"It's a good thing a feminist didn't overhear you"

"I read this thing the other day that was SO unfair," one of the girls in my dance class griped earlier this afternoon as we were changing into our street clothes after class. "It said that guys' blood has more red blood cells, which means that they get more oxygen to their body when they excercise, which gives them more stamina when they play sports. How unfair is that?"

Being the Pollyanna that I am, I replied, "Well, maybe Heavenly Father made us [meaning women] that way so that we wouldn't get super good at sports so we would stay home and be good mothers."

Someone chuckled, and I noticed some girls I didn't know giving me funny looks. "It's a good thing a feminist didn't overhear you," another friend remarked, trying to cover up the awkward aftermath of my statement. The conversation continued but in my mind that line kept playing over and over again.

The definition of feminism is "the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men." I believe in that. Men and women are equal in their worth and importance. But I also believe that men and women have different gifts and different responsibilties from the Lord.

The Family: A Proclamation to the World states, "Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."

I believe that raising a child to the Lord is the most I could ever ask from life, the greatest calling a woman can have. Careers, positions and posessions all fade, but souls last forever. God gives us the opportunity to shape lives, to participate in creating something that will last through the eternities. Nothing else is as important. Nothing else is as demanding. Nothing else is as rewarding. Nothing else can compare.

Brethren and sisters, material possessions and honors of the world do not endure. But your union as wife, husband, and family can. The only duration of family life that satisfies the loftiest longings of the human soul is forever....Our family is the focus of our greatest work and joy in this life; so will it be throughout all eternity. -Russell M. Nelson

It is so tremendously important that the women of this Church stand strong and immovable for that which is correct and proper under the plan of the Lord. They must begin in their own homes. They can teach it in their own classes. They can voice it in their communities. They must be the teachers and the guardians of their daughters. When you save a girl, you save generations. I see this as the one bright shining hope in a world that is marching toward moral self-destruction. -Gordon B. Hinckley

I think there is a misunderstanding of feminism in the world and in the Church. The essence of feminism to to celebrate the strength and beauty of women, But I think that purpose is forgotten when some seek for equal rights in trying to make women just like men.

But that is not what God made us to be! He made us differently so we could complement one another. Instead of trying to become so much like men, I believe that we should celebrate the beautiful, divine attributes that God has given us as women - and use them to do the work He has called us to do.

So maybe I should have responded to that classmate, "No, I am a feminist. I believe that women are strong, capable and important, but I also believe that the greatest thing we can do is use our capabilities to raise a family in righteousness to the Lord."

Because really, what could be better than this?

Photo by Sheena Jibson.

Art History as we know it

Jan Van Eyck, The Arnolfini Portrait, 1434

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Art History as we know it tends to isolate art from people.
-Bruce Allsopp, "The Study of Architectural History."

This statement broke my heart - because I know it is true. I have read blog posts and heard classmates whisper that they hate abstract art, how they can't stand art history because there's more than one right answer or the professor is unfair. But those reactions, not reasons. The real reason they dislike art history is because, as Allsopp wrote, the way we teach it "isolates art from people."

I am writing a research paper on this predicament and possible solutions. My argument is that art history today:
1. Teaches the information in a lecture style which does not give students an opportunity to formulate their own conclusions
2. Is too focused on "good Western art," which sends a message of white superiority to our non-white students
3. Refuses to address the "why" of art

What do you think of these claims? How do you feel about art history in general? How do you think we art history educators can mend this disconnect between art and the people it is meant to serve?

My Father

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.

~Clarence Budington Kelland

My father has never been a man of many words.

Sometimes friends would come over and say "I don't think he likes me," because he is so solemn compared to my incredibly friendly mother.

But when he does speak, it is always something good.

I remember one time when I was fourteen I was having a hard time loving someone and feeling guilty for not being able to love them perfectly all at once. He talked me through it, and when I looked over at the end of our conversation, I saw that he had been playing Bejeweled on his cell phone the whole time. I don't know anyone else who can give spiritual advice while playing a game on their cell phone.

