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What is Most Important to You Right Now #VirtualCampfire

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE SOME MOMENTS #VirtualCampfire OUR RESPONSE TO SOCIAL DISTANCING IS NOT ISOLATION, BUT RATHER, AN ANCIENT RITUAL WITH THIS MODERN INTERPRETATION: A VIRTUAL CAMPFIRE What is most important to you right now?…

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO

CREATE SOME MOMENTS

#VirtualCampfire

OUR RESPONSE TO SOCIAL DISTANCING IS NOT ISOLATION,

BUT RATHER,
AN ANCIENT RITUAL WITH THIS MODERN INTERPRETATION:
A VIRTUAL CAMPFIRE

What is most important to you right now? It’s a deep, fundamental question that we may all be asking ourselves. As human beings, we are a “meaning-making” species. We look for causes and effects, for correlations, for the “why” behind the events in our lives.

In a recent New York Times opinion piece, The Moral Meaning of the Plague, David Brooks shares one perspective on how we can face challenge, weave new stories, and create something better in the end.

I’d add one other source of meaning. It’s the story we tell about this moment. It’s the way we tie our moment of suffering to a larger narrative of redemption. It’s the way we then go out and stubbornly live out that story. The plague today is an invisible monster, but it gives birth to a better world.

Already there’s a shift of values coming to the world. We’re forced to be intentional about keeping up our human connections. Relationships get forged tighter by the pressure of mutual dread. Everybody hungers for tighter bonds and deeper care.

Let’s warm each other with connection. Reach out to anyone who might feel alone, anxious, and isolated. Everyone can be a leader in this moment. Each of you can create connection and deeper answers to the fundamental questions live is demanding of us right now.

CONNECT WITH YOURSELF, OTHERS, AND NATURE

WEEK OF MARCH 30TH – APRIL 5

Here are some ideas:

CONVERSATION STARTERS
What Is Most Important To You Right Now?
What Are You Freakishly Bad At?
What’s Something You’ve Tried, That You’ll Never, Ever Try Again?
What Are The Qualities You Really Enjoy In A Friend?
Who From Your Past Do You Really Wish You’d Stayed In Contact With?
Who or What Gives You The Courage To Try New Things
How Does Nature Support and Revive You?
Consider using Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, SnapChat, and other technologies
to have “face-to-face” conversations.

NEW WAYS TO CONNECT THIS WEEK

“CARING FOR NATURE, CARING FOR OURSELVES” UH BOARD ALUM, GEORGE HANDLEY ON YOUTUBE

In this online lecture, he’ll explore how the experience of suffering motivates and shapes our relationship to the natural world and why the creation’s healing qualities should inspire us to take better care of all of life.

BEEHIVE ARCHIVE

Our own Beehive Archive is a two-minute look at some of the most pivotal – and peculiar – events in Utah history! These Utah stories highlight intriguing, but sometimes little-known, details about people, places, and events that continue to shape our beloved Beehive State.

VIRTUAL WEB EDUCATION SERIES

Our partners at the Utah State Antiquities Section of Utah State History are starting a virtual web education series on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon (MST). Tune in live on Facebook:

3/26 Chinese Railroad Workers
3/31 Radiocarbon Dating (part 1)
4/2 Archaeology of Saltair
4/7 National Register of Historic Places
4/9 Radio Carbon Dating (part 2)

THE KING’S ENGLISH BOOKSHOP

The King’s English Bookshop is taking book orders for mail delivery or curbside pick-up. They are also offering virtual storytime each day at 11:00 AM on Facebook and Twitter.

UMOCA @ HOME

The Utah Museum of Contemporary Art is hosting virtual events and conversations on their Facebook page. For example, a recent “event” featured a highlight of Jane Christensen’s work, who shared some of the visual and textual research that undergirds her exhibition Mapping It Out. There are some greats reads here for social distancing and a fascinating video piece from Heinz Mack that can be viewed on Vimeo.

UMFA AT HOME

The Utah Museum of Fine Arts is staying connected with you through their UMFA at Home. Viewing world-class art in person isn’t the only way to become inspired. Whether you’re looking for ways to create, seeking community connection, or interested in learning about behind-the-scenes museum operations, the UMFA is here to help.

TORREY HOUSE PRESS

The Torrey House Press launched a weekly online series That Thing With Feathers: Hope and Literature in a Time of Pandemic, with the first piece from Karin Anderson (Before Us Like A Land of Dreams) and a second piece from A Irvine (Desert Cabal) and Craig Childs
(Virga & Bone). Join them for virtual tours and this new online series.

ADDITIONAL VIRTUAL HUMANITIES CONNECTIONS

VIRTUAL TOURS OF 12 WORLD-CLASS MUSEUMS

VIRTUAL CONCERTS THROUGH NPR

LOCAL VIRTUAL EVENTS LISTED AT NOW PLAYING UTAH

Our new #VirtualCampfire social media series provides daily posts with inspiration, conversation starters, ideas for doing the #HumanitiesAtHome, and more. Join Us!