On Dating

It takes significant effort to maintain a positive attitude about dating. I don't always stay positive. Some of my favorite one liners about dating are, "Its a losing game, until you win.", "Just pick one, they're all crazy.", and for holiday flavor, "Welcome to the island of misfit toys." Not the most spiritual, uplifting or poetic but they frequently come to my mind. And since this entry has started off on the wrong foot I'll show you a funny clip regarding the importance of marriage. (earmuffs for the sensitive)



Fantastic. Now to change gears completely...What I really wanted to post is a talk that has been solid practical advice for what to do in dating to increase your chances of having a happy and successful marriage down the road. Ask me in 20 years if it works. In his talk, Michael Glauser presents eight key principles gathered from his spiritual insights as a singles' ward bishop and from LDS prophets quotes. The eight principles are:

1. It Is Your Choice
2. Place Yourself in Circulation
3. Develop Effective Communication Skills
4. Understand the Proper Role of Physical Attraction
5. Moral Cleanliness is Essential
6. Work on Yourself
7. Commitment is Required
8. Become a Giver Not a Taker

Each principle has great quotes and ideas attached as bullet points. Its a wonderfully helpful talk and a worthy read for all you fellow misfit toys out there. Here is the link:

Principles for Getting Married

Not According to Plan

I watched Marley and Me over the Thanksgiving break. One of the messages in the movie is that life takes you into areas you don't always expect to go. E.g., annoying dog, miscarriage and career path. Nowhere does the road wind more than in family life.

The Mormon Channel app for smart phones has some good stuff on it. Included are audio series like "The Light of Christ" and "Enduring It Well". I just listened to the latest episode of EIW entitled, "Surviving the Broken Marriage". It made me think of my divorced friends whose plans have been broken and must put together the pieces and deal with the mess.

It seems like the majority of your friends start getting married at the same time and those life events go in waves at certain ages. The last couple years seem to have been the beginning of the early divorce wave and my heart goes out those friends. This podcast interviews a couple that has gone through divorce and made the best out of a bad situation. Here is the link, enjoy.

http://mormonchannel.org/programs/enduring-it-well-episode-29?lang=eng