Finding That Dream

Desires

2011-06-01T10:45:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-27T22:21:00.001-07:00

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

2011-05-27T20:57:00.000-07:00

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...

2011-03-28T02:58:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-03-13T20:10:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-01-30T11:08:00.000-08:00

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 out 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

2011-01-16T10:14:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-02T10:35:00.000-08:00

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

so...

2010-12-28T00:03:00.001-08:00

Here I am again :) Yes it has been a very busy year and I've been working a lot as well as all over the country. In the last 6 weeks I've been in NM, AZ and WI for work. I will try to pick this up again and possibly re-focus the emphasis of this blog and what I want to accomplish with it. -feedback is always a good thing ;)

I'm thiking I can still keep my spiritual emphasis but I really love the pshcology of relationships too. I've done it read about it.. tried it some more, read again, failed misserably, been happy, and read yet again. I think it's helping- just not working out yet :) So possibly having that be more of my purpose or focus with this. I guess I can easily just wright about my life and dating and it would be quite amusing I'm sure. We'll see- probably all of the above. I also have a journal I take notes in at church each week and I know those insights will find their way in here too.

Meanwhile... I hope the few of you that see this know of my gratitude in not having this be entirely in vain. I love my family... you are everything to me! Those good friends and other currious people are welcomed as well. I hope I can at least briefly amuse you :)

very random thoughts..

2010-02-20T00:57:00.000-08:00

I love firsts.. love the feeling of trying something out for the first time and many times- sharing that with someone else. It's a lot of fun that way- sharing firsts with good friends or someone you're interested in. I find sometimes that's a motivating factor for me. I like seeing how people react to something for the first time. I like taking dates to do something or see something they haven't before... I think sometimes tho there's an obligation we have to be warry of it as an item or thing. You don't wanna get too carried away experiencing all these new fun things and not have much that's new or exciting to do with the one you end up with. Then again... whomever that is you'd think you would be able to enjoy lots of things together many times over. I think most people enjoy simple things. Maybe gonig on a walk in the same place multiple times a week or shopping at the same store. I guess with the right person even the most simple or seemingly mundane things are enjoyable. And we all know we each want that and want to keep it once we've found it for a long long time.
I find myself wondering about that sometimes. How do you really know. I mean people say you'll just know... but do you really? or is it after you really take the big steps that you come to find out and that over time you really grow to be inseperable. Time can do that. Also, time can oppose those types of progress. I realized recently that time is a hinderance when we aren't honest with ourselves and especially with those we're supposed to care about the most. We build up resentment and feelings of ingratitude- even for those whom only want us to be happy. That in it's most pure true self is hard to find but when we really want the best for someone and they know that I really don't think they'll have to think wether to or not to come to us and say what's on their mind. It's natural, and those who can listen and understand are given more listening opportunities.
I thought I was a good listener. I'm not so sure tho, and I don't think I'm as humble as I hoped I would be. It's interesting to see tho... often when things in a relationship aren't going that well. It seems that when there's an offence taken- it's the one that is getting called out. I mean it's upsetting to have to think of excuses as to why you don't act like you should. and even tho others shouldn't jump to conclusions we get upset that they do. and sad thing is I bet most of the time they're right.
You know I've gotten mad at people many times over the years. sometimes it's just because I think people don't think and they need to grow up, and every now and then a person's just rude and doesn't respect others. I noticed recently tho that when I get upset with someone or a situation... I fell like I now better, how could they be so thoughtless, or stupid or rude or selfish... and the thing that happens every time- every time. I feel supirior in a way. I feel like they are dumb and i'm better. I see where the term "harden" their hearts comes from. I have felt that and done that often when I choose to be offended with something or at someone. And the thing that happens is I restrict myself and slow my spiritual progres.

2010-02-15T12:14:00.000-08:00

In the October General Conference there were a lot of really good talks but one I and many others really felt was powerful and moving was that of Elder Jeffery R Holland. He os one of my favorite speakers and I love how he speaks to us with so much compassion and love. I love the part in between where these two clips where he speaks of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his devotiona nd total commitment to the Book Of Mormon. He sealed up his testimony with his life and in elder Hollands' own words... no evil person could write it and no honest man would write it, unless it were true. If these links don't work I'll try to fix them or just copy the addresses in the youtube search browser. This is one of my all time favorite talks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMWK20vZFwQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_ac3tWeV3I&feature=related

