It's the Little Things

Yeah, I work here.

As school draws near, I found myself working for 40 hours a week at my current employment. Many of you already know that I work for BYU Broadcasting part-time. Since the migration and consolidation of its multiple departments, BYUB continued to improve its operations and products.

That's not the reason why I'm tired, though. I'm tired because I'm not getting enough sleep. While it's probably easy for me to take a quick nap overnight, somehow that wouldn't end up ethical in the long run. Luckily, the trend will only last for one more week as another semester's new schedule will take over.

I am also participating in New Student Orientation (NSO) again for fall as a Y-group Leader. Due to the understaffed situation during the interim period, finding replacements for your shifts isn't as easy as it normally would. Thus, I am ready for the total lack of sleep next week as I tackle overnight shifts and NSO simultaneously.

That's what it feels like every time!

Why did I do this to myself? There are several reasons. Let's just say whenever when I have to collect serum samples from the mice in Dr. B's lab, I feel like I've lost karma. So, to make myself feel better, I go off volunteering for some things. It's a personal quirk. I don't have any reason to stand behind it beyond that, so there's no debate here.

Fatigue can make me feel unappreciative for the things I have in my life. Fortunately for me, I have housemates that remind me what matters in life. Sometimes it's the little things. Coming back from grocery shopping, I distinctly remember sitting down at the kitchen table and just have the overwhelming feeling of gladness for being able to put food on the table.

Which comes to the point: my life has been pretty good and it can become better if I choose to because I'm currently living in a situation where this is possible with a little effort. I understand sometimes we don't share that sentiments or even the belief that there's anything to be thankful for, but it is a principle that has been passed down through many cultures for who knows how long.

King Benjamin talked about thanking God for all that we have during his discourse (Mosiah 2). More prominently, the account of Luke when Jesus healed the lepers and only one expressed his gratitude towards the Savior (Luke 17:16-17). Like it or not, there aren't many things in this life that's made possible through our own strength alone.

This may come across as insignificant to some of you, but try it for once. Be grateful about something, to whatever deity you believe in, or at the very least, recognizing a convenience you've had that a good portion of the people on this planet don't. Maybe you'll see life differently that way.

I hate comparing my life to less fortunate people just to make me feel good, but there are times we need reality checks. This is especially true for someone like me who lives in the United States where there are less excuses to blame our poor performances and lack of personal accountability.

Being thankful for what you have will hopefully make you appreciate the things around you a little more.

I remember now: we enter into His gate with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name (Psalm 100:4).