Tis' the season!

Its Christmas time! There is something magical about it no matter how old you get. Is it Santa? Jesus? Presents? Winter? I was thinking about why its special and three things in the last 24 hours gave me the answer. 

1) Everyone at Walmart last night was unusually friendly. Strangers walked by and smiled and said hi like 4 times! An drabby old man, a little Indian guy, a yuppy Indian guy (don't think he was gay either), and... someone else. And people were pleasant. The cashier was funny and engaging. Wall-E was on in the electronics section a group of like 4 randoms including me stopped to watch for 5+ minutes. It all made me happy! 

2) Read this article in NY Times.

Strangers may cheer you up, study says

"Your happiness depends not just on your choices and actions, but also on the choices and actions of people you don't even know who are one, two and three degrees removed from you," said Dr. Nicholas Christakis, a physician and social scientist at Harvard Medical School and an author of the study, to be published Friday in BMJ, a British journal. "There's kind of an emotional quiet riot that occurs and takes on a life of its own, that people themselves may be unaware of. Emotions have a collective existence - they are not just an individual phenomenon."

Kind of comforting/ Potentially creepy! But, fear not...

"Sadness was transmitted the same way, but not as reliably as happiness. Professor Cacioppo believes that reflects an evolutionary tendency to 'select into circumstances that allow us to stay in a good mood.'"

Thank goodness.

3) This directly answers the initial question of where the Christmas season derives its magic. Read this talk about Christmas by President Monson (might have gotten choked up). 

The Best Christmas Ever

"President David O. McKay declared: 'True happiness comes only by making others happy-the practical application of the Savior's doctrine of losing one's life to gain it. In short, the Christans spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service.'

"'It is the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, obedience to which will bring 'peace on earth,' because it means-good will toward all men.'

"Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit. Enemies are forgiven, friends remembered, and God obeyed. The spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world's busy life and become more in

terested in people than things. To catch the real meaning of the 'spirit of Christmas,' we need only drop the last syllable, and it becomes the 'Spirit of Christ.'"

So what is that feeling? Maybe its the combined goodwill of everyone around thinking more unselfishly than usual. Its the Spirit of Christ in greater potency. Get out and spread the cheer! Go to Wal-mart if you must.

Happy Holidays!

Busted

I've been doing a lot of long distance driving lately (mostly to Utah and back). Anyone who knows me understands how easily I fall asleep. So to stay awake on these treks, I've been juicing up on energy drinks. They are horrible for you, but averaging one a month, I am not an addict.

It would probably be better to adjust my activities around waking hours, than to adjust my waking hours around activities. We all know that too much caffeine is bad for you, but, but, but... No church authority has expressly condoned energy drinks (as far as I know)- UNTIL NOW!

So no more energy drinks for me.

CAFFEINE CONTENT OF ENERGY DRINK TO COKE:

Regular Coke - 41 mg of Caffeine

Average Energy Drink - 220 mg of Caffeine

ALMOST AN ENTIRE 6-PACK!!! no wonder it works

SPIDER BRO:

Now imagine instead of a spider web you are looking at a midterm paper. Diagram on the left is a BYU student's paper. Diagram on the right is a UVU student's paper. While the left diagram may earn an A, it took the zoobie all day to complete! UVU stud woke up at 1 AM, played Xbox, hit up the tanning bed and Gold's, went to 3 dance parties, popped a Rockstar at 2 AM and finished right diagram in a fraction of the left and still got a C-! YEAH BRO!

Urban. So urban.

My cousin Stephen and I have so many running jokes. One of them is the idea of being urban. Embodying the American urban movement and embracing the world. Traveling to Thailand. Living in the big city. Starbucks. Peacoats. American apparel. Just living the dream and being... urban. Listen to this song and enhance your urban appeal.

Poison Oak Myth-busting

After hiking in Yosemite over Thanksgiving break I woke up in the morning to an itchy rash on my face and other places. The last 4 days have been absolute hell! And I don't know if I've reached the worst of it as it keeps popping up in new spots. Anyhow, the outbreak has caused me to do some research and I learned a few things to share.

