I must be willing to BE served.

Posted by Jared V on April 9, 2013
Posted in: The Journal Board. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

It has been several weeks since I have been able to post anything.  I had knee surgery about four weeks ago to stop a problem with the dislocation of the kneecap.  During this time, I have thought a lot about things; I have had a lot more time to contemplate, to think, and to ponder (this may be because crutches increases the amount of travel time between places).  I have noticed a couple curious things about humans that has been very interesting.

First, in general, most people are willing to serve and to help when they see an apparent need.  On crutches, it is a bit more difficult to do simple things, such as open a door and walk through it, or to carry a plate of food over to a table.  I have noticed that most people I have met, on this college campus, are willing to open doors for me.  Some have even waited 10-15 seconds for me to crutch to the door: to a kid on crutches who’s just gone up 50+ stairs, that means everything.  Many have offered to do simple things like carry a bag, books, or a plate of food.  There has been a few exceptions, once occurred as I was passing out of a building with two sets of doors.   I pushed open one door and kind of stumbled, and as I was about to approach the second door, a man slipped through an adjacent door and opened it up just enough for him to pass through, and purposefully leaving the door to close too quickly for a kid on crutches to go through.  Apparently, someone is in too much of a rush to open a door for a kid on crutches.  This, however, has been the exception, and I have been pleased with the kindness and willingness of our race to help someone in need.

But the biggest thing, my own pride and difficulty in accepting help.  I feel like I am a person who is willingly to serve and help others and sometimes will go so far as to do something to serve even if the person says no.  But, it has been difficult for me to accept help and service from others when I am the one who is in need.  I live about a mile away from campus and, prior to surgery, I walked to and from campus.  This is also because I do not have a car.  Now, after surgery, a walk to campus or back from campus, at any time, has been complicated with sore arms, painful armpits, and a throbbing knee.  I have been blessed to have roommates and friends who have given me rides, and a group of girls who made it very clear that I was never to walk home, but that I was to call them.  It has been so hard for me to accept help, or to call and ask when they have already offered.  Also, it is compounded with the fact that this is my fourth week on crutches and after that amount of time I have begun to feel even worse about asking them.

I feel like I have learned humility and the not to rely wholly on myself.  Also, I have realized that in order to serve, there must be one who IS served: I have just happened to be that one.  There is a joy that is felt as we serve others, and if I reject their help and do not allow them to serve, then I hold them back from feeling that joy.  Moreover, I can feel that joy of being served as someone holds open a door, rather than refusing help and fueling my pride and struggling to open a door by myself.  There is a feeling and bond that is shared by the one who serves and the one who is served and I must be willing to allow that relationship and bond to be had.

I am Certain

Posted by Jared V on March 8, 2013
Posted in: Poetry. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

The hard work of the past four hours or so is finished.  Of the things which I wrote about, I am certain.  I am certain that life will always be filled with hardship and trials.  There is no way out of that, no matter who we are or what we do or how we do it.  But I am also certain that we do not have to face all of the trials of life alone.

I am Certain

Click on the link above  and let me know what you think.  Cheers!

Will I?

Posted by Jared V on March 6, 2013
Posted in: The Journal Board. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

This is a bit of a continuation from my last post (http://wp.me/pMEP3-2m).  Perhaps it is the stage in life that I am at, or it is the desire of us humans to do great things, or it is my love for literature and how the life of the characters is told, but no matter what it is, I am fascinated by this concept of potential.  When I was in grade school, people would tell me things like, “you can do whatever your want to do!”  That was comforting, to some extent, but also overwhelming, in a way.  I had a choice to do anything, to be anybody, and now that I’m in college, my life is before me.  What I study in college will determine a lot about my life, but more importantly, the habits I create now will determine the rest of my life.  My potential is vast.  Every living person on this planet has just the same amount of vast potential.  Imagine what would happen in every person on Earth stepped up to the plate, did the hard things that are right, and all lived up to their potential?  Imagine the powerful impact that would have in the world?

Every day, there is a choice that we make.  Will we do the little things that will propel us forward?  that will allow us to progress?  Will we make those choices that are hard to make, but will bring us the most joy?  Will we be the person that may take flak for standing up for what is right?  Will we love our family?  take time with them?  Serve a random stranger?  Put forth the effort to practice and improve a skill, whether it be writing to basketball to carpentry to drawing?  We can achieve our potential, but it’s up to us.

I can ask you these questions…but the resounding question in my head is…Will I?

