Do You Believe?

I see myself as a firm believer.  I remember a  particular day when I was a teenager.  It seemed like everything that could go bad, did.  I vented to my mom that my day had been one of the worst days I could remember ever having.  Her wise response was this.  "Then you know that tomorrow is going to be a better day!"  I will admit now that I thought she was a little crazy but I did take her word for it.  The very next day was, just like she said, probably one of the best days I ever had.
There are a lot of difficult times that we all will have to deal with.  Sometimes we get an unfortunate break.  Some of those come from decisions we make and others are controlled by the decisions of others.  Nonetheless, the decision is ours how we will let it affect us.
Do you believe that the 'sun' will shine on you after a bitterly hard storm?  Do you believe that hurt can be repaired through the kind words of a dear friend?  Do you believe that the strength of your family can endure any kind of heartache?  Do you believe that you are a magnificent person who can overcome anything?  I believe you can.
I served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Holland.  My companion and I went out one day to share the message that we had.  We were excited about the opportunity to teach this message.  Beginning at 9 AM, the first home that we visited opened the door momentarily and then promptly slammed the door shortly after we began to tell them why we were there.  Throughout the entire day, one door after another  were slammed in our faces.  I thought that it was really rude of the people to act that way but the words suddenly came into my mind that my mom had shared with me a couple of years earlier.  Tomorrow is sure to be a better day.  
I believe that her statement is true.  I'm not saying that it will be perfect.  What I am saying is that no matter the heartache or frustration that you are feeling, if you will look at all of the positives that can come from your adversity you will surely find them and the day will become brightened in no time at all.
We are a part of a great plan.  We live in a life full of never ending possibilities.  We face challenges that seem like they will swallow us up.  But we can overcome them and become so much stronger than we ever thought possible.  Tomorrow is going to be a better day.
Do you believe?  I do!

The Best Things In Life Aren't Things.

About three years ago, I sat and listened to a discussion where people compared with each other, all of the things that they had as a kid.  The longer the discussion went on the more I realized how great of a childhood I really did have.  I am not saying that to have things is necessarily a bad thing.  What I hope to convey is that the time we spend together, and the memories we make are the things that matter the most.  
Our family spent a lot of time playing at the parks nearby our home.  We could bring a basketball, a football, a frisbee, and the baseball and baseball gloves to make up a night of absolute enjoyment.
I could go on and on about those fun times we shared as a family.  Those are truly the greatest memories of my childhood.
My parents made sure that life was fun for us all and they particularly enjoyed the times when we were all together.  There has never been a doubt of their love for us!
Becky and I lead a very simple life.  There isn't much to brag about when it comes to monetary success.  We have what we need and that seems perfectly sufficient.  What we do have is a lot of fun.  We spend much of our lives laughing hysterically, mostly at ourselves.  We love to be together, as a family, no matter what we are doing.
A fond memory that comes to my mind is the time we spent swimming and playing in the water at Jordanelle Reservoir.  Becky called me at work, one afternoon, and asked me if I was interested in meeting her and the kids at Jordanelle.  You have to know that I don't need a very good excuse to have to leave work early and spend time with the people I cherish the most.  I met them about an hour later.  Becky packed a picnic dinner for us and with the floating, blow-up toys and a football, we were set for the entire evening, being together and making a memory that would last a lifetime.
I find great pleasure in building strong family bonds.  I believe that these memories that we have made, and will continue to make, are the very best things in life.

Who I Really Am.

This morning was similar to every other morning.  There is one important difference, however.  I looked in the mirror and at 5:30 AM it was just me and the man in the mirror.  I looked a little closer today and wondered as I looked at myself, "am I doing a good job in my life?" 
I was told recently, that an article was written that stated that one of the hardest things for people to do is to look at themselves in the mirror and smile.  That statement has caused me to think about me.
I looked closely today at the physical part of me.  My face is growing older and some of my physical characteristics are different than even five years ago.  I wondered whose head it was in the mirror that has lost a whole bunch of hair.  I weigh more than I should and that 'load' is obvious to me.
I am very imperfect but today, I saw a man that is trying hard to be a good person.  I saw someone who adores his wife and children.  I saw a person who tries every day to treat his fellow beings as valued people.  I saw a man who tries to understand his role in life and the importance of it.  I saw a man who understands better than anybody else his many imperfections.  I saw somebody who tries to be teachable and learn as much as he can.  Most importantly, I saw a man whose eyes showed a clear conscience starring back at me.  I felt good about the man that I was looking at.
Now its your turn.  I'm not asking you to look in the mirror and find a perfect person looking back at you.  I am asking you to take a moment and look deep into the eyes of someone who is important.  I am asking you to evaluate yourself and look at all of the positively wonderful things you are trying to do.  I am asking you to look carefully to see if you can see some characteristics, in yourself, that resemble the One who created you. I am asking you to see and then realize the many different talents and gifts you possess and ought to be willing to share with others.  This is not the time to focus on anything negative.  
Once you have looked and contemplated all that is good, take a moment to smile at that person in the mirror.  Reflect on the very most important part of this reality.  You were created from the very hands of God.  He is your Maker.  And no matter what, yes, no matter what, He loves you!
It is today that I find great motivation in life and the excitement of opportunities that lie ahead.  We are all very important.   Today is a life-changing day!

