WICKED

This week I had the opportunity to attend the theatre to see the musical production "Wicked", thanks to a Christmas gift from Ben and Heidi. The whole experience was wonderful--comfortable seats, good view, great company, fantastic performance. I won't ruin the story for those of you who have not yet had the chance to see the play. Suffice it to say, it is the story of the witches of "The Wizard of Oz". It cleverly links all the familiar characters, revealing their history and more detail into their true character. The music, of course, was the highlight for me and the sound system brought you right down to stage level (even though I was sitting on the mezzanine). The energy of the performers was incredible and the nearly three hour production moved along very quickly, entertaining to the very end. Over all, the evening was fabulous. Even the late night drive home was pleasant as I relived it all in my mind.

I've always loved live stage productions. Since I was small they have been part of my world. Mom was involved in music and theatre as a performer. That's even how she found Dad, who took care of the production and promotion side. As much as I like movies, I will always enjoy attending live productions. (Just a little note about that: during one scene in "Wicked" a prop was thrown into the air and instead of coming down as planned, it landed on top of some scenery causing a brief break in character and lots of laughter from the audience.) You never know what is going to happen. It is real every time.

A few thoughts from the musical:

"Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and leap..." (Elphaba)

"I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you." (Glinda)

So whenever you get the chance, whether it is a small local show or a Broadway production, attend some live theatre. It's always worth your time and will entertain in a way you will find no where else. The only thing better is to be performing!

WHAT IS IT ABOUT MUSIC?

I was in a church meeting today that included a performance by a small choir. They were few in numbers, a variety of ages, a rag-tag type group, typical of most ward choirs. I wasn't impressed by their appearance and didn't expect much. But when they began to sing, my heart was transformed. They sang a simple arrangement of a familiar hymn with pure, perfect harmony. Suddenly I felt like I was in heaven, safe and comfortable, loved. There was a spirit of peace, a reminder that God is aware of all. I felt a yearning for the music to go on, for life's challenges to remain at bay for just one more moment.

What is it about music that touches our very soul? How can a simple melody flood our hearts and minds with peace and hope and joy?

Earlier in the week, I spent an evening with my grandson, Jaxon. We blew bubbles and shared a sandwich. We played with Legos and action figures. When it was time to go home, we took a few minutes to clean up the toys. He was hesitant to help at first, but then he started singing, "Clean up. Clean up. Everybody do your part..." and off he went to finish the job.

What is it about music that motivates us and makes our work seem easier?

Last night Seth and I watched a movie together. Music set the tone of the movie even before any picture took shape. We had a good idea what type of story would unfold before a word was spoken.

What is it about music that arouses our senses and brings our emotions to the surface?

A few weeks ago I turned on the radio and heard "La Traviata". Memories of days long past flooded my mind: thoughts of Mom and her stage performances, coming home to find Dad sleeping in the middle of the floor with classical tunes blaring, back yard plays and nights at BYU dance productions. I left it turned to classical music all afternoon and reveled in the memories.

What is it about music that opens our minds and awakens our memories?

I love music. I can't imagine life without it. I'm so grateful that it has been such a big part of my life.

"Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing. Thanks for all the joy their bringing. Who can live without it? I ask in honesty. What would life be? Without a song or a dance what are we?
So I say thank you for the music...for giving it to me...." (ABBA)

ANGER

A few weeks ago, my nephew Jeff filled his blog with thoughts on anger. It's been on my mind ever since. I've noticed anger in social situations, at the gas station, on the road, at the school and the post office, and a few times in myself. I've seen it put up walls between friends, siblings, parents and children, teachers and students, coaches and teammates.

I've remembered times in my life when I let anger take over and the results--sadness, shame, ruined relationships, sometimes even horror at the magnitude of it's power. I have looked inward, searching myself for any remaining justifications or explanations to ever allow anger to determine my actions. Luckily, I don't often deal with anger in my home. We are usually easy-going and calm. I have come to recognize anger sometimes as an expression of other feelings--bitterness, grief, hurt, especially fear. Like most things, I find it easier to forgive anger in others before myself. I don't want anger in my life. As an imperfect human, though, I sometimes allow it in, however unwanted.

Others' thoughts on anger that have struck a chord with me recently:

Anger and resentment can stop you in your tracks. It needs nothing to burn but the air and the life that it swallows and smothers. It's real, though, the fury. Even when it isn't, it can change you, turn you, mold you and shape you into someone you're not. The only upside to anger is the person you become...hopefully someone who wakes up someday and realizes they're not afraid of it's journey. Someone who knows that the truth at it's best is a partially told story. That anger, like growth, comes in spurts and fits and in it's wake leaves a new chance at acceptance and the promise of calm. (The Upside of Anger)

If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow. (Chinese proverb)

Getting angry can sometimes be like leaping into a wonderfully responsive sports car, gunning the motor, taking off at high speed and then discovering the brakes are out of order. (Maggie Scarf)

Anger is a wind which blows out the lamp of the mind. (Robert G. Ingersoll)

Thanks to Jeff for bringing up the subject and leading me to some introspection. Everyone will sometimes feel anger. Learning to control anger is part of becoming our best self. I will continue to work on that.

Easter Sunday

Today is Easter Sunday. The morning is quiet, peaceful, full of introspection and gratitude.

I ponder on the the first Easter, the day Christ rose from the grave and appeared to those who loved him, alive again. The joy they must have felt. I think of the journey that took him from his manger birth to his death on a cross at Calvary. He lived to do his father's will. He showed love to everyone. He performed miracles. He blessed old and young, rich and poor, strong and weak. He was patient, kind, wise...perfect. His atonement allows the rest of us to have hope in resurrection and exaltation.

