Were you ever told as a child what was and wasn't impossible?
Did you ever say, "Daddy, I want to invent a time machine!" or, "Mommy, I want to fly without a plane!" Did you ever say anything like that?
I did.
Most of the time the adults I was talking to would look at me, smile, and say, "Okay, you do that. :D" or, "How exciting! :D How are you going to do it?"
But sometimes, I'd have a really fantastic idea. One that would absolutely change the entire course of history and mankind. I'd even have a mechanism for my idea. Granted, the usually naive type of mechanism that comes from a child's brain, but a mechanism anyway. I'd get excited and share my idea only to have some adult or another say, "Oh no, child. You can't do that. That's impossible." and then site some law of physics or something. So I'd look at them, and say, "Okay, watch me." as is the nature of many children. Then I'd go to work on how to do it. But the harder the work got, the deeper the thinking and learning, the more I'd realize how far I had to go, and the more that voice would echo, "Oh no, child. You can't do that. That's impossible." And every time I heard it, I started to rationalize the idea of quitting. "Well, this will take too long. And I never really wanted it anyway." Or, "Meh, they're right. I'm too young anyway." And I'd never give my idea the time it deserved. Thus, over time, my ideas became only ideas. Nothing more. Because I was told by everyone around me whether by direct speech or means more subtle that my ideas couldn't work. So I stopped believing too.
What would have happened if I was never told that anything I believed was impossible? How would my life have changed? To be honest, probably not at all. I probably would have never finished a single one. But do you know what I would have? I would know for sure that whether I failed or succeeded, the people I shared my ideas with would believe in my ability to achieve the impossible. That's a simple knowledge that goes a long way. More than just childhood whims. That knowledge carries on into adulthood. Into everything a person does for the rest of their lives, knowing that somebody believes in them will push them past where they would normally go. That's important.
So, to the great thinkers, dreamers, and minds of the world today. Young and old, free and enslaved, rich and poor.
Silence the critics.
It doesn't matter what they say to you. It doesn't matter what they think of what you are doing.
Do it anyway.
Love them, and be polite. But when it comes right down to them getting in your face and telling you that it will never work, silence them.
They are not worth your time.
Instead surround yourself with other great minds. People in search of the impossible just as you are. Find the people that are willing to challenge everything, even to the existence of God itself, and never deny truth no matter the results. They will uplift you. They will help you. They will inspire you to greater things than you ever thought possible. In their presence, you will find truth.
And never, ever, tell someone what is or isn't impossible, because with those words you shape a person's belief in themselves to achieve.
Most importantly of all remember this.
Never tell a child what is or isn't possible, for chances are by the time they grow up, it will have happened. If you tell them that anything at all is not possible, you take away much of their potential to create and achieve.
Now go find the impossible.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Monday, July 28, 2014
Why I Don't Wear Sunglasses
If you know me, think about the times you've seen me.
If you don't know me, go stalk me on Facebook and Google+. That's totally fine with me.
Very seldom will you see me with sunglasses. Mostly when I'm driving, or when a friend finds a pair on the bottom of a creek and gives them to me. (Shout out to those Canadians. ^_^ )
I just don't like them. Here's why.
Communication is one of the most important things in the world. Without communication, we are nothing. This, what you're reading right now, it's communication. From me to you. The device that you are reading this on, that's the result of a communication of ideas from someone that had the idea to someone else who knew how to make it happen. The Earth itself is a great big result of communication from God to the elements of the universe saying, "Hey, I want you to be here and act in this way."
That's how it is.
There are different forms of communication just as there are different parts of people.
There is physical communication. Punching someone in the face. Giving someone a hug. Giving someone a massage. Those things are physical communication. And while they convey other types of communication as well, they are primarily physical; just as the examples to follow will be primarily in their own categories.
There is emotional communication. This one really isn't conveyed on it's own. It moves mostly through physical and mental communication by way of words and deeds.
There is mental communication. Conveyed through speaking, mainly.
Then there is one that is quite special. Something that God gave us, but something that is often overlooked.
Spiritual communication.
How does a person communicate spiritually? I'm not talking communicating with other spirits that don't have bodies. That's devilish. I'm talking about communicating with the spirits that are the people which are around you. The spirits of your friends, your family, your neighbors. Living people.
How does that work? Is it just a feeling? Is it conveyed through other forms of communication?
To be honest, I don't know exactly. I have my ideas, but I really don't know for sure.
But, here's what I do know.
The eyes are the windows of the soul.
In your eyes exists your entire being. Your soul. Your life, your energy, your spirit.
And in your eyes, I can see that. I can see your soul. That is how I communicate spiritually.
I need to see your eyes.
We must remember though. Communication is a two way thing. I convey my message, you respond, and vice versa.
I need you to see my eyes. Because I won't always tell you what I feel or think. Even if I want too, I can't always say it. Communication of the spirit does not translate well into speech.
