Today's topic, Death. I have been thinking about death this month. There are so many thoughts and ideas swirling through my head right now. I don't know if I can capture everything and express it in any meaningful way. But, I am going to try.
A few of people I know are facing death right now. Because a couple of them are patients of mine I cannot speak in any detail about their experiences. Just know that they are young, but old enough to know what death is. My Grandfather, who I am named for, is also staring death in the face. A friend just asked me what Mormons believe happens when we die. Lastly, my sister died a couple of years ago around this time. All these things combined have really got this morbid topic upper most in my mind.
Where to begin? First my thoughts about death. My religious beliefs have really shaped how I see death. I have always believed that we existed as spirits before we came to earth. We were created by our Father in Heaven. We come to earth to gain a body and to be tested, or if you prefer to learn. When our time here is done, our spirits and bodies are separated. Our body buried and our spirits return to Heaven, where depending on our choices we are sent to either spirit prison or paradise. Once the Savior, Jesus Christ, comes back to earth, the resurrection will begin. Everyone, regardless of belief in God, good or bad behavior will be resurrected. After we have been resurrected, meaning our bodies and spirits are reunited in a perfected body, we will be judged according to our actions, our faithfulness and then sent to a degree of glory depending on how worthy or unworthy we have been. Trust that this is a quick, incomplete nutshell of my beliefs about the life and death process.
Because, I have deep faith that there is a God in the Heavens, a reason to be here and know what happens after death I don't think death is the worse thing that could happen. That doesn't mean I like it or that I don't get sad when people die. However, I have a great sense of peace about death not being the end. I have long ago accepted that families can be together forever. There is a reason we often refer to God as our Heavenly Father, the Father or Father in Heaven. We live in family groups here because that is the order of things. It makes no sense to me to love so deeply and be so committed to our families only to be separated by death never to see each other again. We will live with our families in the next life.
At the moment of death our loved ones who have passed, for lack of a better phrase, come to pick us up. We often hear of people near death talking to or about people that have passed as if they were in the room. I submit that they are. Just because we don't see them doesn't mean that they aren't present and even communicating with the one dying.
My sister Dee's death is something I haven't really written about. I talk about it openly, I don't try to clean it up or make it sound less harsh, I just say she committed suicide. When it first happened two years ago, needless to say it was devastating. We, as a family, sat around a waiting room in a hospital for what seemed like weeks but was really just a few days. We sat, paced, cried and prayed while we waited to find out if there was any hope for her to live. I remember the first time I tried to sleep after I visited her in the hospital, I just lay awake for hours, with the thought, my sister is dead, running around and around in my mind like a broken record, over and over again. Being a nurse I knew she was gone, being a woman of faith, I also knew that if it was the Lord's will she could recover completely.
To take care of myself through this I have chosen what some may consider a selfish course. But, I don't care. I didn't know if I would survive intact if I didn't make my own way. So, I talk about her suicide when I want, to whomever I want and say what I want to say about it. I don't care if others are comfortable with the topic or not or what they want to know, I just say whatever. That being said I am not crazy, I don't feel like it is for me to discuss this with my patients or their families, nor do I go around harassing strangers with tales of my sister's suicide.
Oh, and one more thing, do me a favor and don't kill yourself. Please, suicide, as my Aunt Bonnie said so succinctly, is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. If someone reading this and is thinking about hurting themselves, Stop! There is help and there is a way out. I don't have all the answers, despite the rumors to the contrary. But I know personally how absolutely painful and senseless it is to see someone decide to end it all. I know, personally, how devastating it is to lose someone in such a useless way. I wouldn't want anyone to have to go through what my family and I have gone through.
I think that death is a part of our cycle of existence. In some ways it could be celebrated. Not like having a party with balloons and a banner saying "So and So is dead, let's paint the town red." But with solemnity, recognizing that someone has finished their course, they fought the good fight and done what the Lord sent them here to do. They are free from pain and sorrow and have returned home to be with their Father in Heaven, their Savior Jesus Christ and the family that have gone on before. How can that be anything but a reason to rejoice?
Yet, it is so very hard in the moment. When we realize that they are not here with us, we can't just pick up the phone and call, we won't see them again until we die can be overwhelming. When we see the injustice of time cut short through circumstances that seem so unfair, it is difficult to understand why. I can see how hard it would be for someone who doesn't have any confidence that this is not the end to find peace or to make sense of death. How very painful it must be to face death of a loved one with no knowledge of what comes next.
Death is part of life, we start dying the moment we are born or so they say. If that is true then let's make every day a day to relish and enjoy. Let's make the most of our time. Do something worth while, something that no matter when you go, you will know you made the world a little better even if you are the only one who knows it.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Today's topic How dumb am I supposed to be? OK, I have been trying so hard to keep my cool about our present political environment but I just can't take it anymore.
My concerns today are thus:
1. Taxing the rich. I don't want to defend rich people. I want to defend myself. Every time taxes are raised on the so called rich, I pay. I get a smaller raise, if any, pay more for goods and services while getting less product. Or to save money companies lay off or fire employees which means I have to do more in my community with fewer resources. The government takes taxes and spend as they see fit. They seem to think they know better how to spend my money. Like 800,000 on a conference and more recently 6,000,000. I hear people say that these are a drop in the bucket when compared to what we really spend as a nation. Maybe they are a "drop in the bucket" but drop by drop the bucket is filled. Frankly, we are talking almost 7,000,000 dollars and you can't convince me that that is so little it barely matters. Let me tell you, if I had 7,000,000 dollars of other peoples money to spend with impunity I could do some serious good for the community. I could put kids in college, send them to learn about other cultures, pay for their medicines. The list of the good that could be done with no one putting their hand in the pot can be as broad as our country.
