Relived: Uinta High Adventure

An adventurous overview of life at a High Adventure Scout camp where I worked for two cheery summers. This clip is from the feature I did for my fellow employees.

Talents

I finished Three Cups of Tea this morning as I rode into work on Trax. I was wrapped up reading, when struck by the dichotomy of Greg Mortenson who had just been caught in the crossfire between two skirmishing bands of drug runners in northern Afghanistan, had not eaten in three days, had lost his laptop, his backpack, and had lost most of his money. All so he could meet and befriend the local warlord so he could build schools in the province. Meanwhile, standing next to me, was a long haired, pudgy man animatedly describing the magical powers bestowed upon an avatar from the various colored manas in some computer game. I stifled my laugh. The two situations could not be more opposite.

The men’s conversation continued as they exited Trax ten minutes later at the U stadium. They were completely absorbed by this game. It was their world, their joy. This game is what they do. But where is the meaning in that? What good does it do?

Greg Mortenson has beautifully demonstrated the true power one man can have when he acts. Look at the good he has done. He has single handedly influenced more than 15,000 children in one of the poorest and dangerous areas in the world. He educates. This is what he does.

The parable of the talents comes to mind (Matt.25:14-30). The Lord sent us to earth and we each have certain talents. Some of us have five, some one. The Lord expects us to return to him having used and developed our talent(s), thus earning interest. He who has one is expected to return with two. He who has five, ten.

Greg has used his. But what about all those of us who are sitting around all day watching movies and playing video games? How is that improving us and helping others? Elder Bednar said in a sacrament meeting held at the Kaysville 17th ward, “you will be held accountable for the good you could have done.” I can’t help but wonder if those of us who whittle away our time with activities that merely distract will be greeted by the Lord saying, “Thou wicked and slothful servant…cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness” (Matt 25:26,30).

This has made me stop and think: How and by what is my life defined? Computer games, movies, writing, the outdoors? What is it I do?

What is it that you do?