Sunday, December 26, 2010
Big Brother
The amount of information available bewilders me...It blows my mind that I can look and see where in the world people are reading this, how they got here, and that they are reading it on their iPhone...
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Taking the day
2010 was not my favorite year; and I have already taken into account that ranking years is a little Obsessive Compulsive, even for me. I do have some good years, I liked '95 (49ers last Superbowl Win) '03 (Senior Year of Highschool. Awesome.) '08 (Senior year of college, not a moment too soon!), and in all honesty life in general has been pretty good. But 2010 was a particular brand I just didn't enjoy.
2010, however, is coming to a close. And while part of me breathes a sigh of relief, I am still wishing I could take another crack at the year and see if we can pull something out of it that could turn everything around. I wish and had made a few different business/career moves that would have allowed me to side-step the economic demise of an entire industry that catapulted me into managing a Footlocker instead of carving out a little slice of the world. I wish I would have re-arranged my schedule in 2010 so I could have enjoyed more time with family both near and far. I wish I would have taken more strokes off my game and spent at least one round on a course with my uncle Steve. More than anything, 2010 felt panicked, rushed and stressful; Three attributes to life I can very easily live without.
The past two days, however, have been anything but. Life just slowed down for a bit. Yesterday alone was a gift that allowed me to just sit and watch time pass by with no care or worries about where it was passing to. I watched my daughter play with her new pet; a little dog that barks at her...and then she barks back, I played games with my wife, and just enjoyed life for the day.
Tomorrow we get back to it, but I am determined to take the peace of Christmas with me in the days to come. Not so much the warm thoughts and being nice to other people (not that those are bad things; but I am a realist here - those won't last)but the peace I found with my family that day; the joys of the simple things in life that are so easily missed when time is moving just a little too fast. 2010 wasn't all that great because I forgot to dwell on those little moments that make life great. And I am going to make sure that 2011 is awesome.
-Little moment of the day: My daughter just got annoyed with my wife because she was giving her kisses and blocking the line of sight to the laptop. Great, she's got her mother's attitude!
2010, however, is coming to a close. And while part of me breathes a sigh of relief, I am still wishing I could take another crack at the year and see if we can pull something out of it that could turn everything around. I wish and had made a few different business/career moves that would have allowed me to side-step the economic demise of an entire industry that catapulted me into managing a Footlocker instead of carving out a little slice of the world. I wish I would have re-arranged my schedule in 2010 so I could have enjoyed more time with family both near and far. I wish I would have taken more strokes off my game and spent at least one round on a course with my uncle Steve. More than anything, 2010 felt panicked, rushed and stressful; Three attributes to life I can very easily live without.
The past two days, however, have been anything but. Life just slowed down for a bit. Yesterday alone was a gift that allowed me to just sit and watch time pass by with no care or worries about where it was passing to. I watched my daughter play with her new pet; a little dog that barks at her...and then she barks back, I played games with my wife, and just enjoyed life for the day.
Tomorrow we get back to it, but I am determined to take the peace of Christmas with me in the days to come. Not so much the warm thoughts and being nice to other people (not that those are bad things; but I am a realist here - those won't last)but the peace I found with my family that day; the joys of the simple things in life that are so easily missed when time is moving just a little too fast. 2010 wasn't all that great because I forgot to dwell on those little moments that make life great. And I am going to make sure that 2011 is awesome.
-Little moment of the day: My daughter just got annoyed with my wife because she was giving her kisses and blocking the line of sight to the laptop. Great, she's got her mother's attitude!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
The man we all knew.
My Uncle Steve passed away this past Monday night after a difficult struggle with Lou Gehrig's disease. He is survived by his wife and four children and three grand-children.
The Russon family has been very fortunate to not have to deal with death's in the family very often. In fact, Steve is the closest person to me that has passed away since we put my dog down in high school; so I wasn't really sure how any of us would react when this time came. As I have reflected on his life, I feel like I did not know the man as well as I ought. I saw him at family events and we often shared stories and laughs. Steve and I talked about golf and about travel, the two things we had in common. However, I felt like there was so much I didn't know about him. I did not know about his views on life. I didn't know his politics. I didn't know his take on current events or life's situations. I knew how he ate pie.
However, using what I did know and the times we did share, I realized I knew much about the man, and he knew me.
I never saw Steve in any setting without his family. I never saw him not surrounded by people who loved him. I never saw his demeanor as anything but happy; I think it was his default position. Never once, not once, did I hear a negative word come out of his mouth while in my presence. I knew he loved to be active. I knew he loved to help other people. In the last weeks of his life he was still trying to set me up with a job within a local company; he refused to let me change the subject to him. It seems as though the man willed himself to live until after the wedding of his youngest daughter, lasting merely hours after the ceremony.
Perhaps this is all rose colored because of the circumstances. But I am ashamed to think that it took the circumstances for me to see any color at all. My memories of Steve all point towards the same character; a man who I am in awe of. He never lived for himself, even when he knew he was going to die.
I knew the man. I did not know his politics or financial dealings. I did not know his reactions and thoughts to daily occurrences. But I knew him. I knew the life he lived and the legacy he left. I know the children he raised and the family he built. They live on, standing beside those who love them, as a tribute and a testimony to the man we knew, Steven Merlin Russon.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive, fatal, neurodegenerative disease caused by the degeneration of motor neurons, the nerve cells in the central nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement. The disorder causes muscle weakness and atrophy throughout the body as both the upper and lower motor neurons degenerate, ceasing to send messages to muscles. Unable to function, the muscles gradually weaken, develop fasciculations (twitches) because of denervation, and eventually atrophy because of that denervation. Affected individuals may ultimately lose the ability to initiate and control all voluntary movement. For more information on ALS, click here.
The Russon family has been very fortunate to not have to deal with death's in the family very often. In fact, Steve is the closest person to me that has passed away since we put my dog down in high school; so I wasn't really sure how any of us would react when this time came. As I have reflected on his life, I feel like I did not know the man as well as I ought. I saw him at family events and we often shared stories and laughs. Steve and I talked about golf and about travel, the two things we had in common. However, I felt like there was so much I didn't know about him. I did not know about his views on life. I didn't know his politics. I didn't know his take on current events or life's situations. I knew how he ate pie.
However, using what I did know and the times we did share, I realized I knew much about the man, and he knew me.
I never saw Steve in any setting without his family. I never saw him not surrounded by people who loved him. I never saw his demeanor as anything but happy; I think it was his default position. Never once, not once, did I hear a negative word come out of his mouth while in my presence. I knew he loved to be active. I knew he loved to help other people. In the last weeks of his life he was still trying to set me up with a job within a local company; he refused to let me change the subject to him. It seems as though the man willed himself to live until after the wedding of his youngest daughter, lasting merely hours after the ceremony.
Perhaps this is all rose colored because of the circumstances. But I am ashamed to think that it took the circumstances for me to see any color at all. My memories of Steve all point towards the same character; a man who I am in awe of. He never lived for himself, even when he knew he was going to die.
I knew the man. I did not know his politics or financial dealings. I did not know his reactions and thoughts to daily occurrences. But I knew him. I knew the life he lived and the legacy he left. I know the children he raised and the family he built. They live on, standing beside those who love them, as a tribute and a testimony to the man we knew, Steven Merlin Russon.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive, fatal, neurodegenerative disease caused by the degeneration of motor neurons, the nerve cells in the central nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement. The disorder causes muscle weakness and atrophy throughout the body as both the upper and lower motor neurons degenerate, ceasing to send messages to muscles. Unable to function, the muscles gradually weaken, develop fasciculations (twitches) because of denervation, and eventually atrophy because of that denervation. Affected individuals may ultimately lose the ability to initiate and control all voluntary movement. For more information on ALS, click here.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
L&D
Well for the moment, time has seemed to slow down. It is a very interesting experience in life that I was not really prepared for. Life was moving faster than ever before, with more and more stress piling on.
Then out of absolutely nowhere, my little girl was born.
