Where Is The Faith At?

This is something that I have definitely struggled with in the past and am gaining more of day by day. Faith, or lack of essentially, in my opinion is one of the biggest hold ups in dream achieving in this world. It is the ugly sister of fear. Lack of Faith and fear go hand in hand when it comes to a failed vision. In the sixth verse of the twelfth chapter of the Book of Mormon, the Prophet Moroni states: "Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen." So plain and simply put, when you have faith in your goals or your dream, you hope or know that they will eventually become a reality. I know just as well as you do because I am of flesh and blood just as you are that doubts do exist. And they become so strong sometimes it may never seem to be as promising to finish something as it did when you first thought of the idea or even started it. I promise though that if you have faith, strong Faith, a strong conviction that whatever your goal may be, big or small, will in fact become a reality. In that some verse Moroni finishes by saying, "wherefore, dispute not because ye see not for ye recieve no witness until after the trail of your faith." Please keep in mind that things will not be easy; life isn't easy. But I can testify that with Faith, anything is possible. Let that Faith sink deep into your heart until it becomes a strong conviction. Let it grow with every step you take and every little goal you accomplish and do not let anyone or anything shake that Faith. If it so happens that your Faith is tested, let it come out strong by remembering why you started in the first place. Faith, the knowledge that anything can and will happen should never be taken away from you in any form. Hold strong to it and let it propel you to success.

Make Your Own Luck

Ever since I saw Rob Dyrdek from MTV's Fantasy Factory wear a Long Tee representing these words, I have been thinking of the importance and truthfulness of the statement. I first want to touch on a little bit of what "luck" is, what it means. In the Third Edition of the Websters New World College Dictionary it defines luck as, 1.The seemingly chance happening of events that effect someone; fortune, fate. 2. Good fortune, success, advantage. To me, when I hear the word I think of the second definition. I believe luck or good luck gives you an advantage in some way. You find a twenty dollar bill on the sidewalk. You win a prize in a drawing or you find the perfect, closest parking space. I also believe that we can create this so called "luck." We can create these advantages. We shouldn't have to wait on fate and have luck come to us, we have to go to it. No longer can we wait, for we will die waiting. We need to act now and make it happen. According to the Law of Attraction like attracts like, good or evil. If we are constantly creating opportunities for ourselves, more and more opportunities will arise. Why is it that wealthy individuals seem to always, even when unwanted, have work wanting them while the poverty ridden person cant even get past the first interview if that? It is because of their state of mind... which leads me to my next point. How can create this opportunities for ourselves? How can we put ourselves into an advantage? How can we bring upon ourselves "good luck?" Going along with the Law of Attraction, we need to have gratitude in our hearts. We need to be grateful! How does this help? When you appreciate the little things, your life tends to be in greater harmony. Your happier, therefore things tend to go well, thus creating that advantage. Like attracts like. When your ungrateful or negative towards life and your unappreciative, you notice when things go wrong more than they do right. You will not notice opportunities, you close those doors. With an open mind and a grateful heart, those windows of opportunity open and more blessings pour into our lives. It is at this moment we start to create our own luck. Honestly, to me there is no such thing as luck, only opportunities for an advantage, which we can create daily. Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery. You have to take hold of today and create opportunity for yourself.

A thousand mile journey starts with just one step...

