A Fringee's Frustration

“Everybody’s Doing It”

As a youth, whenever I used that argument with my father, he would break out into a boisterous song. 

“Everybody’s doing it, doing it, doing it

Picking their nose and chewing it, chewing it, chewing it”

It was so aggravating that he couldn’t, or wouldn’t, understand the importance of being a part of the crowd. 

I’ve since learned to appreciate his wisdom.  Maybe not the song so much, but the concept that the masses don’t always make the wisest choice. 

With that consideration, I’ve begun a journey which involves walking to the beat of my own drum and down a path that society might not promote or condone.   

Why have a chosen a different path?  I guess you might say my eyes have been opened and my appetite awakened.  Call me ‘Ratatouille’ if you will.   It is difficult to be content eating sewage when I know there is a banquet of delicious gourmet foods available instead. 

It reminds me of the following account.  If memory serves me correctly, Socrates was having a debate with Thrasymachus about the benefits of being just.  Thrasymachus gave case after case of convincing evidence how the ultimate objective, which is happiness, can only be guaranteed by being unjust.

 In each argument, Socrates conceded that he was correct.  But even with all this evidence, Socrates was unmoved in his opinion.   He then began to point out that all of Thrasymachus objectives - (more toys, on top, carefree & fun, a rush, etc.) defined happiness at one level and that level provided temporary pleasure.  But there is a higher level of happiness (inner peace, genuine joy, fulfillment of purpose, service to mankind, etc.) that can be obtained only by being just.  A just person may not have all the benefits of the lower level but the higher level of happiness far outweighs the cost. 

And so this journey has made me somewhat of a fringee – different than the masses, on the outskirts of mainstream.  Not necessarily a social nerd, a computer geek, or trekky (ok, I may be a trekky to small degree).  Not a ‘stuck in an era’, an animal rights activist, a rebel without a cause and ‘I make my own rules’ type of fringee.

 I’d probably call myself a ‘seeker’ type of fringee.  Seeking truth.  Seeking to preserve truth and freedom and correct principles in a world that is rejecting them.  Seeking to devote and consecrate myself to my maker.  Seeking to be a force for good. 

So here is where my frustration comes in.  The more enlightenment, empowerment, and direction I’m given, the more I want to invite others to embark on the same journey.  But because I’m a Fringee, my message is ignored. . .  belittled. . . disregarded.   The closer I come to feeling genuine love and concern for my friends who have chosen a different path, the less effective I am at reaching or influencing them. 

For example.  I keep having this recurring day and night mare.  I visualize myself standing at the bar of God on judgment day and next to me are my dear friends, associates, and even potential associates (if I would have been friendly enough to open my mouth) who did not receive a pass.  They look at me with pleading eyes, and ask why I didn’t share what I had with them while there was still time?

My heartstrings are torn and my eyes well up with tears even now simply thinking about it.  As I consider the billions upon billions of souls who had successfully become victors of their first estate but have, or are, blowing their second estate, I feel overwhelmed with grief, heartache, and compassion. 

But what can I do.  I’m considered a fringee.  Every time I attempt to invite, my effectiveness is a nill because what I have to offer is not considered mainstream.  I’m viewed as “eccentric” and overly “passionate” and have an “over the top” position.   My message, my love and concern, my desire for their obtaining genuine happiness seems to never come to fruition.  And that frustrates me deeply. 

 I suppose I could focus on the positive – and only interact with those who have already chosen to take the same journey as myself.  Have my little clique of fringees who speak the same language and leave the rest of the world to fend for themselves while they enjoy picking their noses and chewing it.  But I find no contentment there either. 

So I’m stuck . . . . . . .  a frustrated fringee.   Still engaged in the noble cause of what I seek, but feeling the pains of rejection.   

Power Gone - but not POWERLESS

One of the purposes of this blog is so I can record power thoughts in my search for truth.  But this time, I simply want to express my gratitude.

A little back story:

                Back in December, my husband’s vocation was brought to halting stop.  Literally . . . he was stranded in another state.  The crankshaft, in his newly paid-in-full (now we can breathe a little) semi-truck  - broke.  It wasn’t worth putting us in debt bondage again and so he looked for other work.  Eventually he found employment that was the highest paid option and local.  The best of both worlds – so we thought.