2. Our President not doing his job. I know it is time to run for re-election and he wants to win. I wish someone would tell him something that helps you win is actually being presidential. You know doing things like defending our country. We have been attacked in 27 countries starting on the anniversary of 9/11 and he wants me to believe it was because of a video that was out since June. Right. Oh, and requests from our now dead ambassador for more security were denied. I am supposed to believe that our President is so genius and so awesome that he can think rings around me and yet he can't put this together. The same President that jumped to conclusions regarding several situations suddenly wants to wait and gather facts. To this day there has been no securing of our embassy, no investigation, no facts. I am supposed to believe he doesn't have time to talk with anyone be they foe or ally at the recent UN conference but he does have time to appear on the View. He can talk to our allies on the phone. He can skip intelligence briefings. He can fly here and there campaigning and still run the country. Because he is so awesome. Yet, it seems like things are falling apart. I feel like he is either stupid, or a closet drunk. Maybe both.
3. I am so tired, because I am a conservative, of being labeled a racist, homophobic, ignorant, and greedy. I am none of these things. I just understand that I am responsible for my own self and after I make sure I have my crap together, I need to help others with theirs. I am tired of hearing if I don't support everything a certain group is for I hate them. I am not allowed a different opinion or thoughts on a topic, if I am not spewing the party line then I am a hater. I don't care if you are a person of color or gay. I will like your or dislike you according to how you act, you know the content of your character matters to me.
4. Somehow it is wrong of me to want to keep the money I earn. I work hard, I earn my pay and I should be able to decide how to lift up my fellow citizens in need. Every time, I hear some politician talk about some government program as free, I want to scream. Nothing is free, it is coming out of someones bank account. Mine, yours, ours. Our government thinks they know better how to use our money. It is like the inmates are running the asylum. That makes me crazy. There are some many politicians with their faces in the feeding trough, glutting themselves off our hard work while those in need go without and the conservatives are blamed. They really do like to keep people dependent, if the dependents were actually able to lift themselves up they wouldn't need these greedy parasites who say they are helping while pushing down the down trodden. If people really understood how insidious and pervasive the system of dependency was they would be so outraged we would vote them all out and start over.
Well, I think I got most of what I wanted off my chest. At least, I feel better. You may or may not agree with me. I just wanted to state some things as I see them. I will end by saying that no actual politians were harmed in the typing of this blog.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Today's topic, Traveling. I have traveled more than some, less than others. I driven coast to coast, up and down this great country and love to see the differences and the sameness we have to offer.
First, let me talk about how some drivers need to get places so quickly. I, too, want to get places quickly. I really do. I have what some refer to as a lead foot. I feel that I am a good driver, definitely a good driver. But, I am not crazy. I may be a good driver, but I cannot depend on the drivers around me to be the same. I am amazed at how more, for lack of a better word, bold drivers seem to think that everyone drives at their level. The get so close, and weave around the other cars on the road assuming that the other drivers won't make a decision that could cause a horrific wreck. You will note that I don't use the word accident. It would be no accident. One tap on the brakes, or foot off the accelerator or deciding to move from one lane to the next would end in disaster. Yet, the bold drivers seem to think they know what they are doing. I would agree with that, they know what they are doing. Unfortunately, they don't know what anyone else is doing. Maybe that slower moving car has an inexperienced driver, or a driver concerned with answering their phone, quieting the kids, changing the channel on the radio, looking over the scenery, etc. There are so many variables that are uncontrolled. Maybe, it gives the bold driver a thrill to take the risk of not knowing what the other driver may or may not do or react. Or maybe, the bold driver is an idiot. I will go with the idiot idea. And it is the same in any state or region the sameness of idiots is apparent.
Secondly, let us talk about how beautiful our country is, even in it's differences. The skylines of large cities, compared with the rolling spaces of rural areas. Both have so much to offer. In my opinion the large cities have nonstop action. There is something seductive about the go, go, go mentality. Always something to do, somewhere to go, some fun to be had and it doesn't end, ever.
Then, you have the wide open spaces offered by less developed areas. The trees, rolling hills, gurgling streams that call to us in a different way. Yet, they can be equally seductive. The pull of peaceful, beautiful spaces filled with fresh air and sunshine calls to us too.
I find that I like the offerings of big cities and rural communities. I guess that is why I see my self as a suburbanite. I like the quiet of rural areas, but want access to the action of a city. What to do? Live in suburbia.
I digress, back to traveling. I love to take driving trips, I love to see the beauty offered around the county myself. I love to learn about what is common here or there. For instance, I was surprised that my mom had never had a cannoli. Then, I thought about it. She is from the South, where you are more likely to eat banana pudding. I wonder how many routine cannoli eaters have never had banana pudding?
Sometimes, I forget that even though we are all Americans and all live in the greatest nation the world has ever seen, we are so different regionally. Sorry, that so many of my analogies are food related but it is an easy way to point out how we are different. Barbecue, Carolina barbecue, in my opinion, is the best barbecue you can eat. You look a state or two over and they are eating a completely different kind. It is made with beef, not port, sweet, not savory.
