People Watching

So Earlier this year someone introduced me into this game called people watching. It is a lot of fun. I'm sure all of you already know what it is like because I'm a loser and learn these things long after they lose their novelty, But anyways, today's entry comes from my observations from people watching.
However, in doing this I feel the need to put down a disclaimer beforehand. I am in no way trying to jab at anyone, and i sincerely hope that no one will find themselves offended by this post. It is true, I love you all.

The beautiful thing about people watching is there is so many different things that you can notice. For the sake of time, I will discuss two types of people I have seen lately.

I have a friend who will not be named, who is what I would call an "event chaser." This person perfectly illustrates the first type mentioned. It has happened twice in the last three weeks, and has happened many other times previously, and I'm sure it will happen many more times in the future. What has happened, is an invitation to some "event." Most likely this will come in a mass text sent to who knows how many people. They send this text stating what is going on, and when, and that YOU should come! however what happens when they get a text back with a negative RSVP? They don't even bother texting back again. You see, it seems to me that these "event chasers" really don't care one bit who comes to their event, they just want everyone to know that this event is taking place, and that they will be there.

These are the same people that when engaging in a conversation they are quick to ask, "done anything fun lately?" Clearly they don't care much about you. Its almost like its just a competition to see who can do the best things. Just to add to that, If you do something totally awesome, like for example a rockin' trip to California with your family, (and you let them know), they will usually just go quiet. Beaten, ashamed, and maybe even embarrassed, they will not talk to you until some "event" comes up again.

Now the other type of people worth blogging about are the "people chasers." I have a whole group of friends that hang out ALL THE TIME. But what do they do? most of the time.... nothing. That's right event chasers, I said they do nothing. The funny thing is, they are completely content with doing nothing. Why is that? Because all they care about is being with other people. They could get together, not do a single thing, and yet be happy as a clown because they are with the people they love and care about.

Conversations with these kind of people are a lot more personable. If they must decline an invitation they will not be dropped like a rock, but they will be treated as individuals. Each of these people will live their lives how they feel it needs to be lived, but ultimately, the greatest satisfaction will come with other people, no matter what they are doing.

These are just a few thoughts i felt were worth posting online. Take what you want from them, but keep your eye open. People watching can be a very good learning experience for sure.

Honesty, the lost policy?

Everyone has heard the phase that goes along the lines of "honesty is the best policy." But recently, I have been left to wonder if it has become more of the "lost policy."

For example, Several top notch football teams in the NCAA are being investigated as we speak to see if they are seeking an unfair advantage over their competition. Many of these teams are not only being investigated, but are getting caught doing things that they should not. Along the same lines, the best high school teams in the state are constantly accused of bending/breaking rules here and there. Not long ago we had a huge outbreak of professional baseball players with steroids. Athletes that we looked up to so much as kids were going to court on account of cheating to get better results. I could go on and on in the world of athletes who cheat. A list that would include many many more, including even tour de France cyclists and olympic contestants.

Now that I've talked about the 1% of the population, I suppose it would be beneficial to look towards the rest of us. Most of the time our dishonesty does not make the headline news, and often times it is not monitored by millions of people worldwide. However it can be just as damaging to us as it is to everyone else.

Lately I've been thinking of two types of dishonesty that affect us in Huge ways. Firstly is being dishonest with ourselves. Look around you, look at your friends, your family, your neighbors, or even strangers. Look what they've got. See what they've accomplished? Who they have become? Notice how amazing they are? Now look at yourself. See how you pale in comparison? why do you even bother? They clearly are on a whole separate and higher level that you really shouldn't even put forth any effort any more. Do you sense the dysphoria here?

This whole train of thinking sounds so ridiculously down that it just makes everyone who reads it depressed. But world, take a self evaluation, is this your train of thought sometimes?

You are you. Be honest with yourself. You have strengths and weaknesses, but guess what, so does everyone else. Its easy to let things like scholar performance, work opportunities, relationship status, etc crowd your way of thinking that tells you who you really are. Be you, in a world where everyone is trying to be someone else, it is so much more unique these days to just be yourself. There is a reason we aren't all robots, we've been given our own individual characteristics and traits for a reason. Embrace individuality! Learn it, live it, and love it! (just not too much)

The other type of dishonesty worth mentioning is a trickier one to talk about. In a lot of ways it is similar what has already been discussed. This however, is dishonesty with others. The reason this one is harder to talk about is because it cuts deeper within all of us. If I may be so bold, I would even say that everyone of us is found guilty of this. Whether we recognize it or not, it can hurt those around us.

This type of dishonesty can come from simply only sharing part of the truth, but hiding the rest of it. It can come from remaining silent period, while avoiding the difficult conversations. It can also be shown as pride kicks in; by comparing us to someone "lower" than us. You see it through backbiting, rumors, backstabbing, and many other methods.

