Stop It!

I have been reminded and uplifted by a talk given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of The First Presidency, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I want some of what I learned to be a part of my post, today.
I work on a team, at my place of employment, just like many of you do, with people that are all very different.  At times it seems very difficult for me to tolerate either the way that do certain things, or the slow pace at which they work.  I find myself judging them because of the way they work.  I have been kindly reminded to accept people for how and who they are.
President Uchtdorf taught a two word sermon that is beneficial to me.  I believe that all people could benefit from such a sermon.  He taught us that if we are guilty are judging others wrongfully, or if we gossip, even if what we say might be true--Stop it!
My sincerest desire is to make a greater effort to do the things that I know to be right.  Be slow to judge others and be quick to identify and correct my own faults.  I know that my life will be greatly blessed by the implementation of the two word sermon.
I thank my Heavenly Father for His apostles and prophets who instruct me and help me to better my own life.  I am grateful for the knowledge I have of His great Plan of Happiness.  It is His Son that I am grateful to for providing the way, through His mission and His selfless atonement for me and all of humanity.
The reminder has been accepted and now I will apply it into my own life. 

Enlightenment

I had the opportunity to coach Danny's soccer team, as they had a game, this morning.  Their coach is out of town and so he asked if I would fill in for him.  There are normally ten players on his team but today there were only seven.  That meant that only one person would sit at a time so the real key during today's game was going to be the time management of the players to give them some sort of rest to be able to last the entire game.  That was very difficult to do.  By the last five minutes, the kids were running on pure guts.
There is a lesson to learn from this scenario.  Life really does take a 'team effort' in many instances.  There isn't anybody that can do everything all on their own and expect to survive.  Sometimes, life introduces things that are difficult to handle, and much like the kids in today's soccer game, we are expected to run off of pure guts.  It's okay though.
Today, the General Conference, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints began.  I am always rewarded by the things I am taught by the leaders of the church.  I was reminded of the importance of enduring things in life that may be difficult to understand when they are happening.  Most of the time, the difficulty comes from someone that I know who has problems that weigh them down but ask me to help them through those tough times.  We all know what that is like.  We help where we can until things become calmer in the lives of our friends or family who are struggling.
It was a great lesson for me to coach the young team of kids.  I am always amazed at the opportunities to learn and to be reminded of things in my life.  It makes me thankful for my life and all that I am blessed with.

Smile, It's Contagious

There is a well-known song in the LDS church that the children often sing, in Primary. When I was a boy, that was one of my favorite songs.

"If you chance to meet a frown, do not let it stay. Quickly turn it upside down and smile that frown away. No one likes a frowny face, change it for a smile. Make the world a better place by smiling all the while."

There is simplicity in the message of that song, but I believe, wholeheartedly, that if the people's of the world fully understood the solid principle, that this children's song teaches, it would make for a better place to live.
A simple smile is a very small means in bringing someone else a great amount of joy.
I ask myself, "Do you smile, so that people know that you are happy?" I think I can improve in this area.
A person walked by me, today, and their smile encompassed their whole face. When they smiled, it made their eyes smile, too. It was fun to recognize that and to instantly feel of their joy. That's how I want to be.

The world ought to know that no matter what I'm doing, I am happy. They will know that how I feel about my life is directly reflected from the smile that I display.

Remember the words to the primary song. It stands as a perfect reminder for me.

Self Control

Today, at work, my mind went to racing about the need for personal control. As I thought, I looked over the work that I was performing and found a parallel between it and the subject of control.
During the course of a day, I drill hundreds of holes into the aluminum details that are eventually assembled, by varying fasteners, into larger sub-assemblies of the 737 commercial airliner. Those holes need to be clean and round. Without precision and detail, with the tools required on the job, the holes become elongated and crooked. This doesn't seem like that big of a deal to some, but experience has taught me that the shape and size of the holes is of a critical nature to the longevity of the aircraft parts.
Such is the case with everything else in our lives. I have often given thought to my own life and the things that I do that could be viewed as reckless and could use a little attention to become better in different areas.
I had a recent conversation where the person I was speaking with rehearsed that abuse was the problem in a home of someone they knew. I was saddened that the man of this house didn't have enough control to keep his hands, that hurt others, to himself and that the mean words from his mouth came from an unbridled tongue.
Our ability to control those things that we have control over is imperative so that constant growth and peace can dwell.
A life of peace and contentment will not be achieved without the implementation of self-control. It is, and will always be, an attribute of goodness.