How many people in this world do you think end up doing exactly what they wanted to? How many? How many people do you think live with no regrets, those who say, "I am where I am today because I wanted to be. I am exactly where I want to be right now and I love it!" How many? Are you one of them? Do you always wonder what you could've done? Have you thought, "man, if I only could be doing what my absolute passion is." well sadly, only 5% of the population fall into this category. Those who end up doing exactly what they wanted to. So why them? Are they lucky? They were just born with better opportunities then you were weren't they? How else could they actually be doing what they've always wanted? Would you like to know something crazy? Your going to freak out but guess what? Did you know they breath air? just like you do.. They have families! Like you do.. and they have a dream, just like you do. So what do these so called blessed people have that I don't? Why do they get to triumph in victory of their dream while I sit at my desk turning in yet another useless report? Brace yourself, I'm about to tell you a secret that will blow your mind. It's so valuable, no amount of money can be traded for it... All they have done differently from the rest of the population is ACT. That is all they did. While you sit at your desk or behind the cash register, she is making phone calls. While you go home saying "my job sucks," he is talking to people, making friends. People that can help him excel closer to his dream, his goal. They are doing whatever it takes! Why are they acting? why do you sit, idle, claiming you have a dream when you have done nothing to push towards it? You do want it don't you? Of coarse you do? So why aren't you acting? What are you afraid of? Not making enough money? People telling you it will never happen? The criticism of others? failing? A true champion, a winner is not afraid of any of those things because they don't matter when it comes to something they would die for. Their passion, their dream. If you put your all into your dream. your whole life, money will come. People will always tell you that it will never happen. This is because nothing has ever and never will happen for them because they will never act. They are Idle, you are not. You will fail when going for your dream, many times - but because of these failures and your ability to overcome them, you will be stronger and more powerful. It is not surprising who has a dream of even claims to eventually accomplish it, it is surprising who actually acts and accomplishes what they set their sights out to be. Someone who said they are going to do something and do it, even with all the criticism, the minor short comings of failure, the fear, they still come out on top victorious, true champions. It is scary. It is intimidating to start but a thousand mile journey starts with just one step. Ill give you an example of a champion who had a goal, took action and now does exactly what he loves because of that decision to act.

Ken Block has always been a car enthusiast for as long as he can remember and has been a fan of racing since he was young. Kens love of driving started when he was young when he would "borrow" the parents cars and started performing numerous reckless stunts like jumping and sliding them around. When Ken got a little older he bought a VW GTI and drifted it around in the snow while he lived in the mountains as a snowboard bum. When DC sponsored freestyle motocross superstar Travis Pastrana, Travis tried his hand at rally racing. Ken ensured DC's support of his rally efforts. In doing so Ken seized the opportunity to fulfill his own personal dream and passion for rally racing, and began training for the professional circuit.

In 2005, Ken gave Travis and the rest of the rally circuit some unexpected competition. Block's rigorous rally training with Vermont SportsCar ensured strong finishes at nearly every rally he entered. Long story short, in just that rally season he won numerous medals and was earned the Rookie of the Year honors. Pretty amazing since he started training professionally in October 2004 and won his first national race in January 2005. Since then he has earned countless medals and has performed crazy stunts such as jumping his Subaru 171 feet for the Discovery Channel show Stunt Junkies. Hes drivin a modified version of that car on my snow covered slops, riding along side snowboarders and countless other stunts. Ken new what he wanted and took advantage of an opportunity that has sent him doing everything he has ever dreamed. Ken states, "I have a beautiful wife, two kids and I love what I do, what more can I ask for?"

Look inside your hearts. Meditate even. Do some serious self-evaluation and find out what your dream is. Then make a plan on how your going to get there and start now! Realizing there will be speed bumps. But the more you hit the more you adapt and the smoother the ride will get. Also remember, your Father in Heaven loves you and cares about your interests and passions. If you lost your Teddy bear and was heart-broken, He too would be heart-broken because he knows how much you love that stuffed little friend. Ask Him for help! Your dream is his dream and He will help guide you on your pathway to success. He wants each and every one of us to be happy and successful so he will do all he can to help. You just have to ask and listen.

I'm going to go out on a limb and tell you my dream in hopes to inspire someone or motivate or even inspire someone to not be afraid to have a dream. I do this expecting criticism, even embracing it. As you can tell by the cars and the short story on Ken that It is my ultimate dream, my passion to become a professional Rally Driver. I want to race in Rally events in those 500+ Hp Dirt machines. It is for this very reason that Ken Block is one of my idols. He wanted it so bad that he now has it. It may be a far out dream just as yours may be but I have a burning desire to achieve this and that's all I need. Just as you do once you have a goal, a chief aim and a burning desire to accomplish it. It will come, you just have to act.

