Week #3- Choose to be an Optimist

In life we will all experience ups and downs. Trial and tribulation are inevitable. This week I was reminded of the importance of choosing to be optimistic no matter what life throws at us.

In my opinion, it is important to be optimistic because it will help you find happiness along the way. If you constantly focus on the negative in each situation, nothing in life will ever be good enough for you. Once a habit of seeing or pointing out the negative things that happen has been established, it begins to consume you. You tend to notice the bad in people opposed to the good, you see only the things that are wrong with the world. It becomes your reality.

On the other hand, if you choose to be an optimist, you can find the good in any situation. Focusing on the good in life will open your eyes to the many blessings that God has given. Aside from the joy that being an optimist will bring you personally, it will also bless the lives of those around you.

In recent weeks I have felt that there is too much negativity that surrounds me on a daily basis (mostly from the political drama we have seen unfold over the last 6-8 months). I have made a goal to look for good and uplifting things, while ignoring the negative. I encourage you all to do the same.

The end of the 13^th Article of Faith states: “if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”

Week #2- The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease

The saying "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" is a phrase I had never heard until sometime last year. Now, it seems like I hear it being used quite often. It may seem like a bit of a silly phrase, but I think it is 100 percent true.

The phrase "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" is a bit self explanatory as you can image the imagery given. For example, if you have four wheels on your car but only one is squeaky, that squeaky wheel will receive all of the attention given by the driver. The other three wheels will receive no attention from their owner due to the fact that they don't make any noise.

The lesson I've learned this week is that you shouldn't be afraid to express your needs and ask for help occasionally... don't be afraid to squeak. This lesson is applicable in several situations life my throw at you. If you have a question in math class but don't raise your hand to ask the question, all the work remains on your shoulders to find the answer. If you would've asked, you could've received an easy answer and moved forward.

Just a week or two ago a friend of mine jokingly asked the boss of a company "so when are you going to give me a job?". To my friend's surprise, the boss of the company said that all my friend had to do was send the boss an e-mail and they would consider bringing him on. With this experience I learned that if you aren't willing to be an advocate for yourself, nobody will be an advocate for you.

Although I place a lot of value on being independent and hard working, I don't find anything wrong with asking for help/attention when needed.

Now, a question for my readers:

• When has speaking up on your own benefit blessed you in your life?

Week #1- Climb the Ladder

Today's post is one inspired by a piece of advice I received from my dad when I got home from my mission about a year and a half ago. It is a piece of advice that I would like to share with you today: climb the ladder! 

Let me begin by putting these words of wisdom into context. Like so many of you I served an LDS mission. When I got home from my two years of service, I felt uncertain as to what my next move should be... should I study to be a Doctor? Should I enter the world of business? Should I begin the process of becoming a Dentist? 

With so many directions to go and so many ideas in mind, my dad gave me some simple advice that has stuck with me ever since. He told me that no matter what I decided to do, the first step I should take is to find a ladder and climb it. I looked at him a bit confused, and then he continued. "In life I have learned that there are several different levels, and the only way to get from level one to level two is to climb a ladder in order to get there. It doesn't matter which ladder you take, but what is important is that you pick one a take it to the next level."

This simple advice led to a nice 20-30 minute conversation where he shared with me his journey to success. He too served a mission, then earned a degree in Chemical Engineering at BYU. He didn't love his work in Engineering, so he then earned his MBA. After years of schooling and a few small businesses started, he started a group that has blessed our lives and the lives of many over the last 30 years called SFW. Today he continues his work with SFW and is a prominent lobbyist in the state of Utah. 

This conversation helped me to understand that what you decide to study in college won't make or break you. There are plenty of opportunities ahead that will open up for you if you work hard and obey the commandments. 

Fast forward a year and a half and I am happily married to the most beautiful woman in the world. We have our own little apartment and are furthering our education at BYU. My plan is to study either Economics or Finance and I am excited for what the future holds.

Although I am only 3 semesters into my education here at BYU, I am happy and confident that my future is bright. Although I am uncertain at times, I have taken an aggressive path to climb the ladder from level one to level two. I plan on earning a degree as quick as possible while learning some important skills along the way.

I am confident that once I get to level two, I will find another series of ladders that will help me get to level three. As college kids I think that sometimes we worry that what we study will determine what we end up doing in life, but I say press forward with faith and climb the ladder... good things will come!

So my advice for you today is to pick a ladder, climb it well, and know that unknown and unseen opportunities await you.