What's in a name?

I just came across this quote (Thanks Heather!), which helps explain quite well why I chose the name of my blog, Ripple Project. It's on the longer side, but in a good way.


"There is one responsibility which no man can evade; that responsibility is his personal influence. Man's unconscious influence is the silent, subtle radiation of his personality - the effect of his words and actions on others. This radiation is tremendous. Every moment of life man is changing, to a degree, the life of the whole world.

Every man has an atmosphere which is affecting every other man. He cannot escape for one moment from this radiation of his character, this constantly weakening or strengthening of others. He cannot evade the responsibility by saying it is an unconscious influence. He can select the qualities he would permit to be radiated. He can cultivate sweetness, calmness, trust, generosity, truth, justice, loyalty, nobility, and make them vitally active in his character. By these qualities he will constantly affect the world. This radiation to which I refer comes from what a person really is, not from what he pretends to be. Every man by his mere living is radiating either sympathy, sorrow, morbidness, cynicism, or happiness and hope, or one of a hundred other qualities. Life is a state of radiation and absorption. To exist is to radiate; to exist is to be the recipient of radiation."

President David O. McKay
7 April 1948

I truly believe that everything we are and everything we do ripples through the world around us. We can do nothing that won't affect, for good or ill, someone else in our human family. The very fact of us becoming better improves the world around us. Doing or being less the we could— even locked away, alone— is a detriment to everyone else. There is much more I could say, but I'll expound more another time. Just remember to be and do your best; everyone has an impact.

Stepping along

Step into the dark. Blessed for making a choice; use of agency. Things flowing smoothly, well. Still settling; may be a while. Frustrating. Very tired a lot. Altitude? Stress? IDK. Really shouldn't complain. Nothing really comes all at once. Found temp work quickly. Yay! Pays well. Hopefully leads to more work, made good impression. Still looking at other options, too. House is nice. Roomies lax, fun. No worries. Lot to think about, juggle. Being on my own. Very glad to be taking care of it. Much to look forward to. Many friends to see. Not much time now. Lots to do. Kind of impatient. Probably will all go quickly. Reflecting. Looking forward. Ride the waves. Keep stepping into the dark.

«This stream of consciousness is brought to you by the letter C and the number 42.»

Full Moon Rising

The flaming vermilion sun was in my rear view mirror. In the far distance the mountains I knew lay before me were not visible due to bluish mists and clouds. Just above where the mountains should have been I could see the faint outline of the moon. As it slowly rose, it caught and reflected more light. It was a full moon. With the Bonneville Salt Flats to either side and the mountains obscured, this full moon was the most prominent character in my field of vision. If paganism were my religion, the moon would probably my god of choice. It has always appealed to me; especially a full moon. Something about how when full, it looks complete. It doesn't produce it's own light, but still has a glory all its own and can almost completely brighten the night time. And it brings comfort to me, because regardless of where you are in this world the moon is the same. People separated by thousands of miles can see the same moon.

As I drove east on I-80 the full moon continued to rise on it white and cerulean background. The sun set in the sanguine sky, its light painting the atmosphere even after it had gone. I felt juxtaposed: between colors, between celestial bodies, between my life I was leaving and my life to come. With time the colors faded and the darkness of night overcame, but the full moon boldly shone in the heavens. I was taking steps into the dark, hoping, praying where I was going was where was needed, belonged. Action and change were all I knew for sure. With the full moon lighting my way, seemingly marking my path and destination, I felt oddly comforted. My way was guarded. I was secure. The end was known and this...

just another stop on my journey home.

Amazing Read!

My sister, who just began the fourth grade and won't be ten until December, wrote the following poem for her class. The only prompt she was given was to write about what she thought was deep inside her. I may have some biases since this is my little sister writing, but I'm really not one to lavish praises on anyone. Honestly, I found this amazing writing. Anyway, read and see for yourself.