Okay not out of nowhere, but describing where she came from would not be poetic, it was gross! But all of a sudden I find myself sitting in a hospital room with absolutely no sense of time or place - just a little girl who likes to look back into my eyes when I hold her.
Her name is Tessa. She is perfect. She is also pretty darn cute - and I am fairly crtain she's gifted. I mean, I'm not sure; at the moment I'm the guy who can't tell time, but yeah-she's gifted. Tessa was born at 8:35pm on September 14. She weighed in at 6lbs and 6oz and measured at 17 3/4 inches. We are certain that she has inherited her mother's distaste for hospitals and her father's ability to loudly voice her opinion.
And she's gifted.
Then out of absolutely nowhere, my little girl was born.
Okay not out of nowhere, but describing where she came from would not be poetic, it was gross! But all of a sudden I find myself sitting in a hospital room with absolutely no sense of time or place - just a little girl who likes to look back into my eyes when I hold her.
Her name is Tessa. She is perfect. She is also pretty darn cute - and I am fairly crtain she's gifted. I mean, I'm not sure; at the moment I'm the guy who can't tell time, but yeah-she's gifted. Tessa was born at 8:35pm on September 14. She weighed in at 6lbs and 6oz and measured at 17 3/4 inches. We are certain that she has inherited her mother's distaste for hospitals and her father's ability to loudly voice her opinion.
And she's gifted.
Monday, August 16, 2010
I wrote the following for a speech given at my Sunday Service. It probably sounded better than it reads, but it turned out well enough to post:
What is Service?
Today we have discussed characteristics of Christ that we, as disciples of Him, are trying to emulate. “Service to others is one of the most important characteristics of a disciple of Jesus Christ. (1)” It allows us to think of others and do for others the way the Savior would if he were in our place. If done correctly, service literally allows us to act on behalf of Jesus Christ; as we give help to those in need.
Why do we serve?
President Thomas S. Monson has said that it is “the service that counts (2).” But why, why is it the service that counts above all other actions we may take in our daily life. For matters of this discussion, I would like to discuss three reasons.
It is a test of a true disciple
Those who are baptized covenant to take the name of Jesus Christ upon themselves. The prophet Alma explained this covenant to a group of new converts who wanted to be baptized. He observed that their desire to "come into the fold of God" included a willingness to give meaningful service—to "bear one another's burdens, that they may be light," to "mourn with those that mourn," and to "comfort those that stand in need of comfort (3).”
The Savior is the best example of service. Even though He came to earth as the Son of God, He humbly served all those around Him. He declared, "I am among you as he that serveth (4).”
The Savior used a parable to teach the importance of service. In the parable, He told of His return to the earth in His glory and of separating the righteous from the wicked. To the righteous in this parable He says: "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me (5).”
The righteous, who are puzzled by this declaration, ask: "Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? (6).”
Then the Lord answers, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me (7).”
Christ knows His sheep and can recognize His true disciples by the service the render to others. If we are to follow Him, and be counted worthy at the last day; we must recognize the importance of giving meaningful service to those in need.
It allows us to save ourselves
President Spencer W. Kimball observed this about service:
I have learned that it is by serving that we learn how to serve. When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves. In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus, that by losing ourselves, we find ourselves. (See Matt. 10:39.)
Not only do we “find” ourselves in terms of acknowledging guidance in our lives, but the more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls. We become more significant individuals as we serve others. We become more substantive as we serve others—indeed, it is easier to “find” ourselves because there is so much more of us to find!
George MacDonald observed that “it is by loving and not by being loved that one can come nearest to the soul of another.” (George MacDonald Anthology, Geoffrey Bles, London, 1970.) Of course, we all need to be loved, but we must be giving and not always receiving if we want to have wholeness in our lives and a reinforced sense of purpose (8).
It seems as though President Kimball is on to something. It seems to me that we are incomplete without service – that we were programmed to operate this way; and without serving others we do not feel whole. And what’s more, we cannot be whole.
Before I discuss the final reason to serve, I wish to touch on instances when no service is given and those who choose to serve.
Those who do not serve.
Unfortunately, some Latter-day Saints seem to forego unselfish service to others, choosing instead to fix their priorities on the standards and values of the world. Jesus cautioned that Satan desires to sift us like wheat (see Luke 22:31; 3 Nephi 18:18), which means to make us common like all those around us. But Jesus taught that we who follow Him should be precious and unique, “the salt of the earth (9)” and “the light of the world,” to shine forth to all men (10).”
We do not serve our Savior well if we fear man more than God. He rebuked some leaders in His restored Church for seeking the praise of the world and for having their minds on the things of the earth more than on the things of the Lord (see D&C 30:2; 58:39). Those chastisements remind us that we are called to establish the Lord’s standards, not to follow the world’s. Elder John A. Widtsoe declared, “We cannot walk as other men, or talk as other men, or do as other men, for we have a different destiny, obligation, and responsibility placed upon us, and we must fit ourselves [to it] (11).”
Those who are caught up in trying to save their lives by seeking the praise of the world are actually rejecting the Savior’s teaching that the only way to save our eternal life is to love one another and lose our lives in service (12).
C. S. Lewis explained this teaching of the Savior: “The moment you have a self at all, there is a possibility of putting yourself first—wanting to be the centre—wanting to be God, in fact. That was the sin of Satan: and that was the sin he taught the human race. Some people think the fall of man had something to do with sex, but that is a mistake. … What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that they could ‘be like gods’—could set up on their own as if they had created themselves—be their own masters—invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt has come … the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy (13).”
A selfish person is more interested in pleasing man—especially himself—than in pleasing God. He looks only to his own needs and desires. He walks “in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world (14).” Such a person becomes disconnected from the covenant promises of God (see D&C 1:15) and from the mortal friendship and assistance we all need in these tumultuous times.
Who is my neighbor?
In Paul’s day he spoke of people who had lost their way and become corrupted by Satan’s buffetings. He spoke of these people as “Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful.
In 1974 President Kimball spoke of a society that “in the last days would display…the social symptoms that existed in the time of Noah. We have very few adjectives that describe Noah’s contemporaries, but his neighbors were apparently very “disobedient” to the commandments of God, and the earth was “corrupt” and, significantly, society was then “filled with violence.” (See Gen. 6:11.)
Today all one has to do is to turn on the news to see that these words have and will continue to be fulfilled in our generation. Our neighbors, our friends, our ward lives in a world that is becoming more selfish, more prideful, more corrupt. It is said that in the last days men’s hearts will fail them and wax cold; and it is my belief that nothing can reverse the effects of that condition accept the spirit of God that comes with unselfish service. We must go to our neighbors and give freely of our time and talents-we must take the time to give to them unselfishly-for it might be that very act that saves them.
A group of individuals who once received very similar counsel asked the question, “Who then is my neighbor?” Rather than recite the parable that was prompted by that question, I wish to offer something different while also touching on my last point:
As I share these thoughts with you, think of whom your neighbors are; think of your friends and your family, look at the people around you
It saves others
1 in 8 people are statistically poor (15).
1 in 5 children are born into poverty (15).
44 Million People currently don’t have health insurance (16).
1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime (17).
1.8 Million Children are current users of cocaine (18).
5 Million Adults are drug addicts (16).
3 Million Are behind bars (16).
3.5 million Kids go to schools that are literally falling apart which would cost 27 Billion to be rebuilt (16).
To say nothing of the thousands who are homeless, helpless and are most certainly feeling hopless and lost.
The hearts of men are waxing cold and failing them, there are Millions, Millions of people in need of selfless, earnest, Christ-like service; people in this city, people in this room. This is a time for men to stand up, place aside the thoughts, ideals and prejudices that keep them from helping, roll up their sleeves and say “what can I do for you today?” I testify that this world will be a better place for it, and we all will be better people.
Works Cited
1. Presidency, The First. For Strength of Youth. Salt Lake City : The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2000.
