I was reminded the other night that I haven't blogged in a while and that I need to get off my lazy keaster (or I guess in this case...get ON my lazy keaster) and write again, so to all of you dedicated fans out there (ahem...Becky, you might be the only one), here I am and here we go.
I've actually been planning on writing about this particular topic for the last few weeks. I'm glad I waited a little while longer though, because recent events that have transpired will, I hope, help me get my point across.
I've been thinking a lot lately about the influence people can have on us in our lives. I've come to realize in my life, especially in the last little while, that every single person we come in contact with in our lives, has some type of an impact on us - whether a divot on the green or a crater on the moon. Did you get the symbolism there? Pretty clever, huh? Anyway. Whether it's an old babushka on the street that gave you a toothless grin or an ex-girlfriend that helped you to realize the direction that you need to be going in your life, it's going to somehow influence your future. Perhaps some of these situations or experiences that you go through aren't life changing or essential for your eternal salvation, but they, in some little way, help you to make changes in your life - if you look at it in the right way. Now, I'm not saying, the next time someone asks if they can borrow your pen, that you need to completely analyze your life in how you can be more charitable, although...that is a good idea! I'm just saying, don't take for granted the influence that those that you meet can and will have on you. Even by small and simple things, great things come to pass. Booyah.
Here's an example. A good friend of mine was recently involved in a horrible accident, he was riding his bike and was hit by a car. Initially it left him paralyzed from the waist down. Those of us that knew this friend, were completely blown away that something like this could happen to such a stud like him. He's quite possibly one of the most upbeat and positive people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. All of us were torn apart by the news, but because we knew what kind of a guy he was, we all knew that he'd get through it, and he'd get through it with a smile on his face. I went with another friend to visit him today at the hospital, and just as I expected, when we walked in the room, though he was bandaged, bruised, bashed and braced, he had a huge grin on his face. We stayed for a while and just talked with him. Well, really, we just listened to him and laughed. He joked around the whole time about his situation. This friend, doesn't let things bother him, sure what's happened to him is going to completely change the rest of his life, but that's not going to stop him from living and loving the life he's been blessed with. And I think it's because of his attitude and the way he's been facing this horrible challenge, that he's been blessed with such a miraculous recovery. He has since regained feeling in his legs, and just today he got in a wheel chair for the first time!
I can't even express to you how grateful I am for his example. What an incredibly difficult trial he's going through right now! But what an incredibly awesome way of facing it! I'm glad I have this friend in my life to help me realize what's most important in my life - the need to enjoy it, no matter what. I'm grateful for the crater-sized impact he's had on me in just the 6 months that I've known him. Though we'll be faced with trails, what's crucial is how we face those trials. Like my friend, I'm determined to face them with a smile. Thanks Michael.
Never underestimate the influence that you will have on those you come in contact with, it may just be what they need.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
It's not easy, but it's simple
You're given the outline of a plan. A task. Something that will play a major role in your life. You could say, it's the whole purpose of your existense. In this outline, you are told that there will be something given to you that will provide the only way to correctly get through this plan, to complete the task given you. A Scapegoat, a Help Meet. This Help Meet will show you how everything will be done, how to get through this plan without any problems, and in the end - He'll show you what your reward will be for finishing your task.
Let's compare this Plan to a path. It's perfectly straight. Paved by our "Help Meet" himself. Though straight, it's very narrow. Nevertheless, a straight and undeviating course. You are told, when given the outline of The Plan, that you must follow this straight and narrow path, just as the One who paved it did. Seems easy enough, right?
When you were told about this Plan, you were given a great gift - agency. You were given the right to choose what you wanted and didn't want. Thus giving you the choice to follow the Plan or not. But also risking the opportunity of gaining the reward that awaits you at the end of the Path.
If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's the difference between easy and simple. I'm just now starting to understand it. This Plan is simple, but not always easy. But I think it's our choice - whether it's easy or not. Like I mentioned earlier, the Plan has already been laid out, the path has already been paved. All we have to do is follow it.
In our lives, we're raised to know right from wrong, good from bad, smart from stupid. We're taught to know the truth and how to live our life the right way. But remember that gift we were given? Agency. We have choices. Freedom. We're taught these things, but once the coach puts the ball in our hands, it's our turn to decide what to do.
