Life is Good

You know it's funny to me. I can think that I'm stuck in a moment, not being able to get out of it. Or just be in an apathetic mood, and then something in your life happens. Something that you didn't expect, something small and simple just cause one person decided to invite you to something. Or just cause one person said something or did something for or to you.

This person isn't always someone you know either. It can be a stranger you see while walking down the street or to your class. They could just say hi, or even go further than that, and offer a complement to a complete stranger by saying “You have a great smile.” You can arrive home to find a note from a friend telling you how grateful they are for you.

There are even those friendly invites that appear that they may be more of a damper on things than something that would actually be good for you. You could receive a random phone call from a friend asking if you are free that night to go on a blind date, and while the blind date wasn't the most romantic night of your life, and you didn't experience love at first sight, you for some reason are really comfortable the whole time and just have fun. It was good just to get out, and your date seemed comfortable too.

You can get that emergency phone call pleading for help, and while you are extremely busy with your own projects, and while you had just worked overtime that day at work and felt like your bed was a very important being in your life that also needed you to sleep in it, you get off your bum and help. You then find the comfort, peace, and gratitude for life grow even more. And, surprise, surprise, you aren't as tired any more. You actually feel a renewed strength and are able to get even more done that night than you thought you could without helping.

There are just sometimes in your life, because of the thoughts of others. Perhaps even the selfish thoughts of others that give you a chance to benefit. You grow because of the people in your life. It amazes me, how much more you grow, learn, and become edified by interacting with others, than by taking an extreme amount of 'Me' time. There are so many little tender mercies that come from others in your life, friend or stranger.

I like life.

In fact, I'd say, Life Is Good.

Random Spark Plug

I think that sometimes I have random thoughts.

But I like them.

I like to think about being things I'm not. Sometimes just for fun and other times to sort things out. The other day I was thinking about being a dad. I see nothing better than being a parent or spouse; however, I am not yet either or even close to becoming either.

I also had not just seen a mommy or daddy with a baby, and it had been a while since I have received the “you should get married” speech from my church leaders or parents. So me thinking about being a dad, pretty random. During my daydream, while walking down the stairs of death at BYU, I was thinking about what it would be like to race my own little boy up them. I thought that it could be fun. But then I remembered how frustrating it can be as a kid, when you race someone so much stronger than you. When you try your hardest against kids your age you at least feel somewhat equal, like there's a chance. But when trying your hardest against an adult, especially in physical things, it can be so frustrating. You don’t have a chance. No way. Their legs are like the size of your chest and their arms the size of your legs. Even the skinny adults (like me) are pretty huge to someone who is 65lbs.

When I thought of what my response would be to my little boy who showed this frustration I was surprised at my response.

“Dad, I can’t do it!” he said.

“Yes you can.”

“No I can’t."

I pictured him about 10 steps behind me with one of the faces where the lower lip was sticking out over his upper lip and the eyes glazed with water. I walked up to him and crouched down to his eye level, wiping a tear he fought so hard to keep up but lost.

“Are you trying to beat me, or are you trying to get better?” was my response.

And then it ended.

Now that may not sound so profound to you, but I’m a pretty competitive guy. In sports, academics (when I feel like I have a chance to be, which has diminished over the years), games, fitness, driving (this state of Utah is rubbing off on me, scary I know), and sadly even in spiritual things some times. I’m always comparing myself to others. Not “always” always, but too much. It was a good question to ask myself. I only want to become better, but sometimes it is overshadowed or even driven by a desire to beat the guy next to me. It was a special little experience. I am learning a principle I hope to help teach my children no matter how talented or untalented the may be.

Cool huh.