2. Monson, Thomas S. How Firm a Foundation. Ensign. November, 2006, pp. 62, 67–68.
3. Mosiah 18:8-9.
4. Luke 22:27.
5. Matthew 25: 34-36.
6. Matthew 25:37-39.
7. Matthew 25:40.
8. Kimball, Spencer W. Small Acts of Service. Ensign. December, 1974, p. 2.
9. Mattew 5:13.
10. Matthew 5:14.
11. Widtsoe, John A. Conference Report. Salt Lake City : The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-Day Saints, April 1940. p. 36.
12. Oaks, Dallin H. Unselfish Service. Ensign. May, 2009, pp. 93-96.
13. Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. 1980. p. 49. Emphasis Added.
14. D&C 1:16.
15. Poverty. US Census Bureau. [Online] US Government. http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/poverty.html.
16. Schlamme, Thomas. The West Wing - Two Cathedrals. [writ.] Aaron Sorkin.[perf.] Martin Sheen. [prod.] John Wells. Warner Brothers; NBC, 2001.
17. Domestic Violence Facts. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. [Online] http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet%28National%29.pdf.
18. Teen Drug Abuse Statistics. Teen Drug Abuse. [Online] http://www.teendrugabuse.us/teen_drug_use.html.
What is Service?
Today we have discussed characteristics of Christ that we, as disciples of Him, are trying to emulate. “Service to others is one of the most important characteristics of a disciple of Jesus Christ. (1)” It allows us to think of others and do for others the way the Savior would if he were in our place. If done correctly, service literally allows us to act on behalf of Jesus Christ; as we give help to those in need.
Why do we serve?
President Thomas S. Monson has said that it is “the service that counts (2).” But why, why is it the service that counts above all other actions we may take in our daily life. For matters of this discussion, I would like to discuss three reasons.
It is a test of a true disciple
Those who are baptized covenant to take the name of Jesus Christ upon themselves. The prophet Alma explained this covenant to a group of new converts who wanted to be baptized. He observed that their desire to "come into the fold of God" included a willingness to give meaningful service—to "bear one another's burdens, that they may be light," to "mourn with those that mourn," and to "comfort those that stand in need of comfort (3).”
The Savior is the best example of service. Even though He came to earth as the Son of God, He humbly served all those around Him. He declared, "I am among you as he that serveth (4).”
The Savior used a parable to teach the importance of service. In the parable, He told of His return to the earth in His glory and of separating the righteous from the wicked. To the righteous in this parable He says: "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me (5).”
The righteous, who are puzzled by this declaration, ask: "Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? (6).”
Then the Lord answers, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me (7).”
Christ knows His sheep and can recognize His true disciples by the service the render to others. If we are to follow Him, and be counted worthy at the last day; we must recognize the importance of giving meaningful service to those in need.
It allows us to save ourselves
President Spencer W. Kimball observed this about service:
I have learned that it is by serving that we learn how to serve. When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves. In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus, that by losing ourselves, we find ourselves. (See Matt. 10:39.)
Not only do we “find” ourselves in terms of acknowledging guidance in our lives, but the more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls. We become more significant individuals as we serve others. We become more substantive as we serve others—indeed, it is easier to “find” ourselves because there is so much more of us to find!
George MacDonald observed that “it is by loving and not by being loved that one can come nearest to the soul of another.” (George MacDonald Anthology, Geoffrey Bles, London, 1970.) Of course, we all need to be loved, but we must be giving and not always receiving if we want to have wholeness in our lives and a reinforced sense of purpose (8).
It seems as though President Kimball is on to something. It seems to me that we are incomplete without service – that we were programmed to operate this way; and without serving others we do not feel whole. And what’s more, we cannot be whole.
Before I discuss the final reason to serve, I wish to touch on instances when no service is given and those who choose to serve.
Those who do not serve.
Unfortunately, some Latter-day Saints seem to forego unselfish service to others, choosing instead to fix their priorities on the standards and values of the world. Jesus cautioned that Satan desires to sift us like wheat (see Luke 22:31; 3 Nephi 18:18), which means to make us common like all those around us. But Jesus taught that we who follow Him should be precious and unique, “the salt of the earth (9)” and “the light of the world,” to shine forth to all men (10).”
We do not serve our Savior well if we fear man more than God. He rebuked some leaders in His restored Church for seeking the praise of the world and for having their minds on the things of the earth more than on the things of the Lord (see D&C 30:2; 58:39). Those chastisements remind us that we are called to establish the Lord’s standards, not to follow the world’s. Elder John A. Widtsoe declared, “We cannot walk as other men, or talk as other men, or do as other men, for we have a different destiny, obligation, and responsibility placed upon us, and we must fit ourselves [to it] (11).”
Those who are caught up in trying to save their lives by seeking the praise of the world are actually rejecting the Savior’s teaching that the only way to save our eternal life is to love one another and lose our lives in service (12).
C. S. Lewis explained this teaching of the Savior: “The moment you have a self at all, there is a possibility of putting yourself first—wanting to be the centre—wanting to be God, in fact. That was the sin of Satan: and that was the sin he taught the human race. Some people think the fall of man had something to do with sex, but that is a mistake. … What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that they could ‘be like gods’—could set up on their own as if they had created themselves—be their own masters—invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt has come … the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy (13).”
A selfish person is more interested in pleasing man—especially himself—than in pleasing God. He looks only to his own needs and desires. He walks “in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world (14).” Such a person becomes disconnected from the covenant promises of God (see D&C 1:15) and from the mortal friendship and assistance we all need in these tumultuous times.
Who is my neighbor?
In Paul’s day he spoke of people who had lost their way and become corrupted by Satan’s buffetings. He spoke of these people as “Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful.
In 1974 President Kimball spoke of a society that “in the last days would display…the social symptoms that existed in the time of Noah. We have very few adjectives that describe Noah’s contemporaries, but his neighbors were apparently very “disobedient” to the commandments of God, and the earth was “corrupt” and, significantly, society was then “filled with violence.” (See Gen. 6:11.)
Today all one has to do is to turn on the news to see that these words have and will continue to be fulfilled in our generation. Our neighbors, our friends, our ward lives in a world that is becoming more selfish, more prideful, more corrupt. It is said that in the last days men’s hearts will fail them and wax cold; and it is my belief that nothing can reverse the effects of that condition accept the spirit of God that comes with unselfish service. We must go to our neighbors and give freely of our time and talents-we must take the time to give to them unselfishly-for it might be that very act that saves them.
A group of individuals who once received very similar counsel asked the question, “Who then is my neighbor?” Rather than recite the parable that was prompted by that question, I wish to offer something different while also touching on my last point:
As I share these thoughts with you, think of whom your neighbors are; think of your friends and your family, look at the people around you
It saves others
1 in 8 people are statistically poor (15).
1 in 5 children are born into poverty (15).
44 Million People currently don’t have health insurance (16).
1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime (17).
1.8 Million Children are current users of cocaine (18).
5 Million Adults are drug addicts (16).
3 Million Are behind bars (16).
3.5 million Kids go to schools that are literally falling apart which would cost 27 Billion to be rebuilt (16).
To say nothing of the thousands who are homeless, helpless and are most certainly feeling hopless and lost.
The hearts of men are waxing cold and failing them, there are Millions, Millions of people in need of selfless, earnest, Christ-like service; people in this city, people in this room. This is a time for men to stand up, place aside the thoughts, ideals and prejudices that keep them from helping, roll up their sleeves and say “what can I do for you today?” I testify that this world will be a better place for it, and we all will be better people.
Works Cited
1. Presidency, The First. For Strength of Youth. Salt Lake City : The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2000.
2. Monson, Thomas S. How Firm a Foundation. Ensign. November, 2006, pp. 62, 67–68.
3. Mosiah 18:8-9.
4. Luke 22:27.
5. Matthew 25: 34-36.
6. Matthew 25:37-39.
7. Matthew 25:40.
8. Kimball, Spencer W. Small Acts of Service. Ensign. December, 1974, p. 2.
9. Mattew 5:13.
10. Matthew 5:14.
11. Widtsoe, John A. Conference Report. Salt Lake City : The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-Day Saints, April 1940. p. 36.