                Unfortunately with our medical bills, IRS & other tax fan mail, and mounting unplanned expenses, we quickly found that finances were just as tight and probably worse.  After six months of trying to juggle the accounts payable with insufficient accounts receivable, the livestock and other assets were all sold (or are for sale)  Each day (and sometimes, each hour) we found that one more thing had gone financially awry.  The computer had a virus, the buyer (for a truck we have for sale) backed out, the extra job he found removing a tree turned out to really be a charity job, the bank was in overdraft, we’re stranded at home because of no fuel, my daughter had a tooth abscess, my medication required more blood work, the food sources depleted so I have to eat foods that adversely affect my health (wheat, rice, potatoes, sugar).  Then we began feeling disconnected – first the internet (bye-bye facebook), then the phone, and eventually the power.  This posed a few problems. The biggest being that our pump ran on electricity – so no water.  Other minor ones was that we had recently put our last pig in the freezer and my son’s insulin had to be kept refrigerated.  Now our energies had to be put to a new level of survival.  Looking for ways to fill up our water bottles (it really is amazing how much water must be consumed/used).  Borrowing the local park or post office to charge our devices.  Digging a fire pit with a grill so we can cook food since we were out of propane. 

                Of course, my knight in shining armor would problem solve everything he could for his damsel in distress.  He set up a generator to run for four hours a day to keep the freezer from thawing completely.  Eventually, he figured out how to connect the water pump to the generator so that we could fill up water barrels and water the garden once a day (btw the lawn has died a horrible, yellow death – priorities you know.  But the weeds are thriving).  He finally put up a clothesline so I could have my own solar dryer. 

                But the pursuits had a much different flavor now.  I hauled water three times a day to flush our indoor outhouse.  I had to wash clothes by hand and so my wardrobe had to be pretty soiled before getting washed.  With no funds, all food had to be prepared from food storage basics and on stove top or open fire.  Basically, oatmeal for breakfast, fried potatoes for dinner, and lunch was optional.  Our hair was French braided to conceal the greasy hair look, and washing dishes was either scalding hot or beyond lukewarm cold.   In a nutshell, life was challenging. 

                Here’s the confusing part.  Although we were not keeping upwith the Joneses (not even remotely), we were somehow optimistic, happy, even grateful.  God’s tender mercies weren’t always seen but they were definitely felt.  

               We discussed as a family what our options were and we concluded that it was best not to go out of our way to inform others.  Not so much from a pride standpoint (although I kept checking our motives because I didn’t want to go down that road), but because we noticed how some people who were aware of our situation not only were uncomfortable but almost acted put out – probably because it put them in a position of “should I help” and “I don’t want the inconvenience of having to help”.  Now I’m only guessing on that because I’ve had those same feelings toward other friends of ours who were hard up.  (Sad, but true story)

                Some of the kids felt like this was an adventure and was confident that good things would come of it.  Others just looked at it like we were camping out at home.  Our summer vacation.  No-biggie-dah.  The whole time I felt like our burdens were being made light by the unseen hand of providence.  Our prayers were not necessarily more desperate, but were spontaneously more grateful for the little things.  The generator operating when it was out of fuel (miracles are not little things, but every little thing was now seen as a miracle), no catastrophes with the propane or fire, time enough in the day to get the work done, siblings working together without contention, the quietness of no electricity (it’s very noisy, we’ve concluded) going to bed on time because there was no light, the continuing trend of only financial trials – instead of bigger ones like chronic illness, accident, wayward children, death, etc. 

                We may not have had electricity, luxuries, or even many necessities, but we were definitely connected to THE source of power.  And for that I’m truly grateful.  

How Did I Become a Bigamist?!?!

And guilty of treason! 

It shocked me really. 

When I was only eight years old, I entered into a baptismal covenant with my Father in Heaven, that I would take his name upon me.  I may have somewhat naively entered into that marriage agreement with the bride groom, that allegiance with His Kingdom, that legal adoption into the House of Israel.  But hey, I was only eight years old and dutifully following my parents counsel.  Note – I have NEVER regretted that decision and there have been countless times I’ve been immensely grateful that I had. 

My life is filled with purpose and vision.  My goals are lofty and yet attainable.  My legacy is one I can be proud of. I experience both temporary pleasure and eternal joy.  I have HOPE and a guided path.  

Now, mind you, I still have the web and flow of life.  Ups and downs, trials and blessings. But overall – I have inner peace and genuine happiness.  I like what I’ve become and the potential I’m reaching for.  And my affections for my Heavenly Father continues to increase and deepen over the years. 

