I went outside to 'shoot some hoop', with our kids. I grabbed a basketball and intended to dribble it. As I did so, the basketball hit the ground and barely bounced up from the concrete. In an instant, I knew that the ball was flat and I would have to chose another one. I didn't give much thought to the flattened basketball, until today.
We are much like that ball. When we're properly inflated, we are able to function the way we were designed to be. The 'lumps and bumps' of every day life can deflate us. There are things that cause stress and make us feel overwhelmed. But there are things that we can do that will inflate us. Take a few minutes and help someone in need. Make a phone call to somebody who is alone and could greatly benefit from it. Make yourself available to visit a neighbor who is in need.
Who would have ever thought that a deflated basketball would remind me of something that I can do to become a better person? It's the simple things of life. And...whenever I grab a deflated basketball, I will think of what things I need to do.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Doing Good
We attended a Cub Scout Pack meeting, last night. Our youngest boy, Danny received a few awards for his hard work and dedication. I watched him carefully as he accepted the badges, that are the awards. He is a good natured boy and has the desire to do what is right.
There is something to be said about being a good person--for no other reason than just to be good. There are good people all around. They come from different walks of life and their upbringings are dissimilar in every sense. The common denominator is always goodness.
I love to read about the acts of kindness from one person to another. These acts of kindness mold people into better human beings.
When Becky and I were first married, we knew a man that went to the same church that we attended. He was a quiet man but you could tell that he was a good man, trying to do his very best to live an honorable life. He had the responsibility of visiting our family, every month. He did the best that he could to see us every month. One Saturday morning, Becky and I could hear an unfamiliar sound coming from outside. It seemed close to our apartment but we didn't know for sure. I opened the front door to find this man and his two young children, chiseling away at the ice that had built up on the stairs leading to our residence. They had surprised looks on their faces but I believe my look was one of amazement.
I am thankful, even all of these years later, that this man had the wisdom to know that by helping somebody else, his life was richly blessed. I'll bet the lesson that his children learned was priceless. They not only saw their father serve, but they served right along his side.
There are scores of good deeds that will bless our lives. We live in a very fast pace, busy world. There are many things to do as pertaining to our own families. Becoming disciplined enough to find the time to help another, will bring blessings into our lives that will come in no other way.
Today, is the time to make a strong resolve to be a good person. It is rarely convenient, but well worth the effort.
There is something to be said about being a good person--for no other reason than just to be good. There are good people all around. They come from different walks of life and their upbringings are dissimilar in every sense. The common denominator is always goodness.
I love to read about the acts of kindness from one person to another. These acts of kindness mold people into better human beings.
When Becky and I were first married, we knew a man that went to the same church that we attended. He was a quiet man but you could tell that he was a good man, trying to do his very best to live an honorable life. He had the responsibility of visiting our family, every month. He did the best that he could to see us every month. One Saturday morning, Becky and I could hear an unfamiliar sound coming from outside. It seemed close to our apartment but we didn't know for sure. I opened the front door to find this man and his two young children, chiseling away at the ice that had built up on the stairs leading to our residence. They had surprised looks on their faces but I believe my look was one of amazement.
I am thankful, even all of these years later, that this man had the wisdom to know that by helping somebody else, his life was richly blessed. I'll bet the lesson that his children learned was priceless. They not only saw their father serve, but they served right along his side.
There are scores of good deeds that will bless our lives. We live in a very fast pace, busy world. There are many things to do as pertaining to our own families. Becoming disciplined enough to find the time to help another, will bring blessings into our lives that will come in no other way.
Today, is the time to make a strong resolve to be a good person. It is rarely convenient, but well worth the effort.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The Song From Your Heart
I have enjoyed good music my entire life. The lyrics of a well-written song are meaningful and the melody of superb composition soothes the soul to its most inner core.
There are songs that are attached to memories that are very fond to me.
My younger brother, Gavin, was hospitalized with appendicitis, when he was a little boy. Because I was unaware of whether his illness was severe, I worried horribly about his prognosis. I was downstairs in our home and was very sad, and worried that somehow he was going to die. I turned on the radio, hoping to find some comfort in some music. A song came on and I listened carefully to it's words.
