Out of Trials Come Triumphs

The thing I've learned from unrequited love is that I can love, even when things aren't going the way I want.  It is because of these people that I have no fear that I can make that part of a relationship work.  There are other parts that I need to work on, but I am confident in my ability to love.

How to Exceed in Business Speech by Jonathan Johnson

1.  Find your own advice.
What has worked for others may not work for you.  Be open to other's advice, try it out, and do what works best for you.
2.Read daily.
Keep up with the news.  Over time business vocabulary grows when you read business section. Reading the news will keep you informed.  This will serve you well
Read 12 books a year.  Reading list is varied. Prepare a short summary so that you can go back.
Read things other than words, numbers and statistics.  This will make learning a lifelong activity.
3.Learn to communicate clearly and succinctly.
Poor communication leads to miscommunication and leads to bad decisions.  "If I had more time, I would have sent a shorter letter."
Politics in the English Language by George Orwell was recommended by Jonathan Johnson.
4. Take blame and give credit.
It gives people in the company the freedom to admit mistakes.  Allowing people to admit mistakes allows them to be decisive.
5. A fair deal is the best deal.
A win-win deal is more profitable and long lasting than a win-lose deal.
6.Make your boss's life better.
What boss's really need are problem solvers.  They need people who are candid and constructive manner.  Look for more ways to assume more responsibility, even if that means doing the tedious.
7. Make the "middle" great.
The point between the beginning and the end result.  When you feel you are here, don't get stuck in an "when...then I'll be happy" attitude.  If you do this, you put your life on hold.

Reality is What You Make of It

Depend on the Lord

But He That Doeth the Will...

Scientific Calculator Shirt

If any of you have ever bought a shirt from shirt.woot.com please go vote for my design. It's awesome. Voting closes Wednesday.

The theme is honoring scientists.  In honor of student scientists everywhere I give you, the Scientific Calculator!

It will look something like this.  You really should go vote. It would help a budding artist to make a name and a living.

Finding Passion

When on the brink of a career, there is a lot to think about.  The ideal is to find something you can enjoy and be passionate about that you can make enough money at to live decently or well.

I am inspired by Will Smith.  When I need motivation, or a little pep talk, I watch this video :

I was watching it, and the idea struck me that I want to leave this world better than how I found it.  I want to find a way to improve the lives of everyone I come in contact with like he says.  I've begun a four question survey to find out what people would change in their lives and in the world.

5 Things to Learn Before Going Camping with Friends

1. How to make a camp fire from scratch.
One of the best parts of camping is roasting marshmallows and telling stories around a campfire, not to mention the wonderful campfire smell lingering afterwards.  This camp fire has to come from somewhere.  For steps go here.

2. How to extinguish a fire properly.
Only you can prevent forest fires.  Proper fire care is important.  You can wait till it burns out, watching to make sure every ember is out, you can pour water on it until it stops hissing, or your can smother it.

For more info. go here.

3. How to cook in a Dutch Oven.

Whether it is stew or peach cobbler, it makes for a great dinner and awesome bragging rights if you're a successful cook.  

For steps go here.

4. How to set up your tent.

You have to sleep somewhere, and if you don't want to wake up wet in the morning, you will need protection from dew and possibly rain.  It will also reduce bug exposure. There are many different kinds of tents.  They are significantly easier to set up than they were even a decade ago.  Many of them require no effort.  

For more information go here.

5. Basic First Aid

Before girls camp or scout camp, the campers are usually given lessons in first aid in case something goes wrong.  First thing you do is assign someone specifically to call for help.  Then diagnose the problem.  A broken bone can be splinted or put in a sling.  A shirt can make a nice sling. The principle is to immobilize the injury.  Other important things to know are the Heimlich, chest compressions, treating someone for shock, burns, lacerations and abrasions, poisoning, and concussions.

For a comprehensive guide go here.

Or you can register for CPR training.

Selling Ourselves

The past two weeks I have been looking for employment and trying to figure out what kind of career I want to get into.  In this process, I actually stumbled onto something rather surprising.

