Quote of the Week

"Sometimes I can't remember really important things.... yet, somehow, I can remember all the times I've gone pee in the past six months."

-my 18-year-old brother

Lobsters

So yesterday, my brother and I were headed to Institute, and we looked to our left as we were passing through an intersection. You know what we saw? A dude in a Lobster costume, promoting something....

...no joke.

(This pic isn't the guy, but it gets my point across. I found it here.)

Weekly Quote on Communication

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”

George Bernard Shaw source: http://thinkexist.com/quotations/communication/

Conversation With My Brother

MATTHEW: "Hey, Dennis. I'm a Super-hero. Ask me what my super-power is."

ME: "What's your super power?"

MATTHEW: "Booty Spakking."

ME: "???"

EFY

(This post also appeared on my other blog, If You Were Looking For the Opportune Moment. Check it out!)

So it's been four years since I have been able to attend the Especially for Youth (EFY) program, which is run by BYU and the Church Educational System of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a participant in the program. (In those four years, I spent two of them serving a mission for said Church, a year working, and this past year in school, studying business.)

When I was offered the opportunity to be involved with EFY as a counselor, I jumped on it, because I saw the benefits it gave me as I participated, and I felt like I owed a debt to the Lord and to the program. It was a nice break and a bit of a relief to get out of the norm and serve the youth (teenagers 14-18) of the Church and help them along in the quest to find themselves and their faith. It really caused me to reflect on the things I believe and why I believe them.

I feel like sometimes, we just skate along and feel like we're doing alright. But this past month or so while I was away, being so closely involved with these kids who really wanted to know if all this is true, I made a point of doing exactly what they were doing: focusing on the basics. And you know what? My testimony grew a little stronger.

The theme this year was "Courage to Stand Strong." My personal resolve is to now make a stronger effort to stand for the things I know to be correct in action- even if that means standing up to members of my own faith, as we were counseled by the living prophet, Thomas S. Monson.

I have a feeling this won't be the easiest thing, but I promised those kids I would take home with me what I learned...

Weekly Quote on Communication

Henry Ford: "If there is any great secret of success in life, it lies in the ability to put yourself in the other person's place and to see things from his point of view- as well as your own."

source: ask.com

A Healthy College Student

...This is so true. I'm glad I'm only going to have one roommate this semester.

Understanding

I make an honest and hard effort to understand others. I am very interested in communication and human relations, and the ability to understand the way people think and operate. Recent conversation has gotten me thinking- we all see things differently. What makes this world operate as well as it does is people making an effort to accept others' shortcomings and misunderstandings, and then working to communicate ideas more effectively.

This is my random thought for today.

A true map of Florida

This was in my inbox this morning. Because it's so true, i had to share it. Disclaimer: there is a bad word; I didn't write it. Finally, a true map of Florida that explains this weird, but wonderful state. Those of us who live in Florida will recognize it and those who don't have been warned! You know you're a Floridian if.... Socks are only for bowling. You never use an umbrella because you know the rain will be over in five minutes. A good parking place has nothing to do with distance from the store, but everything to do with shade. Your winter coat is made of denim. You can tell the difference between fire ant bites and mosquito bites. You're younger than thirty but some of your friends are over 65. Anything under 70 degrees is chilly. You've driven through Yeehaw Junction. You know that no other grocery store can compare to Publix. Every other house in your neighborhood had blue roofs in 2004-2005. You know that anything under a Category 3 isn't worth waking up for. You DREAD 'love-bug' season. You are on a first name basis with the Hurricane list. They aren't Hurricane Charley or Hurricane Frances. You know them as Andrew, Charley,| Frances , Ivan, Jeanne and Wilma, Irene, Cheryl, Rita and Mary-Alison. You know what a snowbird is and when they'll leave. You think a six-foot alligator is actually pretty average. 'Down South' means Key West. Flip-flops are everyday wear. Shoes are for business meetings and church, but you HAVE worn flip flops to church| before. You have a drawer full of bathing suits, and one sweatshirt. You get annoyed at the tourists who feed seagulls. A mountain is any hill 100 feet above sea level. You know the four seasons really are: Hurricane season, love bug season, tourist season and summer. You've hosted a hurricane party. You can pronounce Okeechobee, Kissimmee, Withlacoochee , Thonotosassa and Micanopy. You understand why it's better to have a friend with a boat, than have a boat yourself. You were 25 when you first met someone who couldn't swim. You've worn shorts and used the A/C on Christmas and New Years. You recognize Miami-Dade as 'Northern Cuba'. You not only forward this but you understand it!