I want you to know what I think, what I feel, what I know. I want you to understand, because as articulate as I am on this blog, I can't speak like I write. But I can show you what I mean. You only need to see my eyes. You only need to speak with my soul.
Sometimes I don't want people to see my soul. I don't want you to see my sorrow. My shame. My guilt. I was built to uplift and inspire, to edify and to spread joy. Not to bring people down. I don't like people to see my sadness. As vulnerable as I try to be, I have walls too. Walls that I sometimes don't know I have until they break and the vulnerability trapped inside of them gushes out like a dam burst all at once. And that's the thing. I want to be vulnerable. I know that vulnerability is the only way to a sincere and fulfilled life. It's what God tries to get a person to recognize all their life. Be humble. Be meek. Be submissive. Be you, is what he's saying. Be vulnerable. Because when you've truly vulnerable, you're being who you really are.
If you ever want to know something from me, look at my eyes. Make me look at you. You'll see everything you need to know. Because you'll see me for who I am. I won't hide who I am behind a dark screen. I won't run. I will stand. I will be vulnerable.
Will you?
If you don't know me, go stalk me on Facebook and Google+. That's totally fine with me.
Very seldom will you see me with sunglasses. Mostly when I'm driving, or when a friend finds a pair on the bottom of a creek and gives them to me. (Shout out to those Canadians. ^_^ )
I just don't like them. Here's why.
Communication is one of the most important things in the world. Without communication, we are nothing. This, what you're reading right now, it's communication. From me to you. The device that you are reading this on, that's the result of a communication of ideas from someone that had the idea to someone else who knew how to make it happen. The Earth itself is a great big result of communication from God to the elements of the universe saying, "Hey, I want you to be here and act in this way."
That's how it is.
There are different forms of communication just as there are different parts of people.
There is physical communication. Punching someone in the face. Giving someone a hug. Giving someone a massage. Those things are physical communication. And while they convey other types of communication as well, they are primarily physical; just as the examples to follow will be primarily in their own categories.
There is emotional communication. This one really isn't conveyed on it's own. It moves mostly through physical and mental communication by way of words and deeds.
There is mental communication. Conveyed through speaking, mainly.
Then there is one that is quite special. Something that God gave us, but something that is often overlooked.
Spiritual communication.
How does a person communicate spiritually? I'm not talking communicating with other spirits that don't have bodies. That's devilish. I'm talking about communicating with the spirits that are the people which are around you. The spirits of your friends, your family, your neighbors. Living people.
How does that work? Is it just a feeling? Is it conveyed through other forms of communication?
To be honest, I don't know exactly. I have my ideas, but I really don't know for sure.
But, here's what I do know.
The eyes are the windows of the soul.
In your eyes exists your entire being. Your soul. Your life, your energy, your spirit.
And in your eyes, I can see that. I can see your soul. That is how I communicate spiritually.
I need to see your eyes.
We must remember though. Communication is a two way thing. I convey my message, you respond, and vice versa.
I need you to see my eyes. Because I won't always tell you what I feel or think. Even if I want too, I can't always say it. Communication of the spirit does not translate well into speech.
I want you to know what I think, what I feel, what I know. I want you to understand, because as articulate as I am on this blog, I can't speak like I write. But I can show you what I mean. You only need to see my eyes. You only need to speak with my soul.
Sometimes I don't want people to see my soul. I don't want you to see my sorrow. My shame. My guilt. I was built to uplift and inspire, to edify and to spread joy. Not to bring people down. I don't like people to see my sadness. As vulnerable as I try to be, I have walls too. Walls that I sometimes don't know I have until they break and the vulnerability trapped inside of them gushes out like a dam burst all at once. And that's the thing. I want to be vulnerable. I know that vulnerability is the only way to a sincere and fulfilled life. It's what God tries to get a person to recognize all their life. Be humble. Be meek. Be submissive. Be you, is what he's saying. Be vulnerable. Because when you've truly vulnerable, you're being who you really are.
If you ever want to know something from me, look at my eyes. Make me look at you. You'll see everything you need to know. Because you'll see me for who I am. I won't hide who I am behind a dark screen. I won't run. I will stand. I will be vulnerable.
Will you?
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Finding Passion In Life
People say all the time to follow your passion.
Maybe that's a flawed idea.
I was watching a TED talk by Mike Rowe the other day. He was talking about hard work and the different jobs that people do, and I had this epiphany as he was talking.
Maybe living a passionate life is less about doing what you are passionate about and more about being passionate in everything you do.
I think that's a very valid point. Think about it. What are you passionate about? Can you do that for a living?
Probably not.
If you can, do it! :D I am definitely not saying that you should not follow your passions if they're feasible. But for most people they're not.
So maybe you will never get to travel the world. Maybe you won't get that job you want so bad. Maybe you won't live in a beach house on the coast. Maybe you will. But if you don't, that's okay! :D Look all around you! There are people to love and things to see, fortunes to make and joy to spread! Life is so marvelous if you will just open your eyes and look around!
