I Love People

It has been a rich blessing to have relationships and friendships that are meaningful in many different ways.  The friendships that I enjoy are with people who have the desire to do good things and be good decent people.
When I was young I wanted to have as many friends as there was possible to have.  I hoped that when I grew up that the number of those friends would be countless.
It's not countless but I have enjoyed some neat associations.
People are generally good.  Look around and notice all of the people who are doing good because it's the right thing to do.
Many of you are those people.  Thanks for being good!  I love what you teach me.  It is a blessing to have you as my friends.

It's A Hard World

I found this particularly helpful for the young people in our society but I believe that this applies to everyone.

 

"You are growing up in enemy territory. When you become mature spiritually, you will understand how the adversary has infiltrated the world around you. He is in homes, entertainment, the media, language—everything around you. In most cases, his presence is undetected.

I want to tell you that which will be of most worth and most desirable. The scriptures say, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom,” and I would add, “with all [your] getting get [going!]” (Proverbs 4:7). I do not have time to waste and neither do you. So listen up!

The moment I decided to be a teacher is very clear in my mind. During World War II, I was in my early 20s and a pilot in the Air Force. I was stationed on the little island of Ie Shima. This island, a small, lonely one about as big as a postage stamp, is just off the northern tip of Okinawa.

One lonely summer evening, I sat on a cliff to watch the sun go down. I was pondering what I would do with my life after the war, if I was fortunate enough to survive. What did I want to be? It was on that night that I decided I wanted to be a teacher. I reasoned that teachers are always learning. Learning is a basic purpose of life."  (Boyd K. Packer~Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

 

I am grateful for those who teach me the things that are right.  The good example that we set will be helpful to those who are watching. 

Good Taste

As a child my mom and dad taught me lessons that dealt with expressing good taste. The manner that I dressed was one of these examples. Another was the 'company' that I kept--in other words the friends that I associated with.
There are many who choose a contrary point of view but it is up to me and you to display the things in our lives that are of good taste.
An example was brought up of the importance of speaking about things that are appropriate and uplifting. Our children are constantly bombarded with the filth that so prevalently surrounds them. The hallways of their schools are laced with the language that would make a sailor blush.
I would echo the feelings of my parents. Let the words that proceed out of your mouth be the kind that would bring honor and a great deal of satisfaction to those that are the very closest to you. When I say something I often think about the appropriateness of it and reflect on whether my wife, children or parents would find it acceptable.

Your Stride

Our daughters were talking about the length of their strides when they walk. The feedback was that our youngest daughter has to take three walking steps to equal one of our oldest daughter's strides. It got me thinking about what the strides in our own lives mean to each of us. What does my stride mean to me personally?
I believe that the 'strides' that we make have a impact on life and how it all plays out for us as individuals. I observed an older gentleman serving a woman that was much younger than he. The task wasn't particularly easy for the man but the smile he wore on his face told me that he enjoyed what he was doing. In my mind this man was lengthening his stride.
I am personally blessed by the strides of so many others around me who take the time and make the effort to ease the burdens of those around them. I watch intently as these same people make the efforts without the expectation of thanks.
The strides that our daughters talk about teach us a valuable lesson. It doesn't matter the length of your stride rather the willingness to lengthen it.

Snapshot In Time

Our two nephews spent the night at our home.  I watched Kandon, Brennan, Brady, Danny, and Becky as they made homeade ice cream by placing heavy cream in the carton and sugar in a zip-lock bag and in a larger zip-lock placing ice and salt.  Then by shaking it for several minutes it turns into ice cream.  To watch them was thrilling to my heart.
I have always loved how Becky enjoys the various activities as much, if not more than the kids do.  She loves life and is always willing to get the very most out of a situation.  Thanks for who you are, my love.
My heart is used to storing yet another snapshot of this life, I call blessed.

Amazing

Becky told me of a ride she took in the van up one of the canyons here in Salt Lake City.  At one point in the conversation she spoke of seeing an eagle and she was amazed at the way it spread it's wings and soared.  She watched this beautiful bird for a while and said that there wasn't one time it had to flap it's wings.
Have you ever had that experience for yourself?  I have and it has been many years since I saw that last.  Just thinking about it makes me smile.  The creatures that have been created and placed on this beautiful earth are an inspiration. I challenge you to pay better attention to the 'details' that are all around us.  The next time you go outside take notice of the birds as they chirp.  Look at the majestic mountains that tower above all else.  The beautiful colors of the changing trees as winter fast approaches.  The flowers that line the front of the house are breath-taking.
Many years ago, the telephone rang and to my surprise it was a woman who lives three houses away from us in our cul-de-sac.  I greeted her and inquired about her day.  I then asked her what I could do for her.  She told me that the reason she was calling was to thank our family for the beautiful flowers in front of our house that allowed her a great deal of joy as she looked out her front window.
This is a beautiful world with a lot to offer us.  Stop and take a minute to see for yourself.

Thank You

It was recently brought to my attention that there are times when only one answer will suffice.
Have you ever given someone a compliment and then their answer is "I know" or "Isn't it great".
The words "thank you" go a long way.
Practice it and integrate it into your daily life.  It's amazing how grateful it makes you because you focus on what is really important.