Raising Awareness

Raising awareness

What is raising awareness? What should it entail? Can it be done without guile? Without tearing down others? I came across this over the past few weeks. I ask the question of some one of the things they consistently share to social media sites. Most of the posts entail showing the wrongs surrounding us in the world. This commenter addressed it as raising awareness. I don't know about others but I don't need some extra pointing out of the wrongs but of the goodness still out there. Another comment was made your just hiding your eyes and saying all is well in Zion. I think of the many good causes out there that have days set aside for awareness of them. Do they tear down those around them to show that their cause is just? No. Take for example cancer awareness. We may see many presentations that show the not so good of it but for the most part we see many who beat the beast. Drug awareness or red ribbon week we see some bad but mostly good of those that beat the Dragons they face. I find many to be trapped by the negative sharing that they do. Many can't see the light of good around where others can see it but changing their stance puts them in a conflicting situation with those around them. No not all is well in Zion or the world but we add to the mess when we share things that are not positive. Think about those doing wrong many don't fully realize that Satan is behind them in it. We do better to show the good and humanity in the world rather than give the devil more spot lighting for things his hands are in. The only way for evil to exist in the world is for good men to do nothing. We can stand together against wrong by supporting good and showing humanity to others. Stand with God and with good you cannot be wrong.

Patience and a Sense of Humor

Patience and a sense of humor

When you sit back and look at people in the world and the crazy things they do and say, it hits ya that God for sure has some serious patience and a sense of humor. I mean I'm a bone head and do some things and have done things that would for sure be classed as pure stupidity at the least. So you may see where one could look at some one doing something and say Yeppers there's another one. Take for example some crazy young feller's riding a bicycle created from broken parts from the trash dump and jumping off a ramp build with scrap lumber taller than most of them and hoping for favorable results. While this crazy is happening the big man upstairs is sending a few extra guardians too ensure there is nothing serious but maybe so bumps, bruises, and a little road rash. He probably shakes his head and wondering how much until they get it but knowing some peeps are just real hard headed. But young and hard headed is great if it doesn't stay in to the later years of life.

 I use the example on a neighbor I had in the past that I'm sure is a member of the 1000 chances club. I don't think in any way God would give up on any one but some peeps I think if he wanted to would be one of the first in line for the spank'n machine. When you get hit by something and ya go back for more and God doesn't call you out on it with that whooping he could dish out then you can bet he is very patient. When you continue to use substances with liver damage and cancer while telling everyone you can't quit. I would be thinking Yeppers God is patient with him but I think God is holding out on him letting him live because maybe the All Powerful One is not ready to deal with him yet. I remember one day I hear a cement mixing unit clanking along next door. I just happen to be in the tool shed close enough to see and hear well. The neighbor was drinking down a few and leaning on a shovel. I hear him yelling at the mixer using a long string of verbal expressions and referencing the heaven and everything else on the earth too. I hear the mixer jam and drive belt squeal. He beats at it with the shovel yelling more color. It doesn’t move and he shoves the digger in the mixers mouth. Instantly the mixer moves with the shovel caught at this point and spinning it wildly. He makes an attempt at retrieval of the tool missing and have’n it boldly clock him aside the head. He sprawls out on the ground face sputtering in the dirt.

 You honestly couldn’t tell that God was thinking the humor in quieting the old heathen. Honestly he has to have a sense of humor or some peeps would be struck down. He has to be patient for sure. It makes me wonder if he sits up there with a large drink, popcorn, and candy and get a laugh watching the show many of the world put on as they show how much they just don’t get. I hope I have been able to taper some of my stupidity to a smaller amount of a show. I fall down a few stairs now and then and bite my tongue from saying any thing bad. But now I too get to see the show with my kids and grand kids. Hopefully they all shorten their show having a lot to learn from the generations of the past.

 This reminds me of the out of the blue head smack by Gibbs on the show NCIS. Many a person has gotten the smack but mostly Tony. A bit of a shock at first for most of the people it happens too but mostly it happens when someone does or says a bone head thing. It’s kind of like that with us I think too.