In recent years, I've been learning about different worldviews.  It has been an eye-opening experience for my little sheltered life.  The rest of the world seems to offer a lot of different formulas for happiness and I've been able to compare those a little with the Great plan of Happiness.  So Far, I haven’t found much of a comparison.  I found that most of them are based on some truth.  Mind you, some of that truth is severely twisted but nevertheless, it originates on the same foundation.  Because of that, I expected to agree with certain aspects of these varying worldviews.  But what I didn’t expect was to find that I, unknowingly, had adopted some of these twisted perspectives myself. 

Elements of Naturalism, Ethical and Inner Relativism were part of my hard and fast beliefs.  Justifications of Micro-Evolution had seeped into my “possibilities”.  I was feeling empowered by thoughts of Self-Actualization and Positive Mental Attitude and although I didn’t care for ‘The Secret’, I had implemented many of its ideas into my personal philosophy.  Dialectical Materialism made sense even though it was being used for what I think is a perverse purpose.  And there have been many times I’ve felt the need to resort to Pavlovian Behaviorism when dealing with my children.  Pragmatism sometimes outweighed the faith required to trust the Lord would provide.  And Libertarianism seemed like a Savior for our current political nightmare. 

Fortunately, there was a LOT of ideas that I didn't feel a connection with at all.

As I more clearly defined what the different worldviews were . . .  I could more clearly see that I was either hypocritical myself (unfortunately a very good possibility) or brainwashed into adopting beliefs and ideas contrary to my liking or choosing.  In 1961, the Supreme Court recognized Secular Humanism as a religion.  I don’t know if Material Humanism or Post-Modernism, or Cosmic Humanism, or the millions of other worldviews are officially considered a religion yet, but it made me think.  Aside from the humorous aspect that all these Atheists, Individualists, and Polytheists who hold religion in such contempt are now considered “religious” – it also makes my melting pot of mixed up beliefs guilty of bigamy, of treason, of unfaithfulness.  That’s just not gonna work for me.

I know the Lord teaches us line upon line, here a little and there a little and over time, we can attain all that he has to offer.  But obviously I forgot that the adversary works in the same manner.  Although I have been consistent at attending my church meetings and living the Sunday School answers, I still had not only been exposed to but bought into some contrary doctrine and philosophies.  

I have to admit, while I've been weighing each idea and learning about this spectrum of beliefs that others may hold, I couldn't help but conclude that "People believe the stupidest things".  Everyones life experiences, training and education, temperment and personalities vary and so conclusions vary, even with the same external variables.  It does provide for a great variety of ideas (which I love), but makes it challenging to identify the real TRUTH.

I've heard it said, that "truth needs no defense".  That is a beautiful sentiment, but obviously by all these differing worldviews, truth is the most bitterly and subtly attacked.  I do believe it will ultimately win out in the end - but with all these multiple choice options, the casualties are many.

Intrigued, I began clarifying my own beliefs - outlining specifically my own philosophy, theology, pschology, socialogy, politics, law, ethics, etc.  - and the same thing stands true . . . People believe the stupidest things!  Myself included.  At least that's probably what it appears to an outsider looking in.  Fortunately, my belief has received the second witness - the assurer and testifier of truth.  I just KNOW. 

One advantage to this little exercise, I've not only broadened my understanding of other worldviews and perspectives (and it still continues because I cannot even come close to saying I understand it all), but I've clarified and fortified my own beliefs.  Now that I can more clearly see where I'm being inconsistent, I can step back, modify my approach, and be the person of integrity I wish to be -  the monogomist, the patriot, the Faithful.

Coping with Pain

Pain

Emotional Pain

We all experience it at some point in our lives. 

*A desired relationship never comes to pass

*Or a relationship we thought was forever has turned cold

*Questions that we can’t answer . . . no matter how hard we search

*Our foundation is shaken and we don’t know what to stand on

*A loved one uses their agency in a manner you know will hurt them

*The current trial seems unbearable and unfair

*Depression that blocks any hope -trapped by rage, fear, or helplessness

*Realizing “I’m not enough”

*Trying to overcome addiction but instead experience only bondage and powerlessness

*Feeling Stuck – unable to create the change in your circumstances

*Confusion – so many choices, which one is right

*An injury or disease that won’t heal in spite of your best efforts – this is compounded pain because it is both physical and emotional

And it doesn’t seem to help knowing that everyone experiences pain too.  My pain is personal.  My pain is all consuming.  My pain is preventing me from living life on my terms.  