Sales plays a bigger and better role in our lives than we realize.  Each of us has to "sell ourselves" as a product on a regular basis.  We sell a projected image of ourselves to potential employers, to potential dates, to clients, to a future mother-in-law, to teachers as the great student or the terrible student and so many others.

From my interviews, especially with Verizon and my Media Sales class I have learned that salesmanship is often the difference between getting a job and being unemployed.

It is important to care about the people and make them feel important.  "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." -John C. Maxwell

Know about what you are talking about.  In this case, know about yourself.  What have you accomplished what are your strengths and weaknesses? Get to know about and believe in the product.

Finally, don't go overboard.  People don't like to feel like they're being pushed off an edge.  Sometimes all you need to do is talk, just tell people you know what you are up to and what your dreams are.  Often you will find someone else who is interested as well.

10 Ways to Stay Close When You’re Far Away

1.            Communicate

   Some ideas for communicating long distance would be text, phone, video chat, Snap Chat, letters, email, and Facebook.  Find what works for you.

   2.      Use your imagination

   Describe what you’re doing, what you would do, flirt some, hugs kisses, trace your “fingers” along their hand, describe what you’re wearing, paint a picture with your words.

   3.      Play games

   Tag works over text. (Try different kind of tags like flying ninja kick tag, or penguin tag.) You can also play Yatzee, Uno, Pictionary, and charades, over Skype.

   4.      Send a hug

   Two paper hands tied to a string. It’s a long distance hug.  These cheesy ideas are fun and usually get at least a giggle.

   5.      Write a story together

   A story has an introduction, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution.  (Person 1: Once upon a time there was a hippo, his name was bill… Person 2: …bill loved to play outside…)

   6.      Give sincere compliments

   I’m really proud of you.  I believe in you.  You are awesome because ____. You are so attractive.  The more specific it is the better. This applies whether you’re far away or close together.

   7.      Do the things that you did before. 

   It might have to be modified and done differently to work long distance, but if you used to go bike ride, each go for a bike ride and tell the other person about it, or get a video camera for your helmet and video the experience.  If you liked to snuggle up and watch a movie, put in your favorite movie and Skype while cuddling a pillow.

   8.      Take pictures

   If you miss someone pictures help you stay connected.  You can see what they’re up to, and if there have been any drastic changes.  It can also supplement describing things, sometimes it’s best to leave it to the imagination, but every once in a while, shoot them a picture of you doing what you’re describing.

   9.      Be there for them

   If they’re having a crisis, be the cyber shoulder to lean on.  If they’re making a huge decision give them some encouragement and reassurance.  If they’re sad talk it through.  If they have nightmares, send them a teddy bear and sing them a lullaby.  (You know how to be there for your friend)

   10.  Send gifts

   Getting snail mail is fun, especially when it is something unexpected.  It doesn’t have to be extravagant, it could be something you made, or a little trinket that meant something.  Look up the area, sometimes flower shops will do delivery.

   
   

   
   

Poster project Abram Games

Blessings in Disguise

This past week I've been ill with a sinus infection.  Usually this would be seen as a negative, especially since I had to stay home from work and go to the doctor, thereby missing the revenue I would have made had I worked.  However, the time to rest and recuperate my body was also useful in recuperating my mind, and I came back rested, refreshed and ready to work.  Work then becomes far less of a boring task to be checked off and more of a pleasant experience.

What I have learned: be grateful for trials, they are often blessings in disguise.

Stress: treating the symptoms

In my previous post, I talked about how "stress-ers" are the disease, and stress is just the symptom.
Sometimes you need to treat symptoms till you can cure the disease, so here are some ideas of how to do just that:

Cleaning (I find sweeping/ scrubbing something to work best)

In home spa (get candles or a scented plug in if you can't have candles and take a bubble bath. Pamper yourself with a new hair style or do your nails)

(Pinterest.com has ideas on hair)
Pop Balloons (This really does work, stepping on them works best.) or get yourself a balloon.  this always brightens my day

Spend time with friends

Accomplish something (the feeling of success is euphoric)

Listen to fun music

Look up and smile (just doing this action sends happiness chemicals into action)

Paint (wear a smock and get messy with it)

Take a nap

Do something inspiring

And I recommend prayer.  In each of these or any activities you do.  Prayer will make it so you get more out of the experience.

