Desires

Desires dictate our priorities. Priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. The desires we act on determine our changing and achieving, and our becomming.
Dallin H. Oaks

Be Here NOW

I feel like we get caught up in the wants of life- in the comforts and making sure we're taken care of or that our needs are met adequately. It's natural in many ways but now-a-days it seems that it's in excess because of our culture. I think it's so important to reflect regularly on what really matters and the things that make us truly happy. The simple thank you, a hug, a back scratch, a smile of gratitude. Sometimes we over think it, over do it, and the worldly influences get in the way of what really matters- what is at the core of true happiness.






I feel that happiness stems from real, true, honest caring for someone... not by someone because you can't really control that. If you are trying to then maybe that's something to look into. But really selflessly caring for the person you've chosen to trust, to love, to give your all to- forever! Real true charity doesn't care what it gets in return... it doesn't give to get- it simply gives. THAT is the goal- the concern and absolutely the point of true Christ-like love. You give and you don't do it because you expect anything in return. You do it because you want to show charity, love, and appreciation for that individual.





It's important to look for the times you feel yourself falling and the excitement of holding the hand of someone who is or looks like they may be that amazing friend you wait your whole life for. For those of us still trying to fall... make sure you pay attention to the love! Not just the value or the gifts or the car or the ring you could or should have... or what exactly they do for you. Just be here! Right here- right now! Pay attention to what's right in front of you and seek those awesome feelings of real love. Don't you think God could take care of you. If He puts two people together and gives you a great relationship isn't that the main thing that matters or do you need a Beemer to feel comfy? Cause I guarantee love doesn't care about all the things it can get in return... just a few. It grows with trust, real concern, listening and feeling like you have value and that what you think and say matters.






Wether you're married single or anywhere inbetween... be the person you are and want to be. Make the goals, do the work and get there. And with relationships- you do what you need to to make sure you'll have what you need, but remember the essentials. Remember what really counts and matters cause I don't care how much stuff I have when I die! If I'm not able to know that I was really truley in love with my best friend and that every day she knew that!-- then my life will have been in vain. I will have failed!!!

Precious Cargo

You know about a month ago I really should have written this... but right now will suffice. I had an eye opening experience which was quite simple but caught my attention... and made me think.
We go through this life and there are so many thigs we have to do. So much time is invested in running around being productive- making money so we can pay bills and have fun and meet up with friends, see our family, drive our car and get it all done on time. We give ourselves deadlines,we set goals, some deadlines are set for us... so many things to do so little time. Even when I'm not rushed I tend to rush myself out of habbit. On a side note I feel like I've been making myself so busy lately that I haven't had the time to do the most important things for my spiritual strength and otherwise personal growth- that's annother storie. But I heard a well known phrase by a good friend of mine a while back and it really hit me.
At the time I was having fun with the boys and kinda goofing off. Nothing that was too crazy but as I would expect from this girl she said "I am precious cargo". We all joked a little and us guys kinda played it off but she was SO rite.
I've spent a lot of time with my family the last month or two and the kids especially... and I think of what it'll be like someday to have my own little family. The things I'll do and say the rules I'll have and so many moments of teaching... and re-teaching too if they're anything like me : ) How often should we keep this in mind tho- while we're driving around town, as we choose friends to bring into or even just around our families and make choices that quite litterally could change our lives. We need to remember that wether it's ourselves or our loved ones in the car or standing by or however it may work out-They are the ones along with ourselves that can be effected by our choices. We are all precious cargo! We all deserve to be looked out for and protected, and need to be aware of how our choices will effect those around us. So lets buckle up, make sure we're choosing good friends- keeping ourselves in good company, drive safely and remember we are all precious in Gods eyes...

Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t. Eleanor Roosevelt

To escape criticism — do nothing, say nothing, be nothing. Elbert Hubbard

Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain- and most fools do. Dale Carnegie

They can not take away our self respect if we do not give it to them. Mahatma Gandhi

Better to be a lion for one day, than a hundred years as a maggot. Benito Mussolini

Those who cannot bravely face danger are the slaves of their attackers. Aristotle

I promise to keep on living as though I expected to live forever. Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old only by deserting their ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up interest wrinkles the soul. Douglas MacArthur

Try not. Do... Or do not. There is no try.

“Yoda” in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

I don’t know if the optimists or the pessimists are right. But the optimists are going to get something done. Craig Venter

It’s so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don’t say it. Sam Levenson

He made me Free!

