Goals for the New Year

Here is a link to a post that might be helpful as you think about goals for the new year: More Tips about Making and Keeping New Year's Resolutions Than You Could Want.

"[O]ne thing I’ve learned from my happiness project: keeping resolutions is a key to happiness. If you want to make a positive change in your life, you need to figure out what to resolve, and how to keep that resolution."

I have been reading this blog for about nine months and have found it insightful...in fact, I just picked up a copy the author's new book.

As thy days may demand...so thy succor shall be

We just said goodbye to our daughter Jocelyn as she heads out on the first leg of her move to Washington D. C. As she drove off, I couldn't help but feel sad that she is moving so far away from home, but I know the Lord will be with her.

All morning as we helped with the last of loading her car, I had strains of How Firm a Foundation running through my head. I'll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand...As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be. Whatever comes her way, she will be strengthened. Whatever she is in need of, she will be helped with. I am so pleased with the changes that Jocelyn has made in her life over the last year. I am thankful for the tender mercies of the Lord.

What a Find!

We spent much of yesterday rearranging things in the garage...a task that we have been putting off far too long. In one of the boxes we sorted through, we found these photos that had been in ornaments that used to hang on Grandma's Christmas tree. What a precious family!

The Happiness Project

I ran across a blog who's author shares interesting insights into being happy. I thought that today's post was worth sharing: Life’s Cruel Truth: You Get More of What You Already Have. ...especially with its references to fairness.

Race over

Jocelyn finished in about 2:40 Congratulations!

No swim today

Andrea and I are here in St. George to watch Jocelyn race in the tri. Due to high winds today's race is run, bike, run. We're having a great time, but we are a little cold.

Beautiful Music

I record the Sunday morning broadcast of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Music and the Spoken Word so that after we get home from church and have had our family dinner, I can listen to that morning's broadcast. My kids know that often when I say "I am going to listen to the Tabernacle Choir", this is code for "I am going to take a nap". But today was different. For one reason or another, today when I went to listen to the choir, there were four broadcasts in my DVR queue. Although I wasn't especially moved by today's program, the prior three weeks' programs were fantastic! These included the broadcast before the Sunday morning session of general conference and the broadcast from Easter Sunday. What an uplifting treat. I ended up listening to each one a second time and last week's a third time--a total of four hours. One of my favorites was His Voice as the Sound, American folk hymn; arr. Mack Wilburg.

There is something powerful in beautiful music. I was lifted and inspired. I could not bring myself to delete these...I'm sure I'll listen again.

Robertson Family Irish Dancers

I caught wind of an encore performance of an exciting group...I think they were elves last time I saw them.

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Bed Testing

I always thought it would be good to get a night job testing beds. It just seemed like a good way to get a little extra cash while doing something meaningful. On the way home Saturday night, I passed the Adult Ed center and thought I saw a sign offering the appropriate training...

What is fair?

In the process of raising five children--at home, in the workplace, at church and in the world--I have heard the occasional protest that something is not fair! I have come to realize that fairness is a matter of perspective. What seems fair to one group may not be to another. In fact, as we try to make things fair for everyone, we are bound to exclude someone.

I want everyone to be happy. So, somewhere along the way, I came up with the following response:

In the short run, nothing is fair. In the long run, everything is fair.

Think about it.

It helps to have faith in a higher power. I believe in a Savior who took upon himself not only all the sins of the world, but also all the pains, the sickness, the injustice and the inequity of the world--one who makes up the difference, who makes us whole.

My wife's mother recently said that she thought of me when she ran across the following:

all is fine in the end
if it isn't
then it isn't the end

We still try to make sure everyone is treated fairly, but it makes it easier when someone gets the short stick, knowing that in the end it will all work out.