Myth: Poison Oak rash is contagious. You can give it to other people.

My mom cut my hair yesterday and wore rubber gloves so she wouldn't get it from touching me. Don't trip Mom- Rubbing the rashes won't spread poison oak to other parts of your body (or to another person). You spread the rash only if urushiol oil- the sticky, resinlike substance that causes the rash- has been left on your hands.

Myth: Don't worry about dead plants.

I'm pretty sure I just touched a stick or something because it is winter and there weren't many leafy bushes on the trail. Urushiol oil stays active on ANY surface, including dead plants, for up to 5 YEARS! 

Myth: Breaking the blisters releases urushiol oil that can spread.

I always thought this was true and if you itched it the juice from your blisters would make more and cause others to possibly get it. No. Blister fluid does not spread the rash. Only contact with the Urushiol. The rash spreads as less sensitive areas or areas less exposed to the urushiol break out later. 

As far as tips to make the itching stop or make the rash go away faster I'm still looking into it and looking for suggestions. I'm going nuts.

A Reason for Disbelief

I recently saw a preview for a new documentary called Religulous. From the preview, it basically seems like it is saying that it is stupid to believe in God and just because many do doesn't mean it isn't crazy. He goes on to knock believers of all faiths and mock God. Which is totally fine by free speech. So in a spirit of free speech, I am at liberty also to profess my beliefs. 

God does exist. He does communicate with His children on earth. Those who cannot hear His voice often come to the conclusion that they do not hear because He does not speak. If He doesn't speak to them, then the 'others' must be making it up. This is false. The reason we often cannot hear His voice and feel His love is because we disobey His codes of conduct and commandments. In this state of rebellion, we can either get back on track or justify our loss of light and love by reasoning the light and love never existed in the first place. Then it is easier to go on according to our will in disregard for God's. 

I know God has spoken to me at times in my life. No doubt. I also know that at times I have had a very hard time hearing and it has required making changes to get back on course. Faith in Christ and belief in His atoning sacrifice enable one to feel the spirit again and hear God whisper. So if you don't believe because you do not hear and do not feel- I implore you to utilize Christ's free gift and change, rather than justify your actions and deny God. In so doing, the darkness of heavenly silence will dispel. See below quote.

"Man may deceive his fellow-men, deception may follow deception, and the children of the wicked one may have power to seduce the foolish and untaught, till naught but fiction feeds the many, and the fruit of falsehood carries in its current the giddy to the grave; but one touch with the finger of his love, yes, one ray of glory from the upper world, or one word from the mouth of the Savior, from the bosom of eternity, strikes it all into insignificance, and blots it forever from the mind."

-Oliver Cowdery

His love is manifest and available through the atonement. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

-Matt 3:16

And the way we utilize the atonement I can most simply describe as asking for forgiveness through Christ and not doing it anymore. And if we do it again, asking for forgiveness again, until the not doing it part finally sticks. The danger of repeating sin after repentance is that is you start to think... "This is silly. I can do what I want. I don't feel God forgiving me or talking to me. This repentance is the result of a frenzied mind bothered by a false belief. I'll stop believing, stop feeling bad, and do what I want." Don't be fooled by that line of logic. Repent. God is waiting in love to touch your heart and then you will feel his whispering. Thats what I know.

Oh Meridian...

This is the true story of George Phillips of Meridian, Mississippi, who was going to bed when his wife told him that he'd left the light on in the shed. George opened the door to go turn off the light but saw there were people in the shed in the process of stealing things.

He immediately phoned the police, who asked "Is someone in your house?" and George said no and explained the situation. Then they explained that all patrols were busy, and that he should simply lock his door and an officer would be there when available.

George said, "Okay," hung up, counted to 30, and phoned the police again.

"Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people in my shed. Well, you don't have to worry about them now because I've just shot them all."

Then he hung up. Within five minutes three squad cars, an Armed Response unit, and an ambulance showed up. Of course, the police caught the burglars red-handed.

One of the policemen said to George: "I thought you said that you'd shot them!"