Another time my mom was upset with someone and was about to give them a piece of her mind. "Michelle," my father said calmly, "what are you trying to accomplish? You know that you don't have the power to change them. Are you doing this just to show them how angry you are? What good will that do?" My mom did not speak her mind and instead saved that relationship. I think of those words every time I get upset, and have saved many relationships.

He has told me wonderful stories about his childhood in Hurricane, Utah, and especially about my great-grandparents. Those stories help me feel connected to those family members who I didn't have the chance to know very well. My father's stories have instilled in me the values of my ancestors, and have given me a desire to live a life that they would be proud of.

He hardly ever gets mad. He has an incredible patience. He is the voice of calm and reason in a family full of crazy people. Sometimes I wonder why he puts up with us.

But the most amazing messages he gives are not in words. His actions speak volumes about his character.

He works two jobs to support our family, then serves about 20 hours a week as a Bishop. And he never complains.

Once he said, "That boy thinks he knows what love is? Wait until he works his fingers to the bone for his family and barely ever gets to see them. Then he'll know what love is."

Whenever he has time off, he is not idle either. He's always fixing something around the house, doing paperwork, reading Harry Potter to my little brother. Every once in a while I'll find him reading a Louis Lamour book.

I honestly don't know how he does it.

He was always there to help me with my math or chemistry homework, even if it took an hour and a half. He is always willing to check my car before I went on a long trip, or help me with my taxes, or book my flight home for Christmas. As busy as he is, he never pushes me away when I need help.

Although he isn't home very often and doesn't speak very much, I know that he loves me because of the life he lives. And I aspire to be as hard-working and patient as he is.

One of my favorite things in the world is to be embraced by him and have him tell me, "I'm proud of you." When those words come from the most amazing man you know, you must be doing something right.

I love you Daddy.

Lift Where You Stand: A New Perspective on Service

Photo by Michelle L. See her other brilliant works here.

I have been thinking a lot this past school year about service and what kind of service Heavenly Father wants me to perform in my life.

My roommate is going into International Development and is very passionate about Africa. She has gone there several times to serve and do research, and plans to return many times in the future. Last night I attended BYU's Hunger Banquet and visited the booths of many Non-Governmental Organizations who are doing amazing things to help impoverished people throughout the world. The evening's theme was "Celebrating Human Dignity." The Students for International Development who ran this event proclaimed that the poor people of the world have just as much ability and tenacity as the rest of us. Those who wish to help them should do so in a way that does not diminish their dignity. But I left feeling that my dignity had been diminished.

For some reason I have developed this notion in the last few months that lack worth because I have never left the country. This statement sounds ridiculous, but this feeling has been very subtle and difficult for me to identify. Seeing all of those NGOs and people seeking careers in international development made me feel guilty. And then I felt frustrated because it is not possible for me to go abroad at this point in my life. And then I felt ignorant and useless. What should have been an uplifting event turned out to be a huge struggle for me because of this strange attitude I had picked up.

But, as always, the Lord was there to show me His will for me, to remind me of who I really am and what He has called me to do.

Sometimes we do not hear the rest of what the Lord is telling us. "Although you are worthy to serve in this position," He may say, "this is not my calling for you. It is my desire instead that you lift where you stand." God knows what is best for us. -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

While big service projects, NGOs and international trips are wonderful, I truly believe that the best service we can do is to lift where we stand. Sometimes we focus so much on the needs of the world that we fail to notice the needs of those in our communities and even our own homes. Heavenly Father has placed people in our everyday lives for a reason.

My main goal this school year has been to lift where I stand, or in other words, to find ways to serve people in the tasks I do every day. It has changed my life. When I am extra friendly to customer at work, they leave happier than before. When I choose to respond lovingly to those who irritate me, I am able to save my relationships and have the Spirit with me. When I put enough time and energy into my scripture study, I am able to spread sunshine rather than dark clouds. When I choose to introduce myself to someone who is sitting alone, I am blessed with new friends. When I call up an old friend to see how they are doing, I am remind them of how much their Savior loves them.

See how much good you can do in your own little world every day?

