Smell the Atmosphere

College started.

I am a machine. I wake up on time (sadly, my snooze button days have been put on hold). Read my scriptures. Eat my breakfast. Clean my body. Clean my apartment. Get my books. Ride my bus. Walk to my class. Learn. Go to my favorite spot in the library (where I am now). Do my homework. Find out my questions. Go to any of my labs. Go to my apartment. Do my homework. Try to socialize with my friends. Brush my teeth. Set my alarm. Sleep.

There are so many "my"s in that paragraph. College so far has been a very "me" oriented experience. 

That sentence is true to an extent. I still do things for other people. But, this summer taking care of "me" was the last thing on my mind. It feels weird to be so aware of myself now. But it's good.

College is good. College is a lot of work. College is unknown. College is testing my faith. But I do have faith.

I was looking up some words of our beloved prophet and found this gem.

"WE ARE ONE WITH YOU." – President Monson

Which reminded me of a testimony of my roommate this past Sunday.

It was something to the effect of "Heavenly Father loves me as much as He does His prophet."

It seems at times that all things must be placed in a caste system, a hierarchy. This must be better than this, which is better than this, and MUCH BETTER than that.

So often this concept is called upon when it comes to the people all around us. 

One. Unified. Together. Common. Their worries are mine; mine are theirs. It will be different and difficult, but I am going to try to adopt President Monson's and, I believe, our Father in Heaven's philosophy, "We are one with you."

Also, it was my mother's birthday. I adore her. I love her. I admire her. I learn from her. I watch her. I try to help her. I follow her. I want the best for her. I love her. 

She wrote a 700 word mini mystery last night. In one night. She is amazingly talented. I sure do miss her here at college. But I know that we will be together forever.

You may look at this title and wonder, "Hmmm. What the heck??"

It has to do with the philosophy of living mentioned above. That atmosphere is around me in my home and now at my college. It is so real, so potent, that I can smell it. If you don't like the smell of your atmosphere, leave it. Or work to create some figurative febreze.

See you on the flip side. (I don't know what that means. For my purposes it means Christmas break. After first semester is over.)