I know he lives. He is my brother, my friend, my example, my savior. It is by him and through him that all mankind can be saved. I am so grateful for this knowledge and the Spirit that confirms it to me.

So, today will be filled with joy. It's Easter and I know he lives.

We Need Each Other

In my travels last week I read a book called "Here if you Need Me" by Kate Braestrup. The author went to ministry school after the death of her husband and became a chaplain for a team of search and rescue workers. She relates experiences and some thoughts and ideas from her work and life. Some of my favorite quotes:

"At other times...all the specifics that separated me from Annie--age, race, class, state of health, who needed care and who provided it--would fall away, and we would just be there alive together. And that would be a moment vibrating, in some sweet and startling way, with all the electric potential of love."

"Mrs. Levesque (who's husband was just found dead in the water) will put me to use as a witness, as crutch, as Kleenex, as proxy for Jean-Pierre--a temporary substitute for all the neighbors, church folk, friends, and family members who will soon come bursting through her door to share her grief. I am a transitional love object, an objet d'amour...What a strange privilege it is to be so used."

"Sometimes I think I live and work in a parallel universe. That is, I know that I live in a crass and boorish culture, a culture of shock jocks and road rage, "reality" television and thong underwear, corruption and consumerism, mean porn and meaner theology. I know all this. And still, the world I move through is rich and beautiful, and the people I work with...are decent, discerning and good."

Don...has that enviable quality I see in some... It's as if, no matter what the circumstances--even staggering around in wet woods looking for a corpse--he is always centered and joyful, with well-being at his core."

"But then, a grateful heart beats in a world of miracles. If I could only speak one prayer for you, my children, it would be that your hearts would not only beat but grow ever greater in gratitude, that your lives, however long they prove to be and no matter how they end, continue to bring you miracles in abundance."

"Hell is when you die, and no one cares."

Good thoughts. Thoughts that promote more thoughts. And, while I don't agree with much of her theology, I was impressed with her love and compassion and faith in humanity. We really do need each other and, though I will never be an ordained minister or a chaplain of any sort, I intend to be more aware of others around me. I want to "be there alive together" and feel that "electric potential of love" and have a life filled with "miracles in abundance."

Happily Ever After

My daughter Diana married her sweetheart, Travis Thornton, last week. What a wonderful occasion. We are so happy for both of them. We traveled to Salt Lake City and then Seattle to attend, and assist where we could, the temple ceremony and two receptions. The happy couple are now honeymooning in Jamaica--lucky them. I wish them lots of quiet rest, sunshine, romance, adventure and happiness.

So today I offer some quotes appropriate for the occasion:

"Living happily ever after is not the end of a fairy tale. It is the common purpose that all life seeks." (Bob Mandel)

"Marriage is our last, best chance to grow up." (Joseph Barth)

"A happy marriage is the union of two forgivers." (Ruth Bell Graham)

"Get on with living and loving. You don't have forever." (Leo Buscaglia)

"No cord or cable can draw so forcibly or bind so fast, as love can do with a single thread." (Robert Burton)

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person." (Mignon McLaughlin)

I hope Diana and Travis, and all the rest of us, can live "happily ever after" as we "get on with living and loving."

MAYBE SO, MAYBE NOT

There once was a village that had among its people a very wise old man. The villagers trusted this man to provide them answers to their questions and concerns.
One day, a farmer from the village went to the wise man and said in a frantic tone, "Wise man, help me. A horrible thing has happened. My ox has died and I have no animal to help me plow my field? Isn't this the worst thing that could have possibly happened?" The wise old man replied, "Maybe so, maybe not." The man hurried back to the village and reported to his neighbors that the wise man had gone mad. Surely this was the worst thing that could have happened. Why couldn't he see this?
The very next day, however, a strong, young horse was seen near the man's farm. Because the man had no ox to rely on, he had the idea to catch the horse to replace his ox--and he did. How joyful the farmer was. Plowing the field had never been easier. He went back to the wise man to apologize. "You were right, wise man. Losing my ox wasn't the worst thing that could have happened. It was a blessing in disguise! I never would have captured my new horse had that not happened." The wise man replied once again, "Maybe so, maybe not." Not again, thought the farmer. Surely the wise man had gone mad now.
But, once again, the farmer did not know what was to happen. A few days later the farmer's son was riding the horse and was thrown off. He broke his leg and would not be able to help with the crop. Oh no, thought the man. Now we will starve to death. Once again, the farmer went to the wise man. This time he said, "How did you know that capturing my horse was not a good thing? You were right again. My son is injured and won't be able to help with the crop. This time I'm sure that this is the worst thing that could have possibly happened. You must agree this time." But, just as he had done before, the wise man calmly looked at the farmer and in a compassionate tone replied once again, "Maybe so, maybe not." Enraged that the wise man could be so ignorant, the farmer stormed back to the village.
The next day troops arrived to take every able-bodied man to the war that had just broken out. The farmer's son was the only young man in the village who didn't have to go. He would live, while the others would surely die. (as told by Richard Carlson)

We don't always know what is going to happen, even when it appears obvious or inevitable. We cannot always determine whether it is the best or the worst thing that could happen. We need to be patient and let life take it's course. We need to be like the wise man--patient and slow to judge. Remember "Maybe so, maybe not."

What do you think?