Diversity cannot be experienced if we live our lives with blinders over our eyes. Shed your blinders and learn something about someone or somewhere that you have typically regarded as ‘beneath you’. I promise you’ll treasure whatever experience you stumble upon.