Today, a CTR ring is as notable a religious signal as anything else in the LDS faith, right up there with the less-obvious-to-see temple garments. It was a simple ring-on it were the letters "CTR," standing for the message to "Choose the Right." What began as a local practice spread to other LDS wards and stakes, then into use by persons way beyond the typical baptismal age of 8. Somewhere along the way, she helped conceive of an idea to help the youth of her Latter-day Saints Church progress forward in a positive way as they prepared for their baptisms. Everyone in Bingham Canyon knew of Norma Nichols. She led an extraordinary life as a church and community steward, showing by example how to give willingly to public causes. Too few people in Utah know that Dennis' mother is also notable. City Weekly thus awarded him Best One-Armed Piano Player in one of our Best of Utah issues. Nichols suffered a stroke that nearly disabled his playing, but he didn't quit. He also liked to layer in high school songs into his sets, notably-of course-"Bingham's Sons and Daughters," the fight song of his alma mater and the only high school fight song in Utah that even kids from other high schools had learned by heart (to mock us, but that's for another day). He spiced his sets by taking all kinds of "Name That Tune" challenges from the audience and knowing every song, from Bach to the Beatles. His specialty was having a good time and making sure his audience did as well. We became better acquainted years later when he'd perform at local clubs, especially at Club 90, which was owned at the time by a Bingham High classmate of his, Mike Kampros. Nichols taught music and played all over town. And by the time I got around to graduation, he'd already made a name for himself with his talent, even as a U.S. He was also well known because he was such a fine musician. Whether he knew me or not, we each knew of the other's family. He was quite a bit older than I, closer in age to my older brothers, Gary and Sam, but everybody knew everybody back then. This practice is easy to learn and can be practiced pretty much anywhere (note: it is not recommended to do this or any mindfulness practice while operating a motor vehicle).One of my good friends from up in Bingham Canyon-the only place in Utah that is marked with a star on God's map of the universe-was Dennis Nichols. If you are not somewhere where it is appropriate to say your responses out loud, simply say or think them silently to yourself. You will be asked to name what you are aware of. This guided practice uses the five senses (sight, touch, hearing, smell, and taste) to help one become more grounded and aware of the present moment. By developing awareness around the labels one uses to describe their individual reality (i.e., sensations, emotions/feelings, thoughts), one can develop a more mindful understanding of and a greater self-compassion for one’s moment-to-moment experience. This guided practice encourages participants to develop a mindful awareness of their physical, emotional, and mental experience in the present moment while staying focused on their breath. Through repeated practice, it is possible to memorize or internalize the instructions and develop a more mindful way of responding to life’s stressors. This guided practice cultivates a mindful awareness of one’s physical body.
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