"You packed in the morning and I, stared out the window and I, struggled for something to say. You left in the rain without closing the door, I didn't stand in your way. But I miss you more than I, missed you before and now where I'll find comfort, God knows 'Cause you left me, just when I needed you most. Now most every morning I, stare out the window and I, think about where you might be, I've written you letters, that I'd like to send, if you would just send one to me.'Cause I need you more than I, Needed before and now, where I'll find comfort, God knows. 'Cause you left me, just when I needed you most. You packed in the morning I, stared out the window and I, struggled for something to say.
You left in the rain, without closing the door. I didn't stand in your way. Now I love you more than I, loved you before and now, where I'll find comfort, God knows. 'Cause you left me. Just when I needed you most. Oh, yeah you left me, just when I needed you most. You left me, just when I needed you most."
I heard that song as I was walking through the open market in Holland. A flood of the feelings I felt on that day, many years prior, poured over me.
Today, our family visited with my grandpa. During one portion of the conversation, a memory was shared about a time when grandpa and his older brother, Uncle Bud had sung a song. Without hesitation my grandpa began to sing the song. I will never forget that precious moment in time.
"In the little red school house,
With my book and slate,
In the little red school house,
I was always late.
I long to be back there where I was a scholar, in the days of yore.
How I'd stand right up there and hollar, "two and two are four".
When we should have been learning about the Golden Rule,
our little hearts were yearning for the swimming pool.
Oh how we'd sit and wait for the 4 o'clock bell,
the moment that we heard it we would run like...mad,
O golly gee, I want to be, in the little red school house.
Ten o'clock the spelling lessons just begun,
Johnny throws an ink ball just for fun.
Hits the teachers ear with an awful splat,
She turns around and says, "Who did that?"
Pretty little Percy in the very first row, raises up his hand and says, "Teacher, I know."
Little Johnny whispers to the teachers pride,
"You just wait till I get you outside."
Johnny's told to stand up with his face to the wall,
He says, "I don't wanna" and he tried to stall,
"If I stand up there I'll take an awful chance,
I've got a great big tear in the seat of my pants."
Teacher sends you home to wash your face and then,
you say, "Oh what's the use, it just gets dirty again."
Oh gee, I wanna be, in the little red school house."
There isn't anything better than the comfort of a song from the heart!
There are songs that are attached to memories that are very fond to me.
My younger brother, Gavin, was hospitalized with appendicitis, when he was a little boy. Because I was unaware of whether his illness was severe, I worried horribly about his prognosis. I was downstairs in our home and was very sad, and worried that somehow he was going to die. I turned on the radio, hoping to find some comfort in some music. A song came on and I listened carefully to it's words.
"You packed in the morning and I, stared out the window and I, struggled for something to say. You left in the rain without closing the door, I didn't stand in your way. But I miss you more than I, missed you before and now where I'll find comfort, God knows 'Cause you left me, just when I needed you most. Now most every morning I, stare out the window and I, think about where you might be, I've written you letters, that I'd like to send, if you would just send one to me.'Cause I need you more than I, Needed before and now, where I'll find comfort, God knows. 'Cause you left me, just when I needed you most. You packed in the morning I, stared out the window and I, struggled for something to say.
You left in the rain, without closing the door. I didn't stand in your way. Now I love you more than I, loved you before and now, where I'll find comfort, God knows. 'Cause you left me. Just when I needed you most. Oh, yeah you left me, just when I needed you most. You left me, just when I needed you most."
I heard that song as I was walking through the open market in Holland. A flood of the feelings I felt on that day, many years prior, poured over me.
Today, our family visited with my grandpa. During one portion of the conversation, a memory was shared about a time when grandpa and his older brother, Uncle Bud had sung a song. Without hesitation my grandpa began to sing the song. I will never forget that precious moment in time.
"In the little red school house,
With my book and slate,
In the little red school house,
I was always late.
I long to be back there where I was a scholar, in the days of yore.
How I'd stand right up there and hollar, "two and two are four".