In short, not only are we hurting others around us by being dishonest, but we are also hurting ourselves. It is in a very real sense a bomb which can hurt us all. Be honest, with yourself, and with others. Your life will be tremendously less stressful and worrisome.

I hope this entry was as good for you all as it was for me. For good measure, and much better words than I can say myself, I close this entry with some help from President Faust.

Enjoy this clip, Its really good

Here is gone

Good song, seems fitting...

You and I got somethin' but it's all and then it's nothin' to me
Yeah
And I got my defenses when it comes through your intentions for me
Yeah
And we wake up in the breakdown with the things we never thought we could be
Yeah

I'm not the one who broke you
I'm not the one you should fear
We got to move you, darlin'
I thought I lost you somewhere
But you were never really ever there at all

And I want to get free
Talk to me
I can feel you fallin'
And I wanted to be
All you need
Somehow here he's gone

I am no solution to the sound of this pollution in me
Yeah
And I was not the answer so forget you ever thought it was me
Yeah

I'm not the one who broke you
I'm not the one you should fear
We got to move you, darlin'
I thought I lost you somewhere
But you were never really ever there at all

And I want to get free
Talk to me
I can feel you fallin'
And I wanted to be
All you need
Somehow here he's gone

And I don't need to fallout
Of all the past that's in between us
And I'm not holding on
And all your lies weren't enough to keep me here

And I want to get free
Talk to me
I can feel you fallin'
And I wanted to be
All you need
Somehow here he's goin'
And I want to get free
Talk to me
I can feel you fallin'

But I know it's out there
But I know it's out there
And I can feel you fallin'
But I know it's out there
But I know it's out there
Somehow here he's goin'
But I know it's out there
But I know it's out there
Somehow here he's goin'
Yeah


Thanks goo goo dolls

Goliath smashes David

We've all seen this picture, or at least know the remarkable story that goes along with it. It is the heroic story of how the boy slays the giant. Within this story is the remarkable lesson that no matter what we are dealing with, no matter how big it really is, we too, like David, can overcome what needs to be overcome.

This story is very moving, and very inspirational, especially when you consider that 9 times out of 10 the outcome is very different. You see, what they don't tell you is that really David is the one getting his butt handed to him most of the time anyways.

It goes right along with the old saying "nice guys finish last." Sometimes I wonder why I need to be in the nice guy/David spot. Not saying I'd want to be a big mean ugly giant either... I suppose either way,  you lose.

Here's to consistency!

This morning I spent some time pondering about various things. I enjoy Sundays because it seems Sundays are the days that I most often get into these pondering moods. Maybe you have the same ones sometimes. Usually when I am in this realm of thought I am completely in the zone.  Something will trigger it, whether it be a quote, a scripture, a thought at church, or maybe even just a random thought that pops into my head.  Whatever the case, that little nugget inside my brain gets dissected and put back together again in so many different ways. Today I'd like to share a portion of my thought process with you, however if it doesn't make sense to you I apologize, this is me on a roll thinking things in my head.

The topic running in and around my mind today was that of consistency. I was sitting there on the couch thinking about everything in my life at the moment. What is consistent in my life? what isn't? what should be? what shouldn't be? what can be?

I started with thinking about things that are not consistent.
One thing is relationships before marriage. It seems relationships will always come and go, friendship bridges are constantly and consistently being built and burned down over and over again. Some of us excel in building bridges while the rest of us are really good at burning them down.  For me, it seems like I'm equally good at them both, but often times a bridge will be built and be fine and dandy just to be left rotting and abandoned some time later. Not burnt or destroyed in anyway, just left alone.

This is just one of a myriad number of inconsistencies that could be observed. The most interesting thing that came across my mind this morning though, is the lack of things that are actually consistent. In fact, I challenge you to find more than I have come up with and let me know your thoughts.

I have come up with a grand total of two things that are consistent. One is change, and the other is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

There is an old saying that goes something to the effect of, "the only thing constant in life is change." How true that is! Just when you seem completely content with your life, when it seems everything seems to be under your control of every aspect therein; it is in these wonderful moments that it is time to buckle up and get ready for a bumpy ride. If life were easy then none of us would be making any mistakes.
Things change so quickly that sometimes it is hard to keep track of what really going on... Look around you and you see millions of people. Each one of those million people have their own lives to live, and more than likely they will each be going in their own direction.
That's a major fork in the road if you know what I mean... I've talked about this before---> Click here to see the blog entry i just mentioned...

Last but certainly not least, The gospel. No matter what day and age you live in, what you are going through, what choices you've made, or any other factors you could imagine, there is ALWAYS solace in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I have come to enjoy my gospel study time more than any other time I could think of. I know that the scriptures are here for us for that very reason. I know that the Prophets who speak to us are truly of God, and the bottom line is, no matter how low I feel, the gospel can never fail to raise my spirits up.

I've babbled on long enough, but I hope you enjoyed my train of thought as much as I had sharing them.