12. Oaks, Dallin H. Unselfish Service. Ensign. May, 2009, pp. 93-96.
13. Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. 1980. p. 49. Emphasis Added.
14. D&C 1:16.
15. Poverty. US Census Bureau. [Online] US Government. http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/poverty.html.
16. Schlamme, Thomas. The West Wing - Two Cathedrals. [writ.] Aaron Sorkin.[perf.] Martin Sheen. [prod.] John Wells. Warner Brothers; NBC, 2001.
17. Domestic Violence Facts. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. [Online] http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet%28National%29.pdf.
18. Teen Drug Abuse Statistics. Teen Drug Abuse. [Online] http://www.teendrugabuse.us/teen_drug_use.html.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Weekender
I spent this weekend in Utah with family. It was my Grandparents 50th wedding Anniversary, however my Grandpa has been in the hospital with cellulitis and they were unable to attend. The Vincents still decided to meet and enjoy one another's company since they were going to be in town anyway. With a little extra room in the schedule, and led by my incredibly sweet mother, they decided to throw my wife a surprise baby shower! It was a big hit.
We then spent some time visiting both sides of my family. It was a pretty short trip but it really brings the important things of life back into focus.
We then spent some time visiting both sides of my family. It was a pretty short trip but it really brings the important things of life back into focus.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Taking their Lunch Money
Yesterday a big decision came down from the courts on Prop 8. I have taken a day and tried to absorb everything and read everyone's opinion and idea on the situation. Most people who read this already know my position on Prop 8. The rest don't care. Interestingly enough, my problem with yesterday's ruling has absolutely nothing to do with my position on Gay Marriage.
The problem I have with yesterday's ruling is the voice of the loud overcame the voice of the majority. The majority of Californians were over shouted by those who don't believe in the same ideals or practices. But it was more than that; they were ridiculed, they were protested and they were intimidated. One side bullied another and now smugly celebrates a constitutional victory.
There is nothing constitutional about mudslinging, negative propaganda or bullying church goers as they enter in or leave their place of worship. There is nothing constitutional about using Hollywood to make another individual feel dumb because of what they believe. There is nothing constitutional about hating another man because of what they believe. And that is what this is become.
I also don't buy the argument of those who draw parallels between today and the equality movements of the sixties. Tell you what, when churches start lynching homosexuals - then you can threaten to pull their 'tax exemption' status. When people are dying, then you can call them haters, right-wing nut jobs and bigots.
The bigger issue at hand is that Prop 8 is no longer about ideals, or even ideas. It is no longer about the left and the right coming together to discuss ways to make America better for everyone. Its not about standing with your brother and learning about him and working with him. It's about name calling, venom spewing hate and a contest to see who can sound smarter and cooler in front of a crowd.
Yesterday was not a victory, regardless of what side of the issue you come down on. Yesterday just proved that bullies still exists and the school yard mob mentality stills runs the world well after graduation. All we got was a guaranteed long-term fight, a polarized country and absolutely no one willing to work together.
Our fathers would be proud.
The problem I have with yesterday's ruling is the voice of the loud overcame the voice of the majority. The majority of Californians were over shouted by those who don't believe in the same ideals or practices. But it was more than that; they were ridiculed, they were protested and they were intimidated. One side bullied another and now smugly celebrates a constitutional victory.
There is nothing constitutional about mudslinging, negative propaganda or bullying church goers as they enter in or leave their place of worship. There is nothing constitutional about using Hollywood to make another individual feel dumb because of what they believe. There is nothing constitutional about hating another man because of what they believe. And that is what this is become.
I also don't buy the argument of those who draw parallels between today and the equality movements of the sixties. Tell you what, when churches start lynching homosexuals - then you can threaten to pull their 'tax exemption' status. When people are dying, then you can call them haters, right-wing nut jobs and bigots.
The bigger issue at hand is that Prop 8 is no longer about ideals, or even ideas. It is no longer about the left and the right coming together to discuss ways to make America better for everyone. Its not about standing with your brother and learning about him and working with him. It's about name calling, venom spewing hate and a contest to see who can sound smarter and cooler in front of a crowd.
Yesterday was not a victory, regardless of what side of the issue you come down on. Yesterday just proved that bullies still exists and the school yard mob mentality stills runs the world well after graduation. All we got was a guaranteed long-term fight, a polarized country and absolutely no one willing to work together.
Our fathers would be proud.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Mistakes and Choices
Recently I apologized to someone for something that I did that offended them. My apology was very sincere and earnest, desperate even. Anyone who knows me can attest to that because they will tell you that bare the thought of being the cause of someone's displeasure. I hate it. Whenever I realize that I have hurt someone else, I do whatever I can to mend my actions; often with these words: I'm sorry, I made a mistake."
And I wonder why that doesn't always work.
Then I realized that it wasn't a mistake - it was choice. I made a choice to act in a certain manner and it affected someone else in a negative way. If it was an actually mistake, an under-calculated, mis-judged act, an apology would be enough to set things right. However, one's choices, the knowing acts of man that define his character, are not mistakes and take more than an apology to set right.
For example:
I am a fairly mild-mannered person when it comes to the lives of other people. I am understanding and accepting and very rarely get mad at other people (this is of course not based on the recent events - but we are working past this little elitist-judgmental phase I went through). However, I am incredibly hard on myself and place a considerable amount of stock in my own actions. If I do not perform up to my own expectations, I become very, very upset. This used to just affect the lives of people I played sports with, but I have noticed it creep into all aspects of my life. See, in my own head, I was not angry with anyone but myself; disappointed in my own actions and discouraged that I have underperformed in front of people who deserve my best, my friends. But what they see is an angry young man throwing a temper tantrum because he didn't get what he wanted.
In efforts to apologize for my actions, I have realized that there is only one way to actually ask forgiveness; TO NOT GET ANGRY. Easier said than done, but it really is as simple as that. I made a choice to act in a certain way; not a mistake, a choice. The only way to rectify that is to make the choice to reverse those actions and hope that a positive reaction follows. Either that or give up basketball, golf, entrepreneurial ventures, speaking, writing, singing, all financial workings, and marriage. At this point, I think it may be a toss-up on which will be easier.
Okay, add making jokes to that list too.
Who we are and how we act cannot be categorized as a mistake when we hurt others around us. These are our choices, this is who we are. So, when we hurt someone else because of who we are; we can either string together an ultimately meaningless apology for an un-existing mistake;
Or we can change.
And I wonder why that doesn't always work.
Then I realized that it wasn't a mistake - it was choice. I made a choice to act in a certain manner and it affected someone else in a negative way. If it was an actually mistake, an under-calculated, mis-judged act, an apology would be enough to set things right. However, one's choices, the knowing acts of man that define his character, are not mistakes and take more than an apology to set right.
For example:
I am a fairly mild-mannered person when it comes to the lives of other people. I am understanding and accepting and very rarely get mad at other people (this is of course not based on the recent events - but we are working past this little elitist-judgmental phase I went through). However, I am incredibly hard on myself and place a considerable amount of stock in my own actions. If I do not perform up to my own expectations, I become very, very upset. This used to just affect the lives of people I played sports with, but I have noticed it creep into all aspects of my life. See, in my own head, I was not angry with anyone but myself; disappointed in my own actions and discouraged that I have underperformed in front of people who deserve my best, my friends. But what they see is an angry young man throwing a temper tantrum because he didn't get what he wanted.
In efforts to apologize for my actions, I have realized that there is only one way to actually ask forgiveness; TO NOT GET ANGRY. Easier said than done, but it really is as simple as that. I made a choice to act in a certain way; not a mistake, a choice. The only way to rectify that is to make the choice to reverse those actions and hope that a positive reaction follows. Either that or give up basketball, golf, entrepreneurial ventures, speaking, writing, singing, all financial workings, and marriage. At this point, I think it may be a toss-up on which will be easier.
Okay, add making jokes to that list too.