We also need to lift each other up and push each other toward our dreams in a positive manner. Be the person that always knew they could do it, not just after the fact.

I know you have a dream and with the country we live in, you have the right to accomplish it and be successful. So do it! Start now! You could be on your way to doing what you love. You just have to act.

Making that decision

As most of you know I am leaving on a mission for the LDS church soon. I just wanted to point something out that most of us probably think about but dont really want to or recognize it. I understand that there's a few young men out there that dont necessarily go because they want to. Maybe because their parents want them to or the community or whatever. Or its just something we do at "that age." I'll admit that at first, within the past year of thinkin about it It ran through my head of what my life would be like If I chose not to go. I thought about all the people that wanted me to go maybe even expected it. As it drew closer though I started to think of my cause and not everyone else'. I started to think of all the lives Im going to change and all the amazing things Im going to do. Its hard right now to say that I want to go because of how many people telling me its because of someone else. Its true. Its more than true. I cant wait to go! Nothing would stop me right now. I probably wouldnt be able to live with myself right now if I didnt. I can tell you this now that Im going for myself and for the people Im going to be teaching. Not one person else. Its a completely different feeling when you realize YOU WANT to go. Its calming. I feel like Im going to be a way better missionary because I want to be there. My advise to those deciding whether to go or not or maybe with something that doesnt have to do with this is please make it YOUR decision. YOU have to have that burning desire to go. Think about how much more focused you were when you personally chose something. You loved it didnt you? Even if it was hard and challenging. You loved it! because you made that decision. You wanted that. Nobody else. I made a decision. Noone else has made this decision for me. I have such a burning desire to go I dont think I've wanted anything else this badly. Im so excited to do whatever Heavenly Father wants me to do. Please people make that decision, whatever it may be, by YOU. You wont love and appreciate it as much if you dont I promise. Next time you are faced with a decision, think it over. Is this what I really want to do? Why? How will it benifit me? others? Is this MY decision..

An Amazing Experience

About two days ago I went through the Bountiful Temple for the first time to recieve my endowments and let me just say it was amazing. I was looking forward to going through for a while now and Im just so happy I had the opportunity to at this time. Out temple here in Bountiful is quite beautiful and even more amazing on the inside. I love the environment and the people serving there are just wonderful. Please if you havent gone for any reason, too busy, dont feel like, havent thought about it. Think about it. Its wonderful and the more you go the better off you'll be and the happier. I promise. I plan on going once a week till my mission because I want to constantly remind myself of the promises I made and to keep the spirit with me always. Anyways I just want to talk about my experiences :) OH! and thank you to everyone who joined me. It was that much better with your support there so thank you :) I cant wait to go to many more Temples and I encourage all of you to go out your time just a few hours and go through. For any reason. Its Amazing and Beautiful and I loved It!

