Monday, November 25, 2013

Multiple Thoughts

I’ve actually written several posts lately, then I’ve decided not to publish them for one reason or another.  The main reason being that I’m concerned that they would all be taken the wrong way and people would get: A) offended B) upset C) violently angry or D) severely depressed.  Maybe that is a good thing because all of them have dealt with the amount of laziness, apathy and absolute foolishness I’ve observed in the world around me lately. 

Maybe it’d be a good thing if people got angry enough to actually get off the couch and act on something…that would be a step in the right direction.

Here are a few of the topics that I’ve attempted to cover recently:

Bullying – how I believe that this is an overused and over-applied term.  Too many people in our society blame their lot in life on bullying.

Self-esteem and what a harmful thing it is to build too much of it.

Doing Hard Things – another overused term in a society of lazy, boorish people who have every conceivable modern convenience at their disposal and would rather play video games than help a neighbor take out the trash.

The zombie apocalypse that has already begun. Just take a look at your average teen as he or she plays a video game…see the vacant expression and the dead eyes and tell me that that kid isn’t already a zombie drone.

So the main reason that I didn’t post many of these things is simply this…

I am trying to avoid focusing on negative things.  Rather than sit here and point out all the bad/wrong things that people are doing I’d rather focus on positives and what CAN be done.  Clearly if a person is reading my blog, they’ve come to a point in their lives where they are looking to change for the better and for me to point out all that is wrong doesn’t help that in any way.

So I resolve from this point forward to focus all my time, energy and writing on being a ‘builder’ rather than a ‘wrecker’. 

With that in mind…I want to lay out a few rules to all who wish to become a real LDS-SOF Warrior. This is the foundation:

1)    No Whining – You CANNOT blame your circumstance in life on ANYONE else. Own your weakness and turn it into a strength. Whiners accomplish nothing.
2)    No FEAR – Fear does not come from GOD.  2 Tim. 1:7
3)    No Regrets – there is only one thing in life that we need to regret and that is sin.  Repent and move forward.
4)    Respect others. Demand respect from others.
5)    Smile.  You have the light and truth of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ, the fruit that is most desirable, be happy about it.
6)    Man-Up…Warrior-UP…Armor-UP…Put on The Armor Of God.
7)    Get Fit.

There are many things I could add to this…but like I say, this is the foundation, the base.  This is where you begin your journey.  This is where I begin my journey.  We are all in this together.  We truly are a Band of Brothers.

Let’s roll.

NO FEAR – NO WHINING – NO REGRETS

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Taking Risks

I noticed something interesting at an activity that I attended recently…and it was that today's boys are really afraid to take risks, whereas the girls seem to have more courage to try things and potentially fail.

The reason that this struck me as odd is because that the traditional stereotype is that men tend to be the risk takers.  Men are the ones who are always doing something that requires the courage and willingness to possibly fail.

At least in the instance of the activity that I attended this was not the case.

Often when asking Young Men about this kind of thing, you will get a long list of reasons why they should not take the risk.  Fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of looking foolish…etc…the common denominator being FEAR.

I tell you what…I hate that word.

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

There is only one good use for fear and it is the kind of fear that protects life.  The fear of an actual, real, dangerous, bad thing happening.  Fear that causes adrenaline to race though our bodies and gives us power to protect loved ones.  Fear that makes us prepare for the worst, but live for the best.

Irrational, paralyzing fear though, seems to be a dominant force in the lives of our men today.  Irrational fears that become debilitating and create physical, mental and emotional barriers to being the best we can be.  What are we really so afraid of? Why are we cowering before phantoms that aren’t there? Why do we let these fears dictate unmanly behavior? Most importantly…when did this become acceptable?

Fear is the antithesis of faith.

We are men. 

Men do not hide from a challenge.  Men do not let circumstance dictate behavior. We act with honor ALWAYS. We move forward with courage and fortitude.  We relish danger and we ‘grin when we fight’ (Winston Churchill). We take risks.  We learn from mistakes. 

WE ARE PRIESTHOOD MEN.

