Look Around You

Many times while writing this blog I struggle with knowing what to write. Honestly, I think I live a pretty boring life. I like to go to bed early, I rarely go out, and that leaves little to post about.

Today, however, I read on LDS Publisher the following quote, which made me think.

"Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day.
The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them.
Most people don't see any."
—Orson Scott Card

I am not seeing enough.

So, I decided to look around my office to find something to write about. And I did.

In our home office I have hung up my degrees, as well as Steve's. Steve and I both worked hard to graduate with Bachelor and Master's degrees. He at ASU, myself at BYU. We started dating about the time we were going to graduate school and had to lead a long-distance relationship for six months while doing so. I was glad to be able to finish my thesis courses in Arizona so we could get married. But now I am straying from my topic.

The four framed certificates figure prominently on one of the office walls. Inspecting the certificates closely reveals a lot about where we went, who we are, and our general backgrounds. But one of the most interesting things are the signatures on the certificates.

Steve's degrees are both signed by (among others) Fife Symington. Who is Fife Symington? He is a former Governor of Arizona. Here is what Wikipedia says: "Symington was indicted on charges of extortion, making false financial statements, and of bank fraud. He was convicted of bank fraud in 1997. As Arizona state law does not allow convicted felons to hold office, Symington resigned his office on September 5, 1997." Symington was not all bad, but the conviction is a black mark on his record; he was later pardoned by President Clinton.

My degrees are signed by contrastingly different people:

• Ezra Taft Benson (former US Secretary of Agriculture, prophet of LDS church for 10+ years)
• Rex E. Lee (former BYU president, man who has argued in front of the Supreme Court more than any other person)
• Gordon B. Hinckley (former LDS church president)
• Merrill J. Bateman (Emeritus general authority of the LDS church, former General Sunday School President, president of BYU 1996-2003)

These signatures tell a wonderful story about BYU. This institution is led by some of the greatest leaders of our time. Although it is not a perfect place (certainly not going to be lifted up to heaven any time soon), I am so proud to have such men endorse my education. I loved my time at BYU and will always hold a corner of my heart in reserve for the way my life was positively impacted and blessed by these good men.

I hope I can live up to legacy they have given me. And pay attention enough to the world around me to see the stories worth telling.

Scripture of the Day: Matt. 22:4