You know what you should do in your life, you see the path in front of you, but nevertheless, you sometimes fall off course. Perhaps because of distractions, obstacles, trials. You know though, you've been told what to do! So what else could it be...a lack of faith? You put your trust more in something that you can see, rather than something or Someone, that, at the moment, cannot be seen. There inlies the test. You're given the option to choose between what is right and what is easy. The right things is often times, not easy, but it's simple. A lot of the times, it comes down to setting aside what you want, how you want the Plan to be laid out, and submit to the One who designed the Plan in the first place.
We can't go through with this Plan without the One who created it, without our Help Meet. Look at the painting above. This is one of my favorite works of arts. It's from Michelangelo's work in the Sistine Chapel. Notice the difference in God's hand and Adam's. God reaches out, with strength, to pass that strength to Adam. Adam reaches back, though his hand is weak and feeble. Frail, you may say. "O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned and think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish." (2 Ne. 9:28) It's impossible to get through the plan, get through this life, without God's help. Without relying on Him. Without following His counsel. But again, it is our choice. "O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal." (2 Ne 9:39) Notice what the first letters of the last five words spell - smile. Following through with the plan brings happiness. Happiness and joy beyond comprehension. Spiritually minded is realizing and looking forward to what's to come and what needs to be done to get to that point. This requires us to remain on the straight and narrow path.
In my life, there have been several times that I have fallen off the way. And I may have seemed happy, but I wasn't. There was always something missing. A pit in my stomach. In my soul. That wasn't there. I longed for it. And it wasn't until I got back on the right path, that that pit was filled, and I felt happy. I found myself again.
I've come to realize that the only way that we can go off course is if we make a conscious effort to do so. "There is so much guidance and direction available that you won't make major mistakes in your life unless you consciously ignore the guidance you receive." The path has been laid before us. It is our choice. Do we want pleasure now and guilt later, or happiness for eternity. Remember, "wickedness never was happiness."
Let's compare this Plan to a path. It's perfectly straight. Paved by our "Help Meet" himself. Though straight, it's very narrow. Nevertheless, a straight and undeviating course. You are told, when given the outline of The Plan, that you must follow this straight and narrow path, just as the One who paved it did. Seems easy enough, right?
When you were told about this Plan, you were given a great gift - agency. You were given the right to choose what you wanted and didn't want. Thus giving you the choice to follow the Plan or not. But also risking the opportunity of gaining the reward that awaits you at the end of the Path.
If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's the difference between easy and simple. I'm just now starting to understand it. This Plan is simple, but not always easy. But I think it's our choice - whether it's easy or not. Like I mentioned earlier, the Plan has already been laid out, the path has already been paved. All we have to do is follow it.
In our lives, we're raised to know right from wrong, good from bad, smart from stupid. We're taught to know the truth and how to live our life the right way. But remember that gift we were given? Agency. We have choices. Freedom. We're taught these things, but once the coach puts the ball in our hands, it's our turn to decide what to do.
You know what you should do in your life, you see the path in front of you, but nevertheless, you sometimes fall off course. Perhaps because of distractions, obstacles, trials. You know though, you've been told what to do! So what else could it be...a lack of faith? You put your trust more in something that you can see, rather than something or Someone, that, at the moment, cannot be seen. There inlies the test. You're given the option to choose between what is right and what is easy. The right things is often times, not easy, but it's simple. A lot of the times, it comes down to setting aside what you want, how you want the Plan to be laid out, and submit to the One who designed the Plan in the first place.
We can't go through with this Plan without the One who created it, without our Help Meet. Look at the painting above. This is one of my favorite works of arts. It's from Michelangelo's work in the Sistine Chapel. Notice the difference in God's hand and Adam's. God reaches out, with strength, to pass that strength to Adam. Adam reaches back, though his hand is weak and feeble. Frail, you may say. "O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned and think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish." (2 Ne. 9:28) It's impossible to get through the plan, get through this life, without God's help. Without relying on Him. Without following His counsel. But again, it is our choice. "O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal." (2 Ne 9:39) Notice what the first letters of the last five words spell - smile. Following through with the plan brings happiness. Happiness and joy beyond comprehension. Spiritually minded is realizing and looking forward to what's to come and what needs to be done to get to that point. This requires us to remain on the straight and narrow path.
In my life, there have been several times that I have fallen off the way. And I may have seemed happy, but I wasn't. There was always something missing. A pit in my stomach. In my soul. That wasn't there. I longed for it. And it wasn't until I got back on the right path, that that pit was filled, and I felt happy. I found myself again.