Today has been quite the bombardment of insight. I felt like I was constantly wrighting in my journal durring church. The day started in the family ward and my oldest brother and family comming to visit. The speakers there were a young couple newly married and moved into the TOV ward speaking from Elder Bednar's talk "And Nothing Shall Offend Them" on taking offence and the blessing of Patience. They did great jobs. Second round was in my singles ward.. the Sister missionaries spoke and both did an awesome job! Speaking on Revelation and Obedience there were some pretty great points made and some important correlations I was able to make. Then before taking off to have dinner with the family I stopped into Gospel Principles and was eddified by an amazing teacher there on the topic of sacrifice.

First of all- listen to Elder Bednar's talk if you have a few minutes...

It's pretty amazing when you think of how we constantly work against orselves. We have so many natural tendancies that draw us away from our potential and bring us down. But throught it all you must Remember this;

God made us free

The way we are happiest, most capable, most confident and forever free is when we're following the Commandments of God. The commandmants are charactor builders. They make us wholesom, strong, powerfull, and full of capability. FREE! God made us free... then gave us the commandments to keep us free! Free from guilt, from betrayal, neglect, selfishness, psycological and emotional pain, abuse, and all things evil. We- through obeying His word- have been given the cure-all. Something that will last. A lifestyle that will never go out of style and will always bring a fulfilling and true joy that cannot be found by any other means.

What you do, says more than what you say!

I wanted to simply educate and say something interesting about communication today till I can wright out my other thoughts and post them. So for now this is quoted from -How to Hug a Porcupine-

In interpersonal communication there are three primary message systems. The first is "facial expression and body language" As much as 55% of meaning is derived from looking at a person's countenance, posture, and demeanor. This means the interpretation is visual. It is centered in the eyes. The second message system is the "tone of voice". About 37% of how we interpret meaning comes to us from our ears. The tone and intensity of volume we hear helps us to understand the central idea that is being communicated. The third message system is the choice of words. Only 8% of meaning is attributed to the actual words we use.
Ironically, we do our best communicating when we are negative! In other words, when we are upset, our facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, and words are consistent. All three message systems are sending the same signals. This, of course, makes it easy to understand and interpret the message. However clear our message, if it is toxic it will be poorly recieved.
We do our worst communicating in the positive. Because we are not as animated when sending neutral or positive messages, it is more difficult to dicern intent. When someone is yelling and screaming, their eyes are bugging out of their heads, and they are waiving their arms up and down, it is safe to assume the person is upset, angry, and negative. However, when someone pays us a compliment and they are calm, serene, and smiling, many of us question the sincerity of their words. Meaning becomes more difficult to interpret.

I hope this helps.. and let me add this old adage to help you get what's being said.
"What you do speaks so loudly I can't hear what you are saying"

Relationships are limited by what each party is willing to contribute to make it happen- but each person must define what is enough for each relationship. That means how much time, money, energy, and recources you are willing to give to that relationship. If there is a toxic person you're dealing with you must remember that you cannot base your relationship on pleasing them because they cannot be satisfied, nor can YOU controll them! You will gain strength controll and respect, not to mention a healthier relationship, when you live by what you know is best and only give that much.

Begin Agains

The time to start anew.. the time for looking forward and refreshing that zeal you once had for the dreams and goals you have. The New Year! It's gotten off to a good start and I know it will continue to improve the rest of the year.
However something I have to keep reminding myself is just how easy it is to focus on that future. How much we can get caught up in the dreams goals and hopes that will be realized tomorrow. What I find myself forgetting is that HERE, NOW and TODAY is when my future is secured! This is the day I accomplish what I want and do what it takes to get there!
A dream is a goal.. not written down.

There is great truth in this saying and others like it. We can hope and dream all we want but having a list, having a picture, seeing it and knowing difinitively what it is you want makes it so much easier to hold yourself accountable to reaching it. We need these goals and they need to be defined physically in some way- and lists are great! I have a few goals I'll share-

Attend the Temple at least 60 times this year!

Ease someone's burden every week.

Attend school or vocational training

Read the New Testament

finish D&C :)

Get closer to my family- especially my Nieces and Nephews!

Draw a portrait. Haven't done that in 7 years!

Finish my oil painting!

All of these are goals and some are much more easily measured than others but they are written down. I know I can accomplish all these things- I've already been to the temple 4 times this month so I'm on my way. That brings me to my final point- accountability!

We may set these goals and wright them down but we need to tell our friends so they help hold us to them! We need to eveluate ourselves at least monthly and see how we're doing. Make sure we've actually made progress.. and see how we can continue working towards the goals we've set. I know this will be a great year for me and I hope yours is too!

I can

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I CAN adjust my sails to reach my destination.
-Brian Tracy