Okay, you need to bear with me while I share a personal belief with you.
This is not intended to be a 'pass judgment on somebody else' blog post. My intention is to give you something to think about.
Most people believe that financial status dictates whether a person has class. I don't believe that. I suggest that we break out the CLASSOMETER.
What is a classometer, you are asking yourself? It is our personal measurement device that we can use to know how and who we really are.
For instance, will somebody please tell me how many people were taught that when one's mouth is full of food you should chew so that the mouth is closed and the rest of us don't have to enjoy the sight of that food? By observation, there are not a lot who remember.
Also, Becky has a hilarious saying that states that just because the clothing manufacturer makes it in your size, doesn't mean that it is right for a person to wear it.
How about just being soft-spoken, gentle, easy to get along with, calm, pleasant, teachable, slow to anger, a person that is okay with being second in line, open the door for your neighbor (either man or woman), accepting, tolerant of all people. You get the idea.
I'm talking about taking the lead by demonstrating that you have some class. Taking the time to look presentable, even if you're just going to the store. The pajamas and slippers can stay home. The small details show that you care about yourself.
My grandma has always stated and firmly believes that, "birds of a feather, flock together." Look at yourself and you'll see that this is true.
From today on, I will be a frequent classometer user. I am going to try to measure the way that I live--without being an overly critical nut job. I plan on taking a couple of small facets of my own life and measuring myself to make sure that I am being someone that people can look to and be positively lifted up.
It's up to each of us whether we want to be someone with class or if we're content with less than our potential dictates. If there is room for improvement then take this as a challenge. If you're satisfied with your efforts, then you are probably somebody who I already look up to.
I want to be somebody that possesses a little class.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
I Know
On Monday evening, our family went to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to watch the movie, Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration. The movie is produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It is a movie that highlights several parts of the life of Joseph Smith the Prophet.
Becky and I had gone to see it the week before on a day date. I want to share some feelings that I had during that production.
I must first tell you, that the testimony that I gained of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was received with the knowledge of Joseph Smith as a true prophet of God as told to me by the Holy Spirit. I know that the things that he said he saw are true. I feel like it is important to gain the full understanding of his own efforts as a young fourteen year-old boy searching for sincere answers from God.
"So, in accordance with this, my determination to ask of God, I retired to the woods to make the attempt. It was on the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty. It was the first time in my life that I had made such an attempt, for amidst all my anxieties I had never as yet made the attempt to pray vocally.
Becky and I had gone to see it the week before on a day date. I want to share some feelings that I had during that production.
I must first tell you, that the testimony that I gained of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was received with the knowledge of Joseph Smith as a true prophet of God as told to me by the Holy Spirit. I know that the things that he said he saw are true. I feel like it is important to gain the full understanding of his own efforts as a young fourteen year-old boy searching for sincere answers from God.
But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.
It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"
Joseph Smith received an answer to the desires of his heart.
We are children of our Heavenly Father. He loves us and will give us answers to our prayers.
As our family watched the film, my heart was moved, once more, by the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. I know that Joseph Smith is a chosen prophet of God. I know that we are currently led by a prophet of God. Thomas S. Monson is that prophet who does the will of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is a book of God. Each one of us can gain a witness of its truthfulness by prayer to our Father, in the name of Christ. We will grow closer to God by studying from its pages.
I thank heaven for the personal knowledge I have gained. I challenge all who read this to do the same thing.
When I was in the missionfield, Elder L. Tom Perry, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, challenged us missionaries to ask God for a confirmation of the truthfulness of the Gospel many times throughout our lives. That confirmation keeps the converting knowledge fresh.
I am thankful for divine knowledge. It keeps me focused in my life.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Now Is The Time
I rarely remember my dreams of the night. This morning, I awakened and my dream of last night was clear. I want to share some of what I got from that dream.
I spent the night with my mom. I am blessed that she is still alive, today. The entire dream was just her and I. She said something in my dream that resonates in my head. "The time you spend with your children, now, is more important than anything else you can do." Now let me clarify to you that the thing of greatest import to my mom is the relationship she has with my dad. If that is healthy and strong then everything that follows, will be too. So what she told me in my dream comes after her relationship with my dad but I already knew that beforehand.
I have spent some time thinking about my dream. When I was a kid my parents did a really good job at rendering support. I remember a time in junior high when I received an academic award. That award was given to me in front of all of my piers, in a school assembly. My name was called to receive the award. I accepted it from the school principal and as I looked out into the audience, I saw my mom sitting in the back of the gymnasium with all of the other parents. I wasn't aware that she knew about the award. I was overjoyed. My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest.
That is only one instance of the support I received.
There are many things that can occupy our time. You can begin to list them one by one. I must say that when it comes to the support that our kids need, right now, those other things seem very insignificant.
