Because I Can - How to Do Walt Disney World

OK, I have been to Walt Disney World (which I shall here after abbreviate as WDW) 4 times, so I don't think I can call myself an expert. Having done it most recently at Christmas time with my daughters (their first time), I did learn a lot about how to get the most out of your trip, and thought it would be fun to recap and provide some insights at the same time. We had a wonderful time, and Christmas at WDW just adds a special dose of magic. I thought that it would be good to write about the trip here, both to share some tips and to keep a record of what we did. When I started this blog so many years ago I was into Top 10 lists, so I'll dust that off a bit and do my Top 10 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your WDW Trip.

In no particular order...

10. Gift Cards - I came up with this idea as soon as I learned that the Disney gift cards are good at their parks. You can load up a Disney card and use them at almost all their stores, restaurants, parks, etc. We did all four parks, stayed at a resort, and did Disney Springs for a day, and I did not find a place that did not accept them. The idea I came up with was starting when you decide to go to put aside some money each month onto a gift card. This way you pay for your food, gifts, and other purchases before you make the trip. You have budgeted what you are going to spend and avoid a lot of unnecessary debt when you come home. We gave the girls their own gift card to spend as they wanted (they both bought Minnie Ears and a bracelet), so your kids have their own spending money for treats and souvenirs (or, I guess in this case, souven-ears!). Being Canadian, the exchange rate only came into play the day we first used a card. Whatever the exchange rate was that day was locked into the card.

9. There's an App for That - In the last few years, I would say that by far the best thing that Disney parks have done is the app for your smart phone. With the app you can get current wait times for every ride and event at every park. You can find every character meet and great with times, find every show and attraction, plus pre-order food at the quick-dine restaurants. It saved us a ton of time. You can also manage your Fast Passes, which again saved us a lot of time. We were able to drop a FP and get something else easily. We could look at our photos (more on that in a moment), make restaurant reservations, and so much more. Get the app and combine it with the My Disney Experience on their website and planning your trip has never been easier (by the way, I am not getting paid by Disney to do this)

8. Down Time - You go on your vacation to relax, and then spend the whole time running all over the parks to the point where you get worn out. Sound familiar? If you end a vacation needing a vacation to recharge, then you need to schedule some downtime. If you are there for several days, I recommend at least one down day. This is especially true for children. Most, if not all, of the resorts and hotels have pools, arcades, and other activities for kids, so take a day to recharge yourselves. The parks can be quite exhausting, and after three or four days in a row you just don't have the energy. This could be a day at Disney Springs where you can watch a movie and do some shopping, or this could be a pool day at the resort. We took the Sunday off to go to church and just relax at the resort after, and our girls were more than ready to do Animal Kingdom the next day. In fact, they were able to get all the Wilderness Explorers badges and become Senior WEs, a feat that the people at the park said was almost unheard of (Hope, age 4, was so cute getting her Senior badge). Another strategy for this is arrive when the park opens, do a bunch of stuff, head back to the resort after lunch, hang out there for two or three hours, and then head back to the park. We did that on our second day at Magic Kingdom. Not only did the girls feel refreshed and were able to go longer, but we missed the busiest hours of the park (typically between 12 and 4). You don't want your trip to be too hectic, so give yourself a break.

7. Do Your Homework - The website for Disney is excellent at planning your trip. They give you so much information. I was using it several times a week leading up to the trip, and it helped me with FP planning, reservations, and which rides to go on. The website gives you an idea as to what sort of things you can do. For example, I learned where to go to get the girls registered for the Jedi training at Hollywood Studios, and that was our first stop at that park. It allowed us to get the time we wanted and help plan the rest of the day. I was able to see what rides the girls could and could not do, which helped us select the best FP options ahead of time. If there is something that the website does not help you with, they have the best people you can call (note, and I found this surprising, there are no 1-800 numbers for this, so it is a long distance call). 

6. Early Birds Rule! - Each park has designated days with early hour admission for resort guests. If your are staying at a qualifying hotel or resort, take advantage of those. We did Magic Kingdom over two days, and the second day had the early hours. Our first FP was at 9 am, and we arrived at 7:30. Before we used our FP, we were able to do Peter Pan's Flight, met Ariel in her grotto, did the Journey of the Little Mermaid, and went on the Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin twice (back-to-back). We then did our three FPs (Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Aladdin's Magic Carpets) all within a couple hours, plus squeezed in the Tiki Room, the Country Bears Jamboree, watched the Christmas parade, and met Tinkerbell all by 1 pm. That was a full morning! The early hours are worth getting up for.

