Fruits of Living the Gospel: Cafe Rio!

Okay, so I wrote a post about the temptations of the devil and Chinese food.  It is now time to write about the opposite end of the spectrum; how the gospel of Jesus Christ has blessed the lives of those who live by it and Cafe Rio! 
Do you have a friend from church or school?  Do you look up to them?  Can you see how happy they are because they are living the gospel of Jesus Christ?  What makes them that happy?  What is church doing for them? 
And is it doing the same for you? 
Christ tells us to "come unto" Him.  In exchange, He will give us relief from the things that drive us crazy down here on earth.  He will "ease our burdens" and help us find happiness and purpose in this life. (see Matthew 11: 28-30)
In the Book of Mormon, the prophet father Lehi tells of a dream he had in which he partook of fruit from the tree of life.  He said that the fruit would make one happy.
"10 And it came to pass that I beheld a ^atree, whose ^bfruit was desirable to make one ^chappy.

 11 And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the ^afruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted....

 12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great ^ajoy;.."

(1 Nephi 8)

He compares this fruit to living by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

So, are you partaking of the fruit?  Or are you just standing by the tree?  If you aren't tasting this awesome fruit, what is holding you back?

You can see how this gospel has blessed the lives of those around you.  I know I can.

Jump in line here at the Cafe Rio of the gospel!  Don't fall for the easy or bad way of the Chinese buffet!  Here lies true happiness!  This food will not give you stomach cramps!  You won't regret coming here.

Open your eyes and taste the fruit!  Decide to follow Jesus Christ!  Have faith in Him.  Turn away from the things you are doing that would make Him sad!   Be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost!  This is so much better than living without!

Despite how our faces look, we are VERY HAPPY

Forget about the things that hold you down.  They may be appealing now, but they won't last.  They will leave you faster than Chinese food and leave you in pain!  Cafe Rio will stay with you and enrich your life forever.

It may seem silly of me to compare the gospel of Jesus Christ to food, but it makes sense to me.

I invite everybody to come and partake of the fruit of the gospel.  This is His true church!  I know it!  I can see it as I see how others live, as well as in myself.

Come find out!

The Temptations of the Devil: Chinese Food

Strawberry milk is another temptation, also.

I have always liked Chinese food.  That doesn't mean it always likes me.  I find it interesting how I love to eat it, but then it causes my digestive system so much grief.  You would think I would stop eating it after a while.  I have been pretty good about avoiding it, but every once-in-a-while I give into temptation.  When this happens, I often have instant regret.  I sacrifice my stomach's well-being just to please my own cravings.  Why do I do this to myself?  Why do we all do things like this to ourselves?
In the same way that I am tempted by delicious, salt-filled chicken and rice, Satan tempts all of us, all of the time, in different ways.  He will always make it look appealing and desirable.  He tells us that it won't hurt us or anybody else.  News flash; Satan is a LIAR.  He will ALWAYS leave us empty and in pain.  The best way to not feel this way is to have the self-control to say NO.  It will be difficult.  If it weren't difficult, there would be no point in making decisions.  We must have the strength to say no and turn away from the darkness and into the light.  Through our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can have the strength and motivation to make decisions that won't give us spiritual stomach cramps.
I am not saying that Chinese food is of the devil, I am just likening a temptation of mine to temptations we will all have.  When facing a decision, look in the long term.  Getting a tattoo now may not look like it will hurt anybody, but what will that look like when you have to tell your children why they should not get a tattoo?  That is just one example.
Jacob 6: 12 "Oh be wise, what can I say more?"

It's OK to be Goofy

Two or three years ago, I was skiing with my cousins.  Skiing is always a grand-ol' time for us, and a little friendly competition never hurt anybody.  What does hurt is when my ego gets in the way of having fun.  Sometimes, and i have been guilty of this, we are so concentrated on being the FIRST, the BEST, the FARTHEST, that we forget why we are here (-enter your favorite activity here-)-ing.  If you ski, it's OK to not be the best.  Are you having fun?  If you play basketball, it's OK to not be the best player there.  If you ride motocross, it's OK to not win all the time. 