I've come to realize that the only way that we can go off course is if we make a conscious effort to do so. "There is so much guidance and direction available that you won't make major mistakes in your life unless you consciously ignore the guidance you receive." The path has been laid before us. It is our choice. Do we want pleasure now and guilt later, or happiness for eternity. Remember, "wickedness never was happiness."
Friday, May 21, 2010
Fishing through
Is it just me or is the bathroom an amazing place to get ideas? You're probably all thinking, that's a random way to start off your first blog, I don't care. I just wanted to skip the awkward hello and jump right in. I came to realize this on my mission. What a fountain of knowledge the bathroom really could be. Now, I say this in the most humble way I can, but I came up with some pretty dang good ideas for the work when I was in the bathroom. Think about it. Exactly. That's what you do when you're in the bathroom. You think. And that ivory throne helps open your mind to anything and everything. And the next thing ya know, you've got something brilliant on your hands.
I guess the reason why I'm rambling on about this is because that's where I got the idea to start a blog. I've had a lot on my mind lately and I've been looking for a way to get them out (sadly I've gotten lazy and don't write in my journal), I was thinking of what I could do, and this came to mind. It's like a journal, I s'pose. So cool beans, I say.
This blog, or I guess, this entry is probably gonna be pretty random. I just want to get any thoughts I have out of me, because there's too many crammed in the noggin for me to handle right now. So I'm glad I have this keyboard and screen in front of me. A nice friend, willing to listen at 12:06 am. I'm not even sure if I'm actually gonna post this. We'll see. It's just nice to let the fingers fly. And I've always liked the sound of a typing keyboard. I could fall asleep to that. If someone made a tape of that, instead of crickets chirping, or the waves of the sea, or "Sounds of the Trailer Park", I'd definitely pick the typing keyboard.
Anyway, I don't even know where to start. Where can you start when so many things are spinning around in your head? I guess all you can do is reach inside and pull something out. So here it goes.
I just got home from my mission 2 months ago. It feels like 2 days. It actually feels like I never went on a mission. It just feels like it was a dream. A far off, blurry dream, that I once had of a long, but quick, adventure in a far away country. Filled with people I didn't know. A language (or two) that I couldn't speak or understand. Food, the contents of which I did not want to know. A new life. The "real world". My mission changed my life. I'll say that right now, and I will never deny it. I was a dummy before my mission, who thought he knew something, but really knew nothing. But my mission changed that. I'm still a dummy, but I feel like I know a little more about something, mainly about this thing we call life. And what it's all about.
Have you ever had those days where nothing really goes right? And the first thing that always comes to mind is "Why can't something just work out?" My mission was filled with those. Oh boy. The adversary loved sticking that question in my mind. Then he'd try to sprinkle a hint of doubt in me. Then came more discouragement, and anger at the Lord. That was his most powerful weapon against me. That's one thing I learned. The adversary wants me thinking those things. He wants me doubting the One that I really should be trusting. If he could do that, he'd have me. But I didn't buy it. The Lord loves me. Maybe things don't working out right when it's convenient, but that's NO excuse to doubt Him and His plan for me. I've kicked myself many a-time for having those thoughts. But I think I've gotten a little better at kicking the thought, before I have to kick myself. It's funny though, that the thoughts still come. Even now, I worry too much about things, if something isn't going quite the way I want. I over-react, over-analyze. I dig too deep into things, trying to figure it out right away, without trusting that it'll all work out if it's the will of the Lord.
I love the Lord. I know He loves me. And I know He wants what is best for me. He has a plan for me. A plan that I may not completely understand right now. But every now and again, He will give me little glimpses of what could be if I do what's right. I know that the Gospel of Our Savior Jesus Christ is what will help each of us do what is right. That the Plan our Father has for us, may be fulfilled. Christ is our Lord and Savior. His love for each of us is incomprehensible. I cannot fully describe or express the feelings of love that I have felt from Him. But suffice it to say that I know He loves each of us. He is always watching. Always waiting. And always willing to bear our cross for us, if we will just take the path He took, and follow. His Atonement is real. It is what makes this life worth living. It is what makes this life possible. It is the source of strength that I look to each and every day. When I am down, He is there to lift me. He knows the hard times. He's felt that heartbreak, the pain, the sorrow that we all have felt, do feel, and will ever feel in our lives. How? Why? Love. He loves us! I cannot say that I enough. I love my Lord and Savior, with all of my heart. To Him I bow, and to Him I run for strength and courage. It is He, who helps me to understand that things will work out in the end. The Gospel, the Lord's Plan are all about the Happy Ending. "Consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness." (Mosiah 2:41) It hasn't come yet. But it's all about the journey. Yeah it's hard. Where in that verse does it say that it's easy? It says to think about those that are happy - why are they happy? Because they do what the Lord has asked them to do. And He, being the wonderful Father that He is, blesses them for doing it.
