.the enchanted loom.

Today is World Autism Awareness Day. Got me thinking about where I am in relation to my career goals. I entered BYU with the thought that I will work with autistic children one day. I want to make a difference in their lives that I've seen done in my brother's life. I hope I have the patience to do that. Sometimes I doubt if I do.

I haven't even worked with autistic kids yet. And I'm getting into my third year of college. How am I going to have the experience I need if I don't even start sometime soon?

Should I keep my current job? Should I get a second job? I could... And just take fewer classes. I don't necessarily need to graduate anytime soon. There aren't any jobs at the moment anyway. There are plenty of opportunities to work with autistic children around here. I could definitely get a second job working with kids. I get emails about them all the time from the Psychology department.

Maybe I'll start that in the summer term. Gosh I just wish it wasn't a requirement to be home by 5:30 every night for the Spanish house - that'd free up a ton more time.

Ugh. So what I've decided, I guess, is that I have a long way to go before I reach my goal of working with autistic children. But I still have the drive to do it. Especially after going to this lecture last Thursday about the technological developments in diagnosing the disorder. There are great things happening in this field.


This is what I want to see everyday:




This is why I'm here.

.influence.

In a lecture last week, the professor cited the Gutenberg Bible printed on the Gutenberg press to be the most influential of the ten most influential books ever printed. I find that interesting. Some people would generally put other books ahead of this. However, I definitely agree with him. He made the excellent point that none of the remaining nine influential books would have been known without the invention of the Gutenberg press. It is astounding to think that one invention could have the profound effect on the rest of the world for the rest of time. I wonder what other inventions have done the same thing. Without any doubt, the computer has forever changed the way that businesses are run, social interactions are made, and information is transmitted, received and processed.
Is that the same for our actions? What effect will my actions today have on others tomorrow? In a week? In a year? In a decade? In a century? A millennium? It is strange to think that my tiny insignificant being can possibly change history in the future. Is it possible that because of a blacksmith not reporting to work one summer day in 1713 that in the 20th century, I was born in California to a jeweler and his wife? Or that because one night a little boy stole a lollipop from a candy store in 1920 that I am now sitting in the class writing this blog? (and obviously not paying attention to the professor?) It is definitely food for thought. I know at least two past actions made by others that have made it possible to be where I am today. The first is of Joseph Smith’s decision to kneel in that Grove and pray. Just to pray. Because of his humble inquiry, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The second is the most profound and unfathomable action of all. Jesus Christ atoned for my sins and was crucified willingly and God-willingly so that I have a chance at returning back to my Father in Heaven eventually. Agency really is the driving force of history. And of love. And of life.

It's been awhile since I've done this..... I think I'm way past due:

Syd's Top 10 For Today:
1. The Atonement of Jesus Christ
2. Supportive friends
3. Spontaneous adventures the past three weekends!
4. Sammy's real cheesecake shakes.
5. Laughter
6. Sweet double bed with Jessie
7. Those meds I finally got yesterday!!
8. Mario Kart on the Wii
9. My =] playlist
10. Professor postponed preposterous paper.



Life has so much to offer - why haven't I seen it before? I'm seeing it now!