5. Memory Maker - The Memory Maker is a special photo package that is a fairly pricey item, but if you are taking lots of pictures it is definitely worth it. Again, the app is helpful in finding all the different places that Disney has photographers around the park. Almost every character meet-and-greet has one (the only exception for us was Mary Poppins in Epcot), and you can often get magic shots that add a little something extra. You can see the photos on your app a few hours after you get them, you can add borders and stickers to them, and download all of them for over a month after they are taken. Special tip, though. It is important to keep track as to where the photos are taken. We had a photos taken with Chip and Dale at Hollywood, and the next day those photos were missing. Good news is that I emailed Disney about it, provided all the information they needed, and within three days the photos were recovered. 

4. You Can't Do It All, and That's OK - There is so much to do at WDW that you cannot possibly expect to do it all in one day, so don't fret about it. Go and have fun. This is where having a list or two comes in handy. Make a list of the must dos (typically these will involve a FP), and get those in. Keep yourself open to things that just happen (we were not expecting to meet Alice outside the Tea Cup Spin, but there she was and we had our first character experience!), and try something new. If you notice something has a short wait time, give it a go. Take a break from waiting in line and catch one of their many shows. And at the end of the day, if there was something you wanted to do but did not have enough time for, then put it on your list of must dos when you come back someday.

3. Snacks - Let's be honest, even with a dining plan food at the parks can be expensive. There is nothing wrong with bringing a backpack full of snacks and sandwiches for the group. We found that trail mix, fruit bars, cheese strings, apples, and those little oranges are quite good. I myself polished off two bags of beef jerky. It gives you something to do while you wait in line and keeps the budget in check. We found that by bringing along some simple sandwiches you only ate one big meal at the park, and occasionally a breakfast. We did find some nice pastries at the French bakery in Epcot that Heather could have (she has a soy and fresh dairy allergy), so we bought a few for her to have for breakfast. We bought a couple loaves of bread the day we arrived and used those for sandwiches. The girls just wanted jam or honey sandwiches, and lucky for us the resort we stayed at had jam and honey packets for free at their food court. We did treat ourselves to some treats every now and then, but for the most part our food prices were low thanks to some snacks. Oh, and bring a couple water bottles along. Stay hydrated on those hot days.

2. Respect the Cast - The workers, or cast members as Disney likes to call them, are a big part in making your visit enjoyable. Disney goes to great lengths in training the good people that work for them, and they have always done a fantastic job. Sometimes they tell you "no", like when we asked if Hope could go on Star Tours even though she just barely missed the height requirement (by less than a half inch). We got it, and they were cool about it, offering us a way to get both parents on the ride quickly by taking turns with Barbara. Sometimes they can give you a break on something. We ran from Morocco to China at Epcot so we could meet both Jasmine and Mulan. When we arrived at Mulan's stop, the guy had just closed the line. As I was explaining to Barbara (who wanted to meet Mulan more than any other princess there) that we would have to come back, the guy took pity on us and let us stay in line. We got our photo with Mulan, and the guy was also helpful in giving us some tips on how to meet other princesses. We found that by being pleasant and respectful to the cast members, they were able to do their job better. We met a wonderful lady at the Nemo Aquarium in Epcot who was a retired teacher. She and I had a great conversation about caring for the animals, and she was able to talk to my daughters about the importance of aquariums when my eldest daughter commented that it was mean to keep dolphins in captivity. This lady treated my daughter's comment with respect and dignity  and patiently explained all the good that aquariums do. My daughter left with a better understanding about these things, and I am grateful for this lady taking time to talk to my 6 year old like a person. One noteworthy tip is being ready at the security check points by having all the zippers on your bags and backpacks open before it's your turn. Each time we did that the security people expressed a sincere appreciation for that. Talk to the character actors as if they are the characters (you don't want to spoil the magic for others). Say thank you to the people serving your food (I was impressed with how diligent the chefs were when it came to my wife's food allergies). Just be good to the people who work so hard to make your experience as magical as possible.

