A few things...

I’ve been accused of wearing my heart on my sleeve, whatever that means

I’ve expected people to change and been disappointed when they have not

I’ve lived out of the back of a VW and loved doing it

I’ve faced by biggest fears and won

I’ve watched a friend get married then had him stay at my house to him during his divorce

I’ve been homesick for rain

I’ve hunted for seashells only to forget them when I leave

I’ve missed my life-long friend’s wedding

I have close friends in NY, TN, NC, MD, GA, TX, CO, UT, WA, CA, NV, MT, HI, Norway, Korea, Japan, New Zealand

I’ve learned that life is better with the right companion

I’ve stared at a piece of art and said, “You’ve gotta be kidding me, that’s horrible”

I’ve stared at a piece of art and bartered until the artist reluctantly sold it.

I’ve learned that people are sometimes very selfish, do not take it personally, it is their problem

I’ve learned that it is harder to let go than to say hello

I’ve used a rifle to shoot a golf ball at 250 yards, and hit the center of the ball

I’ve regretted not talking to someone and not introducing myself

I’ve learned that life is a journey and to expect ups and downs

I’ve driven a car until the engine fell out, physically broke loose and fell out

I’ve learned that cats are more territorial than dogs

I’ve never wrecked a car

I’ve thanked a WWII Veteran

I’ve paid $35 for a salon haircut and $9 for a better one

I’ve eaten at a fancy restaurant and stopped by Taco Bell on my way home

I’ve been humbled on the USS Arizona Memorial

I’ve made positive changes every time I have the opportunity

I’ve thrown away my cell phone, it is just an expense

I’ve been a juror and argued for the innocent

I’ve walked out on a movie

I’ve completely worn out more than 1 pair of shoes

I’ve handed my heart to someone only to have it neglected

I’ve cheated on a test

I’ve built a tree-fort and slept in it

I’ve quit a great job, because of moral standards

I’ve saved money for my children’s college

I’ve pondered the reason for pain

I’ve broken both arms at the same time and then drove home

I’ve climbed a mountain and backed off other mountains because of bad weather

I’ve done a belly-flop into a pool and acted like it didn’t hurt

I’ve taken 11 airplane flights in 1 week

I’ve swam with a shark, by coincidence, not design or desire

I’ve been completely broke

I’ve held back tears in a feeble attempt to be macho

I’ve been humbled

I’ve spent Memorial Day at Pearl Harbor

I’ve accidentally stabbed myself

I’ve been a counselor at Scout Camp

I’ve held a newbord kitten (just a few hours old) and helped nurture it for months

I’ve been publicly applauded

I’ve slept in a snow cave

I’ve been cheated on

I’ve surprised my wife with airline tickets to Kauai

I’ve lost money in Las Vegas

I’ve read books but forgot what I read

I’ve hurt people, not by intent

I’ve been to a college football game with my dad and will never forget it

I’ve prayed for forgiveness and for answers and begged for understanding

I’ve slept outside in -4 degree F weather

I’ve had my heart broken

I’ve returned a borrowed vehicle with a full tank

I’ve taught myself to sew

I’ve fed homeless animals and adopted three

I’ve locked myself out of my house

I’ve eaten fresh milk, just a few hours out of the cow

I’ve let my guard down

I’ve climbed a frozen waterfall

I’ve Onsight-Flashed a 5.12d at Smith Rock

I’ve organized community cleanups and pulled out 52 tons of garbage in a day

I’ve walked from Wall Street to Central Park, at night, more than once

I’ve sat in Los Angeles rush-hour traffic

I visited the World Trade Center, before 9/11/01

I saw my Dad cry on 9/11/01

I’ve tried not to shed a tear of pride during Navy or Air Force fly-overs at parades or special evens

I’ve been to the gates at Graceland but didn’t go in

I’ve been to the Hoover Dam and taken that dam tour

I’ve been harassed at US Customs

I’ve driven a float in a parade

I’ve built something and sold it

I’ve seen the Southern Cross

I’ve been a mentor and have role models I respect

I’ve unplugged the phone because I wanted peace

I’ve thought about my life during a rough airplane flight

I’ve sat in the rain, ran in the rain, walked in the rain

I’ve made a modification to my gutters so I can hear the rain better

I’ve learned from my mistakes and been given confirmation of changes

I’ve realized, “buy the best tires you can afford, they are the ONLY thing that touches the road”