Who we are and how we act cannot be categorized as a mistake when we hurt others around us. These are our choices, this is who we are. So, when we hurt someone else because of who we are; we can either string together an ultimately meaningless apology for an un-existing mistake;
Or we can change.
Friday, July 2, 2010
One singular sensation
For some time I have been intrigued with the powers held by people acting alone in their ideas. Whether for good or evil, the power of one remains a viable force in the world. The naysayers will say that no one man can actually change the greater whole, to which I agree on some levels. But to me it seems like the bigger picture, the greater purpose of life, is not to change the world at-large but to change yourself. Change at any level is difficult as is, but to change your own personal way of going about life in such a way that it alters your own personal nature; that is a monumental victory that cannot help but affect others for good.
The following story, as well as additional information can be found at http://www.pri.org/business/social-entrepreneurs/the-power-of-not-talking2059.html
In 1971, two tankers crashed near the Golden Gate bridge, spilling 840,000 gallons of oil into the waters near San Francisco. After seeing the environmental destruction wreaked on the San Francisco bay, John Francis "really wanted to do something," he told PRI's The Takeaway. "I wanted to get out and start walking." Francis vowed to stop riding in motorized vehicles, a prohibition that lasted for some 22 years.
Walking around the earth, Francis soon tired of the endless arguments he was pulled into. People accused him of trying to make them feel bad for riding in cars. Francis explained, "In my little community people started arguing with me about what one person could do." So Francis quit talking for the next 17 years.
The experience of not talking taught Francis the value of listening to other people. He founded a nonprofit called Planetwalker, was briefly employed by the Coast Guard and helped write oil spill legislation, was named a goodwill ambassador to the United Nations. He earned a PHD and taught classes without saying a word.
By staying silent and not riding in motorized vehicles, Francis also realized a more expansive definition of "the environment." He said in a talk to the TED conference, "environment changed from being about trees and species to how we treat each other."
The part of this story that impresses me the most is that Francis did not intend to start a global movement, he simply wanted to change a part of his life that, he felt, would be for the better. As a result of his actions, the world changed. There is still no global movement - the world is still riddled with problems, but the actions of one man have forced change. He changed himself, he changed his community, he changed me. And who knows, maybe he will change the 11 people who take the time to read this blog.
I really do think that is the secret to a better life: Do not try to change your surrounding environment. First change the way you think, the way you live and allow your environment adapt to you. It will almost always be for the better.
The following story, as well as additional information can be found at http://www.pri.org/business/social-entrepreneurs/the-power-of-not-talking2059.html
In 1971, two tankers crashed near the Golden Gate bridge, spilling 840,000 gallons of oil into the waters near San Francisco. After seeing the environmental destruction wreaked on the San Francisco bay, John Francis "really wanted to do something," he told PRI's The Takeaway. "I wanted to get out and start walking." Francis vowed to stop riding in motorized vehicles, a prohibition that lasted for some 22 years.
Walking around the earth, Francis soon tired of the endless arguments he was pulled into. People accused him of trying to make them feel bad for riding in cars. Francis explained, "In my little community people started arguing with me about what one person could do." So Francis quit talking for the next 17 years.
The experience of not talking taught Francis the value of listening to other people. He founded a nonprofit called Planetwalker, was briefly employed by the Coast Guard and helped write oil spill legislation, was named a goodwill ambassador to the United Nations. He earned a PHD and taught classes without saying a word.
By staying silent and not riding in motorized vehicles, Francis also realized a more expansive definition of "the environment." He said in a talk to the TED conference, "environment changed from being about trees and species to how we treat each other."
The part of this story that impresses me the most is that Francis did not intend to start a global movement, he simply wanted to change a part of his life that, he felt, would be for the better. As a result of his actions, the world changed. There is still no global movement - the world is still riddled with problems, but the actions of one man have forced change. He changed himself, he changed his community, he changed me. And who knows, maybe he will change the 11 people who take the time to read this blog.
I really do think that is the secret to a better life: Do not try to change your surrounding environment. First change the way you think, the way you live and allow your environment adapt to you. It will almost always be for the better.
Monday, June 28, 2010
New Look.
No new reason for the new look. Saw the picture, liked the picture. I have been looking for a new look for a while now, clouds seemed nice. There you have it.
Friday, June 25, 2010
We're never gonna survive, unless...
You really have to be nuts to survive in days like this. With the economy giving more mixed signals than hormonal women, politics making less and less sense (which only makes politicians scream louder and louder) and people becoming more agitated and less patient with each other every single day; the only possible way to succeed - or even enjoy life a little, is to be undeniably, un-apologetically crazy.
Point #1 - When you are nuts, the laws of politically correct go out the window. Forcing yourself to be politically correct all the time is enough stress to give someone an Aneurysm, I mean, a is a localized, blood-filled dilation caused by disease or weakening of the vessel wall, not stress. Being nuts would allow us to speak what we think and what we want. Now, I am not saying throw good manners and common courtesy to the wind; because then we would all just sound like Glenn Beck (but even he gets away with a lot because we all know he is certifiable), but say what you think - and the rest of you deal with it because good ideas can come from a wide range of un-PC ideas.
Point #2 - Plausible Deny-ability. First off, I love that word and use it as often as possible. I also like gangsterism - mainly because I didn't know that was actually a word until today and I really wanted to use it in a sentence. Secondly, deny-ability is crucial to the success to all relationships whether personal, business or otherwise. Now I used to believe in owning up for one's actions, but marriage has a special way of removing that idea from your consciousness. Deny-ability can save you in almost any difficult circumstance, and what's more plausible than lunacy? Why do you think the French never get blamed for anything? "What do you mean we made a controversial ad targeted at gay people? How could we, we're crazy!" Now let's apply this to a more personal experience:
Wife: Did you eat all the ice cream?
Me: No, baby. I know you like Mint Chocolate Chip and I would never do that to you.
Wife: Mitch, the empty carton is in the trash under your desk and there is a spoon next to your computer.
Me: Sweetheart, you know I am way to crazy to be able to pull that stunt. I don't even know where you keep the spoons.
Wife: (Considerable thought) Good point.
Point #3 - The greatest advancements in life are created by the insane, because nobody else is crazy enough to attempt such a stunt. I believe in genius, timing and complete will power are the three main attributes of those successful in life. Whether it be business, family or sports; those characteristics are needed to excel at what you do. But they are nothing unless attached to an obvious crazed obsession to whatever you are pursuing. Example:
Coach: Son, you just snapped your femur. I think its time to hang up the cleats.
Player: No way coach, there's 15min left to play - plus I'll be a senior next year.
Coach: Are you stupid boy? You can't even walk.
Player: No way, coach. I am just crazy about Football.
Coach: Okay, son. What am I going to tell the officials.
Player: Don't worry, coach. Everyone thinks your a nut-case; you got plausable deny-ability!
Coach: Son, that's a level of gangsterism I have never seen in a player. I am proud of you.
See, it totally works. Everyone needs to be a little crazy. Again, I'm not talking like ear-cutting, stick a knife in a socket, dress in woman's clothing on the weekends-crazy. But I think everyone needs to take a step back, relax and go a little crazy this weekend.
Point #1 - When you are nuts, the laws of politically correct go out the window. Forcing yourself to be politically correct all the time is enough stress to give someone an Aneurysm, I mean, a is a localized, blood-filled dilation caused by disease or weakening of the vessel wall, not stress. Being nuts would allow us to speak what we think and what we want. Now, I am not saying throw good manners and common courtesy to the wind; because then we would all just sound like Glenn Beck (but even he gets away with a lot because we all know he is certifiable), but say what you think - and the rest of you deal with it because good ideas can come from a wide range of un-PC ideas.
Point #2 - Plausible Deny-ability. First off, I love that word and use it as often as possible. I also like gangsterism - mainly because I didn't know that was actually a word until today and I really wanted to use it in a sentence. Secondly, deny-ability is crucial to the success to all relationships whether personal, business or otherwise. Now I used to believe in owning up for one's actions, but marriage has a special way of removing that idea from your consciousness. Deny-ability can save you in almost any difficult circumstance, and what's more plausible than lunacy? Why do you think the French never get blamed for anything? "What do you mean we made a controversial ad targeted at gay people? How could we, we're crazy!" Now let's apply this to a more personal experience:
Wife: Did you eat all the ice cream?
