Intentional Life

We ask questions all the time about things going on around us that we don’t understand. Who what when where why and how. Do we ever take time to ask them about ourselves? Who are you what are you doing where do you want to go why do you desire that and how are you going to achieve it?

Life goes on with or without our permission. We do not control the time but we do control how we use it. Every second of every day is an opportunity. Are you committed to the moment? In life there is a choice to make we can float on by and go through the motions of being alive or we can actually decide to live. There is a difference. When we are intentional about our thoughts words and deeds we create intentional habits leading to a life of not finding ourselves but creating ourselves.

Are you the type of person looking from Binoculars off shore trying to find yourself or are on shore with a sword hacking through the jungle in order to uncover a self you never knew existed? At times we may have to step back to look through the binoculars if we have lost sight of the shore but once we know the general direction we must take action, get to shore and start hacking through the vines of the jungle. Vines are thick and complicated but possible to get through. What areas of your life are vines needing to be removed in order to reveal the you, you wish to find?

The key to creating you is to take action and do something. Two individuals are stuck in the middle of a ocean. Both can see the shore from where they are at but the swimming is going to be difficult. One individual decides he is going to swim to shore. His arms and legs are exhausted as he finally reaches the sandy beaches. People come and help him up from the beach and take them to their village. Once there he is given water and a place to rest. That night he is invited to the village feast and is able to regain his strength and is welcomed into a new community. The other man decides he will let the waves take him to the shore at their own due time. When he arrives at the shore he is not exhausted but he is there alone. No one comes and offers him water, he does not have a place to rest or a feast to attend to. Both men arrived at the shore by putting opposite amounts of effort. Working hard and taking action or being lazy is and individual choice but the reward is not going to be the same.

Be intentional about who what when where why and how you want to be and you no longer spend your life searching to find yourself but instead you are creating the self you wish to become. 

Everyone Lives In a Different World

The universe encompasses the solar system which is full of planets. Planets by definition are: celestial bodies moving in an elliptical orbit around a star. We live on planet Earth but yet when talking about Earth we call it the world. The difference between planet earth and the world is the world includes countries, natural features, and people. This definition is the basic understanding of the world as a whole, but the interesting thing about humans is we experience the world in different ways. Making it our world, our personal reality.

In order to understand the world we use our senses. The input around us comes in through the five senses learned as a child: sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch. There are four more senses which are generally not talked about: equillibroception (balance), nociception (pain), proprioception (body awareness). All nine senses structure the way individuals personally experience the world. The brain is the control center sifting sensory input and making sense of the environment. The understanding of this input creates experiences, memories, and understanding about the external environment. Associated with each sense is an emotion whether great or small. A small scale example is stubbing your toe. This action elicits a pain response which may be accompanied by the emotion of anger. These two inputs create a memory and every memory is stored in the form of pictures connected to emotions.

Although we as humans are living on the same planet in the same general world, everyone also lives in their "own world." For this reason quick assumptions and judgements can be terribly wrong about an individual. We use our senses to quickly observe and create opinions, without considering the way that person views the world. We base our opinions off of what is considered "normal," but normal does not truly exist. Normal is a word given for a set of standards we generate as a society, or culture. The normal can change there is not a set definition of normal, therefore normal does not exist. In order to understand someone you must understand them in context, not labeling them by what you observe. To understand someone, you need to understand the world as it is to them, understand their reality. Instead of using your senses to create judgments and opinions use senses to listen. Speak and ask questions to not hear someone else but to actually listen, use your eyes to listen to unsaid words, use touch in order to show understanding and interest. Learn to love. Some people say to love unconditionally, but love in itself should be unconditional.  Love should not be conditional on what someone does or does not do. Love is an emotion, and when you love those around you it will create memories and shape your world based of this emotion. Things are the way they are but each individual constructs and reacts to these things.

No one is handed life on a silver platter. No one experiences life in the same way. The emotions, memories, and experiences one has have an effect on their reality. Although these experiences shape people, they do not have to define people. The brain is powerful. Although negative memories may be pushed aside they will never completely be forgotten, but the only way to change the past is to change the present which gives hope for the future. Live in the present because technically every second or every minute becomes the past. Create positive memories and emotions in the present distances negative memories of the past. Confront problems of the past head on and then work to reframe the future. Fill the mind with positive present emotions and these memories will become a big part of who you are. The power to change, although not easy, is held within each individual. Change, happiness, success, sadness and so on, are proactive choices and reactions to situations. Some people may find themselves in dark times where change seems unachievable. The load placed on their shoulder's is too much to bear. People describe dark times as, lonely, lost and hopeless. The term darkness is used metaphorically. When there is actual darkness, meaning no light, no matter how good one's vision is it is impossible to see. Therefore when someone is in a metaphoric dark place they are unable to see. Unable to see what to do, who to go to for help, unable to see hope in the future, and unable to see their potential and who they truly are and who they can become. All these feelings may be bottled up inside and are not visible to people on the outside, but they are real. It may seem on the outside that someone is happy or their problems aren't a big deal, but what someone feels is real to them and becomes part of their world, their reality. 

Remember the next time you make a judgment or want to help someone you must try and understand the world through their reality. Bring light into the darkest corners of their life. Do not only hear but listen.  You can make endless observations but what you see may be the absence of what is actually there.

For he had Great Possessions



As we drive down the busy streets of Virginia it seems that there is a never ending stream of cars trying to get from one destination to another. So many busy people going so many different places. I've seen more mustangs, porches, corvettes, ect. the past year, than I had seen the first 19 years of my life. Looking at the expensive cars is very exciting and sometimes I dream about how cool it would be to have a car like that. The cars are so shiny, fast, sparkly, and just seem like they would bring some joy into people's lives. As we continue to drive down the street I see something else that is pretty regular occurrence. It looks like this........
          

