From Weeds to Wishes

I don't like dandelions. They make my lawn look ugly. I don't like having an ugly lawn. The worst thing about dandelions is that they spread easily. The wind can blow off their seeds and it seems like the next day they have doubled in number. I don't like that.

However, my wife has helped me gain a better appreciation for them. We were in our kitchen and I was looking into our backyard. I was noticing the dandelions scattered all across our lawn thinking, "I don't like you. Get off my lawn! You're making it ugly!"

My wife comes up behind me and says with excitement, "Oh! Look at all the wishes!"

I immediately thought, "WISHES! No, honey. Those are ugly dandelions and they are ruining our lawn!" But I thought a little bit further and I could understand what she really said.

Do you remember as a kid finding dandelions in the yard and plucking them up out of the ground? I certainly do. I didn't view them as ugly, worthless dandelions then, but rather I viewed them as dreams with unlimited possibilities. With a single wish and a huff and a puff, I could make my dreams come true.

What lens do you view the world in? Do you see things as annoyances, ugly, and undeserving? Or do you see them as wishes, dreams, and unlimited possibilities? There is beauty all around, we just need to open our eyes a little bit more.

Watch the joy and happiness this father and son enjoy with dandelions.

3 Questions to Ask Yourself Everyday

Sometimes in my life I get into ruts. I just find myself living a routine or a pattern of life. Almost like Groundhog Day, but perhaps I am a little more unconscious of the repeating cycle. I awake myself from those moments and look for ways to get out. For me, living a routine life isn't ideal. I don't find satisfaction going through the motions. I want to live my life! It is my life and I can choose how I want to live it.

Through some mentoring and personal development, I found three simple questions that I can ask myself everyday that can bring satisfaction, fulfillment, and joy in my life.

Question #1 - What am I doing today that is better than what I did yesterday?

Question #2 - What am I learning today that I did not know yesterday?

Question #3 - What will I create today?

These questions provide me a daily quest or mission to accomplish. It gives me focus and purpose.

Question number three is probably my favorite. Life was given to us by an ultimate creator. We are God's greatest creation. He has given us the ability to create. So what will you create? I choose to create my life.

Learn how you can receive free mentoring and personal development.

"Whatever the mind can achieve and believe, it can conceive."

I have been doing some personal development and I came by this quote from Napoleon Hill,

"Whatever the mind can achieve and believe, it can conceive."

I feel like growing up I have heard this quote in many different shapes or forms. "You can do anything you put your mind to", or "Anything is possible." I honestly think though that most of us do not believe these statements. They work for other people, but why not you and me? 

Here is another good quote from Thomas Ford, the inventor of the Model T,

I have heard this one before as well, but I never knew what Ford said afterward,

"It's in our thinking that makes it so."

Our thoughts are at the epicenter of our personal world. Whatever thoughts we decide to entertain and hold on to, can plan out our very present and future. In fact, our present is only a mere composition of our past thoughts and desires. What thoughts are we allowing to determine our destiny?

I am learning for myself through personal development how powerful the human mind actually is. Little by little, I am starting to scratch the surface of my own human abilities and potential. And it all starts with my thoughts.

Habits of a Happy Husband Part II

Last year around this time I wrote a post about habits I learned from my first year of marriage (Habits of a Happy Husband). I greatly benefit from those principles and now I wish to add more lessons I have learned during my second year of marriage.

1. Seek to understand then be understood 

This is a principle from Stephen Covey's book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It's a principle of listening. We all have two ears and one mouth, but sometimes we use our mouth twice as much as our ears. I have learned to shut my mouth and not just listen with my ears but listen with an open heart. If you rearrange the letters in LISTEN you get SILENT. That makes all the difference. Learn to listen to your spouse.

2. Show appreciation for your spouse

This is more than just showing appreciation for the things your spouse does. Rather, it's showing appreciation for who they are as a person and as your spouse. Take time to look your spouse in the eyes and appreciate them for their character. Saying things like "I love how your smile brightens up my day" or "I love  your passion for helping others" will make them feel valued and appreciated as a spouse. They need to feel that everyday.

3. Fall in Love Everyday

This was crucial for me and my wife. There was a point in our marriage that we were just going through marital motions. It felt like we were just living together rather than being married together. We love each other but we hadn't fallen in love for a while. We found some ways to fall in love again and we try to do this consistently.

These are simple and practical habits to develop. I am not perfect at them, but I try my best to be the best husband to my wife. I know that she is doing her best to be the best wife to me. We simply do the best with what we know and strive to be better every day. 

3 Ways to Fall in Love with Your Spouse Again

Marriage is wonderful and beautiful. However, sometimes we find ourselves in marital ruts that takes the "merry" out of being married. In my own marriage I have used these principles to get out of those ruts and bring the beauty back into marriage.

