Gratitude List

My good friend Chance inspired me to write a list of things that I am thankful for in in my life. Despite some of the negative things that happened today, like getting pulled over after doing some service, and from having the mechanic repair $600 dollars with of damage to my car when I only wanted an oil change...I still have a pretty good life and sooo much to be thankful for.

I love Thanksgiving for a couple of reasons. It allows for time to reflect and count blessings, time to spend with loved ones and family, and time to eat lots of delicious food and play football. I am very thankful for my great family. All 2o+ siblings, parents, in-laws, and extended family. My family has helped me through tough and trying times and has supported and loved me unconditionally. I am thankful to live in America, where I can enjoy the freedom to worship God. I am thankful for God's plan of redemption. I am thankful to have had the chance to serve a mission in Oregon. I am thankful for the friendships from my mission and from the opportunities to be tested, tried, stretched, strengthened, humbled, jubilated, and changed. I am thankful for my car Whitetrash, even though it has cost me a lot more than it is worth, it is a blessing to have a vehicle that gets me from A to B. I am thankful the cop today only ticketed me for 5 over, rather than a much higher speed, which I will not disclose! I am thankful for great roommates who look out for me and are sincere friends. I am thankful for sports because it: helps relieve stress, develops my mind and physical abilities, it provides great opportunities to establish friendships, makes me feel happy and able, and helps me work and play hard. I am thankful for music because it can be inspiring, uplifting, energetic, exciting, peaceful, upbeat, and makes me want to dance. I am thankful for being at BYU! I am thankful for the opportunities to be in folk dance and on the racquetball team. I am thankful for the opportunity to be an efy counselor and sports and dance camp counselor. I am thankful for different jobs that I have had. I am thankful for the 4H mentoring program and the influence it can have on others, and its influence in my life. I am thankful for great food! I am thankful that I can take pleasure in such simple things like eating. I am thankful for ice cream and ice cream time with dear friends. I am thankful for theraflu and herbal tea and the great game 1,2,3! I am thankful for late night talks with friends and family about life. I am thankful for my cell phone, laptop, and my bed. I am thankful that my mom taught me the importance of a balanced life. I am thankful that we were pushed to excel and make the most of every opportunity. I am thankful for online journaling, blogs and networking that allows me to express myself, and to stay in touch with friends. I am thankful for snowboarding and the times I get to play in the snow, making the harsh winters more tolerable. I am thankful for swimming, hiking, caving, camping, and rock climbing. I am thankful for times that I have had to be swallowed up by the immense beauty of the earth during the day and the majestic skies at night. I am thankful for good books that allow for me to use my imagination and teach me to be a better person. I am thankful for opportunities to correct mistakes and change. I am thankful for jamba juice. I am thankful for opportunities to serve. I am thankful for great leaders, teachers, and friends who have made an impact in my life. I am thankful to live so close to school and to great food places. I am thankful for good movies. I am thankful for sportscenter and the chance to watch great sports on my roommates' big TV. I am thankful to have dated cool girls and for the lessons that I have learned from them. I am thankful for my healthy body. The human body is amazing! I am thankful for pandora, grooveshark, limewire, and itunes. I am thankful for google and the easy access to learning from computers and technology. I am thankful for double laned highways. I am thankful for fast food. I am thankful for contacts that help me see better. I am thankful for reading things that aren't very long, so I'll stop for your sake! Welp, see ya later!

Reality check?

I was told by a female today that I am mediocre, complacent, unambitious, immature and satisfied with my low level of performance. Also that I was hypocritical in thinking that I shouldn't expect so much from a girl, when I don't live up to those expectations myself. Well, she didn't say it quite like that... but still, Talk about a reality check!

There are three approaches to reacting to such criticism. One, I could ignore it because I don't have the ambition to change, and I am too mediocre and immature to realize what excellence would be like. Two, I could ignore it and realize that I never am mediocre, complacent, and immature. Or three, realize and apply the significant quote that says, " If any speak ill of thee, flee home to thy own conscience and examine thy heart. If thou be guilty it is just correction. If not guilty, it is fair instruction. Make use of both so shall thou distill honey out of gall and out of an open enemy create a secret friend." So, I will take this as just correction and fair instruction, accepting that at times I have fallen short and have been mediocre and complacent. However, because I am an ambitious man who desires to be the best that I can, I will take this moment to reevaluate and recommit to being the man that I know I can be.

I have always loved the quote, " What e'er thou art, Act well thy part. Question to self...Self, what art thou?! Do it well!

When I feel the need to make corrections I always love the pep talk given from Joseph Smith. " Let all the works which I have appointed unto you, be continued on and not cease; and let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience and your works be redoubled, and you shall in nowise lose your reward... Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren,: and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice and be exceedingly glad."

I am grateful for the reality check, which has helped me to reestablish a firm commitment to be the man that I know I can and should be. It is my resolve to be removed from complacent mediocrity.