Feel Good Fuzzies Await!

I'm in the BYU library, browsing the internet until my Fundamental Literary Interpretation class in 40 minutes. I strategically locked myself out of the apartment this morning. When I came home from my second class of the day at 11, all I wanted to do was nap for half an hour, eat lunch, put on makeup, and then go back to campus for my FLI class. But as I reached into my bag and didn't find my key, I lost all motivation to be happy. I even stamped my little foot! Storm clouds visibly formed above my cross, cross head. My stomach felt like it was going to explode if I didn't eat something.
Zac was in class this whole time, so I couldn't just get him to open the door.
Grumbling, I went back down the apartment's stairwell and trekked back to campus. As I was walking, I found myself thinking of wonderful things that had happened that morning. Suddenly, annoyance with myself and the situation changed to quiet appreciation for my trials. I started listing in my head "mini-blessings" or "feel-good-fuzzies" that have recently been assailing me...in a good way :)

1. I totally DESTROYED my Theatre History 1 pop quiz this morning. A+ in the bag. Baddabing.
2. I lent my Living Theatre textbook to a girl before class so she could study. The pages are rigorously highlighted, so she could just breeze through the chapter! She was very appreciative and thanked me profusely. "You're a lifesaver!"
3. I am getting so awesome in my Beginning Stage Combat class! I can forward roll, side roll, and backward roll. Today we learned how to shove effectively and safely! Wahhh! Hooray theatre!
4. I laughed a TON in my Beginning Stage Combat class. We had so much fun with each other. 
5. I got to see Zac snoozing peacefully in bed when I left for class at 7:30.
6. Last night I read my scriptures about faith, hope, and charity. Need I say more? :)
7. I have several ideas in mind for my three 10 minute plays for Playwriting... 
8. I am reading an AMAZING book in my FLI class called "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down" by Anne Fadiman. It's about a Hmong family and their struggle with the Western world and their daughter's epilepsy. Go. Read. That. Book. Here's the teacher's prompt on our class's "blog"site...

"Reflect on how your identity as a Latter-Day Saint informs your approach to reading literature. That is, I'd like you to think about the processes through which you find meaning in literature and how those processes might be shaped by LDS culture. I'd encourage you to talk specifically about how your approach to The Spirit Catches Youmight be shaped by your identity as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

 

I'd then like you to think about the implications of the interpretive processes to which you subscribe: What are the advantages of reading in this particular way? What types of meaning might you miss out on by taking this approach to literature? (If you are not LDS, adjust the assignment to consider how an alternative religious or cultural tradition influences your reading habits).

 

I'm asking you to do some serious thinking here, so your post will most likely need to be longer than the typical two to three paragraphs. Post by 7 am."

And here's my response...

My identity is still growing, both as a student and a member of the LDS church. However, I will articulate as best I can with who I am right now and experiences that have led to my current “identity.” Who I am today is centered entirely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As such, when I read a piece of literature, I look forward to the personal changes the characters will go through, how the plot will change as a result of the characters decisions, and how I will eventually make the decision to be “changed” when finished reading. My LDS perspective with regards to literature is simple: The choices we make always bring about consequences and the Atonement brings about a “change of heart.”  

 

I try to imagine the potential each character possesses, just as Christ did for us when He died on the cross.

 

While reading the first three chapters of The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, I found myself constantly adapting to a completely different world and culture belonging to the Hmong people. Though at first caught off guard with their traditions, I then thought of what they’d think of our LDS traditions. Soon that “uneasiness” or “discomfort” flew out the window as I flew through the pages of the book. I ate it up. I became fully immersed and fascinated by their history as a people and what makes the Hmong, “Hmong.” Another LDS perspective I use when exposed to literature: Humility. Through casting myself aside, I see how the Lee’s beliefs and decisions create conflict and change. Thus, they grow.

 

I have a younger sibling who suffers from epilepsy. The transcendent tones and nuances of epilepsy in The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down left me with tears on my cheeks. The Spirit “caught me” and I wondered if my sister really does travel “into the realm of the unseen” when having a grand mal seizure. I wondered if I really should be so worried and frightened for my sister when her eyes roll to the back of her head and she zones out for a matter of minutes. When she comes back, she doesn’t know where she’s been. I think there will always be a part of me that is scared for my sister, but because of the Hmong people and their example of absolute faith, I have gained a stronger testimony in faith that my sister’s “illness” is beautiful.

 

Obviously, my approach at latching onto literature with the idea “change” will occur is both encouraging and hindering. Character development is essential to any story and sometimes amazing parallels can be made to my life and the people I love. However, if I have a “set-in-stone” mindset that the characters will “change” and then come to find out they don’t, I immediately put up walls. I subconsciously distance myself from the plot, characters, and the author himself. There are times when the characters serve as “symbols” and the author intends for them to remain constant throughout the story. My second LDS perspective then comes into play and I practice humility. 

And apparently my teacher commented on my post with a video message? Hermm...I think I may have to cut my blog post short, kiddies. Urgent college kid stuff awaits!