Ways to De-Stress

I am stressed a lot, so I decided to study the topic. I figured I would share what I have gathered so far:
1. It is okay to feel stress.

• A lot of times people get more stressed because they get worked up about feeling stressed.  Life isn't supposed to be peachy keen all the time.  Negative emotions are just as important as positive ones and should be accepted.  If you don't accept them, they are harder to let go of.
• Sometimes emotions are irrational, sometimes it's your body saying, I need pressure release.  It's okay to cry.  Crying is a natural tension release.

2. Figure out what things commonly "trigger" your stress.

• This could be anything from traffic to the weather to marital problems.  Once you have figured out what causes your stress you can deal with those problems head on.  (curing the illness vs. treating the symptoms)
• I've seen recommended that you keep a stress journal.  Write down what time you are stressed and what the situation is.  You may find commonalities.

3. Evaluate whether your stress can be dealt with or if it is beyond your control.

• If it can be dealt with, deal with it.  If it can't, pray and use the atonement to help you let it go.  (I recently learned that there is a difference between saying prayers and praying.  The sincerity and the honesty is different, and the results are different)

4. Don't let it take over.

• If stress is impeding your work, schedule a time to think about it.  Write down the things that pop up and say I will think about this at 5:00 p.m. or whatever time works.  Then concentrate on something else (Kind of check it off your list, it's an appointment that has been rescheduled)

Diet and exercise also contribute to stress.  If stress is a reoccurring issue, look at what you eat and if your body is getting worked up just by living.

Agree to respect even if we disagree.

I will not support Gay marriage.  It is against my beliefs.  I support the traditional family.

This does not mean I "hate gays."  On the contrary, I care very deeply about my friend who is Gay.  We've discussed it in detail.  He knows I can't support his actions, but I can love him.

I have another acquaintance who doesn't get this concept.  It really doesn't matter what someone's political views or social ideologies are.  If you are willing to respect each other you can be friends.

My other acquaintance freaks out every time I disagree with them.  It'll be little, personal preference things, like I don't really like texting, and they got mad at me and told me I was unchristian...

We agree politically, but because they refuse to respect me I can't be friends with them.

Friendship is about respect.

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

I've been dreaming about working for Disney, or being part of the team, since I found out that was something that existed.  I've decided to live a little, and not have to know how things are going to work out with school, but to apply for an internship. (All it takes is faith and trust-Peter Pan)  I don't need it for Grad credits.  I really want to do it and would love it on my resume.  I'm excited for the things I could learn and the people I could meet.

New Semester!

My new school semester is starting, and with it the prospects of graduating get closer!  I am actually excited to graduate.  I have prepared myself in such a way that when I graduate I will have the skill set to be employable.  As a communications major my skills are already in high demand.  With the Web Design classes I will be even more so.  It will be wonderful to accomplish the goal I have been working toward for more than half my life.

Coding

"In it's latest campaign, 'What Most School's Don't Teach,' non-profit Code.org uses big tech names like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jack Dorsey of Square to talk about the importance of learning to code and how it can lead to a very bright future."(Mallory Russell: Tech Celebs Gates, Zuckerberg Dorsey Land Code.org on Viral Chart)

I have found my ability to code very useful in my work experience.  I was unable to find a job until I was able to understand html.  We live in the digital age, coding is crucial.  The better you are at coding the less you have to worry about whether or not you will have a job, there is a high demand for good coders, because everyone needs it but most don't know the skill, or don't want to use it themselves.

Digital Age

Advertising.com has an article about how they have the best way for Cross-platform optimization.  (sharing things over several devices)  I really just liked their graphic showing the process. (shown above)
Click here to see full graphic and for access to the article.

Trusting in the Lord

Recently I received a prompting to not go back to school this semester, to stay home and take classes online.  I wasn't sure how it was going to work out, but I knew it was what I was meant to be doing.  I took some risks.  I made my decision and would not be able to turn back.  I sold my housing contract.  Recently I've seen dividends.  While planning my classes I found that not only would I not be behind, but I would be ahead! It would also be cheaper.  There are several other things that are beneficial.  This experience has strengthened my testimony of the Lord and that He knows best.