I see a common issue coming here.  A little thing I call pride gets in the way of fun every now and then.  As human beings that aren't perfect, we sometimes let pride take over and we become so focused on satisfying ourselves and our own ego that we will forget why we are even doing our favorite activity other than to beat our neighbor at it.  All through the Book of Mormon, we see how the Nephites go through a cycle of pride over and over again.  So, what is OUR pride cycle?

So, what is a good way to diffuse our pride?  Well, from my approach (that of a skier / motorcycle-rider / whatever) a good way to forget about who's winning is to be goofy.  Laugh!  If you aren't having fun, why are you doing what you're doing?  It is our choice to have fun or not.  Are you smiling?  Are you laughing?  Are you laughing at yourself?  Are you laughing at your own mistakes?  Why not?

NOW THEN, this does NOT mean that you should be ANNOYING!  Help others have a good time too!  Don't make them hate riding up on the chairlift with you! 

-(I apologize to anybody I have annoyed on Sundance Arrowhead chairlift.  If you don't forgive me, get over it)

Another thing, I am not discouraging pushing ourselves and developing our talents.  That is one of the reasons we are down here on earth.  What I will encourage is to have fun and enjoy that process of learning and growing.  Don't get discouraged or angry when a horse bucks you off, get right back on and try again having learned from the previous fall and a sore back.  Click into ski bindings, kick-start that bike, put on a helmet and be ready to laugh and have fun!  It's OK if you make a fool of yourself once in a while.  It helps you learn.

As I write this, my cousins come to mind.  They are a good example of "it's OK to be goofy."  I will not lie, they are VERY silly.  I am also.  We have a lot of fun together.  One of the many things that they have all taught me is what I have written to you today.  I will always be grateful for their good example to me and how they help me learn that pride should never get in the way of your fun.  While being with them, I have learned all of these things and for all the laughs we've had. 

May you have fun in your jaunts through the forest, down the mountain, in the desert or wherever you be.

Don't forget to laugh.

The Gospel From Behind Ski Goggles

I am a skier.  (big surprise, eh?)  That is one of my favorite things to do.  I have had some of the greatest experiences, talked with some of the greatest people-family and friends, made some of the strongest memories and felt the presence of the Holy Ghost while ski boots were hurting my feet.

There is a LOT that I have learned from skiing and more that I can learn.  I feel the urge to share some of those things on this blog-thing today!

The first thing, is that with our Heavenly Father's help and the help of those around us, we can accomplish anything.  I used to NOT like skiing very much.  I didn't have confidence in what skills I had.  I didn't want to push myself.  I was held back by fear.  And guess what... IT WASN'T FUN!  I felt like this until I decided to let myself be pushed.  I decided to not let that fear get in the way of broadening my skills.  I saw how much fun other people were having and realized that I was missing out because I wouldn't let myaself be pushed!  This is applicable to ANYthing in life.  The Lord says in Ether 12:27 that any weaknesses we have, or anything that holds us down, can be overcome as long as we trust in Him.



Wyatt and Drew



The second thing I learned -or applied rather-is that we truly are ALL brothers and sisters.  As the Sundance resort's chair lifts are fairly slow I have had many conversations with people; both people I don't know at all, and people that I am extremely close to.  People confuse me.  They always will.  But from talking and, more importantly, listening to them, what they like, what they are concerned about, what they have learned, I can really see how unique every different person is and that they are all children of our Heavenly Father that loves us.  He tells us that we are His children and He loves us (Romans 8:16-17)!  For some, this is difficult to grasp.  Look at everey person on this world; how unique and special every person is individually, then try to tell me that they did not come from a loving creator.  I believe that we can all grow closer together and learn to love each other as we do things together (like skiing!). 

The third thing that I would like to share that I have learned, is how much Heavenly Father loves all of us.  Sometimes, I have been alone on a chair lift and felt like the world, friends, family, myself, were being torn apart.  At such a moment as this, while sitting in a white-out blizzard, I was able to feel that, though things are CRAZY and may never be the same again, Heavenly Father DOES love us all, and as long as we don't lose trust in Him, everything will turn out for the better (D&C 122:7).  As hard as things get, they will get better.  Heavenly Father wants us to make the most of this mortal experience.  Although it may not be "fun" all the time, he does want us to enjoy it as much as we can. 

-That is why he gave us the mountain.

-That is why the whole earth doesn't look like Oklahoma.