Tea, I don't even drink tea, but am very aware of how stunned people from the North are when they come to the South and get iced tea with their meal. They aren't prepared for the sweet tea that is served. I guess that Southerners are also shocked when they get tea, plain unsweetened tea with their meal in the North. I thankfully, don't have to worry about that. I am drinking water or soda. Of, course depending where you are the water can be a real issue too.
I have driven through some small towns and large cities. I remember a trip through small towns in Michigan. Population less than 3000. It seemed the sidewalks were rolled up at 6pm, the grocery stores closed, every thing would be closed and all good people in their homes with the blinds, you guessed it, closed. I had never seen anything like it. Then, of course I have done driving though big cities with their narrow streets, never ending traffic and scarce parking. I was able to participate in moving day in Boston. Moving truck after moving truck, up and down all the narrow streets, with all the students from all the colleges trying to move from one place to the next all on the same weekend. I have never seen anything like that either. It is such an event, the year I was there, a documentary was being made to record the phenomenon.
Something I have found is that it doesn't matter where you are, there are lovely, kind people all over. They want to help and care about you. Big city, small town, people are people. Kind, loving, flawed. Sure there are some bad people out there. But there are more of the good ones. The ones who will go out of their way to help someone in need. How grateful I am, since I seem to get lost so easily and wind up depending on the kindness of strangers more than my fair share.
First, let me talk about how some drivers need to get places so quickly. I, too, want to get places quickly. I really do. I have what some refer to as a lead foot. I feel that I am a good driver, definitely a good driver. But, I am not crazy. I may be a good driver, but I cannot depend on the drivers around me to be the same. I am amazed at how more, for lack of a better word, bold drivers seem to think that everyone drives at their level. The get so close, and weave around the other cars on the road assuming that the other drivers won't make a decision that could cause a horrific wreck. You will note that I don't use the word accident. It would be no accident. One tap on the brakes, or foot off the accelerator or deciding to move from one lane to the next would end in disaster. Yet, the bold drivers seem to think they know what they are doing. I would agree with that, they know what they are doing. Unfortunately, they don't know what anyone else is doing. Maybe that slower moving car has an inexperienced driver, or a driver concerned with answering their phone, quieting the kids, changing the channel on the radio, looking over the scenery, etc. There are so many variables that are uncontrolled. Maybe, it gives the bold driver a thrill to take the risk of not knowing what the other driver may or may not do or react. Or maybe, the bold driver is an idiot. I will go with the idiot idea. And it is the same in any state or region the sameness of idiots is apparent.
Secondly, let us talk about how beautiful our country is, even in it's differences. The skylines of large cities, compared with the rolling spaces of rural areas. Both have so much to offer. In my opinion the large cities have nonstop action. There is something seductive about the go, go, go mentality. Always something to do, somewhere to go, some fun to be had and it doesn't end, ever.
Then, you have the wide open spaces offered by less developed areas. The trees, rolling hills, gurgling streams that call to us in a different way. Yet, they can be equally seductive. The pull of peaceful, beautiful spaces filled with fresh air and sunshine calls to us too.
I find that I like the offerings of big cities and rural communities. I guess that is why I see my self as a suburbanite. I like the quiet of rural areas, but want access to the action of a city. What to do? Live in suburbia.
I digress, back to traveling. I love to take driving trips, I love to see the beauty offered around the county myself. I love to learn about what is common here or there. For instance, I was surprised that my mom had never had a cannoli. Then, I thought about it. She is from the South, where you are more likely to eat banana pudding. I wonder how many routine cannoli eaters have never had banana pudding?
Sometimes, I forget that even though we are all Americans and all live in the greatest nation the world has ever seen, we are so different regionally. Sorry, that so many of my analogies are food related but it is an easy way to point out how we are different. Barbecue, Carolina barbecue, in my opinion, is the best barbecue you can eat. You look a state or two over and they are eating a completely different kind. It is made with beef, not port, sweet, not savory.
Tea, I don't even drink tea, but am very aware of how stunned people from the North are when they come to the South and get iced tea with their meal. They aren't prepared for the sweet tea that is served. I guess that Southerners are also shocked when they get tea, plain unsweetened tea with their meal in the North. I thankfully, don't have to worry about that. I am drinking water or soda. Of, course depending where you are the water can be a real issue too.
I have driven through some small towns and large cities. I remember a trip through small towns in Michigan. Population less than 3000. It seemed the sidewalks were rolled up at 6pm, the grocery stores closed, every thing would be closed and all good people in their homes with the blinds, you guessed it, closed. I had never seen anything like it. Then, of course I have done driving though big cities with their narrow streets, never ending traffic and scarce parking. I was able to participate in moving day in Boston. Moving truck after moving truck, up and down all the narrow streets, with all the students from all the colleges trying to move from one place to the next all on the same weekend. I have never seen anything like that either. It is such an event, the year I was there, a documentary was being made to record the phenomenon.
Something I have found is that it doesn't matter where you are, there are lovely, kind people all over. They want to help and care about you. Big city, small town, people are people. Kind, loving, flawed. Sure there are some bad people out there. But there are more of the good ones. The ones who will go out of their way to help someone in need. How grateful I am, since I seem to get lost so easily and wind up depending on the kindness of strangers more than my fair share.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Today's topic Shopping. OK, I don't enjoy shopping. I somehow was born without the gene to shop. I should be rich, right? Wrong! I still spend money and shop, I just don't like it.
