Week #14:
Yesterday in Stake Conference the theme of the meeting was christlike joy. The Stake leadership each took gave their own perspective and opinion on how we obtain joy through both the scriptures and the church leaders counsel.
One of the main takeaways for me, had to do with trusting in God. Recently I have had multiple conversations on trust and what trust entails. When I refer to the word trust, I usually use this word to describe a very generalized idea of believing another person, or another entity's motives being for good.
A good friend of mine opened my mind to the thought of trust not only being trusting somebody's intentions, but also trusting their decisions. I know that sounds vague, but the easiest way for me to think of this concept is in a marriage, one spouse doesn't just tolerate the other's needs or demands. Rather, trust in the spouses decisions and demands requires the other to not only accept these demands, but also understand that maybe their current opinion on the given topic may be inaccurate or flawed.
This same concept holds true in us as God's children trusting God and his timing. Speaking for myself, I know that I am quick to say I believe in God and have faith in his will. But I am just as fast to trust in my own preparation and my own will. Rather than pride creeping into my life by actions of commission to walk away from God's will, I typically find myself walking away from God's will by actions of omission.
Overall, the Stake Conference's message can be summed up to the following:
As God's children, we can find true joy as we find our answers to this self-reflective question, "You trust in the Lord, but do you really trust in the Lord?" Or, "You seek joy, but do you really seek joy?"
Monday, December 5, 2016
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Blog #13
This week I attended the funeral of a family friend. Annie Schmidt's story caught the attention of many news stations across the United States, and as the story came to a close Monday morning I couldn't help but see God's hand in her story's outcome.
Although Annie was raised in a very conservative community, Annie was known for her free thinking and open minded response to life. Anybody that knew Annie will tell you she was the most caring individual and that she blessed the lives of anybody to cross her path.
During her funeral service, her brother Spencer shared a quote from Annie's journal that has stuck with me ever since. The quote reads, "Nature is where Christians, Muslims, Agnostics, and Atheists can go to something beautiful and something bigger than themselves." I love this quote and her purposeful use of incorporating the most contrast belief systems, and still show that with God's creation we can look past differences to find the beauty in the big picture.
Living in Provo, Utah comes with many pros and many cons. The pros of living in Provo include: living in a clean city, being surrounded by peers that your same values and beliefs, the opportunity to pursue a great education, and having family close to home. The cons of living in Provo are few, but one of the biggest cons being the lack in diversity we have in Provo, Utah. With so many peers sharing the same beliefs and values, inclusivity becomes a norm amongst groups that don't share the same beliefs and values. Annie's message in this quote is a message of hope in the individual, looking past the individual's beliefs.
I love this. Being raised in a non-member home, I often find myself stuck between life back home, and life as an active member of the church. Annie's quote shows that this stuck position that I sometimes experience, comes as a result of my lack in efforts to bridge the gap between the two contrast lifestyles and beliefs. Both of which are filled with some of the best people to enter my life.
Although Annie Schmidt has since moved on to the next life, her story and her sweet message has caused me to wake up, and make the changes necessary to be the person that bridges the gap between belief systems. Her message is one that motivates spirit to spirit connection, rather than religion to religion connection. And that spirit to spirit connection is what Christ has been asking of us since the beginning of time.
This week I attended the funeral of a family friend. Annie Schmidt's story caught the attention of many news stations across the United States, and as the story came to a close Monday morning I couldn't help but see God's hand in her story's outcome.
Although Annie was raised in a very conservative community, Annie was known for her free thinking and open minded response to life. Anybody that knew Annie will tell you she was the most caring individual and that she blessed the lives of anybody to cross her path.
During her funeral service, her brother Spencer shared a quote from Annie's journal that has stuck with me ever since. The quote reads, "Nature is where Christians, Muslims, Agnostics, and Atheists can go to something beautiful and something bigger than themselves." I love this quote and her purposeful use of incorporating the most contrast belief systems, and still show that with God's creation we can look past differences to find the beauty in the big picture.
