TED Talk Podcast Reviews

     So today I am again talking about something that is not related to my blog, but I think it is pretty cool. If you have not listened to TED talks before, you should definitely check it out. I want to review a few podcasts I listened to personally, but if you have some free time I would check some of these out, they are pretty interesting.
     The first podcast I want to review is a podcast about success. There are five great talks including some topics of smiling for success, having grit and reframing success. My personal favorite topic given here is from Tony Robbins. He is a life-coach who has helped people become very successful in their life. My favorite part of his talk was about the ability to choose. He talks about choice and how we all have the opportunity to choose. I thought that was really awesome, because when we get in the day grind it sometimes feel really hard to change. But Tony Robbins has helped people by giving them this insight that they can choice. It is their own choice everyday. Here's a link if you want to check it out: http://www.npr.org/2013/10/25/240777690/success?showDate=2014-03-21
     Another interesting podcast talks about being happy. It mentions many different topics, like success that can bring happiness into your life. There are two parts, among many other aspects of the talks, that I really enjoyed. One of those aspects was given by Pharrell, an artist who recently released a song that gained massive popularity called Happy. They ask him what the secret to happiness is. He says that the way to be happy is to put things into perspective. If you can look at life in a happy way, and be appreciative for life, you will be happy. Likewise, a monk named David Steindl-Rast. He talks about something awesome: being grateful. He mentions a something great I had never contemplated quite in the way he said it before. He talked about how you are not happy and then grateful, you would be grateful and then you will be happy. This is a pretty amazing idea, but it just makes sense too! Here is a link if you want to check it out: http://www.npr.org/programs/ted-radio-hour/267185371/simply-happy?showDate=2014-02-14
     The last podcast hour I want to review was about disruptive leaders. They are all interesting talks to listen to, but I really liked a talk that is about changing peoples lives. Drew Dudley talks about an experience when he helped this girl on her first day of college feel in place through a pretty funny, but kind act. He completely forgot what he did, but then later she came up to him and told him how much that moment meant to her. Essentially he said, to be effective leaders, we need to have those nice moments when we can help other people in an great way. If you want to check it out, here's a link: http://www.npr.org/programs/ted-radio-hour/261084166/disruptive-leadership?showDate=2014-01-17
    Anyways, that's it for my blog today. Thanks for reading!

For an English class at BYU I had the opportunity to read a New York times article about the role of women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although I did not agree with all of the points mentioned in the article, I do find parts of it interesting to read about. For example, the article mentions some view points of sister missionaries serving. They talk about what they see as their roles in the church, family and profession. This really brought some new insights I had not thought of before. Anyways, here is a link to the article. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/02/us/a-growing-role-for-mormon-women.html?_r=1 If you have time, this is something interesting to check out.

Youth Activites

One of the best part of growing up in my community was the youth activities. Some of these activities span from playing sports, learning about how to tie knots, going canyoneering, making lunches for the homeless, learning how to be physically fit, going to youth conference, playing games  and going to the new Macy's to get Kong cones. Each of these activities were fun in their own way, but they were more than that. They helped us as youth get to know each other and form a bond. I can personally say I do not think I would have been friends with some of the people in my ward had I not spent time that one-two hour time every week with them. This went on from age twelve to high school graduation. This bond meant a lot, and it sometimes it was even tested. Our summer trips for young men's usually consisted of canyoneering. In these canyons we would often have to repel down some tall rock face. This was usually nerve racking, but it would be even more nerve racking if you did not trust the person that was belaying. The person belaying has the most important job, as they literally hold the life of the person repelling in their hands. When the person repelling stepped off of the ledge they had to put their trust in that person. It was like a trust test, but instead of falling and hitting the ground from five feet, you fall one-hundred plus feet if your partner isn't paying attention. That being said everything generally went fine and people did the job they were supposed to. Experiences like these always built trust within our group. It built a unity and a feeling of being a part of something. For these reason the youth activities were some of my favorite experiences growing up and I would not trade them for anything.

God Grew Tired of Us

So this post doesn't really go with my blog topic, but I still think it is beneficial to talk about. I just watched a documentary on Hulu called God Grew Tired of Us. This documentary shows the life of three lost boys from Sudan in Africa. These boys were a lucky few from their camp of lost boys that were given the opportunity to come to America. They experience new and different things in America, such as electricity, Christmas decorations, and apartment buildings. They find various jobs so they can support themselves, and when possible, send money home to their families and Sudan brothers and sisters. Even though the jobs are laborious and often mundane, they continue to work and do the best with what they have. Near the end of the documentary, one of the boys is reacquainted with his mother who he has not seen in the last seventeen years. You can see their pure joy when they meet together again. The joy of family. All three boys at the end of the movie are going to college, as well as two boys giving back directly to their community through the creation of a non-profit organization and other various efforts. The lost boys are an inspiration of how courage, love and determination can help you live the fullest life possible. If you have not seen this documentary I highly suggest it, especially as it is free on Hulu.

