A Touch of Compassion

Captains Log 13: 17.4.2011

Mission leader: Shayne Clarke

Team Captain: Handsome Rob

Assignment: Find someone more stressed out than me, 

                     do something for them, 

                     write about it

Assignment Difficulty: Easy

Finding a person more stressed than me during the beginning of final's week was not particularly difficult. All I simply had to do was  find another human being enrolled at BYU.  Now, I am not saying I do not have my fair share of an exam workload...I simply do not stress about them. For example, two scheduled exams on Saturday back to back; I go camping over the reading days, attend the ward closing social, and go on a date. 

If I have been learning things like I should during the entire semester, all I need to do is a little review and then go take the sucker.

Suffice it to say, there are some on the BYU campus who do not operate, think, or comprehend such a notion. Take my room-mates for an example. One is always cramming and stressing before a big test and I had noticed last semester, the week of finals is something of a living nightmare for her.  

So instead of bugging her to come play with me and or distracting her with any such antics I have this week been encouraging her to do her studying. Every time she starts to give in to my other room-mates siren calls for video games, I  remind her that after this week she can play all the video games she wants.  

I started to do her chores for her as well, give her studying tips whenever she is having a problem with something, and voluntarily quiz her. 

However, for my assignment I chose to help her with the knowledge I have learned from the MCOM 320. She has to give a presentation for  her final tomorrow  in one of her classes.  I helped with her slides; using the 6 by 6 rule, creating a running agenda, and cleaning them up in general.

Now, I am helping her with the talking part: letting her practice on me, giving her feedback,  and timing her.

Her presentation is a lot better than mine had been for MCOM; I wish I had a me when I was doing mine. I have done all I can and we get to see if it paid off tomorrow. I hope it does and I'll let ya' know.

Maybe, if life continues.

Floyd, out. 

RMYL is Divinely Inspired

Captains Log 12: 3.3.11

Attended the Master's or my Lord's great general conference.  Much of the counsel I received is quite personal but I will share some of the things I noticed about the conference. 

Four talks I counted involved with children with cancer.

The topic of marriage now resounds within every man of marriage-able age's head.

We live to die and we die to live. However, so not let one's fear of this displace one's faith.

Also, being faithful is more than merely having faith. Being faithful means working the will of Christ; it is being obedient to his laws and then acting on them believing he will keep his promises.

All my faith will be necessary to guide and keep me through the upcoming years. 

I realized  President Monson's message, "The future is as bright as your faith," does not have to mean your future on earth. In fact, the quote is more meaningful if taken to mean your post-mortal life. Where one's degree of glory directly correlates to one's exercise of faith on earth.

The gospel is simple and if one lives it then their life will become simple as well. The simplicity comes from following the two overall commandments: Love thy God with all they might, mind, and strength; Love thy neighbour as theyself.

Where charity exists gossip and unkind words cannot be. 

Kindness is an essence "of greatness" 

Jesus and or the Holy Ghost is not a butler or therapist; there to meet our needs and make us feel good. He is our master, to guide us in our progress and transformation to godhood. 

Lastly there were 5 recreation references. Two were canyons, 2 hikes, and one horseback riding/camping trip. My conclusion: RMYL is divinely inspired. Hahaha! 

Can I incorporate this counsel into my life? 

Maybe, if life continues.

Floyd, out.