The Power of Giving.

Our daughter was hospitalized as an infant with an illness.  I had a good job but I had no time that I could use to leave work and be helpful to my wife at the hospital.  Becky spent many hours at the hospital with our daughter. 
I worked with a woman who was very kind and she and I had built a friendship that was solid.  She was much older than I was and she led a hard lifestyle to what I was used to.  I really enjoyed her 'hard' personality and the way she spoke bluntly about everything.  I had shared with her that our daughter had been hospitalized.  She kept pretty good tabs on the situation, asking me what the latest details were.  I came into work one day and she asked me how our daughter was and if there was progress being made.  I told her that there was progress.  She then asked me why I was at work and not up at the hospital.  I told her that I didn't have any sort of leave that I could use to be there but that Becky was there and that made me feel good inside.  A few minutes later, my friend Diane, handed me five twenty dollar bills and told me that she would pay for the day of work and she hoped that I would take leave ,without pay, and go to the hospital to give Becky a break.  I couldn't believe it!  I assured her that I would go and I gave her a hug and thanked her for her generosity.
A few years ago, my friend Diane, suddenly passed away.  I was asked to speak at her funeral.  One of the very first things I thought of speaking about was her generosity during a period of time when we were financially strapped and struggling with the stresses of a hospitalized child.  I told the congregation of people assembled that day how grateful I was for the love that she showed to me and my little family.
Sometimes the simplest gestures go a very long way, especially when the stress level is high for someone that is going through a tough time in their life. 
I continue to try and look for opportunities to lift the burdens of a people who need the help of another.  
Diane was good at anticipating the needs that we had, and then acting in a quick, concise manner.  That ought to be our sincere goal.

Sportsmanlike Conduct

A couple of years ago, I read a sports article that touched me.  I wouldn't say that I am much of a sports guy, these days, but this particular story brought me a lot of joy.  If you have already read this maybe a repeat of it will be beneficial.

PORTLAND, Ore. - With two runners on base and a strike against her, Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University uncorked her best swing and did something she had never done, in high school or college. Her first home run cleared the center-field fence.    But it appeared to be the shortest of dreams come true when she missed first base, started back to tag it and collapsed with a knee injury.  She crawled back to first but could do no more. The first-base coach said she would be called out if her teammates tried to help her. Or, the umpire said, a pinch runner could be called in, and the homer would count as a single.  Then, members of the Central Washington University softball team stunned spectators by carrying Tucholsky around the bases Saturday so the three-run homer would count — an act that contributed to their own elimination from the playoffs.  Central Washington first baseman Mallory Holtman, the career home run leader in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, asked the umpire if she and her teammates could help Tucholsky.  The umpire said there was no rule against it.  So Holtman and shortstop Liz Wallace put their arms under Tucholsky’s legs, and she put her arms over their shoulders. The three headed around the base paths, stopping to let Tucholsky touch each base with her good leg.  “The only thing I remember is that Mallory asked me which leg was the one that hurt,” Tucholsky said. “I told her it was my right leg and she said, ‘OK, we’re going to drop you down gently and you need to touch it with your left leg,’ and I said ‘OK, thank you very much.”’  “She said, ‘You deserve it, you hit it over the fence,’ and we all kind of just laughed.”  “We didn’t know that she was a senior or that this was her first home run,” Wallace said Wednesday. “That makes the story more touching than it was. We just wanted to help her.”  Holtman said she and Wallace weren’t thinking about the playoff spot, and didn’t consider the gesture something others wouldn’t do.  As for Tucholsky, the 5-foot-2 right fielder was focused on her pain.  “I really didn’t say too much. I was trying to breathe,” she told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Wednesday.  “I didn’t realize what was going on until I had time to sit down and let the pain relax a little bit,” she said. “Then I realized the extent of what I actually did.”  “I hope I would do the same for her in the same situation,” Tucholsky added.  As the trio reached home plate, Tucholsky said, the entire Western Oregon team was in tears.  Central Washington coach Gary Frederick, a 14-year coaching veteran, called the act of sportsmanship “unbelievable.”   Her home run sent Western Oregon to a 4-2 victory, ending Central Washington’s chances of winning the conference and advancing to the playoffs.  “In the end, it is not about winning and losing so much,” Holtman said. “It was about this girl. She hit it over the fence and was in pain, and she deserved a home run.”