We protect the weak and defenseless.  We sacrifice to provide for others.  We give up our own comfort that others may be comfortable. We use our priesthood not for our own vain purposes nor to satisfy personal desires for glory.  We exercise this priesthood on behalf of those whom we serve…especially women and children.  It is our God given gift to bless their lives far beyond our own.

Of course sometimes we are scared and can be fearful…but it is those moments that true character shines through.  Are we cowards…or are we men of valor?  Is our Virtue one of honor or are we slaves to weakness and FEAR.

Don’t be afraid.  Be faithful. 

Feed the dog of courage.

NO FEAR – NO WHINING – NO REGRETS

Thursday, September 26, 2013

The Courage to Repent

I had started to write an article on the power of repentance…but then I read this article that seems to say it so much better than I can.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-football/news/20130925/spencer-hadley-byu/

If you have not read this…I STRONGLY encourage you to.  Whatever your feelings about BYU football are (I’m a UTE fan)…this is a fantastic example of the atonement at work.  The kid messed up…he’s trying to repent. I’m sure he’s hugely embarrassed and what’s more, he’s having to do all this in a spotlight.  He’s just starting the repentance process, but it appears that he’s on the right path.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

On Being Happy

The other day I was asked the question "how do you make yourself happy?"  I sent the following response and thought it might make a good post here (since I have been so delinquent in posting things here.)  Being happy is certainly a driving force for any Priesthood Warrior.

Here is my email in it's entirety:

You asked me the other night how to be happy…the short answer that I gave you was that you simply “Decide to be happy and then be that way.”

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

I received and email from a young man asking me which branch of the armed forces I'd join if I wanted to become a Special Operations Force Warrior.  I decided that the answer would make a good post.  So I share it here for everyone to read...

Cameron,

Your email made me really pause and think.  Since I’ve never served in the military the only loyalty I feel is to people I’ve known, not to any branch of service.

There are many great resources available to research and learn all about different Special Operations Forces.  I especially enjoy the work of Dick Couch as he served as a Navy SEAL and was allowed unprecedented access to many schools of training, and his books are priceless if you want to learn about the process of becoming a real warrior.  Many recruiting offices can also hook you up with a mentor who’s ‘been there’ and can guide you.

I personally know men who are or were: Green Berets, Navy SEALS, Army Rangers, Air Force Special Ops, RECON Marines, and your average, every day, soldier.  I have been impressed by them all.  Each is unique in their mission and each serves our country with honor and courage.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Living a Higher Standard

Nearly every organization in the world has standards, creed’s or codes of conduct for their members.  Those who belong to those organizations make a commitment to act, behave or comply in the way those codes outline.  In fact, most people who join any organization, do so BECAUSE of the standards set forth by those organizations.  They join because they want to be a part of what that organization represents and stands for.

This is especially true in warrior cultures. From the ancient Spartans, to the modern day SEAL’s…all of them have had rigorous standards that defined who and what they were.  They were great because they set high and undeviating standards.  If someone could not live up to the standard, then they simply could not be a part of the organization.

For example…to even be considered a candidate to become a Navy SEAL requires that you:
a)    Must be Male
b)    Must be in the US Navy
c)    Must be able to pass a minimum physical fitness requirements
d)    Must complete the BUD/s school training


There is also some additional testing that occurs to determine mental and psychological compatibility to serve.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Thinking About Warriors...

In my estimation, when talking about warriors, there are two very distinct groups of warriors.

One warrior is the kind who fights a physical enemy, the one who can harm and kill our physical bodies.  The second warrior is the one who fights on a more spiritual plane.  This is the warrior who steps in to stand between Heavenly Father’s children and the forces of Satan who wish to tear us down. 

The first kind of warrior is the typical image we think of when we hear the word ‘warrior’.  The Navy SEAL, the Green Beret, the fighter pilot, the police officer, etc.  His job is two-fold, to bring ultimate destruction to his enemy and to do all he can to protect his own people.  This warrior goes out to fight so that others don’t have too.  He is the main force standing between the threats to his country and those he loves at home.  He will sacrifice his physical body so that others don’t have to experience pain.