So here it goes

2010-01-19T17:05:00.000-08:00

Now that the year has gotten going I decided how I'm gonna do this. I will have the main outline of this be links to talks that I really enjoy watching from conference and in church- or I'll just describe tham as I hear them and then comment. I thought of this over the weekend durring Stake conference and since I've been wondering what I could do to make this a bit more effective it sounds good to me.
I also wanted to find a way to stay tuned into the spirit and regularly reflect on gospel topics and I think this will be a great way to do that. Also- in my ward we've begun reading the Book of Mormon as a ward. We have schedules we're using and we will have gone all the way through by conference time. I look foreward to having more of the spirit with me by reading more each day instead of a chapter or maybe a few verses which is often the case thanks to my late nights. I actually had gotten a late start so I read all of first Nephi in a week which was kinda cool. Never thought I'd be doing that. But I've decided that after I read the BOM I'll be moving on to the Doctorines and Covenants.. then Old and New Testaments hopefully by the end of the year~ about three months each. That's the goal at least but I'm confident I can make it through.
So all of this means I should be having at least two posts a month on here- hopefully more. Happy New Year!!

2009-11-08T00:17:00.000-08:00

Eternity is progressive, Perfection is relative.

Perfection is not flawlessness.. it is progressive continual growth.

I realize that there are no failures, just results... and I always produce results!

Why do it?

2009-11-08T00:12:00.000-08:00

I have these questions I started wrighting out last month. These are important and hought I'd just throw them out there. Just to get you to think about what's really important to you and what you really think of standards. I'll work on it more in the next few weeks.

What drives us to be better and why is it important.
How will we be blessed by living higher standards.
Why do we want the most watered down guidelines of the gospel.

Also... MERRY CHRISTMAS to ALL!! and Happy New Year as well

making the change

2009-11-07T22:26:00.000-08:00

Well I've recently been taking a look at myself and wanted to speak out a little. It's a hard thing to do sometimes and I know there are many many things I want to improve on in my life and change. There are also a lot of things I've been observing around me and learning from others' misteaks. I made a list of things I feel like I should be doing to get the Spirit in my life a little more frequently... some of the goals include reading scriptures and praying for at least 20min a day, reading/watching at least one talk from a General Authority each week, share my testimony and give service more, and attend FHE and Institute each week... are most of them.
One thing I feel like the Single adult population in the church is dong is slowly breaking our standards down. We let important things get covered by repetitively pushing the boundaries of the guidelines most of us grew up with. We think we're older and more mature and can handle interacting more intimately with the opposite sex or listening to more vulgar music because it's just how life is and it's not a big deal. I don't think I'm one to get hung up on the intricacies of what is and isn't exactly right or good or what I or someone else probably shouldn't do. But you know what... why not!?! Why don't I think about it more... and especially why do I not ACT upon it more often?
I have had the misfortune of having some pretty bad things happening around me with some of my friends the past year or two. People I've spent lots of time with.. some I hardly know.. some are or were like best friends. I have had my eyes opened the past few years to what a horrible place this world can be for women. Three people I've gotten close to have been victims of rape or molestation! As a human being I think that's horrible! As a friend or significant other it hurts and I feel helpless! What could I possibly say to make it better or empathise but be optimistic. I know I can't even feel a tenth off the pain, sickness, anger, betrayal, helplessly dirty and among other things grotesque feelings that come from being taken advantage of in such a demeaning and demoralizing way.
People the world over are de-sensitized to images, messages, and bad influences on the news, tv, radio, Internet and sooo many other outlets that show how horrible the world is getting. I have seen the laxed standards in my own life and others around me. It is so hard to be virtuous at times and to find others who strive to be as well. I feel like there are things I can do to better myself and check what I'm doing, how I am acting, and great attainable goals I have to set to make me better and happier. I know I have a God in Heaven who fully supports me in that quest. I am very grateful I have a good understanding of the things which I do. I try to be better.. to be my best. And I realize that I am not in any way perfect yet. But I do know that perfection is relative. I can perfect my life according to the understanding and knowledge I have. I strive to do that... and now I can say with a resoluteness I've been lacking in the past. I will press forward and the adversary will not hold me back. I realize that not progressing is losing out. It is the opposite of progression.. and does not create miracles. I need those.. I need happiness every day and growth and learning- it makes me more than human... it makes me a son of GOD! And a happier one at that!

up and running..

2009-06-15T06:42:00.000-07:00

So I figured this thing out, for the most part, and I have my paig up and going. Please feel free to post a comment, add me, suggest other blogs for me or whatever. I work about ten hours a day right now so I will try and get on here at least every other day... Thank you friends and family!

Just starting things off.. give me a little time.

2009-06-12T09:49:00.000-07:00

First Blog ever : )