Living in Provo, Utah comes with many pros and many cons. The pros of living in Provo include: living in a clean city, being surrounded by peers that your same values and beliefs, the opportunity to pursue a great education, and having family close to home. The cons of living in Provo are few, but one of the biggest cons being the lack in diversity we have in Provo, Utah. With so many peers sharing the same beliefs and values, inclusivity becomes a norm amongst groups that don't share the same beliefs and values. Annie's message in this quote is a message of hope in the individual, looking past the individual's beliefs.
I love this. Being raised in a non-member home, I often find myself stuck between life back home, and life as an active member of the church. Annie's quote shows that this stuck position that I sometimes experience, comes as a result of my lack in efforts to bridge the gap between the two contrast lifestyles and beliefs. Both of which are filled with some of the best people to enter my life.
Although Annie Schmidt has since moved on to the next life, her story and her sweet message has caused me to wake up, and make the changes necessary to be the person that bridges the gap between belief systems. Her message is one that motivates spirit to spirit connection, rather than religion to religion connection. And that spirit to spirit connection is what Christ has been asking of us since the beginning of time.
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Blog Post #12
This week I have been thinking a lot about character and what it means to society. When I think of the word character, I think of the quiet heroes that live in our world's limelight. I think of people like Russell Westbrook, who although is one of the NBA's best players in the league, continues to keep a good presence in the media and in his family life.
Often, I find that I have the utmost respect for a spouse who only sings praises about their significant other. Hearing people pour their love and admiration out for their family is something that I feel is a quality everybody needs.
Service workers, and those individuals that devote their careers and lives to improving the community are also the behind-the-scenes heroes that show great character.
I have found in my own life that character is a human trait that cannot be given a dollar price on it's importance in an individuals life. Striving to become someone who is known by the vast majority to have great character and integrity, is a goal worth all of us pursuing.
I believe that if we as a society could focus more on becoming men and women of character, and focus less on becoming men and women of solidified opinion, we would begin to see many of the socialistic trends change for the better part of society.
This week I have been thinking a lot about character and what it means to society. When I think of the word character, I think of the quiet heroes that live in our world's limelight. I think of people like Russell Westbrook, who although is one of the NBA's best players in the league, continues to keep a good presence in the media and in his family life.
Often, I find that I have the utmost respect for a spouse who only sings praises about their significant other. Hearing people pour their love and admiration out for their family is something that I feel is a quality everybody needs.
Service workers, and those individuals that devote their careers and lives to improving the community are also the behind-the-scenes heroes that show great character.
I have found in my own life that character is a human trait that cannot be given a dollar price on it's importance in an individuals life. Striving to become someone who is known by the vast majority to have great character and integrity, is a goal worth all of us pursuing.
I believe that if we as a society could focus more on becoming men and women of character, and focus less on becoming men and women of solidified opinion, we would begin to see many of the socialistic trends change for the better part of society.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Week #11
This week I have thought a lot about optimism. With the chaotic presidential election coming to an end, I feel that optimism is a critical focal point for both myself and society. What I mean by optimism, is actively choosing to see the good in the future; rather than focusing on the possible negatives that may come in the future.
Rather than discussing the election results, I'd like to focus more on the topic of optimism. Optimism is a choice. I believe that choosing to look out through "rose-colored glasses". I don't believe this is a state of ignorance, or choosing to bat a blind eye. I feel that in a world changing day-to-day, actively looking for good is the better alternative to focusing on the coming negatives.
I have had a feeling that somewhere I've lacked personally, is in seeing the good in others--in all aspects of life. I do not believe that more than just a small fraction of ill-willed people exist in this world. Doing good is a natural human motive. As such, I choose to be optimistic in seeing the good in the world and the people that inhabitant the world in which we live in.
This week I have thought a lot about optimism. With the chaotic presidential election coming to an end, I feel that optimism is a critical focal point for both myself and society. What I mean by optimism, is actively choosing to see the good in the future; rather than focusing on the possible negatives that may come in the future.
Rather than discussing the election results, I'd like to focus more on the topic of optimism. Optimism is a choice. I believe that choosing to look out through "rose-colored glasses". I don't believe this is a state of ignorance, or choosing to bat a blind eye. I feel that in a world changing day-to-day, actively looking for good is the better alternative to focusing on the coming negatives.
