Accepting Viewpoints

So I know I've been talking a lot about accepting political opinions and such recently... BUT I feel it's very very very important at this time. I promise I'll try to keep this to a minimum in the future.

The Church of Jesus Christ came out with an Article via it's Newsroom responding to the recent passing of proposition 8 in California. Specifically it was titled "Church Responds to Same-Sex Marriage Votes"

The statement that really stuck out to me and to the friend who sent the link to me was...

Before it accepted the invitation to join broad-based coalitions for the amendments, the Church knew that some of its members would choose not to support its position. Voting choices by Latter-day Saints, like all other people, are influenced by their own unique experiences and circumstances. As we move forward from the election, Church members need to be understanding and accepting of each other and work together for a better society.

I have had debates on this very issue and other issues with fellow church members, while I don't always feel that they are looking down on me for my opinions, I do feel that way some of the time.

I actually had someone tell me I was jepordizing my membership in the church because of feeling a certain way on a recent issue. Which I know isn't true... a wise friend once said to me, "once it is a requirement to tell a bishop how I voted, in an election, to enter the temple the church is no longer true."

I feel that we all need to be more accepting of each other. Whether it is inside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or outside of it. It is one thing we can do to make this world a better place.

Mixed CDs/Tapes/Playlists

Ok so I have a confession....

I've always dreamed of getting a mixed CD/tape/playlist from a special someone. Meaning someone I was dating or someone I was interested in. I know that sounds a little cheesy, but I think if you knew how big of a hopeless romantic I am you would understand.

I have not gotten a mixed CD/tape/playlist to this day. After seeing Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist this dream really hit hard. I remember thinking in all of my relationships... "that would be awesome if he would just put all of these songs that he tells me about on a CD for me."

Now I realized that some guys might think, "oh that's lame." Or some guys might think it makes you less masculine. I guess depending on the girl you give it to that could be the case, but I am not one of THOSE girls! I would love it and like you that much more!

At any rate... Mixed CDs/Tapes/Playlists are great and I only hope one day I could be so lucky that someone will find me worthy of one!

Thoughts for Friends

So I have a problem. Well most people wouldn't say it's a problem, I think most people wish to have something close to my "problem."

So here it is... When I see my friends going through tough times, or when I see them sad I can't help but feel their sadness. I can't help but to want to do everything in my power to just make it all better.

Today has been one of those days that I just wanted to make everything better. It seemed that al around me something was going wrong in one of my friend's lives. I felt completely helpless. Which is not a common feeling for me.

After feeling this way all day I'm here in front of the computer still feeling helpless. Usually I can do something or say something and it helps. I mean if I do something funny and my friend laughs or smiles that makes me feel that maybe, just maybe, I did something that helped them.

Today I didn't get that satisfaction or rather relief. It something that now I know doesn't help only the person that is struggling, but it helps me.

Basically I think I am writing this for all of my friends who are going through a tough time in life. I am constantly thinking about all of you!! I know there might not be a lot I can do or say to make anything better, but believe me I constantly pray for all of you and I am mindful of you. And if there is anything at all I can do let me know and I will do it in a heart beat! Whether it be just listening or the most outrageous thing you can think of... I mean it anything!

I love you all and hope for nothing but joy and happiness for everyone!

Leading by Example (IE politics)

Over the past little while, well since the election on November 4th, there has been a lot of hate generated over Proposition 8. And I know... no need to tell me I am constantly saying I don't want to hear anything more from either side on the issue. But today I read something that really hurt my feelings and just felt that I needed to write something.

At any rate...

A lot of people have been "blaming" The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (A.K.A. LDS or Mormon) for the passing of proposition 8. Which in and of itself does not bother me. I do believe the church used its influence to try to influence their congregations one way, but I don't believe the church is solely responsible for the passing of Proposition 8 (I mean not 52% of California's population is LDS, but that's a different conversation all together).

Now people are calling all LDS members bigots saying we should be ashamed in what we believe, be ashamed that we belong to a church that could support something like proposition 8.

I in fact am not ashamed to say I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. But I don't enjoy being called a bigot just because of my religion. I want to make it VERY clear I'm not saying I voted for or against prop 8. I'm just trying to make a point.

If I was trying to get someone to see my point the last thing I would want to do is call them a bigot. If we belittling a person's way of thinking he/she will immediately turn us off and not listen. The saying, "kill them with love," I think, applies here. If people were rioting in the street for no on prop 8 and then came and saw a person who voted yes on prop 8 and was nice to that person. The person who voted yes on prop 8 probably wouldn't be so defensive and may actually listen to what you have to say.

