You've Obviously Worked In Labor

I met a man at the University of Utah who was busy completing his custodial duties.  I asked him how he was doing and he responded in a friendly manner.  I thanked him for his efforts in keeping the restrooms clean and the other surroundings very tidy.  His response, "you've obviously worked as a laborer."  I told him that I still was.

That led into a very sweet conversation with this man named Jim.  He was intelligent and very bright.  He spoke nicely--borderline beautiful.  His language was refined and he spoke as one who legitimately knew what he was talking about.  I guess that he was in his late fifties or early sixties.

We talked about life and the experiences that helped to shape us into the men we are today.  He asked me if I felt that a janitor meant he was unsuccessful?  I told him that I felt just the opposite.  "it takes everybody in this world," I told him.  

There are some remarkable people.  I love the vast knowledge that is had by many who are 'overlooked'.

It was a pleasure to talk to Jim and to hear of his feelings.  There are many among us who just need someone to listen.  I hope to always be that person.

Orientation For School

It's official, I am attending orientation at the University of Utah.  I am really excited to be going to school and to help better life and learning.  
I am one of about three hundred 'transfer students who will begin school for the spring semester.
There have been some really good things spoken about.  I have been sitting between a man and a woman--the woman majoring in Biomedical Engineering and the man in journalism.  Our conversations have been motivating and I appreciate the comfort that I feel when talking with other people.
I have a 'hill' to climb but this is well worth the effort that is required and I know we can do it. I want our children to know how important this is and I hope that they will possess a sincere desire to go to college and to create more opportunities for themselves and their families.
Learning is a beautiful thing!  To stimulate our minds is part of the Plan.  I am thankful for this opportunity to go and I appreciate the support of my lovely wife, Becky.  Thanks for your support and your confidence in me--it is apparent that many don't have what you and I enjoy.  I love you very much!
Have I ever expressed how much I love my life?  Well, I do!

Soar On The Wings Of Life

There are times in my life when I am awestruck by something that I see.  I watched a bird fly from the top of a large light pole and the way that it flew was graceful and effortless.  It has always been a great desire to be able to do something like flight with little effort and with a little bit of a 'rush' attached to the experience.  Now having said that I am not a lover of heights or great speed and daredevil antics.
There are however things in our lives that we can do that would compare to the flight of a bird.  
Think in your mind about one thing that you are particularly good at.  Everybody has something that they can do strongly.  Our talents are individual in nature but it takes everyone to make the world go 'round.
With that one strength think about what you can personally do to use that to help another.  It is especially true that this time of year is a time when many will go without.  The use of your strength will help to bring a much needed smile on the face of someone who feels burdened with the every day happenings of their life.
Ours is the opportunity, a privilege really, to lighten the load of the helpless.  We can make somebody smile who hasn't had a reason to for a very long time.   You can make an unbelievable difference in another person's life.  Now is that time!

High Fives For Life

I don't know about you but I love this picture.  You know the saying that 'a picture is worth a thousand words'.  Well this one is worth all thousand.

These three guys are pretty stoked about their time spent together.  I believe that is how I could describe my life.
I spoke with a man who I work with who is a devout Christian.  He is very active and involved in his faith and he spends much of his time, during this time of year, serving and helping the less fortunate people in his community.  He serves at the homeless shelter and hands out food to the hungry.  He told me that he finds abundant joy in helping those who are 'down and out'.
A visual is a powerful reminder--so remember that life is meant to be filled with joy and this picture gives a positive remembrance of the joy we can feel in our own lives.

Dads And Donuts

Today I had the opportunity to spend some time with both of our sons, Danny and Brady, at their school Pleasant Green Elementary for 'Dads and Donuts'.  This occasion is where dads take their kids over to the school thirty minutes before the beginning of school and the PTA (Parent Teacher Association) serves donuts and hands out water bottles.  The objective is to give some time where parents and children can enjoy a donut while they are reading.  
We got there a little later than we had hoped and the gymnasium was packed with people.  We got a donut and a water bottle and found some standing room and visited with each other.  It was a great way to spend time with our sons and to be in their regular environment at a time when I would normally be at work.
I do love our children and the enjoyment that I experience when I am with them.
It's a rich blessing to be a parent and to enjoy the relationships that I have with our children.  I love them so much!  They are important to me.

Add Some Spirit

 

For more than ten years it has been an obvious trend that when the Christmas season comes around that there is very little outward 'Christmas spirit' displayed in our cul-de-sac.  Let me explain that we are very simple in our approach to the Christmas season so you won't see a yard completely full of lights and decorations but it is enjoyable to hang some Christmas lights along the rain gutter on the front of our house.  You can't help but smile and be happy when you see the 'outward' expression of celebration in some body's yard.
For the first few years that we lived in our house there were more than just our house that put up some lights and it made it fun to drive into the circle and see the Christmas lights.  I hope that more people will join in during this great time of year when the world celebrates the much anticipated coming of the Son of God that happened so many years ago.  His coming completely changed the world.  His coming to earth was necessary for our own eternal progression to even be possible.
Pull out a few lights and celebrate this exciting time of year.  You will find greater enjoyment during this wonderful time!

It's Good To Be Home

Some months ago I arrived home from a week long business trip.  I flew into the Salt Lake valley on a large commercial aircraft.  The pattern that the aircraft flew to align itself with the airport took the airplane directly over our house.  My heart became excited at the reality that I was returning home.  As the plane approached the runway and we were about to land I looked over toward the east to see if I could spot the Salt Lake temple.  I could see it and I knew that I was home.
There are different subjects that signify home to each of us.  I really like to be home because it gives peace and comfort to my heart.
For the two and a half hour flight I visited with a man seated next to me who just needed someone to listen to him and insure him that life was going to be okay.  He was a friendly person but there were many questions that he had that were still unanswered when it came to life.  He was in his sixties and I wondered if he felt that they would ever be answered to his satisfaction.  We talked about life and its purpose.  We talked about love and our children and his grandchildren.  We talked about our faith and I expressed to him that my faith was an anchor and a compass.  I encouraged him to find peace and comfort through an increase of faith and a love for the simple things in life.  I told him how excited I was to be home.
Even during a regular work day I think about Becky and our children all day long.  They are my life and my greatest joys come from them.
Just like our home and the sight of the temple put in place some subjects that help you to always realize what is really important to you.