Truck Driver Wisdom

Okay here's the situation. A friend of my best friend is engaged to be married. She has to my knowledge been a Christian for the better part of 20 yrs. Her fiance is a proclaimed Atheist. Isn't marriage a religious institution? I had believed that the differences in marriage were due to the differences in the religious practices and beliefs of the individuals entering into marriage. Is it really just a union or contract? Depending on the individual, aren't there a religious references throughout the entire process? Here's a list of things I thought of.

• Ceremony conducted by a religious leader.
• Vows are an similitude of covenants, Religious contracts between "Man and God."
• "Giving away the Bride" another transfer of responsibility. First being from a Heavenly Father to an earthly father.
• Bride "taking the Last name" stems from religious conversion. When one converts to a Christian Faith they take the Name of Christ as they covenant to be like Him.
• Wearing the ring on the fourth finger. This denotes a completion of
  1. Father
  2. Son
  3. and Holy Ghost

These are just a few! So what are they going to do? As an Atheist will he refuse to do these things? If he does, will he not mean it? If that is the case wouldn't that violate their contract? So do they just contract at the court house?

It's all confusing. My advice marry within your belief system. Saves time and answers a lot of questions. Maybe I'm just crazy.  What are your thoughts?

Darren Rowse wrote an excellent post Friday. I live here in Salt Lake City and was here in 2002. I hate it when I miss that which is right in front of me. However this reminds me of a personal event in my life.
About 8 yrs ago I was delivering soda to a truck stop. While there in pulled a really sweet Prevost MotorCoach, towing a matching Jeep. The owner came over and I commented on how nice it was. The conversation went like this.
"What does a Prevost like that cost?"
"Well lets just say they 'start' at about 400 grand"
"Wow, You must be doing something right!"
"No, I'm just 'Lucky' that's all"
"It had to be more than 'Luck'. Come on now."
"Luck is when opportunity meets preparation"
I will never forget that. He hit it square. I truly believe this and would like to add that to Darren's comments about Steve Bradbury. In getting the Gold Steve Bradbury went through 12 years of Hard Slog. There are challenges to be met, character to be built, and a foundation to be laid.
Apparently in the land down under they have been using the phrase, "Pull a Bradbury." Well I think we should all "Pull a Bradbury." Roll up our sleeves and get to work. When we succeed, we can help others. That just makes it all the sweeter.

This is another good one from Blaugh.com I saw over at Techzi.



These guys remind me of some of my friends. They have to have the latest technology, the newest car, this years Snowboard (like there's a big difference in snowboards from last year!?)

I guess that's why my car is paid for. I guess it's all about perspective. I'm not saying it's good or bad. Just different.

"If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Just coming off the holiday, I thought it approriate to quote the Man of human rights. Funny thing, I couldn't remember if the Martin Luther King holiday was a paid holdiay. So I asked and was told,"We get presidents day off, we don't however recognize human rights!"

 Have you discovered what you would be willing to fight for, up to the point of loss of blood, to loss of life?  What is your passion? What is it that makes you want to get up every morning? Is it a loved one, child or spouse? Is it an idea?

Me? I am not sure. I have tried to ponder this and come up with what it is I am most passionate about. I know I could die for my wife and children. I would be willing to give up my life in defense of country. At least I think so, I haven't had to make that decision so I don't know. On the other hand my family, I have already decided that. So I guess it is my family that is my "something".   

Yeah I think it would be sweet to have a million bucks! But this made me stop and think why? Do I really need a million dollars? I agree I may not really have the desire just for myself or family to be a millionaire. I just want to be rid of debt. That is what seems to plague me financially. (Lately I have reduced the debt to more of a bad sickness.)

I am very intrigued to ponder the "good" I could accomplish with a fat bankroll!

Thanks for the post Steve, you are a Millionaire in my opinion.

This is definitely something I wasn't contemplating. However the wife came in today and proposed it. I was floored. I really didn't expect it. I mean, I haven't seen myself as a member of a board of directors. I almost thought,

"Has she looked at me? I am a truck driving geek@!"

Well the meetings aren't until March and I think I just might volunteer. I could see it as a very enlightening experience. It seems every day I learn I don't know. Tons of stuff. I try, and I am making progress. I do know that there is a lot I can learn from others.

"Nourish beginnings, let us nourish beginnings. Not all things are blest, but the seeds of all things are blest. The blessing is in the seed." -- Muriel Rukeyser.