1. Remember to Enjoy Yourself - Yes, there will be long lines. Yes, stuff is expensive. Yes, there is more to do than you can cram into one day. And yes, your young children will have a melt down every now and then. Mine did, and so did other people's. Take all of that in stride. How enjoyable the trip is will largely depend on the attitude you bring. If the line is long, chat with people in it. I met a nice family from England waiting to ride Prince Charming's carousel. Talked to a lovely couple from New Jersey while eating nachos at Magic Kingdom. It was great! If someone in line with you has a kid throwing a temper tantrum, don't make it harder on the parents by shooting them dirty looks. We are all in this together. Just enjoy the magic of Disney. You paid good money for it, so choose to enjoy yourself.

Things I Have Learned

It has been an interesting year for me, one full of ups and downs. As always, I find that there is a lot to learn from my experiences and I thought that today I would write some of them down. Perhaps there is something that you can learn vicariously through me, as a few of these experiences involve lessons I learned vicariously through others.

I had a student reach out to me earlier in the year. They were having some issues with the end of a long-time relationship and were at a crossroads of sorts. As we communicated back and forth over the next several weeks, I would offer suggestions and counsel, while they would provide me updates. I have often felt that many of my students become like my own kids in some regards, and that bond with this particular person strengthened a lot in that regard. I learned that sometimes we have people put in our lives now so that we can help them much later. We must make sure to step up whenever the need arises.

I had a year of loss as well. I attended the funerals of two former students, the young son of one of my seminary students, and a trusted and valued colleague. Each one passed at too young of an age by our standards, and each funeral brought about different emotions. I did not have the opportunity to attend the funerals of two members of my ward. One became terribly sick at the start of the year, and the other was a sweet and lovely lady who had her health in sharp decline ever since her loving husband passed away earlier. I have always been fascinated by the process surrounding a death, and how it can be so different from one situation and person to the next. I know that there is something after this life, and that those who leave us await us on the other side. I took different lessons from each one, but I think the most important lesson I learned from all of them is to live my life with happiness and fullness. I learned that at the end of one's life, whether it has been a life of 2 years or of 92 years, we can learn so much about people we thought we knew well. Their lives can teach us about who we are and how to be a better person.


I said goodbye to my being a volunteer at the Calgary Zoo. Their demands for time and the demands of other responsibilities could no longer be met without throwing myself out of balance. I was finding myself in a bad place, and when things came to a head, it wasn't good. I acted in a way that I am not proud of, but I still was able to learn. Sometimes, even with good things, we must learn to let go. It is necessary to do that before things become detrimental to one's sanity. To honest, I should have turned in the badge after the last Zoo Lights, but I thought I could still do it. I am grateful for the role volunteering their played when I first moved to Calgary, but it was time to put it behind me and move on to better things. 

I was called into the Elder Quorum's presidency this spring. I must admit that with the recent changes in the church that it became a much busier calling for me. I am learning a lot about the people in my ward. I am learning how to have a different opinion than others, and that different perspectives continue to be a light instead of a hindrance. In this calling I have come to know and appreciate some people in my ward in a new light. I have been called upon to administer in ways that I never have before, and I am making and building friendships with people I never thought I would. It is challenging, but refreshing at the same time. 

I had a wonderful experience with mentoring a brilliant student teacher, who before the school year was out had secured herself a probationary contract at the Calgary Arts charter school. In being her mentor I rediscovered my passion for the teaching. I came alive within my profession again, and the relationship I had towards my students grew. I was asked to co-emcee the grad banquet, and it was an honor and a blessing. A lot of the kids that graduated this year are among the best I ever had the opportunity to teach. I also was given the opportunity recently to be in the school's musical this year. I played Monsieur D'Arc, the villainous soul in charge of the insane asylum. It was so much fun! The kids I performed with were brilliant, and I grew as a performer. It was a challenge, but a wonderful challenge. I am grateful to those I worked with and that gave me an opportunity to have fun on the stage.

So many memories, so much to reflect on. I know I do a Top 10 list at the end of or beginning of the year, and I may still do that, but I have one last adventure before the year is through. Heather and I are taking the girls to Orlando for a Walt Disney World Christmas! The girls are currently playing in the airport Fun Zone as we wait for our flight. I am looking forward to the wonder of Disney through the eyes of my children. Barbara has a little bit of a sore throat and cold, but she is being a real trooper. So, until next time, I will see you as we set off "To Infinity, and beyond!"