In an instant that shiny expensive car is of little worth. People are saddened as they see there pride and joy slowly loaded onto a tow truck and carefully hauled away. As I have seen this type of situation happen over and over, I'm reminded of a story from the Bible.
 

A rich young ruler comes to Christ and asks what he needs to do in order to obtain eternal life. Jesus answers and goes through some of the commandments. The young man says that he does all of these things. Christ then says. " If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." I think that sounds like an amazing opportunity. Christ told this young man exactly what he needed to do in order to have eternal life and not only that but to have treasure in heaven. It is interesting how the young man responds. In Mathew 19:22 it says, " but when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions."

As I first read this story I couldn't help but pass judgment on this young man. In my head I was thinking, the rich young man asked a specific question and got an amazing answer. Christ told him what he needed to do and not only that but he told him some of the blessings that would come from it as well. I was baffled at why the young man would pass up such an opportunity, but as I took a step back I realized that we all have more in common with the rich young ruler than I thought.

Life is constantly competing for our attention. We sometimes base our happiness on things that are of temporal worth and value. We may be living a great life just as the young ruler. We are keeping the commandments and wanting to improve, but are we willing to "sell all that we have?" I hope we will all examine our lives and think of things we can give up in order to find eternal happiness and heed the Saviors invitation to "Come follow me."

From Mountain top to Metro

The Book of Mormon is the key stone, the tangible evidence that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true. The truth of the Book of Mormon rings true whether being discussed underground as a metro swiftly passes by, or on a quiet serene mountain top. I love the opportunity I have to share this book with so many people in so many settings knowing the incredible promise at the end of the Book of Mormon is true. If people will ask with a sincere heart, having faith, and real intent, this one simple book has the ability to change lives and build a foundation in Christ that will not fall.

 A few weeks ago our mission had the opportunity to attend the Washington Nationals baseball game as part of day of service. As I think back to the Nationals game I can see in my mind swarms of people in red attire, intermingled with elders in white shirts and ties and sisters in skirts, all of which were prepared and excited for the baseball game. The image that sticks in my mind most vividly is of a single, dimly lit, passing metro car. 

All around me I could see several missionaries distributing copies of the Book of Mormon, pass along cards, and pamphlets with the new friends they met. We arrived at the first metro stop and people quickly departed off the metro. The metro cars were left fairly empty since most people were headed to the game, but as it pulled away I saw something that left a picture in my mind that will last forever. The metro was passing and through the dimly lit window I glanced and saw a girl sitting by herself flipping through her newly given book of Mormon. In my mind time froze. I don't know what is in her future; neither does the missionary that gave her the book. The one who does know is God. The brief moment she spent with the missionary may have been the start of a new life for her, a happier life, a life with the fullness of the gospel. I love that a common phrase throughout the Book of Mormon is "Come unto me." I know no matter the setting whether it be in a crowded metro or the wide open spaces of the outdoors we can all play and intricate part in helping others come closer to Christ and feel of his love. 

Come Unto Christ SONG :) (click)

Because I knew you

Throughout our life journey there are many other travelers that pass us by, coming in and out of our lives. It is incredible how Heavenly Father places people in our lives in the very moment we need them. Some of these people may just be a passing smile in a grocery store while others become a new best friend. I heard once that we are each others "People Angels." Often times we don't know the difference a simple compliment or friendly greeting makes in another person's life.

I love a song from the musical Wicked called "Because I knew you." In the Chorus it says, " Because I knew you, I have been changed for good." In this wonderful experience of a mission I have met many people that have made a positive impact on my life. Meeting new people has become a daily adventure that I cherish. Some of my fondest memories and greatest friends have come from the companions that I have had the opportunity to serve with. Before my mission I was fairly worried about being with someone literally 24/7, but now I have come to see it as one of the greatest blessings of my life. Just as the song states each one of them has become a friend and has changed my life for good. I was grateful to get a picture with all my companions. They are wonderful sisters who became a part of my journey.

I hope each of us realize the difference, big or small, we can make as a traveler in each others journey, and that someone can say about you " Because I knew you, I have been changed for good."

Guardian

This Week I received a letter in the mail from my wonderful cousin Wade, who is a missionary in Arizona. What a wonderful surprise it was to get a letter and along with the letter he sent me an amazing picture of Christ.  The name of the picture is “Guardian.”

The back of the picture describes the inspiration for the piece of art. It says, “Jesus Christ’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem for his last Passover. I envision Jesus’ expression reflecting a mixture of emotions: A kind smile, pleased to be acknowledged for who he really is. Compassion for his followers whom he loves so dearly. And yet, a far-off look in His eye as He contemplates what will be required of Him at the end of the week. The cheering will turn to jeering as He fulfills His divine mission.”

As I contemplated the picture I felt a wave of gratitude and compassion come over me to know that Christ truly is my guardian. There are moments in my life where I feel overwhelmed by the task ahead of me and the obstacles before me seem impossible to overcome; but when I remember my Savior my feelings begin to change. The incomprehensible love he had led him to fulfill his great mission, allowing him to know exactly how to help each and every one of us with our individual challenges. I am grateful that Jesus Christ is my guardian.  I hope I can look to the future with peace and determination. Knowing as I follow Christ’s example and trust in his Atonement, I too can fulfill all that God sent me here to do.

Please comment and share how Christ has been your guardian, and what that means to you.