I’ve been photographed and filmed for a Hollywood movie

I’ve prayed while driving

I’ve put out food for the raccoons and attracted every stray within 3 miles and go through 75lbs of food a month

I’ve made it a point to understand the things that are important to those closest to me

I’ve slept through my alarm, more than once

I purchased my house at age 26

I’ve been called a handyman, although I don’t consider myself one

I’ve seen original ideas of mine on a store shelf, a few years later

I’ve learned that people do not change, they evolve. You must accept them for who they are today

I’ve lost more money in the stock market than I’ll ever admit to

I’ve come in last place in a race

I’ve paid too much attention to myself and missed out on understanding the person most important to me

I’ve built a barn, for someone else

I’ve learned that silence is deadly, communication is critical, communicate more, communicate often

I’ve seen honesty backfire, but it is still the best policy

I’ve been jammed into a mass-transit train and had the doors close, only to smash me further

I’ve walked a mile to shovel snow for someone who was in need

I’ve received a GPA of 4.25 in a semester of college

I’ve failed a college class

I’ve stayed in bed all day with a cold

I’ve been scared of Bigfoot

I’ve walked home

I’ve cut myself with a power tool, hit myself with an axe, smashed my thumb with a hammer and fallen off a ladder

I’ve admitted when I am wrong and admit when I don’t know the answer

I’ve given a homeless stranger a $20 bill

I’ve started a project and never finished it

I’ve wasted time

I’ve been a passenger in a car, a car without a floor

I’ve wondered about who I really am

I’ve stopped buying on credit, completely

I’ve worked all night and given someone else the credit for it

I’ve come to the rescue of a friend at 3:00am, in the mountains, 45+ miles away

I’ve spoken without preparing

I’ve sat outside, through a tropical storm, in the South Pacific, while writing in a journal

I’ve painted a friend’s house for a pizza

I’ve known some friends since the age of three, some from the age of five, some from eight, all are still close

I’ve written software that records the things people do on their computer

I’ve given a job to someone less qualified but more deserving

I’ve fired someone

I’ve been in a strange city with no place to stay

I’ve driven the wrong way down a 1-way street and acted like I knew what I was doing

I’ve read the Book of Mormon

I’ve paid cash (in full) for a new car, a decent one, because I saved up for it

I’ve been on extended consulting projects in WA, CA, AZ, FL, NY, TN, IL, ID, CO, TX, GA, NV

I’ve argued with my father and ended it in a hug

I’ve taught myself carpentry and electrical skills

I’ve stopped and helped a stranded motorist

I’ve changed my own oil and rotated my own tires, every 2500 miles

I’ve tried to be romantic, only to look at my wife and laugh together

I’ve missed opportunities only to regret them later

I’ve been on a horse, at full speed

I’ve played air-guitar at home, alone (drums too)

I’ve studied things that amaze and confuse me

I’ve sat and watched an animal sleep

I’ve been stranded in an airport, taken hundreds of flights, yet never lost my luggage

I’ve given more than I have received

I’ve seen things that you cannot “un-see” or forget, yet wish I could

I’ve surprised someone by showing up, unexpectedly

I’ve sang in a choir and played an instrument in band

I’ve yelled at someone speeding down my street

I’ve been mesmerized by someone walking into a room

I’ve stood up for myself and remedied my own mistakes

I’ve been a best man, more than once, more than twice

I’ve watched a boulder fall toward me, with no-where to hide, contemplating my demise

I’ve been in makeup and a wig, on a stage at BYU

I’ve had my car stolen

I’ve watched my favorite movie twice in one day

I’ve spent all night guarding a friend’s possessions

I’ve danced on a bar, while in a bar, in Mexico

I've been a deer in headlights upon the desired, exciting and expected news of becoming a father

I’ve gone on the "Big Ride" at the amusement park and ran to get back in line

I’ve become more like my parents every day, a good thing

I’ve watched a dear friend die of breast cancer

I’ve listened to Grandma and Grandpa and see their influence in me everyday

I’ve gained a testimony from my own experiences and learn more every day

I’ve married the most amazing woman in the world

...and much more

A Call and Challenge

I have made a personal challenge to do things that add to to the greater good of society. Years ago, I made a personal challenge to get one person to say "thank you" each day. To make my challenge more meaningful, I said that I cannot know the people who say thanks. Simple things, like holding a door, allowing someone to cut infront of me in traffic or anything that is kind or courteous. Take the challenge yourself, you'll be surprised how you will feel.