Day by day and hour by hour
we choose our paths, our fate
Joy awaits the faithful
their souls to liberate

Each step we take towards His love
each moment we endure
We’re given strength to lengthen strides
our destiny’s made sure

Within God’s word we find a power -
the truth our heats can see
And through His Son’s atonement
the gift of being free

(Written December 9, 2006 by R.M.)

But rather this fast is a media fast. In the course of the last several months I’ve found myself completely engrossed in the world of technology and although Kip had it just right when he sand to La-fawn-duh, “I love technology!” I feel that there are things the Lord cannot tell me because “my line is busy.”

Over the course of the next 40 days I am going to scale down my use of media, the internet, texting, twitter and all the other noise, noise, noise (Intentional reference to Dr. Suess)!

Because of my scale down it may seem to some of you that may not be as available as I was before. However, I am making it a point to accept phone calls. I do love my people and you mean a lot to me.

So, as far as what this all means. Here’s my standard:

• Music: Instrumental, Mo-tab & Jack Johnson ) He inspires me!
• Movies: None. Go see a play, play some sports, or some other fun thing. Exception: You can see ONE PG movie during this time. Make it a good one.
• TV: None. Replacement – write some guitar songs, poetry, read or do some family history instead.
• Internet Use:
  • At work – 3 hour daily max. Plan time well to accomplish.
  • At home – Only goal-oriented browsing. 30 45 min daily limit.
• Computer: For journaling, writing & planning only. No games, or other programs. 1 hour daily max.
• Facebook: for Walk the Talk & Clean Hands groups only – once a week on Sunday every other day for 30 minutes.
• Email: Check once a week for 30 minutes Check only once for 5 minutes every other day or if someone needs to get me something urgent. (This is down from several times each day, spending upwards of 30 minutes each day.)
• Texting & Twittering: Stop all Facebook, twitter and other social notifications. No replies via text. Talk on phone or in person if nearby.

Here are some other growth related activities that will replace some of the noise:

• Work Out: Run to and from work at least 3 times a week (prep for marathon), rock climb for an hour at least 3 times a week after work, yoga… ) that’s all I’m going to say ’bout that.
• Sleep: Bed at 10, up at 6. Exception: Friday night: 12 IF something is planned.
• Scriptures: I spend 1 hour in my scriptures daily and ponder their meaning in the context of my calling – Clean Hands Chair.
• Patriarchal Blessing: Read weekly
• Food: Eat breakfast and prepare a lunch for work.
• Work: Plan for 30 minutes at the beginning of each day. Take a walking/stretching break at least each hour.
• Planning: Nightly plan the next day. Weekly review previous week and plan next week’s main events from goals.
• Journaling: Nightly at 9:30.

This list isn’t comprehensive. I expect to receive guidance along the way during my study, planning and journaling time.

If you need something, call me: 3.6.1.5.0.0.2 – Otherwise, see you in 40!

King Arthur

PS: Oh yeah, and to kick off my 40 days I’m going to shave my head…kind of.

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.