-That is why we have families.

 

And those are some of the reasons I love skiing. 

-Wyatt

Happ 135 Feb 28, 2012. Part 2 With Professor Crazy



I am so smart!



Welcom back to the class taught by the greatest and latest genius mind in our mortal existance; ME!  Are you all ready to learn?!  I trust you all stayed out of trouble this weekend.  Since almost all of you are in class I assume you had a safe time partying.  I know you are all probably wanting to fall asleep.  Know that if you do, you are not missing much, just THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS part 2! 

So, last week, before we were so rudely interupted by that silly class bell, we had covered 2 of the 5 secrets to having a happy life.  Today, we will be talking about the last 3 secrets to a happy life.  Hey put that cell phone down!  Modern media must not distract us from the secrets to being happy!

So what do we have?

1- Gratitude: Yes, very important

2- An adventure- I am so excited for... !

3-

(Pause for dramatic effect)

The ability to LAUGH.  That is right.  How often do we as humans take things too seriously?  How often do we create excess stress?  How often do we take things too far?  The ability to laugh at one's self and to laugh at things that happen, as opposed to getting offended, is something that will bring us an added measure of happiness and appreciation for every day of our lives.  Now then, this does NOT justify any filthy, foul, fiendish pranking or practical joking that others could easily be offended at.  Neither does it justify disrespect to wonderful and brilliant college professors (such as myself).  I do not want to find out that some of you who are listening to or reading this, have decided to use the ability to laugh as a way to insult other people.  That is NOT what it means.  It is the ability to accept one's accidents, find the humor in our lives, and strive to enjoy that humor.  This will yield a higher appreciation and gratitude for every day we wake up alive.

Number 4- Family.  You heard me correct!  What good is our life on earth in which we spend every day being surrounded by fellow beings, if we are not able to enjoy each other's company?  I am sure that many of you can agree with me that some of the happiest times you have had in your life have been in the company of good family or friends.  There is a reason we have families people!  God didn't give us families for the simple task of raising more hooligans for the world population!  Those hooligans will most likely stay out of (serious) trouble when raised in a home where they feel safe, loved, and have been taught to have respect for those who raise them.  Life IS better with families and NO,  I don't want to debate it!

And now the moment you have all been waiting for.

Number 5-

A knowledge of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and what He has done for all of us.  For much of our existance here, life will NOT he huckleberries and ice cream or any other kind of fruit with dairy.  We will all have hard times.  That is part of the deal.  That is what we all signed up for when coming to this earth.  Sometimes, life feels like sheer despair.  We cannot really help this.  We will all feel these kinds of feelings.  And we will all have challenges that are unique to us individually, so we will not be able to fully comprehend what somebody else is feeling.  However, there is somebody who does know how we feel, because He felt that same way at one point in time.  Only by having faith in our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and doing all the things that He has asked us to do, can we truly find full and complete happiness.  He is the only reason why our life does not end when we close our eyes.  I make this promise to all of you; if you turn to him, He can rescue you when you find yourself sinking into the raging seas of life's problems. 

Well my dear friends, our time is already up.



Albert Einstein



Hopefully you have learned something from this class here today.  If you haven't, it's your own fault and you should go to sleep earlier tonight! 

Please keep in mind that all of the theories discussed during this class came from my own scrambled head.  They will, hopefully, bring added joy and happiness to your daily lives.  I am still testing them out!

Class is dismissed. 

Go ski down a mountain!

Happ 135. Feb 21, 2012. With Professor Crazy

Okay class!  It is time to begin.  Today, we will be discussing, THE SECRET TO LIFE'S HAPPINESS!  This is important, so keep your hands to yourself, quit throwing garbage and PAY ATTENTION!

-Note: the professor reserves the right to claim the following theories as applicable to himself and are not guaranteed to work with everybody, but they are a pretty good outline.

    Okay, so, happiness.  The most sought-after thing in the history of our degrading existance down here as specks of dust on the earth.  People strive for this all their lives.  Some pass on without obtaining it.  And to many, it has different meanings.  Take a moment and ask yourself this question; "what does happiness mean to me?" I know some of you are probably thinking family and friends, maybe sports, maybe peace.  I also know that some others of you are thinking "anything but attending this class" right now.  Don't think that though because you will have plenty of time to think that in Chem 105. 

