Amen.

January.2011.Oliver

So, how do I connect?

Sunrise
Waking up early with a purpose.  Waking up early and working for a deep and specified purpose is like eating a solid breakfast, it engages the metabolism of my soul.

Working makes me hungry.
Work.  Working in the Priesthood or in the Spirit connects.  I only knew most of my companions for a few weeks and haven't heard from most of them since.  Still, they will be some of my closest friends till I die.  After building bonds on my mission through the Spirit and work, other methods don't hold.

Public Speaking
Public Speaking.  Every time I speak I feel grounded and connected.  After a speech or tour at Mount Rushmore or after teaching a class or after I talk in church, my passions feel unified and connected and I feel like a whole man; consistent, free from fragments, true to myself.

Not the best, but still inspiring words.
Reading the best and Writing.  Now, having forced myself through an English - Literature degree, I connect in quality literature as it expands me and helps me at times to see better in others.

Still
Still.  When I shut up, sit down, and withdraw all functions of life but feeling, I connect.

None of those kids are mine but my niece is in there.

Family.  I've got a good family.  I can tell they love me.  They teach me they do -- and that connects me.

Rexburg Temple
The Temple.  When I go in, I connect.  Simple and straightforward.  And it provides a quite literal connection as well.

Service.  I am connected and full when I get to help someone.  I am not sure why but serving humbles me.  It makes me feel no better than the person I may have helped out.  And most of the time that person really would have been fine without what I had done.  I don't think I'm that arrogant to really believe I'm always serving others.  Others more than I.  But when I pull it off, I feel connected to the true vine.

Welcome all, welcome.

The Prompt for January:

In E.M. Forster's Howard End an interesting theme is developed.

That theme is "Only connect . . . " Using the following quote as the text, identify what if life you either connect to or with; or, even what helps you connect to others and to the atonement.

Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon. Only connect the prose and the passion and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer.

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