I got the picture from here.

Boundaries

I'm reading the book boundaries in marriage, and even though I'm not at that stage of my life yet, it is really insightful. For example, they talk about how boundaries allow us to take ownership (like property lines) they delineate who owns what. They allow each person to take ownership of their own feelings and attitudes. No one causes you to feel anything... they can create circumstances where you are predisposed to feel a certain way... but they can't force you to feel that way. You decide.
Here is the link to the book. 

Tracking Magic

I've found that in my diet tracking my intake is huge!  The past two days I didn't and I gained 2lbs.  Baked macaroni and au gratin potatoes will do that...They're so delicious though!

But I'm not going to be down or give up.... It's just a minor set back.  I take my mistakes and use them as fuel for the fire of my willpower.

Hope for the Discouraged Dieter

For those of us who don't enjoy measuring and counting in diets, there's hope!  As you measure and count, you begin to memorize values, for example, I know that one egg is 72 calories and I know that a cup of chili is about 230 depending on the brand.  I know that peanut butter and banana toast is 272.  But the cool thing is you start to be able to say... this meal is approximately this many calories.  Then you can still be on track when you are no where near your pen and paper.

Setting goals...

It's been drilled into my head for as long as I can remember, the tricks to success.  Oft repeated are:

• Make sure your goals are measurable
• Set goals that are bite sized (if you set a big goal set smaller "check points" so you don't get discouraged)
• Get people to work with you
• Have some form of accountability
• Celebrate your successes

The tricks help, but it seems to me that the real key to success is WORK even though none of us want to hear it or do it. The key to success is finding a motivation that makes the work worth it.

Things that have helped me do that.

• Prayer
• Listing all the good reasons for it
• Don't give in an inch when you want to get lazy you will take a mile

I'm excited about my progress too!

Substitute for sugar

I used to pile sugar on everything! Now that I cut back on sugar though... the entire world is sweeter.  The more sugar you have the more your body craves it, but when you don't have sugar fruits and vegetables are so very sweet.

Often in my family for breakfast we will have "rice milk and sugar."

So what did I do to add some zing to that without adding sugar?

I added Vanilla!  Vanilla tastes sweet but you don't get the calories and a little bit goes a long way.

Willpower Diet

I've started the Diabetic Diet.  I've been on diets before, but this is different.  I'm having more success and I'm set up to actually accomplish my goal.  What are the things I did differently?

1. Get a friend who actually cares. 
• They want to hear about your successes and your failures.
• If they will work with you on it that's awesome.
• Physical restraint from sweets may be necessary from time to time.  Like in Costco when there are free samples of cheese cake...
2. Get properly motivated.
• Why am I doing this?  Who is this for?  How much do I want this?  What do I get out of it?
• Again, get friends who will help you. (and want to)
3. Follow the rules.
• Exceptions... often when we think we are on a diet we make exceptions... well your body is losing weight but also making exceptions. Give yourself at least 2 weeks of solid following the "rules" without breaking them.
• The success will drive you to continue.
4. Make your goal measurable.
• My goal I am supposed to eat less than 1400 calories and cut out processed sugar completely for a while.  So I write down all the calories I eat.  I also measured my waist and weighed myself before I started.
5. Embrace change.
• Your eating habits and exercise mentality is going to have to change, have an open mind.
6. Make small good choices and relish little successes.
• If you need to work on your will power, work on it one decision at a time.  Your will power will get stronger as you exercise it.

I am so excited about my progress!  I've also inspired friends to do the same!  I will be sharing my successes and food substitutions in the future as well.

key to success

The key to success in waking up earlier, is your routine the night before.  Last night I exercised and took the time to relax, then I set out all my work out stuff for the morning, so when I woke up, I could just hop into it.  This morning was wonderful!  I woke up at 6:30am and I'm not even tired.  Not only that but I've already jump started my day, getting things done.

Whisprings of the Holy Ghost

Sometimes in my day after I pray, a voice whispers, "Do you remember your prayer? Look, here is the answer."