56 - My Dad

I have a fantastic Family. At the head of every fantastic family are fantastic parents. Half of a couple is my dad, which means he is half the reason I am who I am and have a fantastic family. That was confusing. Anyways, I couldn't ask for a better role model and friend. My Dad is a hard working, optimistic, genuine, righteous, lovable individual that I would never try and replace. I am grateful for my Dad and I hope to be a Dad just like him someday.

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55 - Cheap Sunglasses

I have a lot of family. My immediate family consists of 22 people other than me. I have 11 nieces and nephews, 9 brothers and sisters, 2 parents, and it only gets bigger from there. Marrying into another family only makes things better. Every Wednesday night the youth in the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints get together and have something called mutual. They learn how to better teenagers, peers, siblings, you name it. Mutual is intended to make everyone a better person. My little sister-in-law is too young to go to mutual and since my Mother-in-law is a leader over the Young Women we get to hang out most Wednesday nights. I had to go to the grocery store on this particular Wednesday when my little sister and I were rocking out to Cheap Sunglasses by RAC while wearing said cheap sunglasses. The truth is, hers are actually very expensive sunglasses that she borrowed from my wife. I am grateful for these cheap sunglasses moments that I get with family members, and I am grateful for the cheap sunglasses.

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54 - Life

Now I don't want to be too sappy and emotional on this one because there are plenty of those blogs out there, but I have to say that I am grateful for the miracle of life. I am looking forward to being a Dad for the first time and it is a little scary but also very exciting. I can't say that there is any logical reason for me wanting to be a Dad because it requires more time, energy, money, and love focused outside myself. It doesn't make much logical sense, but there is something inside all of us that urges us to continue life. I am grateful that I have the chance to participate in this miracle of life.

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53 - Umarekawari

As many of you know I have been on a brief sabbatical. Consider this my recommitment to a second go. Life gets busy and things fall by the side. I hope I haven't stopped being grateful, but I decided it is time to start again. There are so many things that we get second chances at and I am grateful for that. I am grateful that no matter what happens we have the chance to commit to being a better person. I can decide at any moment to study more diligently, to love more fully, to pay attention more intently. I have been fascinated lately with the idea of being born again.

The Buddhist believe that at the end of your life you will become either a higher life form or a lower one based on your previous life and actions. This idea is called Umarekawari. It is a compound word taken from the word Umareru (to be Born) and Kawaru (to Change). It is a beautiful idea of life continuing but never the same. Sometimes we need a little push, a little Umarekawari if you will to make us new, give us hope, and change us in some way. I hope to make Umarekawari a daily part of my life as I strive to become, not a high life form, but just a better person in all respects. Here is my best hope of an Umarekawari:

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52 - Prayer

The descent to my apartments seemed never-ending. One foot slowly in front of the other, tranquil and lethargic. A sense of urgency longs them to move faster, to be productive. My mind protests. Eyes watering slowly at first, I feel a little numb. There is nothing specific that I yearn for... in fact, I couldn't tell you why I feel the way I do. I change my clothes to exercise and before I start the words to a favorite song come into my mind: "Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray? In the name of Christ your Savior, did you seek for loving favor as a child today? Oh how praying rests the weary." I fall to the floor and have a good long conversation with my savior.

I know that God is there listening to me. I know that my Savior Jesus Christ is always ready to save. Prayer is the only reason I have this assurance and I glory in it. 

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51 - James Christensen

Bought some cards for them to sign :)

James Christensen is and always has been one of my heroes. If you don't know who he is you really need to look him up. Today, at the Springville Art Museum, he and his two daughters came and spoke to a group of us. Listening to him talk and seeing his personality was an awesome experience. I was able to talk to him afterward and get his autograph. He is a genuinely nice person and I loved talking to him. I can't even being to express the influence that he has had on my life. Since I was a kid I loved his style and sense of imagination and creativity. As far as thinking outside the box goes, he was one person that let me know that it was okay to do as an adult. If you haven't had a chance to look at his art then please do so now. What an awesome night to meet a childhood hero.

What a nice guy.

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50 - Summer

If you can't see it, there is snow all over the plant...and still coming down.

I woke up to this. I am afraid I was not grateful for the surprise. I am grateful that Summer is coming soon. I don't think I will miss winter for a while.

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