Every day is a new beginning may we all take that opportunity and make the best of it.

Last year was surprisingly great. I hope I can maintain a bit of momentum into 2007. So here are a few areas I have setup some plans.

Fitness:

• Triathlons: 4 April, June, August and September.
• Half-marathons: 2 June and October.
• Swim a mile at my kids Summer Camp.
• Just get regular again.

School:

• 2 classes this Spring: Astronomy and Race & Ethnicity.
• 2 or 3 classes this Fall: College Intermediate Algebra and Intro to Human Anatomy and Physiology.
• Online learning: Blog technical.
• Work: It's a constant learning environment.

Blog:

• Write more: at least 3 posts a week.
• Better Design.
• Add more value to the Blog.

Family:

• Run with my son more.
• Read more stories to the little ones.
• Spend more time with my lovely wife.

It's gonna be a bumpy ride, but hey I like adventure!

New Years Eve was spent at the Conference Center here in Salt Lake. There was music and singing from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with a few guest performers; Peter Breinholt, William Joseph, and Ryan Tani. They sang some traditional hymns as well as a few more current pieces. They performed, with help from the Orchestra at Temple Square, a song from "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring." I don't know the young mans name but he was about 12 and did an excellent solo.

There were 3 speakers. Susan Tanner, Jeffery Holland, and Gordon B. Hinckley. I enjoyed all of the talks, however President Hinckley's talk seemed to carry more relevance to me. He directed his talk to the youth. (It was a Youth event.) However, in light of the fact that President Hinckley is 97 and I am 37 years old, I have 60 years left, possibly. That is a lifetime practically. Here are his 4 points.

1. Be Grateful.
2. Be Smart.
3. Be Clean.
4. Be Prayerful.

1st. I know we have much to be grateful for. This holiday season we were able to give more. We also received more. (Maybe the two are connected?!) We had a really good year, challenging yet rewarding.

2nd. I won't say I am smart, just not as stupid as I used to be.

3rd. I have been fortunate to not have had a drug or alcohol problem. I could lead a "cleaner" life with less donuts, chocolate, and Soda. I have kicked the caffeine habit but it hasn't been easy. I will get a headache 24 hours after I have a dose of caffeinated soda, without fail.

4th. This is an area I plan on increasing by about 50% this year. I'm pretty good about saying a prayer at night, mornings aren't near as good. Whether you believe in a higher power or not it doesn't hurt to ask for help or express appreciation.

I know I probably haven't done the talk justice. You can listen to the audio at LDS.org .

Have a happy New Year!

I stumbled upon this today. It was posted by David over at MoneyUnder30 on December 8th. I  love the simplicity of it all.

1. Stop spending more than you make.
2. Be charitable, help others.
3. Automate your savings.
4. Improve every aspect of your life.
5. Make sacrifices to get out of debt.( it ain't easy!)
6. Make goals.

David said it well, "Never settle."

My wife says I am brutally honest. I do try to be, (honest that is.) I think as we look towards the New Year we should all take an honest look at ourselves. Where are our weak points and what can we do to get better?

Ghandi said it well,

"You must be the change you want to see in the world."

Well the Holiday season is upon us. Have you saved up? Are you ready for the time ahead? Will you make some unsound decisions in your finances? These are all questions I have asked myself in the past couple of months. Well I am not as ready as I had hoped. I don't know really anybody who is. Here is my plan.

• Incur NO new debt.
• Prioritize gift giving.
• Make sure to contact all, wish a "Happy holiday."

Whether I do or don't only time will tell. I know I have made some improvements but I do know I have a long way to go.

Remember what the season is all about,

Happy Turkey Day!

Well the family is learning a little bit about the internet facts of life. My brother was having an e-mail "chat" with my Mom. She was thinking it was private. Oops, it wasn't. Mom actually forwarded the reply to a bunch of the family. It wasn't all that bad. My brother actually was very well versed and complimentary.

So  what is the proper etiquette? Who knows really. What I do know is the reality of it all. If you e-mail anything you need to expect it to be posted somewhere on the net. That is just how it is. You can't treat e-mail like a personal phone call. Even that can be compromised, i.e. the Speakerphone.

Have you ever taken a joke too far?

These two remarks are very similar in context. However they both arouse different emotions. It's probably stemming from experience.

