Stay at home moms rock!

So, Cari has been bugging me I haven't posted in some time, but this is a post in praise for mothers who are at home raising children and the work they do.

Cari hasn't been doing well lately with the pregnancy. I decided today to stay home from work and help out around, and man I have a big job at work, but her's is a ton more difficult, and the joy is a lot more grand. I did laundry, fed the baby, did dishes, and helped out. Cari deserves an award or something for her work.

There is most certainly a reason the gospel states what it does about mother's and father's responsibilities. Mothers have such a wonderful gift in raising children that fathers do not possess. I am lucky I find a wife willing to take on the responsibility of raising our family in the home!

Kids....

Ok, so this will be a simple post, but if you ever need a pick-me-up just go and sit with a little kid. Now, don't go and just sit by some kid in the park, or stare at them on the swings, but one who is a relative. They are the most innocent little things in the world and what is best is they bring pure joy. My little Sophie is the most perfect little thing, and brings such joy to my life. Just tonight I thought she was going to grab me as I set her in her crib, but then she just looked up and smiled. Just warms your heart....

Told you it would be simple....

Down in the dumps? Do something for someone else....

I was in a chat with a great friend the other night and we were talking about doing things for others. That brings up a discussion: why is it we are the happiest when we are doing something for someone else? Isn't that counter intuitive? I would think so. If you look at things from a logical standpoint, we should think about the stuff we like and then go out and do it! Whether that be golf, sitting around, exercise, etc. We should do what we want. But why is it that when we only look after ourselves that usually translates into being miserable?

I think this deals with our internal desire to do good. I fully believe in each of us, in our spirits, we are inherently good. We want to do the right thing. If you think about it from a religious perspective, we follow commandments and they lead us to doing something for someone else. Think of the commandment to serve your fellow man. That has nothing to do with ones own self if done right. There is the catch though, that when you go out of yourself to serve someone else, you feel good, and not just good, but you carry yourself better, have a better demeanor, and the list goes on. I believe that is by design. I believe that God has made it so service begets more service, and the cycle continues. Unfortunately when we don't follow that cycle, we are generally following a cycle of selfishness. That will never lead to happiness!

I find my greatest happiness comes from serving my family. I love helping Cari in the morning with the house so when she comes downstairs it isn't a mess. I love, well, it isn't service in anyway to do something for Sophie, or Cari for that matter, it is a privilege.

So if you haven't done something out of nowhere for someone else, go out and do it! Go now, because you don't want to have too many yesterdays piling up where you say: "I wish I had...."

Enjoying warm weather....

So, it is nice to see some spring weather finally here, but it isn't supposed to last. We are in for some rain, but if you think about it, it is not all that bad and here is why:

We can't enjoy the good without the bad, and if we really look at staying inside as bad, we should take advantage of it. We have the ability to play games we haven't in a while with the family, read a good book, or one of the best, enjoy the nap. We should have some bad weather but then it will get better.....we should just remember to enjoy all the time we have in the good, because the bad weather will return.

Feeling down....get out and exercise!

One thing that amazes me is how many people I hear complain about their health, and about their life....Well, I want to offer one solution: exercise!

The benefits of exercise are countless, and the easiness of doing it will astound anyone. To do it only requires 30 minutes a day. That is all. You don't need a gym membership, personal trainer, or dietitian, you just need to say I will arise at 6:00 instead of 6:30 and go for a walk. After a while, you will want to jog or run, maybe even enter some races.....Not only will this improve your health and increase your energy, but it will boost your emotional state, help set goals and achieve them, and help you feel invigorated to do anything!

So if in this down economy or ever darkening world you need a pick me up, go exercise! I promise you won't regret it and you will be able to do more than you ever thought!

This blog....

I wanted to create a blog that dealt with the positive things in this world, not the negative. We live in a world of so much negativity and, unfortunately, we are pounded with it daily, that I think at times we forget as people what life is really about and that no matter what goes on around us we can have hope and happiness.

I open this blog to anyone who wants to read it, and I don't know if anyone will, but I will try to post daily articles, stories, or anything that accentuates the positive. I welcome all your comments and ideas that will help this blog move forward as best it can.

I really hope to help anyone who needs it, to find that no matter what trial or tribulation you are going through, you can find the silver lining and make it through stronger than before.

Thanks,
Jordan