Agency and Choices

Agency and Choices

We are all given a gift called agency. What we do with our gift is what defines us. We can choose to follow laws whether they are of nature, God, man, or governments. Some laws if not adhered to bring with them painful if not fatal consequences. Some of these consequences are not so easily seen for a fair part of our lives. We sometimes pass the consequences down for others to deal with for some generations to come. There is another part of us as humans. We are natural in our actions, desires, passions, and thoughts. It has been reference many times as the natural man (Mosiah 3:19). We very often use this natural man part of us in our use of agency and carry out actions that trap us. Too often when we get trapped we want to justify our actions to displace our thinking and conscience to change how we feel. For example if we run for a few miles knowing we are out of physical condition and nearly pass out. Then we say we will never do that again ever because we almost died. Then tell ourselves we didn't die so we should do it again but the same time remembering how stupid we may have been the first time. We try to justify our actions but question ourselves at the exact same time. Consider the actions we may justify for any given reason. Addictions, thievery, murder, lasciviousness, and riotous living to name a few. We can justify ourselves to hell and back from our actions but it doesn't make them right or correct. 

Having had a very personal connection with addictions I know justifying the actions that come with them. We try to say it is OK and hurts no one else but seeing the picture from inside the frame we don't get it. I have pondered much about the challenges we each have in this life. Granted we all think ours is the worst and maybe the hardest. Think about any and all that we could have to face it is what we do in life with those challenges and how we use our agency that defines the type of person we are. I add to this the challenge for some of same gender attraction. Some would say wait a minute but I was born that way. Good point and I was born with the challenge of being a substance addict. Some may also voice I can't help it, it is what I am. Yes that maybe true, once an addict always an addict. I ask can we be better as a person. Or must we give in to the natural man and be something less than what we can be. Are those that give in to the natural man horrible persons? No. The definer is if we act upon it. We are all children of a loving God that must learn to except that we are not in any way close to perfect. But we can and should not look past the fact that we can still be so much more than we are. For me to just give in to the over thinking of things and say I'm an addict and cannot be anything greater than that. Thinking also that all I can be is a mere junkie is selling me short of the top of the mountain. Those who say we don't have a choice are selling a short load on truck bigger than they want to load by themselves. The path of life is hard and when traveled alone has darkness, fear, uncertainty, and challenges that look so ominous we couldn't possibly get past them. I have walked on the dark side of the fence. I have felt darkness of soul, depression, fear, shame, feelings of uselessness, and those feelings of giving up life. Having been there and knowing what I know now and the hope that fills me rather than fear. I much prefer to hold to the rod of iron that follows the path to the tree of life and yes liberty. Holding to the rod will not be easy and not popular but safe in knowing what God wants of me. We are all given a choice but cannot always choose the consequences and extent of those consequences whether good or bad. We are also given multiple opportunities to change. The power of the atonement extends far beyond repentance.

 Don't ever think that making a choice is final and you have no way to choose differently because nothing is final. And I know that everything will be in some way made right in the next phase of our existence. The imperfections I have now will be made whole and perfect. My pains and character flaws will be taken. But some of that may in part depend on me and the choices I make to overcome them as best I can in this life. Yes life is not fair nor should it be. We are here to test our agency and to choose. When we act with our agency in a correct manor we find blessings. When we act with our agency against correctness we find pain and disappointment. It is easy to see that picture when you have stood on both sides of the fence. Siding with modern day Prophets and Apostles will always leave little room for doubt.

Deep spiritual enlightenment.

I'm reminded of a truth that I faced some years ago. We each must find our faith over fear. Find ourselves in deep spiritual enlightenment. Some may come to that point by small and simple fashion but many of us traveled through some deep canyons of hell and rock bottom to fully understand. Stumbling and falling is not fun but the lessons learned are very much priceless indeed. Finding the solid foundation in a loving Savior and know him personally to know where we ultimately choose to be in our life. Rarely do we find other people that except us the way the Savior does. God is great and loves us! It took me a long time to learn this and I can honestly say that I have so much more to learn and understand of how the power of God can and does work in our lives. I admit that it is very difficult and fear filled to turn our lives and our will over to the trust and care of God. But that willingness can change us by helping us to change our flaws of character and makes us in to something more than we could do on our own. Have a blessed day. Many fight the Devil/Dragon in fights for their souls. Much of these battles are not seen but others yet are real just the same. I pray daily for those that battle with the dragon in their lives to win. Put on that armor and yield a sword. And Fight! Have a great day friends!