I read an article that stated one of the greatest heartaches that teenagers currently feel. They don't feel like their mom and dad are really there. There is a lack of support because everything else in life has pushed parenting to the background.
I have long held out the opinion that while our kids are at home, I need to take every opportunity to attend their various functions to lend my support.
Our youngest daughter, Laurel, and I walked down the Jr. High School hallway, this week, and visited with each of her school teachers. It was parent/teacher conference time at the school. Becky and I alternate going to parent/teacher conferences. It give us both the chance to visit with and get to know them better. It also shows the teachers that we have something invested in our kids education. I was so grateful for Laurel's efforts to be a great student. I felt a great deal of gratitude for the teacher's efforts in teaching Laurel.
Becky and I believe that the support we give to our children will instill in them the belief and confidence that they can achieve anything if they want it bad enough.
So back to my dream. My mom said to me, in my dream, that she was proud of the efforts that I was making in teaching my(our) children by the example they were seeing.
Let me say this. There isn't a project in this world that is important enough to overshadow the desire to support your children. Another professional sporting event will be on the television tomorrow. Turn off the T.V. and spend some time with your son or daughter. The PlayStation can wait for another time. Grab your bikes and a ball or two and make your way over to the elementary school playground. When school is out, there is no one there. The playground awaits you! A Big Gulp is in your future. Ask your teenage son to go for a ride with you in the car. He's got a lot on his mind. Take some time, today, to listen to him. He needs a listening ear not a talking mouth. Although it may not interest you, your teenage daughter wants to tell you of her future aspirations. Take the time to hear all about today's cutest boy.
The key is time. Throw aside all of the worthwhile distractions and spend the time that is the most needed, right now.
There aren't any of us that have perfected what my mom taught me in my dream of the night. She doesn't even know how important her insight is to me--and that was in a dream. I love her so much and I have and will always value her opinion.
We need to give a special concerted effort to using the 'now' time. I will do it and I hope you will too.
I spent the night with my mom. I am blessed that she is still alive, today. The entire dream was just her and I. She said something in my dream that resonates in my head. "The time you spend with your children, now, is more important than anything else you can do." Now let me clarify to you that the thing of greatest import to my mom is the relationship she has with my dad. If that is healthy and strong then everything that follows, will be too. So what she told me in my dream comes after her relationship with my dad but I already knew that beforehand.
I have spent some time thinking about my dream. When I was a kid my parents did a really good job at rendering support. I remember a time in junior high when I received an academic award. That award was given to me in front of all of my piers, in a school assembly. My name was called to receive the award. I accepted it from the school principal and as I looked out into the audience, I saw my mom sitting in the back of the gymnasium with all of the other parents. I wasn't aware that she knew about the award. I was overjoyed. My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest.
That is only one instance of the support I received.
There are many things that can occupy our time. You can begin to list them one by one. I must say that when it comes to the support that our kids need, right now, those other things seem very insignificant.
I read an article that stated one of the greatest heartaches that teenagers currently feel. They don't feel like their mom and dad are really there. There is a lack of support because everything else in life has pushed parenting to the background.
I have long held out the opinion that while our kids are at home, I need to take every opportunity to attend their various functions to lend my support.
Our youngest daughter, Laurel, and I walked down the Jr. High School hallway, this week, and visited with each of her school teachers. It was parent/teacher conference time at the school. Becky and I alternate going to parent/teacher conferences. It give us both the chance to visit with and get to know them better. It also shows the teachers that we have something invested in our kids education. I was so grateful for Laurel's efforts to be a great student. I felt a great deal of gratitude for the teacher's efforts in teaching Laurel.
Becky and I believe that the support we give to our children will instill in them the belief and confidence that they can achieve anything if they want it bad enough.
So back to my dream. My mom said to me, in my dream, that she was proud of the efforts that I was making in teaching my(our) children by the example they were seeing.
Let me say this. There isn't a project in this world that is important enough to overshadow the desire to support your children. Another professional sporting event will be on the television tomorrow. Turn off the T.V. and spend some time with your son or daughter. The PlayStation can wait for another time. Grab your bikes and a ball or two and make your way over to the elementary school playground. When school is out, there is no one there. The playground awaits you! A Big Gulp is in your future. Ask your teenage son to go for a ride with you in the car. He's got a lot on his mind. Take some time, today, to listen to him. He needs a listening ear not a talking mouth. Although it may not interest you, your teenage daughter wants to tell you of her future aspirations. Take the time to hear all about today's cutest boy.
The key is time. Throw aside all of the worthwhile distractions and spend the time that is the most needed, right now.
There aren't any of us that have perfected what my mom taught me in my dream of the night. She doesn't even know how important her insight is to me--and that was in a dream. I love her so much and I have and will always value her opinion.
