Though our journey through life feels much like an uncharted course on a storm-tossed sea, I strive to tap into several aspects of the beautiful, multi-dimensional concept called faith. I have faith in a God who I connect to as a loving Father who’s guidance and strength I rely on. I have faith in a religion which helps me draw closer to a God I see as my Heavenly Father. I have faith in the goodness of people, those in…
I gently held her hand which was no longer warm. I kissed her forehead now rigid to the touch. My tears softly dripped onto her cold cheeks. Heaven received its newest angelThe day we lost our loveI guess they must have needed herTo watch us from above My heart broke as I said goodbye to my cousin Kenzie, the young girl I wrote about last week who died after giving birth to her baby boy. This beautiful girl, who I…
A beautiful mother brought a beautiful baby into this beautiful world. Then not long thereafter, that beautiful mother departed this beautiful world. Kenzie Schear is my cousin. Technically, she’s my first cousin once removed. Her dad Gordy Patterson and I were best cousins and best friends growing up. When Kenzie came into this world it was my honor to hold her in my arms and give her a name and blessing, a tradition in my faith similar to a christening….
Tiger Woods performance yesterday at The Masters demonstrated what it means to get back up when you have been knocked down by adversity, failed in the face of pressure, and tripped and fallen all on your own. And in doing so, he made history with his first major championship since 2008 and his fifth Green Jacket for winning at the Masters. THE BACK STORY Tiger Woods’ story is one for the books. Many have been written, along with a plethora…
A military trip to Iraq helped me understand when we know WHY we do something, things will always work better. It was 2004 and I was headed to Iraq with Utah Army National Guard. While preparing to deploy, our battalion chaplain Major John Worster, a Catholic Priest from Idaho, encouraged us to find out our reason for going. “Uncle Sam has ordered you to go,” he said. “But you need to find your own reason.” His purpose became the hope…
It’s Spring Break here in Cache Valley. Flocks of people tired of the cold (we had snow last week) are flying the coop headed for the warmer turfs of St. George, Vegas, Disneyland, and Hawaii. Of course, there are plenty of us sticking with the herd content to graze upon whatever Mother Nature dishes out. WHAT ARE YOUR SPRING BREAK PLANS? Are you traveling by car, plane, or maybe train or boat? Are you enjoying a staycation at home? Or,…
I used to wonder how much more get-up-and-go I had. But not anymore. Every time I think I can’t get up again, I find energy comes from within that allows me to get up and do incredible things. Like getting up when knocked down by doubt and discouragement. Like rising when I trip over the same obstacles again and again. Like falling flat on my face when my energetic enthusiasm runs faster than my legs have strength. That’s an…
Cody & Erica – I am truly grateful for the beautiful love you are creating in your family. I love watching you raise beautiful Savannah. Life is full of a mixture of moments. How we move through these moments, and the way we help our children move through them, will become a connecting vine no matter if the moments be calm or chaotic. Such thoughts and your love have inspired this little gem. I love you both. Dad CONNECTING VINES…
Are you a creator, or a consumer? Do you add more than you take away? Are you part of the 20% that does 80% of the work? Are you part of the 1% creation force? Or are you simply a lurker? PARETO PRINCIPLE – THE 80/20 RULE Many of us are familiar with the 80/20 Rule where 20% of anything is generally responsible for 80% of the result. Formally this is called the Pareto Principle. In business, it’s generally thought…
I have talked about a variety of difficult subjects in the past nine years I have been writing the Monday Morning Boost. Suicide, addiction, cancer, incarceration, death, and war are just a few. While several have created great discussions, none have spiked the response barometer like last week’s “Your Name Is Safe With Me.” The sheer number of private and public responses has been incredible. More importantly, the level of thoughtful discussion truly has been heartwarming. I am honored my…