The Runners High
December 18th, 2008 | Posted by 
kingarthur | Category: Attention & Focus, Gratitude, Runner's High, Words | Tags: energy, patience | 1 Comment
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briskly and swift travels the aging man
ascending the mount to see God’s beacon shine
focused on words that illuminate his soul
grateful for the quickening of mercies divine
Tonight I ran for the second time this week and the second time in perhaps 6 months or more. After the St. George in 2005 I haven’t trained much. I did run the Wasatch Back Relay, but I pretty much ran that straight up without forethought…and my legs sure thanked me for it!
Today I had been having a brain cloud, as I’ve come to recognize as a fairly common part of Ryan’s existence. I almost didn’t run today because I’ve been feeling “almost sick” lately. Ya know that feeling of fatigue, muscle soreness, hot/cold “make up your mind” stuff? Well, I’ve been having that but guess what? Here’s what I experienced upon returning from a 15 minute run, 5 minute walk, then repeat session:
- My mind felt clear and focused
- I had more energy
- I noticed patience came easier
- Gratitude filled my being
- (From the textbook) Overall sense of well being
I enjoy noticing the effects of my actions more these days. I haven’t always done that and it’s quite interesting and refreshing.
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Change Your Brain, Change Your Life
December 14th, 2008 | Posted by kingarthur | Category: Dreams, Reports, Runner's High, State of the Art, ioV | Tags: bowling, brain, spect | 2 Comments
Over the past week I’ve felt a renewal of my dream to study the brain. This new energy came as I watched Daniel G Amen on a KUED special talk about his clinics and all the SPECT scans they’ve done and how they’ve started to use it as a diagnostic tool, something it sounds like many have avoided.
Ever since my physiological psych class with Dr. Yells several years ago I’ve had a strong interest in the brain, its hard wiring and its relationship to behavior, memory and learning.
Along the way I’ve also had a desire to be involved in the technology that would eventually revolutionize again the way we diagnose patients and help them in their journey towards happy existences.
A couple months ago I pulled out the drawings and drafts I had been making over the past several years about my ideas on what I’ve since come to classify as personal medical sensors and monitoring. The simple thought came to me, “I wonder if anyone’s ever thought about these things before.” So I jumped online and started the search. It didn’t take long to find solutions that others had come up with. BRILLIANT!
As I’ve started to learn about the brain again I’ve felt alive again, like I have purpose I guess.
This is not the only thing that’s contributed to the feelings I’ve been having, but learning IS a powerful motivator for me. In fact, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life actually talks about the need for life-long learning to keep your brain healthy. I’m feeling it.
In other news, last week I started doing sales for our company, ioVentures. Invigorating. I realized that I absolutely love meeting new people, sharing what I know about a topic and learning what they’re involved with.
Tonight we had our ioV company party. I was the only one not married, but no worries. I took Shimpie. We had a great time bowling. I got a personal best (156) along with Jason and Larissa. Fun stuff.
Today I found out that I was picked in the lotto to run in the Moab Half Marathon in March… :o) Running, it’s become foreign to me. Let’s get back on that horse!
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Simplicity
November 11th, 2008 | Posted by kingarthur | Category: Gratitude, Self Discovery, Walk The Talk, Words, hope | Tags: frugaility, simplicity, thoreau | No Comments
Storms & struggles
Sadness & strife
These are but gifts
Blessings of life
We ride the cycles of happiness and sorrow. With every rotation we learn more of what it is to be human, to have strains, to have challenges, to have difficulties. To recognize that these down times are but part of the whole allows us to let hope into our hearts and understand, as my grandmother used to say, “this too shall pass.”
At times we run faster than we’re able. We fill our lives, and rightly so, with good activities. But there comes a point when the busyness of life robs from us the precious gift of reflection. In quiet moments we can look back on our behavior, let the solemnity of special moments sink in and we can assess our thinking on important topics. Simplifying our lives can provide us with many such opportunities. In these sacred times we can come to accept & love ourselves as well as see life more clearly.
Shelter, food, clothes and heat. These are the few basic things that Henry David Thoreau determined were necessaries for man while he lived a simplified life on Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Walden Pond. I am thankful for my meager apartment and cramped room. I am grateful that I have clothes to wear, including my cowboy boots. I am pleased that my house is warm when the weather outside has other plans. I am grateful for my 5 pound bag of pretzels and chocolate milk that sustain somehow my life.
Breaking from philosophy and entering practicality: In considering a shelter Dave Ramsey counsels to spend no more than 25% of your monthly take home pay on your monthly home payments. Also, providing at least 20% in down payment on a 15 year loan will allow you the most flexibility if you need to immediately sale the home.
Thrift, industry, economy and frugality are traits that I seek. At present time I think I’m running about 50/50 on most of them. Hopefully my kids someday will be able to learn these from their bearded father.
Finally, I’m grateful for my agency. I needn’t choose simplicity because that’s what I was advised to do. Rather, I choose simplicity because I can conceive of its benefits in a busy and rushed world.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thoughts taken from Let Him Do It with Simplicity, a talk by Elder L. Tom Perry in the October 2008 LDS General Conference.