I think one of the biggest ways to serve people is to just be kind. I am astonished sometimes at how people rudely people talk to each other (there's another post in the works about this topic). We forget that our quick, hurtful words can create wounds that will take a lifetime to heal. Marjorie Pay Hinckley said it best. "Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations--these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit--immortal horrors or everlasting splendors....Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses. If he is your Christian neighbour, he is holy in almost the same way, for in him also Christ vere latitat, the glorifier and the glorified, Glory Himself, is truly hidden. -C.S. Lewis

Let us remember than human beings are the most valuable thing on this earth, because they last forever. Let us remember that we all need saving. Let us remember that it is truly possible to serve in our everyday lives. Let us remember the Master's example and have the courage to follow it by serving in ways that are not loudly praised, but have echoes that will be felt throughout the eternities.

You may not be a genius. You may not be exceptionally smart. But you can be good, and you can try. And you will be amazed at what might happen when in faith you take a step forward. - Gordon B. Hinckley

New blog name!

So you probably noticed that I changed the name of my blog. I love the motto "Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve," and it will always be one of the goals of my life, but it didn't seem to reflect my blog anymore.

So I thought and prayed and brainstormed and finally it hit me: Have we not reason to rejoice?

The phrase comes from one of my favorite Conference Talks, a talk that helped me through a very hard time in my life. It helped me to learn that despite the challenges that life brings, there are always blessings to be found. Or as Isaiah put it, "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee." (See Isaiah 54:10).

I feel that that principle is the theme of my blog. Every day is another battle in the quest for eternal perfection, but that does not mean that every day is dreadful! President Uchtdorf tells us:

Enduring to the end is not just a matter of passively tolerating life's difficult circumstances or "hanging in there." Ours is an active religion, helping God's children along the strait and narrow path to develop their full potential during this life and return to Him one day. Viewed from this perspective, enduring to the end is exalting and glorious, not grim and gloomy. This is a joyful religion, one of hope, strength and deliverance.

I write about my challenges, yes. But I come to see my challenges as great blessings because they transform me, they bring me closer to the Lord, they help me become the person He wants me to be.

And so I testify, and will continue to testify, that in the midst of afflictions each of us truly does have reason to rejoice - because as Corrie ten Boom wrote, "in darkness God's truth shines most clear."

Monday Links Return!

I loved doing Monday links so much that I brought it back this week. Who knows, this may end up becoming a tradition!

*I love this idea
*This observation from a fellow art history friend made me laugh.
*This movie is so precious.

*This is apparently a real German Children's show. My mom sent me the video and now my family and German class are all hooked. We can't stop saying, "Toll, toll, super toll!" (Translation: cool, cool, super cool!

*I want to do this someday
*Finding this was one of the best parts of the week!
*Here you can also sign up to get an LDS quote sent to your inbox every day.
*9 years ago today a most incredible person was born. I look up to my brother in many ways (but obviously not physically). He is talented, insightful, smart, funny and quite the dancer (just watch this!) but I mostly admire him for his faith and kindness. When he is treated unkindly, he brushes it off and continues to love and forgive. That is something I struggle with, and I hope to become as loving as he is. James has brought so much laughter and sunshine into our lives; I don't know how we ever got along without him. He has made our family complete.

Happy birthday Sasquatch! I am proud to be your big sister.

Patience.

The seed of a Giant Sequoia, the largest living thing on earth. Image found here.

I went to a contemporary dance concert this weekend, and it was incredibly moving. There were dances about Mother Eve, strength, cultural diversity and womanhood, which were all wonderful. But my favorite was about growth.

This piece was choreographed and performed by faculty member Marin Elizabeth Leggat, and it was entitled "Expansive to My View." It was done to Arvo Pärt's "Spiegel im Spiegel." It was powerful. I have been thinking about it all weekend.

The dancer begins seated on the ground, arms crossed and her knees pulled to her chest. Slowly she tries to to extend her arm away from her body, but it doesn't want to move. After much effort and concentration, it finally snaps to the side. She feels freed and enlightened. She decides to try the other arm. It is also difficult, and the first arm wants to go back to its comfortable position, but she frees the second arm and is able to explore the beauty of her full range of movement.

