The Blog Tagging - 25 Things You Don't Know

The Game - someone tags you in a post or in a blog and you have to write blaaaahh blah blah blah blaaahhh... Here's twenty five things that chances are you don't know about me... treat them well.

1. I like socks... and underpants. If you know me well enough than you know that I have a large assortment of boxers and a myriad of socks... they are my guilty pleasures.
2. I cannot STAND hair on carpets... something about it is just utterly revolting. Sometimes I gag.
3. There is no room for pessimism in my life, but I've hung out with enough of you damned people that it's starting to rub off, and it really pisses me off. If I should make any complaint it would be that... pessimism... >.> wait.....
4. I'm a lover of hot button topics, if I can squeeze in a controversial subject I will. I find joy when people can stand up for what they truly believe in and what they think is right, regardless of how I feel, so I get a genuine kick out of challenging people, and likewise...
5. I have a hard time turning challenges down! I LOVE challenges, and anything that can puzzle my brain is even more noteworthy and tantalizing. There's something about proving people wrong about my capabilities, because in all honesty... that's why we issue challenges, because we know someone can't meet the ideals of expectations that we set forth for them. Which I think is another hot button subject.
6. I test my friendships, and I have lost many of them in the same discourse. I need to know that the investment that I'm putting into someone is worthwhile and quality, very few have undergone the rigorous testing and actually come out sticking with me! It's also indicative of who likes being challenged, someone who faces challenges and adversity with a positive mind and open palm is welcome to call themselves friend! I'm not sorry if I've set too high a standard for friendship and some of you haven't met it. Chances are, I've failed to meet the standards of many people who have done the same to me. 
7. I'm very self conscious of my body image. Someday I won't be. Today, I am.
8. I have three sisters that I am obsessed with. Jesse, Nicole, Amber. Their advice is amazingly poignant and each one has such different perspectives, I truly am blessed to have them.
9. I am blessed beyond belief to have two amazing brothers. That should be no secret, but I secretly love one and have come to respect all he is and all he does, for his fighter ability and amazing personal, physical, emotional and spiritual strength and the influence he is to me. And I secretly pretend like I'm a role model to the other one, with hopes that someday I get the tear jerking soul warming statement, "I'm proud of you Marsh. I want to be just like you." There is no better I could think of.
10. I am an uncle, and I revel in that fact everyday.
11. I. LOVE. TEACHING. It's the reason I teach elementary, it's the reason I taught Jr. High. I walk into my class every Monday and Friday with such an elation and joy in my heart. Sometimes they don't understand what I teach and sometimes, I don't understand what they learn, but there is something to it. I can't really explain it, but it has come to be the greatest blessing to me. When you find something that brings you joy, when you find something you love, you CAN'T NOT share it. I have a deep rooted and innate passion for music and theater and I can't not share it. Teaching is a blessing.
12. I love too easily. My heart is stolen so quickly, and I get in to trouble even quicker because of it. I have a real problem falling for people, and in that time I set up worlds and heavens for us, and quickly, they come crashing down.  I don't why I do, especially since I KNOW I do, and I SHOULD make ammends to it... I'm not quite sure how. There is no emotion quite like love, and even for the heartache that accompanies it in the downfall, the bliss in the moment seems worth it, to build my desires and expectations, my passions and feelings, it's the most raw and human thing we as humans can do.
13. I think. and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think and think. Point being, I never stop thinking, and it can be taken as a blessing or as a curse. Because my mind whirrs at a million miles an hour, when channeled correctly, it can make for some exceptional humor and quality wit, it is also the reason I have come to conquer a very calm and deliberate course of action, I don't know of a problem I haven't been able to work through, with or without help. But when let rampant, my mind can be a vile and deadly manor, filled with wanton thoughts and pointless images.
14. Along those lines, although I live in constant fear, I can out reason myself into action. I have rarely NOT done or tried. The world's purpose is solely to be experienced, and I want to do just that, I have found many things that I love with all my heart and I stick close to those things music, teaching, theater, fishing, rock climbing, backpacking, camping, horseshoes, washers, biking, canyoneering, fires, learning, reading, writing, loving, giving, hugs and kisses. I can't fill ALL my days with ALL these things and I'm having a really hard time with the withdrawals that I'm having in a few of them (AHEM! ROCK CLIMBING!!!! ***NUDGE, NUDGE, WINK WINK!!!!!! if anybody wants to take me, I wouldn't turn down your invitation... but that's not important.), but I make plans to pursue these deep rooted passions and keep them with me always.
15. I over analyze everything. Mostly in relationships, but in everything, overall. I don't like it either. I break apart peoples speech patterns, emotions, color schemes, body language, mannerisms, free time usage, glances, smiles, writings, hair styles, self care and lock it away in a little folder in the back of my mind, and everybody's everything is always there. And this is my problem, that because I do it, I simply assume that EVERYONE does it, and I watch very carefully everything I do for that reason, when truth is... NOBODY CARES!!! ....*sigh... I'm doomed.
16. The imagination is hands down the most glorious thing we have. If there is one thing I will support with my very last dying breath, it would be the imagination. To see the affects that the image that someone had in their mind, put to paper, than to action, than to life in SOMEONE ELSE'S BRAIN!!!??? I find it so desperately sufferable. I LOVE. seeing people be creative, there is nothing like it. The imagination is beautiful and complex, astounding and heart warming, I'm lucky to be good friends with mine and I LOVE getting to know others'.