Me: No, baby. I know you like Mint Chocolate Chip and I would never do that to you.
Wife: Mitch, the empty carton is in the trash under your desk and there is a spoon next to your computer.
Me: Sweetheart, you know I am way to crazy to be able to pull that stunt. I don't even know where you keep the spoons.
Wife: (Considerable thought) Good point.
Point #3 - The greatest advancements in life are created by the insane, because nobody else is crazy enough to attempt such a stunt. I believe in genius, timing and complete will power are the three main attributes of those successful in life. Whether it be business, family or sports; those characteristics are needed to excel at what you do. But they are nothing unless attached to an obvious crazed obsession to whatever you are pursuing. Example:
Coach: Son, you just snapped your femur. I think its time to hang up the cleats.
Player: No way coach, there's 15min left to play - plus I'll be a senior next year.
Coach: Are you stupid boy? You can't even walk.
Player: No way, coach. I am just crazy about Football.
Coach: Okay, son. What am I going to tell the officials.
Player: Don't worry, coach. Everyone thinks your a nut-case; you got plausable deny-ability!
Coach: Son, that's a level of gangsterism I have never seen in a player. I am proud of you.
See, it totally works. Everyone needs to be a little crazy. Again, I'm not talking like ear-cutting, stick a knife in a socket, dress in woman's clothing on the weekends-crazy. But I think everyone needs to take a step back, relax and go a little crazy this weekend.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Memorial Day
It’s hard for me to put my opinion on war into words. War, in my mind, is an animal so closely related to hate that it is hard to believe that it is often graced with words like honor, strength and loyalty. For every good thing that had ever come out of a war, there were hundreds of evils released to wreak havoc on billions of people who never did anything but get up in the morning. When discussing war crimes, a writer whom a greatly admire once wrote, “All wars are crimes.”
I have not always felt this way. In fact, I was a staunch supporter at one point (no surprise, weren’t we all?). I was so full of frustration, fear and anger that I fully supported our Government raining all hell on anyone who m I didn’t like. I wanted the U.S. Armed forces to be the “arm of the Lord” and I was fully ready to put the fear of God into any and all who ever dared to hurt me again. I wanted to defend my freedom and I knew that blood would be shed for its cause.
Now I don’t know. I don’t think anyone else does either.
War seems so different now than when I was growing up. No one can truthfully tell the difference between peace time and war time, enemies cannot be identified until after someone has been killed; our boys are out there fighting ghosts. They are out there doing things, seeing things and becoming a part of a history that people back home do not want to recognize. Back home, we’re too busy avoiding the real truth that there is a continental-sized mess on our hands, and rather than fixing it, we take turns placing blame and calling each other names.
There is a real evil in the world that drives people to the point of madness that even bloodshed is not enough to satisfy the hate that runs through their veins. I am grateful for those men and women who died protecting me from that hatred. I am grateful that I have never, ever seen the horrors of such deep, abiding hatred. I am grateful that I never had to kill my brother over land or property. I have never had to fight to defend the life of those seen as less-than-equal. I have never had to liberate entire continents from the grips of madmen. I have never had to fight for people who have no global voice, or global worth. I have never had to fight while my neighbors, family and friends have openly declared against the wars being fought. I have never had to fight. I am thankful and relieved, for I would never come back the same person, if I even came back at all.
“All wars are crimes,” but let us never forget those who sacrificed their own breath for crimes that they did not commit. Let us not forget for the fathers and sons, mothers and daughters who left the comforts of this land and ran into the hells across the globe for no other reason than to ensure that we didn’t have to. They died, so that I might live, so that we all may live in peace that I hope will soon arrive for everyone everywhere.
“There are deeds that must not pass away. There are memories that must not wither.”
Happy Memorial Day
Friday, April 9, 2010
Break's Over
I've been thinking...
The way I see things, there are three general types of people in the world today. Bad People. Great People. And the rest. It's funny, because the more I think about it, the more these generalizations seem to ring true in my mind. You have people who are just bad, mean, terrible people. They have no desire to do good in the world, they are out to please no one; sometimes they don't even care about their own self. These people are the ones who make you pull your hair out every time you read the news. These are the ones that you see on the streets or hear about in stories and think to yourselves: "what on earth is going through their brain?" And most of the time, you don't have an answer.
Then there are the great ones out there. These people are the ones that have inspirational stories and feel-good billboards created because of their life. These are the people that accomplish so much with their life; despite being poor, molested in their youth, born with all manner of disease, forced to sleep with rats in someone's basement, ugly, raped, have no legs, ears, arms...whatever. These are the people that did something in life that in one way or another affected someone else. Now I'm not saying that the affect has to be on a global scale, but you get the point.
Then there are the rest of us sitting in the un-defined, mis-understood third category. This category is for the people out there that are usually defined as the ordinary, every-day folk that just go about their business. We normally view these people as the upstanding people who haven't changed the world, but are just plain good.
Here's my problem: When did this category become an acceptable characterization of someone?
When did it become okay to be just good? When did that happen? As far as I am concerned people should either be great or they should be terrible; when did just being become an option? People go about their 9 to 5's without making a significant impact on anyone or anything around them, then come home and do the very same thing from 5 to 9...and that's a good life. These are the people who get up, go to work, eat lunch, punch the clock, eat dinner, watch American Idol, and go to bed. This is what we have become.
Just to prove I am not yanking the beam out of my neighbor's eye, I am willing to admit that the whole reason I am writing this is because I couldn't fall asleep tonight because I sat in bed thinking about how I have become apart of this way of living.
So how do we get out?
Glad I asked. Here's what I think: Do Something. I don't care what it is. It doesn't matter. But it does matter that you actually follow-through and do it. Rid the world of something terrible - or clean your kitchen, whatever. But Do it. To many of us are just living through the day-to-day stuff with no real vision for the rest of the world out there. We need to stop for a moment and realize that there are things out there that need doing. There are people to befriend, diseases to eradicate, years of hatred and pride to reverse, homeless puppies to save, whatever your passion; get to it.
I refuse to be a part of this group anymore. I refuse to be average, to be good. I am going to become more than just good. My passion is education; I think there are too many ignorant people in the world - which, I believe, is the source of a majority of the world's problems. So I am going to work on that. I am going to educate as many people as I can, myself included. Not sure how I am going to do this, or what I am even going to do, but I am going to do something. I will no longer idly trudge through days of mediocrity, wistfully dreaming of tomorrows to come. Tomorrow has come. Break's over.
The way I see things, there are three general types of people in the world today. Bad People. Great People. And the rest. It's funny, because the more I think about it, the more these generalizations seem to ring true in my mind. You have people who are just bad, mean, terrible people. They have no desire to do good in the world, they are out to please no one; sometimes they don't even care about their own self. These people are the ones who make you pull your hair out every time you read the news. These are the ones that you see on the streets or hear about in stories and think to yourselves: "what on earth is going through their brain?" And most of the time, you don't have an answer.
Then there are the great ones out there. These people are the ones that have inspirational stories and feel-good billboards created because of their life. These are the people that accomplish so much with their life; despite being poor, molested in their youth, born with all manner of disease, forced to sleep with rats in someone's basement, ugly, raped, have no legs, ears, arms...whatever. These are the people that did something in life that in one way or another affected someone else. Now I'm not saying that the affect has to be on a global scale, but you get the point.
Then there are the rest of us sitting in the un-defined, mis-understood third category. This category is for the people out there that are usually defined as the ordinary, every-day folk that just go about their business. We normally view these people as the upstanding people who haven't changed the world, but are just plain good.
Here's my problem: When did this category become an acceptable characterization of someone?