Forgive Me...

On my home from visiting a friend I was listening to the radio. They were talking about the concept of forgiveness and how men who have sexually assaulted and harassed women were asking the women that they had wronged to forgive them. They had a college professor talk about how asking the women to forgive the men was unethical. They spoke about how the concept of forgiveness from a religious point of view was archaic and counter-productive. Ultimately, they spoke about how these men do not deserve forgiveness and that they should be ashamed for asking such a thing from women. That got me thinking.

The main thought that kept running through my head was that of being troubled by this message. You see, I have been raised in and have always lived a religious life. My church teaches that we should always forgive those who have offended us in any manner. I have been taught that to forgive others is not only a commandment, but it is something that will be beneficial for me. Whenever I hear something that goes contrary to how I have been raised and my core beliefs (spiritual or otherwise), I take notice and evaluate. I do not necessarily evaluate my own beliefs, but rather where this other perspective comes from. In this case, I felt a bit of a conundrum developing.

You see, I truly get where this learned woman is coming from. She too is of a religious nature, and I did not get a chance to listen to the entire interview, but from what I heard she made some very good points. I did, however, feel that there was something missing in her argument. While what she said made sense to me, and to a point I agreed, I couldn't help but feel that something was not quite on point. It has been tumbling through my head all day, and I think I may have figured out what was not making sense to me.

I feel that she, and others, have misunderstood the concept of forgiveness.

I found a definition of forgiveness that I thinks fits here. It is said that forgiveness is a deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness (https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/forgiveness/definition). There are some key things there that are essential to my understanding of forgiveness, and this is what I think the person being interviewed misunderstood. Yes, for us that are religious, there is a belief that God will forgive whom He will, but we must be willing to forgive all. From what I was getting from the interview, the two women who were talking seemed to equate that these powerful men who had done terrible things to women were asking for forgiveness as a means to excuse their past actions, pardoning their sins so to speak. That, my friends, is not the purpose or the goal of forgiveness.

To forgive someone has little if anything to do with the offender. It does not and never should mean that the guilty party should be spared the consequences of their misdeeds. It certainly does not mean that the offending person should be trusted by they who do the forgiving. No, these men that ask for forgiveness for their transgressions should still be punished for their actions. They have done wrong, and must face the proverbial music. That does not mean that I am not in favor of leniency in times where they who have done wrong are truly repentant, and that when one has reformed themselves that they should be allowed to regain what they have lost. Instead, if these men are asking forgiveness so that they may spare themselves the painful consequences of their actions then they are not truly remorseful for their actions. The women they harassed may or may not forgive them, but they should still lose their jobs, their marriages, and their freedoms depending on the severity of their crimes. They should in no way place the blame on their victims. No, the offender does not need to be deserving of forgiveness in order for those harmed to forgive them.

I believe that when God commands us to do something it is because He knows it is in our best interest. God does not give us commandments because of some holy power trip. If He tells us that we should forgive others, then it is because it will be a blessing to us. He does not want us to suffer needlessly, and yet when I see someone who will not forgive someone else, it is usually to their detriment. They hang onto their resentment like an anchor in the ocean, and it only drags them down into darkness. Conversely, forgiving those who have wronged us allows us to find healing more easily and readily. It does not condone the offense, nor does it diminish the severity of the harm we have experienced. It does allow us to move forward from the event without locking us into the pains of the past. We should forgive those who have wronged us not because God wants us to but because it is good for us!

Now I know that many feel that the pains and agony that they have suffered at the hands of others are too much to simply overcome. I never said that forgiveness would ever be easy or simple, only that it is necessary for our overall healing and happiness. We should not have to unconditionally accept that we can trust the offender in order to offer forgiveness. In my own life when it came to forgiveness, I have found that it can be difficult, and to put myself in a situation where I am to put everything back to the way it was is just not feasible. I have had to work at forgiving others. For some, I am still working on it. I have found that to hang on to bitterness and resentment only makes me unhappy. It affects my relationships with those who mean the most to me. Why would I allow a past wrong to have a negative impact on those whom I love most?

