Happy Friday

I was up late last night ~ thinking, reading, thinking, reading, thinking, reading, thinking. I enjoy this behavior.

I come to you tonight with a plea that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we try to 'accentuate the positive.' I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort. Now I am not asking that all criticism be silenced. Growth comes of correction. Strength comes of repentance. Wise is the man or woman who can acknowledge mistakes pointed out by others and change his or her course.

What I am suggesting is that you turn from the negativism that so permeates our modern society and look for the remarkable good among those with whom you associate, that we speak of one another's virtues more than we speak of one another's faults, that optimism replace pessimism, that our faith exceed our fears. When I was a young man and was prone to speak critically, my wise father would say:
'Cynics do not contribute. Skeptics do not create. Doubters do not achieve.'

- Gordon B. Hinckley (September, 09)

Happy Tuesday

First things first, a confession. I read them, as I said I would never (I also joined Facebook). I'm not certain I should be apologizing to anyone but myself. Dad read them as they came out I believe. Living in CA Mark and Darci were attempting to convince me that they were the greatest thing on earth, I could stand the slight obsession even to the point of searching for the Trivia Pursuit Harry Potter for an entire Saturday afternoon for Mark's birthday ~ but I did not read or watch.


However, three weeks ago ~ for the sake of social life ~ I joined a group to see the sixth Harry Potter film this evening. Then two weeks ago, on an off day, I needed a distraction for an evening. I needed to get lost in someone's reality that was far from my own. I made my way to Library de Barnett and took the first three novels J.K. Rowling created. Three days later, I went to get the fourth, fifth, and sixth. I found myself lost in the world she has created. Hermione has become my best friend, Ron has stolen my heart, and Harry and I are on a roller coaster of emotion as I turn from page to page. Sleep was a frivolous past time. I made it through the Half-Blood Prince yesterday afternoon. Wow.

In the midst of my Harry Potter time I had two great dates ...

Syd and I had a scheduled date in a few weeks but due to circumstances we rescheduled for last Wednesday. She loved every single second of the performance. Spending time with Sydney puts things into perspective ~ smiling at the 'dancers', laughing at pies in the face, standing up and attempting to offer a hug as she saw Dolly get sad. I've decided that at 26 I overly complicate things but life is simple and I do not need to do that. I love my Syd.

Mac came into town, hooray for annul summer trips to Utah! We had our semi-annual night out to the theatre, it's a good thing I like this production! We laughed hysterically as Ernestina, Bonnie, danced and both Mac and I wiped away a tear as people sang about falling in love. Our conversation was priceless as she mentioned the fact that I was 'old' and should have kids, that Harry Potter was boring, and that I drove a 'mom's car'. The honesty of children ~ priceless!

Saturday I got a call from home. My parents amaze me. Their faith and determination in the face of ... life ... is inspirational. Jobs, disease, struggling family members, callings ~ they move forward, leading us all. I love my parents.

By the way ~ I like this 17 thing.