I think I don't like to shop because of early childhood trauma. Oh, not abuse, but shopping with my mom (gasp). She can shop. She pretends now that she is old and frail. Don't be fooled. Granted she has to use one of the motorized carts now because she is arthritic, but she can shop. When I say shop I don't just mean to purchase things. I mean going from store to store looking at display after display of stuff to buy. See, I usually know what I want, I go to the store that should have it, buy it and take it home. Done. Finished. Mission accomplished. Yeah, with mom, not so much. She does have one of the motorized carts, but they aren't a car, for goodness sake. So, why can't I keep up with her? Especially, when she stops to look at almost everything. It is part of the torture, that's why.
When I shop if I go to more than two stores (which is rare) I feel like crying. Sometimes, I just decide I don't need what ever it is at the third or more horribly, fourth store. "Yeah, I don't need shoes." You know, stuff like that. I try to think about what I need and try to be in a store that carries as much of it as possible, like Wal-mart or Target.
Now that you can buy so much on the Internet I admit I don't mind that so much. Maybe because I don't have to brush my teeth or bathe for that matter, to online shop. Oh, and if I play my cards right I can have things sent to people so I don't have to travel with their crap I bought them. OK, that is harsh. I try to buy people nice things that I think they will like and use. But, when I am stuck dragging it from place to place where they might be, I let it become crap and a burden.
Back to Internet shopping. That is my niche for shopping, and I don't just mean purchasing. I will peruse various websites for things I may want to buy. I have to be serious though to actually buy. I usually just look at the stuff. I go to certain sites looking at stuff and checking the prices. I try to be careful not to get caught up or upset about what I can't afford to buy.
I think it is important to remember there is a difference between wanting something and needing it. For instance, I need furniture for my home. I want Ethan Allen furniture. But, I can't really afford that so I don't have it. I need food to eat. I want to eat out a lot. See, I don't need to eat out and pay more for food, I just want to . I am not perfect at this and get needs and wants confused but I try to be aware. Oh, and my house has cute enough furniture and I have good healthy food to eat so it isn't like I suffer.
I love to shop for other people. I think my second job would be a personal shopper but with a twist. I wouldn't take a list and pick it up for you. Again, I hate to shop. But you tell me you are looking to buy and I hunt it down on the net. Or even better you show me what you are thinking of and I tell you yea or nay. I love the excitement of trying to figure out your taste or getting someone to think in a different direction. That isn't my goal but sometimes people aren't sure about what they are really looking for or they have an idea just not fully developed. That is when I love to help out. I am not saying I know best, I just want to think that I do.
So, despite childhood trauma I have persevered, overcome, climbed out of the shopping Hell of my formative years. I hide the scars, smile to hide the anguish and just say "Charge it!"
I think I don't like to shop because of early childhood trauma. Oh, not abuse, but shopping with my mom (gasp). She can shop. She pretends now that she is old and frail. Don't be fooled. Granted she has to use one of the motorized carts now because she is arthritic, but she can shop. When I say shop I don't just mean to purchase things. I mean going from store to store looking at display after display of stuff to buy. See, I usually know what I want, I go to the store that should have it, buy it and take it home. Done. Finished. Mission accomplished. Yeah, with mom, not so much. She does have one of the motorized carts, but they aren't a car, for goodness sake. So, why can't I keep up with her? Especially, when she stops to look at almost everything. It is part of the torture, that's why.
When I shop if I go to more than two stores (which is rare) I feel like crying. Sometimes, I just decide I don't need what ever it is at the third or more horribly, fourth store. "Yeah, I don't need shoes." You know, stuff like that. I try to think about what I need and try to be in a store that carries as much of it as possible, like Wal-mart or Target.
Now that you can buy so much on the Internet I admit I don't mind that so much. Maybe because I don't have to brush my teeth or bathe for that matter, to online shop. Oh, and if I play my cards right I can have things sent to people so I don't have to travel with their crap I bought them. OK, that is harsh. I try to buy people nice things that I think they will like and use. But, when I am stuck dragging it from place to place where they might be, I let it become crap and a burden.
Back to Internet shopping. That is my niche for shopping, and I don't just mean purchasing. I will peruse various websites for things I may want to buy. I have to be serious though to actually buy. I usually just look at the stuff. I go to certain sites looking at stuff and checking the prices. I try to be careful not to get caught up or upset about what I can't afford to buy.
I think it is important to remember there is a difference between wanting something and needing it. For instance, I need furniture for my home. I want Ethan Allen furniture. But, I can't really afford that so I don't have it. I need food to eat. I want to eat out a lot. See, I don't need to eat out and pay more for food, I just want to . I am not perfect at this and get needs and wants confused but I try to be aware. Oh, and my house has cute enough furniture and I have good healthy food to eat so it isn't like I suffer.
I love to shop for other people. I think my second job would be a personal shopper but with a twist. I wouldn't take a list and pick it up for you. Again, I hate to shop. But you tell me you are looking to buy and I hunt it down on the net. Or even better you show me what you are thinking of and I tell you yea or nay. I love the excitement of trying to figure out your taste or getting someone to think in a different direction. That isn't my goal but sometimes people aren't sure about what they are really looking for or they have an idea just not fully developed. That is when I love to help out. I am not saying I know best, I just want to think that I do.
