Reflection

Are we at times so oblivious to our surroundings that we are unable to comprehend the real reason for our problems? Maybe all we need is to shift our focus and see ourselves in a different light.

"Our ignorance is not so vast as our failure to use what we know." -- Marion King Hubbert

It's not a matter of IF, but WHEN

No matter how difficult a situation or trial may be, just remember that there will always be light at the end of the tunnel. We WILL overcome! There ARE good things to come! Choose to embrace the positive.

Think...Do...Impact

"It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things." -- Leonardo de Vinci

Make a positive impact by setting the bar high and standing up for principle.

Imagine...Dream...Believe...and LIVE

Over the years I have, at times, found myself dwelling on thoughts like "if only...", "if I had...", "when things get better, I...", or "why me?". However, that type of thinking does not have to be our reality. Experiences begin in the seed of thought.

It has been said that we should seek out of the best books words of wisdom, and if we seek we shall find. I recently took the time to focus on some of the words that surround me in my home and office and this is what I found.

First, some advice from Warren Buffet: "Every day get up and do what you want to do."

Second, some framed art on the wall reads: "Enjoy the Journey. Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... it's about learning to dance in the rain."

Finally, the words written in an address by President Thomas S. Monson in October 2008 (http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-26,00.html): "This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now....Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows."

So what kind of words surround you? And, what kind of seeds are they planting?

Man, Freedom and Government

Simple Truths

As within, so without.

Election Day, a Day of Choices

Here we are on the official day set aside to let our voices be heard, however big or small we may think they are, and making decisions on how we want the future of Our cities, states, and Country to be led. As we approach this opportunity, or better said responsibility, I hope we all understand the significance and importance of what we are doing. Thoughts AND actions have consequences.

With this in mind, let me share with you a couple of thoughts that apply to this day as well as every other that we get the opportunity to experience. First, Jim Rohn, an American entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker shared the following thought about Change Begins With Choice.

Any day we wish; we can discipline ourselves to change it all. Any day we wish; we can open the book that will open our mind to new knowledge. Any day we wish; we can start a new activity. Any day we wish; we can start the process of life change. We can do it immediately, or next week, or next month, or next year.

We can also do nothing. We can pretend rather than perform. And if the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labor, entertainment over education, delusion over truth, and doubt over confidence. The choices are ours to make. But while we curse the effect, we continue to nourish the cause. As Shakespeare uniquely observed, "The fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves." We created our circumstances by our past choices. We have both the ability and the responsibility to make better choices beginning today. Those who are in search of the good life do not need more answers or more time to think things over to reach better conclusions. They need the truth. They need the whole truth. And they need nothing but the truth.

We cannot allow our errors in judgment, repeated every day, to lead us down the wrong path. We must keep coming back to those basics that make the biggest difference in how our life works out. And then we must make the very choices that will bring life, happiness and joy into our daily lives.

And if I may be so bold to offer my last piece of advice for someone seeking and needing to make changes in their life - If you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree. You have the ability to totally transform every area in your life - and it all begins with your very own power of choice.

Second, the following story about the Boston Tea Party was shared by Glenn Rawson (http://www.soundsofsunday.com/);

It was a cold rainy December night in Boston, Massachusetts when a crowd of some 7000 people responded to the ringing bells in Old South Church. They came spilling out into the streets, and listened to Samuel Adams and others speak about British tea and taxes. At that very moment, three ships laden with East India tea lay anchored in Boston Harbor. In just a few hours that tea would be forced on the citizens of Boston, taxes and all.

With adamant finality, Samuel Adams said, "This meeting can do nothing more to save the country." Just then, fifty of Boston's more prominent men came out of the back room of the church disguised as Mohawk Indians. With the crowd following the ‘Indians,’ they made their way to Griffin’s Wharf, where they split into three companies and boarded the tea ships. While the British crews watched, the men of Boston dumped 342 chests of tea into the harbor, effectively turning Boston Harbor into a saltwater teapot – about 90,000 pounds worth. That tea amounted to about 26 million cups and a small fortune.

Well, as they left, British Admiral Montagu called out, "Well, boys, you have had a fine, pleasant evening for your Indian caper, haven't you? But mind you, you have got to pay the fiddler yet!" Oh, and pay they did! The British instantly retaliated closing Boston Harbor, and cutting off all trade. Among other things, they disfranchised the city government and took steps to strangle the city of Boston completely out of existence.

That tea party was followed by Lexington and Concord, which led to the American Revolution – which led to American freedom.

Now, I learned that story as a child, and I pondered it. What was it that was at the heart of that tea party? Did the colonists not like British tea? – No, they loved tea! Well then, was the issue taxes; was it money? - No, because even with the tax on the British tea, it was still cheaper to buy that tea than the Dutch tea they were smuggling in. So why then did the people of Boston tweak the nose of the most powerful bear on earth – the British military?

Listen – remember this? "Taxation without representation is tyranny." That’s what they chanted. The meaning of that is: If they could have no voice in government, and no vote, they wanted no part! Boston went to war for a voice in government, the right to vote. Now my friends, the right to vote is a fundamental expression of man's God-given agency.

Sadly, in the last presidential election, less than 50% of Americans voted. Or in other words, they surrendered the governing of their lives to someone else – which is exactly what Lucifer wanted in the first place.

You see, God is the Author of prosperity and within each of us is the ability to create positive change for ourselves and those around us, but it is up to us to first make the choice. On election day when we step into that booth, do we hope for change by voting according to the letter that is next to someone’s name, or the person that uses the most eloquent words, or has the best appearance? Or, do we rise to a higher level and gain a clear understanding of an individual, and the standards and principles they represent? Do we seek out those who have a knowledge of the Moral Founding Document which they will sware to protect? Therefore, on this day and every other, let us remember that it all begins with a CHOICE.