George said, "I thought you said there was nobody available!"

True Love Part II

Last entry defining love was all quotes from LDS leaders. Just watched Meet Joe Black for the first time last night and heard a great line from Hannibal Lector that rings true.

Love is passion, obsession, someone you can't live without. If you don't start with that, what are you going to end up with? Fall head over heels. I say find someone you can love like crazy and who'll love you the same way back. And how do you find him? Forget your head and listen to your heart. I'm not hearing any heart. Run the risk, if you get hurt, you'll come back. Because, the truth is there is no sense living your life without this. To make the journey and not fall deeply in love - well, you haven't lived a life at all. You have to try. Because if you haven't tried, you haven't lived.

-William Parrish (Anthony Hopkins)

Recipe for toughness

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.”

- C.S. Lewis

Intuitive Eating Article

Read this article about eating healthy. I love it!

http://byunews.byu.edu/release.aspx?story=archive05/Nov/intuitive

I love the simplicity of being at peace with your body and doing what feels right, rather than waging a war to make your body look an unnatural way.

Found this while going through old emails to clean out my gmail account. (Talk about too much free time!) But I have a ton of old pictures that bring back good memories. Those will be going up on facebook soon!

So simple

IF you read the scriptures

THEN you will have eternal life/ never perish

the temptations of the adversary will not be able to overpower you unto blindness

you will be told all things what you should do

1 Nephi 1:15

And they said unto me: What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree? And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.

2 Nephi 31:20

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

2 Nephi 32:3

Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

Is it really that simple? Pretty much. Read the scriptures.

Read = feast and hearken- involved study and searching with a desire to apply the teachings into our lives

Scriptures = Christ's word- (Standard works and modern prophets and apostles)

On the application of Christ's word into our lives Dieter put it simply with an aeronautical parable.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

During my professional life as an airline pilot, passengers sometimes visited the cockpit of my aircraft. They asked about the many switches, instruments, systems, and procedures and how all this technical equipment would help such a huge and beautiful airplane fly.

I would explain that it takes a great aerodynamic design, many auxiliary systems and programs, and powerful engines to make such a flying machine equal to the task of bringing comfort and safety to those joining the flight.

To simplify my explanation by focusing on the basics, I would add that all you really need is a strong forward thrust, a powerful upward lift, and the right aircraft attitude, and the laws of nature will carry the airliner and its passengers safely across continents and oceans, over high mountains and dangerous thunderstorms to its destination.

Reflecting on my experiences with those visitors, I have often contemplated that being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites us to ask similar questions. What are the basics, the fundamental principles of our membership in the kingdom of God on earth? After all is said and done, what will really carry us at times of greatest need to our desired eternal destination?

Christlike attributes are the basics. They are the fundamental principles that will create the wind beneath our wings. As we develop Christlike attributes in our own lives, step-by-step, they will “bear [us] up as on eagles’ wings” (D&C 124:18). Our faith in Jesus Christ will provide power and a strong forward thrust; our unwavering and active hope will provide a powerful upward lift. Both faith and hope will carry us across oceans of temptations, over mountains of afflictions, and bring us safely back to our eternal home and destination.

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Developing Christlike Attributes,” Liahona, Oct 2008, 2–7)

Back to school

School thy feelings, O my brother;
Train thy warm, impulsive soul.
Do not its emotions smother,
But let wisdom’s voice control.
School thy feelings; there is power
In the cool, collected mind.
Passion shatters reason’s tower,
Makes the clearest vision blind. …

School thy feelings; condemnation
Never pass on friend or foe,
Though the tide of accusation
Like a flood of truth may flow.
Hear defense before deciding,
And a ray of light may gleam,
Showing thee what filth is hiding
Underneath the shallow stream.
School thy feelings, O my brother;
Train thy warm, impulsive soul.
Do not its emotions smother,
But let wisdom’s voice control.
(“School Thy Feelings,” Hymns, no. 336)

Very true. I'd like to engrain this poem on my hand and hold it over my mouth at times. Its a hymn, but I found it in Gordon B. Hinckley's talk on controlling anger. The talk is great, I recommend reading it.