Here are a few links I suggest taking the time to view.  1 is a humorous video of a “Kid President” who is giving us a pep talk to live up to our potential.  2 is a video about a man who went on a cruise, but didn’t realize an important bit of truth.  3 is a link to the text and video of a talk given about 3 regrets that people have before they die:

1)   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o&feature=youtu.be

2)   http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#your-potential-your-privileges

3)   http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/of-regrets-and-resolutions?lang=eng

A Potential Lived is My Choice

Posted by Jared V on February 27, 2013
Posted in: The Journal Board. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

We hear much about the vast potential of the human mind.  As children, we hear those around us say things like, “You can do anything you put your mind to!” or “Jonny, you can be anything you want to be!”  It’s true.  We, as humans, can be just about anything we want to be (with exceptions like becoming a dragon, an alien, a gopher, a child again, etc.).  Our potential is colossal.

There is a spiritual discussion lying in the truth of our relationship with God.  All mankind who has ever lived, who is currently living, or who will ever live are children of God: we are children of our Heavenly Father.  That truth alone reveals what is possible for us.  That truth can be discovered by anyone willing to discover it for themselves, and once discovered, it can be nourished and nurtured to be of great strength and value.  And once discovered, as one relies on the Lord then one can accomplish all things (Philippians 4:13 from the KJV of the Holy Bible…suggests it takes two beliefs: 1 is an “I can” attitude, 2 is that only through Christ one can accomplish all things).  However, I wish to focus elsewhere.

Henry Ford once said something to the effect of…”If you think you can or you think you can’t you’re right.”  What a powerful statement!  If we can imagine a dream and imagine ourselves attaining and reaching that dream, then we can attain and reach it.  We can achieve it.  We can do anything we set our minds to.  That is the powerful and defining feature of the human race is our ability to dream, imagine, speculate, and then act.  There is greatness inside each of us which is waiting to be released.  The only part is that we have to trust ourselves enough to allow ourselves to strive and reach for our goals with the possibility of failure.  Failure is at the root of almost every reason that someone would choose not to go for their dream.  Failure in actually living up to what we desire to reach; failure in disappointing others; failure in an inability to provide for our family if we choose a certain career.  How does one overcome that failure?  One must trust themselves and their abilities enough to go for it.  In reality, the only true failure is NOT living up to one’s potential.  And that true failure is a result of one not trusting oneself enough to go for the dream.

The battle lies within.  We are the ones that ultimately will decide whether or not to we will reach our potential and dreams or if we will not reach them.  When I look back at my life, I see times where I didn’t live up to my full potential, but I know that it was because of the choices I made that kept me back.  If I am to accomplish anything and everything, then I must believe in myself that I can do it.  Because if I think I can, then I’m right.   I am myself’s own worst enemy.  But I can conquer that enemy and live my dreams.

Solace

Posted by Jared V on February 1, 2013
Posted in: The Journal Board. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a comment

Solace. Peace. Serenity. Contentment. These words carry so much weight to them to my ears and mind. Solace is something that I have sought for throughout my life. At some periods, I succeeded, and in others, I didn’t succeed. I know that I am not alone in my search for solace, as I have seen that search in the eyes, actions, and dreams of those around me. While in Hawaii for two years, as I interacted with many people from different cultures and backgrounds, I saw that they too sought for solace and peace and a lasting happiness. Those words represent much more than just a feeling.

I’ve found solace in many different places. For me, as expressed in a previous post, one place has been writing. Such a freedom and gift to be able to put thoughts, feelings, and stories into words and share that with others and myself. I found solace in the feel of a soccer ball against my foot and the beauty of soccer. I’ve found solace in learning and gaining knowledge; I feel that excitement within myself as I see more about the world.

Most of all, I’ve found solace in relationships. Whether great or small, there is peace in interactions with others. Whether it is the simple interaction of a smile between someone else I’ve never met in a hallway or spending time on the beach with my family. There is much peace to found in giving a listening ear, sharing thoughts and feelings, and laughing and crying with others. Whether with friends, family, or acquaintances, solace is found in serving others and receiving their service. When have I been the happiest? When I have seen others succeed, progress, and feel joy. When have I been the saddest? When I’ve been focused on myself and not thinking of others.

The greatest relationship that has enabled me to find solace has been my relationship with deity. I don’t know your beliefs in regards to deity and things spiritual, but I know that I have found the most solace and peace as I have drawn closer to deity. I know that there is a God. That God is my Heavenly Father. He loves me and knows me. I have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who knows exactly what I face in life. The Spirit, or the Holy Ghost, is one who will never lie to me and will guide me forward. As I have worked on strengthening my relationship with them, I have found solace. As others have strengthened their relationship with deity, they too have found solace.

Solace can be elusive, and has been and different times in my life, and it was in those times that I ignored relationships. Solace can be found. And then we must fight to keep it.