One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish: A Little Note on the Joys of Diversity

Something I love about a college campus is the amazing variety and richness of research and ideas that are buzzing around everywhere (which is in itself an example of how diversity is wonderful, but we'll get to that point later). Anyway, the BYU website's homepage features different research being done on campus. Today I noticed that the research link had a very interesting description: "A socially "distinct"--not socially "inept"--team member can shake up group dynamics in ways that lead to superior outcomes, says business professor Katie Liljenquist, co-author of a recently published paper." I read a bit of the research, and the findings show that having someone different come into a group can help to bump others out of their comfort zone just enough to start thinking outside of the box again. What was particularly interesting to me was that just last night I finished writing an article about how one of the benefits of multi-ethnic and religious nations is diversity (and how this will be lost as nations split and fracture). Diversity is everywhere.

Then I began writing on a sticky note all of the benefits of diversity. First, there is pure aesthetic value in diversity. Diversity promotes two of my very favorite things: curiosity and creativity. A few weeks ago I was at a Thai restaurant and became fascinated by their aquarium for at least a solid ten minutes. It was amazing to me! There were mini-giant clams (yes--an oxymoron), snails whose small mouths I could actually see undulating open and shut along the aquarium glass, clown fish, anemones of various shapes and colors, corals, brightly colored shrimp, and other fishes. Think of how many beautiful and amazing voices, artists, trees, stars, places, sea shells, faces, laughs, gaits, and smiles there are!

I was once at a talk and someone said, "It's obvious that God loves diversity--look at all the shapes, sizes, and colors he made us in!" I agree--diversity is all around us and it's wonderful.

Not only is it wonderful aesthetically, but functionally. As the BYU research demonstrated, diversity helps in the formation of new ideas and solutions. Also, diversity of plants can help us to gain full nutrition, to enjoy a full range of tastes, and to find new medicines. Diversity in a stock portfolio can save one from economic failure. Diversity in a marriage can keep things fresh and interesting. Diversity in sense allows for the creation of all sorts of amazing art. Diversity in social skills can help us to interact with the world.

I want to include a few interesting articles as well as a scripture at the end of this post for you to check out. The scripture is from Paul's writings and talks about how all have different gifts from God and how all of these gifts are needed. The first article is from the science section of the New York Times and talks about the importance of agricultural diversity (I have a clip of a different article that includes an interesting little story about a lemon-flavored apple, but could not find it on the net). I'll also include a link to the BYU research article and even a link to my own article that I am hoping will be published in the BYU Political Review (I know--shameless self-promotion!).

Diversity is good and beautiful both inside and outside of ourselves and the world around us. Take a moment to notice all of the different leaves you see as you walk today or the different cloud shapes in the sky or the different faces on the street--I think you'll have a little return of child-like wonder and a renewing of your appreciation for diversity :)

Loss of Genetic Diversity Imperils Crop Advances http://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/25/science/loss-of-genetic-diversity-imperils-crop-advances.html?scp=22&sq=genetic+diversity&st=nyt

Diversity in Business (BYU) http://byunews.byu.edu/archive09-Mar-liljenquist.aspx

Sierra's Article http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=b99948a09e&view=att&th=1205b191b7d0f4e5&attid=0.1&disp=vah&realattid=f_fsy6dwuk0&zw

1 Corinthians 12 http://scriptures.lds.org/1_cor/12/20-21,27#20

1 Cor. 12: 20-21 "But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you."

*Photo is of the French Frigate Shoals Reef courtesy of Wikipedia :)

Happy Are Ye

Have you ever had the satisfaction of doing what you knew was right? Not worrying about the informercialesque tone of that first statemen, I certainly hope so :). I get that feeling every time I get up and go running--it just feels good! I know that it's healthy for me. I know that it makes me more productive. I know it makes me feel better about myself. Yet, sometimes I still don't get up and go. However, it seems to be common knowledge that we all fall short of doing all that we know to be right. This is our mortal struggle.

But today I don't want to focus on struggles and failings--I want to focus on choosing to get up and do good! First, let's look at a scripture. In John 13, the Savior is talking to his disciples about how the true master is also a servant (in other words, the best leaders and individuals are those who serve and love). After explaining these things he says in verse 17, "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." If ye do them. And so, here we have the Savior confirming what we know is true: doing the things we know to be right brings us happiness. We feel confident and have better self-esteem. We also accomplish things, grow, and help others. Let's look at another scripture (this one is from The Book of Mormon). A great teacher, King Benjamin, is speaking to the people and teaching them of the gospel and of Christ. After speaking he says to the people, "And now, if you believe these things see that ye do them" (Mosiah 4:10). So doing good is a part of showing and acting out what we believe.

