Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Week #3

This week I wanted to focus on loyalty and what this word encompasses. Saturday evening I went to the BYU Football game against UCLA. BYU's game against the Bruins resulted in an unfortunate 4th quarter heartbreaking loss, and led to many questions in play calling and playing time for various positions. As the game came down to its last seconds I was let down by the reactions of the students in the student section and BYU fans surrounding me. These fans began to chant against one or two of the BYU players and requested that these players find the bench, and get their second string replacements in immediately.

Although I attend BYU, I am actually a Utah Football fan (my family are avid fans). I attend BYU football games because I'm a student at BYU, I enjoy the game of football, and because I have a girlfriend that is a big time fan. In just three weeks time I have seen the enthusiasm for this year's football team diminish week-to-week. The student section had signs that read "Taysom the great has returned" and just as fast as the Taysom signs went up, they came back down and were replaced by fans requesting Tanner as his replacement.

As this has been a topic of discussion for the last couple of days, I have taken time to read into press conference interviews and opinions from professional analysts on the matter, and have seen that there isn't a clear cut answer to the quarterback discrepancy at BYU. I think its important to be loyal as fans, and as students, but i think being loyal as fellow teammates to these players is the most important loyalty. This is what I want to focus on. Tanner Mangum, the backup quarterback that is being cheered on by fans to be the saving grace for BYU football, recently shared a post that showed both Tanner and Taysom celebrating in the middle of one of the last three games. I don't know Tanner personally, I have heard both good and bad things about Tanner (it comes with being a college athlete), and this simple act speaks more than any opinion that I have read/listened to thus far.

Remaining loyal to the ones we love and surround ourselves with is vital for long-lasting relationships. Not just long-lasting, but I would go even further to say successful relationships.
Week #2
This week I had the chance to focus on the topic of "being sober". My Book of Mormon class asked us to research and provide a report on not abstaining from drugs and alcohol, rather, leading a sober and pure life. As I researched this topic I read many scripture passages and real world stories of leaders and individuals who live "sober" lifestyle. After reading and pondering the topic of soberness, I have found a whole new meaning for this word and I have gained respect for those people that make a conscious effort to live a sober life.

To live a sober life means that one is willing to be conscientious of making decisions with a longterm, rational outlook. To be sober in life is to consider the consequences of their actions, or, to live by the idea of "measure twice, and cut once". I feel like this is a great lesson to learn. I know that I could do a much better job of focusing on making rational decisions. Often times it is easy to make decisions with short-term vision. I know that when I make these irrational and short-term decisions I often find myself in a predicament that is less than ideal.

I read a quote that I love that says "although making the sensible and sober decision isn't always the right way of thinking, 9 out of 10 times it will lead you in the right direction" (jared Naymen). I want to apply this idea, and put my money on the safe side. That is, thinking before I speak, weighing out the consequences for my actions, and living a life with contentment due to sensible and longterm decision making.

Monday, September 19, 2016

Week #1:
As I begin another first week of school, I have had the opportunity to reflect back on my past and present school year experiences. After 18 years of "first days of school" it is amazing to see how much has changed in life. Today, I feel like above obtaining an education and financial freedom, this year I have decided to focus on obtaining a respected character and integrity to continue to build upon in years to come. As an elementary-high school student, the only important goals I ever made revolved around athletic endeavors each year. Athletics are long gone, and although I now only play recreationally, I see many life lessons I learned in my past athletic experiences. Above all other characteristics respected in coaching and teammates, integrity and honesty always seemed to be the most important. Today, as I choose friend groups, and as I continue to date to establish what characteristics I'm looking for in my future wife, honesty and integrity seems to be at the core of what I value most in individuals.

As I was sitting in Professor Dixon's first class hour, I reflected on how I could use my blog to talk about my goals and pursuits for the next academic year. In coming blog posts I will introduce other goals for the academic year, but first and foremost I want to talk about my goal to become someone known for my honest and sober character. In order to obtain this, I feel that humility will be what I need most.

I chose this as my main goal for this academic year, not because I feel that I have an issue of lacking this quality. Rather, because I don't feel that I have ever taken the time to accentuate this quality. So, here's to new beginnings.  Although I've never been much of a blogger, it is my hope that I can turn this blog assignment into a positive resource for out-of-class decisions as well.