In spite of evil.

In spite of evil.

I’m not a big fan of politicians and party crap whether it’s the right or the left is of uselessness. If there is a group of people in the world doing this or that is of little argument to me. Yes the world has some people who act by themselves in wrong doings. As a whole there remains to still be so much good being done by people who don’t ask for the rest of the world to see what random acts of good and kindness that they do. By spreading the negative of the negative a person adds to the wishes of the Dragon himself. We were asked some time ago by a wise thinking man to spread the earth with a flood (Elder Bednar). Whether you choose to spread good or not so good is a personal choice but for the most part I will choose the good. It makes no different if it is just a good email or postings on as many of the social media circle that are available to the world. Consider the effect of the drops of awesomeness we can add to the flood of very good if we share only one positive each day. If you share one message each day and you share with six hundred friends and maybe they share the message with six hundred of their friends. I’m not a math person but in two shares there is a possible reach of three hundred sixty thousand. So in a world where the old Dragon is at hand good people must act to ensure that he does not win a battle with the hearts of men. Spread good even just a drop or two combined with drops from other peoples good will be this flood. If you are not of my organized faith affiliation do not feel that you are left out by any means. Most of you have Christian and family values that can and should be added to the flood for the Light of Christ is given to all men to Light the world and displace darkness and evil. Share all my Friends all the good that you can and fight the Dragon. We can and should inspire the world to rise up and be better.

Fences, Barbwire, and hung up.

Fences, barbwire, and hung up. Some summer in Provo.

They say great fences have good posts, good field mesh, and yes barbwire. Summer time fun was always a trip or two to the pond. You can bet we didn't walk the road like most people would have. Over the fences and through the woods to the play ground with the rope swing. We went there often and things where a blast. You never expect things to go wrong when you're about to have a good time. The first fence is never a problem but everything changes with the last one. Half way over the top my foot made the choice to leave the cross post and drop me on the top wire. By now I’m thinking going under the fence like I had done many times before may have had better results. Some of you country folks could probably relate to a few ingenious predicaments of your own. Yes as you could guess headed to the pond I was adorned in swim’n get up too. So I’m yelling for help and hearing the laughs of the others as I hang there. At this point I know I have those mean barbs grabbing my shorts and shirt but at least once had my upper leg. Doing my best not to let the others know I’m not a wimp and start the crying thing. All the while doing the desperate wriggle to find that cross post with my unwilling stupid foot. After more wriggling than a snake racing for a hole to hide in my foot makes contacted with the post. I look down at the wire and my leg, UGH! I grabbed the fence tight as my head started to spin out of crazy. Carefully I worked to get the mean prong out of my leg and the thought came to me what are you doing. Then it hit me people bleed to death in the middle of nowhere land. The others attempted to help me free the shirt and shorts all the while telling me you don’t looks so good. After sitting down for a good spell I considered the situation and that the pond was not a great idea for this day. Patting Lucky on the back those mean thorns grazed a few other spots but didn’t impel but once and missing some serious spots by a few hundredths of an inch. Made my way back to the house thinking how lucky that was.

Some after notes for sure for the fence adventure. Don’t get distracted when you’re about to hop the fences of life.  It’s that time of distraction that things happen and things reach out and grab us. Even good fences have some meanness to them and need to be treated with an element of caution. Not every step we use to get over the hurdles in life is good and put us in the best place. Some of those steps we use or take leave us hung out to dry. Barbwire is great for encouraging livestock to stay in place but not human body friendly. That we often are used as accidental entertainment by others that don’t realize the extent of our pain at the time. Scars are reminders for the next time that not all bad situations are deadly. Always keep control of your emotions in the heat of the situation but when you get free of it let it go. Always hope those with you are capable of helping get un-hung or out of trouble and back on good ground. When things go wrong and they will, breathe and roll with it because things do happen. Changing direction or ways over the fence do come with new challenges and they will always change us. Prayer is a key element of change and God kind of likes to help us when things aren't going well and we are caught on the barbwire in life.