When we should have been learning about the Golden Rule,
our little hearts were yearning for the swimming pool.
Oh how we'd sit and wait for the 4 o'clock bell,
the moment that we heard it we would run like...mad,
O golly gee, I want to be, in the little red school house.
Ten o'clock the spelling lessons just begun,
Johnny throws an ink ball just for fun.
Hits the teachers ear with an awful splat,
She turns around and says, "Who did that?"
Pretty little Percy in the very first row, raises up his hand and says, "Teacher, I know."
Little Johnny whispers to the teachers pride,
"You just wait till I get you outside."
Johnny's told to stand up with his face to the wall,
He says, "I don't wanna" and he tried to stall,
"If I stand up there I'll take an awful chance,
I've got a great big tear in the seat of my pants."
Teacher sends you home to wash your face and then,
you say, "Oh what's the use, it just gets dirty again."
Oh gee, I wanna be, in the little red school house."
There isn't anything better than the comfort of a song from the heart!
Monday, April 23, 2012
Last Words
It is interesting how quickly life passes. Becky and I went and visited my mom's parents, in Orem, Utah. They are getting older and their age limits what they can do. We could see the frustration that they felt that there were many things they cannot do. As we left their home, after giving them a hug and a kiss, I wondered how much longer they will live. I loved on my grandpa and as I walked down the hallway, I felt in my heart that his days are numbered on this earth. That caused me a little bit of sadness. I visited with him, all alone, for about fifteen minutes and I told him that I loved him so much.
Take just a moment and think about your own family. Go through and take an inventory of your relationship with each member and ask yourself, "Did I show, and tell each person that I loved them?"
Because so much happens, in such a short amount of time, you can never be sure that there will be a 'next' time to see them and express your love for them, in this life.
Make the best of every moment. The wonderful times spent with family will always create long-lasting memories that will always remain embedded in your heart and mind.
Take just a moment and think about your own family. Go through and take an inventory of your relationship with each member and ask yourself, "Did I show, and tell each person that I loved them?"
Because so much happens, in such a short amount of time, you can never be sure that there will be a 'next' time to see them and express your love for them, in this life.
Make the best of every moment. The wonderful times spent with family will always create long-lasting memories that will always remain embedded in your heart and mind.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Truth Will Sustain
I enjoy Sunday, as it gives time of concentrated focus on the religious part of my life, which is the most important part to me. Many months ago, a young man returned home from his service as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in Costa Rica. His experience was rich with the love he shared with the people of his assigned 'field' of labor. One comment that he made, has stuck with me. He said that prior to his mission, he treated his innermost spiritual feelings, and actions, as a part of his life. Upon his return, after two years of full-time missionary service, he came to realize, and understand, that it was his life.
Today, I spoke to a congregation of Hispanic members of the LDS church. It was a meaningful experience for me. I felt their love for me as I shared with them my personal feelings of knowledge I have gained. This feels like a great opportunity to share a couple of those same truths.
Our Heavenly Father lives! He loves us and in completely aware of all that we experience today, and every other day that will follow. His Son, Jesus Christ, came to this earth because of the love He has for you and I. His purpose, was a divine mission to fully understand and personally take upon Himself, all of the mistakes that the human family would and is currently making. He knew all that we would do, and still fulfilled His mission. Without Him, we are nothing. It is only through Him that we may one day return back into the presence of our Father that we care about so deeply.
We are our Father's children and He loves us more than we can comprehend here in this mortal life.
These truths will sustain us through the trials we will face. They are truth! I am grateful for light and knowledge on this day of gladness.
Today, I spoke to a congregation of Hispanic members of the LDS church. It was a meaningful experience for me. I felt their love for me as I shared with them my personal feelings of knowledge I have gained. This feels like a great opportunity to share a couple of those same truths.
Our Heavenly Father lives! He loves us and in completely aware of all that we experience today, and every other day that will follow. His Son, Jesus Christ, came to this earth because of the love He has for you and I. His purpose, was a divine mission to fully understand and personally take upon Himself, all of the mistakes that the human family would and is currently making. He knew all that we would do, and still fulfilled His mission. Without Him, we are nothing. It is only through Him that we may one day return back into the presence of our Father that we care about so deeply.