Again I want to make it VERY VERY clear that I'm not disclosing in any way, shape, or form that I voted for or against prop 8. I'm just tired of the hate coming from BOTH sides. There is no need for name calling and no need to say any group should be ashamed of themselves.

I consider myself to be a very open minded and accepting person. I mean I have VERY CLOSE friends from EVERY walk of life. I love them all and support them in whatever they do and give them whatever help they need. I don't think that would qualify my as a bigot, or a hater, or a person who interferes with the rights of another person.

I'm Mormon, I'm not a bigot, I don't hate, and I don't discriminate.

Please don't hate or discriminate me because I choose to exercise my constitutional right to practice the religion that is best fitting for me.

5 Minute Attention Span

I was browsing a Swing dancing forum just a few minutes ago. On the forum there was a thread about politics. I thought "hmmm. This should be interesting."

I open the thread. Automatically I'm turned off! The posts were all SOOO stinking long! I barely skimmed over one or two posts then I called it quits!

At that moment in time I thought about what my speech teacher keeps shoving down our throats. The average American adult only has an attention span of 5 minutes.

That thought led to another thought (as my thoughts usually do).

If the average American adult only has an attention span of 5 minutes maybe that's why different political parties don't get along... we can't listen to each other long enough to understand where the other person is coming from.

We can even bring that out into a wider picture. Maybe that why people in general don't get along. We can't listen to each other for more than 5 minutes!

Just some food for thought... at 12 am.


On a side note, I've decided I'm crazy or otherwise just a kooky person at times.

Learned a new word!

pos·i·tiv·ism (pz-t-vzm)

... 2. The state or quality of being positive

I found that very interesting... I had never heard of that word before I was revamping my about me section last night! Yay for learning new things!

Dance Events! The Love and the Hate!

This is a love hate relationship I have going on with lindy exchanges and other events!

I love them because they are amazing and there are SOO many. I love dance events because no matter what I always learn something new! I love dance events because they are SO fun and a good excuse to go see the world! I love these events because I make new friends and see new places!

I hate them because I can't go to all of them, because there are too many! I hate them because they cost money that I don't have (for travel and the actual event). AND I hate them because they leave me wanting more dancing and I can never satisfy the urge!

Basically... swing events are the bane of my exisitence, BUT the marshmallows to my hot chocolate at the same time. Funny how that works out sometimes!

I'm working on my schedule of events for the next year. If you have any that are a MUST GO TO let me know and I'll do my best to work them in!

Voted!

When I was younger my parents would always take me with them whenever they got the opportunity to vote. They would go off into their little booth and cast their vote. I would wait for them and "cast my own vote" (the people at the polling places would give me a fake ballot and pretend that I was voting too). This instilled a very important value in me. Voting is important.

Today it was finally my turn to truly cast my vote. I went to my local polling station and voted on all the issues that currently face California.

As I was walking down the street I was getting extremely nervous. Thinking, "what if I'm making the wrong decision..." blah blah blah. I mean this is the first presidential election that I have had the opportunity to vote in, therefore making me just a tad nervous.

I finally get to the voting place (that happens to be just a block away from my house)and as I'm walking up the steps there is an old man walking up them as well.

This gentleman turns to me and says, "you look so young! You look like you could be 12! I'm proud of you coming out to vote!"

At that moment in time all of those anxieties went away! I stood up tall and went through the line to check in and get my ballot.

I was the youngest person in the room and it felt great! There was a 93 year old man there who said "I'm 93 years old. They didn't kill me in the 2nd world war, and that's why I'm still here and voting."

It was all just a good experience. At any rate after I was done voting I got my "I Voted!" sticker and went to celebrate by getting donuts.

I'm glad that I have the great privilege to live in such a great country with the opportunity to vote to express myself with the freedom of speech and religion. I encourage all registered voters to go out and vote today. If you are unable to participate in this election for whatever reason I encourage you to do all you can to register and be eligible to vote in any upcoming elections for your area.

I mean if you think about it... if you didn't vote (and technically could have, but you didn't register or just didn't vote) you have no right to complain about what's happening in the economy, with foreign affairs, or anything else really. It was your choice to stand on the sidelines and you'll have to live with that decision.

I hope everyone has a great election day and I'll be glued to the TV at work tonight to see what the outcomes are.