I wanted to start off this part by saying that one of my regular shows on YouTube has a show on these. Take a look here.
13. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?
Perhaps what I'm most interested in is if I'll live a happy life. I know what my past is like, but I do want to know if I'll be happy, whatever that may mean, going forward. My life and outlook has changed a lot recently, and I'm curious if it will turn out well.
14. Is there something that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?
I have a bucket list of sorts. I want to spend more time in the mountains. I love it up there, and in Southern Utah. I could scramble up and down rocks probably the rest of my life and be happy. I am doing it as I can. I'm not living there now because 20 years ago, my dream was to work for Motorola. I've been working for them for 20 years now. My kids are involved in their schools, increasingly so. I have a good income and I'm still relatively happy, even though I don't see mountains but once a year. If my circumstances change, I'm very open to moving back out West. My bucket list included visiting all 50 states. I've visited them all but Alaska. I'm kind of afraid that I'll never come back if I go up there.
15. What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?
So far, keeping my family together. We've adopted three wonderful kids with one the old-fashioned way and we all get along. We've done it all with a good bit of humor and effort.
16. What do you value most in a friendship?
I'm not sure how to answer this, as friendship changes throughout life. Perhaps what I like most is acceptance, that my friends and I can disagree but we don't lose any love or respect for each other. I feel free to talk to about whatever I need in my life and I will catch a willing ear and a good dose of healthy criticism.
17. What is your most treasured memory?
In aggregate, my time in college. I learned and grew so much. I'm not sure I could narrow it to a particular event.
18. What is your most terrible memory?
It was a tie. The death of my grandfather. Also, my nervous breakdown, if that is what it is called these days, during my first year of my mission. It was the polar opposite of my time in college. Perhaps that is why I remember it so vividly, it being in such stark contrast to the rest of that time in my life.
Because of the subject of the rest of the questions, I'll be forgoing the rest of them so this will be the last post on them.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Monday, February 9, 2015
Thank You
I read an article recently about the two words that your partner needs to hear. The words were "Thank You,"
Now, I'm not perfect by any means, but when I read some of these relationship articles, I have to scratch my head and wonder if I just lucked out or if I really did learn things as I go through life. I've always tried to express my gratitude to Tracy and the people in my life. I know I fall short at times, but I do make a conscious effort.
It isn't just your partner that has to hear these words, and often. It is your kids, your family that need to hear those magic words. Tracy and I don't normally command our children. We ask them. That doesn't mean we sometimes don't fall into the command mode. There are some instance and situations where we need to. I'm talking normal interactions. We ask the kids to clean their room. Even when they misbehave or we have to command them to do it, we make a point of thanking them.
I'm not sure where I got into that habit with them. It is probably just a consequence of my normal behavior. I think it validates the kids' actions. It makes them a feel not only appreciated, but part of the family, perhaps more of a respected relationship status with their parents. I'm not sure if that was part of my own childhood. I know my parents thank me regularly for things that I actually feel obligated to do. I do know that my relationship with my kids is better because of it.
It is amazing what "please" and "thank you" can do for the people in your life. Please try to use it and see if it helps you. Thank you for your time.
http://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/spn-its-not-three-words-your-partner-needs-to-hear-its-two/
Now, I'm not perfect by any means, but when I read some of these relationship articles, I have to scratch my head and wonder if I just lucked out or if I really did learn things as I go through life. I've always tried to express my gratitude to Tracy and the people in my life. I know I fall short at times, but I do make a conscious effort.
It isn't just your partner that has to hear these words, and often. It is your kids, your family that need to hear those magic words. Tracy and I don't normally command our children. We ask them. That doesn't mean we sometimes don't fall into the command mode. There are some instance and situations where we need to. I'm talking normal interactions. We ask the kids to clean their room. Even when they misbehave or we have to command them to do it, we make a point of thanking them.
I'm not sure where I got into that habit with them. It is probably just a consequence of my normal behavior. I think it validates the kids' actions. It makes them a feel not only appreciated, but part of the family, perhaps more of a respected relationship status with their parents. I'm not sure if that was part of my own childhood. I know my parents thank me regularly for things that I actually feel obligated to do. I do know that my relationship with my kids is better because of it.
It is amazing what "please" and "thank you" can do for the people in your life. Please try to use it and see if it helps you. Thank you for your time.
http://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/spn-its-not-three-words-your-partner-needs-to-hear-its-two/
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