Life is good. I love it. And I'm glad to know what I know and to have to chance to learn and grow some more.
I guess the reason why I'm rambling on about this is because that's where I got the idea to start a blog. I've had a lot on my mind lately and I've been looking for a way to get them out (sadly I've gotten lazy and don't write in my journal), I was thinking of what I could do, and this came to mind. It's like a journal, I s'pose. So cool beans, I say.
This blog, or I guess, this entry is probably gonna be pretty random. I just want to get any thoughts I have out of me, because there's too many crammed in the noggin for me to handle right now. So I'm glad I have this keyboard and screen in front of me. A nice friend, willing to listen at 12:06 am. I'm not even sure if I'm actually gonna post this. We'll see. It's just nice to let the fingers fly. And I've always liked the sound of a typing keyboard. I could fall asleep to that. If someone made a tape of that, instead of crickets chirping, or the waves of the sea, or "Sounds of the Trailer Park", I'd definitely pick the typing keyboard.
Anyway, I don't even know where to start. Where can you start when so many things are spinning around in your head? I guess all you can do is reach inside and pull something out. So here it goes.
I just got home from my mission 2 months ago. It feels like 2 days. It actually feels like I never went on a mission. It just feels like it was a dream. A far off, blurry dream, that I once had of a long, but quick, adventure in a far away country. Filled with people I didn't know. A language (or two) that I couldn't speak or understand. Food, the contents of which I did not want to know. A new life. The "real world". My mission changed my life. I'll say that right now, and I will never deny it. I was a dummy before my mission, who thought he knew something, but really knew nothing. But my mission changed that. I'm still a dummy, but I feel like I know a little more about something, mainly about this thing we call life. And what it's all about.
Have you ever had those days where nothing really goes right? And the first thing that always comes to mind is "Why can't something just work out?" My mission was filled with those. Oh boy. The adversary loved sticking that question in my mind. Then he'd try to sprinkle a hint of doubt in me. Then came more discouragement, and anger at the Lord. That was his most powerful weapon against me. That's one thing I learned. The adversary wants me thinking those things. He wants me doubting the One that I really should be trusting. If he could do that, he'd have me. But I didn't buy it. The Lord loves me. Maybe things don't working out right when it's convenient, but that's NO excuse to doubt Him and His plan for me. I've kicked myself many a-time for having those thoughts. But I think I've gotten a little better at kicking the thought, before I have to kick myself. It's funny though, that the thoughts still come. Even now, I worry too much about things, if something isn't going quite the way I want. I over-react, over-analyze. I dig too deep into things, trying to figure it out right away, without trusting that it'll all work out if it's the will of the Lord.
I love the Lord. I know He loves me. And I know He wants what is best for me. He has a plan for me. A plan that I may not completely understand right now. But every now and again, He will give me little glimpses of what could be if I do what's right. I know that the Gospel of Our Savior Jesus Christ is what will help each of us do what is right. That the Plan our Father has for us, may be fulfilled. Christ is our Lord and Savior. His love for each of us is incomprehensible. I cannot fully describe or express the feelings of love that I have felt from Him. But suffice it to say that I know He loves each of us. He is always watching. Always waiting. And always willing to bear our cross for us, if we will just take the path He took, and follow. His Atonement is real. It is what makes this life worth living. It is what makes this life possible. It is the source of strength that I look to each and every day. When I am down, He is there to lift me. He knows the hard times. He's felt that heartbreak, the pain, the sorrow that we all have felt, do feel, and will ever feel in our lives. How? Why? Love. He loves us! I cannot say that I enough. I love my Lord and Savior, with all of my heart. To Him I bow, and to Him I run for strength and courage. It is He, who helps me to understand that things will work out in the end. The Gospel, the Lord's Plan are all about the Happy Ending. "Consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness." (Mosiah 2:41) It hasn't come yet. But it's all about the journey. Yeah it's hard. Where in that verse does it say that it's easy? It says to think about those that are happy - why are they happy? Because they do what the Lord has asked them to do. And He, being the wonderful Father that He is, blesses them for doing it.
Life is good. I love it. And I'm glad to know what I know and to have to chance to learn and grow some more.
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