We are our Father's children and He loves us more than we can comprehend here in this mortal life.
These truths will sustain us through the trials we will face. They are truth! I am grateful for light and knowledge on this day of gladness.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
One, Two, Or Three
We went this morning to watch as Danny played his final indoor soccer game. It has been a lot of fun to watch and support him. Their team is coached by a man who knows and understands the game of soccer. He has spent practice time teaching the kids the fundamentals of the game. He has taught them to know what they are doing, with each specific position, and why the player in a particular position does what they do.
I have long held out an opinion that many disagree with but I hope that you will try to understand the way I feel.
During my life, I have had the opportunity to participate is in many different things that, in the end, there are places by which the top participants are ranked. As a young kid, that was a big deal to be one of the top people.
Some years ago, during the Summer Olympics, a commercial was aired wherein was showed a Bolivian power-lifter. You know the guys with the humongous thighs that pick up the large bar with the huge weights on each side? They have to lift it over their head and hold it for a required amount of time. What stuck out to me was the fact that the 'power-lifter' wasn't necessarily the largest man, rather, he displayed 'guts of glory'. He struggled to lift the weight over his head, but once he did, he held it strong and firm. As the horn sounded to indicate that he had made the mandated time requirement, he dropped the large weight and began jumping up and down like a young excited kid on Christmas morning. The reality is that all of the excitement was not for first place. That final lift sealed up a third place finish which awarded him a bronze medal finish in the Summer Olympics. That performance qualified him for a top-tier finish at the pinnacle of his career.
My opinion is this. Why is it deeply ingrained in the minds of so many people that anything less than a first place finish is lacking? I watched that power-lifter celebrate as if he had outdone all other competitors. I believe that doing one's best has become lost in the determination to be the overall winner in everything. Too much pressure is being placed on attaining a singular spot defined as 'winner'.
I am a firm believer in doing the best that you can. Everyone has something that they can do better than somebody else. That is the beauty of being individuals. Ask yourself that in five years down the road, is anybody going to remember, or more importantly, even care that I won a Future Farmers of America jacket because I recited the FFA creed in front of the entire class? And what if you are a player on a team that wins the NBA championship?
Don't get me wrong. Winning is very fun to do, but there is only one winner and what with everyone else that has also worked tirelessly?
We want our kids to do the very best that they can do. If they win...great! If fourth place is their best...great!
I believe our focus has become a little blurred. It's just my opinion, so hold onto the tomatoes.
I have long held out an opinion that many disagree with but I hope that you will try to understand the way I feel.
During my life, I have had the opportunity to participate is in many different things that, in the end, there are places by which the top participants are ranked. As a young kid, that was a big deal to be one of the top people.
Some years ago, during the Summer Olympics, a commercial was aired wherein was showed a Bolivian power-lifter. You know the guys with the humongous thighs that pick up the large bar with the huge weights on each side? They have to lift it over their head and hold it for a required amount of time. What stuck out to me was the fact that the 'power-lifter' wasn't necessarily the largest man, rather, he displayed 'guts of glory'. He struggled to lift the weight over his head, but once he did, he held it strong and firm. As the horn sounded to indicate that he had made the mandated time requirement, he dropped the large weight and began jumping up and down like a young excited kid on Christmas morning. The reality is that all of the excitement was not for first place. That final lift sealed up a third place finish which awarded him a bronze medal finish in the Summer Olympics. That performance qualified him for a top-tier finish at the pinnacle of his career.
My opinion is this. Why is it deeply ingrained in the minds of so many people that anything less than a first place finish is lacking? I watched that power-lifter celebrate as if he had outdone all other competitors. I believe that doing one's best has become lost in the determination to be the overall winner in everything. Too much pressure is being placed on attaining a singular spot defined as 'winner'.
I am a firm believer in doing the best that you can. Everyone has something that they can do better than somebody else. That is the beauty of being individuals. Ask yourself that in five years down the road, is anybody going to remember, or more importantly, even care that I won a Future Farmers of America jacket because I recited the FFA creed in front of the entire class? And what if you are a player on a team that wins the NBA championship?