We see people who really push themselves to accomplish some really amazing things. They have that winner attitude wherein they "Push the envelope." They go out there on a limb, risk takers. I myself usually feel inspired and uplifted by these type of people. I will try to emulate their eagerness and energy.

I will bet a nickel. (A co-worker is always saying that!) You have had someone play a joke and just go across that line. They end up humiliating somebody. Why? Didn't they see the "line"?

What is it that differentiates in ones mind where it is they need to stop? Is it a learned response? I think if it is then learning where to draw the line can be learned. I am pretty optimistic we can better ourselves. It takes time and patience. Plus a little bit of analysis.

If we don't learn to understand ourselves how can we appreciate anyone else.

I found a very interesting manifesto the other day. The PMBA or Personal MBA, is a simple yet alluring idea. The manifesto can be obtained here courtesy of ChangeThis.com. It involves a bit of reading, 43 suggested books. However if you compare costs it's a significantly cheaper track.

In my situation, with family and work, this is actually quite ideal. I am in school too, but I think this will greatly enhance all facets of my life. I am always looking at things to improve my personal development. This coupled with real world business experience could actually prove invaluable. I can go at my own pace. I look forward to challenges and this will be such. One quote I really liked and I feel is dead accurate is-

"The difference between where you are today and where you’ll be five years from now will be found in the quality of books you’ve read.” — Jim Rohn

So where will you be in 5 yrs?

Habits

We are all creatures of habit. It's the truth whether we like it or not. We live and die by our habits. The structured or even seemingly unstructured lives we lead tend to be ones of habit. The way you go to work is a habit. The way you brush your teeth, things you say, people you see, what you eat, everything. Life is a habit.

"You don't win once in awhile, winning is a habit", Vince Lombardi. Check out the book. Attitude becomes a habit.

We can decide though which habits we are going to perpetuate and which ones we will abandon (replace.) Unfortunately it seems you can't really give up a habit you have to replace it with something else. This can be easily said but pretty difficult to accomplish in real time. What was it that I heard as a kid, "it takes 30 days to make a habit"? Same in reverse. The beauty comes when we realize we have a choice.

With each breath you can decide what you are going to do next. It won't be easy but it's worth it. Face it things can always be worse. You could be looking at the inside of a pine box.

Hey I found a cool website today, Lazy Way. This is a really a good site. You have to take a moment to read it. I have been taught all my life that being lazy was a bad thing. As I get older I have noticed how properly defined and approached there can be a bit of magic involved.

The goal is to be effective. I really feel that effectiveness is the key in all areas of life to be successful.

• Family- quantity is necessary but you need to make it quality.
• Work- If you don't provide results, you don't get paid as much, plain and simple.
• Health- Again the end result determines your quality of life. It's a fact that you feel better when you live a healthy lifestyle. You need sleep.
• Spiritual- If you just show up to your synagogue, temple, or church, you shortchange yourself. If you believe it, live it.

We were discussing diets today. People have taken the word diet and transfigured it. Look up the definition of the word. http://www.m-w.com
It means "food and drink regularly provided or consumed". Where did we come up with this idea that we could "diet" and lose weight. Then when were skinny start eating the way that made us fat. What's going to happen?

We are going to be fat again. Duh!!

Take a look at all the lottery winners. Within like 5 years they have spent millions and have little to show for it. They are poor again. How often do we hear people say,

"When I (something) things are going to change!"

Bullshit. Things rarely change, people have to change. The way you change your circumstances is you make an internal change.

You want to be healthier, start eating healthy til forever.
You want to have more money, spend less.
"Eazier said than Dunn," Eric Wright

Well it looks like I am going to be doing the old familiar again. Yep, just Saturdays, but not every week so it shouldn't be too bad. What can I say? Life demands it.

This is the way it is. Money isn't everything. Nope, however it is important. How important you say? Well I say it isn't any more important than Oxygen. We all need to breathe and life also requires some money. That is just how our society is wired.

Well back to the grind. Hooyah!

You know I know I should care,
But I don't.

"Dark and difficult times lay ahead. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy."

- Albus Dumbledore
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 2005

Well I never thought the day would happen but here it is. Tommorrow monday 7-10-06 I will be going golfing at a charity tourney representing the company.

I figured the worst day of golfing would be better than the best day in the office. The good news is I won't know more than a couple of people. I need to just take it easy and have fun.

Hey there's gonna be free food.