Battles of within.

Battles of within!

The story of the wolf.

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.

“One is Evil – It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

“The other is Good – It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

We fight many battles inside of our souls that are what makes or breaks us. Many of those battles have a way of making us either soft hearted or bitter. But we have that choice to decide what side we will live on. How do you best make that choice how you live? Do we fight that wolf or dragon that will possibly destroy our soul of the goodness that makes us human? Many times we throw things away in our lives because we are not willing to fight at all. Many battles are of faith and fear. As much as we do not like to admit it fear is a very strong motivator. It may cause us to change for good or to shrink and hide.

 Some of the battles are of what we think others think of us or don't think of us. I have yet to fully understand this myself and like many things that have need for a bit of improvement I battle it each day to some degree or another. I question people that try to tell me there are no battles that they fight because it may not be a  big one but a battle just the same. Sometimes we can change how big the fight is that we must wage by the choices we make each moment of our lives. What kinds of choices do we have each day? Reminded of someone in the news choosing to fight a bear by putting his arm down the bear’s throat to save himself. Admittedly a risk but yet a payoff of a battle. When to battle only one person can choose for themselves. Fight or flight only you can decide but remember there can be a price to pay either way.

White washing the world

White washing the fence.

Back in the day, paint and painting had some real “stick to ya stuff.” Similar to the old story of Tom Sawyer, with the picket fence, is a story of my brother (the one just younger than me) and me doing a painting job. It was a wooden three board rail fence and my parents thought that we could handle the painting of it. Yeppers. We had good intentions, but were very poorly skilled workers. It was a hot cooker of a day, so having long pants and a shirt were not happening. I was about seven and my sidekick was about six. Back in the day, paint was not as user-friendly as it is today with the easy wash-up with water variety. With the area we needed to cover, we had been issued large brushes to speed the job up some. In the country setting, the bugs, flies, and gnat's were out in full force and buzzing around our heads. Seriously, what can ya possibly do to rid yourselves of the small pests? Yeppers. As you can fully guess, that large brush was as handy as a horse’s tail. Ya can't really blame someone when those little critters, especially the biting ones, were mean, to say the least. It was turning into quite the show, so much so that even the karate kid would have been jealous. The fence was done and we were also. But what about clean up? This is where it got crazy and wild. Generally, you would have something around called paint thinner or mineral spirits. Nope. We had to improvise. Gasoline it was. Not a good idea of fun, but a gas bath was in order. Thus was the story of the white washing of the fence. 

Breaking the Norm.

10-4-2015

Yeppers it’s “normal” or so they say. Every person I know out there in our world are all different. So with that being said how do you know if someone is normal? Is there a standardized test of normal? Or is that something that is almost normal? But really the big question is how do you test for normal? I have asked these questions about myself many times over the years and I have figured out I’m not normal because there isn’t a person that is normal. The only normal thing I know of is the settings on some appliances. And even the normal setting on some appliances is not really that normal. I might add that many of the things people say is normal today are indeed so far out that they are not normal. So that being said who then is the judge of normal and are they themselves normal? So with that much said how do you act normal? How do you respond to someone when they tell you to just be normal? As for me I will just be me and forget the normal thing. Being me is much easier to do and no one can say that you’re boring. Besides “I need to be me”. Ya might say I’m a square peg and forced to be in a round hole. So break the “NORM” and do the thing that makes ya happy.

Craziness we call Benson.

So I get a call one day in early spring from the district representative for high adventure training for the scouting program. They were looking for help with planning a Kodiak training camp for the 14 to 17 year old boys for the Cedar Breaks area. They wanted to have a high adventure activity using Climbing and Rappelling. Their first thought was to have them go on a canyoning experience and we made arrangements to explore a possible area with some other rope junkies. We met on a Tuesday afternoon and made our way to the area with five of us geared to the ready. The first part of the hike seemed long and one of the others remarked that there is a shorter route but it had lots of hazardous stuff that may not be suitable for scouts and other groups. As we got to the top of the ridge we rested and found the trail (old wagon road). We stopped a few times along this part of the trail to look down at the road far below us noting we were possibly a good thousand feet above it. There is also on the other side of the canyon a formation of rock that is large and promenade called the hole in the rock. About twenty five minutes or so latter after bush whacking around some we managed to find the desired canyon. The dropping phase of this trip included four rappels ranging for 50’ to 110’ down waterfalls of the slot canyon. Easy half mile on a good path walk back to the road. This was just the start of the craziness we call Benson Creek.

