I read recently about Gov. Huntsman's possible White House bid. I don't know much about him but the article seemed to indicate that he plays down his religion. I dislike that.
I am not saying that Gov. Huntsman or any high profile Mormon should act like a full-time missionary. However, I recently sat in a fireside where an Apostle said that if we were truly converted we would share our beliefs more and he urged us to be "appropriately bold".
I think that many Mormons struggle with how to share their religion-- how to be appropriately bold. I have been pondering this idea and thus was very excited to stumble upon Clayton M. Christensen.
I was reading a Readers Digest article that was a very popular talk turned article for the Harvard Business Review titled "How Will You Measure Happiness?". (I loved the article and should be doing a post just on it) As I read it I couldn't help but think "Gosh this guy sounds Mormon..." When I got to an internet connection I looked him up and sure enough he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and according to Forbes "one of the most influential business theorists of the last 50 years"
Even more exciting for me was this wonderful essay he has on his website about his faith. "Why I Belong and Why I Believe" is an excellent distillation of what it means to be Mormon . I won't paraphrase it here because it needs to be read in full. I also recommend his February cover story in Forbes.
To me Clayton M. Christensen is a great role model for being appropriately bold. He is matter-of-fact in his beliefs. He openly talks about his spiritual experiences and how his faith guides his life. Being a spiritually driven individual is nothing to be ashamed of and I think all high profile Mormons should take a page out of his book.
31 March 2011
28 February 2011
Should I write this story?
Driving home from my sister's new home tonight I was suddenly seized by a story idea. This actually happens quite frequently. I will just be thinking and then some random characters will pop into my head and play out scenes from some unknown story. Usually these stories don't have ends or beginnings. They are just unanchored snippets that drift into my conciousness. But tonight the story came in a bit more complete. Maybe cause I had such a long drive.
I got home and immediately found myself trying to capture the scenes. I think I caught the essence of the idea. Although the imagery isn't quite there. The story centers around the last survivors of the human race. These astro-pioneers are all that remains when the Earth finally destructs (fuzzy on the details of how or why). I have at least a male and female lead. Not sure about the rest. Obviously this isn't fully developed but I am thinking about trying to turn it into a short story or maybe more. Read the very rough snippets below and tell me what you think!The air tasted stale. Every bit it's recycled self. He hadn't minded the stale taste. It served as a constant reminder that he was not in Kansas. That his life though full of boring and mundane tasks, was very unique. After all not everyone lived on the moon. Except with Earth gone "everyone" had become the moon base. So now everyone lived on the moon. No one lived on the Earth. A complete reversal from the reality of 50 years ago.
The staleness of the air began to cloy at his throat as he processed the fact that he would never taste fresh air again. For the rest of his life he would only know the stale taste of recycled air.
The stomach acid burned up her throat and this time she didn't even bother to try and stop it. She just hung her head over the toilet and let it come. To think that Mom had been worried about her! She had told her Mother that statistically speaking her mission on the moon was safer than staying on Earth. How that fact gnawed at her. Statistically speaking she now represented a 1/30 of the projected human population. The probability of survivors on the Earth was 10000000 to 1. She clung to math. Numbers had always had the ability to comfort and sooth her. They always told the truth. But right now she didn't want truth. She wanted so desperately to believe that even with a .0000065% chance her Mother and little brother had survived. That she was not orphaned from family, heritage, and planet. But numbers don't lie.
Anyone who paid attention to world politics knew that it was a revolutionary time. That the mankind was once again reshaping itself and it's boundaries. There were no indications that this "crisis" would be any different than all the others history had thrown at mankind. But this time the threats weren't empty. This time all the dooms day prophets were right and the clock struck midnight. I wonder if they are happy? Those creepy, dirty, people who stand on city corners and warn that the end is near. Did they laugh in exhalation as the atmosphere burned around them? Were they proud to be proven right?
The staleness of the air began to cloy at his throat as he processed the fact that he would never taste fresh air again. For the rest of his life he would only know the stale taste of recycled air.
The stomach acid burned up her throat and this time she didn't even bother to try and stop it. She just hung her head over the toilet and let it come. To think that Mom had been worried about her! She had told her Mother that statistically speaking her mission on the moon was safer than staying on Earth. How that fact gnawed at her. Statistically speaking she now represented a 1/30 of the projected human population. The probability of survivors on the Earth was 10000000 to 1. She clung to math. Numbers had always had the ability to comfort and sooth her. They always told the truth. But right now she didn't want truth. She wanted so desperately to believe that even with a .0000065% chance her Mother and little brother had survived. That she was not orphaned from family, heritage, and planet. But numbers don't lie.
Anyone who paid attention to world politics knew that it was a revolutionary time. That the mankind was once again reshaping itself and it's boundaries. There were no indications that this "crisis" would be any different than all the others history had thrown at mankind. But this time the threats weren't empty. This time all the dooms day prophets were right and the clock struck midnight. I wonder if they are happy? Those creepy, dirty, people who stand on city corners and warn that the end is near. Did they laugh in exhalation as the atmosphere burned around them? Were they proud to be proven right?
So thoughts.......
10 February 2011
History, Schmistory
I loved "The King's Speech". I think does such a great job of showing the indomitable fire of the human spirit. I also love that it is getting recognized by the Academy. But like many historical movies this one takes a few liberties.