We have our own hearts, minds, and experience as well as the words of the scriptures confirming this truth: getting up and doing what is right brings happiness. And so, let's do it! However, this is sometimes easier said than done. What are some ways that we can motivate ourselves to get up and do? What are some of the best things that we can/should do?

PS- Check out Acts 10:35-38 and continue thinking on this theme.

*The graphic today is from an LDS magazine for youth called the "New Era." Check it out at lds.org!

A Missing Contrast: John 3 and 4

Hello once again!

The other day in New Testament class we were discussing something that I found quite interesting. The chapter divisions in our scriptures are fairly modern additions (being finalized in the 1500s). As a result, we may sometimes divide stories that ought not to have been divided. An example of such a division exists between John chapter 3 and John chapter 4. When looked at seperately, both of these chapters are wonderful. However, when looked at as two sides of one story, they became even more instructive and valuable. Chapter 3 discusses Nicodemus--a Pharisee who comes to visit Jesus by night. Chapter 4 discusses the woman at the well--a Samaritan--who comes to find that Jesus is the Christ.

Nicodemus lives in the city, he is likely well-off, is a Jew, and is male. In contrast, the woman at the well lives in a more rural area, is a Samaritan, and is female. Further, Nicodemus meets Jesus secretly by night while the woman meets Jesus openly in the daytime. With Nicodemus, we never gain a sense of conclusion. However, with the woman, we learn that she comes to know who Christ truly is and not only that--she goes out and brings others to come and learn of Him as well.

These stories (or rather these two halves of a single story) illustrate one of John's recurring themes: the theme of light and darkness. In John 1:5 we read, "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." When we looked at this scripture I thought about how Nicodemus may not have really understood Christ in his heart because he came in darkness--not merely physical darkness, but darkness of understanding and heart. Not that he was evil, but he did not open his eyes to the light so that he could truly see Christ. Light can be before us, but unless we make the choice to open our eyelids we will remain in darkness. We have to be the ones to take a chance and look.

*The painting from today is by Simon Dewey. I used the copy from http://michaelguth.com/myblog

Would We Cast a Stone?

From John 8:

3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.


I love this story because I think it shows Christ's love and gentleness and wisdom so well. It also teaches us to wonder whether or not we are really fit to judge others. We aren't perfect and we certainly lack perfect information.

The painting I'm including is by a Russian painter named Vassily Polenov. When I was living in St. Petersburg last summer I saw this painting at the Russian Museum. It is enormous in real life--at a very minimum it is twelve feet long. Anyway, this electronic version doesn't truly convey the effect, but I want to tell a story nonetheless. When looking at the real-life version, one approaches the painting walking from left to right. At first, it appears that the man on the donkey is heading toward the scene of scandal. However, as we pass on, the man on the donkey appears to change course and looks as though he were riding away. I had the privelege of studying art with some wonderful teachers while in Russia and they taught me a lot about this painting. We talked about how the man represents us. At first, we too may be tempted to condem the woman. But then, as we hear Christ's words we too turn away and realize that we cannot condemn her--what's more, we should do as Christ did and love her, hoping that all can improve and become better.

*The copy of the painting that I am using came from http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3050/2996135672_51c94abc17_o.jpg. However, you may also enjoy visiting the Russian Museum website here: http://www.rusmuseum.ru/eng/home/

Learn to Laugh!

Why did the chicken cross the playground?

To get to the other slide!

Mwhahahaha!

I don't know about you, but I am an appreciator of the cheesy Laffy Taffy jokes :) I like them because they're so lame and silly that you can't help but at least give a humored groan when you hear them. Plus, they're easy to remember and they don't make fun of anyone or anything---they're harmless :)

Anyway, the point of sharing all of that is that today humor really brightened my day. I was feeling overwhelmed and stressed because of midterms, work, etc, etc and just wanted to go sleep for a hundred years in some cave. Then, I came to the office for one of my jobs to do some reading. There was a girl in there that I only know a little--her name is Ally. At first I wasn't planning on talking with her but then I felt like I should and I am so glad I did! She ended up showing me this crazy blog that has photos of a bunch of absolutely ridiculous cakes. As we looked at them, I started laughing out loud and felt the laughter start to lift my whole spirit and renew my hope ^u^. Afterward, I showed her a silly website with collections of really silly Japanese ads that misused English pretty atrociously. We had so much fun! Later, I remembered a really good scripture that I certainly think is true: "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." (Proverbs 17:22) How true that is. Today I felt like the laughter was actually sewing me back together--I think it helps us to see the good and even the ridiculous in life--it helps us not to be too serious :)

Here are the websites we were looking at if anyone else needs a smile!

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/ (The photo I'm using came from this site ^u^)

http://www.engrish.com

Enjoy!

PS- On a more spiritual note, check out this wonderful talk on learning to laugh and loving life by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin entitled "Come What May, and Love It."
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=b5f44bb52a73d110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1
Enjoy!