Really, what I'm saying is, don't focus so much on one thing that your life becomes dependent on it. Learn to find joy all around you, and the Lord will take care of the rest. You will live a passionate life if you remember to be happy in all situations, no matter how difficult. When you have troubles finding joy, look to the Lord. He will help you. You will be happy.
Happiness comes from the little things. Remember that.
Love,
Dallin
I think that's a very valid point. Think about it. What are you passionate about? Can you do that for a living?
Probably not.
If you can, do it! :D I am definitely not saying that you should not follow your passions if they're feasible. But for most people they're not.
So maybe you will never get to travel the world. Maybe you won't get that job you want so bad. Maybe you won't live in a beach house on the coast. Maybe you will. But if you don't, that's okay! :D Look all around you! There are people to love and things to see, fortunes to make and joy to spread! Life is so marvelous if you will just open your eyes and look around!
Really, what I'm saying is, don't focus so much on one thing that your life becomes dependent on it. Learn to find joy all around you, and the Lord will take care of the rest. You will live a passionate life if you remember to be happy in all situations, no matter how difficult. When you have troubles finding joy, look to the Lord. He will help you. You will be happy.
Happiness comes from the little things. Remember that.
Love,
Dallin
Friday, July 25, 2014
Your Great Unwritten Story
It seems that in the past few years old, worn out looking clothing has become a thing.
Ripped and/or bleached jeans.
Worn out looking boots and other shoes.
Ripped/worn looking tee shirts.
Even ripped and worn hats are becoming a thing.
More than that, worn out and old things have become a thing for homes. One of my Mom's friends owns an interior furnishing store. As a result, her house is furnished and decorated very well, and all the new trends are used. She has (Or had last time I was there, probably still has) so many decorations to make her house look old. Beat up looking clocks. Fake books on the tables and shelves that look really old with leather outsides and metal bindings. Old looking picture frames. You know. Going for the antique, authentic look. It looks nice. But why?
Why do people want to look and appear to be old, antique, worn and torn?
What has changed in our culture that makes us think it looks nice to look like like we live in poverty instead of the extreme wealth that our culture in America really lives in?
I know what the answer is. But it has nothing to do with how nice the clothing or furniture appears.
Of course, being who I am, I'm not going to give you the answer yet.
Sit for just a moment and think about it.
Why do you wear worn looking clothing? Why do you try to make your house look old?
Close your eyes and think. Really think.
What are you trying to accomplish with that look?
I know. Do you?
With the advent of instant communication and endless entertainment has come a loss of identity. A loss of culture. A loss of all things that make life great and people happy.
It makes me so sad to see how America has changed in the last 100 years. 100 years ago Americans knew what their culture was. They lived it every single day of their lives. It was a culture of hope and love. Service and giving. Fun and excitement. Integrity, ingenuity, and innovation. A culture of singing and dancing.
What have we now? A culture of mindless communication, mindless education, and mindless entertainment?
Pretty much.
People used to live! They used to go dancing. Not modern dancing. Real dancing. With a partner and music that was beautiful. They used to watch what was going on outside of the car/buggy instead of what was happening on their phone. They used to sing because radios were not easily portable or even common, and ipods didn't exist. They used to love for real, and have real relationships, because it was impossible to avoid the painful parts of relationships, which are the things that make relationships real. They didn't have the option to simply not text back or block them on their phone and avoid them in real life. It didn't work that way. If there was a problem, they had to look the other person square in the eye and work it out, or end the relationship. People used to read and educate themselves with purpose and vigor! Not mindless boredom. People couldn't numb the pain by turning on the new episode of their favorite show and losing themselves in the story. If they had TV, there were about 3 channels. And there was only one TV. For a very long time it was unheard of to have two. People used to deal with pain, learn to love, work hard, experience real disappointment, experience real joy.
People used to live.
Not the fake stuff that we pretend to have now. People used to have real lives.
And that's what we're searching for! That is the great hope of mankind! To live a real, authentic life!
Most of us just don't know that. We don't realize that we can live a great life, or we give a piece of ourselves away and choose not to. So we lose ourselves in whatever we can find, just trying to feel something, or not feel something. Trying to just make it by instead of really living.
For goodness sake, go live! What are you waiting for? If you're waiting for your great opportunity, it's not going to come on it's own. You have to go get it. Life will give you what you want. The question is, how bad do you want it? Do you want it bad enough to go do something about it?
Anyway. I'm getting distracted on a conclusion that is not the one that I am meaning to get to. Please, forgive me.
Going back to my earlier question.
Why do people want to look and appear to be old, antique, worn and torn?
People want what their grandfathers and great grandfathers used to have. They want to live. They want to feel authentic. They want to have a story.
