Self-improvement

"Life is a competition... Not with others, but with ourselves. We should seek each day to live stronger, better, truer lives. Each to master some weakness of yesterday. Each day to repair a mistake; Each day to surpass ourselves."

-Elder David B Haight

What makes someone a hero?

So today's post is about a trend that is becoming more popular and disturbs me to the core.

How many times on TV do we hear someone saying that the mailman, the school teacher, or the crossing guard is a hero? Don't get me wrong, I admire anyone who does their job well, fulfills social obligations, etc. I just don't think we understand what a hero really is anymore.

Websters defines a hero as: a: a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability b: an illustrious warrior c: a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities d: one that shows great courage.

So why do we confuse responsible people with heroes? I think it's for the same reason that we give every kid on every team a trophy just for showing up. There are even kid's leagues now where there is no score kept and no winner. And we're not talking about 4 year olds. There are just parents who want their children to grow up thinking that there are no losers in life. So in order to erase the negative extreme you have to do away with the positive extreme: real heroes.

Once you do that you have the next group down on top. Good people who do respectable jobs and contribute to society. Suddenly they are called heroes, but they are not. They are doing what every man and women should do. This is what should be expected of every member of society, and that is not heroic. Otherwise we would all be heroes, and then who would clap as we went by?

Heroes are the few who stand up against the many for what they know to be right. The few who face danger, more concerned with what they protect than with their own safety. They are more than role models, more than good examples, they are a step above the rest.

I applaud school teachers, mailmen, garbage men, hair stylists, and all those who contribute to the improvement and progress of society. We are all in need of good examples of consistent, honest, and responsible living. Otherwise we will forget what is most important and replace it with the short lived and empty fun of the here and now. But let's not confuse the street light with the stars. We need heroes. Men and women willing to overcome great obstacle, fear, and hardship to protect and promote the good in life.

Tag thing.

I...John
I am: a Father/ Husband!
I think: my daughter is beautiful.
I know: 17 languages (15 of my own invention)!
I want: an arsenal of guns, ammo, root beer, and gold bars.
I wish: I had a new car or three.
I hate: brain-washed people.
I miss: Chilean street-food.
I fear: nothing.
I feel: when people poke me with sharp sticks.
I hear: voices in my head. Where else would I hear them, my elbow?
I smell: the aroma of amazingly unexplainable bliss.
I crave: medium-rare steak, mashed potatoes, root beer, peas, and garlic bread.
I search: for a good job.
I wonder: whether I should join or not.
I regret: not being a millionaire.
I love: my beautiful daughter and my HOT wife.
I care: about the destiny of my savings account.
I always: sleep with my eyes closed.
I am not: a religious extremist.
I believe: in human stupidity.
I dance: on the freeway when it snows at 3:00 in the morning.
I sing: to Katie and no one else.
I don’t always: pay attention to my own ramblings.
I write: with my hands.
I win: thumb wars.
I lose: sleep over a good night's rest..
I never: eat coconut if I can help it.
I listen: to the same CD in my car month after month.
I can usually be found: if you look hard enough.
I am scared: of nothing didn't you read the one about fear?
I need: gold bars, lots and lots of big heavy shiny gold bars.
I am happy about: My beautiful daughter and my HOT HOT HOT wife.
I have: too much me.
I tag: walls cause I grew up in West Valley.

The Return of the Slacker...

So it's been a while, quite a LONG while since I last posted. I must admit my excuses are varied, some better than others. My dear mother was in the hospital for almost the entire month of September. And I was distracted by The Facebook. I hope to keep posting on a more regular basis.

Happy Fathers Day John Boy!

John you are a great Dad, Katie loves you so much. I love to watch you play with her and see the big smiles she gives you when you get home from work. Thanks for all that you do for us girls, we know we are needy at times and you always make us happy!

Sorry. It took a while for me to get back to reality. I finally was able to take my Glock 22 out and shoot it. I love my gun! My brother-in-law Mitch had his Springfield XD Tactical 45, which I also shot quite a bit. The opportunity to compare the two was very nice and I am even more glad that I chose the Glock 40 caliber. Sorry Mitch. Now I just need to practice and perfect my aim.