When did it become okay to be just good? When did that happen? As far as I am concerned people should either be great or they should be terrible; when did just being become an option? People go about their 9 to 5's without making a significant impact on anyone or anything around them, then come home and do the very same thing from 5 to 9...and that's a good life. These are the people who get up, go to work, eat lunch, punch the clock, eat dinner, watch American Idol, and go to bed. This is what we have become.
Just to prove I am not yanking the beam out of my neighbor's eye, I am willing to admit that the whole reason I am writing this is because I couldn't fall asleep tonight because I sat in bed thinking about how I have become apart of this way of living.
So how do we get out?
Glad I asked. Here's what I think: Do Something. I don't care what it is. It doesn't matter. But it does matter that you actually follow-through and do it. Rid the world of something terrible - or clean your kitchen, whatever. But Do it. To many of us are just living through the day-to-day stuff with no real vision for the rest of the world out there. We need to stop for a moment and realize that there are things out there that need doing. There are people to befriend, diseases to eradicate, years of hatred and pride to reverse, homeless puppies to save, whatever your passion; get to it.
I refuse to be a part of this group anymore. I refuse to be average, to be good. I am going to become more than just good. My passion is education; I think there are too many ignorant people in the world - which, I believe, is the source of a majority of the world's problems. So I am going to work on that. I am going to educate as many people as I can, myself included. Not sure how I am going to do this, or what I am even going to do, but I am going to do something. I will no longer idly trudge through days of mediocrity, wistfully dreaming of tomorrows to come. Tomorrow has come. Break's over.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Still Breathing
Things still moving upward with my career, but I feel like I have stalled out a bit. I always expected Entrepreneurship to be hard, but I don't think I ever really thought it completely through. I expected hard work, I like hard work; I didn't expect hard work with no results. I expected side-jobs to pay the bills; I didn't expect the non-glamorous side-jobs that require goofy dress codes and unfortunate hours. I also don't think I was prepared for the mental stress of watching your friends,colleagues and former classmates succeed in paths that you could have taken, but instead chose a path that now has you sleepless and blogging at 1:16 in the morning.
But hey, no one would want to read my auto-biography if there wasn't the 'life-sucked-but-I-kept-persavering-chapter,' right?
But hey, no one would want to read my auto-biography if there wasn't the 'life-sucked-but-I-kept-persavering-chapter,' right?
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Sometimes bombs are a good thing
Osama Bin Laden is threatening to kill Americans...again.
"The White House has expressed its desire to execute him (speaking of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the 9/11 mastermind). When America makes this decision, it will have made a decision to execute whoever of you is held prisoner by us..."
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62O2FW20100325
That's like Hitler saying he's going to kill the Jews if we don't let him take Poland.
New thought: Why not run a black ops mission. Assemble the largest CIA/NATO black ops team in the history of the world. Move in at night and remove every civilian at of the area, whether they want to go or not. As soon as everyone is out, carpet bomb the entire region, I mean leave nothing un-blown up. It could be a joint venture with every country whose lives would be easier with these people underneath 12 feet of dirt.
There comes a time when diplomacy is not working and cutting the source of your problems by the throat is the right and only thing left to do. Save those who will leave and flood the rest of them with a force of power that they have yet to see. I call it Operation Noah's arc.
"The White House has expressed its desire to execute him (speaking of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the 9/11 mastermind). When America makes this decision, it will have made a decision to execute whoever of you is held prisoner by us..."
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62O2FW20100325
That's like Hitler saying he's going to kill the Jews if we don't let him take Poland.
New thought: Why not run a black ops mission. Assemble the largest CIA/NATO black ops team in the history of the world. Move in at night and remove every civilian at of the area, whether they want to go or not. As soon as everyone is out, carpet bomb the entire region, I mean leave nothing un-blown up. It could be a joint venture with every country whose lives would be easier with these people underneath 12 feet of dirt.
There comes a time when diplomacy is not working and cutting the source of your problems by the throat is the right and only thing left to do. Save those who will leave and flood the rest of them with a force of power that they have yet to see. I call it Operation Noah's arc.
At least something happened...
I have heard more partisan whining in the last two days about Obamacare and the apocalyptic ramifications to follow such a horrifying law being signed and I have decided to put in two cents, at least.
First, at least the White House has finally done something they said they would. I have waited for action and now I have seen something come of it. Remarkably, something was accomplished with a stubborn, almost childish minority that has roadblocked everything they could get their hands on.
Second, is this really going to be the end of the world, really? I understand why conservatives are afraid of the government controlling too much. In most cases I agree with them. But The White House set out to give 45 Million people insurance. 1) It looks like their only going to get about 32M of them so the analysis of the Government controlling everyone is a little overstated and 2) the people whining about this already have insurance, so what's the big deal? The world is going to hell in a hand basket, but I don't think it is because big, bad Obama and his socialist health care law of death is what's driving us there.
Two more cents:
What is driving us there is the utter hatred men have for their own kind; Ignorance and Want....hmmm where have I heard that before (your mind-bender for the day)? Men are ignorant to the people around them, their lives and backgrounds and they want something from them without learning about them. Thus spring forth a hatred that cannot be cured by law or Executive Order.
In my opinion, the only thing that will save this country is a quality education for every soul on this earth, a sound understanding and tolerance of one another....and a possible swift back hand to the next person who whines about this country but isn't man enough to get his butt of the couch and do something as simple as vote.
First, at least the White House has finally done something they said they would. I have waited for action and now I have seen something come of it. Remarkably, something was accomplished with a stubborn, almost childish minority that has roadblocked everything they could get their hands on.
Second, is this really going to be the end of the world, really? I understand why conservatives are afraid of the government controlling too much. In most cases I agree with them. But The White House set out to give 45 Million people insurance. 1) It looks like their only going to get about 32M of them so the analysis of the Government controlling everyone is a little overstated and 2) the people whining about this already have insurance, so what's the big deal? The world is going to hell in a hand basket, but I don't think it is because big, bad Obama and his socialist health care law of death is what's driving us there.
Two more cents:
What is driving us there is the utter hatred men have for their own kind; Ignorance and Want....hmmm where have I heard that before (your mind-bender for the day)? Men are ignorant to the people around them, their lives and backgrounds and they want something from them without learning about them. Thus spring forth a hatred that cannot be cured by law or Executive Order.
In my opinion, the only thing that will save this country is a quality education for every soul on this earth, a sound understanding and tolerance of one another....and a possible swift back hand to the next person who whines about this country but isn't man enough to get his butt of the couch and do something as simple as vote.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Rambling Update
Largest, run-on update on life commencing now: As most are now aware, Salena is 13 weeks pregnant with our first lil' one...due on Sept. 25, if it's a boy I am totally screwed because I am about to receive a life's worth of payback for the terror I concocted as a child, If its a girl, I am totally screwed because I am already planning to spoil her in ways that I child should not be spoiled (not kidding, I have looked into prices for ponies)
Recently the wife and I spent a few days in SoCal for the Themed Entertainment Association Summit and Gala; which Next Generation Creative produced...Day 1 was spent at Disneyland enjoying what felt like warm weather to us; then actual work followed
Salena looked absolutely amazing in her gown, so it has been decided to take her to more events that require such beautiful, formal attire
The NGC Team
The event was a huge success, but as all good things do - it came to an end and we made our ways back to Idaho to find a rather unfortunate situation for someone - but humorous for us
....and of course, our most recent trip to Salt Lake for the St. Patrick's Day Jazz game
...update over, run-on; complete.
Recently the wife and I spent a few days in SoCal for the Themed Entertainment Association Summit and Gala; which Next Generation Creative produced...Day 1 was spent at Disneyland enjoying what felt like warm weather to us; then actual work followed
Salena looked absolutely amazing in her gown, so it has been decided to take her to more events that require such beautiful, formal attire
The NGC TeamThe event was a huge success, but as all good things do - it came to an end and we made our ways back to Idaho to find a rather unfortunate situation for someone - but humorous for us
....and of course, our most recent trip to Salt Lake for the St. Patrick's Day Jazz game
...update over, run-on; complete.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Love me tomorrow
My mind can understand a lot of things.