**************************

Deep Inside Me


Deep inside me is a door. Behind the door is a room. In the room is my mind, my thoughts, my imagination. The ceiling is high; the room is round and mammoth. Both seem to have no end.

The rainbow walls are covered in colors: cherry, lavender, and emerald.

There are animals, people and things. There are immense mountains of objects, some pictures you cannot touch, and some real things I know. The pictures are memories, some of enchanted times and gloomy times, timid times and boring times.

Images of grandma’s house with the smell of delicious cookies, or of fourth birthday parties with thrilled friends. The piles go on forever.

But in the center is a ball of light, like the sun. It shoots out pictures, smells and objects, never ending, never stopping.

In the ball are two faces. One that looks like you and one that looks familiar.

The familiar face is inside you, speaking to you. It echoes in the room.

It makes me feel light and cheerful. An excellent feeling you want to last forever.

The place is my mind,

my thoughts,

my imagination.


26 August 2009
Sara Garrett

Summer Squandered?

[NOTE: Wrote a good part of this a while ago, but never posted it. Not really my current state of mind, but it does capture a lot of how I used to feel.]

Since graduation, life has been more than sufficiently empty and hollow. Having optimistic long-term goals did not help with the short-term "what's next?" I've taken opportunities to fill my time with wholesome activities, particularly last week (Camp Helaman, YSA Conference, family camping), but a great deal of my time has been vacuous. Granted I may have passed on few opportunities, but I don't honestly think that many. My main hang-up has been not creating more chances for good times, or being more proactive in getting myself to a better place. This may be end-of-summer regret, but I worry I could have done more to get myself where I needed to be. Or at least taken more advantage of the available time in other ways, instead of wallowing in a self imposed limbo. Regardless, life goes on and summer time ends. There were bright spots (beaches, hikes, friends), but not enough of them in my opinion.

«So much for summer being the bestest season.»

After two crappy summers in a row, I may have to pick a new favorite season.

«Winter? Or spring?»

¡UNA MAS!

I have completed all papers, projects, presentations, and pedantic pursuits.

«That's an alliteration for you.»
(I had to stretch on that last one. Yay for thesauruses!)

Well, all save one. My last final is tomorrow, but that's it! It's the one I'm most worried about. I also have the most time to prepare, so I'm not too concerned

«Or that's just the full-blown senioritis talking:
"It's over! Who cares? Get me outta here!!"»

It got kinda crazy at the end, with papers and group projects, but it all worked out. I'll have to wait for final grades to be sure, but I feel it all ended well. Maybe even better than expected. It was also a bit odd (though very welcome) that I had about 5 days between my last class and my first final. Don't you worry; I took full advantage of that time — Heather (my girlfriend) came into town and we filled my extended weekend by gallivanting around, staying up late, hiking, relishing in nice weather and the beach, seeing the sites, and truly enjoying ourselves. It was time definitely well spent.

«Definitely not over-concerned about finals and such here»

So I'm nearly, nearly, nearly done. I don't feel as excited as maybe should be expected, but I don't care. It's a great accomplishment (when I'm done done), but still only another step of many that I'll take. I'll report back when it official. =D

Reflections while writing research papers

Book titles
short (e.g. The Giving Tree, Frankenstein, The Time Machine)

Research article titles
long (e.g. A relational perspective on turnover: Examining structural, attitudinal, and behavioral predictors ... nuff said)

Book lengths
100pgs: short
300pgs: decent
600pgs: long
1000+pgs: Robert Jordan or War and Peace status.

Research article lengths
3pgs: pamphlet
8pgs: decent
15pgs: long
25+pgs: dude, write a book why don't ya

Update –

Book authors' names
mostly normal (e.g. Douglas Adams, Jane Austin, C.S. Lewis)

Research article authors' names
long and weird (e.g. Chockalingam Viswesvaran, Randall P. Settoon, Darlene F. Russ-Eft)


Maybe I'll add more later. I really should finish writing my papers...

«Woo-hoo! Nearly done!»