I have had a feeling that somewhere I've lacked personally, is in seeing the good in others--in all aspects of life. I do not believe that more than just a small fraction of ill-willed people exist in this world. Doing good is a natural human motive. As such, I choose to be optimistic in seeing the good in the world and the people that inhabitant the world in which we live in.
Week #10
Today, I woke up and went about my regular morning routine: (1) Roll out of bed (2) Grab a glass of water, (3) Scroll through social media. I
I believe that at the core of every person is the desire to do good. Being a benefit to those around us is a need in all humans. Because of this, I find it hard to believe that because you may have voted for Hilary Clinton, you directly believe that the life of a fetus doesn't matter. And, if you do feel pro abortion, there is a good-willed reason as to why you feel the way you do.
Likewise, I expect you to give me the same decency. I didn't vote for Trump because I don't care for illegal immigrants; I have illegal immigrants in my life that I would say have shaped my life and opened my eyes to the most important things in life. I didn't vote for Trump because I don't care for the LGBT community; in fact, I have childhood friends and mother-figure women that are active parts of the LGBT community. I didn't vote for trump because I don't care for African Americans; I don't feel like I need to explain myself on such an ignorant statement.
To be honest, I failed to register in time and didn't actually vote. But, these are some of the issues our country faces going forward. If we can not give others the benefit of the doubt, how will we grow as a country?
Today, I woke up and went about my regular morning routine: (1) Roll out of bed (2) Grab a glass of water, (3) Scroll through social media. I
I believe that at the core of every person is the desire to do good. Being a benefit to those around us is a need in all humans. Because of this, I find it hard to believe that because you may have voted for Hilary Clinton, you directly believe that the life of a fetus doesn't matter. And, if you do feel pro abortion, there is a good-willed reason as to why you feel the way you do.
Likewise, I expect you to give me the same decency. I didn't vote for Trump because I don't care for illegal immigrants; I have illegal immigrants in my life that I would say have shaped my life and opened my eyes to the most important things in life. I didn't vote for Trump because I don't care for the LGBT community; in fact, I have childhood friends and mother-figure women that are active parts of the LGBT community. I didn't vote for trump because I don't care for African Americans; I don't feel like I need to explain myself on such an ignorant statement.
To be honest, I failed to register in time and didn't actually vote. But, these are some of the issues our country faces going forward. If we can not give others the benefit of the doubt, how will we grow as a country?
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Week #9
Today, as I sit in the library cramming for my two hardest midterms given this semester, I can't help but reflect back on how grateful I am for the blessings I have received. This past week I have felt like I am up to my ears in exams/reviews/projects/internships. I have allowed myself to become stressed out of my mind, and focusing on the here and now. I received a heart dropping call on Wednesday, telling me that a good family friend of mine had just received the news that his younger sister has been missing since this past Sunday (six days).
Spencer, my family friend, dropped everything and flew out with his parents on the next flight to Oregon to search for his sister. I couldn't help but think about how that would influence his midterms and scores missing such vital days in class and review sessions. Shortly after allowing myself to think of this, I realized that Spencer and his parents showed 0% concern on what they were missing to fly to Oregon, and 100% concern on finding their daughter and sister.
This was a great learning experience for me. Seeing a family go through such a trying time, they focused all of their attention on the things that really matter, and gave little attention to the trivial concerns.
Considering the fact that my conversation with Spencer Wednesday night came right after I felt as if I did less than optimal on my book of mormon midterm, it showed me how roped up I had allowed myself get on something that doesn't matter. I have a home, I have a loving family that is currently safe, I have food, I have water, I have God.
I need to focus more of my attention on what I'm lucky enough to have, and less on what I don't have.
Today, as I sit in the library cramming for my two hardest midterms given this semester, I can't help but reflect back on how grateful I am for the blessings I have received. This past week I have felt like I am up to my ears in exams/reviews/projects/internships. I have allowed myself to become stressed out of my mind, and focusing on the here and now. I received a heart dropping call on Wednesday, telling me that a good family friend of mine had just received the news that his younger sister has been missing since this past Sunday (six days).
