Anger

We had a lesson Sunday on the talk given by (I believe) President Faust in the May conference regarding Anger. In that talk he retold the story of the milk man and the Amish community. (Quick recap: The milk man one day went into the little Amish school, released the boys and the teachers then shot all 10 girls killing 5 and wounding the other five. He then killed himself).

They talk about all the christian displays of forgiveness as the Amish community frankly forgave and even comforted the family of the milk man. I am impressed and very inspired by that little community.

HOWEVER

If you have been following the police case about "Baby Grace". I can't help but be angry.

(Another recap: "Baby Grace" is the unidentified 2 year old found in a plastic box in a bay in Texas. The police believed they found the parents, and the mother has admitted to tourturing and killing the little girl.)

I understand that regardless of my justification in being angry, I should let go my anger and forgive the parents of that little girl for what they did. Furthermore, they have not done ANYTHING directly to me or any of my loved ones.

That being said, I am a father, and my concience, beliefs, and love for my own little girl seem to require my outrage toward those people.

There are days when my little angel ponies up next to my ear and screems at the top of her lungs, or throws food on the floor even though she knows better, or tries to eat things that aren't intended for the digestion system, etc.

I admit, my brain has been rattled from time to time by my little Sarah. But NOTHING as come close to making me WANT to harm her.

Even the "Shaking Baby" syndrome is based on a parent wanting to stop a childs suffering, not inflict more suffering on the child.

The whole incident reminds me of the scripture "For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel. " (1st Nephi 21:15)

I've wondered since Sarah arrived in our arms, how could a woman forget her child? How could any parent not be willing to lay down their life for a child... Any child, let alone their own.

And here we have an example of a young mother participating in the actual distruction of her own child's life.

I haven't reached perfection, I know that because I want to punish the murderers. I want them to feel the pain they inflicted upon the poor child. I want them to suffer and understand that they have destroyed LIFE.

I want the boyfriend to find out that "The Art of Warcraft" is not a reality in which you can pretend to hurt a person. War is war, and life is life.

Those parents have destroyed life, and I blame their infatuation with cyber-violence as one of the causes of their stupidity. But, I believe the cure is to let them FEEL the pain for what they have done.

Pumkins for carving

This is my shameless bragging about my daughter.

See what happens when a child carves her first pumpkin.

Life's little joys

The Power of One

One little person can make a difference.
One little hug can change a life.
One little smile can change the out look of an entire day.

One little child can change the lives of their parents.
One little puppy can change the confidence of a child.
One little friend can inspire another to greatness of self that they didn't know they possessed.

The greatest things in this world start with one little thing.... Any little thing.

May I offer some examples?

Yesterday my wife and I renewed discussion on a subject that has yet to offer us anything but pain and frustration. Admittedly, last night was no different.

As we took a moment to cool the jets and try to return to the subject rationally, I was inspired.
When Lisa returned to the discussion, I reached out and hugged her.

We didn't solve our problem, but the rest of the night was brighter because instead of fighting of defending myself, I offered a hug, and trust that we could resolve the issue.

Lisa's comment was very telling of the change that had occured "If we could handle everything just like that, we could handle anything"

One more example:

Years ago I had a friend. At one point in our friendship I did him a favor. He responded with "Thanks, Bill!"

Some months later he died.

As I tried to come to grips with my grief, I remembered those two words. "Thanks, Bill". The kindness he showed me inspired me to make a life long commitment to helping others, and to become more than what I was then capable of.

Life and inspirations have continued, and my friend no longer stands as my only inspiration; but today, I want to offer in rememberance that the "Power of One", any "One", can inpact lives and worlds far beyond their comprehension.

I'm sure Dave Phillips had no idea what his simple phrase meant to me. The time was right, and the subsiquent events lead that moment to be a moment of change for me.

To anyone who reads this. Remember, the little things COUNT, excellence is gained more in the small and insignificant moments of our lives than in the moments that people see and recognize.

Learning Fast

Being my second posting... I have to set a tone for my blog...

Mine will probably not rival Carl's for wit, nor David's for political content.

My blog is more the sentimental ramblings of someone who's trying to act older than he is.

That being said.

Lisa and I have been married almost 4 1/2 year... Peanuts to some, but an eternity to a newly wed couple. I have to admit, they have been the BEST years of my life, bar NONE.

That being said, Lisa and I are just starting to get to know each other.

My example: I am the professional version of a high school drama king. If I'm not in a professional conflict, I'll make one.

(Sorry, Carl, I know you're the JD, but I'm the guy who keeps your classmates in the courtroom).

When Lisa and I were recently married, I needed a conflict... That conflict came first in the form of looking for employment. When employment was found, the conflict came in multiple jobs. When multiple jobs were simplified into a working schedule of study and work... I became conflicted with the push to finish a masters degree.

Life has simplified since those old days of conflict. I now have a daughter, a house, and a profession... (Now is when you stop and ask "So what's the point of this article?")

My need for conflict has not ended.

As I finished getting my CPA license, I found myself "Conflict free", so I have created one.... I built shelves in the garage, I am fixing the sink, I need to build storage facilities to better utilize the space... And FINALLY (Drum roll please), I have started telling Lisa that its time to conquer my life's ambitions.

In short, 4 1/2 years after Lisa and I married, I've just learned that Lisa wants to live life in about 90 years... I (as you may have guessed) plan on having my own funeral some time next week.

I THRIVE ON STRESS!!!

(I am comforted to know that only half the people that know I have a blog will actually read this.)

Being a Leader

I've always considered myself a leader among my peers. It is precisely that reason that leads me to FOLLOW everyone else I know in creating this blog.

My professional life has taught me that those who claim to lead are most likely to be two steps behind the those that honestly did start the trend. The leaders simply step in in time to take credit.

So, David, Carl, Marie, and all the other people who think you led me into this, I'll never give you credit for paving my way into the blogging world.

Stay tuned for more insights as I traverse the the perilous pathways to excellence.