​Gratitude is wanting what one has, rather than having what one wants.

The root of joy is gratefulness. Is it not joy that makes us grateful. It is gratitude that makes us joyful. 
Gratitude is not only the greatest of all virtues, it is the parent of all others.

I am looking for a video to go with this article, which I love. Spiritual Alchemy is a concept I am interested in further investigating. If you have a suggestion, I would love to hear it email me. Thank you!

Ministering is synonymous with friendship. 

Tragedy interrupts our lives. And we ask ourselves if everything will ever return to normal again. Can something be beautiful in the midst of hardship? Good question. I don't know the answer, but I expect that it can if we turn to Someone who knows. How so? This video says it better than I can. Show up, stand up and speak up, then we have faith and endure to the end.

You can either become bitter, or you can become better through God.

 ​Col. Charles E. McGee has credited all his achievements to a simple formula. (Read more here)

“I’d like to pass on what I call my four ‘P’s’ — perceive, prepare, perform, persevere — dream your dreams but get the good education to accomplish the desires and needs of the country,” he said. “Always seek excellence and always do your best in things that you do. Finally, don’t let the negative circumstances be an excuse for not achieving.”

"When performance is measured, performance improves.  When performance is measured and reported back, the rate of improvement accelerates."   Thomas S. Monson

I can no more compose the actual sentiments one feels living the fulfillment of a dream in the wild outskirts of a very special place in the country than reproduce the experience of life. On occasion, however time is presented in such a way that reality cannot be improved. That for me was the once in a lifetime opportunity of growing up as a 13-year-old boy in Castle Valley.

Russell M Nelson reminds me so much of my father. I will always be grateful for this tender mercy. That too brings me joy. The more I learn about him, the more I love him. Every day of my life I thank my Father for this in the name of Jesus Christ.

​This should be the happiest day of the year, commemorating the most significant victory of heaven or earth and all time.

​If there is one thing I have come to realize in this crazy thing we call mortality is that life is what you make of it--specifically not what you have been given or even achieved. Life is the culmination of what you do with the things you have.

We don't have to prove to God that we should inherit heaven. He knows what our choices will be. We are preparing now so that we can enjoy living in the Kingdom of God when it is handed to us.

​Make every day paradise.