I have a pretty good grasp on business, politics, interpersonal communications, finance, economics, sociology (this is starting to sound like a song) as well as religion. I can read people fairly well and can very easily understand many different points of view. But I do not understand love.
I do not understand why it is so hard to love, or to be loved. I don't understand why it is so fragile.
I do not understand why the mind and the heart cannot work together (it seems to me that this would be for everyone's benefit), and why there never seems to be common footing for the two.
I don't understand the damages of love that has been neglected or abused or the lasting effect of those damages.
I don't understand love and intimacy; and why someone decided to think that it was game that can be reset.
I don't understand. But I lie awake at night looking at the only thing I love. Hoping that I can be enough, say enough and understand enough to be loved in return. I stare at the minutes on the clock as the night slowly ticks away and pray: Please God, let her love me tomorrow.
I have a pretty good grasp on business, politics, interpersonal communications, finance, economics, sociology (this is starting to sound like a song) as well as religion. I can read people fairly well and can very easily understand many different points of view. But I do not understand love.
I do not understand why it is so hard to love, or to be loved. I don't understand why it is so fragile.
I do not understand why the mind and the heart cannot work together (it seems to me that this would be for everyone's benefit), and why there never seems to be common footing for the two.
I don't understand the damages of love that has been neglected or abused or the lasting effect of those damages.
I don't understand love and intimacy; and why someone decided to think that it was game that can be reset.
I don't understand. But I lie awake at night looking at the only thing I love. Hoping that I can be enough, say enough and understand enough to be loved in return. I stare at the minutes on the clock as the night slowly ticks away and pray: Please God, let her love me tomorrow.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
I don't feel bad
Back by popular demand...
Ignorant Hoodlum: How much are these?
Me: $1.98
IH: (Hand over a dollar) There's one.
(pause)
IH: I say we call it good.
Me: I say you try again.
IH: Fine...(Hands over some change)
IH: What's that?
Me: 75 cents.
IH: Well how much more I need?
Me: What's 98 - 75?
(Pause)
IH: (With defiant attitude) That good?
Me: That's 15 cents. What's 75 + 15?
IH: (With Disgust) Here's a dime, keep the change. G** D***! Why you gotta be such a %$^&? Let's get outta hur!
Me: (Casually yells to them on their way out) Be cool, stay in school!
Don't worry, I am not usually this abrupt to people who can't count. But this kid had already offended every other person in the store with his language and gestures and rather than asking him to leave, I thought it might be more affective to make him feel like an idiot.
Some days, I do love my job.
Ignorant Hoodlum: How much are these?
Me: $1.98
IH: (Hand over a dollar) There's one.
(pause)
IH: I say we call it good.
Me: I say you try again.
IH: Fine...(Hands over some change)
IH: What's that?
Me: 75 cents.
IH: Well how much more I need?
Me: What's 98 - 75?
(Pause)
IH: (With defiant attitude) That good?
Me: That's 15 cents. What's 75 + 15?
IH: (With Disgust) Here's a dime, keep the change. G** D***! Why you gotta be such a %$^&? Let's get outta hur!
Me: (Casually yells to them on their way out) Be cool, stay in school!
Don't worry, I am not usually this abrupt to people who can't count. But this kid had already offended every other person in the store with his language and gestures and rather than asking him to leave, I thought it might be more affective to make him feel like an idiot.
Some days, I do love my job.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Busy getting stuff done
In response to Tuesday's elections, President Obama related that "People are angry and they're frustrated. Not just because of what's happened in the last year or two years, but what's happened over the last eight years."
There you have it, out of the mouth of our elected leader we....wait, what?
The people of Massachusetts have been stewing in fury for eight years that they waited until their beloved democratic senator died so they could stick it to the man, by voting Republican? I don't understand. Perhaps the President will explain it to me.
"We were so busy just getting stuff done and dealing with the immediate crises that were in front of us, that I think we lost some of that sense of, of, you know, speaking directly to the American people about what their core values are...I think that, you know, what they've ended up seeing is this feeling of remoteness and detachment."
So busy getting stuff done? Like what? The 158 media interviews during the last year? The 411 speeches to speak to us to remind us what our core values are? Don't insult me. Perhaps the feelings of remoteness and detachment comes from the fact that Americans are still out of work, out of money and tired of watching you walk the dog on 20/20. Being the President is hard work, work that I do not envy. There are very advanced problems in this country that will take some time to solve. I would rather you just say, 'We're not their yet' instead of blaming it on my anger and being out of touch with all the work you have already done.
There you have it, out of the mouth of our elected leader we....wait, what?
The people of Massachusetts have been stewing in fury for eight years that they waited until their beloved democratic senator died so they could stick it to the man, by voting Republican? I don't understand. Perhaps the President will explain it to me.
"We were so busy just getting stuff done and dealing with the immediate crises that were in front of us, that I think we lost some of that sense of, of, you know, speaking directly to the American people about what their core values are...I think that, you know, what they've ended up seeing is this feeling of remoteness and detachment."
So busy getting stuff done? Like what? The 158 media interviews during the last year? The 411 speeches to speak to us to remind us what our core values are? Don't insult me. Perhaps the feelings of remoteness and detachment comes from the fact that Americans are still out of work, out of money and tired of watching you walk the dog on 20/20. Being the President is hard work, work that I do not envy. There are very advanced problems in this country that will take some time to solve. I would rather you just say, 'We're not their yet' instead of blaming it on my anger and being out of touch with all the work you have already done.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Not pulling the punches
Conan, in a very funny-yet hard blow to NBC, listed is show on Craig's List. This is another great joke that will surely rally the support from his fans. But I can't imagine NBC will appreciate this.
But it is pretty clear he doesn't care.
But it is pretty clear he doesn't care.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Reversing Time
Well I guess there is hope for us yet. Scientists have turned back the doomsday clock back a minute.
What shall I do with the new-found extra time I have.
What shall I do with the new-found extra time I have.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Rock your body remix
A woman walked past me in the mall who was, very obviously, mentally handicapped. She was walking with a walker and with someone else holding onto her to keep her from falling. Even with that assistance, she walked like balance was a very serious challenge. However, Justin Timberlake's "Rock your body" was playing overhead and her limp-walk was in perfect sync to the beat of the song. She looked like she was strutting to the music. As I passed her with a smile on my face I thought, "If you are doing that on purpose, God bless you."
The begining of the end...
And so it begins...
The thing about same sex marriage is that its not the actual marriage that will tear this country apart. The hatred that spawns from this issue is what is going to completely polarize this already fragmented country. Adding fuel to this fire will only give both sides a reason to hate each other more. I do not see any way to land on either side of this argument without accruing enemies from the other end of the spectrum.
So here we go; The biggest trial of the century is about to big. It ironic, though, this case is primarily based on love and it will spawn only more hatred in the world for one another.
And so it begins.
The thing about same sex marriage is that its not the actual marriage that will tear this country apart. The hatred that spawns from this issue is what is going to completely polarize this already fragmented country. Adding fuel to this fire will only give both sides a reason to hate each other more. I do not see any way to land on either side of this argument without accruing enemies from the other end of the spectrum.
So here we go; The biggest trial of the century is about to big. It ironic, though, this case is primarily based on love and it will spawn only more hatred in the world for one another.
And so it begins.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Is Shawbooya a word?
Yours truly just landed a $15 Million contract last night. No details yet due to the fact that I would rather not jinx anything. But I am starting to bid farewell to my 9-5, making ends barely meet, watching mall-walking, listening to the same four hour music track-ing, come home and collapse for three hours and get up and do-it-again...life.
New checklist
1) Debt. Gone.
2) Cable? Yes. I shall not miss another sporting event unless someone is dying...or being born
3) Wife? New shoes.
4) Disneyland.
New checklist
1) Debt. Gone.
2) Cable? Yes. I shall not miss another sporting event unless someone is dying...or being born
3) Wife? New shoes.
4) Disneyland.
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