Category Archives: Gratitude

Gratitude, Just for Laughs

The Brian Regan Diet

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I have been thinking about changing my eating habits recently. It “seems” to me that water is just fine, the foundation of ANY good diet. I’ve been informed however that I need more nutrients if I want to grow big and strong. So I’ve consulted with a nurse practitioner and she’s suggested I try the following diet. For lack of a better name, I’ll call it the Brian Regan Diet:

Breakfast: Pop Tarts

Mid Morning Snack: Fig Newtons

Lunch: Peanut Butter & Jelly

Afternoon Snack: A Donut

Dinner Party

Main Course:  Head of A Pig

Desert: Cup of Dirt

It was a great birthday! Definitely one of my favorites. Thank you Michelle for putting a smile on my face…ALL DAY LONG!

Family, Gratitude, Words

Mothers

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If hearts could be gold

The treasure to be found

Within a mother’s love

Would vast coffers make quite sound

Her words speak hope and confidence

They lift and build and grow

Each one so blessed to be called her child

Does such inspiring words surely know

Her prayers do rally heaven

When in fear her children flee

The Lord dispatches legions

Each time she raises need

Her songs bring peace to troubled hearts

The melody she raises, so sweet

Each tune, each strain, each heartfelt note

With no worldly verse competes

Her devotion is divine

Her affections are sure true

Consistency her haulmark

All things she appears to do

With nothing less than teary eyes

I thank those mothers kind

Who, like angels, have shared their hearts with me

And in whom I can God’s love find

– K. Arthur

Attention & Focus, Gratitude, Runner's High, Words

The Runners High

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briskly and swift travels the aging man

ascending the mount to see God’s beacon shine

focused on words that illuminate his soul

grateful for the quickening of mercies divine

Tonight I ran for the second time this week and the second time in perhaps 6 months or more. After the St. George in 2005 I haven’t trained much. I did run the Wasatch Back Relay, but I pretty much ran that straight up without forethought…and my legs sure thanked me for it!

Today I had been having a brain cloud, as I’ve come to recognize as a fairly common part of Ryan’s existence. I almost didn’t run today because I’ve been feeling “almost sick” lately. Ya know that feeling of fatigue, muscle soreness, hot/cold “make up your mind” stuff? Well, I’ve been having that but guess what? Here’s what I experienced upon returning from a 15 minute run, 5 minute walk, then repeat session:

  • My mind felt clear and focused
  • I had more energy
  • I noticed patience came easier
  • Gratitude filled my being
  • (From the textbook) Overall sense of well being

I enjoy noticing the effects of my actions more these days. I haven’t always done that and it’s quite interesting and refreshing.

Gratitude, Hope, Self Discovery, Walk The Talk, Words

Simplicity

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Storms & struggles

Sadness & strife

These are but gifts

Blessings of life

We ride the cycles of happiness and sorrow. With every rotation we learn more of what it is to be human, to have strains, to have challenges, to have difficulties. To recognize that these down times are but part of the whole allows us to let hope into our hearts and understand, as my grandmother used to say, “this too shall pass.”

At times we run faster than we’re able. We fill our lives, and rightly so, with good activities. But there comes a point when the busyness of life robs from us the precious gift of reflection. In quiet moments we can look back on our behavior, let the solemnity of special moments sink in and we can assess our thinking on important topics. Simplifying our lives can provide us with many such opportunities. In these sacred times we can come to accept & love ourselves as well as see life more clearly.

Shelter, food, clothes and heat. These are the few basic things that Henry David Thoreau determined were necessaries for man while he lived a simplified life on Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Walden Pond. I am thankful for my meager apartment and cramped room. I am grateful that I have clothes to wear, including my cowboy boots. I am pleased that my house is warm when the weather outside has other plans. I am grateful for my 5 pound bag of pretzels and chocolate milk that sustain somehow my life.

Breaking from philosophy and entering practicality: In considering a shelter Dave Ramsey counsels to spend no more than 25% of your monthly take home pay on your monthly home payments. Also, providing at least 20% in down payment on a 15 year loan will allow you the most flexibility if you need to immediately sale the home.

Thrift, industry, economy and frugality are traits that I seek. At present time I think I’m running about 50/50 on most of them. Hopefully my kids someday will be able to learn these from their bearded father.

Finally, I’m grateful for my agency. I needn’t choose simplicity because that’s what I was advised to do. Rather, I choose simplicity because I can conceive of its benefits in a busy and rushed world.

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Thoughts taken from Let Him Do It with Simplicity, a talk by Elder L. Tom Perry in the October 2008 LDS General Conference.

Gratitude, Words

To a Dear Friend

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In all my days I’ve sought my best
And on that journey you bettered me

When I walked off course and to the left
You straightened my path with love

When you laughed, I couldn’t help but smile
And that compassion made my burdens light

At times to listen is all one needs
You did so and I felt understood

I wasn’t always true to you
But as time passes I learn devotion

In all ways and in deep sincerity
I hope one day to embrace you again

Thank you for your loving support
It’s just that simple to heal a soul