Grass Is Always Greener

Yep, grass is always greener on the other side, well at least until you get to the other side. Right!

Imagine living on one side of a fence. We'll pretend for visual sake that this fence is chain link. Chain link is a bit drab, I know. So on your side, the links in the fence are as brightly shining gold. When you turn your eyes fall upon mildly rolling hills with lush green lawns that seemingly stretch forever. You then peel your eyes from this ah inspired view only to find in the great distance enormous mountains, at the base of which you see reflected in a calm, pristine, crystalline, mirror like lake, its mountainous neighbors. It's so pure and clear as you look past the reflection you see with perfect clarity all the wonderful life it supports below its surface.  As you gaze up into the rocky green folds of these massive highlands, your heart flutters with the shocking impact of the landscape that lies before you. The vibrant colors brought forth from the wild beauty literally take your breath away. When the realization that your not breathing begins to dawn in your overwhelmed senses, you're briefly startled, yet relaxed in the cushion of your surroundings. In your calm intake of air you discover a clean and pleasing aroma. When in abundance you capture the sight of a grand assortment of eye enchanting flowers, all in an exploding array of colors, leaving a scent that freshens the air. To one side of the lake you have incredible towering trees of all kinds. Each full of luscious leaves and needles covering the most beautiful spectrum's of green. As your eyes expose Gods artistry and the grace with which each leaf dances in the breeze, you meet the tips of each tree. Each reaching high as its tender green fingers tickle the most amazing blue sky imaginable. Sparse thin wisps of white embrace the immense sea of blue, each wisp gravitating towards the pure white peaks piercing the sky. When you regain control of your senses do to the wondrous landscape, you find yourself surrounded by family and friends. Pure love isn't descriptive enough to explain your emotions and feeling, yet that's exactly what it is!

Now, noting that this may not be the ideal for well, anyone but me, nothing I described above, or could describe as far as the side of the fence we live on, can truly match the blessings we have in our lives. We could describe our side with the most grand of illusions,but whether described truthfully or not, we will inevitably leave out what matters most. Those being our blessings each day. We have a tendency to live for the moment in a selfish way. We think of what is our ideal situation or what we seek, and tend to leave others as second thoughts if at all sometimes. We each have so much we don't see. We are so blind to so much so often. Just take a moment and think of one thing your thankful for. If you can't think of anything, you may possibly be on the wrong side of the fence. Remember: All good things come from God.

Here is a little challenge. Try naming 100 things your thankful for. Wow, one hundred things! Come on it's not that bad. I got this out of the Dec. 2011 Ensign.
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Take a Gratitude Challenge

By John Hilton III and Anthony Sweat

Let’s not just talk about counting our blessings—let’s do it! Write a list of 100 things you are thankful for. If that sounds like it is too many, try this:

1. 1. 
   Write 10 physical abilities you are grateful for.
2. 2. 
   Write 10 material possessions you are grateful for.
3. 3. 
   Write 10 living people you are grateful for.
4. 4. 
   Write 10 deceased people you are grateful for.
5. 5. 
   Write 10 things about nature you are grateful for.
6. 6. 
   Write 10 things about today you are grateful for.
7. 7. 
   Write 10 places on earth you are grateful for.
8. 8. 
   Write 10 modern inventions you are grateful for.
9. 9. 
   Write 10 foods you are grateful for.
10. 10. 
    Write 10 things about the gospel you are grateful for.

When we make a list like this, we discover that a list of 100 doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of all the things God has given us.

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2011/12/the-choice-to-be-grateful?lang=eng
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It's interesting to see or hear what people will give up to even catch a peek of the other side of the fence, the wrong side of the fence. Some get trapped on that other side. Whether it be to addictions (drugs, alcohol, smoking, pornography, television, what have you) or even just to show a little rebellion because of the 'no one can tell me what to do, when really all it was is good advice' syndrome, or maybe jealously, many get trapped. The wrong side is full of greed, selfishness and pride, basically self serving individuals. Some just make a mistake and come back quickly. At one time or another everyone goes to the other side. It's just nice to know how good my side is. Wow, the good that can come from just being thankful. Be thankful for what you have. If you can improve your side of the fence then do it, and work at it, but never give up the blessings you have and don't get trapped on the wrong side with what you think you want.

The only time grass is greener on the other side is when your on the wrong side. Jesus said "Come unto to me". His side is the right side. He will pull you free from sin, free from addiction, free from mistakes. You only have to ask with sincerity in your heart. He is there for everyone, beckoning us to come to him. He gave us agency, that we may choose Him. He will not force us. I am so thankful for my blessings as I strive to make my side of the fence the same as Christ's.