To me, this piece represents my growth, a process that is can be very slow and very painful. Life can get so discouraging. I feel like every day there is a new challenge I must face, another battle that I have to fight. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever get a rest. Some days I feel like I can't do anything right and I just want to run home to my mommy and watch The Baby-Sitter's Club under the electric blanket.

It is then that I remember that my Savior.

He is helping me in this progression, no matter how slow it is. Despite my setbacks and weaknesses, I am getting better. I am growing. Cell by cell, the Lord is transforming me from a seed into a sequoia tree. And He does it with a Master's hand. Being omnipotent, He could have me progress at the speed of light - but for some reason that is not His plan.

That's ok with me.

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Patience is a willingness, in a sense to watch the unfolding purposes of God with a sense of wonder and awe - rather than pacing up and down in the cell of our circumstances.

- Neal A. Maxwell

You can be good, and you can try.

You may not be a genius. You may not be exceptionally smart. But you can be good, and you can try. And you will be amazed at what might happen when in faith you take a step forward. - Gordon B. Hinckley

Maggie Michael Soul

Sometimes I really want to write, but I don't know what to say.

There are a dozen ideas running around in my head,

yet none of them seem like the thing to write about tonight.

I try to write them out.

It comes out jumbled.

I know that nothing I write tonight will make much sense to my readers,

but I wanted to try anyway.

My soul needs to say something

but it's not sure what.

Hopefully my soul will be more coherent tomorrow.

But tonight, it's feeling kinda like this:

Maggie Michael, Hunter (Mars), 2006

Weeping.

The Old Guitarist, Pablo Picasso, 1903

Do you ever have days when you feel sad but your'e not sure why? That's how I've been feeling today.

So I decided to look up all the scriptures about weeping. And they are beautiful.

Sorrow is a part of life. Isaiah prophesied that even "ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly," and Jesus himself had cause to weep during his perfect lifetime. I think sorrow is a blessing though, because it teaches us so much. It forces us to be more humble, to rely on the Lord a little more. It helps us to see the world more clearly. It helps us to be more compassionate.

But the beautiful thing about the gospel is that it helps us learn how to move through the valley of sorrow and return to the sunlight.

God recognizes our trials, of course; He would never discount them. He weeps right alongside us. His heart aches whenever He sees that we are in pain.

And it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept. -Moses 7:28

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. -John 14:18

Your Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son love you perfectly. They would not require you to experience a moment more of difficulty than is absolutely needed for your personal benefit or for that of those you love. -Richard G. Scott

And then, when we have worked through our pain and learned what He wanted us to learn, He makes our burdens light. He gives us the distance of time to show us what a blessing that pain really was. And we are better people for it.

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. -Psalms 30:5

Then sing, beloved ones,

Reach o'er the summer sea.

Pour forth thy boundless love for us living!

Sweep into ev'ry soul,

Make music of our tears,

Turn all our songs to joy and thanksgiving!

- David Warner

I had some major disappointments in September. I auditioned for women's chorus and the folk dance team, only to be rejected by both of them. It was really hard at first. I had wanted to join those organizations to grow and to serve. Why didn't the Lord want me to do it there?

Because the experience taught me so much.

I learned how to serve people in my everyday life. I discovered new hobbies and made friends there. I learned how to accept God's will and make it my own. I learned how to honestly say, "come what may, and love it."

When my dad gave me a priesthood blessing before I went back to school, I was promised that I would have disappointment but would be able to turn around and use it to help others. I think that has been the biggest blessing of all - having a testimony of the marvelous adventures that come when we trust in the Lord. His plans have always been better than the ones I come up with. Yes, with this knowledge I have been able to serve much better than I would have in women's chorus or the folk dance team.

So to you who are struggling, don't be afraid to weep. It will purify your soul. It will open the gate for blessings you cannot imagine. And the Lord will not leave you comfortless.

(And watch this video. It is beautiful.)