So, despite childhood trauma I have persevered, overcome, climbed out of the shopping Hell of my formative years. I hide the scars, smile to hide the anguish and just say "Charge it!"
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Today's topic Mormon. Well, with the confirmation that we will have a Mormon as nominee for President of the United States, I feel the need to talk a little about what we believe. Understand that I am not an official representative, am not trying to proselyte, or change minds. I am just giving some information out. Oh, and the above isn't some kind of official disclaimer. I just want to lay out what my agenda is. As ever, I will be frank.
I think that there are so many misconceptions of what Latter-day Saints, Mormons, believe and practice I thought I would give a tutorial of sorts from my point of view. I was thinking about how to cram everything I believe to be true into a short blog post. I don't want to do a mini series so thought that I would go to some of the tenets of our beliefs. They are called the Articles of Faith and can be found in the Pearl of Great Price. I have listed all 13 and will make comments about some of them and will pretty much say anything else that comes to mind. Scripture will appear in blue, non scripture, me, in red.
Before I get to the Articles of Faith I want to make something clear. We do NOT as a church discuss politics from the pulpit. We are encouraged to review the candidates and prayerfully consider and vote for those who best represent our values. From the pulpit you may be encouraged to vote, to support our leaders and military. The Church officials do not endorse any candidate. They may privately do what they will but in their official capacity they maintain a neutral stance. Even though a Mormon is running for President as Mormons we shouldn't vote for him because of his faith. I couldn't in good conscience do so. Just like I couldn't vote or not vote for anyone else related to their race, religion or sex.
1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. That is right, we are Christians. We believe in Christ and recognize him as our Savior. There is no other way or means into Heaven but through him. Some think that we try to work our way into Heaven. No, we don't. But we know that even though we are saved by Grace, our Heavenly Father wants to strive to be like Him and our Savior Jesus Christ. Genesis 17:1 1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. So, we try to do what is right, improve upon ourselves because we are commanded to do so. We refer to God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost as the Godhead. They are 3 separate beings. God the Father and Jesus Christ being flesh and bone and the Holy Ghost as a spirit being. They are one in purpose.
2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. We must repent of all our wrong doing and be obedient to God's commandments.
4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. The need to repent is real. There are steps to repentance. We must recognise the sin, feel truly sorry, stop the sin, and make restitution to those hurt by our sin. That may also have some conflict with the belief of being saved by Grace. We are saved by Grace, but cannot sin and bear no responsibility. That would negate the Atonement. Alma 11:37 And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins. That takes me to the cross. Because we don't wear crosses some think that means we aren't Christian. We are. We have a few reasons for not wearing crosses. 1, Jesus Christ isn't dead, he has risen we don't want to forget he lives. As the literal Son of God he was able to give up his life and take it up again. 2, the death on the cross isn't the only part of the Atonement, don't forget the suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he took on the sins of the world, which was so painful, so agonizing he literally sweat blood. Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. He is the Son of God, he wasn't just praying and sweating blood from fear of the scourging and death on the cross. The Holy Ghost has the role of helping us feel the spirit he has many task associated with this. Including helping us to feel comfort, peace and to testify of truth. Moroni 10:5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof. We boldly claim the authority to act in God's name through the power of the Priesthood. We have no paid clergy. Those called serve do so on their own time. We pay tithes and give offerings. But these are for the building up of the kingdom, to feed the poor and care for those in need.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. We do believe and study the Bible, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants. We study them at church on Sundays and in our homes. We have programs for the youth of our church to study the scriptures. We call it Seminary, over 4 years we study each for a school year, the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants. From there we move onto Institute where we continue to study and learn about our Father in Heaven, our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost and their love for us and their expectations for us to grow and follow our Savior's example.
9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. We believe that Our Father has more to tell us in these last days. I think this scares people into thinking we don't feel the scriptures are enough. The world is troubled and chaotic place. I like to know my Father in Heaven is aware of me, aware of my personal challenges and speaks to a Prophet today. The Prophet is Thomas S Monson who oversees the Church.
10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory. This a big one. We believe that Christ will come and save His people in person. The second coming will happen and He will personally reign upon the earth.
11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. We send missionaries into the mission field to offer anyone who wants to learn about the gospel and practice as we do. Beyond that we are taught to respect the beliefs of others.
12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. This is the kind of people we are encouraged to be. To be loving, kind and decent. We are to be of service to our fellow man.
I will end with part of my personal testimony. I know God lives. I know my Father in Heaven and Savior love me, know me personally and that Jesus Christ intercedes for me, personally. Even with all the work to be done I matter to them. As do you.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Today's topic Doing it yourself. There seems to be some confusion about what it means to be self made. No man (or woman) is an island. Of course, if we are lucky we all get a hand up. Whether from friends, family, community or even our government almost everyone who starts something gets help. We want each other to succeed and are willing to support the cause.
I was taken aback by our President saying you didn't build that yourself. So much for self made men. I, as you know say am not easily offended. But that was on the cusp. I don't dispute that we get help. However, the idea, the blood, sweat and tears aren't born by anyone but the innovator/s. A lot of new businesses fail within the first year. If there is truly so much help creating they wouldn't have trouble keeping things going. What keeps them afloat is the hard, hard work and sacrifices made by the creators/owners. Trust me there is no one in the government sweating and sacrificing. They throw some of my money and your money at them and walk or regulate the heck out them. Which too much oversight may contribute to the downfall of new businesses. By the way that takes me to the government (both sides of the aisle) they can't oversee themselves, why should I trust they can oversee anyone or anything? I always feel that the inmates are running the asylum.
