Clara

Robert and Clara Schumann were a musical couple. They both composed, and Clara was a concert pianist. Unfortunately, Robert was mentally unstable, so Clara had to tour and give many concerts to earn money for the family. Robert also wanted children. So Clara also raised seven children and eventually some grandchildren. Clara was a strong, talented woman, devoted to her husband and children. In Robert's journal he writes of Clara:

"..to have children, and a husband who is always living in the realm of imagination, does not go together with composing. She cannot work at it regularly, and I am often disturbed to think how many profound ideas are lost because she cannot work them out."

I think motherhood is a worthy cause. I truly do, let's get that straight.
But as I read this quote, I thought about life in general. Too often, we find ourselves centered on work - housework, homework, workplace - work, work, work. With all of the to-do lists (trust me, I know to-do lists) and errands, it's easy to let profound ideas flow in one ear and out the other. Imagine the impact of 10 solitary minutes to think, to expound, to create. I think it could transform the quality of our lives.

At the end of my life, I don't want my head to be stuffed with brilliant ideas that I neglected to develop, share, or create. So, I will take my ten minutes and think. Thank you very much.

And that's what Jenny thinks.

Weak Things

Everyone is challenged on a daily basis. Setbacks are hurled at us in every direction. Opportunity for discouragement and depression abound. A combination of all of these hard things often make it seem as though we are weak. It is easy to feel weak-emotionally, physically, spiritually, or mentally - in today's world. After a long day, it seems as though the time gobbled me up. I wonder, how am I supposed to make it through several more decades when this one day kicked my trash? It is easy to say, I am weak. I read this scripture the other day:

"To their astonishment, the city of Noah, which had hitherto been a weak place, had now, by the means of Moroni, become strong...."

I thought for a moment, and then I decided that by the means of Jenny McKay, weak things will become strong. We are all weak in some way or another. The challenge is looking over these setbacks to find the strengths and talents that abound in each of us. If we could all be the means of finding strength in a time of trial, then we could conquer the world.

And that's what Jenny thinks.

Donut

A few weeks ago, in church, we sang a hymn. I know, it's hard to believe. And of course, some lyrics caught my eyes:

"May union, peace, and love abound,
and perfect harmony,
And joy in one continual round
Through all eternity."

I liked the imagery of joy being one continual round. Neverending. Infinite. Continuous. Joy. That is what life should be - one continual round of joy. Hardships abound, and errors constantly occur. But nothing gives us enough reason to live without joy for even one second. My choir director, Sister Hall, talks about how often she eats a delicious meal without really enjoying it. Life is full of rich deliciousness if we are conscious enough to notice it. Every moment can be joyful. Every bite of life is filled with sweetness just for our enjoyment. So often we forget that is what life is about. Life isn't about getting done. Life is about savoring every, last, joy-filled second. Life is basically an endless donut - a continuous round of joy.

And that's what Jenny thinks.