Our Home

My mind has been focused, thinking about the place that I would most rather go--home. It is the place where those who love me the very most reside. It is where I can be 'me' without any exceptions. It is where I feel safe and secure. It is where our family is. There is peace and contentment therein.
I want you to take a moment and reflect on your home and what are the things that bring you the most joy while you're there. I hope that it is a place that you long to be. If it's not, maybe there are changes that can occur to help it become the place you want to be.
I have told many people before, that my life could be penned right out of the world's greatest fairytale. I'm not saying that everything has always gone as perfectly planned. I am suggesting that I have never had any reason to feel threatened or unsafe within the walls of my home.
Our homes ought to be the haven wherein our families can dwell with stability and peace.
Becky and I try hard, every day, to make our home the first place our children want to come the minute the bell dismisses them to come home from school. Because even if the day has been rough, there is the anticipation that comes from knowing that home is near and when you walk through the door, all is well in the arms of those that love you the very most.
I hope that this is a more normal occurrence with families across the globe. The reality is that many are not so fortunate. The only control I have is in my own home. We are striving to be the best we can be. What a child feels in the home of their parents will directly impact what they will one day do in their own homes.
My prayers are filled with thanksgiving for the home that I grew up in and the outstanding job my parents did in creating a place where love existed abundantly. I love you, mom and dad!
I give thanks for the home I currently have where that same love exists. I owe that remarkable feat to Becky. She creates that warmth that we all enjoy. I love you, sweetheart! My heart is overjoyed with my life!
Mine is the hope that homes will exist where love is overflowing. Let not your places of residence be houses alone, rather places of safe haven and peace abounding. Let them be places called home.

Truth

I read a recent article that was very powerful to me. It spoke truth to my heart. I want to speak about it for just a moment.
We are spirit children of a Heavenly Father. We are here on earth, for just a few brief moments, in the eternal realm. One of the chief reasons we are here is to gain experience through learning. Because we once lived in the literal presence of God, we know truth. We know what it means to know what is right. During this short journey on earth, that knowledge of truth will be tested by an evil force. This force wishes to thwart our direction which is aimed for that which is right. Every human being, on this earth, knows how to choose what is right. We brought that God-given ability with us when we came to earth.
I have always enjoyed truth. Through my own experience, I have learned that by following truth, the pathway seems clear and a lot more enjoyable to travel. It doesn't, however, mean that the pathway is always smooth.
When Becky and I were first married, a young family lived in the same apartment complex as we did. Their young life, together, had some real challenges. They quarrelled a little too often and the unrest in their home finally 'boiled' to overflowing. One particularly busy day, I got an impression that I needed to go and make a visit to their apartment. The truth was spoken clearly to my heart but I chose to ignore it. I received the impression again and for a second time, I ignored it. The day went on and I continued with the projects at hand. I didn't give another thought to the impressions I had received, earlier in the day. The days passed by and I decided, on my time, to visit the home of this young family. I knocked on the door but there was no answer. I knocked again but nobody answered the door. I walked away, a little disheartened. As I passed by the front window, I noticed that the place was completely empty. My heart sunk as I reflected back, on the days gone by, when I had received the silent promptings. I went home and prayed that I would be forgiven for my foolishness. I listened carefully as I received the feeling in my heart. I could feel the words very clearly, "When I speak, listen and obey."
Truth had been spoken and I chose not to obey. I have since learned that when truth is spoken, I need to listen, now, and then I must choose to obey.

I'm Devoted To You

I know a man, who I consider my friend. I have known him for a short time but I have come to love this man. It wasn't that long ago that I watched closely as my friend showed complete devotion to his wife who was ill. She struggled with various problems with her health. They had been married many years and had spent more time married than they ever did single. My friend cared both day and night for his sick wife. He not only cared for her but he made sure all of the things around their home were taken care of. I watched with admiration.
She eventually passed away and my friend has come to know 'loneliness' very well. I spoke with him a few days ago and listened as he rehearsed, to me, all of the facets of a man with a broken heart. I couldn't help but hurt for him as I listened to what he had to say.
Every day is a new day to do better than the day prior. I want to do some of the things that this friend did. My personality is very different from his but I have seen a few attributes of his that I would like to emulate. He cared for the love of his life in the very best way he knew how.
I remember back on the day that Becky and I were sealed in the Salt Lake temple. I was grateful for that day and what we were doing. All of these years later, I am even more grateful for our decision to be married to one another. I am still wondering what it was that I did that would convince Becky to be with me. I am sure grateful that she saw in me, somebody who would take care of her. It is a great opportunity for me!
Words like commitment, devotion, unconditional love, forgiveness, tolerance, patience. These are real words with important meanings. It's these attributes that are the ingredients to success in your marriages and different relationships.
I am trying harder today to implement these characteristics into my life. I want to do better today!