So, what is a self made man (woman)? Is it someone who has people see some talent or ability and push them to greatness? Or someone who sees talent or ability in themselves and makes something happen finding and using any resources at their disposal? Or forget about talent and ability what about someone with a dream and perseverance? There are so many people out there who just did and wow what they did. Thomas Edison. 3 months of formal education, and then taught by his mother and is remembered as one of the greatest inventors of all time. Clara Barton, had formal education, but not in nursing, she worked with the wounded and dying during the Civil War and then started the Red Cross. Henry Ford, first generation Irish immigrant, an inventor, industrialist and a head of his time. He wanted the best workers, and paid a premium to get and keep the best. There are so many self starters in our great country. People who have been brave and stepped out of their comfort zone. I have high lighted some well known self starters but there are people all over taking risk.
One person I can think of is my best friend Jennifer. Jennifer isn't rich, (although I hope that someday soon she will be and I can be her Gayle) but she is a brave self starter. She was the first in her family to go to a four year college. She was a teacher and taught for several years. She felt that she should serve a religious mission. She went to France, learned a new language and culture for 18 months. The school she taught at saved her job her while she was gone. She came back and started teaching only to realize she hated it. She got a new job in a new field and worked there for years. With the economy being so bad she was laid off. She has looked for work, with no success, but has taken steps to become a writer. She is really good! She has constantly looked for ways to better her self and share her talents.
With the Olympics just behind us, I am thinking of all the great athletes, they didn't do it themselves. The trained, ate and slept their sport. They had families, coaches, friends, communities pulling for them. People were invested in the athletes success. But with all that support and love when it came to the actual competitions the athletes stepped out on their own. Ultimately, winning or loosing was up to them. Whether they came in first or last, won gold or bronze they earned it themselves. And if they were lucky enough to win a medal, they stood on the podium by themselves.
So, sure no man (woman) is an island. We all need help, but please, no one be so disrespectful and demeaning as to say you didn't do it yourself. It makes me think you don't have any confidence or since of accomplishment in your own successes.
I was taken aback by our President saying you didn't build that yourself. So much for self made men. I, as you know say am not easily offended. But that was on the cusp. I don't dispute that we get help. However, the idea, the blood, sweat and tears aren't born by anyone but the innovator/s. A lot of new businesses fail within the first year. If there is truly so much help creating they wouldn't have trouble keeping things going. What keeps them afloat is the hard, hard work and sacrifices made by the creators/owners. Trust me there is no one in the government sweating and sacrificing. They throw some of my money and your money at them and walk or regulate the heck out them. Which too much oversight may contribute to the downfall of new businesses. By the way that takes me to the government (both sides of the aisle) they can't oversee themselves, why should I trust they can oversee anyone or anything? I always feel that the inmates are running the asylum.
So, what is a self made man (woman)? Is it someone who has people see some talent or ability and push them to greatness? Or someone who sees talent or ability in themselves and makes something happen finding and using any resources at their disposal? Or forget about talent and ability what about someone with a dream and perseverance? There are so many people out there who just did and wow what they did. Thomas Edison. 3 months of formal education, and then taught by his mother and is remembered as one of the greatest inventors of all time. Clara Barton, had formal education, but not in nursing, she worked with the wounded and dying during the Civil War and then started the Red Cross. Henry Ford, first generation Irish immigrant, an inventor, industrialist and a head of his time. He wanted the best workers, and paid a premium to get and keep the best. There are so many self starters in our great country. People who have been brave and stepped out of their comfort zone. I have high lighted some well known self starters but there are people all over taking risk.
One person I can think of is my best friend Jennifer. Jennifer isn't rich, (although I hope that someday soon she will be and I can be her Gayle) but she is a brave self starter. She was the first in her family to go to a four year college. She was a teacher and taught for several years. She felt that she should serve a religious mission. She went to France, learned a new language and culture for 18 months. The school she taught at saved her job her while she was gone. She came back and started teaching only to realize she hated it. She got a new job in a new field and worked there for years. With the economy being so bad she was laid off. She has looked for work, with no success, but has taken steps to become a writer. She is really good! She has constantly looked for ways to better her self and share her talents.
With the Olympics just behind us, I am thinking of all the great athletes, they didn't do it themselves. The trained, ate and slept their sport. They had families, coaches, friends, communities pulling for them. People were invested in the athletes success. But with all that support and love when it came to the actual competitions the athletes stepped out on their own. Ultimately, winning or loosing was up to them. Whether they came in first or last, won gold or bronze they earned it themselves. And if they were lucky enough to win a medal, they stood on the podium by themselves.
So, sure no man (woman) is an island. We all need help, but please, no one be so disrespectful and demeaning as to say you didn't do it yourself. It makes me think you don't have any confidence or since of accomplishment in your own successes.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Today's topic dyslexia. Dyslexia runs in my family, you could say it practically gallops (bod a bing). I have never been formally diagnosed, but if it looks like a kcud and quacks like a duck it is probably a duck. My mom's side of the family has the dyslexia. She had an uncle who was never able to learn to read. He had an amazing memory though. He was the manager of a very large warehouse and knew where every item could be found simply from memory. Several of my siblings and I have dyslexic traits.
