A Good Man

One evening, many years ago (I could give you lots more specifics - I do remember them - but I won't bore you with details), I heard a word used to describe my dad. It was mentioned in passing, and only really intended to describe the task he was performing at that time, but it has stuck with me over the years. Recently I was thinking some more about this incident, and it occurred to me that this trait or quality is one that I want to develop in my life. The more I have thought about it, the more I have come to realize that this one word effectively describes most aspects of my dad's life and character. The word is "consistent".

Consistent and its close relative constant are words that I feel describe an ideal that is worth striving for. The man who is consistent in his dealings with others is a man who can be trusted. The man who is constant in holding himself to a high standard is a man who can be respected. The man who is consistent in practicing what he preaches is a man worth listening to. Consistency and constancy are godlike qualities - He is the ultimate example of one who is worth listening to always, can be respected - even reverenced, and can be trusted completely. The man who consistently lives a life consistent with righteous principles is a man I believe truly deserves to be called a good man.

I am very grateful to be the son of a good man. Unfortunately sometimes we overlook or take for granted the people that are the closest to us, and I am afraid that I have been guilty of that at times. I have, in my father, a man that I trust, a man that I respect, and a man that I should listen to. It took a gentle reprimand from a good friend to help me realize/remember those facts. I hope this time around that I don't ever forget them. Because, one of the great things about good men is that their influence is ongoing. I can look back at my ancestry and see a long line of good men. I look around me at my brothers and see the same. My hope, my goal, is that I can find my place and fit myself into this great line of good men, and pass on this influence to those who may come after.

Lessons from "children's" stories

"We must try things, that's how Magellan got where he got." - Raspberries

"Congratulations, you failed!" - Meet the Robinsons

Something occurred to me today.

Perhaps I should say, something finally clicked for me today, since it is a principle that I have heard repeated in many ways throughout my life. It's so basic that it's almost silly that it's taken me this long to really assimilate and internalize it. Here it is in a nutshell:

One who has never failed at anything, has never done anything.

There is only one being who has ever lived on this earth to whom this does not apply. As for the rest of us, the fear of failure (rejection, disappointment, not measuring up, etc) often paralyzes us to the point where we do nothing, and then, in essence, all that we have done is failed.

Mistakes are natural, they offer us experience, they lead to improvement and success. We need not fear them. They cannot diminish our worth. And the most beautiful thing of all is that the one being who never made a mistake - the Savior, Jesus Christ - has made it possible for us to ultimately recover from all of our mistakes. That alone should give us the confidence to face our challenges and choices without fear.

"Keep moving forward!" - Meet the Robinsons

Disjointed Thoughts

A strange thing happened the other day: there were more new emails in my inbox than there were in my spam folder. It was kind of momentous.

Hot springs are awesome in the dead of winter.

I still think that one of my all-time favorite primary songs is "My Heavenly Father Loves Me".
(For a great piano duet arrangement of the song look here.)

I think that I will probably miss school once I'm done. (Anyone know of any jobs that might be available for a fresh graduate of BYU?)

Valentine's Day dances are much more fun mid-week, not on February 14th, and with great raffle prizes.

Though the process involved nearly removing the tip of my left thumb, making Mom's cinnamon roll recipe last week was a very successful (not to mention delicious) venture.

Done. . ., and done.

What now?

Well, another round of finals are finished, now there's nothing left for Fall semester but to wait anxiously (or not so anxiously, who really cares anyway) for the grades to be posted. One more bunch of classes completed, checked off, and moved out of the way on the road to that ever elusive diploma. Ah, to be done, what will that feel like? I guess I 'll find out in April.

On a more current note. Northern Mexico is lovely this time of year. It's been 4 years since I was home in Colonia Juarez for Christmas, so I've really been looking forward to spending a couple of weeks here, especially at this wonderful time of year. Aside from the first 2 1/2 - 3 hours (driving snow, 25 mph average) the drive home was pleasant and uneventful. We (my brother Justin and I) drove all night, and arrived home around noon. Being lunch time, we just had to stop and get some tortas (awesomeness disguised as a pork sandwich) from Tortas Parra on our way through Casas. Mmmmmm, delicious.

Christmas is great. We managed to get some decorations set up in the house I live in in Provo (a tree, a few lights and ribbons) and it's just amazing how much of a difference it really makes. The whole "feel" of the place changes. I'm sure it's more than decorations, but they definitely add to the whole Christmas spirit. Speaking of which, remember that our prophet today, President Thomas Monson, has reminded us that the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit. He is why we celebrate, He is why we have cause to rejoice, He is the One - the only One - who makes salvation possible for each of us.