They just aren't brave enough to go write that story. It's too uncertain. Writing a story is painful. It's hard to compose a masterpiece. So people choose to stay as they are. Not anything great or special. Just there. Filling some sort of void while not realizing that their wasted potential is creating a void within themselves. So they feel empty. And try to fill it with empty learning. Empty communication. Empty entertainment. And they know deep down that these things aren't making them happier. Making their lives better. But they live like that anyway. Just doing enough to not really feel bad, but not feel good either. All of this being said, they don't want it to appear on the outside like they're not really living. That would make them seem boring. And if they seemed boring, that would make people notice them less. Which means that they would have to start spending more time noticing things inside of themselves. Which would be painful, because that's exactly what they're trying to avoid.
So they wear ripped jeans. They wear worn boots and hats. They decorate their houses to look old. Because old things have a story. And they so desperately want to have a story. So, so very desperately. Enough so that they will spend a hundred dollars on a pair of ripped jeans to seem like they did something noteworthy and ripped their jeans as a result. If they wanted to really live, they would have bought a whole pair of jeans for forty dollars, and spent the remaining sixty on dancing lessons. Or given it to charity. Or gas to go camping. Saved it for something grand. Invested it in a business. Something to make the world better. But they didn't. They bought a pair of ripped jeans instead.
My dear friends. Go do something great today, okay? Write a story for the book of your life.
Do not wake up one day and realize that it is too late to live your dreams. You will regret it forever. Live now so you can smile when you leave life.
The great Lao-tzu said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
Take that step today. Even if it's not a very big one. Take it.
If you're already walking, start running. Your story is not written yet. There are still many pages to fill. It's up to you to fill them. Do it.
You will be happier. I promise.
May you be with God in all your travels.
All my love,
Dallin
Ripped and/or bleached jeans.
Worn out looking boots and other shoes.
Ripped/worn looking tee shirts.
Even ripped and worn hats are becoming a thing.
More than that, worn out and old things have become a thing for homes. One of my Mom's friends owns an interior furnishing store. As a result, her house is furnished and decorated very well, and all the new trends are used. She has (Or had last time I was there, probably still has) so many decorations to make her house look old. Beat up looking clocks. Fake books on the tables and shelves that look really old with leather outsides and metal bindings. Old looking picture frames. You know. Going for the antique, authentic look. It looks nice. But why?
Why do people want to look and appear to be old, antique, worn and torn?
What has changed in our culture that makes us think it looks nice to look like like we live in poverty instead of the extreme wealth that our culture in America really lives in?
I know what the answer is. But it has nothing to do with how nice the clothing or furniture appears.
Of course, being who I am, I'm not going to give you the answer yet.
Sit for just a moment and think about it.
Why do you wear worn looking clothing? Why do you try to make your house look old?
Close your eyes and think. Really think.
What are you trying to accomplish with that look?
I know. Do you?
With the advent of instant communication and endless entertainment has come a loss of identity. A loss of culture. A loss of all things that make life great and people happy.
It makes me so sad to see how America has changed in the last 100 years. 100 years ago Americans knew what their culture was. They lived it every single day of their lives. It was a culture of hope and love. Service and giving. Fun and excitement. Integrity, ingenuity, and innovation. A culture of singing and dancing.
What have we now? A culture of mindless communication, mindless education, and mindless entertainment?
Pretty much.
People used to live! They used to go dancing. Not modern dancing. Real dancing. With a partner and music that was beautiful. They used to watch what was going on outside of the car/buggy instead of what was happening on their phone. They used to sing because radios were not easily portable or even common, and ipods didn't exist. They used to love for real, and have real relationships, because it was impossible to avoid the painful parts of relationships, which are the things that make relationships real. They didn't have the option to simply not text back or block them on their phone and avoid them in real life. It didn't work that way. If there was a problem, they had to look the other person square in the eye and work it out, or end the relationship. People used to read and educate themselves with purpose and vigor! Not mindless boredom. People couldn't numb the pain by turning on the new episode of their favorite show and losing themselves in the story. If they had TV, there were about 3 channels. And there was only one TV. For a very long time it was unheard of to have two. People used to deal with pain, learn to love, work hard, experience real disappointment, experience real joy.
People used to live.
Not the fake stuff that we pretend to have now. People used to have real lives.
And that's what we're searching for! That is the great hope of mankind! To live a real, authentic life!
Most of us just don't know that. We don't realize that we can live a great life, or we give a piece of ourselves away and choose not to. So we lose ourselves in whatever we can find, just trying to feel something, or not feel something. Trying to just make it by instead of really living.
For goodness sake, go live! What are you waiting for? If you're waiting for your great opportunity, it's not going to come on it's own. You have to go get it. Life will give you what you want. The question is, how bad do you want it? Do you want it bad enough to go do something about it?
Anyway. I'm getting distracted on a conclusion that is not the one that I am meaning to get to. Please, forgive me.
Going back to my earlier question.
Why do people want to look and appear to be old, antique, worn and torn?
People want what their grandfathers and great grandfathers used to have. They want to live. They want to feel authentic. They want to have a story.