“People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf” – George Orwell

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

The ATTACK

In this article I outlined the basics of ‘the Battle’ that we fight on a daily basis to do what is right, to face life’s challenges and to overcome weakness’ that we are hounded by.  Today I’d like to focus on step one of HOW to fight those battles, the Attack, and give you some insight as to how we fall prey to the lies, deceptions and constant attacks of our common adversary.

First off, let me state that this is not a product of my own thought.  The original concept was developed by a well respected Licensed Professional Councilor who does a LOT of great work to help men defeat sex and pornography addictions.  His information can be found at www.sonsofhelaman.org and I’ve enjoyed my association with him immensely. His knowledge of the science of brain chemistry combined with some great spiritual insight is the inspiration for this idea. 

I also owe a lot to a very close friend who helped me take these ideas and refine them a bit to apply to all our daily battles, not just those dealing with the Law of Chastity (though I feel pretty confident that a great many men have struggles with this law in various forms…, whether they want to admit it or not).  He also helped me to establish gospel doctrinal basis’ for every concept taught in this information.

If you missed the post on WHY WE FIGHT, I suggest you read that first so you can understand why the Lord refers to us as “warriors” and why we face the drastic choice of “Fight or Die”.

With that introduction: let’s talk about The Attack!

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Fitness Apps I Love

This will be a VERY short post.  I just wanted to let you all in on a couple of fitness apps and sites that I've been using for a while now and I LOVE EM!!!  I highly encourage you to get on them and put them to work for your fitness.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Humanity



Are We Loosing a Vital Part of Our Humanity?

I was sitting in a Church meeting the other day and I had a chilling thought:

You see, Santa brought me a tablet computer for Christmas and I love it!  It has replaced a large book bag that I used to have to carry around with me to Church to fulfill my calling.  Handbooks, notebooks, binders…all gone and stored on the memory of the small 7” tablet.  Which also has access to the entire gospel library, videos, web sites and more.  It is incredible and I love to use this tool. (you should see the looks of shock and amazement when I tell people that I don’t have any games on it).

But as I typed out some notes on the this device in my meeting, I felt like I was missing something, then it dawned on me what it was.  You see, part of my note-taking process includes doodling, and making notes of ‘inspirational thoughts’ that come to me. I use color and graphics to highlight different notes or to emphasize an idea.  I’m very visual in my style.  It occurred to me that I can’t do any of these things on my tablet very well.  Sure there is a sketching app on there, but I’d have to exit the notebook, open a second app, and then get frustrated with how slow the sketching occurs.  It isn't worth doing. 


Thursday, January 10, 2013

The Battle

(The following article is Part 1 in a series on the spiritual battles we fight and how to win them.  There is a presentation that goes with it, and when I finish the series I'll make the presentation available)

THE BATTLE - Why We Fight!

LDS-SOF - Becoming Warriors 






Every day, we are faced with personal battles. Struggles, difficulties, choices and consequences.  We have options to control our destiny, or to be blown about by 'circumstance'.

Daily Battles 2013

As I've entered this new year, I've had many thoughts about what I can do to be a better Man, Husband, Father and servant of the Lord.

I'm sure that many of you have had similar thoughts and you've begun to implement them in your daily lives.  I wish you the best of luck in these endeavors!  I hope that 2013 is the year that you accomplish your goals!

Today, I've had to put a lot of my goals on hold, because I'm lying in bed with the flu. It's amazing to me that no matter how strong you are, or how much you try to stay well, a tiny, microscopic bug can knock you flat. Every time I get out of bed it feels like I'm dragging around weights tied to my arms and legs.  My body hurts  like it hasn't hurt in a long time and I just want to be well!!!

One thing it has shown to me is the vital role that Dad plays in the home.  I've been sequestered from my family in hopes of not spreading the disease.  My kids come in and blow me kisses as they go to bed and I can see that they long for a hug as badly as I long to hug them.  I can't wait until this period of contagiousness is over and I can be DAD again!

Family, work, exercise, Church callings, everything is on hold.

This really stinks!