Don't get me wrong. Winning is very fun to do, but there is only one winner and what with everyone else that has also worked tirelessly?
We want our kids to do the very best that they can do. If they win...great! If fourth place is their best...great!
I believe our focus has become a little blurred. It's just my opinion, so hold onto the tomatoes.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Disappointment
I have known disappointment in my own life. As a young man, I felt discouraged when times of disappointment came my way. It is important for me to interject that there haven't been but a few times in my life, when I was really disappointed.
There isn't a person who is exempt from this feeling. Because there is so much that happens in our lives, the time will come, for sure, when each of us encounters it 'up close and personal'.
When I was in seventh grade, I tried out for the school boy's basketball team. The try-outs for very productive. I worked really hard throughout the duration. The coach's commented on my 'hustling' play. You have to understand that from a coach's stand point, I was very small. I worked hard, on the first day. It came time for 'cuts'. A few players were dismissed. It was clear why those players were no longer invited to participate--they lacked the ability to work hard. I made the first day of 'cuts'. The second day was more regimented and various plays were practiced. I knew very little about the plays they practiced but I felt like my ability to work hard made up for my lack of knowledge. The end of the try-out came and we all knew that a few last players would be dismissed, trimming the squad down to the final team. The first name was called out and then the second. I was relieved that I was still sitting. I looked around at the remaining boys and figured that the last boy to go came down to me and one other boy. Time seemed to stand still as the head coach looked at his sheet clamped to the clipboard that he held in his hand. "Derek Fish." The two most undesired words in the English language, at that very moment, penetrated deep into my ears. I hesitated, momentarily, hoping that time would rewind and another name would be called out. That didn't happen and Coach Tornell gave me the dismissed look that he had given to the other boys. I had worked my hardest and the disappointment felt more like anger. I left the gymnasium with a gut-ache.
The story of not making the Junior High basketball team is not the emphasis of this writing. I allowed my disappointment to penetrate so deeply, that I didn't ever try out for another basketball team in Junior High or High School. What a shame that was for me to have allowed one experience, that didn't go my way, to interfere with the potential of trying again and eventually making a team.
The lesson is clear. Disappoint does not discriminate. It comes to all people. It will continue to come in our lives. It's up to each of us to learn from and then "try, try again."
There isn't a person who is exempt from this feeling. Because there is so much that happens in our lives, the time will come, for sure, when each of us encounters it 'up close and personal'.
When I was in seventh grade, I tried out for the school boy's basketball team. The try-outs for very productive. I worked really hard throughout the duration. The coach's commented on my 'hustling' play. You have to understand that from a coach's stand point, I was very small. I worked hard, on the first day. It came time for 'cuts'. A few players were dismissed. It was clear why those players were no longer invited to participate--they lacked the ability to work hard. I made the first day of 'cuts'. The second day was more regimented and various plays were practiced. I knew very little about the plays they practiced but I felt like my ability to work hard made up for my lack of knowledge. The end of the try-out came and we all knew that a few last players would be dismissed, trimming the squad down to the final team. The first name was called out and then the second. I was relieved that I was still sitting. I looked around at the remaining boys and figured that the last boy to go came down to me and one other boy. Time seemed to stand still as the head coach looked at his sheet clamped to the clipboard that he held in his hand. "Derek Fish." The two most undesired words in the English language, at that very moment, penetrated deep into my ears. I hesitated, momentarily, hoping that time would rewind and another name would be called out. That didn't happen and Coach Tornell gave me the dismissed look that he had given to the other boys. I had worked my hardest and the disappointment felt more like anger. I left the gymnasium with a gut-ache.
The story of not making the Junior High basketball team is not the emphasis of this writing. I allowed my disappointment to penetrate so deeply, that I didn't ever try out for another basketball team in Junior High or High School. What a shame that was for me to have allowed one experience, that didn't go my way, to interfere with the potential of trying again and eventually making a team.
The lesson is clear. Disappoint does not discriminate. It comes to all people. It will continue to come in our lives. It's up to each of us to learn from and then "try, try again."
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