I never had trouble reading. I didn't write backwards. One of my brothers would write his name backwards, XER. When my mom realized he was dyslexic she took steps to ensure he wouldn't have the same problems she had in school. My mom was told she was stupid, by her teachers, because it took her so long to learn the alphabet. She reads and writes fine now, but still is fearful of reading in public. I have never heard her refuse to read anything out loud. Just recently while at church she was asked to read a scripture in our women's meeting. I realized that my mom was reading and rereading the scripture to make sure she wouldn't mess up. I didn't realize what a challenge it was for her until she indicated that she was trying not to make a mistake.
My mom researched dyslexia and taught my brother to read and write. In doing research she discovered, poor hand eye coordination, poor sense of direction, poor organizational skills and some other things are all dyslexic traits. I have all of these. I could never learn to play an instrument and though my typing speed and accuracy has improved through the necessity I am still slower than most. I can't really play video games, my poor nieces and nephews have tried over the years to teach me something, but in futility. Oh and forget teaching me dance moves, it ain't gonna happen.
My sense of direction is bad. To help you understand how bad I will give you an example. I lived in a town home for 5 years. In 5 years I came and went hundreds and hundreds of times. In the 5th year I bought a house and moved out. A year and a half later, I asked someone who lived on the same street in the complex to teach my Sunday school lesson. I took the lesson manual over to the street I had lived on for 5 years and took a wrong turn. That is right after a year and a half I couldn't make it back to my same short street. Oh, and it wasn't a large and complicate complex. To my knowledge my mother has never had trouble with direction. In fact when she was around 2 her grandfather would drive around Tarboro and say "OK, Ginny Sue, tell me how to get home." and she would. It tickled him to no end. And to top that off my mom, my younger sister, Celeste and I went to visit the city in Idaho we had lived in about 20 years prior, only to have my mom remember exactly how to get anywhere she wanted to go. I just drove, she did all the navigation because even though that is where I learned to drive I couldn't remember a thing.
Organization. My nemesis. I will be honest I have learned some minor skills. At work I am very organized, but it took a long time for me to get that way. However, when it comes to organization I am at a loss. I admit that now that I have struggled through so much of my life without having real skills at organization I have learned a few things. If I see a situation that is similar to one I have faced in the past then I can organize. Because I don't usually forget the agony of learning how to organize something. I remember when I volunteered for a school here in my home town. I did this for several years and enjoyed it very much. I was supposed to organize and put away the files for the rising 6th graders. The first year I did it took me more than one visit. I must of have picked the slowest way possible without actually not doing it at all to get the task accomplished. I don't remember how I was doing it. The next year the secretary of the office, pointed out a way which only took me a couple of hours. Oh, how sad is that! I took probably 8 hours or so to do a 2 hour job. You will find stuff like that all over my life. Oh, and to rub it in my sister, Ginna, is so highly organized every employer she has points it out in her reviews. I am thinking of a word that starts with B.
I just recently was reading up on dyslexia and found that a cardinal sign of the disorder is to leave letters out of words. I do that all the time. I thought I was just sloppy, which I may be, but at least sometimes it is the dyslexia. I have been working harder spelling the word mentally as I write, only to still leave a letter out pretty consistently. I think of it as a mental hiccup, I am spelling away and somewhere in the process I just skip something. I still get frustrated with myself when I do it but at least I know why.
I blame my dyslexia for a lot, I tell people all the time that some stupid thing I did or didn't do is related to my dyslexia. Usually, they laugh and are meant to, but sometimes I am serious. Dyslexia has many facets. You can have some and not others. But it has given my things too. I don't know if it is a part of the disorder or a coping mechanism but I have a good memory and I am fairly quick to memorize things I need. That is helpful. I will never be a great speller, or a math whiz but I have a mental Rolodex. I am able to remember things well. People ask me to recall information of some sort all the time. And I generally have that little piece of information tucked away waiting to be pulled forth and used. I have a joke. Did you hear about the agnostic, insomniac, dyslexic? She was up all night wondering if there really was a DOG.
I have to thank Eboni. After all the years of not being able to use the less than or greater than symbols which people have tried to teach me over and over she did it! I can now remember which is which. People have use the alligator method, the here we will show you etc. But Eboni used her left hand to make the symbol and told me left is less. So simple and effective! I could never remember from one time to the next. In my field of work we use the symbols a lot. Usually, the symbols would make sense only one way so I would know what was meant. I would ask someone and explain that I couldn't use them if I wasn't easily able to discern what was wanted. I got some strange looks and then they would try to teach me, to no avail. Whenever I wanted to use them I would either get help or right out greater than or less than.
I almost forgot, that's right I don't remember all. I knew a girl around 25 years ago who confessed a deep dark secret. She was dyslexic. She had such shame about it. She told me her parents and said she never tell anyone. She was terrified to read or do much in public because of her dyslexia. How sad her parents decided to make her a dirty little family secret. That was the real shame.
They say dyslexics aren't mentally slow. That could be argued in my case I am sure. I am not complaining, I have stumbled through life OK. I make a living, own my home and with a GPS get lost less than ever and thank goodness for spell check! Holy Cow, you have no idea what you would be reading if not. That is right math and spelling can also be an issue for dyslexics. It is a learning disability that doesn't mean you aren't smart but you learn differently. Oh, how I love being different! It is way fun.