Doesn't that just look fun?!

    Alright. Have you decided what your happiness is?  If not, please continue to do so.  Maybe you will be enlightened during this seminar.  Since this is a religious (Latter-Day Saint) seminar, we will call happiness a variety of things.  Sometimes it may be referred to as Zion or other similar terms you may have heard.  Just keep up.  If you don't like any terms like that, or the fact that this IS a denominational seminar instead of non-denominational one, well,     TOUGH!  Either get over it and grow a harder neck, or leave a complaint with whatever governmental agency would shut me down.  You can choose what terms to and not to use when YOU write a seminar. 

    So, in your eyes, what does happiness, or Zion, look like?  You may have met people that you feel have achieved this state of being.  Do you wonder what their secret is?  You may wish you were in their shoes so that you could feel that happiness.  Or, you may be thinking of what would make you happy.  You may wish for the things that you feel would make you happy, because for some reasons, they seem to be "unachievable."  Or so you think.  Well, what if I told you that, to be in their shoes, or to have those things you want, though they may be pleasing and fun, will most likely NOT bring you happiness.  What now?  Those people are different from you, and those things, are just that, things.  What are you going to do now?

    Don't get me wrong.  There are a few things I would be very pleased to own!  If you happen to have an extra 2011 KTM 350 XC-F ithat you need to be rid of, I will gladly take it off your hands!  I would have a lot of fun on that machine.  But, is fun the same thing as happiness?

    Do you want the secret to happiness?  I can list it right here right now.

1- Grattitude.  That's right.  How come the most poverty-stricken people in the world seem to be the most happy?  It is because they are grateful for the things they have.  We all need to work on this trait.  No wonder there is an article in the Ensign every month about grattitude! 

2- An adventure.  If we don't have anything to look forward to, what is the point in moving forward/  Now, this doesn't mean we go chase after Indiana Jones on a broken mine-cart track through the temple of doom.  This can be as simple as going to a doughnut shop.  For some of you it may be skiing with your family.  For others, as strange and sad as it sounds, it may be moving to the next level on Angry Birds or something like that.  What makes you smile?  If it is genuine and good, it must be GOOD!  So seek after those things.

3-

(RRIIIINNNNNNGGG!)

Well, sorry to keep you in suspense!  Looks like the rest will have to wait til next week!.

Have a nice day.

Every little thing is gonna be alright

It is very common for people to become more stressed than is necessary.  I am guilty of that too.  When things don't go exactly as planned, we tend to lose our minds.  We let so much traffic go through our brains that we soon get a headache.  Too much stress sometimes causes depression.  Sounds like the "good-ol' college years" doesn't it?

Today, I am going to write about somebody that I have a LOT of respect for.  Who many people see as a pot-headed no-good Jamaican bum, and who others see as one of the music industry's greatest genius', Robert (Bob) Nesta Marley, 1945-1981.  I don't admire Bab Marley for his morals or fame, but I admire Bob Marley for his relationship with God.  Setting the "Rasta" culture aside, Bob has immense faith in God and a trust that, in the end, "every little thing is gonna be alright." 

One of the ways I see this is through his music.  Bob's music just has a way to slow the brain's RPM from the red line to the green line.  And something that I also look up to is that when he writes and performs his music, it is in a way of giving to us.  As all good people do, Bob Marley had opposition in his life.  In 1976, two days before he was supposed to perform, he was shot.  Injured but alive, he was on that stage performing his record, Smile Jamaica.  His reasoning was "The people who are trying to make this world worse aren't taking a day off.  How can I?"

In this crazy crazy CRAZY world down here, there is plenty of opposition.  These events either lead people to or away from God.  Sometimes, people go so far as suicide.  We all have this stuff, and we all get stressed out once in a while.  I'm sure even Bob was stressed.  What we need to watch for is that we don't get too stressed.  We cannot let ourselves shut down because things are going wrong. 

Here's a good solution.  When you're working on a problem and just can't get it to work, listen to some Bob Marley, go outside, look at all the things that God has created for us and enjoy them for a little bit.  Whether it be food, the outdoors, or just chillin', make sure you get your brain to slow down.  Then go back and try the problem again.  That works for me most of the time.