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Obatman & Rahmbin
November 6th, 2008 | Posted by kingarthur | Category: Government | Tags: obama, rahm emanuel | No Comments
Rahm Emanuel accepts Obama’s offer to serve as his White House chief of staff, a position that the Chicago Tribune says “is … one of the highest-profile in any administration, routinely putting the person behind the podium on television screens worldwide.”
A quick snapshot of Emanuel’s history:
- ‘93 Served as a top White House adviser under President Clinton until 1998
- ‘98 Returned to Chicago to work for the investment bank Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein
- ‘02 Elected to Congress from Illinois’ 5th Congressional District
- ‘06 Led Democrats to victory that restored party control of the House after 12 years
A couple thoughts about Rahm from NPR and and AP story:
- Old friend of Obama’s from Illinois
- Known as a pitbull that could balance out Obama more gentle nature
- Was aspiring to become speaker of the house
I have never heard of Rahm until the other day. I don’t know anything about him, but as he will be Obama’s right hand man, seems pretty important to start learning about him and keeping my eyes open to what he’s doing.
Here’s a couple places I’ll be looking to learn more about Rahm Emanuel:
- Congressman Rahm’s House homepage: Watch videos of Rahm on the House Floor.
- Congressman Rahm’s Bio: Not a lot, but helpful. He’s a former businessman and Jewish. I had wondered where his name was from.
- Rahm & Israel: Jeff Goldberg shares his thoughts.
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Obama’s Nation
November 5th, 2008 | Posted by kingarthur | Category: Government | Tags: brown, bush, mccain, obama | No Comments
A new day dawns in America. It’s a day of sorrow for some. For others it’s a day of triumph. For all, it’s a day of moving forward and healing a broken nation.
- Barack Obama: A speech that will for sure go down in history. Tears flowed for many. Change seems like it’s on the horizon. So many believe in the words of the U.S.’s new president elect, Obama.
- John McCain: A humble McCain concedes defeat. I’m glad I can remember him like this and not with the negativity he exibited during the election.
- President George W. Bush: Unity encouraged.
- Britian’s Prime Minister Brown:
Hope & Change: The man has that has captured the hearts of many of America’s next generation. He seems to represent an emerging new world ideology. He’s got soul. I just can’t imagine a video like this being created by created for George Bush. Some call it a personality cult.
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To a Dear Friend
October 2nd, 2008 | Posted by kingarthur | Category: Gratitude, Words3 Comments
In all my days I’ve sought my best
And on that journey you bettered me
When I walked off course and to the left
You straightened my path with love
When you laughed, I couldn’t help but smile
And that compassion made my burdens light
At times to listen is all one needs
You did so and I felt understood
I wasn’t always true to you
But as time passes I learn devotion
In all ways and in deep sincerity
I hope one day to embrace you again
Thank you for your loving support
It’s just that simple to heal a soul
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So Easy to Forget
August 29th, 2008 | Posted by kingarthur | Category: Attention & Focus, Gratitude, Making a Difference, The World | Tags: charity, water | 1 Comment
Today I was banging my head against the wall trying to figure out how to get a buzz out of the audio of a video I was making to show a group of friends how to help our company achieve one of my outrageous goals. In turn we’re letting them take part in the passive income it will generate.
Well, in a moment of frustration and ADD I was surfing around my cluttered Facebook account. When you check your account 20 times a day it’s exciting to see the little red notification light at the bottom…I pounced. And for once, what I saw wasn’t clutter. It was a link from a friend to a little video, the one you’ll see below and it changed my frame of mind. Whereas I was just barely experiencing frustration, I felt hope. Whereas I felt anger, I felt love. Whereas I had lost focus, I once again regained it.
Along this road of life I’ve learned that action helps to solidify belief. So, I’m going to take our first $3,300 from our Sprouts project and donate it to Charity: Water, where 100% of the donations will be used to build clear water wells in Ethiopia. Please join me in some way to bring an ease that we so often take for granted to some of our brothers and sisters the world over!
The September Campaign Trailer from charity: water on Vimeo.
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The Apple Pie Challenge
July 20th, 2008 | Posted by kingarthur | Category: Reports, Study Strategies, Walk The Talk | Tags: apple pie | 3 Comments
The History
So I was up last Sunday and my friend Arden popped online and we started chatting. We both recalled how great it had been to be really involved in the scriptures on a daily basis. So, without much hesitation we both agreed to a challenge of sorts that would help us in our daily reading.
The next morning I woke up and began to read my Book of Mormon and felt that I had some other friends that also could benefit from stepping it up a little in the Word of God department. So, over the next hour or so I texted many of my friends to invite them to to join me in what I called the Apple Pie Challenge.
Now some didn’t quite understand what the whole thing had to do with apple pie, and to them I apologize. Here’s what that’s all about:
I had a friend recently start reading the Book of Mormon again after a time of famine. He ate it up and said it was like home made apple pie. The Lord told us to “feast upon the word” so I thought that was a rather appropriate metaphor.