Yes, forgiveness can help lift the offender's soul, but that is not really what it is all about. If anything, it is a cherry on top. Regardless of all of that, these ladies (at least for the portion of the interview I heard) were missing the mark as to why God commands us to forgive others. They implied that since God will decide who is to be forgiven that forgiveness is an option for us. Again, it is not. At least, not if we want to truly be free of the negative influence of those who hurt us. Instead, we must see forgiveness as a soothing balm that will help put together our broken spirit. It is the light in the darkness that brings us to safety and peace.

I hope that this is not interpreted as a justification that the men they were discussing should be universally pardoned for their crimes. Instead, it should be seen as a way for these women who were undeserving of the pain they experienced to find some peace and light in their lives. They did not deserve what was done to them, but they do deserve to be able to move on from it. They should see that they are doing this for themselves, that it adds strength and hope to their lives. That it will allow them to rise above their tormentors and truly conquer them. It will not be easy, but it is worth taking that difficult road. There will be many who will help us along that path, and when we reach the end of it we can help those who are struggling to reach the destination that we have found.

If you think this is not possible for you, and that I know nothing of what you are experiencing, then perhaps you are right. I may not know what you are going through. All I can ask of you is that you forgive me my naivety, but please give it a chance. 

Catching Up

It's been a long time since I wrote in this blog, and to be honest it's because nothing really jumped out at me. It's been an interesting few months. Had a lot of fun over the summer, but also made some realizations about myself. The girls loved going to the zoo and Calaway Park.  We had a great time with lots of friends at the Sundal's cabin over the August long weekend. Heather's parents came back from their mission in Toronto, and my Dad and step-brother-in-law bought a cabin of their own. 

School started on a down note with the sudden and unexpected passing of one of our teachers, Bruce Parkin. His memorial was earlier this week. It has been a very interesting experience, and one that has caused me to reflect a lot. More than ever I miss many of the students who graduated. Thankfully, several of them have popped by for a visit, and their visits have helped me get through this difficult time. 

Yesterday I was reminded of a great truth. There are friends that come in and out of your life, but there are those who are always going to be there no matter how often you see them. Yesterday I had the pleasure of having one such friend in my home. Matt Harker and I have been friends since I was in Grade 8. We have gone to Trek conventions and been there for each other during tough times. He was and still is one of my dearest friends. He was one of four who sang my mother's favorite hymn at her funeral. 

It's been a couple years since we got together. He lives in Edmonton, I in Calgary. He just happened to be in town for work, and I invited him over for dinner. We had a great visit, catching up on old friends and family. Even though it had been a while, we picked up right where we left off. We laughed, swapped stories, and promised to get together again soon. His wife and kids are friends as well, as are the members of my family. We look forward to finding more adventures that we could go on. 

So, that's catching up with Matt, and catching up with me. I've had quite a few things tumbling through my head, and I hope to find the time to write some of them down. Until next time.

4:40

A month ago I popped into the classroom of my friend Pamela Hunnisett. They were discussing a poetry assignment where the students had to write a poem that included five descriptions of things you see, four of things you hear, three of things you touch, two of things you smell, and one of something you taste. Pamela gave the assignment to me. Now, to be honest, I do not like poetry very much. I am not a fan of writing it or reading it. However, when Hunni gives me homework, I do not want to disappoint. Within an hour, I created something that I am quite pleased with. I thought I would add a visual element to it. Suffice it to say, I dedicate this to the precious soul who made me a father.

4:40

A strong voice wakens me and tells me it is time.

I quickly push against the softness under me

The sharp smell of sterility engulfs me

A cry of pain pierces into my heart

A cry of new life welcomes me

A red new soul in my arms

She is warm and squirms

She looks around her

I look at my watch

4:40, it reads.

I walk to the window

The sky is red like she is

A rosy odor of the blanket

A chorus of beeps and chimes

As she watches the sky, I watch her

A start to life, both for her and for me

I kiss her on her head, sweetness to my lips

Her skin feels damp. She gazes up at me her father

My world fills beyond my dreams. My new life at 4:40.

We Believe...the 13th Article of Faith (Part 1)

I have had a lot of things on my mind lately. I have started writing post after post, but stopped part way through as I decided that I just wasn't hitting what I wanted to address. Then, just a few days ago, I had a thought crystallize that has grown into this post. I hope it makes sense and brings some enlightenment.