As I consider my own pain and witness friends and family dealing with their pain - I’ve noticed a kind of grouping as to how people generally respond. 

The Quitter

General Jar-Jar at the first sign of trouble says “me give up, me give up”.   This fatalistic approach doesn’t even put up a good fight or preserve self through flight, but goes directly to surrender.  It reminds me of the juvenile response when others don’t play the way they want them to, so they threaten “I won’t be your friend anymore!”

                Those wounded in a relationship decide to never get involved emotionally again.  Those searching for proof but cannot find it quit caring completely.  (This seems to be the response of the so-called atheists/agnostics/deists/etc. because they cannot find what they perceive as a satisfactory solution from deity.)  Those who are weak and worn simply give in to addiction/inclination/temptations.  Those who are stuck continue the same course assuming that’s as good as it gets.  Those suffering from chronic illness or injury are resigned to a life of dis-ease and give up on the search for healing.  And ultimately, those who are discouraged to the point of quitting take their life (based on the false assumption that it will stop the pain)

The Dishonest

This is the band-aid approach to pain. The zit cover-up so that our blemishes have a false front. Not really finding any healing or resolution but a coping response that frequently makes the pain worse after the cover-up wears off or adds up.  We hide in hopes that no one will seek to actually see that we are vulnerable. This is commonly seen as denial, isolation, drinking, over-eating, putting on an act that everything is amazing.

                There are all kinds of love songs that portray the ‘It’s all good’ front but secretly still holding on to the pain of being alone.  The physically injured/ill adopt a lifestyle of popping pain pills.  The confused put on a mask and pick their favorite cover-up weapon.  The addict lives in denial that anything is wrong or that they can stop any time they want to.  The limiting belief of ‘not being enough’ is over compensated with cockiness or maybe humor.  The depressed hide under their facade until such time that they cannot conceal it anymore.  The seeker simply goes through the motions, hoping that something will make sense at some point.  And life’s trials become the trigger for the unhealthy response of drinking (and for those who don’t drink – use other numbing effects such as over-eating, work, watching mindless television, etc.)

The Fighter

Ready to engage, to fight back, to create change.  Sometimes bitter or motivated by resistance or revenge.  These are the movers and shakers, the pro-active creators.  Training and fighting like Rocky Balboa or changing their stars like Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein or Gandhi.   The fighter becomes their own Savior and rely on their own strength for deliverance.  Their heart is at war - taking matters into their own hands.

The soured relationship turns into looking for something different at best or seeking revenge at worst.  The unresolved heart sets out on a quest in search of the truth – investigating, questioning, weighing.  The concerned friend/parent sets about creating change to reach the heart of their loved one.  The overburdened puts together a plan to simplify or alter the conditions which they are experiencing.  The depressed take measures to cope with their condition in a healthy manner.  The discouraged change their focus to what they can do and choose to be content with things as they are.  The addict seeks help from qualified and supportive sources.  The trapped continue to resist the victim mode by seeking escape or salvation.  The physically hurt continues to search and apply efforts to heal and overcome. 

The Faithful

Trusting, hopeful, full of faith and vision, believing there is purpose in pain, and power in submission.  The faithful put their professed belief in God into actively exercising their faith in him.  Corrie ten Boom in the concentration camps is preserved by trusting and hoping despite her powerless circumstances.  George Washington endured the unbearable conditions of Valley Forge, believing that not only his cause was just but it was God’s will and providence that they would somehow win.  Their heart is at peace – no matter the circumstances. 

The one who is hurting in relationships turns to God for comfort, trusting that there is a valuable lesson to be learned or purpose in the transpired events – and trusting that somewhere, somehow the future will provide the companionship that their heart desires.

Those seeking for understanding continue to search but with a submissive heart - understanding that our purpose is to walk by faith and so we won’t be able to understand all things in this life but at some point in the future, all things will be made manifest, God’s mysteries will all be revealed, and we will understand completely and confess that God’s ways are just.

Those who stand on shaky ground or have been introduced to doubt, instead saturate themselves in what they know is true, doubt their doubts instead of doubting their faith, seek for Heavenly strength and fortify their foundation.

Those burdened with concern for others poor choices, put their efforts into the only source of hope and ultimate power they know – they pray God to soften their heart or bless them with a wake-up call before it’s too late.

