Around The World

Anyone that knows me very well understands that I love the game of basketball.  These days my love is primarily for basketball on the driveway at our home with our kids. 
Our oldest son Brady really enjoys the game and we love to 'shoot around' together.  Yesterday we purchased a brand new basketball and Brady asked if I wanted to play a game of 'around the world'.  For those who are unfamiliar with this specific game I will briefly explain that it is a game where players must make a shot in the basket from designated spots on the basketball court determined by the players.  The first player to successfully make all of the shots is the winner.  I struggled in the beginning and Brady was doing very well.  It got to be my turn again and I began shooting and making all of the shots that we had pre-determined needed to be made. 
This game reminded me a little bit like life itself.  There are times when we seem to struggle to make things work out the way we hope they will.  However, there are also those times when everything we do seems to go 'just right'.
I was in the grocery store last evening and I noticed a group of young people.  I watched them for a little while because I was in the same places they were to get the few items I needed to purchase.  A woman in a handicap cart dropped an item from the basket on her cart.  Without hesitation one of the young people reached down and picked up the dropped item.  That wasn't the part that impressed me the most it was the smile that accompanied the simple act of service.  I think the woman was a little shocked by the act of kindness from the young man but she smiled in return.  I think that there are many days when the woman in the cart feels like life will never give her a break but the simple and kind act of somebody else helped her immensely.
A life lesson was taught to me while playing a game on the driveway with our son.  No matter what we face in life we need to be strong and continue to face the challenges that will come.  Sometimes there will be people who lend their help to us and other times we will be able to do it on our own.  Just keep plugging along and life will be rich!  

I Heard The Bells

Music has long played an enriching part of my life.  From the time I was a young boy I remember that we sang and enjoyed great music together.  At this Christmas season I enjoy hearing and singing the Christmas praises.  One such hymn is entitled "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day."  It has been a favorite of mine for a long time.  I want to share a verse from this song.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men."

(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

 

Somewhere down the hallways of history there is the desire to have 'peace on earth and good will to men'.  In many ways we do enjoy such a blessing.  I hope that the goal is to foster a feeling of 'peace on earth' inside the walls of our own homes.  The world creates chaos in our lives and in the lives of our children.  If we will strive harder than ever before to create a haven of peace and safety then there has been before then an increase of confidence and self-worth will prevail.

The bells of Christmas are sounding all around.  Those same bells will penetrate into our hearts an unwavering feeling of peace.  Merry Christmas to you and may the spirit of the Savior radiate in your hearts all the day through. 

Being A Gracious Receiver

I was reminded of the importance of being gracious in my life.  That one principle is extremely vital in order to more fully understand the very essence of who each of us are and what we are ultimately destined to become. 
The story is told of a young girl who was overjoyed by the reality that the precious hand-made gift she had made for her aunt would surely thrill her on the receipt of it.  She anticipated the giving of such a gift and hoped that her excitement would be proof enough of the intense effort she had given.  The long awaited time came for her to give.  She handed the gift and set it into her aunt’s hands.  Her aunt scowled at the simple gift, grabbed it with her one finger and thumb as if it was something disgusting.  She wrinkled her brow and a strange expression enveloped her face.  She dropped it to the ground and walked away to talk to somebody else who was in the room.  The girl was devastated by the lack of interest shown on behalf of her auntie.  Many years passed by and the remembrance of such ingratitude remained freshly engrained in the mind of the grown up girl.
At this time of year may each of us have the desire to be more grateful for the simplicities of our life.  It matters not the size of the gift or the cost of the item but rather the thought and effort put into the giving of it.  Christmas will be more meaningful and our lives will be completely enriched. 

He Is Our Light

 

You guessed it, because this is a month of celebration and remembrance of the birth of the Christ child I would like to speak of this topic for a few moments.
There is hustling and bustling all around and the season of 'gifts of plenty' and beautiful lights and delicious food is upon us.  The family Christmas parties bring to life the very Spirit of the season.  We are surrounded by the commercialization and the excitement of kids receiving the gifts they so badly anticipate.  It is a lot of fun to be around and we feel the 'buzz' of all that is happening about us.
The part that I love the very most is the spirit of one person helping another.  An extended hand to the less-fortunate.  The kind word or gesture to the down-trodden.  The freshly baked goodies that are given to the very simple in heart.  The end result of our holiday experience will directly coordinate with our own personal effort to help lift another.
Our Example came to this earth and clearly showed us the way that we should go.  It is He who walked among the simple of heart.  It was they who benefited most by His outward display of pure love and affection.  It was He who served them and it was that same Jesus who brought about miracles to the 'children of men'.
During this Christmas season may each of us remember who He truly is and His purpose to come and save all mankind.  He is our Brother.  He is the Master.  It is by Him, and of Him that each one of us can one day enjoy the blessings of eternity which includes the return to our Father's presence, if we will do our part and keep His commandments.
Enjoy what today has to offer.  He is the way, the truth, and the life!  Our lives are blessed because of His coming.  It is during this time of year that we are reminded of His important role in the Plan of Redemption that has been given to us.
The hustling and bustling that occurs will take on better meaning if we will remember the 'reason for the season'.

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!