Many a year or two has passed since that day in 2008. We have been to the area so much that it has become a quiet home away from home. We have since also placed a few Geocaches along the way to add to the adventure. Some trips have been in the early spring when the water is flowing higher and making for an outrageous experience. Other trips later in the year not as much water but fun none the less. Although the Kodiak camp experience was changed and we used a different venue, finding Benson Creek was a great trade off. There have been trips with scouts to Benson Canyon. 

One of the biggest statements about it came on the first trip there by my good wife. After hiking for ever she was not thinking much of the whole thing until we had dropped down the first waterfall and her whole mood changed. The statement of “you can’t have a bad mood for long walking in the woods” Not sure where it’s from or who said it. Something changes for many people when you get to play in the water where few people have been. She has been back so many times now that it must have left some kind of spot with her that is good. We have had graduation hikes, challenge hikes, things to prove hikes, birthday hikes, and many others in Benson. We have taken family, people we even consider family, many friends and new friends. There have been lots of diversity in the groups we have taken as well. Some groups of people from many states and some countries out in the world. Some interesting tidbits on this placed that happened or are ongoing. 

A tradition that started not long after going a second time was placing a rock or two on a stack on the top of the ridge. With that in mind, we stopped to rest and look down on one trip and a friend Sara started a rock pile. That same trip we came a crossed a small rattler at the bottom of the first Rappel. He was dazed and confused to the point of not caring much that we were there either. We came had and surprise one trip finding a house cat at the top of the first Rappel once also. Once crossing the upper meadow we spooked a large buck with a rack that any hunter would have been drooling over  with a good herd of deer running him. The meadow still has a few remaining things of years gone by when a man named Benson had a saw mill there. Very often we would encounter many shocked and camera happy people as we would make the last Rappel on our exit. Many people come to this area to hike and enjoy the lower area known to many as Hidden Haven not knowing that the greatest of water falls is deep in the canyon out of reach of the rest of the world with out a trusty rope.

There have many names of some of the crazies that have joined us on the hike of fame. There are a few cool birds we call Gull, some one that runs and likes to Dash, Dave’s not here, Let Mickey, The Wind, and many more. May the craziness live on long with the next generation of crazies! The connection of a soul is most often found in connecting with the wilds of nature. There is some solitude in the confines of a canyon that is narrow and deep. That is a short clip of the craziness we call Benson.

Twelve and beyond!

Twelve- “Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs” The Steps. After many years of working to understand my issues and character flaws, I now can help others to work past theirs. Every day we make changes in our lives some good and some of them not so good. Those changes lead us down the paths of life. Every day of sobriety is a mile stone. For some that day may be small but good, but for others it is as a climb to the top of a 28,000 foot mountain. Each minute, hour, and day that someone is clean and sober is a victorious day in the battle with the dragons we face. I have learned much about the ins and outs of how addictions work and what it takes to beat it at every turn. Addictions stem far deeper than Drugs, Food, Sex, Porn, Gaming, Etc. You have to find the deep rooted core issue and pain and turn it around first. Some would say that”oh it is just in your head”, or “just snap out of it, duh” and yes you are part right. The pain that drives it and the effects of THIQ are in the head. I also know that it is a relationship issue also. It is how a person feels about themselves, others, and their Higher Power. I have seen addiction described as a deep dark old well with where the bottom changes continually. Some people holding on to the rope and bucket for all they can but never hitting rock bottom. Floundering with the rope needing to let go and trust in a power beyond them to help them back from the darkness. Those that flounder day after day without change are those that very well will be those that remain active in their plight or pass with death as the dragon takes them. Often those that flounder are expecting an instant fix or someone else to rescue them from their plight. It isn’t until they find the bottom and learn their core issues that they can work to rebuild and recover. Finding the courage to be open and honest about issues is by far one of the hardest things we face in life but once we do we can move forward. Some of the most difficult workings of the heart is inventorying our lives and coming to know the core issues of why we are what we are and how to change our path. Yes I would say that there are a great many times that this process can loyally suck to say the least but it can be done. When we do find recovery we must remind ourselves “just for today”....I will make every day count, even if I have to take it “One day at a time.” Finding that relationship with our God and realizing that in spite of the flaws we have and the mistakes we make we have his love to hold us. When have found peace with our lives. We can then help others to look inside of themselves and to the love of god to change their hearts and lives. It is by helping others that we then come to know that we are not alone in our lives and struggles. I will not say that I do not at times doubt in my thinking and live and that I still do not have fear at some point. There are still many things that bring me discomfort and things I don’t do to make that discomfort less but I try daily to fight my insecurities. God is great!