We need to give a special concerted effort to using the 'now' time. I will do it and I hope you will too.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Service With A Smile
When I was a young boy, our family planned an evening when we could go help an elderly woman in town. She was Aunt Jessie to everyone who knew her.
She was in her early nineties and still drove her car. She was blessed with strength and a great amount of determination to press forward in life.
We got to her house and we were each given an assignment of what to do in her yard. We were there to clean things up a bit in her yard.
My parents always taught us the importance of hard work. It was fun to work together to accomplish a project, especially one that would help someone else.
I can remember the feeling I had as we worked together. We were able to pull weeds from the flower beds. The lawns needed to be mowed and my dad took care of that including edging the grass next to the sidewalk. It was a memorable project. Aunt Jessie was pleased with our efforts and she wasn't shy about letting us know how thankful she was for all that we did.
I enjoy helping other people out. The feeling that I get while serving someone else is a special one.
Service is the sure way to bring a smile on someone's face. It puts a smile on the face of the one rendering the kind act.
You can't ever serve too much. Give it a try today. Your day will be brighter, guaranteed!
She was in her early nineties and still drove her car. She was blessed with strength and a great amount of determination to press forward in life.
We got to her house and we were each given an assignment of what to do in her yard. We were there to clean things up a bit in her yard.
My parents always taught us the importance of hard work. It was fun to work together to accomplish a project, especially one that would help someone else.
I can remember the feeling I had as we worked together. We were able to pull weeds from the flower beds. The lawns needed to be mowed and my dad took care of that including edging the grass next to the sidewalk. It was a memorable project. Aunt Jessie was pleased with our efforts and she wasn't shy about letting us know how thankful she was for all that we did.
I enjoy helping other people out. The feeling that I get while serving someone else is a special one.
Service is the sure way to bring a smile on someone's face. It puts a smile on the face of the one rendering the kind act.
You can't ever serve too much. Give it a try today. Your day will be brighter, guaranteed!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Follow The Sign
I was driving down the freeway today and I passed many different signs with various directional information for all drivers. I thought about the importance of the signs but because I drive the same exact way to and from work, I never pay attention to the signs.
I have thought about this same scenario when it comes to every day life. I thought about the many signs in my own life that point to various things that are important to a happy and safe life.
Let's talk, for a minute, about a few of those signs that should be important to me and maybe will be of benefit to you.
Because my family is extremely important to me, I automatically think about the signs that keep me grounded and headed in the direction that will keep us together, happily. I make a concerted effort to always be where I say I am. That means that if I am going to late home from work that I inform Becky and then I am either at work finishing some last minute things or I am somewhere else. But being anywhere else than where I say I am going to be, is not an option. That 'sign' keeps trust fully intact with no wondering questions to be asked.
In our home, we have a standing rule that when anyone is on the computer they have to be out in the open. There are never any questions about the content being viewed. Following that sign keeps our spirits healthy and strong.
I talk a lot about our marriage. It is extremely important to me in my life. The signs that are influential in creating and maintaining a great marriage state words on them such as, "Speak kindly to each other all of the time." "Compliment Regularly." "Be Positive." "Have a Great Time." Liking each other is as important as Loving." "Date. Date. Date" These things are just a few of the keys to a successful recipe of a happy marriage.
The signs in our lives will keep us focused on the things that are the most important. I am committed to doing these things, and more to make life the best that it can be.
I have thought about this same scenario when it comes to every day life. I thought about the many signs in my own life that point to various things that are important to a happy and safe life.
Let's talk, for a minute, about a few of those signs that should be important to me and maybe will be of benefit to you.
Because my family is extremely important to me, I automatically think about the signs that keep me grounded and headed in the direction that will keep us together, happily. I make a concerted effort to always be where I say I am. That means that if I am going to late home from work that I inform Becky and then I am either at work finishing some last minute things or I am somewhere else. But being anywhere else than where I say I am going to be, is not an option. That 'sign' keeps trust fully intact with no wondering questions to be asked.
In our home, we have a standing rule that when anyone is on the computer they have to be out in the open. There are never any questions about the content being viewed. Following that sign keeps our spirits healthy and strong.
I talk a lot about our marriage. It is extremely important to me in my life. The signs that are influential in creating and maintaining a great marriage state words on them such as, "Speak kindly to each other all of the time." "Compliment Regularly." "Be Positive." "Have a Great Time." Liking each other is as important as Loving." "Date. Date. Date" These things are just a few of the keys to a successful recipe of a happy marriage.
The signs in our lives will keep us focused on the things that are the most important. I am committed to doing these things, and more to make life the best that it can be.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Give Him The Ball
You know by now that I love good stories that motivate. I love this one and it seems appropriate for today.
CBS) It was the stuff of Hollywood, but it was real.
Senior Jason McElwain had been the manager of the varsity basketball team of Greece Athena High School in Rochester, N.Y.