The Challenge
The Apple Pie Challenge then was to feast 30 minutes each day on the Book of Mormon for a week’s time. I asked all who accepted the challenge to report to me via text message when the day’s readings were complete and I would do the same for them. This daily reporting I learned served two purposes: 1) It was a reminder of the committment I had made and 2) It was a way to be accountable for it. I also invited those who joined to invite at least one other to join in with them.
Some Group Results
By week’s end 38 friends had joined in the challenge to step up. Reports came in throughout the week of simple, yet powerful and personal experiences. Several friends expressed a clarity that became available in the midst of their trials as they spent just a short time with their Father in Heaven daily. Many also expressed that when began it was boring or hard to get into, but as they continued in faith a change happened and they started to hunger for the word.
My Personal Blessings
While each of our experiences were very personal and sacred to us individually, I feel that I can share at least 3 benefits I received this week from studying the Book of Mormon on a consistent basis:
- I was given strength to face feelings of anxiety and frustration.
- I was able to see my situations more clearly and my tendency to be easily distracted was lessened.
- I felt more motivated to choose the right in the midst of the temptations I face daily.
This coming week I realize that I cannot take for granted these blessings. They are too important to me to proudly claim that I am the source of their origination. I will feast again as before, but I will also add a prayer to the routine both before and after I read.
My Invitation to You
I invite all to join me! If you’re in, just text me, “I’m in!” (361-5002) and I’ll report to you daily when I finish and expect you to do the same. We will be having a real life apple pie party in the next couple weeks to celebrate those who take the challenge and step up.
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I’ve Been Sky Diving…
June 10th, 2008 | Posted by kingarthur | Category: Goals, Reports, Utterz | Tags: extreme sports, skydiving | 4 Comments
It could have come to mind at any time in my life I guess, but turning 30 just seemed like the right time to make it real.
I had been telling people about my plans for perhaps six months at this point and had several express interest in going with me. So when I finally put out the invitation and the date spots filled up quickly.
When I announced that I was actually going I had many people say, “I hope you don’t die!” or something to that affect. However, I think it’s rather interesting that I never hear that when I tell them I’m heading off to work, in my car, on the road, with other drivers. I mean, we saw two accidents on the freeway on our way up to Ogden that morning. Anyhow, I’d really like to see some stats that show skydiving is inherently more dangerous than driving.
When we arrived we took a very small lesson, perhaps 5 minutes, I thought it’d be much longer than that. Then we split up into four dive teams and the first team tossed on some colorful jumpsuits and strapped on their harnesses.
The first team went up, but due to unsafe weather conditions came down and we weren’t sure if we’d be jumping that day. We waited, played some cards and after about an hour all the rain and foreboding clouds removed themselves from the sky. I think perhaps it was due to Pam’s extreme excitement and countless prayers offered up in our party’s behalf. She wasn’t going to leave without having jumped!
There were several very nervous people jumping with us that day and they all had a great time! I was strangely calm considering we were going to be falling from 13k feet above the ground. In all honesty I did get a little scared. It happened when we were up high and my tandem buddy started tightening the straps, the video jumpers started putting on their helmets and I started to get pushed closer to the open door of the plane.
Once I jumped however, after a split second of adjusting to the fall, I just felt like I was floating, like I was just leaning against a large gust of wind. And perhaps thanks to some showing off for the camera I had lost the fear that just moments before was giving me the shakes.
We free fell for about a minute and then Sugi pulled the ripcord. I did wonder what would happen if my tandem buddy would have been unable to pull it for whatever reason. Once the chute was pulled we did some turns and that’s when I felt the roller-coaster sensation in my stomach. Pretty fun.
All in all, had a blast. Compared to rock climbing my first time though…didn’t hold a candle, though it was good for a little bit of variety. If you’re looking for thrills, perhaps you should go to a theme park. However, if you’re looking to conquer your fear of heights, skydiving is a good option for you. It happened very quickly, but nevertheless a fun experience. It was kind of like the Indiana Jones ride at Disney Land, very good, but altogether over too quickly.
Dangerous? Yeah, probably. Worth it? Most likely. I’d suggest it to anyone who’s thought of doing it but has been scared. Get a group of good friends and do it.
Here’s some audios & pics of me and the group before and after the jump:
I had a neat experience that day as we were driving home and some soft classical music played on the radio. I felt a peace that I can only say I’ve felt most often in the temple. I was going to say something to those in the car, but for some reason I felt alright just enjoying it. It was a beautiful contrast from the feeling of just having accomplished a life goal.
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Testimony
May 22nd, 2008 | Posted by kingarthur | Category: Family, Walk The Talk | Tags: testimony | 2 Comments
Testimony is a declaration of the things you have come to know through he who testifies of all truth, the Holy Ghost.
Doctrines studied and practiced with the hope that they are indeed God’s word allows us the gift of the Spirit, who testifies to us, strengthening our testimony. This process is known as faith: Hope that some thing’s real, act upon what you know, receive a witness that the thing you hoped for is true.
I know this to be true. By simply following the doctrine, we’ll know it through the spiritual, deep rooted proof that only the Holy Ghost can provide.
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