17. More than anything, I fear being alone... not now, but... future tense... alone... I'm fine going to the movies by myself, eating out on my lonesome, taking walks with no one. I thoroughly enjoy it as a matter of fact.  But the fear of alone-ness means more something alone the lines of, I won't create all the memories I want to, or envision. I don't want to NOT have memories with those I love, I wish I could marry my best friends! ALL OF 'EM.
18. Best friends. We've all got 'em, we all need 'em. I'm lucky to have: my most best friend in the whole world, Tiffanie. I don't need to write a whole lot about her for her to know how much she means, since there isn't a day that's gone by that we haven't talked to each other in the past four months... I think she understands what an influential and incredible part in my life she has come to play. Queer how life works :) Lifelong acquaintances, young adult soul mates, best friends for life. How did I get so lucky? - My most wonderful and beautiful sister Sissy (well... I guess your REAL name is Michaela huh? Nope! It's Sis!) When you can sit for hours and hours in silence as we have done on so many occasions, than you know you've found the soul you've been pining for, for so long. There is such a special place reserved in my heart for her, that no man can touch and that no words can taint and that no action can defile. - THE BEST brother Steve. When I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure with, I need look no further. When I need to be creative, there is no better support system, and when I'm down? Press play, let the harrowing cinema take place. We two escape this world quite often, a process that helps us to understand how lucky we are and how little is asked of us, how spoiled we are and what beautiful lives we live. I know of few people who could endeavor to make that journey with me, and few people who are as selfless and heartfelt and holistically giving. - My brother, my roommate, my best friend, and his family. It's always a relief (I assume for him as well) to be able to come home from the worst of days and just expel, my life, my story, my worries, my wants, my thoughts, my deeds, my day... it's so therapeutic to have your best friend be your brother and roommate in the same kick. Fellow movie commentator, guilty pleasure T.V. watcher (so what!? We like Degrassi? and Glee? AND New Girl? AND New Normal? AND American Horror Story? AND Southpark? AND Family Guy? AND My Little Pony? (mostly Luc) AND Modern Family?............ so what?), down time video game enthusiast, music appreciator, stupid humor lover, retarded picture sharer, YouTube video watcher, arguer and friend. - My dear dear lifelong friends, those who have changed me and supported me through thick and thin and who I love with all my heart, whom I could never forget for what they've done, the love they've given and the support they've shared / Kiera, Kayla, Ashley, Taylor, Abby, Josh, Nate, Ally, Tessa, Elise, Calee, Lorelle, Cameron, Cader, Nigel, Bryce, Agnes, Greg, Felix, Russell, just to name a few. Friends come and friends go, but I sure hope I hang on to these guys for the rest of my life, and I'm lucky to know that a couple of them are staying for sure, not many have they luxurious commodity!
19. I feel like the luckiest man alive to be able to make a living out of what I love doing. I know of many who are stuck in jobs they don't like, and while I may never be the richest or most famous, I get to share what I love to those who need and want it the most, and in the mean time I get to spend all my hours, all the days, doing what I love. I may not always be able to scale mountains and pitch a baseball, or swim in the ocean or climb trees or pee outside or fish the rural lakes of the Uintas. I'll never stay young enough to play football forever or go running, shovel my front walk or mow my lawn, but I certainly will be able to write, appreciate writing, read, make music, listen to music, appreciate music, play music, tell stories, think up stories and act them out for as long as I live. I'm the luckiest man alive!
20. I hate making lists or setting time limits... sad thing is... it's what I'm best at and do the most. I would much rather have things just go and do and be and occur and happen and live... I'm getting better, but I'm still stuck in expectations, lists and timer world... ya... it pretty much sucks.
21. I'm disgustingly OCD. I've learned to control it very well, but sometimes I just can't stand things not being straight, aligned, in the same color scheme, dirty or out of place. Sometimes I just OCD crazy or fixing and cleaning and straightening and rearranging... but I'm much better, card games don't bother me anymore :D
22. I filter a lot, few people, and I mean FEW like... I can count them on one hand and have room to spare, know how blunt and sometimes rudely honest I can be, but that's really who I am, most of the time I just filter out the wazoo to make you feel nice, but most of you haven't even pushed to the hot button subjects for conversations to be filterable at all... if that made any sense what so ever. Long story short on number twenty two, I'm a whitty smart ass with no filter and could care less about how you feel, the truth is the truth, yes, sometimes it hurts, but... tough nuts dude... I'm over it, you're over it. Look at how easy that was! ^.^
23. I miss my Gram. I think about her often and I couldn't asked for a better childhood friend, and though our last five years together were not the most pleasant or ideal in their conditions, I got to spend them with her at my side, every step of the way. I miss you, and I love you. Thank you for watching over me and my family always. Every batch of cookies I bake, I do for you, the best Grandma ever, Audrey.
24. Although I do have very unique ideas and feelings about the armed forces and war, they have my utmost respect and love, especially since two of my brothers and served and served well. I also LOVE the songs, all the anthems for each branch almost bring me to tears... here's a link if you're not certain what I'm talking about http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I5BqvpkwmA 
25. In my range of tasted foods, the only ones I can't eat are Cheetos, Pot stickers, and Egg rolls. I'm game for anything and everything else. I'm a HUGE food connoisseur, I firmly believe that there are only three universal languages; love, music and food. I'm fairly well acquainted with the first two and I'm getting to know the third better and better, those are the only three things that can cross any national border, can travel to any distant continent, journey to any distant land, and still be understood. Music, Love and Food.

