Here or There?...Here.

JUST A SMALL TOWN GIRL....

That's me! Just a Canadian (Eh?) girl making her way in the world.
Lately people have been asking me..."Hey Rachel! Is it different for you here in the city? Don't you miss the quiet farm? Aren't you homesick at all?"
I think it over.
I love Canada...Family...Familiar faces...The prairie wind blowing through my hair...The brilliant expanse of stars sparkling in the open night sky, daring me to think on the eternities...paired with the occasional mystery of the Northern Lights weaving colour through the darkness...

Yes I do love Canada. But do I miss it there?

Not at all.
 
Not that I'm not fond of the place. I am! But living here, learning here, and finally having the chance to kick-start my life of independence? There is nowhere else I'd rather be!

What amazes me about BYU is the sheer amount of diversity. As a Canadian farm girl, it is fascinating to see so many different people with different perspectives, backgrounds, ambitions, knowledge and talent! I love it, but at the same time I think that it would be, and it is easy to become overwhelmed, or even to become reserved in areas such as sharing individual talents, because of the sheer amount of others in our surroundings that are extremely talented.

In this case, for myself and for others that may feel similar, I believe it is vitally important to focus on becoming the best you can personally be, instead of constantly comparing yourself to others. I know this to be true, and I believe that it's easier to be happy if followed! We are all blessed with a diversity of individual gifts and talents. (See Matthew 25) So don't be afraid. Develop your talents. Share your talents. Strive to be the best you can be. Grow. Learn. Don't be afraid of failure! Overcome trials. Be Happy. :)

And for those at BYU, remember...No matter much diversity there is around us, there is one thing that remains as a consistent bond between us all, and that is the Gospel, and who we are and what we stand for because of it.

And that, my friends, is what I love about BYU the most.

Bulls-eye!

Hallelujah! Life is swell. ESPECIALLY because I'm so blessed that I get to be here at BYU. That contributes to the life-swellness scale I've got to say.

Why you might ask? Don't I have to deal with homework, studying, lack of sleep, household responsibilities, cooking, loads of dates (pffft not!), roommates, callings, long walks to school, projects and managing a social life in between?

Well, yes.
Yes I do.

BUT Ladies and Gentlemen...here's a secret. I LOVE it! Largely because I'm learning SO much! And I love learning.

The best part of it all is that I feel as though I'm learning as much OUT of school as I am learning IN school. It's phenomenal! Here. Let me break down for you some tidbits of knowledge I have gained/ highlights of being here.

1. People are awesome! 32, 000 people making up the student population, that's one impressive statistic. AND it means that I'm meeting new people every day! It's fantastic. There is so much I'm learning about people, and from people, and there is still so much yet to learn!

2. Being busy is awesome! No foolery. I don't know about you, but I have a hard time having nothing to do! I used to dislike summers as a child, simply because of boredom! I've found that I'm happiest when I'm being productive.

3. Setting Goals is......awesome!
Holy! Has this majorly helped me or what. I made a goal here to set goals everyday (in my little blue notebook!), and what a difference it has made! Especially when I actually accomplish my goals. Not only has it helped to de-stressify my life, but my productivity and ability to work has increased also!
These goals don't even need to be school related. For example, I've recently made a goal to write in my journal - what a huge blessing that has been so far!
I've learned that: Formula for success = Goals = Arrow to the target = Bulls-eye!

All this, and I'm not even close to telling all I've learned in the duration of time I've spent at Provo!

This is just a tribute.

A Child of God

There is nothing better than a good, heart-warming enlightening talk given by the leaders of my Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Oh wait! Let's rephrase that. There is nothing better than a good, heart-warming talk that is exactly what I needed to hear at this time in my life, a time that is...well...Pivotal, Crazy, Exciting, Terrifying, Illuminating, Fascinating, Incredible, New, and Strange...Just to name a few...scattered...adjectives.

I truly have been striving, dreaming and working towards coming to Brigham Young University my entire life. Now that i'm finally here - now that I can check actually getting here (and what a journey that was!) off my To-Do list - i've only discovered that there is so much more out there that I need to learn!
President Eyring's talk addresses this perfectly, and so much more. His words are a perfect reminder that here at BYU, and to me personally, spirituality and the pursuit of knowledge and education are significantly connected.

I'm afraid that what I say will not give this talk justice. So, if you would like to read it (I HIGHLY recommend it!) i'll post the link. :)

http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=2940

There were several things that I thought to be incredible about this talk, but some things that stood out to me were:

1. HUMILITY is the doorway to educational excellence, for it leads one to having the characteristics that lead to excellence in learning. For example, President Eyring said that those who are humble seek correction! I definitely want to improve in that area. I need to remember that: Humility = Power to Learn = Power to Serve = Power to rise up to privaleges God wants to grant us.

2. The great learner expects resistance, and overcomes it. In all actuality, it's a scary concept, expecting resistance. I think it's easy to search for that easier path, one that will be, well, a breeze. I hope though, that when i'm encountered by a challenge, that i'll match it head on, determined to overcome, and not be overcome.

3. Remember the Savior and his Atonement. No problem is too hard for us with his help. No price is too great to pay for what he offers us. Having this knowledge is vital to my education. The Atonement, as President Eyring said "produces a beautiful and powerful blend of courage and meekness," I hope I can go forth with this knowledge, along with the knowledge that I am a Child of God. If I trust in Him, he will not lead me astray.

"You are under mandate to pursue--not just while you are here, but throughout your lives--educational excellence."

Or in other words...

I, Rachel Bennett am under mandate to pursue--throughout my life--educational excellence.

Phew. That's a lot to take in. I hope I'm up to the challenge.