Tonight is our first book group meeting so I'm trying to inhale Brene Brown's The Gifts of Imperfection as fast as I can since I just started it this morning. Thankfully, it's short. Double thankfully because it's non-fiction and self-help, two genres I typically don't read and I find a little tedious most of the time. She's got some good points though so, halfway through, I could recommend it.
Easter is probably one of my favorite holidays but I've discovered that I'm not very good at keeping up traditional activities on my own. Much as I enjoy dying Easter eggs, we've only done so once since getting married which I chalk up to my own laziness as well as the fact that more holiday things don't feel right to me unless there is a group of people involved. I figure once kids start cluttering up our place holiday traditions will probably make a big comeback. I think I will try to do an Easter tree this year though. Tim's family did Easter trees growing up and the idea is basically to take a tree branch [or in our case, a tumbleweed], stick it in a basket or pot and decorate it with Easter ornaments. Tim's mother gifted me a few boxes of these adorable tiny eggs and bunnies [if I remember right, they got them while they lived in Germany] so I feel like I have something ready to use. I just need to go out and find me a tumbleweed. Shouldn't be too hard out here.
Easter for me is what New Years is to most people. I'm more inclined to reflect on where I'm at in life, my priorities and goals, around this time of year when there are so many overt reminders of the Savior. I talked with my class about what resurrection means for us on a personal, day-to-day basis and I realized that resurrection is what gives me perspective. The idea that there is nothing after this life has always lent a sort of desperation to people. If this is all there is then what you value, what matters most to you and how you spend your time/resources is framed in a completely different way. Our economy is frequently driven by people who are obsessed with creating an empire, some kind of legacy to leave behind when they die. I'm not saying working hard for a goal is a bad thing. I just think that a consuming focus on work and money for the sake of prestige and wealth doesn't seem like a fulfilling way to live. Knowing I will have the opportunity to look back on my life after it's ended and see what I chose to do with this time changes what I think is worthwhile. It actually helps me become less focused on doing what I think other people expect me to be doing at this stage of my life and instead spending time developing relationships and talents that will enrich my experience of living.
Talking about religion online may not be popular and it's generally something I'm slow to do but it's nearly Easter and this season I want to add my voice to those who proclaim that He lives. I feel that knowledge with a certainty that I feel about little else.
He lives. And that makes all the difference.
No comments:
Post a Comment