New #1 reason to vote YES on 8: Surfer Endorsement.

WWW.WHATISPROP8.COM
WWW.PROTECTMARRIAGE.COM
WWW.PRESERVINGMARRIAGE.COM
WWW.IPROTECTMARRIAGE.COM

Vote YES on Proposition 8 to support traditional family values!

Who looks happier?

Not very fair. But still...

I'm sure you know what Prop 8 is. Just in case- it is on California ballots this upcoming election and throws a clause into the state constitution saying marriage is between man and woman only (i.e., not between homosexual partners). The reason California has to vote on this again is CA Supreme Court judges ruled Prop 22 unconstitutional by 4-3 votes, despite the proposition passing by 61.4% in 2000. Thank you liberal CA judges! Now California and Massachusetts are the only two states in fifty to allow gay marriage. Whether in style, economy or descent into moral abyss we are always front-runners! A genuine hooray for our great state!

"Who cares?" -you ask. That's what I asked too, initially. Here is why I care and think you should too.

1) God's current prophet and previous ones have declared marriage to be between man and woman.

Check out the Proclamation to the Family's first paragraph. Since solid traditional families are the underpinning of civilized society, we would do well to uphold those values, rather than undermine them by legitimizing sinful relationships.

2) Homosexuality is a sin and doesn't deserve any allowance.

I have gay friends and I love them. I have friends that are adulterers and fornicators and I love them. I am a sinner sometimes and I love me. But I don't want the law to be changed so I can feel better about my occasional bad behavior. Everyone has their weaknesses. Perhaps yours is gambling, drug addiction, same gender attraction, opposite gender attraction, etc. But it is WRONG to give into those temptations. An illegitimate homosexual relationship in no way deserves the worthy title of marriage.

3) Redefining marriage will change how schools teach children about families and sex.

Unacceptable. Public schools are past the line as it is.

4) If Prop 8 fails and gay marriage continues, organizations that uphold traditional marriage and condone state approved homosexual unions could lose tax exempt status and other forms of persecution.

Thus, perceived 'intolerance' is intolerated. (Which makes new school tolerance an anti-virtue as the requestor of tolerance demands, "Accept what I do and don't judge me!" [see entry below on judgement]) With this attitude growing, traditional institutions could be persecuted for not keeping silent on disaprooving stances on this issue and others.

I could probably drum up more, but those are the most persuasive for me. Leave it at 1) and I would be 100% sold on YES. It is unfathomable that Christians could vote NO. Take God and sin and commandments out of the debate and it is hard to argue for YES. However, God exists whether you believe or not, so it is hard for me to debate this atheistically.

Let me know what you think.

What is True Love?

To be honest-- I'm not even sure. Below is a compilation of some quotes that have helped me get a grasp on the whole concept. I love GBH's simple, yet profound description. MJA's quotes are especially poignant too. Enjoy!

David O. McKay

"'Well,' you may ask, 'how may I know when I am in love?'

"...George Q. Morris [who later became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, gave this reply]: 'My mother once said that if you meet a girl in whose presence you feel a desire to achieve, who inspires you to do your best, and to make the most of yourself, such a young woman is worthy of your love and is awakening love in your heart.'

"I submit that... as a true guide. In the presence of the girl you truly love you do not feel to grovel; in her presence you do not attempt to take advantage of her; in her presence you feel that you would like to become, for she will inspire you to that ideal. And I ask you young women to cherish that same guide" (As Youth Contemplates an Eternal Partnership, Improvement Era, Mar. 1938, 139).

Spencer W. Kimball

"What is love? Many people think of it as mere physical attraction and they casually speak of 'falling in love' and 'love at first sight'. This may be Hollywood's version and the interpretation of those who write love songs and love fiction. True love is not wrapped in such flimsy material. One might become immediately attracted to another individual, but love is far more than physical attraction. It is deep, inclusive and comprehensive. Physical attraction is only one of the many elements, but there must be faith and confidence and understanding and partnership. There must be common ideals and standards. There must be a great devotion and companionship. Love is cleanliness and progress and sacrifice and selflessness. This kind of love never tires nor wanes, but lives through sickness and sorrow, poverty and privation, accomplishment and disappointment, time and eternity" (Love versus Lust, 18).