Perhaps you've learned something about me, perhaps you don't care, but I'm playing the game too, so if you have a blog, or even if you don't! you've been tagged, you're now a part of the game, share with someone twenty five things that they might not know about you, step out of your comfort zone for a sec, let people inside your Fort Knox of emotions and feelings, go crazy. Happy Blogging! May God or whatever higher power you believe in grant you so many blessings that you have no more  room to receive them, until we meet again.

The Order of Wisdom

Mosiah 4:27 "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order."

A dear friend turned me to this scripture the other day, a miracle in it's own right that I would even look at a scripture to start with. I got thinking though about the meaning, about my life, about many, many things, and in that great duration of thought, the phrase from that scripture "Wisdom and Order," kept popping into my mind. Though the meat of the scripture resontes the idea that, "...it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength," still, the idea of Wisdom and Order struck it's poignancy with every glancing thought. Wisdom and Order, I kept repeating back to myself, Wisdom and Order... "...See that all these things are done in wisdom and order?" Obviously there is a reason that this scripture was phrased the way it was, and still, I'm honestly shocked that I gave this much thought to a scripture... not like me at all.

Firstly, I recognized the idea that Wisdom was placed BEFORE Order and in an unexpected gust of second nature I got slapped in the face by my metaphorical mind self. It would make NO sense to have Order before Wisdom... Let's present it like this, shall we?

You have family coming over for dinner... or maybe friends over for a party?

Okay?

okay...

 

The overall task at hand would be to clean the house and prepare to host your home for guests and visitors that day.

Right?

right...

 

The WISE thing to do would be to make a list of things that need to get done.

That's the easy part.

Actually coming up with the list of things that needs to get done?

Different story.

 

Let's image we actually did the chores and cleaning BEFORE we made the list.

 

RED FLAG #1

 

Everybody reading this just realized, "That doesn't make sense!!!"

But we're not done... bear with me here.

 

We even follow through with carrying out the chores, BEFORE we put thought into them.

Things become A LOT harder (and on a grammatical side note, A LOT is two words, not ALOT... alot sounds like a type of animal, one that I don't want to own... I wouldn't want to own an alot... but even then, you don't own adog or abear or abird... does that makes sense? Grammar rant - Done.) to get done. Absentmindedly (without thought or wisdom) we could do the dishes before we prepare the food, which means once the food is prepared, we may end up having to do the dishes again...

 

We could vacuum the carpets at the beginning of the day and then dust right after that, which means at the end of the day you would have to vacuum the now days worth of sullied carpets which have been todden on in a day of preperation... and very few people dust the same thing twice in a day, and depending on the kind of vacuum you have, you may have to dust again... but you won't ;) see where I'm getting? And before you know it you're mowing the lawn at midnight with no light (so your mowing lines are all crooked and make your lawn look bad), the bathrooms still haven't been cleaned and your children have failed to be fed.