Thankful for my Father in Heaven

No one reads this blog, but if they did they would have most likely realized that I value a faith in Christ. I am a member of the 'Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints'. We just had our semi-annual General Conference. I loved it! We have some very great leaders that are truly led by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for the gospel knowledge I have been blessed with. What a truly wonderful thing it is to know where we come from, why we are here, what is required of us while we are here and what happens when we pass on. I thank thee Father in Heaven for this blessing.

Great Tunes

I know, I have written about music before, but it's just so good to here nice clean music. There are so many different kinds to choose from. Music is great, it can be uplifting and energizing, or soothing and relaxing. There is so much more to music than we think. It can sour our mood or improve it. Music can be very mood altering to the extent that after prolonged listening it can change who we are to some degree. It can alter our thoughts, emotions and desires. That is why we need to be selective in what we allow our ears to hear. I love music and I am thankful to God for good music!

Job Stress

I may have already posted about my job. That's OK, I may return to show thanks for things many times. I love my job. Right now it is stressful. I have a server acting up and it is giving now clues as to what I need to do to fix it. Usually I can find a workaround quickly until I can get a permanent fix in place. Not this time. I am stumped. I've even had my boss in on it and together we can't find one. This is what I get for moving to new code. This upgrade forced another upgrade of a product that hasn't even released yet. We got our hand on it though. Anyway, some drivers changed and now that we have our commands switched over using the new client we can't get connection. These are just some struggles of the geek.

I find that my days go much better when I'm involved in a pressing matter. I focus more on what needs to be done and time fly's. In some ways that's great. You get what feels like a short work day, but on the other hand if you still didn't find a fix your facing another day of searching for it. All in all, cross my fingers, any issues I have faced so far in 15+ years, big or small, have been relatively easy to overcome. Even this one will prove to be. I have heard monster stories about issues other data centers have had. I consider myself blessed to be where I am, doing what I'm doing, and knowing all I know.

What's Not To Be Thankful For?

OK, so I just got an email from a friend of mine. He was asking advice on something about his son. I gave my opinion and he replied with a thanks man, consider yourself hugged -- in a manly way. I love this guy. He is one of the best people I have ever met. He's a great man.

In my area, where I live, we have many great people. I love my neighbors and friends there. We have a great community, where we really try to help and serve each other. Living this way is what it's all about. When you need help having someone there, but even better, being the one that can and will help. We try very hard to teach this to our children and to those that may not live like that. There is more to it. This is a simplified example, but it's true. Live in a way as to serve others. See for yourself how much more happy you will be.

FYI: Getting a thank you is a great thing, but should not be necessary. Just make sure you are thankful in all things. Sometimes we allow ourselves to be consumed with our accomplishments or the thanks we receive and over elevate ourselves. Thinking we are better, in one way or another, than others. We need to stop that prideful thinking, bring ourselves back down from our cloud and get back to those important things in life, people.

The people in our own home (family), close friends, neighbors, and those we just meet, strangers you may run into, these are all people going about their lives just like you and I. The thing that really makes us different is what we decide to do with our lives, what we believe in. I believe we need to look out for one another, help when we can, especially when we feel like we are the ones that need help, we should seek to lift others.

A very wise person once said "Never suppress a generous thought". We should all strive to live with this attitude. There is so much to be grateful for. Everyone around us is great, sometimes they just need help to see it.

My Intent Was Good

Again, I find myself weeks later remembering to update what's supposed to be my daily gratitude blog. I get so wrapped up in work and other things that I forget to post. Anyway, today I am thankful that tomorrow I get off work early. I love my job and am very thankful for it but I need a break. Plus i'm going to see the Hunger Games movie. I'm thankful for that too. Then I'm taking my wife out to dinner. Yes, I'm thankful for her and dinner also.

I will try to do better updating this blog. It's not like anyone even knows it's here, but I do and that's what matters.

Everyday Posting

Wow, did I get side tracked. My plan was to post everyday. I'm not doing very well with this. It's not that I don't have anything to be grateful for. Unfortunately, like most of us, I just got wrapped up in everyday life.

I was able to celebrate two of my children's birthdays this past week. We didn't have any huge extravagant party for either of them. It was just a nice little family thing. A few presents, favorite food, cake and ice-cream,  and of course  family time. I am so thankful for my children. Although at times they can really stress me out, I don't know what I would do without them. They bring such joy to our home, and chaos at times. There is nothing like the smiles of our children.