Thank You

I feel that I vicariously experienced such a beautiful and rare opportunity through you. Truly-thanks.
Each day I am blown away by the inspiring people in this world. So many people devote their lives to a cause they believe in. What would the world be like without such individuals? The thing that baffles me most is how selflessly these people serve. For instance, President Hinckley, how could a man have given more of his life to the most important cause in the world? And Paul Rusesabagina-Sure there is a movie depicting his life, but what's more is that it was real; he saved lives in an event that received no outside support or even recognition. Wow. These people, men and women around the world, provide the world with hope; hope that there are causes to fight for, that an individual can make a difference, and that life is not in vain.
So I thank these people. Sometimes it's a face I know well, and other times it's one completely foreign to me. It's magical at times. So I thank all those who live life to make it full and worthwhile, and not to be recognized or aggrandized. Thank you.

{I love the musik!}

Stand Up

It was my great privilege to witness a speech given by the courageous Paul Rusesabagina. He is known for his brave acts done to save over a thousand lives during the Rwandan Genocide that occured in 1994. In his speech he told his story from his own lips which is well known in its adaption into the film entitled "Hotel Rwanda." During the genocide, Rusesabagina used his hotel to protect over a thousand people whose lives were saved because of his efforts. He and the refugees were threatened many times to evacuate, but through Rusesabagina's courage and the grace of God, their lives were spared. His speech conveyed a few messages to me. One was that there is opposition in all things. There will always be evil in the world trying to destroy us and bring us down. On the lighter side, there will always be good people in the world, people like Paul Rusesabagina who do things for others, risking all that they have, even life. Another was the difference that one man can make for others. We too can have such an effect on people's lives. Maybe not in such extreme of circumstances, but in the little things . Everyday we come across "refugees" who need to be protected from danger. We can help. We can make a difference. Rusesabagina's final message to all was to "stand up". "If you don't stand up then the world will fail," he said and committed all to "Stand up". It gave me a determination to help change the world in the best way that I can, by just being me, the best me, one day at a time.

Decade of Decisions

It is interesting that the climax of life occurs quite early. A decade of decisions I've heard it called. The rest of life is determined in these few short years. The complications of finding an occupation and a spouse, determining where to live, or obtaining a vehicle and home. I feel that this is put upon us not because we are ready, but because we are not. Only in challenging situations do we grow and change. Thus in our early adulthood, we need to strip ourselves of childishness and become responsible. Through these obstacles in our life we can grow to become the oaks of the world firm in the winds of the secular and spiritual challenges of life. Hard work and patience is key. One needs to go for what they want no matter what anyone else says. When you fall, you keep going until you succeed. Then it is our opportunity to raise the next generation to do the same. It is a constant cycle. I am frustrated at sundry times by this decade's tasks, but am excited for the challenge and the hope of what lies in store.