John A. Widstoe

"'Falling in love' is always from within, rather than from without. That is, physical attractiveness must be reinforced with mental and spiritual harmony if true love is to be born and have long life--from the Latter-day Saint point of view, to last throughout the eternities" (Evidences and Reconciliations, 302)

Gordon B. Hinckley

"True love is not so much a matter of romance as it is a matter of anxious concern for the well being of one's companion" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1971, 81-82).

Marvin J. Ashton

"The world is filled with too many of us who are inclined to indicate our love with an announcement or declaration.

"True love is a process. True love requires personal action. Love must be continuing to be real. Love takes time. Too often expediency, infatuation, stimulation, persuasion, or lust are mistaken for love. How hollow, how empty if our love is no deeper than the arousal of momentary feeling or the expression in words of what is no more lasting than the time it takes to speak them...

"We must at regular and appropriate intervals speak and reassure others of our love and the long time it takes to prove it by our actions. Real love does take time. The Great Shepherd had the same thoughts in mind when he taught, 'If ye love me, keep my commandments' (John 14:15) and 'If ye love me feed my sheep' (John 21:16). Love demands action if it is to be continuing. Love is a process. Love is not a declaration. Love is not an announcement. Love is not a passing fancy. Love is not an expediency. Love is not a convenience. 'If ye love me feed my sheep' are God-given proclamations that should remind us we can often best show our love through the processes of feeding and keeping.

"Love of God takes time. Love of family takes time. Love of country takes time. Love of neighbor takes time. Love of companion takes time. Love in courtship takes time. Love of self takes time" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1975, 160, 163).

"One who loves has and feels responsibility. Paul in 1 Corinthians says love thinketh no evil, is not self-seeking, is long-suffering, and is kind. (See 1 Cor. 13:4-5.) If we look at love between two who are preparing for temple marriage, we see the elements of sacrifice and of serving each other's best interests, not a shortsighted 'me' interest. True love and happiness in courtship and marriage are based upon honesty, self-respect, sacrifice, consideration, courtesy, kindness, and placing 'we' ahead of 'me.'" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1981, 30).

Joe J. Christensen

"Be quick to say, 'I'm sorry.' As hard as it is to form the words, be swift to say, 'I apologize, and please forgive me,' even though you are not the one who is totally at fault. True love is developed by those who are willing to readily admit personal mistakes and offenses" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1995, 86).

So Judgemental

I've heard it said that we can never judge others. In defense of wrong actions or behavior many refer to Christ's admonition to "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matt 7:1). In this context the citer is saying, don't judge my actions or yours will be judged. While partially true, the admonition to 'judge not' is incomplete and translated correctly by latter-day prophet Joseph Smith to say.

JST Matt. 7: 1-2 Now these are the words which Jesus taught his disciples that they should say unto the people. Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged: but judge righteous judgment.

It makes more sense too. We know that we must make judgements daily and the light of Christ is given that we may make correct judgements. How can we choose good friends to spend time with, without making a character judgement? How can we weed out negative influences and improve ourselves without judging ourselves and others. The incomplete translation of this verse would lead one to believe that everyone who calls you out is a hypocrite. That isn't true. In my life some of the most important course corrections have come from the friends and family telling me my behavior wasn't right. The most recent admonition from a friend was to be less crude. You know who you are.

The Book of Mormon further elaborates how we are to judge. Warning! Long quote. (Moroni 7:12-19)

12 Wherefore, all things which are ^agood cometh of God; and that which is ^bevil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to ^csin, and to do that which is evil continually.

13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do ^agood continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and ^benticeth to do ^cgood, and to love God, and to serve him, is ^dinspired of God.

14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is ^aevil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil.

15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to ^ajudge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.