They just aren't brave enough to go write that story. It's too uncertain. Writing a story is painful. It's hard to compose a masterpiece. So people choose to stay as they are. Not anything great or special. Just there. Filling some sort of void while not realizing that their wasted potential is creating a void within themselves. So they feel empty. And try to fill it with empty learning. Empty communication. Empty entertainment. And they know deep down that these things aren't making them happier. Making their lives better. But they live like that anyway. Just doing enough to not really feel bad, but not feel good either. All of this being said, they don't want it to appear on the outside like they're not really living. That would make them seem boring. And if they seemed boring, that would make people notice them less. Which means that they would have to start spending more time noticing things inside of themselves. Which would be painful, because that's exactly what they're trying to avoid.
So they wear ripped jeans. They wear worn boots and hats. They decorate their houses to look old. Because old things have a story. And they so desperately want to have a story. So, so very desperately. Enough so that they will spend a hundred dollars on a pair of ripped jeans to seem like they did something noteworthy and ripped their jeans as a result. If they wanted to really live, they would have bought a whole pair of jeans for forty dollars, and spent the remaining sixty on dancing lessons. Or given it to charity. Or gas to go camping. Saved it for something grand. Invested it in a business. Something to make the world better. But they didn't. They bought a pair of ripped jeans instead.
My dear friends. Go do something great today, okay? Write a story for the book of your life.
Do not wake up one day and realize that it is too late to live your dreams. You will regret it forever. Live now so you can smile when you leave life.
The great Lao-tzu said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
Take that step today. Even if it's not a very big one. Take it.
If you're already walking, start running. Your story is not written yet. There are still many pages to fill. It's up to you to fill them. Do it.
You will be happier. I promise.
May you be with God in all your travels.
All my love,
Dallin
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
The First Goodbye
"See you in a few years, my friend. And, if such be the case, have a wonderful life and I'll see you in the next one.
Goodbye."
Why must such words be said?
Why can't good friends be together forever?
Why. Why. Why.
I had so much to say to you. So many things to do with you. So much time together that we should have had which seems to have been stolen by distance. By a few meager miles in a universe where our source of heat and light is nearly 10,000 times further away than you are. A distance between us so small that light travels it in 7 millionths of a second.
A distance which is incomprehensibly far.
Well, here's the first of many goodbyes. Or, the first that I have really felt anyway. Oh dear. This life is going to be difficult if saying goodbye to all my friends is this painful. Maybe I'll get better at goodbyes. I don't know. Anyway. Ready or not, here I go. Again.
Remember that I love you.
Know that I believe in you. You will do great things. I believe you will change the world.
Know that you have changed my life in greater ways than I can tell you.
Stay true to God and yourself, and cling to hope and truth like your life depends on it, because it does.
Smile often.
I will never forget you.
Goodbye, my friend.
All the love in my heart,
Dallin
Sunday, July 13, 2014
The Williamsburgerer's Lament
I love my friends.
The end.
But I have a problem. I don't live with my friends. They aren't near me. They are in Canada and Pennsylvania and Utah and Virginia and California and Washington and everywhere else but here. I do have friends where I live. But not like I have friends in other places. It's not the same. My friends and I here, with only a few exceptions, are not very close.
I got to see some friends today. It was great. I love them so much. But I hurt now.
I left a piece of my heart with my friends.
God bless them.
Why can't we all just live in the same place? Why can't we live and grow and laugh and love together in the same place? Instead of... Different places. Places far enough apart that for most of the year they may as well be different planets. Different worlds from which our only communication is this silly little thing that we call a computer. We don't see each other. We don't hang out like other high school kids do. I don't even know what that is like. To be with my friends every weekend. To physically sit in class with them every day. To play sports with them. You know. Normal high school kid things.
That hurts.
Because the more I get to know my friends, the more I am with them, and the deeper my relationships become, the more pieces of my heart I give every time I leave them.
Kids talk of getting guns and phones and books for Christmas and birthdays, but I just want my friends to actually be with me on those days.
Is that too much to ask? To simply be with them? Must I be separated from them for the rest of my life? Must I feel isolated?
I feel like I stand on an island in the middle of the sea full of people that don't care about me, or live too differently to understand and connect with me. I walk among them more like a ghost than a person; seen as frightening by some and received warily by most. Friends with few, and good friends with far fewer. I see my best friends all around me on their own islands. But it's an illusion, because they're not really there. I can talk to them, but never be with them. For when I try to touch them, they disappear like a mist, carried away by the breeze. Always within reach yet never within grasp. And sometimes I look up and they're real and there and I am with them. But they never can stay for long enough. Soon again they are off, headed back to their own place or I to mine, taking yet another piece of my heart with them, and I a piece of theirs. Back to our own islands with the people that never will understand what it's like to have friends more like visions than people.