What a tremendous opportunity we each have to strive to know Him better, and to become like Him. May we all remember that as we spend this season with family and loved ones.

Merry Christmas!

Deliciousity

Well, here we go again.
The Holiday season is upon us once more. I don't know what it is about Thanksgiving and Christmas that always conjures up visions of pies, but I'm not complaining. Here's a 'taste' of some Thanksgiving goodness:


Yes, I am thankful for great food, as well as loving family to share it with. That is really what the holidays are all about, spending time with family. Sure the time off is great for resting and relaxing and catching up on leisure reading and all those movies that I just haven't had a chance to see, but in reality none of that really matters. I get to go home to Mexico, most likely spend a day or two painting some room of the house, possibly dig trenches for a sprinkler system, and unpack and repack boxes of my belongings from my early years. But I get to do it with family. I can't really think of a better way to spend the Christmas break.

There is the minor detail of finishing up a semester of school, papers to write, projects to finish, unit tests and ultimately finals to take, but that only lasts a week and a half more so I may as well enjoy it (it is my penultimate semester of undergraduate work, after all). The semester has been great. Now that I think of it, a lot has happened since I last blogged. An entire summer of adventures, a wedding in the family, trips to foreign countries, car troubles, and moving. Not to mention nearly an entire fall semester with it's accompanying football season, early snowstorms (that really didn't amount to much), Halloween parties, blind dates, nice weather through November and into December, and synchronized swimming routines in the ward talent show.
Indeed I may say, "it's been a busy and very exciting and very fulfilling few months", and I will leave it at that.

Thoughts on death. . . no, on Life.

"Death comes unexpectedly!"

In my family this quote from the movie Pollyanna (the preacher's sermon) has always been uttered for comical effect, unfortunately, recent events have changed the timbre of these words, leading more toward introspection and serious reflection upon life.

When loved ones are taken from us suddenly and unexpectedly, especially at a very young age, we are often led to question things, sometimes even things that we have never doubted before. I think this is natural. I think this gives us an opportunity to reevaluate where we are individually, and even to reflect upon what we each are doing to fulfill our purpose here on earth. I attended a funeral this weekend for an uncle and his two daughters. He was only 38, and they were 4 and 8. Though the circumstances were tragic, I couldn't help but be amazed at the outpouring of love and support from the community, the strength of those family members left behind, and the Spirit of comfort that prevailed throughout. There were hundreds of people crowded into the building for the funeral, a powerful representation of the effect these young lives have had upon those around them. The whole experience taught me a vivid lesson about what is really important in life. Our relationships with others of God's children are probably some of the most important things that we can focus our time and efforts on. And in all reality that is all that it takes, time and effort. People skills can be developed, comfort zones can be altered, and awkwardness can be overcome -- but even if they aren't, others recognize when we are sincere and willing to put time and effort into the relationship. This leads to increased trust and a greater sense of community.

Being a part of the events this weekend gave me the opportunity to ponder on where I'm at. What do I value? Where do I spend my time? How have I helped others? What will I be remembered for? (Admittedly, that last one may seem a little selfish, but take it in the light of what has been mentioned previously, and the whole funeral concept, and I think it is a powerful question to consider.) As I was dwelling on these ideas I recalled something I read on a bulletin board once, attributed to Jack London:

“I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”

These words really struck me when I first read them, and once again as I pondered upon the lives of those we honored. What a powerful message. Live every moment, make the most of every day. Imagine what life could be!

Thoroughly Therapeutic Thunderstorms

Softball was rained out last night.

The day started nice, then, out of nowhere, the heavens burst. We had quite a downpour, complete with lightning and thunder. Sometimes weather like this annoys me; I worry about getting wet, the discomfort, the possible leaks in my house/car/shoes, and whether or not someone is going to need a ride somewhere. This time was different.

It was beautiful. It's hard to describe with words. It was more than just visual, it felt beautiful. Almost immediately a primary song came to mind:

I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain

And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.

I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

Funny, but that really was the first thing that I thought of as it was pouring down. Then, this morning everything was so crisp and clear: the leaves on the trees, finally present, were a vibrant green; the sky was a clear, deep blue; and the mountains, majestic as ever, stood watch over it all wearing small cotton ball puffs of clouds that blended with the snow on their peaks. Once again, words cannot do it justice. There is just no way to describe it fully. Just know this, "I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world Heavenly Father created for me." And my soul does sing to my Savior and my God, "How great Thou art!"