16 For behold, the ^aSpirit of Christ is given to every ^bman, that he may ^cknow good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do ^aevil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the ^alight by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same ^bjudgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.

19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the ^alight of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a ^bchild of Christ.

So basically judge away! But do it right because we will ALL be judged eventually. How we judge will determine who we become and who we become will determine how God judges us.

Seriously?

Surfing is great. Listen to the guys in this clip. They are so cool.

Burrrrrrr-oh. Bro? Bro!

Brad Gerlach is the most obnoxious of all! Anytime he talks in a DVD segment I want to eject the disk and snap it in half. And the SoCal surf drawl started in the OC and adopted by the 909 elite sounds like a child with a learning disability who just got back from getting his mouth numbed at the dentist.

Highlights:

"You're out in the water, your team, and if you rip, errrybody pats you on the back. If you bog, you feel like you let your team down. And that makes people GOO for it!"

"Kyle, take your jersey off!"

"Playin' it safe to the beach doesn't work in this. Go for it! Rip! You know? Try an air! Fall, who cares? You know?"

Avoiding Pride's Pitfall

Last week in Sunday School we had a lesson about the pride cycle shown above. It was good and I was left wondering how to cut from the "blessings" stage back to "humility and repentance" without going through the muck of the bottom half of the cycle. Reading this morning I was grateful to find the answer in a BYU-Idaho meeting summary. It was called "Stopping the Cycle of Pride".

My three take home lessons I gathered were as follows:

1) To say "grateful" or "blessed", rather than "proud of", when speaking of your hook-ups. 

2) To keep your nose in the scriptures (especially the Book of Mormon) to see and avoid pride. 

3) To avoid the desire to be recognized and "seen of men". 

The slides gave the following list to stay humble during blessings and prosperity:

-conquer enmity with others

-receive counsel

-forgive others

-give selfless service

-preach the word

-go to the temple

-repent & be born of Christ

-Love God - put Him first

Another good talk on the subject and more commonly known is President Benson's "Beware of Pride" talk. 

It is hard to not fall into pride. I do it all the time. As soon as things start going my way it is easy to slack and expect the blessings to continue. Hopefully you are above all that, but just in case I hope these ideas and links help. For some reason all this reminds me of scrooge as someone who rode the waves of the pride cycle...

Something is missing...

I saw a lady with no nose today.

Pulled up to a red light and she looked over towards me. I was pretty sure she had no nose so I pulled up closer to see and caught the side profile. Definitely no nose. From the eyes a straight line down to protruding lips.

This picture of MJ was the least disturbing a google image search for "no nose" turned up.

Stud

I am sold on McCain. Loved the part of his speech where he encouraged activism on the part of individuals who are dissatisfied with the direction politicians are taking us. 

"If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you're disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them. Enlist in our Armed Forces. Become a teacher. Enter the ministry. Run for public office. Feed a hungry child. Teach an illiterate adult to read. Comfort the afflicted. Defend the rights of the oppressed. Our country will be the better, and you will be the happier. Because nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself."

I think our greatest problem in the country is apathy. When people pursue their own financial interests it may work well for the economy, but in doing so we must not forget to incorporate service and giving. Plus, I agree with the argument that Obama just doesn't have the experience necessary for the job. McCain is tried and tested and a better choice. I still would rather have Giuliani or Romney, but oh well. So far I'm liking the arguments for McCain. Still open for suggestions.

Chandeliers Brah.

Met up with an old friend (Dan Hulme) yesterday and surfed in Pacifica at Rockaway beach. Whenever I check that spot- which isn't often- it is horrible and no one is out. However, yesterday there was a pack out right against the south cliff and a 6-7 foot right breaking into a channel. Low tide was making it throw a little. My wave of the day was a big set and was so fun!!! Dropped in and it was kind of holding back so I turned left to get deep, then turned right as the whole section walled out in front of me and hit the shallow sandbar. Seeing it coming I set a high line on my too floaty 6'4'' epoxy Dan loaned me and the green wall heaved over me. Inside the barrel was all green- no foam- and the sound was like the sucking of a draining tub amplified. After pulling into weak little summer barrels the last few months it was a reminder what a real hollow barrel is. I hardly had to crouch! Should have made it out but the board was so floaty and the fish tail didn't really stick so I caught a rail and went up and over with the lip I was watching two seconds earlier. Stoked!!!This is the wave. Not many were barreling- the one I got was a little surprise.