Show Your Gratitude for Your Spouse

This is different than just telling your spouse thank you for doing the dishes or folding the laundry. It's validating them as your spouse. Give them honest and sincere appreciation for who they are as your spouse rather than what they do. Sometimes I'll tell my wife, "I'm so grateful that you're my wife" or "You're such a great housewife." It makes her smile and that makes me happy.

Reminisce 

Take a trip down memory lane. This is one of my favorite things to do with my wife. The other day we had a look at a photo album and it was really neat to see all the fun things we had done together. When we retrace our life's journey together we're reminded of the moments that brought us closer together. Feelings of love and closeness fill our hearts as we fall in love again.

Tell Them Why You Love Them TODAY 

It's very common to rush through love. "I love you" is our script as either one of us leaves the house and it's almost mechanical and past feeling. Understandably, life can get hectic and we're either late for school or an important meeting, but let's not lose sight of our most important priority: our spouses. Don't burn out the love in your relationship with the pedal to the metal, but simply enjoy the ride with them. Take them in your arms and tell them why you love them today. This will rekindle love's fire and bring you two closer together. 

My Drumming Journey

Fifth grade was the first time that I started to play the drums. I followed in my brother's footsteps when he started playing in fifth grade too. We were the Soulsbyville Marching Falcons, and wore white shirts, white pants with green sequin suspenders and belts, and cowboy hats. It was pretty spiffy. Anyway, after eighth grade, I moved on to high school to be a part of the Sonora High Golden Regiment. (I'll get some pictures soon.)

My freshman year was a rough one. I didn't start out playing on the drum line. Instead, I carried and cleaned the equipment. Not a very fun task but halfway through the season, I earned a spot and was able to continue playing. That year our 250-member band marched in Seattle for the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Throughout high school, I had the privilege to play the National Anthem at a San Francisco Giants game and march in another St. Patrick's Day Parade in Denver. It was in high school that I had the desire to play in a collegiate marching band. (Pictures will be coming)

My desire wasn't fulfilled right away, however. After graduating high school I served a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Italy. By far, it was the best two years of my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything. After I returned, I taught the drumline at Sonora High School for two years. It was toward the end of my second year that I was accepted to Brigham Young University. I had a chance to fulfill my high school dream.

In my first semester at BYU, I auditioned for the drumline. I would've been happy if they gave me a cowbell, but they gave me a bass drum instead. I was super happy. I couldn't believe that I made it onto the BYU Cougar Drumline. It was a one of the happiest moments in my life. 

The very first home game I was really nervous. But as soon as I stepped onto the field, all nerves were gone. I smiled the whole time during the pre-game show and probably looked like a doofus. I couldn't believe it. It was such an awesome feeling and experience. We played at all of BYU's home games, including the Miami Beach Bowl. 

Patience and persistence pay-off. I am so glad that I stuck to my dream, and I look forward to continue playing in the Cougar Marching Band. 

Waiting to step off to lead the football team to the locker room.

Halftime Show. 

ESPN did a special all about me...it lasted 5 seconds. 

Taste Buds Aren't Really Your Buds

The other day I had a light bulb moment. I was at the dinner table with my wife eating dinner. I don't quite remember what we were having, but I remember the food was really tasty and delicious. And it was then, in the act of eating that the switch flipped. But before I shed more light on this life changing experience, I must give you some background about me.

I love to eat food. That is probably not what you were expecting, but it is a very important detail. I eat when I am happy. I eat when I am sad. I eat when I'm bored, which is not a good habit. I even eat when I am full. Some of you may be able to relate with me, in our love for food. My hope is that my realization about food will make your eating experience more enjoyable.

I asked myself, "Why is it that I keep eating food, even when I am full? There is no more room in my stomach! And the more I put in there the worse I will feel afterwards." Then it finally hit me. I am pleasing my taste buds more than my stomach! I want to keep eating food, because it gives my taste buds a ride of their lives! But at the same time, if I keep gratifying those little guys, then my stomach has to pay an uncomfortable price.

There needs to be a balance to satisfy both the taste buds and the stomach. It takes self-discipline to stop eating food, even when it tastes so good. But let your stomach take control. When it says, "I'm full." stop eating. Don't listen to those taste buds because they will be persistent little buggers. They are very persuasive in using those salivary glands to make you drool for food. But slurp it right up and be on your way to a happier you.

It is more enjoyable to eat food when there is a proper balance between your tastebuds and stomach. I have been doing this for a couple of weeks now, and I feel great after my meals. I'm full enough that I don't have to roll myself out of the kitchen or even unbutton my pants! Try this simple principle and regain your joy of eating again.