I never had trouble reading. I didn't write backwards. One of my brothers would write his name backwards, XER. When my mom realized he was dyslexic she took steps to ensure he wouldn't have the same problems she had in school. My mom was told she was stupid, by her teachers, because it took her so long to learn the alphabet. She reads and writes fine now, but still is fearful of reading in public. I have never heard her refuse to read anything out loud. Just recently while at church she was asked to read a scripture in our women's meeting. I realized that my mom was reading and rereading the scripture to make sure she wouldn't mess up. I didn't realize what a challenge it was for her until she indicated that she was trying not to make a mistake.
My mom researched dyslexia and taught my brother to read and write. In doing research she discovered, poor hand eye coordination, poor sense of direction, poor organizational skills and some other things are all dyslexic traits. I have all of these. I could never learn to play an instrument and though my typing speed and accuracy has improved through the necessity I am still slower than most. I can't really play video games, my poor nieces and nephews have tried over the years to teach me something, but in futility. Oh and forget teaching me dance moves, it ain't gonna happen.
My sense of direction is bad. To help you understand how bad I will give you an example. I lived in a town home for 5 years. In 5 years I came and went hundreds and hundreds of times. In the 5th year I bought a house and moved out. A year and a half later, I asked someone who lived on the same street in the complex to teach my Sunday school lesson. I took the lesson manual over to the street I had lived on for 5 years and took a wrong turn. That is right after a year and a half I couldn't make it back to my same short street. Oh, and it wasn't a large and complicate complex. To my knowledge my mother has never had trouble with direction. In fact when she was around 2 her grandfather would drive around Tarboro and say "OK, Ginny Sue, tell me how to get home." and she would. It tickled him to no end. And to top that off my mom, my younger sister, Celeste and I went to visit the city in Idaho we had lived in about 20 years prior, only to have my mom remember exactly how to get anywhere she wanted to go. I just drove, she did all the navigation because even though that is where I learned to drive I couldn't remember a thing.
Organization. My nemesis. I will be honest I have learned some minor skills. At work I am very organized, but it took a long time for me to get that way. However, when it comes to organization I am at a loss. I admit that now that I have struggled through so much of my life without having real skills at organization I have learned a few things. If I see a situation that is similar to one I have faced in the past then I can organize. Because I don't usually forget the agony of learning how to organize something. I remember when I volunteered for a school here in my home town. I did this for several years and enjoyed it very much. I was supposed to organize and put away the files for the rising 6th graders. The first year I did it took me more than one visit. I must of have picked the slowest way possible without actually not doing it at all to get the task accomplished. I don't remember how I was doing it. The next year the secretary of the office, pointed out a way which only took me a couple of hours. Oh, how sad is that! I took probably 8 hours or so to do a 2 hour job. You will find stuff like that all over my life. Oh, and to rub it in my sister, Ginna, is so highly organized every employer she has points it out in her reviews. I am thinking of a word that starts with B.
I just recently was reading up on dyslexia and found that a cardinal sign of the disorder is to leave letters out of words. I do that all the time. I thought I was just sloppy, which I may be, but at least sometimes it is the dyslexia. I have been working harder spelling the word mentally as I write, only to still leave a letter out pretty consistently. I think of it as a mental hiccup, I am spelling away and somewhere in the process I just skip something. I still get frustrated with myself when I do it but at least I know why.
I blame my dyslexia for a lot, I tell people all the time that some stupid thing I did or didn't do is related to my dyslexia. Usually, they laugh and are meant to, but sometimes I am serious. Dyslexia has many facets. You can have some and not others. But it has given my things too. I don't know if it is a part of the disorder or a coping mechanism but I have a good memory and I am fairly quick to memorize things I need. That is helpful. I will never be a great speller, or a math whiz but I have a mental Rolodex. I am able to remember things well. People ask me to recall information of some sort all the time. And I generally have that little piece of information tucked away waiting to be pulled forth and used. I have a joke. Did you hear about the agnostic, insomniac, dyslexic? She was up all night wondering if there really was a DOG.
I have to thank Eboni. After all the years of not being able to use the less than or greater than symbols which people have tried to teach me over and over she did it! I can now remember which is which. People have use the alligator method, the here we will show you etc. But Eboni used her left hand to make the symbol and told me left is less. So simple and effective! I could never remember from one time to the next. In my field of work we use the symbols a lot. Usually, the symbols would make sense only one way so I would know what was meant. I would ask someone and explain that I couldn't use them if I wasn't easily able to discern what was wanted. I got some strange looks and then they would try to teach me, to no avail. Whenever I wanted to use them I would either get help or right out greater than or less than.
I almost forgot, that's right I don't remember all. I knew a girl around 25 years ago who confessed a deep dark secret. She was dyslexic. She had such shame about it. She told me her parents and said she never tell anyone. She was terrified to read or do much in public because of her dyslexia. How sad her parents decided to make her a dirty little family secret. That was the real shame.
They say dyslexics aren't mentally slow. That could be argued in my case I am sure. I am not complaining, I have stumbled through life OK. I make a living, own my home and with a GPS get lost less than ever and thank goodness for spell check! Holy Cow, you have no idea what you would be reading if not. That is right math and spelling can also be an issue for dyslexics. It is a learning disability that doesn't mean you aren't smart but you learn differently. Oh, how I love being different! It is way fun.
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