Spencer, my family friend, dropped everything and flew out with his parents on the next flight to Oregon to search for his sister. I couldn't help but think about how that would influence his midterms and scores missing such vital days in class and review sessions. Shortly after allowing myself to think of this, I realized that Spencer and his parents showed 0% concern on what they were missing to fly to Oregon, and 100% concern on finding their daughter and sister.
This was a great learning experience for me. Seeing a family go through such a trying time, they focused all of their attention on the things that really matter, and gave little attention to the trivial concerns.
Considering the fact that my conversation with Spencer Wednesday night came right after I felt as if I did less than optimal on my book of mormon midterm, it showed me how roped up I had allowed myself get on something that doesn't matter. I have a home, I have a loving family that is currently safe, I have food, I have water, I have God.
I need to focus more of my attention on what I'm lucky enough to have, and less on what I don't have.
Week #8:
This week has been a learning experience for me. I have lived a rather blessed life. I was not raised in a family with loads and loads of money, but my parents always provided my brother and I with every opportunity or resource we needed/desired. Growing up, I never had the experience of defeat in any aspect of my life. When I decided I wanted to be the best at something, I would set my mind on it and I always achieved my goals. Today, my goals are no longer focused on athletics, student body leadership, or social status. Pursuing an education at BYU has been a learning experience, and much needed humbling experience for me at such a critical time in my life.
I never had a desire to work for top-notch grades until beginning college. In fact, when I was in high school I would often cheat on assignments and fake my way through tests. A funny joke my friends and I had in high school, was that although I was the only one who did not take school seriously, I was the only one that took the ACT seriously; and, as a result I scored the highest on the ACT. Starting my education at BYU as an Economics Major has taught me that "The law of returns" is a true principle. My girlfriend and I have this conversation often. We both have very challenging courses we are enrolled in. The difference, is that she has taken her education seriously from an early age, and I am now trying to maintain above-average grades at an above-average university. Although I am able to do so (for the most part), it definitely does not come without stress.
I am grateful for my educational experience at Brigham Young University. I don't agree with the education system, and although I can't say I will remember derivatives, logarithms, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, Protein synthesis, Chemical bonds and their formulas; however, I can say that as I have taken the time to learn these different abstract concepts, Brigham Young University has tested me beyond my own limits, and has helped me see that I can accomplish anything that I want to in life. Even if it's an educational pursuit. I couldn't have said that before enrolling at this great university.
For that reason alone, I am grateful for my educational experience.
This week has been a learning experience for me. I have lived a rather blessed life. I was not raised in a family with loads and loads of money, but my parents always provided my brother and I with every opportunity or resource we needed/desired. Growing up, I never had the experience of defeat in any aspect of my life. When I decided I wanted to be the best at something, I would set my mind on it and I always achieved my goals. Today, my goals are no longer focused on athletics, student body leadership, or social status. Pursuing an education at BYU has been a learning experience, and much needed humbling experience for me at such a critical time in my life.
I never had a desire to work for top-notch grades until beginning college. In fact, when I was in high school I would often cheat on assignments and fake my way through tests. A funny joke my friends and I had in high school, was that although I was the only one who did not take school seriously, I was the only one that took the ACT seriously; and, as a result I scored the highest on the ACT. Starting my education at BYU as an Economics Major has taught me that "The law of returns" is a true principle. My girlfriend and I have this conversation often. We both have very challenging courses we are enrolled in. The difference, is that she has taken her education seriously from an early age, and I am now trying to maintain above-average grades at an above-average university. Although I am able to do so (for the most part), it definitely does not come without stress.
I am grateful for my educational experience at Brigham Young University. I don't agree with the education system, and although I can't say I will remember derivatives, logarithms, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, Protein synthesis, Chemical bonds and their formulas; however, I can say that as I have taken the time to learn these different abstract concepts, Brigham Young University has tested me beyond my own limits, and has helped me see that I can accomplish anything that I want to in life. Even if it's an educational pursuit. I couldn't have said that before enrolling at this great university.
For that reason alone, I am grateful for my educational experience.
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