PimpinJoy
I'm not really sure why i'm writing this, nor am I sure why you're reading this... Yet here i am writing and here you are reading. Life is so funny!
One of the nerdiest things I do is listen religiously to a morning radio talk show called the bobby bones show. If you are a fan, hit me up, we might become best friends. Anyways, bobby and his crew started a charity/movement called PimpinJoy. (For you uncultured or old folk, when you are pimping something, you are looking good.. like: ay girl you pimpin that sweater!) PimpinJoy is all about choosing Joy no matter what your circumstances are.
(Right now all the money is going to St Judes Childrens hospital. Check it outttt https://www.theshopforward.com/collections/pimpinjoy )
One of my favorite scriptures reads: "Men are that they might have joy". We're here to be happy! Yeah crappy things happen in life. But you are an agent to act, not an object to be acted upon. You can choose to find joy in the littlest of things, or in spite of the greatest obstacles. It's all a choice!
I love that word, choice. Firstly, because when someone does something rad I like to say "dude that was Choice" like some kind of Englishman/ surfer dude. But it's also the greatest gift our God could have given us, a choice. A choice to accept our savior's sacrifice, a choice to follow the plan He has for us, etc. But i won't get into all those deep life questions. (but hit me up if you have those questions!) Instead I've been focusing lately on the choices we have day to day that determine our more immediate happiness.
I used to think that we were all made a certain way and that's just how we were. He was the funny guy in class. She was the likable one. He was spiritual one and She was the smart one. I often found myself wishing I could be a little more like these kids, so I focused on myself, trying to gain these attributes and characteristics. Maybe I came out of my shell my last year of high school and became a little more like the guy I wanted to be. But I wasn't finding the happiness I thought would follow as I sought after these things. I was still pretty introverted, and it seemed like all my extroverted friends were happier, maybe more successful and likable too. I knew what I wanted to be but didn't know what i was missing to get there, often leading me to over analyze myself.
Ironically, I didn't experience the change I was hoping for until I turned my focus away from me. Somehow the universe aligned and I decided I wanted to put life on hold while I serve a mission and preach about a book I hadn't read. Before I could even speak their language, I found myself in love with the people of Paraguay. I walked right through 3 pairs of shoes trying to help others hear the good news of the gospel. I prayed to see others as my Heavenly Father sees them. Allowing me to see a man named Marciel, not as the homeless guy dressed in rags, but as the king he will someday be in God's kingdom.
By focusing on how I can best help those around me instead of help myself, I became willing to let the lord mold me into what He knew I could become. I noticed several things; I was happier. I was more confident. I was more successful, more likable, more spiritual... Everything I was looking for, hit me in the face before I knew it!
It didn't come easy, but when is the high road ever easy? I think the easy way is to turn inward and be self-absorbed. To turn outward and lift others... it's just not natural. At least not for me. If you were born with the innate desire to help everyone, kudos. If I saw a plate of cookies meant to share I was like I'll take 9. Looking outside yourself takes a choice. And sometimes you will have to choose to turn outward even when you want to turn inward.
I am head and shoulders better than the man I was a few years ago, but still far from where I know I can be. I still have introverted tendencies. I hear someone needs to move their furniture and all the sudden i forget that i drive a truck. I see some new kids at a party, I might chill with my squad I rolled up with. I'll see that beautiful girl in the hallway, 9/10 times I'll chicken out and not say hi. But I'm getting better. I'm at peace with my progression. I've learned it's okay to be uncomfortable at times. If you're not pushing that comfort zone you're missing out, cuz that's where the magic happens.
Most people are shocked to hear that I was ever so shy. But the truth is we all have weaknesses. Mine was shyness, yours may be you're really really ridiculously good looking.. idk. But we also all have our strengths! As you develop your relationship with Heavenly Father you can come to realize all the gifts you already possess. Work with what you've got!
just know there's always room to grow. I know I've changed a lot over the years. I've learned with a few deep breathes and 20 seconds of insane courage, I could do anything!!! I'm really excited for the near future. Good things are happening. A few bumps in what I had planned but the ups far outweigh the downs! Thanks for reading this thing, you da real mvp. Now time to wake in 3 hours for workkk.