Christopher Hitchens (who I usually disagree with it) has an interesting article pointing out how the movie glosses over Edward VIII's Nazi sympathies and George VI's desire for appeasement. He has some valid points, but from his closing remarks it is clear that he has a deep dislike for Great Britain's current ruling family.
"Almost the entire moral capital of this rather odd little German dynasty is invested in the post-fabricated myth of its participation in "Britain's finest hour." In fact, had it been up to them, the finest hour would never have taken place. So this is not a detail but a major desecration of the historical record—now apparently gliding unopposed toward a baptism by Oscar."
At first I thought he was being a bit over zealous in his condemnation of the movie. But I realize that it is a sad fact that for many a movie is their only historical reference point. When a movie grossly exaggerates or changes history this can be an issue. TIME magazine put a list together of the worst offenders.
With this in mind I am going to make a greater effort to use any historical movie as the inspiration for learning more about a subject and NOT the final word.
With this in mind I am going to make a greater effort to use any historical movie as the inspiration for learning more about a subject and NOT the final word.
08 February 2011
The New/Old Fitness Craze
The gigantic inventory of diet and health books seems to indicate that American's want to be healthy. The sheer amount of information out there almost guarantees that some of the information will be contradictory. In my own personal search I have attempted to find something that is sensible and has withstood the test of time. I think the Muller System might just be the answer. Still researching it though...
06 February 2011
Heaven's Rain
I was talking with my oldest sister about the importance of good entertainment. She remarked that if she was going to spend the time and money on a movie she wanted it to leave her thinking or with a uplifted feeling. My Netflix subscription ensures that I am always well stocked with movies. However I have found that not all of them are worth my time. I have committed to be more judicious in my entertainment and when I find something I will try and share it.
I stumbled upon "Heaven's Rain" today. Hitting the themes of vengeance and forgiveness it seems like an uplifting and inspiring piece of art. After the video check out the website.
I stumbled upon "Heaven's Rain" today. Hitting the themes of vengeance and forgiveness it seems like an uplifting and inspiring piece of art. After the video check out the website.
06 January 2011
09 November 2010
On Hotels and Hostels
I am by no means a world traveler but I get around. I have been to at least a dozen countries and lots of places around the U.S. In my travels I am always looking to save money. In Europe and Mexico that translated into staying in hostels and various budget accommodations. Some were clean and comfortable, others not so much.
I can still remember the small 7 room motel me and a friend stayed in our first night in Mexico. The bathroom was on the other side of the courtyard and the beds were rock hard. But it was pretty clean- although in the morning we discovered ants all over our stuff. Of course we just laughed it off, because it was part of the "experience". In fact I have stayed in a lot of odd places in the name of savings and experience.
But I only attempt such daring sleeping arrangements when I am out of America. While visiting L.A. a few months back I was surprised to see a hostel on Hollywood Blvd. When searching for a hotel I hadn't even considered a hostel. Instead I had used my Priceline ninja skills to get a deal at a nearby Marriott. And to be honest even that was a little overpriced.
Now I am road triping across the U.S. with no real plan for each stop (which sidelines my Priceline skills). The cheap person in me refuses to pay more than I have too, so I have been trying my luck at less expensive options.
The last two nights my choices have been clean, cheap, and loud. No different from many of the places I have stayed overseas. However I have not been relishing in the "experience". To be honest, I have been a little scared. Part of it is being single and alone. Part of it is having a car full of my earthly possessions. But I believe the biggest issue are my own prejudices.
I somehow equate cheap with seedy. I imagine that the people here must be dangerous for some reason. That people that have less money to spend on a hotel are somehow dishonest. I question where I picked up these ideas. I know many honest and poor people. I know for a fact that my Grandpa stayed in similar hotels all his life. Despite logically knowing all this I can't stop myself from double locking my doors.
Perhaps this says more about my own fears then the hotels themselves?
I can still remember the small 7 room motel me and a friend stayed in our first night in Mexico. The bathroom was on the other side of the courtyard and the beds were rock hard. But it was pretty clean- although in the morning we discovered ants all over our stuff. Of course we just laughed it off, because it was part of the "experience". In fact I have stayed in a lot of odd places in the name of savings and experience.
But I only attempt such daring sleeping arrangements when I am out of America. While visiting L.A. a few months back I was surprised to see a hostel on Hollywood Blvd. When searching for a hotel I hadn't even considered a hostel. Instead I had used my Priceline ninja skills to get a deal at a nearby Marriott. And to be honest even that was a little overpriced.
Now I am road triping across the U.S. with no real plan for each stop (which sidelines my Priceline skills). The cheap person in me refuses to pay more than I have too, so I have been trying my luck at less expensive options.
The last two nights my choices have been clean, cheap, and loud. No different from many of the places I have stayed overseas. However I have not been relishing in the "experience". To be honest, I have been a little scared. Part of it is being single and alone. Part of it is having a car full of my earthly possessions. But I believe the biggest issue are my own prejudices.
I somehow equate cheap with seedy. I imagine that the people here must be dangerous for some reason. That people that have less money to spend on a hotel are somehow dishonest. I question where I picked up these ideas. I know many honest and poor people. I know for a fact that my Grandpa stayed in similar hotels all his life. Despite logically knowing all this I can't stop myself from double locking my doors.
Perhaps this says more about my own fears then the hotels themselves?
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