In my church we have thirteen lines of scripture that we in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints commonly refer to as the Articles of Faith. As a child I had them all memorized, but as I have become older they have taken on a new meaning to me. While I no longer have them memorized word for word, I instead have attempted to incorporate them into my essence. What they mean is far more significant to whether or not I still know them exactly as written. Memorizing them has helped me understand them better, but now I work at using them as a check list for my own spiritual progress. 

The thirteenth and final Article of Faith states "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things". This is considered to be one of the "heaviest" articles of faith as there is a lot in it, and it is often regarded as the pinnacle of the mastering these articles of faith. I thought that I would use this article as a source of inspiration for this and some of my future posts. As I share my thoughts on this, I must clarify something here. Knowing that some who read this will not be members of my faith and may not be familiar with this Article of Faith, I feel that I need to acknowledge that my thoughts on this are my own and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. While what I am commenting on is considered to be scripture by members of my church, my thoughts and writing should not necessarily be considered official church doctrine (although I will try to connect it to official church doctrine and policies where I can, as well as provide links to articles that back up some of my ideas).

We Believe in Being...Honest

The first thing mentioned that we believe in is what has been on my mind the most. What does this mean, that I believe in being honest? I guess my preoccupation with this is that I see a lot in the world that seems to push honesty aside in favour of getting ahead, winning, or putting others down. For me, dishonesty includes more than just lying, but also cheating, stealing, manipulating, and deceitfulness. It includes a disregard for the truth to achieve a particular agenda. It includes willfully remaining in ignorance instead of seeking to know what the truth is. I see this all around me. I see it in schools, in politics, in media, and in communities. The more I see it, the more I see the moral decay of society. It is difficult for me to stand by silently and not call out examples of dishonesty when I see it.

In schools, I see students remain silent when asked about the actions of classmates that are against the school rules or are even breaking laws. This is difficult because in some instances I get why they remain silent. They fear retribution from their peers and classmates. I can understand their reluctance, but is that truly honesty? So often we decide to keep the truth hidden, thinking that what others don't know can't hurt us. In these instances, being honest requires courage. Others remain silent out of a warped sense of loyalty. This idea that you will lie to protect your friends and family is a difficult fallacy to combat. It makes me question how trustworthy that loyalty is. In my experience, this is not true loyalty. It is given out of fear. It is easily turned on. It hurts the people involved. True loyalty to friends should come second to a loyalty to truth. 

In particular, I see a lot of areas in the realm of politics that we can be more honest. I am not referring to the politicians themselves, although I know that there are more than a few that can do a much better job at being honest. I am talking about us, the voters. So often I see posts on social media that are full of half-truths and outright lies. I get that people have very strong political ideologies. I get that politics is as much a battleground as anything else. What I do not understand is how normally good people pass along inaccurate statements and outright lies in the name of supporting the political candidate that most closely matches one's own ideas. It does not matter which side of the political spectrum that you are on, it happens all the time. What I find very disappointing is that when called on it, the person who is spreading the lies feels that because they do not think highly of the candidate in question that their use of lies is justified. Let me be clear on this, regardless as to how bad you think the person may be, if you willfully choose to spread lies about that person, then you are, at best, on the same level that you put your opponent on, if not lower. If you believe in being honest, then you do not have the luxury of choosing when honesty best suits you. A lie is a lie. You either believe in being honest or you don't. It's that simple.

This also means that when we read something on social media, we have to be thorough in our understanding of its accuracy. I used to post and share a quote that was attributed to a former leader in my church. It was rightly pointed out to me that there was no evidence that showed that this was actually said by that person. I then did my research and found that the person who started sharing that quote allegedly heard it from the man in question in a private conversation, and that he never stated it publicly. So I cannot verify that this leader actually said it. It was a little frustrating because having the quote attributed to a person of influence and esteem is always helpful in making your point. Still, it's a good quote, so I still use it. I just no longer attribute it to the person in question, and instead claim that I do not know who originated the quote. I have also seen various ideas and stories shared around, and when I do a little digging, I find that there is little more than hearsay (at best) to it. We need to be asking ourselves more often what the purpose is of that story. I find that the majority of these things are shared to tear down a group or an idea, and it is usually shared out of ignorance towards the truth of the matter. I have lost track the number of times that a person has shared something derogatory on inflammatory towards Muslims, and when I do my research I find that there is little to no validity behind it. People use wild statements to incite fear and distrust in pushing their own agenda, and others are gullible in passing the lies along without asking themselves if what they are sharing is truthful or not. In a real world of fake news there is an ever increasing need to fact check what we share. Speculation and opinions are not facts or truth.

