Previous Post Removal

I am removing the previous post temporarily for discussion of the point made by Bach regarding the creator of the photo and possible collaboration with him on this blog or otherwise. My thoughts would be that he did not have the same insights and connections to the more deep dealings of the group, yet he did contribute a photo I would say is a classic, and perhaps in considering the anthology he should be included as a guest author at least on some points. Some of my thoughts although they may seem rude, it is just that I never felt the same type of connection with said "Robot", and I don't know if that is just me or a more general feeling. I guess we should open for discussion.

One of my favorites ever

Okay so for our second photo... drumroll please... wait for it... stay on target

Tell me a story!!!

Celebrating a Single Life

Friday, I was fortunate enough to attend Elder Worthlin's funeral services. As church employees, we were given the day off after 11:00 to attend the funeral and other activities. It's always a neat experience, attending a funeral. I often feel like it's my own, often reflecting on what I have identified as my own mission and stewardship in this life.

There was a poem shared by his son, Joseph B. Worthlin Jr., in which two lines in particular resonated strongly with me:

"That man can do the best he can
and leave no debt to his fellow man."

While many will interpret the accountability of this phrase in different ways, it is my opinion that the strongest debt we all have is personal potential unfulfilled. It's funny to think that a tree - without a brain - will grow as tall as it can, while we - with our superior brains and unique relationship with God - will stop ourselves from reaching our full potential.
I guess, in answer to Bach's questions, my greatest motivation is actually a snapshot of what I know is expected of me: to become a profitable and wise servant to my family, my fellow man, and to the Lord's Church.

on Change and Growth Part 2

Motivation.

Everybody (hopefully) has tried changing at some point, but in my experience, few of these attempts seem to bear fruit because at some point, the motivation almost invariably evaporates.

Some people are motivated by money, others by power, maybe by comfort, love, guilt, hunger, fame, accountability, fear, morals, rewards, etc.

What motivates you? What kinds of motivations have you had that seem to stick around more than others?

Here's a thought -- we're all familiar with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Does it seem that the higher you go on the hierarchy the weaker your motivations to achieve higher needs gets? Is a sign of strong character the ability to maintain motivation for higher needs?

On another angle, do you have any motivations you wish were stronger than they are? For example, we're looking to buy a house, but our resources haven't grown to that point yet. I know I'm talented and capable, and that if I could just apply myself more I could find these resources, but sometimes I just can't muster the motivation to do so. Shouldn't independent housing be a great motivation to work harder?

Lots of questions, I know, but I'm interested in seeing how other people deal with such problems. Why? I'm very excited by possibility, and I can see myself being stronger and more accomplished in a great many worthwhile things. The whole world is big and open and full of unimaginable treasure just waiting for the person who can reach out and pull it into his reality. I want to be one of those people.

Thankful for Books

I was never a big reader. In fact I hated reading all the way through school and throughout college. I was told by my first grade teacher that I'd never learn to read because I was so slow at learning the words. Ironically, my best subject at test time was in english language skills/sentence structure. I felt cursed.

And then I found a reason to read. It would seem obvious that we read to gain wisdom and grow our minds, but I always perceived that wisdom and growth to be exclusive to scholastic achievement. (As most teens do, I suppose.) Unfortunately, it wasn't until I discovered a vehicle like Pre-Paid Legal that I began to realize the potential of personal development through reading "good books". I realized that to achieve more - in all areas of life, not just material wealth - one must become more. I regrettably admit that it's taken me 23 years to understand such an important principle, but I now treasure that knowledge as one of this life's most precious assets: A path of Personal Development.

In the home-based-business industry, we commit ourselves and our team members to read at least 10 pages of "personal development" material a day. Scriptures; training materials; biographies of such people like Henry Ford, Donald Trump, Napoleon Hill, etc.; Most people do not come with the mindset of a successful business owner/leader/builder, it is something that must be developed over time. (In most cases more time than most people have patience for.) The most painful thing for me to see is someone giving up on themselves simply because their feet haven't grown into their shoes quite yet. So refusing to grow off the shoes go, assuming they'll never fit, and somehow believing that to tread a lifetime through the weeds and thorns in bare feet the rest of their life (trying to get used to it) outweighs the temporary hastles of keeping loose shoes on their feet.

I hope that within our close group, each of us will constantly seek to learn and grow. It is the only way we will be able to accomplish our various goals in this life - whatever they may be. Well my friends, here's to keeping our heads on our shoulders, and our shoes on our feet. Good luck this week with your lives, finals/projects, the war, and other endeavors!

Tell me a picture

Well as a trial run here, please peruse the following picture write a story that it reminds you of and please email it to me. The reason I am having people email is to avoid "collaboration" I think it will be neat to have completely different perspectives and different stories. More than one story is totally acceptable. This one might be a challenge for me...

Thanks

P.S. How long would be a sufficient time per picture??? comments

Book stuff

Nathan has provided a few pictures that have inspired me for a
possible format of book stuff. I think it might be nice if we each sat
down with pictures and wrote a story that is reflected in that
picture. Each will have different perspectives and quite often a
different story altogether. We can really show that a picture is worth
a thousand words.

I take charge of this aspect of our history distributing the pictures
and such. So keep stuff coming there is a lot we can do with all of
this. Thanks

Super Guy
(on the move)