I just don't want to be alone. The world gets harder to live in every day, with ever increasing corruption and deceit, violence and sin. I just want someone to hold my hand and and tell me everything is going to be okay. But I don't want to find that comfort virtually. I am tired of staring at this screen. I was meant to do things. To change the world. To make it a better place. Not to simply sit and talk with my friends about things that we cannot change while we're sitting, staring at a screen.
I will change the world.
I only want someone to be there with me when it happens.
Is that too much to ask?
The end.
But I have a problem. I don't live with my friends. They aren't near me. They are in Canada and Pennsylvania and Utah and Virginia and California and Washington and everywhere else but here. I do have friends where I live. But not like I have friends in other places. It's not the same. My friends and I here, with only a few exceptions, are not very close.
I got to see some friends today. It was great. I love them so much. But I hurt now.
I left a piece of my heart with my friends.
God bless them.
Why can't we all just live in the same place? Why can't we live and grow and laugh and love together in the same place? Instead of... Different places. Places far enough apart that for most of the year they may as well be different planets. Different worlds from which our only communication is this silly little thing that we call a computer. We don't see each other. We don't hang out like other high school kids do. I don't even know what that is like. To be with my friends every weekend. To physically sit in class with them every day. To play sports with them. You know. Normal high school kid things.
That hurts.
Because the more I get to know my friends, the more I am with them, and the deeper my relationships become, the more pieces of my heart I give every time I leave them.
Kids talk of getting guns and phones and books for Christmas and birthdays, but I just want my friends to actually be with me on those days.
Is that too much to ask? To simply be with them? Must I be separated from them for the rest of my life? Must I feel isolated?
I feel like I stand on an island in the middle of the sea full of people that don't care about me, or live too differently to understand and connect with me. I walk among them more like a ghost than a person; seen as frightening by some and received warily by most. Friends with few, and good friends with far fewer. I see my best friends all around me on their own islands. But it's an illusion, because they're not really there. I can talk to them, but never be with them. For when I try to touch them, they disappear like a mist, carried away by the breeze. Always within reach yet never within grasp. And sometimes I look up and they're real and there and I am with them. But they never can stay for long enough. Soon again they are off, headed back to their own place or I to mine, taking yet another piece of my heart with them, and I a piece of theirs. Back to our own islands with the people that never will understand what it's like to have friends more like visions than people.
I just don't want to be alone. The world gets harder to live in every day, with ever increasing corruption and deceit, violence and sin. I just want someone to hold my hand and and tell me everything is going to be okay. But I don't want to find that comfort virtually. I am tired of staring at this screen. I was meant to do things. To change the world. To make it a better place. Not to simply sit and talk with my friends about things that we cannot change while we're sitting, staring at a screen.
I will change the world.
I only want someone to be there with me when it happens.
Is that too much to ask?
Thursday, July 10, 2014
The Problem I Have With "Modest Is Hottest"
"Modest is hottest." We've all heard this cute little phrase used to make young women think that dressing modestly is better than otherwise. Many have found issues with this phrase, such as it sending contradictory messages because dressing modestly to appear "hot" defeats the purpose of dressing modestly and the fact that it's just a cute little phrase that doesn't actually have any significance. The problem I have with their problem is that the word "hot" as it is used in this saying has a definition that is so relative that it can't be solidly defined. It's a slang word. That's their purpose. So while the word hot may have sexual connotations in some respects, it can be argued that it's not a sexual term at all. Thus because of the fact that hot as used in this phrase is a slang term, it cannot be argued solidly that there is anything wrong with this phrase in that way.
Here's my problem with the phrase.
My problem with the phrase "Modest is hottest" is not that the word hot is used. That word is so relative that it's hard to understand what it means anymore. My problem with the phrase is that it defines a woman's beauty by the clothes she is wearing. How awful is that?
That means that this girl
Is more beautiful than this girl
Simply because she has nicer clothing.
Think about it.
It's a terribly vain view of the world.
Is that all a man sees a woman for? Her clothing?
More importantly,
Is that all a woman sees herself for?
Think about it.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
When I Fall in Love
When I fall in love, I want the light of Christ to shine in her eyes like the sun lights up the morning. I want her to be as happy as Pollyanna and wise as Viktor Frankl. As gentle as Mother Teresa and strong as Emma Smith. I want her face to radiate joy and light.
I do not think she will be this way when I meet her. But that's okay. In fact, I think that's great. I want to learn with her. Grow with her. Improve myself along with her as she improves herself. Give my heart and soul to her. I want to see that she is willing to go through Hell with me, and come out better because of it. Willing to grow with me. Willing to do hard things, and become a more perfect person with me. Willing to receive my heart and soul as her own. Willing to be with me for eternity.
I want to fall in love with her heart, mind, and spirit far before I ever fall in love with her body. I want to be her best friend. I want to help her be happy. I want her to feel loved every moment of every day. I want her to feel like the most beautiful woman on Earth. Because in my eyes, she will be. She already is. I don't know who she is. Where she's living at. What her life is like. Or even if she's in the same country that I am. But I do know that she's alive. She's breathing. Her heart is beating and she's experiencing the same moment that I am. Maybe she'll see this one day. I don't know. I really don't.
