We may...

Choose Something Like a Star

Once upon a time I was crazy sick with strep. I had a fever, shivers, headaches, sore throat, earaches etc. So...naturally I spent the whole weekend watching amazing shows on TV like "Say Yes To The Dress" or movies with beautiful acting like "Step Up 2 The Streets." Amazing. (P.S. I have chloraseptic and "Serendipity" in my hand at this very moment.)

In one of my hazes mom calls me into the computer room to listen to a song. This song was special with great significance to her. Here I am to document the experience she told me. So cool: Back when Mom was my age the stakes from all over picked 4 singers from each stake to go to the conference center at Utah University...or University of Utah? (Correct me here mom...)

[P.S. While I was talking about this later to the PU (parental unit) Dad starts to remember the same experience. He was totally there! Other songs included: A choral medley of songs from the musical "The Fantastiks," "Windy" by The Association, and "Up Up and Away" by The Fifth Dimension. Also included in our chat: tears and giggles from the memory.]

With the conference center full of maybe 5,000 youth they sang this song (with a full orchestra). This beautiful song with an amazing message. What a great life changing experience!

I'm so grateful to be a part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There are so many opportunities for inspiration and growth in the programs of the church like the completely unique YSA conference my parents got to be a part of.

Watch a video of images from the hubble telescope and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing that song here

Choose Something Like A Star

by Robert Frost - 1947

O Star (the fairest one in sight),

We grant your loftiness the right

To some obscurity of cloud --

It will not do to say of night,

Since dark is what brings out your light.

Some mystery becomes the proud.

But to be wholly taciturn

In your reserve is not allowed.

Say something to us we can learn

By heart and when alone repeat.

Say something! And it says "I burn."

But say with what degree of heat.

Talk Fahrenheit, talk Centigrade.

Use language we can comprehend.

Tell us what elements you blend.

It gives us strangely little aid,

But does tell something in the end.

And steadfast as Keats' Eremite,

Not even stooping from its sphere,

It asks a little of us here.

It asks of us a certain height,

So when at times the mob is swayed

To carry praise or blame too far,

We may choose something like a star

To stay our minds on and be staid.

(Keats' Eremite = hermit. Its a reference to a poem by Keats where he wants to take a moment had with his lover and store it way like a hermit hides from civilization, to make it last forever. Constant.)

How beautiful is the phrase "To stay our minds and be staid"? My new theme for the semester is found.

Reminded me of this. And also this.

Working on getting my constant in place. Work is my new favorite.