Stealing is an insidious form of dishonesty. I am not just talking about stealing cell phones, money, or I-pods. It includes stealing credit and ideas. I have heard that lifting ideas from other parties is all a part of politics these days, and this is why I think that politicians are seen as among the most dishonest professions. It is also why people have a hard time trusting them. I have seen solid friendships disintegrate when one steals the ideas of another and claims it to be their own. In the past there have been many justifications for stealing. People lie on their taxes to save a few dollars and say that the government is only going to waste those dollars anyways. People download movies and music without paying the appropriate value for the hard work of those who made the art. We justify it by imagining that all singers and actors live a bloated, excessive lifestyle and have money to throw away, when we know that simply is not true. Of course, for people that do steal, they get mighty upset when someone else steals from them, and if they are truly honest with themselves they will admit that stealing hurts people. Two wrongs have never made a right.

Now, I understand that I am not perfect in being honest. That is not the point of believing in something. If we truly do believe in something, however, it is important that we work hard at it. It is vital that we examine and re-examine our dedication to that concept. Honesty is a big concept, but it really isn't all that complicated. Are we honest with our friends, our colleagues, our families, ourselves? When we find ourselves falling short, we must look at why and how, and then resolve to do better. Honesty is so much more than "the best policy". It is an essential part of the foundation of our character. If we are dishonest, how can we be seen as being committed or trustworthy? If we are constantly stretching the truth, how can people be expected to trust what we promise to do? When we are dishonest, we lose respect and esteem. We become a joke in the eyes of many. The fable of the boy who cried wolf teaches us a timeless lesson on being honest. There is no honor in lying, cheating, or stealing. 

When I look at the 13th Article of Faith, I see so many parts of it that are tied to honesty. I will work to incorporate honesty into those in my future postings, but for now, I will end with a quote from another church leader, James E Faust. He stated: "Honesty is more than not lying. It is truth telling, truth speaking, truth living, and truth loving". If we do not love the truth and live the truth, then we are not being honest. If we believe in being honest, then we must embrace the truth, no matter how inconvenient that truth is. It might mean that we have to admit when we are wrong. It might mean that we have to acknowledge a lack of understanding. It often means that we are unable to please everyone, and it is likely that we will find ourselves on the outside of circles we once were familiar with. It doesn't mean that we are unkind. It doesn't have to come at the expense of compassion. Honesty, by itself, is meant to build.

March Ramblings

I don't have anything in particular for my blog today, just letting some random thoughts be written down. Maybe I should write some things that make me happy.

1. I love how my girls make me laugh. They are silly little kids. Every dinner Hope goes to the bathroom, and often she just sits on the toilet and sings her lungs out. Her songs are completely nonsensical, which can be endearing and frustrating at the same time. Barbara is constantly making up adventures and stories. Also endearing and frustrating when we are trying to get something done.

2. My student teacher is a breath of fresh air in my classroom. She accepts every challenge I give her and she has a real instinct for teaching. It's nice to have someone that not only looks for challenges but is a wealth of ideas.

3. Super hero television is fun these days. The Flash continues to be my favourite, while Legends of Tomorrow is becoming quite fun. Arrow is getting a bit repetitive, but Supergirl continues to be enjoyable. 

4. Planning is underway for our Christmas trip to Walt Disney World. We have booked a room at a resort and found direct flights to and from. Now we just have to buy the airline tickets and try to cash in some more Air Miles for the park passes.

5. My Star Trek blog is going well. I am getting lots of writing done, and each post gets between 400-600 views. It's weird that I get more views when I post on Friday or Saturday.

6. My church calling is very fulfilling. I learn a lot, and I find that I am feeling closer to the members of my ward. I actually look forward to Sundays because of this.

So, that is where I am right now. Feeling happy. I'm also happy because I am not focusing on the negative aspects of the world. That helps too.