I want to be the man that sweeps her off her feet. I want to hide little notes telling her how much I love her in places that she'll find them throughout the day. I want to give her a home and and a family. I want to provide the things necessary to life for her. I want to give my life to her. I want her to be happy.
Anyway. That was... A post. Not really sure why I wrote it. But uh, here it is. I hope you liked it. Haha. :D
**Author's note: This post made me feel super vulnerable. I'm not really sure why. I shouldn't feel vulnerable or hesitant to share things like this. They should be evident already. But uh, I do feel vulnerable. So yeah. Haha. :D Also, this. Yeah. This. I like this. :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hFT853OYfg **
I do not think she will be this way when I meet her. But that's okay. In fact, I think that's great. I want to learn with her. Grow with her. Improve myself along with her as she improves herself. Give my heart and soul to her. I want to see that she is willing to go through Hell with me, and come out better because of it. Willing to grow with me. Willing to do hard things, and become a more perfect person with me. Willing to receive my heart and soul as her own. Willing to be with me for eternity.
I want to fall in love with her heart, mind, and spirit far before I ever fall in love with her body. I want to be her best friend. I want to help her be happy. I want her to feel loved every moment of every day. I want her to feel like the most beautiful woman on Earth. Because in my eyes, she will be. She already is. I don't know who she is. Where she's living at. What her life is like. Or even if she's in the same country that I am. But I do know that she's alive. She's breathing. Her heart is beating and she's experiencing the same moment that I am. Maybe she'll see this one day. I don't know. I really don't.
I want to be the man that sweeps her off her feet. I want to hide little notes telling her how much I love her in places that she'll find them throughout the day. I want to give her a home and and a family. I want to provide the things necessary to life for her. I want to give my life to her. I want her to be happy.
Anyway. That was... A post. Not really sure why I wrote it. But uh, here it is. I hope you liked it. Haha. :D
**Author's note: This post made me feel super vulnerable. I'm not really sure why. I shouldn't feel vulnerable or hesitant to share things like this. They should be evident already. But uh, I do feel vulnerable. So yeah. Haha. :D Also, this. Yeah. This. I like this. :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hFT853OYfg **
Numb
When you feel numb, don't do stupid things to try and feel something. I know it's a desperate feeling to be numb. Trust me. I've been there. I know that you are desperate to feel something - anything at all, but it's not worth it to do stupid things to try and feel. I promise. Pray the the Lord and be patient. He will help you.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Leading by Example
Today I learned something about leading by example. It was a chastisement from God to me, really.
Let me tell you a story.
I was at work all day today. 8:00 to 7:00. When I got home I was so tired. I really just wanted to come sit and learn something or listen to music. Maybe talk to a friend or two. Do something to recharge. So I get home feeling a little bit peeved after having to stay almost an hour extra at work, (The store closes at 6:00) to do some things for my Mom. The first thing I heard when I walked in the door was, "Oh hey, thanks for those papers you brought home for me. Would you mind running Ben up to Grandma's house for singing practice?"
-_-
And I was thinking. "Um, yes. Yes I would mind, thank you very much. I'm tired and I want to go do something else." But I didn't say that. I grumbled something about being tired, grabbed Ben, and got in the car. I drove him up there. Found out that it wasn't actually at Grandma's house, but at the farm. Grumbled a bit. Dropped him off, went home, and was actually in a half decent mood when I got home. Went and visited the neighbors for an hour or so. Came downstairs, got on my computer for about 45 minutes. Then I went out to weed my garden. Which is actually the family garden. It's just that they have labeled it as mine. So I guess it is. Anyway, I went out to weed the garden, and I did for about an hour intermingled with helping the neighbors with some things and talking with them. So I come home at about 9:45. I was tired. So I start to go downstairs and I hear, "Hey Dal? Will you do the dishes before you go downstairs?"
There are times when I wish the Lord wouldn't have directly stated that obeying one's parents is a commandment and an important thing to do.
So I turn around and start doing the dishes. Grumbling all the way. My Mom is just down the hall giving some of the kidos a bath.
So I stood there. Doing the dishes. Thinking about how lazy my siblings are. They really aren't that lazy. They get a lot done. Just. Not. What. My. Mom. Tells. Them. To. Do.
And I try really hard to obey my parents. I really do. So when I have to do my sibling's chores, (Dishes is not one of their chores, but I do their chores all the time with watering and chickens and house jobs and such.) because they ran off to do something else without finishing, it is a difficult thing for me to swallow with humility and meekness.
My pride got the best of me for a moment. So I turned to my Mom and started going off on some angry rant about how lazy my siblings are. She told me there's not much she can do about it because they don't listen, so if I wanted it to change, I needed to change it myself.
That wasn't the answer I was looking for.
