Lessons from Ben

I recently got a library card, and read the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.  It was very interesting.  I wanted to highlight some of the main things that I enjoyed from his writings.  

Ben's 13 Virtues:

These eight personal virtues relate to your attitudes toward activities and their challenges. Good personal character traits will better your chances of success in achieving your goals.

Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

Moderation: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.

Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

These next five social virtues that Franklin stated concern your attitudes toward people with whom you have dealings. Good social character traits result in other people wanting to do business with you or to have relationships with you.

Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.

Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

I also enjoyed Ben's take on how to approach religion, although I feel that receiving proper ordinances under the proper authority is most important.  His thoughts are very important to consider and follow as well. 

He says:

"That there is one God, who made all things. That he governs the world by his providence. That he ought to be worshiped by adoration, prayer, and thanksgiving. But that the most acceptable service to God is doing good to man. That the soul is immortal. And that God will certainly reward virtue and punish vice, either here or hereafter." 

Fun Family Time in Kansas

Playing with my niece Allyson

My new nephew Sterling Moore

Celebrating Michelle's Graduation from ASU


Playing at the park

At Brent and Hunter's Law school Graduation. Pic w/ Jeremy, Kendra, Isaac, and Blakester

Family Train

Brent, Julie, Mom, Jeremy and Me at Lake Shawnee

I Get Paid to Do This!

So, 4H! I grew up in what may be considered a "Hick" town. For those who are unaware of the meaning of the word, I have tapped into the best resources to help us! From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hick may refer to:
–noun 1. an unsophisticated, boorish, and provincial person; rube. –adjective 2. pertaining to or characteristic of hicks: hick ideas. 3. located in a rural or culturally unsophisticated area: a hick town.
Anyway! Or Anyways...whichever you prefer...

Growing up in Snowflake I was a proud participant of the 4H program, which, for all I knew was about raising pigs, steers, sheep, and rabbits. Raise a pig, sell it at the County Fair auction, put the money in the mission fund....done deal! This program is all about raising youth!

Only recently I found out about the 4H Mentoring Program(Youth and Families with Promise). I then got excited about it and became a coordinator in charge of recruiting youth to participate in the program, involving their families. I also recruit volunteers to be a role model and mentor for the youth. My job is to make sure that my site, or elementary school that I preside over, has 20-30 families and the same amount of volunteers participating in the program. I am in charge of running an afterschool program for the kids once a week. Our Non-profit organization puts on 2-3 fun and exciting activities a month to promote stronger family bonds.

Our most recent events included: Comedy Sportz (an impromptu act), goofy golfing, ultimate frisbee, a rock wall climbing event, and always, lots of food!

Yep, I'm Single and I have a Blog!

So, I just decided to do it. Yep, it's true. Here you have it!  For several years I have always had the thought in mind that only married couples were allowed to blog.  Of course, the word, "allowed" is used  in this context with its social acceptance implications.  For the longest time I always thought blogging was the new "scrapbooking" for newly married girls who needed something to do! Question...do I still feel this way? Maybe.  But, the fact that I am starting a blog is besides the point, right? Well, actually, it is the central point of this spheel, so who am I kidding anyway?!  

So you might ask, "well, why start a blog now, Troy?"  Answer: Good question, I have my doubts.  But I have decided to push aside those doubts and embrace this awesome opportunity to utilize this resource as a great way to journal my life, and to try a new form of networking...ish...something like that. :)  Finally, I would like to write more about the cool things in this so called life as we know it! That's it for now... the end...or is it the beginning! hmmmmm?!  (this is where I do the Austin powers pinky to the mouth and smirk!)