Be kind

My mind and my shoes have traveled my miles and have stories to tell. Some have been easy and some have been hard but all have been a learning experience just the same. Some people often say how about you have a walk for a mile or two in my shoes? Or just live for a day in my head and see how that grabs you. Thanks but no thanks on their shoes, I already have lots of my own that hate me and try to hurt me. As far as being in someone else’s head well maybe but only if it comes with a guaranty of no more head ache pain. We all have our battles to fight and roads to walk. Some peeps you can see the battle they have very clearly at a first glance. Yet others it is something a bit more covered up and hard to spot. So no matter where you are and who you meet, be kind. 

Life offers many choices.

Life offers us so many choices.

 Many of them are good and even great. Yet there are some that have darkness and pain that follow them. We are given agency and what we do with it is entirely up to us. Some of those good and great choices may very well include being a good citizen, marring someone with great ideals, and raising kids that know and understand respect for themselves and others. We often make our choices based on our fears and not on what is the best choice. There is a place for fear in our lives, but only a small one. Many times in my life I found myself making those choices from fear. Not too many years ago, I was able to understand my own core issues to the point of changing fear to faith.  Some of those fear issues for me are large crowds of people, being front and center in a crowd, public speaking, rejection, and the common one for most others too, being judged by others. Needless to say because of these issues I chose to make some not so good choices. Finding that I could become hooked by some of the ways of the great Dragon himself. Now that I understand those fears and issues, I’m able to make better choices for me and my family. Thankfully, I had a friend that helped me along a path of recovery, working with me on those steps and realizing my need for change. I still fight daily with the doubts that come because of the Dragon bargaining for his next chance to take me down. Yes, and I still do not like large crowds of people and speaking in public forums, but the vises of the Dragon are behind me. I have come to understand the love of God and Christ in my life and know they love me, in spite of my many flaws and weaknesses.

I’m in awe of the marvelous power by God to help us in this life and Ammon tells it great in Alma 26:11-12. All we can do is take life “One day at a time” and live it to the fullest. I have faith that I can do things even though now and then I do doubt myself and experience some fear of the unknown.

CHOCOLATE!

CHOCOLATE!

Yeppers at some point I had to write about the basic element of living at my house, chocolate. As far back as I can recall I liked the tasty brown gold. My mother, grandmother and so on back in time had a taste bud or two that fancied the stuff. So it’s in my blood and many of my kids. One of my kids claims to not care for it much but we think it is a gilt centered thing. A few years ago on a Mother’s Day he was given some chocolate to give to his mom. Well the poem she received said this “Roses are red, violets are blue. I ate your chocolate, saving none for you”. The bag had the remains of the foil from the sweet stuff but not a trace of the good stuff. Not to worry the kid has not passed it on to the next generation at this point. The other kids of mine do not have a problem indulging in the fine eats. I kind of fancy the dark variety of chocolate. One of my daughters likes her chocolate dark so we must have some of the same DNA taste buds the same. The present collection of grand kids have the good influence to enjoy the tasty good stuff from both of the grandparents and some great grandparents. Contrary to the thinking of many some chocolate is not the same and not all high priced chocolate is smooth and tasty. But don’t worry if someone tells you that you shouldn’t enjoy it just enlighten them as to the many health benefits of the good stuff. Balancing blood pressure, balancing moods, balancing low magnesium levels, Added levels of Vitamin D-3, just to list a few. Be sides my Doctor friend told me I need more magnesium, because I was lacking it a lot. So rather than going against doctor’s orders I enjoy me a few ounces of the gold every day. In the words of my mother “doctor mom” “my body wants it”. So go ahead enjoy some whether it’s M&M’s, Special Dark Hersey’s, or some Raisinets, “Just do it!”