Neighborhood Professor

So the other day I was in one of my classes taught by a professor who lives in my small Mormon community. He was my youth leader and I have played countless basketball games with him and other members of my home ward. I like this professor a lot, but there was some bad news when it came to taking his class. He basically promised he was going to embarrass me in front of the class and told me to "sit in the front." So what did I do? I sure did not sit in the front. I would sit in the middle to back area of the class everyday (the class has like 180 students). The first two weeks or so nothing happened, and I started to think that he was not going to do anything. I could swear he would look right at me sometimes, but he never said anything. It was about the Wednesday class period of the third week when I finally thought something was up. When I came into class, he looked at me and smiled. This time I knew he was looking at me and I thought "oh, no. Here it comes." The class started with announcements like normal, then my professor asked the class "Has anyone here ever had a youth leader who had a profound impact on there life?" I raised my land a little bit and then put it down. I was now 100% sure that he was going to call me out. He then said, "Well, I'd like everyone in the class to know that there is a student here who I have had twice in youth groups, and he has not so much as said a single word to me since the class has started. He just sits in the back and hides." At this point he was looking at me, and the other 179 students were starting to turn their heads. Then he says my name and "Will you stand up." I stood up and he said, "not a word?" I could not think of anything to say. I eventually uttered, "Hey! How's it going?" I sat down and the professor eventually moved on. So to everyone out there taking a class with a BYU professor who knows them well, I have one suggestion. Talk to your professor before, during, or after class. If you don't you may regret it.

From Little Town to Little Town: An Interview About Two Small Towns

So today I wanted to share an interview I had with my grandpa about the small town where he grew up. It was a little town called Mulgrove in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. We live in the same small town now and I found it interesting to hear about the some of the differences between where he used to live and where he lives now. I hope you enjoy!

What was the religious situation in your town?

In my little town of eleven-hundred we had the Anglican Church of England…the Catholics…And the Presbyterians. And the united church of Canada. When I was a kid…there were five churches. Now there is only two left I think.

Which churches are left?

[There are three left] That would be the Catholic...United Church and the Anglican Church. They’re just hanging on by a thread. There’s not too many left. And that’s what we need back, we need our churches back and religion.

So were most people religious?

They were. It’s such a small community and it’s hard to keep three churches up with eleven-hundred people. We have the LDS church there now, but you have to travel a little ways and I imagine you’ve got other religions too that [have] come in.

So were all of the churches located in the town at that time?

Yeah, they were separated. Wherever the most members were, they built [a church]. There was a catholic section in town and that’s where the church went. [There was also] Protestant and other [churches] like that, they did it that way.

So was there ever conflict if you were one religion versus another or was everyone ok with each other?

There [is]  now, but time has changed. Then I was on a hockey team. It was run by the Catholics. The baseball was likely run by the other churches so we all intermingled in sports. [There] used to be a little hard feelings but it’s gone away. I guess we grew up a little more and matured a little on that kind of foolishness.

So you were Catholic when you grew up?

Well it was Church of England. It was a break off of the Catholic Church.

So what would you say are some of the biggest differences you have noticed living here in [our town] versus growing up in your town as a youth?

Well in my little town it was a seaport. And here it’s in the mountains. It’s altogether a different scenery. Both places are beautiful. I was one of the blessed people that lived in one part of the country or continent and then come out here to the mountains. It’s really spectacular. And it would be to someone going back there and seeing the ocean ships going by. The climate is much different. It is much colder.

Do you notice a lot of religious differences here in Mapleton?

Well, being LDS here, most of your friends are all LDS. Because there are so few of another religion you don’t make contact with anybody unless you’re in a larger area. And they do have Catholics and Protestants. When I was a kid there were more hard feelings about other religions but now it’s kind of changing. You don’t argue or fight about religion as much.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slam Ball

The game begins after the old are split from the young. The 40+ men from around the neighborhood didn't look good on paper, but in action the case is quite the opposite, especially on a seven foot rim. The young team looked young and confident. The young team passed the ball around. A three pointer was knocked down. The old team received the ball. One pass and a sports center top ten dunk was thrown down on the young team. They couldn't stop it. The young got the ball and attempted a dunk. It was never even close. The old got the ball again. The young are dunked on again. The old, church leaders of the group looked smugly at their opponents. The old told the young they have no chance. But the young won't give up, they knew they can beat the leaders. 

I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.
-Michael Jordon

The young players shoot the ball again, they miss. They do not give up though. They still believe they have a chance.
They continue to play, even though victory looks bleak. They will not let anything get in their way to success.