TED Talk on Being Happy

I was introduced to this TED Talk by my TA here in Jordan.  It's a really good one.  He talks about how we often think of things backwards; we think that success leads to happiness.  In his research and experience he has found that happiness leads to success.  It's really interesting, so if you get a few minutes go ahead and watch it.

Procrastination

Over the summer my Arabic TA told me about a really great article on procrastination.  Of course, I procrastinated reading it until today.  But I finally did, and it's really good.  It's very enlightening to have someone explain so well what goes on in my head when I'm procrastinating.  It's also presented in a really fun and creative way, which makes it easy to understand and remember.  I think there are one or two cuss words, so be warned.  The article is definitely worth reading, though.  So when you're putting off doing your homework, or anything else, take a moment to read this for some inspiration to get out of the procrastination rut.

Blog: Wait But Why
The article is two parts.  Read the first one, and there's a link on that page to the second one.

Don't Let Fear Guide You

Earlier this year I spent a lot of time deciding whether I should do Arabic during the spring and summer to come to Jordan this fall (the fast track), or to wait and do things the normal way, coming next fall.  One of the things that worried me about doing the fast track was that I wouldn't know very many of the other students.  Most of them had been taking Arabic together for two years, and they had been in a lot of other classes together.  I had been in classes with some of them, but I didn't know any of them very well.  I was a little worried I wouldn't have many good friends in the program.  But despite my worries, I decided to do the fast track.

My spring and summer Arabic classes were small--six to ten students, all of whom were planning on going to Jordan this fall.  That was good for me because I do a lot better, socially-speaking, in smaller groups.  I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the class "clicked."  We got along really well, and I made some good friends.  I even met a couple of the others in our study abroad group, but I was still worried about the thirty others that I didn't know who would be on the same study abroad program.

Since arriving here, I have gotten to know a lot of the other students much better.  It has been intimidating at times, since they are all such good friends already, but knowing the small group from spring/summer has given me a foundation, and things have gone well since then.  Today someone brought cake to class for my birthday, several people wished me happy birthday, and a roommate bought me a Jordanian dessert.  Yesterday I walked into a classroom smiling (I had been talking to or joking around with another student in the hall), and one of my classmates said "Nick, are you ever not smiling?"  (I've changed a bit since elementary school I guess.)

I'm not saying these things to brag or anything; I'm just trying to make a point.  Imagine if I had let my fears stop me from going through with my plan.  I would be missing out on all of these experiences.  I'm glad I didn't let my fears stop me.  I think that's an important lesson, and one I'm still learning.  I can't let fear of failure stop me from pursuing a career, or any course of action that might seem intimidating.  So learn now what it took me years to realize!  No fear!

Deodorant

Dear Brothers,

I ran out of deodorant just before leaving America, so I had to go to the store to buy some for the study abroad. That meant I was asking myself a lot of questions. What brand should I get? What scent? What size? Should I try something new, or go with the boring, but reliable one I've been using? Should I spend more for one I really like? Luckily for me, almost all of those were satisfactorily answered.

After looking through all the deodorant I saw, debating, and comparing prices, I looked down to my right and saw a little green deodorant that had escaped my eyes. I picked it up, noting that it was significantly cheaper than the others. Skeptical, I uncapped the stick and moved it towards my nose, which was still recovering from smelling so many different deodorants. I wasn't sure what to think, but the price and size (slightly smaller than the others) tipped the scale of indecision, and I bought my Brut.

After nearly a month, I must say I quite like it. I like the subtle, but decidedly masculine scent. And it's cheaper than all the others. What more could I ask for? I know you probably aren't shopping for your own deodorant yet, but when you are, I suggest giving Brut a try.

Love,
Nick

Man's Search for Meaning

In Man's Search for Meaning Viktor E. Frankl first narrates his experiences in the concentration camps of World War II.  He was a trained psychiatrist, and so frequently analyzed himself and those around him.  The second half of the book is more technical, and in it he describes the theories he has formulated and conclusions he has come to as a result of his experiences.

Though it's a relatively short book, I have been reading it for several months now.  I went through the first half fairly quickly because it is narrative.  The second half is a little slower because it's more academic in nature.  But in the second half I have found a lot of great messages.  I just posted one quote on facebook, but that's not the one I want to write about now.  This is what I just read:

I wish to stress that the true meaning of life is to be discovered in the world rather than within man or his own psyche, as though it were a closed system.  I have termed this constitutive characteristic "the self-transcendence of human existence."  It denotes the fact that being human always points, and is directed, to something, or someone, other than oneself--be it a meaning to fulfill or another human being to encounter.  The more one forgets himself--by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love--the more human he is and the more he actualizes himself.  What is called self-actualization is not an attainable aim at all, for the simple reason that the more one would strive for it, the more he would miss it.  In other words, self-actualization is possible only as a side-effect of self-transcendence. (p. 110-111)

Does that sound familiar?  I'm reminded of two quotes that say similar things.  Conveniently, I found both in this Deseret News article telling President Hinckley's story.

"I wrote home to my father and said, 'I'm not doing any good here. I am just wasting my time and your money. I don't see any point in staying here."' 

The answer came: "Dear Gordon. I have your letter. ... I have only one suggestion. Forget yourself and go to work. With love, Your Father." 

President Hinckley said of that moment, "I pondered his response and then the next morning in our scripture class we read that great statement of the Lord: 'For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.'

The scripture referenced is Mark 8:35.  It is very interesting to me to see science confirm the gospel in this regard.  Nor was Frankl seeking to prove the gospel true; he was Jewish.  This is only one of several instances I have found in the book of science confirming gospel principles.  I highly suggest reading the book, but even more important than that, I suggest trying to live it.  We find ourselves in serving and loving others.  A life focused on self is an empty one, full of regret.  Live a full life by giving it to others.

Language Learning Travel Opportunities

I wish I had known about this when I was in high school.  Although I'm not sure that I knew how strong my interest in language learning was at that point.  My regrets aside, there's a scholarship funded by the State Department called the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) that sends students on overseas summer programs to learn languages the government deems important.  They pay for pretty much everything.  Here are the languages they offer:

• Arabic
• Chinese
• Hindi
• Korean
• Persian
• Russian
• Turkish

Learning a language makes you stand out.  And it will help you get into college.  And it will help you get a job.  Besides all that, you would get to travel!  The scholarships are merit-based, which means you don't have to be poor to get it (some scholarships are need-based, and based on government criteria we don't qualify).  It never hurts to apply.  If any of you are interested in learning languages, I think you should apply.  Even if none of those languages sound particularly appealing right now, they could be.  If you'd asked me before my mission, I don't think I would've expressed interest in any of them, but now I would do just about all of them.  Here's the website: NSLI for Youth

Deadline for applications is October 30.