Wrestling with objects in a wonderland of white.

Wrestling with objects in the wonderland of white. After many years of doing crazy stuff in the out of doors I have slowed down a bit and decided to blog about life’s adventures. I always wondered why I liked to find the next rush of adrenaline and yet I didn’t care much for the cold. Tubes, boards, sleds, and yes an old car hood or two made for some serious fun. I’m reminded of a few good stories we read and shared at the condo in the hills from Patrick McManus. I remember he called some things a pleasant misery in his stories of the wonders of life. I can honestly say I cuddled up in fast motion to my share of brush and trees. Some serious things happen when you have your feet tightly fastened to items of sure death and destruction. Yes I play hooky many a good day of school to carve the fresh laid white on the hills. Large many of us were called “The out of control ski patrol” and “The rag time ski team”. It’s hard to stay away from the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Racing the gates on the NASTAR and trying for air from the ledges. The snow snakes and bogies loomed about waiting for their shot at us and laughing when they did. Yet even when we found ourselves face down in the cold white we always found the need to jump back in for more. In the end we always could place the blame of this insanity on our well meaning mother. Snow skiing was a kind of way of life for her growing up in the Doner area of the Cali. This craziness has spread for years from Mom to kids, grandkids, great grandkids, and on and on….. Even on those times that we didn’t head to the mountains, we found snow and a large slide in the yard to challenge us. Yes it is a family that relishes in the crazy and not limited to just the boys.

Brushes with the death star.

Brushes with the death side.

Thinking back on my life I am amazed that I survived at all. Brushes with the death side of things came early on in my life. About two or three years in to life we were camping near Flaming Gorge. Not sure as to the details but the story is I tripped and fell as most young kids do. Not landing in the best of places but landing none the less in the fire. Came out good in the end considering that we where miles from nowhere and no where close to a hospital.

One day a few years’ later (Maybe 4 years) walking across the road to home. Small toy rifle in hand I crossed the road not seeing the car. Toy flying from my hands and a blur passing fast. It was close and I didn’t even realize it was that much so until I was older. I would say this is brush number two but I can’t place the time frame on some of the things of the past.

With the time frame jumping as it has I also remember a large and rather mean rooster that attacked me in there some place. It leads more to the explanation of why I gag on eating meat of the fowl variety.

Cars, Trucks, and Motorcycles and I have had some rather fright filled times as well. From rolling over to head on and in to the trees and brush on two wheels. Bicycles aren’t safe either.

Those that would think playing with ropes can be just as close of calls too. Smashed fingers and face, cracked helmets, and a few thrilling rope stops on occasion. Some would say I had a kind of death wish but I have thrived on adrenaline. Yes I would say it is one of the notches ya get in your walking stick born in to a family of thrill seekers. May have some light to shine on things when ya look at the other self destructive behaviors I’ve had.

Yes ya have to add in the water and snow skiing, snowboarding, and tubing/sledding with stories for another day.

Not forgetting the one big one and the numerous other times of being burned and zapped by the wired monster called electricity. The big zap will take a post of its own. People often talk about the things they see in half way passing to the other side. It is a thing you don’t soon forget and most of the time try too.

It is the stuff that we fear most that we often hide and run from. Yes there have been many brushes and near passes to the other side. But knowing as I do now the love of a very loving God. I have come to not fear the reaper so to speak but have some peace. I do know that I was saved for some reason and still aloud to be here. Although life can give us a pretty wild ride, all we can do is sit down, shut up, and enjoy the ride.

Rambling around the birthday.

Just felt the need to ramble on the birthday.