McElwain, who's autistic, was added to the roster by coach Jim Johnson so he could be given a jersey and get to sit on the bench in the team's last game of the year.
Johnson hoped the situation would even enable him to get McElwain onto the floor a little playing time.
He got the chance, with Greece Athena up by double-digits with four minutes go to.
And, in his first action of the year, McElwain missed his first two shots, but thensank six three-pointers and another shot (video) , for a total of 20 points in three minutes.
"My first shot was an air ball (missing the hoop), by a lot, then I missed a lay-up," McElwain recalls. "As the first shot went in, and then the second shot, as soon as that went in, I just started to catch fire."
"I've had a lot of thrills in coaching," Johnson says. "I've coached a lot of wonderful kids. But I've never experienced such a thrill."
The crowd went wild, and his teammates carried the excited McElwain off the court.
"I felt like a celebrity!" he beamed.
McElwain's mother sees it as a milestone for her son.
"This is the first moment Jason has ever succeeded (and could be) proud of himself," reflects Debbie McElwain. "I look at autism as the Berlin Wall, and he cracked it."
His teammates couldn't be happier.
"He's a cool kid," says guard Levar Goff. "You just get to know him, get used to being around him. A couple of weeks ago, he missed practice because he was sick. You feel different when he's not around. He brings humor and life to the team."
Jason's next goal: to graduate.
We can do anything we want to do, no matter how impossible it may seem. I love real life stories that illustrate one's hope to conquer the world.
It's every day life and we are all a part of it!
CBS) It was the stuff of Hollywood, but it was real.
Senior Jason McElwain had been the manager of the varsity basketball team of Greece Athena High School in Rochester, N.Y.
McElwain, who's autistic, was added to the roster by coach Jim Johnson so he could be given a jersey and get to sit on the bench in the team's last game of the year.
Johnson hoped the situation would even enable him to get McElwain onto the floor a little playing time.
He got the chance, with Greece Athena up by double-digits with four minutes go to.
And, in his first action of the year, McElwain missed his first two shots, but then
"My first shot was an air ball (missing the hoop), by a lot, then I missed a lay-up," McElwain recalls. "As the first shot went in, and then the second shot, as soon as that went in, I just started to catch fire."
"I've had a lot of thrills in coaching," Johnson says. "I've coached a lot of wonderful kids. But I've never experienced such a thrill."
The crowd went wild, and his teammates carried the excited McElwain off the court.
"I felt like a celebrity!" he beamed.
McElwain's mother sees it as a milestone for her son.
"This is the first moment Jason has ever succeeded (and could be) proud of himself," reflects Debbie McElwain. "I look at autism as the Berlin Wall, and he cracked it."
His teammates couldn't be happier.
"He's a cool kid," says guard Levar Goff. "You just get to know him, get used to being around him. A couple of weeks ago, he missed practice because he was sick. You feel different when he's not around. He brings humor and life to the team."
Jason's next goal: to graduate.
We can do anything we want to do, no matter how impossible it may seem. I love real life stories that illustrate one's hope to conquer the world.
It's every day life and we are all a part of it!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Everyone Is Different
The reality of life is that everyone is different. Sometimes that can be a difficult thing and most times that is a great part of life.
I recently learned a valuable lesson. It doesn't matter whether it is at work, church or anything else. When people are involved,(that would be every part of our lives)there are disagreements about the way things are done. Our personalities are just so different.
The part of this that I love the most is that our differences also play an important role in the happiest moments of our existence.
I want to learn all that I can learn. That happens with the many associations I have with different people. I am trying to be tolerant of all people no matter if I agree with the way they do things or not. I want to be someone who can get along with everyone. That is hard to do.
I am grateful for those people who I love the very most.
I realize more than ever the great sense of humor that God must have. I look at who I am and realize that He really must be a funny person.
I want to be accepting of all people. It doesn't mean that I will always agree with everything that everyone does. But I understand that others don't agree with the way I do things. Our individual personalities make the world go around.
This is a great life and I'm glad to be a part!
I recently learned a valuable lesson. It doesn't matter whether it is at work, church or anything else. When people are involved,(that would be every part of our lives)there are disagreements about the way things are done. Our personalities are just so different.
The part of this that I love the most is that our differences also play an important role in the happiest moments of our existence.
I want to learn all that I can learn. That happens with the many associations I have with different people. I am trying to be tolerant of all people no matter if I agree with the way they do things or not. I want to be someone who can get along with everyone. That is hard to do.
I am grateful for those people who I love the very most.
I realize more than ever the great sense of humor that God must have. I look at who I am and realize that He really must be a funny person.
I want to be accepting of all people. It doesn't mean that I will always agree with everything that everyone does. But I understand that others don't agree with the way I do things. Our individual personalities make the world go around.
This is a great life and I'm glad to be a part!
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