Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Another opportunity

Just found I'm one of five alumnus nominated for an award for next fall's BYU Homecoming by the Dance Department I graduated from. If selected, I get to make a 1/2 hour talk about my life or any topic I choose. I started BYU as a Junior 50 years ago this fall, so this would be a fun opportunity to do something I haven't done before. I'm currently working on an article on another alumni who is 98 and taught dance at BYU before I was even born. I'm trying to focus some attention on her great contributions to dance at BYU. She was a dance pioneer, and I was too in a way for what followed. It seems amazing to me that sometimes we are recognized for our efforts and accomplishments and other times, we get no thanks at all. Not that we are living our lives to be awarded, but it certainly helps.

For example, when our children are young they say-You're the best mom in the whole world. That soon changes to another tune when they become teenagers-you just want to tell me what to do all the time, etc. Somehow we need to focus more of our self talk internally on positive recogition of our efforts rather than putting ourselves down for failing or not meeting our goals whether as a parent, spouse or individual. If you were your own best friend-which we should be-what would you say to yourself to give encouragement in those moments of self doubt that we all have. One quote from a church leader I like is You haven't failed if you are still trying. And I plan to keep trying to improve until I'm carried out in a box. Lol! (Photos above of me in my thirties as we were leaving to live in Brazil for a year with our three little sons-ages 1, 2 and 5.)