You Cant Win An Argument

Have you been in this scenario? Just to throw an argument in, a man and a friend are somewhere and he is telling someone of a great story which hinged on a certain quote. "There's a divinty that shapes our ends, rough-hew them how we will." By the way this is an example from a very inspiring book named: "How To Win Friends And Influence People" Which has many valuable concepts and examples of every kind pertaining to human relations and tendensies. Back to the example, he said that came from the Bible. The other man listening to this knew in his mind that this statement was wrong. He knew it positively without the slightest doubt. And to get a feeling of importance and display his superiority, he appointed himself as an unwelcome committee of one to correct him. Of coarse he stuck to his guns. "What? From Shakespear? Impossible! Absurd! That quotation was from the Bible" and he knew it. Sitting next to them is a gentleman, Frank, who had devoted his life to Shakespear. So the storyteller and he agree to ask him. He kicks the man opposing under the table and says "that gentleman is right. It is from the Bible." On the way home that night, He said "Frank, You knew that quotation was from Shakespear." "Yes, of coarse" he replied, "Hamlet... blah blah But we were guests at a that mans house, my friend. Why prove him wrong? Is it going to make him like you? Why not let him save his face? He did not ask for your opinion. He didnt want it. Why Argue with him?" That man taught him a valuable lesson that night. Not only did he make the storyteller uncomfortable, he put him in an embarrassing situation. How much better it have been if he didnt become argumentative. Through my reading and studying I have found that there is one way to get the best out of an arguement and that is to just avoid it. Avoid it as if it were a Rattlesnake or an Earthquake. 9 times out of 10, an argument ends with each of the contestants more firmly convinced that they are abosolutly right. YOU CANT WIN AN ARGUMENT. You cant win because if you lose it, you lose it. If you win it, you lose it. Why? Suppose you triumph over the other man and shoot his arguement full of holes, then what? You will feel fine. But what about him? You've made him feel inferior. You hurt his pride. He resents your triumph. "A man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still." Another quick example is of a car salesman who when a customer would talk about another companies vehicals, he would start to argue against it and put him down and tell him he was wrong. A good friend named Dale Carnegie noticed this and instead of teaching him how to talk, he trained him to refrain from talking and to avoid verbal fights. He became a star salesman. How did he do that? In his words he said that, "Now if I were to walk into a buyers office and they said a truck was no good, I wouldnt take it even if you gave it to me, Im going to take the whose-it car. that one is good." "I would say that if you chose that car you would never make a mistake. That one is made by a great company with great people." He was speechless. No room for arguement If he said it was a good car, I say it is. He has to stop when Im agreeing with him. We then get off subject and start to talk about the good points of the truck." There was a time where a comment like that would get me seeing colors. I would start arguing against the whose-it. The more I argued, the more they argued and the more they sell themselves on another companies product. As I look back I wonder how I was ever to make a sale. I lost years of my life scraping and arguing. Now I keep my mouth shut. It pays." A wise old Ben Franklin used to say: "If you argue and rankle and contradict, you may achieve a victory sometimes; but it will be an empty victory because you will never get your opponent's good will. So figure it out for yourself. Which would you rather have, an academic, theatrical victory or a person's good will? you can seldom have both." You may be right, dead right, as you speed along in your argument; but as far as changing another's mind is concerned, you will probably be just as futile as if you were wrong. Buddha said: "Hatred is never ended by hatred but by love," and a misunderstanding is never ended by an argument but by tact, diplomacy, conciliation and a sympathetic desire to see the other person's viewpoint. In an article in "Bits and Pieces," some suggestions are made on how to keep a disagreement from becoming an argument: Welcome the disagreement. If there is some point you haven't thought about, be thankful if it is brought to your attention. Perhaps this disapreement is your opportunity to be corrected before you make a serious mistake. Distrust your first instinctive impression. Our first natural reaction in an argument is to be defensive. Be careful. Keep calm and watch out for your first reaction. It may be you at your worst, not your best. Control your temper. Remember, you can measure the size of a person by what makes him or her angry. Listen First. Give them a chance to talk. Let them finish. Do not resist, defend or debate. This only raises barriers. Try to build bridges of understanding. Dont build higher bridges of misunderstanding. Look for areas of agreement. Once you've heard them, dwell of the things of which you agree. Be honest. Look for areas where you can admit your errors and say so. Apologize. It will help disarm your apponents and reduce defensiveness. Promise to think over your apponents' ideas and study them carefully. and mean it. They may be right. It is alot easier at this stage to agree and think about their points than to move rapidly ahead and find yourself in position where they can say: "We tried to tell you, but you wouldn't listen." Thank them sincerely for their interest. Anyone who takes the time to disagree with you is interested in the same things you are. Think of them as people who really want to help you, and you may turn your opponents into friends. Could my opponents be right? Partly right? Is there truth in their position or argument? Will my reaction relieve the problem or just any frustration? Will my reaction drive my opponents further away or draw them closer to me? Will I win or lose? What price will I have to pay if I win? If I am quiet about it, will the disagreement blow over? Is this difficult situation an opportunity for me? A wise man once said, "My wife and I made a pact a long time ago. When one yells, the other should listen- Because when two people yell, there is no communication, just noise and bad vibrations." The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it