It thrills my heart to see such acts.  There are many more just like it.  Let's look a little harder to find these stories that truly are some of the gems in our lives.  It is reassuring to me that there are a lot of people trying to do good, every single day!

Is Anyone There?

A few days ago, I was sitting in my truck at a red light.  I looked over to the left of the truck and saw a man.  This man looked toward the sky and his actions caught my eye.  I continued to watch him and his eyes looked toward the sky as if to wonder if there was anyone or anything out there who really cared for him. 
If there is anyone who may feel the same way this man could have been feeling, let me assure you that there is someone who really cares about each one of us.
When I was twenty one, I spent the day enjoying the sights and sounds and experiences of Stinson Beach in the San Francisco Bay area.  I love the beach and everything about the experience that you can have there.  The beach was very crowded on this day.  I remember the temperature of the water was nice.  As I got out into the water I could see that there was a lot of surfing activity going on.  The waves looked good for those interested in surfing.  When I got out into the water and the level came up to my waist, I looked back to where my friend was sitting and saw the clearly posted sign with the words, "No lifeguard on duty."  I am a horrible swimmer!  I did, however, want to go into the water and I felt confident that I wouldn't do anything that would jeopardize my safety.  I waded out a little deeper and then began to swim a little way out.  I could feel a gentle pull that comes from the undertows at this particular beach.  I wasn't paying very good attention to how far I was being pulled out until I turned around to look toward the beach area.  To my surprise I was a long way out.  Panic set in immediately and I began to swim toward the shore.  With every stroke forward I felt like I was being pulled twice as much backward.  I tried to stop and think rationally about what I needed to do to get back to shore.  I felt cold and tired.  I even tried to holler but nothing would come out.  My thoughts raced through my mind of my parents and siblings.  I thought about my friend not knowing where I had disappeared until the bad news would be realized when my lifeless body would be found.  The thoughts were horrifying to me.  I tried to inhale and see if I could somehow touch sand.  I realized that it was very deep where I was at the time.  Just as I knew that I could do nothing else but simply gulp some water and hope that the end would be quick, I offered a silent prayer of desperation and wondered, "is anyone there?"  No sooner had I offered this simple prayer I was launched forward by a crashing wave.  The wave was so hard that my body hit the sandy bottom and it felt like I had hit concrete.  When I came up to the water's surface, I realized that I was standing.  I turned around and realized that the shore was now very close.  I fell into the water and offered a prayer of comfort, this time.  There had been many times in my life when I had felt the loving arms of someone who cared wrapped tightly around me.  This time was extra special for me.
There is someone who cares.  I have no doubt.  He cares for us every day of our lives and He wants us to feel of the love He has for us.  

Go Back and Find it

My mom was a stickler about putting a smile on our faces.  Sometimes, teenagers aren't the best at doing that.  I had gotten up early and readied myself for the day.  When I was younger, mornings were the worst time of the whole day, as far as I was concerned.  I came down the hallway and into the kitchen area of our home.  "Good morning, son."  That was a normal greeting from my mom.  My return greeting must have been horrible.  She kindly invited me to go back to my room and find a smile.  I thought that was a strange request and I think I brushed her off.  "Go back to your room and put a smile on your face.  The world doesn't want to see you without a smile on your face."  She was dead serious.  I returned back down the hallway to my bedroom and closed the door.  I didn't feel like I was unhappy and I didn't completely understand why my mom felt so strongly about this.
I understand her way of thinking now.  There is so much good in our lives. 
I was in the grocery store two days ago and I passed a woman in one of the aisles.  As we passed each other I looked at her and she looked at me.  We were complete strangers but with a smile on her face she said hello.  Her smile meant a lot to me even though I didn't know who she was.  As I finished my shopping I paid close attention to the rest of the people that I passed.  There are very few people who smile. 
These days I am a 'morning person' because I get up early each morning to go to work.  Most of the people I work with do not like how the early morning makes them feel.  On Wednesday of this week, I decided that I would put a theory to the test.  My plan was to pleasantly say good morning to the people on my immediate team and see how they would respond to that.  Most of my teammates uttered a positive good morning in return but there were a couple of people who growled.  Many of you know the growl I'm talking about.  Some of you are probably some of the growlers.  I burst out laughing because I couldn't believe it.  I thought about my mom and I gained a greater understanding of why she said what she did. 
My mom had a lot of wisdom when she told me to find a smile.  I pass on to you what my mom said to me many years ago.  Evaluate your life and look at all of the reasons why a smile on your face is appropriate.  My life is very rich but the woman in the store, just two days ago, touched my heart because she smiled.  Let's try to be the same way!