Also,
Life is Cray Cray, but Jesus is the Way Way.
#PimpinJoy
One of the nerdiest things I do is listen religiously to a morning radio talk show called the bobby bones show. If you are a fan, hit me up, we might become best friends. Anyways, bobby and his crew started a charity/movement called PimpinJoy. (For you uncultured or old folk, when you are pimping something, you are looking good.. like: ay girl you pimpin that sweater!) PimpinJoy is all about choosing Joy no matter what your circumstances are.
(Right now all the money is going to St Judes Childrens hospital. Check it outttt https://www.theshopforward.com/collections/pimpinjoy )
One of my favorite scriptures reads: "Men are that they might have joy". We're here to be happy! Yeah crappy things happen in life. But you are an agent to act, not an object to be acted upon. You can choose to find joy in the littlest of things, or in spite of the greatest obstacles. It's all a choice!
I love that word, choice. Firstly, because when someone does something rad I like to say "dude that was Choice" like some kind of Englishman/ surfer dude. But it's also the greatest gift our God could have given us, a choice. A choice to accept our savior's sacrifice, a choice to follow the plan He has for us, etc. But i won't get into all those deep life questions. (but hit me up if you have those questions!) Instead I've been focusing lately on the choices we have day to day that determine our more immediate happiness.
I used to think that we were all made a certain way and that's just how we were. He was the funny guy in class. She was the likable one. He was spiritual one and She was the smart one. I often found myself wishing I could be a little more like these kids, so I focused on myself, trying to gain these attributes and characteristics. Maybe I came out of my shell my last year of high school and became a little more like the guy I wanted to be. But I wasn't finding the happiness I thought would follow as I sought after these things. I was still pretty introverted, and it seemed like all my extroverted friends were happier, maybe more successful and likable too. I knew what I wanted to be but didn't know what i was missing to get there, often leading me to over analyze myself.
Ironically, I didn't experience the change I was hoping for until I turned my focus away from me. Somehow the universe aligned and I decided I wanted to put life on hold while I serve a mission and preach about a book I hadn't read. Before I could even speak their language, I found myself in love with the people of Paraguay. I walked right through 3 pairs of shoes trying to help others hear the good news of the gospel. I prayed to see others as my Heavenly Father sees them. Allowing me to see a man named Marciel, not as the homeless guy dressed in rags, but as the king he will someday be in God's kingdom.
By focusing on how I can best help those around me instead of help myself, I became willing to let the lord mold me into what He knew I could become. I noticed several things; I was happier. I was more confident. I was more successful, more likable, more spiritual... Everything I was looking for, hit me in the face before I knew it!
It didn't come easy, but when is the high road ever easy? I think the easy way is to turn inward and be self-absorbed. To turn outward and lift others... it's just not natural. At least not for me. If you were born with the innate desire to help everyone, kudos. If I saw a plate of cookies meant to share I was like I'll take 9. Looking outside yourself takes a choice. And sometimes you will have to choose to turn outward even when you want to turn inward.
I am head and shoulders better than the man I was a few years ago, but still far from where I know I can be. I still have introverted tendencies. I hear someone needs to move their furniture and all the sudden i forget that i drive a truck. I see some new kids at a party, I might chill with my squad I rolled up with. I'll see that beautiful girl in the hallway, 9/10 times I'll chicken out and not say hi. But I'm getting better. I'm at peace with my progression. I've learned it's okay to be uncomfortable at times. If you're not pushing that comfort zone you're missing out, cuz that's where the magic happens.
Most people are shocked to hear that I was ever so shy. But the truth is we all have weaknesses. Mine was shyness, yours may be you're really really ridiculously good looking.. idk. But we also all have our strengths! As you develop your relationship with Heavenly Father you can come to realize all the gifts you already possess. Work with what you've got!
just know there's always room to grow. I know I've changed a lot over the years. I've learned with a few deep breathes and 20 seconds of insane courage, I could do anything!!! I'm really excited for the near future. Good things are happening. A few bumps in what I had planned but the ups far outweigh the downs! Thanks for reading this thing, you da real mvp. Now time to wake in 3 hours for workkk.
Also,
Life is Cray Cray, but Jesus is the Way Way.
#PimpinJoy
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