Looking back I can see that I must surely of had the hand of a greater power helping me to live this long. I’m glad to say another year older and maybe a bit wiser. So much to look back and be grateful for in the years I have been alive. I have found a deep love and connection with God. I met and married an awesome lady that believes in me. Six awesome and always inspiring kids with many others that I claim also. Great friends that I have met along the path of life. Many that came along when the trail became steep and dangerous and helped me learned to hang on just one more day. And those friends that I met when we were having some totally awesome adventures. Always great to be above ground and smelling the Daisies not pushing them up. God loves us all! One day at a time!

Sanctity of marriage.

9/1/15

Considering the amount of craziness in the media about the sanctity of marriage and the need for strong family bonds. I’m not jumping on the band wagon to slap those on the other side of the line. I do however have a few things to say about it.

Family can be the best but sometimes the most frustrations. The good times with the family are more than just a small thing. For me my family is a lot of things that cannot be just described in few words. Some of my early issues in life were family. I have come to grips with most of that now. Many times life is filled with the joys which it should be. We need bonds of family to hold our society together. With that being said we must do our part to keep the family strong.

Marriage is being down played greatly and we continue to see it beaten down on every side. Hackers exposed million that openly considered breaking theirs or others vows within the past few weeks. Is marriage become not so important to our world in general? Maybe to some. I can tell you that it can be a challenge but after twenty five plus years it has to be worked at daily. My wife has put up with some of the biggest parts of this crazy one. We have crossed a lot of bumpy ground and yet we come out closer. Marriage between a man and a women is ordained of God has been from the beginning and will be forever. I love my wife dearly.

Are we wrong when we are right?!

Are we wrong, when we are right?

Some I have made it a point to post as much good and positive as I can each week to the web. Mostly in hope that it changes the view that most see each day and leaves a positive note.

I’m reminded of the talk given by David Bednar on “Flooding the earth”. He set the bar high for us to do our part in spreading good and positive around the world by use of the media resources that we have.

I have seen and heard others comment as to the types of posts that are out on the web both good and bad. So I ask the question then are we doing good or are we adding to the bad or wrong that bombs us as we live life daily? And what is right and good?

So here is my take on this: If it’s positive and will change life for another for the better.-GOOD. If it can be funny and humorous without being crude, vulgar, and un-Christian.-GOOD. If it is helpful and informative to improve our relationships with others and our Higher Power.-GOOD. If it is up lifting and gives us power to fight the old Dragon.-GOOD. If it doesn’t do anything to improve the world around us.-BAD. Not everything we share is filled to the brim with everything that is good. The cutie picture that has a puppy, a kitty, some ones kid, or nature shot may look cool to the start but have other things that are not good. Often pictures have things added to them that is crude, vulgar, or morally risky. Should they be shared? I would say maybe not.

So for us to do what we can to make things better we must act. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. –Edmond Burke

Do we sit on the side lines of the game of life hoping that others will clean it all up for us? No! We must act and fight that Dragon. Remember: “Your silence is your consent!”

Life is not simple!

Life is never simple but we learn to make it an adventure.

Moving!

MOVING!

This is one of the things that you can depend on happening in life, Change. Moving is part of the change thing and it makes things crazy for sure. Growing up I moved so many times I thought for a time my dresser was a box. Yeppers, born in a small town and lived there for a few years. Then on to areas with more people. It seems the longer you stay in one place the more crazy stuff you collect. I’ve seen some amazing places in the journey. I had to do some thinking as to the location with the longest lay-over. Some of the stops along the way had light and great moments to share with some fantastic people. Some with some not so cool. I learned a lot of things in my moving around the country. I found I liked some pretty good things to eat along the way too, like mud bugs. It gives lots of stuff to write about that’s for sure. So here it goes with the places I have lived by myself and also with my family. Some of them I lived off and on and more than once at different times. The longest place I happened to live was with six plus kids. The places I’ve lived are: Fillmore (Utah), Pleasant Grove, Orem, Provo, Albany (LA), Slidell (LA), Gautier (MS), Mobile (AL), New Iberia (LA), Kenner (LA), Baton Rouge (LA), Ephraim (UT), Logan, Centerfield, Cedar City, Enoch, Vernal. Just to put the house count in there at maybe twenty-five ish. Not including camping and working in various places around the country doing jobs. Kind of make me wonder what is in store for the next ten to thirty years. But that could mean lots more adventures to have and write about.