Those overwhelmed by their trial pray earnestly for deliverance and seek to learn whatever lesson they are to learn with this situation so that they can move forward.

Those who struggle with depression understand that their perspective is currently tainted and hope for the good moments to break through the darkness to provide some type of relief.  They also understand that this trial is a temporary burden, only during this life, and that they will be free of its grasp for the eternities, if they endure it well.

Those discouraged by their inadequacies, recognize that they are given weaknesses in the flesh for a noble purpose, and God has promised an inheritance to all who magnify their abilities (talents).  And so they put their focus into what they can do, rather than what they are incapable of doing.

The addict humbly realizes that they have used their agency poorly to the point of complete bondage and are incapable of delivering themselves by their own power or even by the support of counselors or well -meaning friends.  Instead, they look to the Savior, accessing the power of the atonement to restore what was deceptively taken from them.

The stuck put their trust in the Lord’s desire for our welfare, knowing that a way is provided, but it is not for us to dictate whether that deliverance occurs in this life or the next.  Always praying and petitioning but still submitting to His will.

The confused eventually trust that the Holy Ghost is the only true source to heed and allow all the other voices, temptations, and options melt into the background.  Again not necessarily understanding completely the error of some options but trusting that the truth will be made clear at some point in the future.

The physically marred can only persevere by their trust that there is purpose in their pain, even if it is only to be an example of how to endure it well.  They understand (in their good moments) that this experience is but a small moment in time and they have the eternities to be immortal and perfected.

The good news is if one identifies themselves in one group but desires to respond to their pain in another – it is a choice.  Oh the power of choice.  

Swaying to the Source

There never seems to be enough time.

I’d like to be able to scroll through facebook each day and read all the interesting articles shared and follow all the conversations and debates that go on – but there isn’t enough time.

But every once in a while, I run across one, no matter how late, and I can’t hit the off button.  The thoughts or points made in a blog post and the comments after are so entrancing that I have to read it in its entirety. 

That happened last night.  I was ready to slip into bed and hopefully slip into peaceful slumber when I checked my notifications.  Someone shared an interesting blog post that had some valid points to consider.  As I read it, I could feel myself being swayed to the author’s points one by one.  It seemed logical and some of the points hit me to the core.  The sad thing - this author was in complete opposition to the course that I had taken. 

After reading the article, I quickly read the comments that were associated with the blog as well as the share on facebook.  The counter comments (supporting the choices I had made) seemed weak and without solid basis.  They were not moving or inspiring or logical in the least.  So I re-read the points in the blog that seemed the most powerful as something to consider analyzing my choice.  Eventually I shut down the devise for the night but it took a while for my mind to shut off.

As I lay in bed and again when I woke up this morning, I considered the arguments I was a spectator to.  Was there merit in them?  So many different perspectives – could both solutions be right or is there an absolute right for everyone?  How does one determine the truth of the matter when contradictory viewpoints both appear to be in the right. 

Then it occurred to me – Consider the source of my dilemma.  The points that logically seemed to have merit, the source was through my logic, my reasoning, and interestingly enough, motivated by my fear.  The points that seemed weak and poorly defended (again – the course I had taken), the source was more of a feeling, an unexplained assurance that it was right, and motivated by a trust that all things would work out for the best in the end. 

So here I had a Vulcan / Betazoid dilemma.  Do I trust the logical right or do I trust the feeling of right?  The head or the heart? The demon on my left shoulder or the angel on my right shoulder?

I suppose I could be wishy-washy and compromise both in a never-ending balancing act or justify the one because of/in spite of the other, but that seemed to be a cop-out and not a solution at all. 

In the end, I’ve concluded that if the heart and head are at opposition, I have to trust my heart.  Both can be flawed, but since I know the spirit of truth works more through my feelings than through my understanding, I would rather err on the side of hope and faith. 

Regarding the points that hit to my core – I thank the author of the blog for pointing out problem areas that need attention.  But I’m going to stay the course – finish the race – and fight the good fight, by persevering in what my heart tells me to be right.  

An Ounce of Prevention

I instantly felt sick.

The moment it dawned on me what was going on, I knew we were in big trouble.

Back story:  We've been receiving overdrawn notices from a bank account we were no longer using for quite a while now.  Every other day it seemed we were being charged $28 - $56 dollars for someone trying to clear a check.  My husband couldn't find the checkbook that the checks were being drawn from so we had no way to contact the creditor.  There are multiple reasons and complicated histories as the why's and how's to this story but the end result happened the other day.

