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:

• Pre Jump Audio Seg with My Jump Team
• Post Jump Review with those in car
• Pictures on Facebook

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.

I am realizing too just how important ongoing planning and review of my life is if I’m to come to any sort of control over where I want it to go. I’m sure that I’m not the only one that gets distracted by this and that. Our modern world provides for us so many ways to go and so many options of just about everything. There was a study done that suggested fewer options presented to shoppers would actually increase sales. The implication here is that too many choices can inhibit action.

I think there’s something there that can help us understand life better. This morning when I woke up, as is common for me recently, I was in a bit of a daze. I wasn’t sure what to do. I think a word that describes it best is aimless. So quite habitually I arose and began to do the first thing that came to my mind and then the phrase “first things first” popped into my mind. Immediately a list of my goals and priorities filled my mind and I again had direction.

I also had an accompanying glimpse into my future this morning. I was the same as I was now. Still had the same problems. Still had the same patterns and thoughts. Combining with the clarity of my hopes, desires and goals this little picture prompted the question, “When are you going to change?”

I could not hide from the answer that seemed to stand outside of myself with confidence and authority. The answer was, “the only time you have is now.” I couldn’t deny that if I wanted to. The reality of that moment was inescapable: Now is the time to DO. If I dispise the future I saw, then it’s time, even now, to change it!

I thank my Father in Heaven. I’m so spacey at times. I feel His loving hand reach me at times that I am stubborn and foolish. My thanks to him is my action. I pray it’s holy and sacred and lets him see my desire to serve him.

Many of us place ourselves in circumstances far more consequential than embarrassment because of our procrastination to become fully converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ . We know what is right, but we delay full spiritual involvement because of laziness, fear, rationalization, or lack of faith. We convince ourselves that “someday I’m going to do it.” However, for many “someday” never comes, and even for others who eventually do make a change, there is an irretrievable loss of progress and surely regression.

Now is the time to exercise our faith . Now is the time to commit to righteousness. Now is the time to do whatever is required to resolve our undesired circumstances. Now is the time to reconcile with God through the merciful process of change afforded us by the Redeemer of mankind.

(http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-775-18,00.html )

I recall the Credence Clearwater Revival song entitled Someday Never Comes. I remember hearing it and not thinking much about it at the time. Later on in my life I’ve recalled the message of that song several times. The point, the things we put off will never be achieved.

The gospel is important to me and I’ve often put off full conversion. Morning communion with my Father in Heaven is one thing that has seen me through many a hard time. He’s always there when I hurt, even if he seems so far away. I know he’s there.

During the first week of 2008 I spent some quality time with a business partner. For some reason we decided to make a new tradition that I definitely didn’t have as part of my life during 2007. We decided on our first day back to work after the new year that we’d spend 30 minutes each morning in silence. During the quiet we would let all thoughts of necessities settle to the ground, organize them into a written list and then prioritize them with the the help of the question, “If I only achieved one thing today, what would be the most important?”

After several days of planning like that my partner began planning in the evening before so that the next day he could awake and get straight to his list, approaching his goals that much sooner in the day. A wise choice, as morning accomplishments seem to raise morale and boost self-confidence.

My experience with purposeful and daily morning planning has helped me to feel the excitement in my work that I crave. It has contributed to much more focused days and to keeping my mind on the task at hand. I have left work each day feeling accomplished which has meant a lot to me as I often will stay up late when I don’t feel accomplished during the day. This breeds poor sleep habits and I am often tempted to rationalize poor decisions the next day and sidestep responsibility, blaming errors on the lack of sleep.

In all, this simple principle of daily planning has helped me to feel as if I’m moving towards my goals. And since I’m an idea guy, I’ve valued dearly this little strategy that is helping me to see my dreams come to life a little each day.

“The sanctity of life can only be experienced in the act of creation of it.”

This is the venue that I’ll use to Define Ryan. This is where I’ll crystallize my destiny.

Although this was my third time to hike this beautiful natural beauty, by the time I finished the hike at 12:00 pm the following afternoon it sure felt like the first time that I’d EVER been hiking.

Each of my three ascents to the top of Mt. Timp have started at night. The latter two started began from the Timpooneke Campground. Beginning here as opposed to the Aspen Grove trail head means a smaller elevation hike, but a longer distance hike.

After arriving at the trail head and making sure that we all had headlamps we began our journey. Turns out that if you want to hike a mountain and have everyone stay together you can’t put the fastest people up front. After 20 or 30 minutes we had split into two groups and about an hour later that 2 turned into 3 as I took the caboose with two other hikers, one of which had sprained her ankle about 10 minutes into the hike…courageous soul.

The night remained warm and there was no need for my sweater. We walked the entire night and reached the saddle just as the sun rose. We never stayed still long enough for the cold to catch us. Once up top and after resting a bit, two friends and I ascended to the summit. It was a first for all of us. THAT’S where it began to be cold. Now on the front side of the mountain (west side), we felt strong colder winds. While the skies were blue, they were preparing to gather the gray clouds that would eventually drop their rain moments after we reached the bottom of our hike.

I had a great time filled with detective footprint tracking and great friends. I’d do it again. Pretty much the coolest thing ever!

As the week progressed I felt positive in my new decision. I emailed UVSC’s student & career counselors and set up an appointment with the premed counselor for the upcoming Monday. By week’s end I felt the stark reality rest upon me once more that this journey would not be what it could be without my focus being firmly set on doing the will of my Father, on keeping Him first and foremost in my life. I again recommitted to reading from the good word of God. Turns out that I’m teaching the Old Testament in church, a nerve racking, but rewarding call.

Since that decision I’ve begun to pull my resources. I’m considering how much money I’ll need to attend school, where I’ll be employed, and if I’m going to keep my businesses and business interests. I’ve purchased some CDs about the MCAT, a book on med schools and had an offer from a friend to get the Kaplan books to prep for the MCAT.

This is my update.

This year I’ve learned a lot and have come to some pretty strong conclusions about my faith. I know that I can never assume for a moment that I am strong enough without my Savior on my side. I have lots of goals this year and I don’t want to accomplish any of them without the Lord close by. I thank my Heavenly Father for his blessings in my life and embark on another leg of my journey towards perfection through his grace.