Is it all about you? Every semester I'd follow the same ritual. Holding my breath, I'd carry the large manilla envelopes from the faculty room and seek a quiet place. With great anxiety, I'd read my SOTES (Student Opinion Teaching Evaluation) results from the previous semester. This student feedback is supposed to help me "improve" my teaching methods. Written anonymously, students are given carte blanche to say whatever they want about their professors---much like the online ... VIEW POST
It’s Not About Me. It’s Not About You.
Telling the Same Old Story?
Write a new one! It's taken me almost two days to write this first sentence. I've spent time pondering this topic and reviewing books and articles in half-hearted attempts for inspiration. I've also been sidetracked from writing---I keep getting distracted by mundane movies on TV. (Right now, I'm sort of watching Jane Fonda in the movie Cat Ballou.) During a Nutri-System commercial featuring Marie Osmond, I got further side-tracked when I googled "The Osmonds"---and read about Donny for ... VIEW POST
Finding Tidings of Great Joy As a Temple Ordinance Worker
A Higher and Holier Education and Service Merry Christmas! I love Luke's narrative of the Savior's birth in the New Testament. One of my favorite parts of his story line occurs after the baby Jesus is born. Luke introduces us to Simeon (a devout man), and Anna the Prophetess (a temple worker). They are the last people woven into Luke's account of the nativity. He describes the scenario as follows in the paragraph below. Jewish law required Joseph and Mary to bring the ... VIEW POST
Enemies, Part 9: Can’t Forgive? Eat Some Humble Pie
What's your preference? Eating a can of worms or humble pie? "I don't know what you're talking about." "You misunderstood me.""That's not what I said.""You're being too sensitive," or "You're reading too much into this.""How could you think such a thing about me? I'm so hurt" (or offended, or whatever)."I would never do that to you!" These statements are often coupled with non-verbal communication such as tears (genuine or contrived), nervous laughter, silence, eye ... VIEW POST
Enemies, Part 8: The Aftermath of Battle
Haunted by ghosts? A few months ago, I was working my shift as a Latter-day Saint temple ordinance worker. My shift was about to end when I spotted a former friend of mine. (I'll call her Amy.) She and I had been close friends many years previously. Our friendship had ended painfully for both of us, and we hadn't communicated for years. Recently (and I suspect purposely), she had made her presence known to me on social media. Now, in the temple, she stood a few feet away from me. ... VIEW POST
Enemies, Part 7: Fear is a Formidable Foe
Afraid of being afraid? The year was 2008. An election year. The month was November when California voters cast their ballots for candidates including state and federal initiatives. At the time, Proposition 8 was the most emotional and controversial initiative on the ballot. Below is its definition: Proposition 8 consisted of two sections. Its full text was:[34] SECTION 1. Title This measure shall be known and may be cited as the "California Marriage Protection Act." SECTION 2. ... VIEW POST
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"The Ten Virgins" by John Melhuish Strudwick