Check out this video of chandeliers galore!

Click!

Adam Sandler movie that has been on DVD for a while. The acting is as un-amazing as you would expect, but I actually liked the storyline because it got me thinking about how important it is to enjoy every moment of life as we pass through it.

Basically Sandler has a "universal remote" and is able to fast forward past parts of life that he doesn't like- work, marital problems, errands, sickness, etc. He just skips ahead to the realization of his goals of promotions which will buy him enough time to just do what he wants. Ironically, he misses out on what he wants to buy time to do. The happy ending is that it was all a scrooge-like vision of how horrible his life would turn out if he didn't get his priorities straight.

I realized how I'm still on the way to some major goals and need to enjoy the process, rather than obsess about getting there so much that I drone out in present. Life the last few weeks has been subtly different and it feels great to develop new and old friendships. We will reap what we sow. Sometimes it is hard to remember that the reaping should be of eternal value, rather than temporal. Getting caught in the daily grind it seems easy for the tail to wag the dog and for our sub goals to trump major goals. The scriptures break down simply what I am feeling with all this...

Matthew 6:19-21

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

If our treasure is what we want most we will get it. The question is whether it will be worth it when we do. So then what is of the greatest worth?

D&C 15:4, 6

"For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you. And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen."

Why? Because the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. (see D&C 18:10)

Nothing better than sharing the truth! And the truth is the other great thing of value. The scriptures are worth our time and also the means of doing that which is of most worth (helping others)-

Alma 37:8-10

"And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls. Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer. And who knoweth but what they will be the means of bringing many thousands of them, yea, and also many thousands of our stiffnecked brethren, the Nephites, who are now hardening their hearts in sin and iniquities, to the knowledge of their Redeemer?"

Yeah, who kneweth? Millions so far. Good hunch.

Anyhow, Click is a dumb movie- but the take home lesson was a good one. Made me re-eVALUEate what kind of treasure I am gathering. The simplest way to create eternal value on a daily basis is to lay up the truth through the scriptures and share it with others. Killing bugs? Not so much.

Escape!

On NPR today I heard something that got me thinking. Woody Allen explained how film was always an escape for him as a boy and how that escape developed into filmmaking in adulthood. He described the joy and magic of being in a bar scene compared to the dull reality of actually going to a bar. After completing projects he wants to get right into another so that he can escape. (I would too if I lived in New York City!) Listen to the interview if you want.  Woody Allen on NPR

I agree with Allen- the world is a dull and dreary place. It seems all of us want to escape it at times (or maybe all of the time) and we all have different hatches to get out. The tired old saying comes to mind, "You can tell what kind of person someone is by what they do in their free time." With the aforementioned thought in mind, I would change that statement to say; You can tell what kind of person someone is by their escape. Woody is obviously an entertainer at heart. If your escape is watching football and playing video games you are probably a true competitor. If you love to shop for clothes and clean you may be a perfectionist. You can do your own escape palm reading.

Some escapes produce meaningful results, others can be wasteful. We can morph our escapes to produce whatever we want most. Playing video games isn't going to produce much, but participating in a softball league will get you friends and in shape. It is important that we recognize the roots of our escapes and if we feel a need to modify them into more productive activity, make sure that we fulfill our personal needs that the current escape provides. This is the best way to kick bad habits and incorporate new ones. You have to fill the hole with a similar shaped filling for it to stick. 

So listening to Woody talk about how his escape morphed from watching movies as a child to making them as an adult made me wonder if I could modify some of my escapes into activities that would create more beneficial outputs. I think we all can. Happy New Year and may all our resolutions and goals come to fruition and make us and the world a better place, if only a little.

What are your escapes? Productive or not?