My little girl is growing up! I can't believe she's already 6 months old but there it is... She's now sitting up on her own, blabbing all the time, and eating more solid food. She's such a sweet girl and is rarely upset. We love having her in our family and look forward to what's coming.

So some time ago I expressed my desire to purchase a Springfield XD pistol. What can I say, I changed my mind. After looking into the matter more and discussing it with a variety of gun owners I decided to purchase a Glock 22 (40 S&W). It's a great gun... to look at. I have yet to take it to a range but this coming weekend I'll have the chance to put some ammo through it. I'll post my thoughts afterwards.

My beautiful daughter is now 5 months old and keeps getting cuter every day. Britta and I love to play with her and see her progress. She can roll over easily and is getting quick with those little hands. She doesn't like to fall asleep at night so we end up taking a lot of walks in the dark. We put her in her carrier and wander the neighborhood until she's completely asleep. There can't be a better feeling than holding your own child safe in your arms. Next, I need to get a Middle-Earth related first word our of her. Something like Mithrandir or Glorfindel...

During the last few weeks I have been doing a little family history research. One of the interesting points was going to the Church History Library and reading my Great Great Great Grandfather's diary. George Deliverance Wilson was a member of the Mormon Battalion and a very spiritual person. There are many entries that describe the harsh conditions and great sacrifice he experienced. What impressed me most was that at the end of each of these entries he always ended with some variation on ' ...but God was my friend and I made it through.' Too bad they don't make 'em like they used to. For the most part.

Recently I started reading JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings (again). This has to be my favorite non-gospel related book. Ever. I enjoy this book on so many levels that reading it over and over again has become a habit of sorts. It's too bad that the majority of the stories written (for books or movies) are full of senseless fluff and lack anything of value or intelligence. What happened to writing stories that inspire the heart and open the mind? I guess it's literary re-runs for me.

Today is the day before Easter and we had a (Nolan) Family celebration. This is Katie being held by her cousin Becca. We had a full day of shopping, a walk on the Jordan River, and hanging out with family. The Little One seems to enjoy her cousins but is still to small to play with them or go Easter egg hunting. Mom grabbed her a few eggs but she mostly watched.

Here is Katie hanging out with Tia Aileen! She is about three and a half months old and loves to walk around (with help of course.) Today we were at my parents house celebrating Tio Bobby's birthday.

Every year around this time I get the itchin's to go camping. I feel tired of the city, of work, and of the dirty air. Last year we were able to enjoy some great hikes and overnight trips in the Uintah mountains. This year we hope to go even more and take our daughter Katie with us. My wife and I are excited to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful views with her. This picture is of Pittsburgh Lake, just below Devil's Castle.

A few thoughts...

Today I was able to take some information that George gave me about my genealogy and request records from the Church's History Department. It amazes me how easy it has become to research your family's past and connect it with History. I can only imagine what I will find when I can dedicate some serious time to family history and get good at it. For some reason I am just realizing how many different resources I have all around me, especially at work. On any given day I do work in the Family History Library, the Church History Archives, and pass through the Familysearch center at the JSMB. Time to take advantage.

Laban Morrill, my Great Great Great Grandfather and Mormon Pioneer.

Now, my brethren and sisters, the time has come for us to stand a little taller, to lift our eyes and stretch our minds to a greater comprehension and understanding of the grand millennial mission of this The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is a season to be strong. It is a time to move forward without hesitation, knowing well the meaning, the breadth, and the importance of our mission. It is a time to do what is right regardless of the consequences that might follow. It is a time to be found keeping the commandments. It is a season to reach out with kindness and love to those in distress and to those who are wandering in darkness and pain. It is a time to be considerate and good, decent and courteous toward one another in all of our relationships. In other words, to become more Christlike.

-Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

Other evils there are that may come... Yet it is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours to rule.

-Gandalf
The Return of the King

Welcome to my blog. I hope to be able to add some pictures and posts soon, as well as other entertaining material. For the time being your patience is greatly appreciated.