 

It's a hassle.

 

Chances are, taking some thought and time and Wisdom (KEY WORD ALERT!!! WISDOM!!!!!!), we can then put things into order, we save ourselves time, headache, stress and double cleaning duty (and this is all metaphorical, reffering back to the scripture).

 

It made sense... Wisdom before Order. I kind of thought WO! That's crazy! And then it hit me again, "THE SCRIPTURE'S NOT EVEN OVER!!!" The next part said, "for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength." This part made such complete and natural sense to me, since I've already prepared and taken care of the pre-requisites, this shouldn't be too much of a hassle to deal with. Not only that, it probably COULDN'T be ahassle (see what I did there?) to deal with, even if we WANTED to run faster than we had the strength to, our preparation, planning, and wisdom would help us to decide otherwise. But even if we wanted to run fast, I think we couldn't run faster than we had strength, I just think that our Wisdom would give us MORE strength, and that would ultimately lead to a faster running speed.

 

There's nothing wrong with moving in a fast paced personal life... we live in a fast paced world! Sometimes we can't help it, sometime we get caught up in how fast it is, that we focus less on the Wisdom of the choices and more, how quickly and how much can we get done... in essence, the Order of our fast paced lives, and as the little demonstration displayed ^^^^^^^^^^^ we could soon create more than is necessary for us to deal with. But for those who CAN display and DO display Wisdom before Order, they ARE blessed with more strength and in turn they CAN move faster than the average person. I know only a few people who are like this, but the cause and effect are jaw droppingly effective, and the results are exponentially benificial. Once you start on that track, you can't stop.

 

ON THE OTHER HAND!!! There are those who (Introverts) need time to themselves to think and understand, here we end up spending all of our time in Wisdom section and we completely put Order out of place, thinking that if we think about it enough, somehow, the Order will present itself. But just as those who run Order, thing after thing after job after job after obligation after obligation, should probably delve a little more into the thought and Wisdom aspect of the tango, those who focus obsoletely on Wisdom should probably open themselves more to the Order, and either way you run the play, neither can happen without SOME form of outward expression. Meaning, we need to start incorperating what we have a smaller percentage of for a more balanced and more well rounded lifestyle, this can be from baby steps like; simply acknowledging that said process needs to take place, to sparatic zombie steps like; working on Wisdom here and Order there and then maybe some ice cream and then some more Order and then Wisdom and then treat yourself to GoodWood, to ka-frakin-huge steps like; having a total change of heart, stopping all morally unhealthy activity, changing the direction your life is heading and doing it all cold turkey, over night. Any and all are plausible, but simply depend on how you operate and who you are. Ultimately, Moderation in all things.

 

It sends me straight to the talk given by Elder Kent D. Watson of the Second Quorum of the Seventy from the October 2009 Conference Saturday afternoon session, the talk is titled "Being Temperate in All Things." An overarching ideal in this talk lends itself to the fact that, "Learning to be temperate in all things is a spiritual gift available through the Holy Ghost." Which means something else. If, as King Benjamin tells us, we see to it, "that all these things are done in wisdom and order;" it is going to be the product of the Holy Ghost and its accompaniment in our lives. God is only willing to help us as much as we are willing to help ourselves, he will not trust us with more blessings if we cannot proactively procure the blessings that he is attempting to offer us now, and those blessings will in turn lend to the knowledge and experience that we need to obtain other blessings and again, the results are exponentially benificial. Once you start on that track, you can't stop. But YOU have decide to take action, YOU have to decide what action is best to take, and YOU need God to make that decision, he will offer you the basics, the Wisdom and Order, what you do with it from there is all you.

 

"And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent," (this is the part where you productively procure), "that thereby he might win the prize;" (the prize, in my opinion and in the case of this post, the understanding and knowledge of what it is to have those gifts, to cherish them, and to use them wisely) "therefore, all things must be done in order" (in which the wisdom that God has granted you will ease the road in procuring what you find important and what is vitally necessary to your spirit and your overall moral, emotional, physical, and spiritual health.)

 

 "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength." (Wisdom) "And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order." (Order)

 

"God does not play dice with the universe." ~ Albert Einstein

 

"God has a plan for all of us, but He expects us to do our share of work for it." ~ Minnie Pearl

 

"Don't expect that you Deserve anything, chances are you don't want what you deserve." ~ T.W. Kline