I was finally updating that check register.  Each entry of a bank charge brought a heavy sigh as the debt mounted.  Then as I was verifying a check from my own (or the household) account, I realized what had been going on.  At some point, my husband had taken my checkbook out of my wallet.  And somehow it was replaced with this other, unusable checking account.  That was over two to three months ago.

And so I, unknowingly, had been the one writing all these rubber checks.  I knew his account was messed up because, well, he doesn't have the best financial habits.  But I thought I had a pretty good grip on the household account.  Actually, I thought I was doing better than I should.  The bills were paid, but for some reason I had this big cushion.

Well, the knowledge of that big cushion turned into psychological spending privileges.  I'm ashamed to admit not only for my husband but a little for me as well.

So when I realized what had happened and the sickness was being replaced by fear and anger, I ran to the bank so no more checks would be bouncing.  As it turned out the verdict was worse than I had anticipated.  I thought I would simply write a check from the household account to cover the checks but it turned out being about $2500.00 before bank charges.  That was a lot more than I had to work with.  And the checks that were bouncing were important ones like to the IRS or to help a friend in financial need.  The panic started all over again.

If I had just noted the checkbook when it was put back into my wallet, I could have prevented all of this mayhem.  You know the saying - 'An ounce of Prevention, is worth a Pound of Cure'.

As I was driving the 30 minutes between home and bank, I was trying to pull myself emotionally out of the state I was in.  I figured there was some type of lesson I could learn from this and I could probably blog about it somehow. So I began to consider how this event applied to other areas in my life.  Where had I been deducting from the wrong account and accumulating unnecessary debt or bondage? What other scenarios could be avoided by simply doing a little thing to prevent it.

I found the following parallels:

(Granted these little things are useless at finding a cure if I stand alone - but not doing them won't find a cure either.  I'd much rather err on the side of right so I have a clean conscience than to join the ranks of diseases.)

Freedom.  I remembered I had a similar gut-wrenching reaction when I realized that my choices were limiting or preventing my own and the nation's freedom.  There I was taking handouts from the government, not actively participating in the governing affairs at all, and enjoying the (supposed) freedom it was giving me, all the while not aware of the opportunity costs (or bank charges) it was incurring.  When I realized that I was the one cutting my own throat, it turned out to be a bigger cost than it would have been had I been personally responsible in the first place.  I was bought out - and I felt sick about it.  If I had used an ounce of prevention by not supporting a system that has overstepped its boundaries, then it would never have the power to abuse me.

Money talks.  Similarly I found that I like a good price over product anyday.  Yes, that qualifies me as a tightwad.  I find that I can do without just about anything if I don't like the pricetag attached to it. I despise debt.

This tendency has been debilitating to my own value system on multiple levels. Aside from keeping me stuck in scarcity mentality, experiencing a lot of lacks, operating in fear, etc... I found I could be bought out because the price was the ultimate priority. 

It took some intense internal analysis to decide that there are more important things than saving money. When my getting the best deal gave others an advantage to attack my core values, it was time to re-evaluate my priorities.  The best comparison I've heard is -

  

'sharpening the enemies sword'  

So he could stab me in the back.

By supporting them financially, I was supporting what they would be using the money for.  Now if that had been to build their business to provide jobs for others, increase their financial empire, or even to do some other noble purpose, that would be fine.  I'm good with that.

But when they use those funds to promote such evils as gay rights, or other liberal misguided philanthropy, all causes that I'm opposed to, I've joined the ranks of being a 'useful idiot' in the political world. I didn't see the opportunity cost of buying things cheaply.  My ounce of prevention here is support those businesses that support my values - even if it is more expensive.  The peace of mind far outweighs the cost of the product.

World Views.  There are  A LOT of world views out there.  Philosophies, ideologies, opinions.

What surprises me is the amount of people who adopt a world view without doing their homework.  Or flip from one to another without realizing where their own allegiance lies. Not standing for anything so they fall for everything.

This is probably the biggest opportunity cost because it involves our very direction in life.  If we view life's purpose to be to obtain pleasure... wealth... popularity... build empires... give service... obedience to a higher power... or just to get through with as little injuries as possible - it greatly affects what deposits are being made into what account, what withdrawls are being deducted, and of course, what the charges will result because of it.