So I sat there. Doing the dishes. Grumbling. Making my life miserable. And then God told me this. He said, "Dallin, you need to kill your pride. Now. Your pride is not worth your eternal salvation. If you become proud now, it will lead you down a path of great destruction. Be still for a moment and listen to Me."
So I took a deep breath, and listened. God taught me about leaders. He said,
"You have been told in the past to lead by example. You do that very well. Thank you. Let me teach you something more. When leading by example, remember that there is more to it than what you do. It's how you do it. If you're constantly exclaiming to everyone around you how much more you're doing than they are, you're defeating your entire purpose. A leader that effectively leads by example leads by quiet example always."
Woah. Okay. I'll do that. Haha. :D
The interesting thing for me about talking with God is that I don't ever hear Him loudly or really even feel Him strongly in most cases. I have to listen closely and feel carefully. If I don't I miss what He has to say. Well, I listened today. And I'm glad I did.
Thanks, God. I love to feel you in my life.
So remember, my friends. There are two morals to this story.
#1 Effective leaders lead by quiet example always. People will pick up on what is being done eventually, even if it takes a long time. When they do pick up on it though, what you have done will be much more effective than if you had said anything.
#2 God speaks super quietly. If you're not making a conscious effort to know His will and His word, you're probably going to miss it.
Now go forth and make the world better, my friends. :D
Love,
Dallin
Let me tell you a story.
I was at work all day today. 8:00 to 7:00. When I got home I was so tired. I really just wanted to come sit and learn something or listen to music. Maybe talk to a friend or two. Do something to recharge. So I get home feeling a little bit peeved after having to stay almost an hour extra at work, (The store closes at 6:00) to do some things for my Mom. The first thing I heard when I walked in the door was, "Oh hey, thanks for those papers you brought home for me. Would you mind running Ben up to Grandma's house for singing practice?"
-_-
And I was thinking. "Um, yes. Yes I would mind, thank you very much. I'm tired and I want to go do something else." But I didn't say that. I grumbled something about being tired, grabbed Ben, and got in the car. I drove him up there. Found out that it wasn't actually at Grandma's house, but at the farm. Grumbled a bit. Dropped him off, went home, and was actually in a half decent mood when I got home. Went and visited the neighbors for an hour or so. Came downstairs, got on my computer for about 45 minutes. Then I went out to weed my garden. Which is actually the family garden. It's just that they have labeled it as mine. So I guess it is. Anyway, I went out to weed the garden, and I did for about an hour intermingled with helping the neighbors with some things and talking with them. So I come home at about 9:45. I was tired. So I start to go downstairs and I hear, "Hey Dal? Will you do the dishes before you go downstairs?"
There are times when I wish the Lord wouldn't have directly stated that obeying one's parents is a commandment and an important thing to do.
So I turn around and start doing the dishes. Grumbling all the way. My Mom is just down the hall giving some of the kidos a bath.
So I stood there. Doing the dishes. Thinking about how lazy my siblings are. They really aren't that lazy. They get a lot done. Just. Not. What. My. Mom. Tells. Them. To. Do.
And I try really hard to obey my parents. I really do. So when I have to do my sibling's chores, (Dishes is not one of their chores, but I do their chores all the time with watering and chickens and house jobs and such.) because they ran off to do something else without finishing, it is a difficult thing for me to swallow with humility and meekness.
My pride got the best of me for a moment. So I turned to my Mom and started going off on some angry rant about how lazy my siblings are. She told me there's not much she can do about it because they don't listen, so if I wanted it to change, I needed to change it myself.
That wasn't the answer I was looking for.
So I sat there. Doing the dishes. Grumbling. Making my life miserable. And then God told me this. He said, "Dallin, you need to kill your pride. Now. Your pride is not worth your eternal salvation. If you become proud now, it will lead you down a path of great destruction. Be still for a moment and listen to Me."
So I took a deep breath, and listened. God taught me about leaders. He said,
"You have been told in the past to lead by example. You do that very well. Thank you. Let me teach you something more. When leading by example, remember that there is more to it than what you do. It's how you do it. If you're constantly exclaiming to everyone around you how much more you're doing than they are, you're defeating your entire purpose. A leader that effectively leads by example leads by quiet example always."
Woah. Okay. I'll do that. Haha. :D
The interesting thing for me about talking with God is that I don't ever hear Him loudly or really even feel Him strongly in most cases. I have to listen closely and feel carefully. If I don't I miss what He has to say. Well, I listened today. And I'm glad I did.
Thanks, God. I love to feel you in my life.
So remember, my friends. There are two morals to this story.
#1 Effective leaders lead by quiet example always. People will pick up on what is being done eventually, even if it takes a long time. When they do pick up on it though, what you have done will be much more effective than if you had said anything.
#2 God speaks super quietly. If you're not making a conscious effort to know His will and His word, you're probably going to miss it.
Now go forth and make the world better, my friends. :D
Love,
Dallin
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