2014

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Walt Disney

This is a quote that hits home this new year.  Now, why is this year different from others? Why do resolutions matter more this year? Is it because I'll be hitting the big 30 this year? is it because I'm a dad? Why is this year going to be any different from the past 29?  The answer is this:  I believe that each year we all have the great opportunity and blessing to re-invent ourselves, we get the chance to find out who we are once again.

Many of you that know me know that I am a child at heart.... I love kids, I love Disney movies and I believe there is much that can be learned from them.  So.... my 2014 resolutions will be attached to a Disney movie.... (It'll all make sense in just a sec).

2014:


1. I will exercise and get myself back in shape.

2.  I will appreciate more the outdoors.

3. I will be a better listener.

4. I will travel and go places I haven't been before.

5. I will pay less attention to material stuff and focus more on things that have eternal meaning.

5.  I will spend QUALITY TIME with my wife and son every day.

6.  I will not judge others.

7. I will show more love and spend more time with our pets.

8.  I will help to my full capacity those in need.

9. I will eliminate heavy sugar intake and eat healthier.

10. I will live this year with no regrets, and I will take every chance I get to make my life and that of my family better.

"AHA" Moments

The stories we tell about each other matter very much.  The stories we tell ourselves about or own lives matter... and most of all the way we participate in each others stories its of deep importance.  I was very young when I started hearing stories about the poor.  During primary I heard plenty of this stories, and how Jesus wanted me to be a part of providing for them.  I believed that the only thing that they needed was material things such as food, clothing and shelter.  This always came attached to the scripture we've all heard over and over again.... 

"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:40)

For the past 2 and a half months I have been unemployed and the words "poor, in need, stress, and desperate" have gained new meaning in both my life as well as my wife's.  I've come to appreciate to a greater extent the picture of Christ attending the poor.

Why? you may ask... Well, as we can appreciate in the picture Christ is not carrying a bag of groceries, a wallet full of money, or a title to a new home (not that any of them would not be appreciated in times of need).  All he had to offer was true, unconditional love.  You see, I've come to appreciate the little things in life more now that I am going through troubled times myself.  I started worrying about less about the amount of time I spend making money (which its important... don't get me wrong) and more on the amount of time I want to spend with the ones I love.  I stopped caring more for the temporal matters in my family and started focusing on those that will lead towards our eternal salvation. I started focusing on what should I do to give others that true and unconditional love.  

Now, that's when the "AHA" moment happened!

I want my story to matter.  I believe that the best place to start it's at home.  My wife and my son, which are my everything and an important part of that story, will be the ones that benefit the most out of this.  It all comes down to one simple thing: QUALITY TIME.

You may be wondering what does all of this have to do with the picture of Christ with the poor, or what I learned in Primary as a kid? 

When Christ came to visit the poor, he came offering himself selflessly and his gospel which is based on true love.  Christ came to remind them that regardless of their situation, he cared, loved them and wanted to spend QUALITY TIME with them.  

As a result of this "AHA" moment I've come to the conclusion that The best inheritance a dad can give to his children and to his wife is a few minutes of his time each day.... Just like Jesus did.

Our Inner Kid.

Sarah Ban Breathnach once said "Begin today. Declare out loud to the universe that you are willing to let go of struggle and eager to learn through joy".  This has taken a new meaning in my life since I became a father 2 months ago.  You see, I used to go through life one year at a time... you may be thinking, well? what does that mean?  I used to be drowned in a daily routine that I had built for myself out of comfort.  At the end of the year I would look back and think "Where has this year gone to?"... " What happened to the last 12 months?... and then, this huge feeling of unaccomplished will fill the deepest ends of my soul.  Now, what does this have to do with the so recent arrival of my son?  Things have changed... and as the quote I shared earlier says, I've been able to let go of struggle and learn through joy.  How?  I've started to look at the world and everyday events through his eyes.  Let me explain.... and in order to do that let me talk about kids.
I love hanging out with my beautiful nephew, Grant.

I love the way he sees the world, because he is seeing it for the first time.  Kids in general have a great sense of awareness.  I love how they could just stare at a bug crossing the sidewalk, or the way they might stare amazed as they attend their first soccer game. I love the way they can spend hours picking up flowers in the backyard and making a beautiful centerpiece for mom to enjoy.  I love the way they see the world.... because they are seeing it for the first time.  Having this sense of awareness (or "learning through joy") is nothing else but embracing our inner kid.  We can not forget that we still have that little girl/boy we used to be in us.  Embracing that inner you is simple, its just remembering that you once saw all those things for the first time, too.  There was a first time for everything.... your first job interview, your first ride to school, your first kiss, your first date, your first heartbreak, your first time pulling a five dollar bill out of a pair of pants you just washed.... (we all love that feeling), or your first time fitting through the doggy door....  :)

Being aware of the great things around us will not only help us remember the many things we are blessed with on a daily basis, but will help us all battle temptation, depression or simply boredom.  Jesus Christ asked us to be like little children.... Why?  They are humble, forgiving, full of promise.... but most importantly they have a sense of awareness that helps them be grateful.  
So now you know.... my baby boy Luca has changed my life in ways he doesn't even understand yet... thanks to him I have woken that inner child in me... I'm more aware.  I try to see everything through his eyes and as a result, like my favorite Primary Song says,  I'm trying to be like Jesus.