If we are depositing our faith and support into one world view, deducting at pleasure, but it is in the wrong bank account - the penalties will be great indeed.

The ounce of prevention here lies in obtaining true truths - not just declaring what 'truth' works to your supposed best advantage.  And then live your life accordingly.  

Hypocrisy is a challenging thing to overcome, but the life of consistent loyalty to THE world view earns many dividends rather than penalties.


I know these little preventions are insignificant to the diseased world we live in.  But the ounce of prevention is a small and simple things that bring great things to pass.

My Victory Formula

It was one of those moments.  I'm sitting there listening to the class being presented when my mind is flooded with word phrases and ideas that seem too profound to just ignore.  I grabbed my portable device and started my finger sliding over the touchscreen keyboard.

Yes, I was probably inspired from the previous class that was on the atonement, and so it may have been the trigger that got my brain working.  But this is what I came up with:

     1.  Access the Atonement
     2.  Gratitude for the Vision
     3.  Meet the Minimum

ACCESS THE ATONEMENT
     All around us, people are building their own Tower of Babels.  Attempting to gain access to something that has only one possible entrance.  Whether it is climbing the ladder of success, setting goals with frequent course corrections, positive mental attitude, working harder or smarter, requesting from the 'universe', or any number of other partial power sources that beat around the bush without hitting the target head on.  

However, the atonement of Christ has genuine power - healing power, purifying power, saving power, redeeming power.  But the power that gets most overlooked is the enabling power.  Why would anyone attempt to be successful without accessing the power which increases their capacities.  

And all that is required to access this pure genuine power is to sacrifice our selfish pride.  Recognizing that we are not enough alone and laying our burden at His feet.  Repenting of the sins we've committed or the good works we've omitted.  Humbly seeking his aid and then submitting to his will, especially if it is contrary to our own.  Receiving His word through pondering, reflecting, and personalizing His teachings in our lives.  

Granted, it is not an easy step, but who ever claimed victory to be an easy process.  

GRATITUDE FOR THE VISION

Vision indicating our vision manifested as well as the vision we hope to create.

Our life's circumstances are the consequences of past choices or . . . opportunities for growth.  What we are experiencing right now is either God's manifestation of respect for our agency (even if it was a poor choice on our part) or a manifestation of His trust in our ability to grow beyond our current status.  Keeping that perspective helps me to be grateful for where I am, even when where I am is sometimes unpleasant.

Being grateful for what will come into our life is an expression of faith that God honors our heart's desire and . . . if it is right for us, will provide for our needs.  Sometimes in unexpected or miraculous ways, but I trust that he loves me enough to create the circumstances that are in my best interest.

MEET THE MINIMUM
There is too much to do in a single day.  There is too many good things to successfully prioritize based on that merit alone.  So when I say meet the minimum, take it with tongue and cheek because it is the goal, not the mandate.  It is the 1% principle.  It is the consistency effort of small and simple things.  It is the default when life allows these items to be attended to between crisis or unrelenting schedules.  

Since there is too much to do, especially with children, I like to pray that the most important items will get the proper amount of attention.  That may change from day to day.  One day, relationships may need to be strengthened as a high priority.  Another, it might be more important to put my home, my health, or my finances in order. 

These seven areas are my personal pursuits that require my time and attention in order to maintain as well as progress.  They are:
     1- Physical Activity
            This could be anything from working up a sweat or getting my own drink of water rather than being lazy and asking someone else to do it.
     2- Home Stewardship
            Daily maintaining is essential for my mental health, plus meals and laundry never cease
     3- Study 
            Come face to face with greatness, practice pondering, listening to audiobooks while busy
     4- LOVE
             Strengthening relationships by loving God, spouse, children, friends.
     5- Manage the Money
              Know where my money is, where it is going, and what I want it to do for me.
     6- Be a Force for Good
              This phrase resonates so strong with me that I know this is a deep inner desire.  As long as I keep the desire before me, I hope that I will be able to influence someone in a positive manner.
     7- Mission Momentums
              Momentums are the baby steps that get the ball rolling.  Once in motion, it tends to stay in motion, so I want to regularly do the babystep momentums that that will help me fulfill my life's mission.

There it is.  My Victory Formula.  Even if it doesn't produce the goals or material success that I perceive as necessary in my life, I know I will experience inner peace by focusing on these three things.  And inner peace is truly a Victory.