Perspective

November 9, 2014

I am not sure I will get my point across so here it is. We have the greatest opportunity of our eternal journey and it is for a brief second in the annals of time. Our job is to use every second of our life looking for positive, meaningful opportunities to bless the lives of those around us. I spent a few minutes reading the words to the hymn, “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief” this morning during the Sacrament portion of Church. In a nutshell it shouts from the heavens that our job is to Love God, love Jesus Christ, Love our fellow beings, and love yourself. Anything negative, messy, or uncouth, is simply a ploy by Satan and his minions to make us unhappy, bitter, and cold.

On Friday I was visiting with my son, David as he repaired my computer. I had gone off the reservation and picked up all kinds of nasty viruses, cookies, and other nasty gremlin and managed to make my laptop computer impossible to live with. He taught me all kinds of great and glorious ways to avoid these nasty creatures which I promptly forgot. While we sat I visited with several of the most outstanding children ever to come to earth. (Well, perhaps they just seem that way because they are my grandkids) All was well until Cason started running a little temperature and complaining of a stomach ache. Because we were in a household of believers, Cason consented to a Priesthood blessing and David and gave him that blessing. Words of comfort and love were shared and after some time and appropriate “gas” medication he was right back to his marvelous five-year old self.

A face book comment from David J about how tough it was to having Cason inherit his dad’s bad stomach gene got my mind rushing around looking for things we had in common through either genetics, or culture. Then the thought hit me like a bolt of excitement and I responded to Dave’s post with the thought that Cason may have inherited a bad stomach gene; however, he also inherited a myriad of positive, wonderful genetic traits and will continue to build wonderful new chapters in his life because of the environmental and cultural experiences of which he is surrounded.  

On several occasions my use of words has been challenged and my very honor has come into question; at least from the perspective of one who doesn’t like being on the wrong side of circumstances, no matter the question. Pride and embarrassment have an enormous effect on most mere mortals and I am no exception. Words have vastly divergent meanings and interpretations which change with time and culture.

The word “gay” is a rising star in the evolution of words; coming from songs of happiness, cheerful banter, and generally happy reference to the generally accepted term for homosexual men. Having several friends named Gay and many other friends who are “gay” creates interesting conversations. One fellow who I enjoyed eating lunch with while I was a professor at Salt Lake Community College was “gay”, or homosexual. After being married for many years and raising several children he determined that his role in life should be changed and he changed his world. He was a delightful fellow and we had great conversations regarding building designs, sports, etc. More than one person quietly suggested that I was getting tarred with the same brush by association. My suggestion is that those individuals who look for the wrong meanings will certainly find them.

The word “ethereal” is another that has evolved radically from an adjective representing airy, theoretical, speculative constructs, to one which represents godly, inspired, heavenly parts of reality. On a visit to another congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I used the word in making a classroom comment. The comment and the word were understood as if I were some kind of apostate, declaring that God was a mythical element.  Perspective, again, has a profound impact on what we think we hear and understand. If someone wants to find something tawdry, unwise, sinful, ignorant, or dumb, they will certainly be successful in their quest.

My goal from this day forward is to look at everything as a blessing of happiness for me, my family, and all those around me. I love life and all its inherent challenges. May God bless each of us to live a joyful, meaningful life.

Duane Jacobs, husband, Grandfather, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend