"Now Thumper... If you don't have anything nice to say..."

IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING NICE TO SAY, DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL.

This very well should be the basis of life, but alas... Social media has become the platform for negative rhetoric and ripping on people. I'm all for giving your buddies a hard time, and love to get the heat and give the heat. Trust me, I'm the punching bag a lot of the time, and take pride in my spot in the crew. Haha, seriously though, you should be able to laugh at yourself, and I believe that whole heartedly. What I don't believe in, and that I'm quite against, is putting people down for doing what they do. Hobbies, work, sports, religion, or lack of any of them. It frustrates the hell out of me.

STOP IT!

Why does it bother me so bad? Because you're a freaking Dream wrecker! I can't tell you how many people in my life have said things to me about the path I've chosen, the work I'm doing or have done, the people I spend time with, the people I dated, for not associating with a religion, for now being involved in the religion of my choosing, the cars I have driven, the purchases I've made, the posts I've done, my political stance, for everything in my life really. The truth is, someone is always going to have an opinion about what you do. It's stupid, but it's pretty much just not gonna change. That being said, if you're reading this, and you're guilty of always having your say in someones life, just let them do it. Let them go after whatever they are going after. Here's why...

It's Their Life

For some reason it seems to be a tough thing for people to grasp... Let people do their life. If people succeed you're happy for them. If they fail, You're sad for them. Either way, whatever happens, It's not your fault. When you tell people not to do something, and they end up going through with it- and they fail, it's mega awkward. I know because I've been in the position on both sides of it. Been the failure, and friend of the person, and either side sucks. How about this scenario... You know someone is more likely to fail in something by doing it, you applaud them for going for their passion. They end up failing... When you see them, you continue to build their belief, and they feel more comfortable talking with you because you've believed in them before, you'll believe in them again.

What about Extreme circumstances?

Alright Turbo... Hang on. We all know... If your said friend is doing some serious dumb in their life like jumping off a building while hammered, doing hard drugs, in an abusive relationship, or making SERIOUS errors in the decision making field, by all means, be that friend to hopefully shake them free... I had that moment one time and didn't do it and it haunted me for years... The night before my brother Dustin passed away, I came home from a dance and saw him out hanging in his car, and KNEW he was doing stupid stuff, even right then and there. I honked at him and gave him a little wave, but what was I going to do? stop him? I didn't.. In fact, I thought to myself ehhhh I'm not one to talk... It's not like all my crap is together. It wasn't. Really I still to this day know that I didn't make the best decision... The next morning after I left the house, getting called back, following the ambulance to the hospital and watching the end come too, it was damn hard. It crushed me knowing that I could have possibly been the person to help make a change before that happened. Extenuating circumstance... And even then. He had his choices in life. His success path, and a path of failure. Sadly, he chose the latter, and it crushed a lot of my family and friends for a long time. Could I have helped? Maybe. Again, even in EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES, you can't blame yourself for the failures of others. As well, you can't take peoples successes on yourself, though you should surely pat yourself on the back if you have been the help mate. All in all, when you are in extenuating circumstances as described, by all means, be the friend or family you should be. Step up to the plate and shake the crap out of them until they see the light! haha, whatever you've got to do! I wish I could have... When it's not extenuating circumstances.... SHUT YOUR MOUTH!

Maybe Thumpers Mom was Right...?

Yeah, the "If You don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" quote from the beloved BAMBI. Love me my Disney... Anyway- I've got heaps of examples on this. Lets start locally, one thing that is prevalent with me because of loving freedom to do the things I like to do... Ok so Example one oh one... ;) I Love Network Marketing. I've failed in most of them I do after a year or so, mostly just because I don't like working... but I sincerely love the model of Network marketing. NOW STOP! Already, you looked at it and thought, uhhhhh Network Marketing.... Lame......... Because, people talk so much crap on it. Or maybe you did one? Probably half heartedly to be honest though right?! Oh you did your best?! Me too. Not all suck. Not all are bad products. A lot of people make a lot of money from them! A lot of them change peoples health, confidence, the ability to spend time with family, the ability to only have to work one full time job and not 2 or 3, gives them a sense of purpose, and to others it gives them an out to something they hate doing on a day to day basis. So......

"Shut, sh, sh, shut your mouth.." -Will Ferrel

1st of all, network marketing, is just like capitalism in good ol USA. you don't like it? stop working for someone... Ever heard of Amazon? Did you know that you can sign up to make 10% on everything you sell for them on their site?! Pretty rad right?! That's what all Network Marketing companies do. "But someone makes all the money at the top..." so does your boss... What do you do for work? "I'm a banker..." "I work as an orthodontist assistant" "I work for a rad construction company..." "I work for a great summer sales company..." You know who's making the most coin from your work? The guy at the top. We all don't have a problem with these companies because #1- a lot of them at least pay you hourly. #2 You get to visit an office that makes you feel official. #3 They're a big company Duhhhh. #4 they aren't network marketing.

Here's the Truth

The structure of a Network Marketing business is beautiful. You help, you get kick back and freebies too. It's rad. You can do part or full time. For example, I'm working in one part time with my wife Taylor in a company called "Le-Vel" and YES we freakin love their products. In fact, We were just customers for 5 months before we even attempted to do the business side of it. The stuff was rad, it helped me to feel like I was back on my "Focus Meds" I was on for a while, except I didn't hate my life and not want to eat... in fact, I started to get hungrier and if I don't eat, I just burrrrn. I love it! Always energized too. ( truthfully wouldn't have even started the biz side if someone hadn't asked for our help a couple times) sooooo we helped and kinda roped ourselves in haha. Annnnd they had this 100% commission match that rolled through the end of April, and i didn't want to miss out on the extra cash opportunity to be honest... ha- Truth is it's been great! The people we work with are unique and we get to learn from a whole group of people different to us and we love it. But I'm tired as hell of hearing people say

You mean a Pyramid Scheme?

Yeahhhhhp... Just like pyramid scheme with the president, vice president, onnnnnn down to the little cleaner boys in the building you see down the street from you... Pyramid down...... People fail at network marketing because they don't want to do them. Most of the time, that's probably legitimately the case. I have however been in one where THE BUSINESS as a whole failed... They had "some" products, but it was a service and subscription based one that was all about "traveling and making money!" yeah... I think the most I made in it was like $300 in a month, and the top dude up and bailed with all the cash to South America haha- sucks right?! So how do you avoid the crap ones like that? Don't do a service... Only do a product based one... Plus commissions are usually better anyway. They are built on a product that is made to better someones health, someones house, someones something... Not just an "idea" that would be cool if people maybe got on board, tossed a few hundred bucks a month at it and wished for the best on the growing side... (just fyi, the one we are now in was free to sign up when we decided to do the biz side of things, but we had gotten our product for free before then just by referring two peeps which was rad...) anyway back to the thoughts here. Just stop ripping on Network Marketing or MLM's as a whole. No one tells you your job is BS so stop ripping others for doing theres. ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE IN UTAH, SHUT UP! haha learn to coexist, or just join one already. Then if you hate it, don't do it! There's a reason I'm not continuing working at my favorite restaurant WINGERS... Yeahhhh I worked at good Ol Wingers in high school. It was bitchin. Discounts on wings? Free Salad? it was a delight. Anyway, stop with the crap talk on things you don't know much about. Allow your friends to do what they want if you don't like it.. Same rhetoric as above. Next Thought...

POLITICS...

Guys and Girls. Our President is Donald Trump. Whether you literally hate him or love him, that shouldn't be the basis of what you feel about another person and determine your friendship or not. STOP IT. Duuuuude I've had to take several breaks from my beloved memes and funny videos on social media just to avoid all the BS with politics. It's getting pretty old. Stop listening to your celebrity friends. Just believe what you like, and let others like theirs. When you think by saying something you're literally going to dumbfound someone and change their mind---- THINK AGAIN. Maybe remember the saying- "Someone Convinced against their will, is of the Same opinion still." In other words, they're probably not going to change. Same rhetoric we had above- Let them fail in their thought. I've literally changed my mind on subjects several times. You probably will too, and so will they. People change. It's ok to be different if not. It's nice! So appreciate your friends for having a different view from you. Allow yourself to Love people for the difference.

Dating...

Why is dating on this list?... I'm married why Do I care?.. Because for some reason, I hear about it probably 20 times in a week. Haha- GUYS, stop being pansies and be a bit traditional! Call a girl and take her out! Tell her you think she's pretty and have a motive other than getting into ones panties. GIRLS- accept an invitation and stop playing the card of "ohhh I have so much going on..." when really you're afraid of commitment, and think that one date means that you're going to get married tomorrow and not be able to chase your dreams. Lastly-

Love Happens, So Let It

I've said that crap a lot. Because it's true. Both, girls and guys alike, stop being afraid of love... That's the one thing in this world we are lacking big time right now... Love. Love is Good. Sometimes dating leads to the best of friendships, and I still hold some of those friendships from people I dated close to heart. Don't be afraid to make long lasting relationships... IF it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. Don't drop yourself because of it. It's cool to have friends. Friends are nice. It's still Love. Love Thy Neighbor ehhhh?!

In Closing...

Let people live their life. And You should Live yours. Don't be afraid to take that job you've always wanted. Don't be afraid to quit the one you've hated, to try new things, to go for gold, or do whatever the hell you want. Also, be ok with failure. You yourself, and other people. Failures happen everyday, and yeahhhh We all wanna win, and FREAKIN GO FOR IT! You should win! When you do fall... Don't beat yourself up. Get up, and keep going. Ask someone out, do something new, with someone new. When you see the next political post you don't agree with, just keep scrolling... No one likes a keyboard warrior, unless it's an open forum of courrrrrse. In the end of all this, if it helped you to do one thing, hopefully you understand people a bit better, and can be more appreciative that people do things different, think different and will most likely always not be you! Which is great, because that's why You're not them, You're You!

Much Love Mi Amigos.

be who YOU wanna be

Everyone has had dreams, everyone has goals, and everyone wants to do something in their life that they're not currently doing. Why? I personally believe we don't go after our goals and dreams in life because we are truly afraid to be our best self.

We are afraid to do and be who we want to be.

It's getting mighty old hearing about people living a day to day life they can't stand. Now granted, there are many stepping stones people usually don't want to step on before they hit their goals, but that's just part of the game. What I'm talking about is a little gem most commonly referred to as "Settling" - Yes, Settling is a thief. Settling means "Someday" and Someday never happens. What am I talking about? I'm talking about your personal

Someday

We've all had our someday. Someday I'll start exercising. Someday I'll change my diet. Someday I'll go after my dream job. Someday I'll ask out the girl/ guy of my dreams. Someday I'll change. Someday I'll be who I want to be... Somedays sometimes come, and sometimes they don't. The only way to make your someday a reality, is to actually do something today. Just like this video here.

Choose This Day

Changing yourself and setting things straight to a path that better suits you and your dreams is a universal principle. A GOOD one at that. All this crap about "You've changed" is probably a good thing. Stop being half the person you can be, and start living the full life you deserve to be.

Time To Be Who YOU Want

Why can't you have that dream job? Why aren't you living in the place you want? The state you want? Falling in love? Making the impact you could..? Start being who it is you really care to be. It's time to figure it out. Everyone is interested in something. It's time for you to figure out that something. I'm more focused on doing the things in life that make you most happy. Not doing the most easy thing, but doing what TRULY makes you happy. You can always give it your all, and its FUN if you absolutely love it, that's what makes WORK easy. Work itself isn't easy, but work you love makes life pretty sweet, and when life is sweet, it's pretty easy to live with. Alan Watts is a genius for helping you recognize -

What Do You Desire?

(Really do take a look at this...) It's been one of my all-time favorites- because it reminds me that doing something you hate on a day to day basis for 50+ years of your life, is a complete waste of time. You'll spend most of your life working, and helping others make a living. How are you going to spend that time? What are you going to do? I'm supportive 100% of whatever brings happiness to your life. I do the same for me. Again that doesn't mean you don't have to WORK to get your dreams. Quite the contrary. All I'm saying is stop wasting your time investing into something you're not going to do the majority of life. Don't spend so much time with people who pull you down. Stop spending time just "hanging with the homies" - get out there and work your ass off for what you want.

Be Who YOU Wanna Be

Don't let people change You. obviously there is change for the good... So change for the better always, but I'm talking about with what makes you happiest and who makes you happiest. Stop giving in to what people expect you to be, or what profession you should have over another. You need to find the people who are helping you hit your dreams and goals and stick with them. True friends, true mates. You can be who you wanna be. You just got to want it enough, and really fight for it. Athletics, friendships, relationships, service, academics, and anywhere else in the world, it's on you. Stop living under your potential. Start living your life.

Love You all.

Happy 2016 - Live it up. Live Period.

5 Things that should Stay in 2014

Most of the time people come into the new year with the hopes that Setting tons of unrealistic New Year Resolutions, AKA Goals will change the world for them! Problem is, they forget to leave certain things behind. When planting a garden or flowers for that matter, you need to get rid of all weeds so that they don't overtake the garden. Similar to this universal principle, you Gotta get rid of all the crap in your life! Of all the jokes that go after the new year, one that sticks out is when people say (the day after the new year) "That was so... (2014,2013,2012)" So as for things that are "So 2014" here's a list of things that you can personally

Cut Out of Your Life

#1 Stop Criticizing Everything via Social Media/ The Internet

Now I myself love to learn about things going on in the world/ the nation via social media. I love it! The Problem is not that I'm looking at it, or that we are looking at it, whether it be the news, politics, sports, blogs, or whatever- the problem is many seek for the opportunity to critique and tear down anyone who differs in opinion. Feedback is one thing, trust me I really do feel it important to leave "Feedback" but stuff like "WOW That was stupid" or "You are the reason this country is in the pooper" or "Your mom should have aborted you" or anything else that is just a straight DOUCHE move, pretty much NOT OK at all. It's really getting Old. This is also called TROLLING and it really needs to stop. People just sit on their computers, look up YouTube videos and stuff on FB or Twitter, and just Rip people apart! Why? Why is it that instead of just exiting out of things we don't like, we NEED to put some sort of emphasis on hatred and making sure the writer, or other readers of opinions get to see how much you dislike a certain thing or the other? Why do we do that? Now I understand drama sells, but make it the drama of heart ache or something that actually matters, not bull crap. Stop spreading Negativity there really is no reason to go out of your way with spreading crap like that. "Look how dumb so and so is!" or "I can't believe how big of a *********** ********** explicitive explicative explicative..." Stop it. I get emails on a daily, STILL about my proposal video and how stupid I, or my wife is for doing what we did and how thoughtless and dumb we must be. Ha, what the crap?! My friends accomplishments, people rip on them? Why? Stop doing that crap. Stop the negativity. What they look like, do for a living, and feel like on a day to day basis is pretty much their life, you should leave it to them. Whether they are black, white, spanish, asian, whatever! Which leads to my next thing we should Leave in 2014.

#2 Stop Race baiting, Religion Bashing, and Ragging on ones Political Stance

I mean, really, come on friends. This among many things REALLY needs to be "So 2014." Pulling the race card, or race baiting only promotes racism. Let it go for real, it's getting beyond old, like Revolutionary War old. There's all sorts of races world wide, and there are all good people in each and every one of them. There are groups of people both white, black, yellow, brown, orange, and kiwi that have bummer people and motives in them- and yeah we should hope to get rid of those "groups" but never ever ever is it ok to put down the absolute race of someone. JUST STOP IT - Stop saying rude things, or basing history on why people should be treated the way they are. It's NOT OK anymore. It really never was, and I would hope everyone is truly "over it." And the RELIGION BASHING is also getting old. Whether you are Christian, Jewish, non denominational, spiritual, not spiritual, non affiliated, atheist or whatever you claim your inner you to be- Stop Ripping on Others beliefs. Now me being a very religious/ spiritual person, I am beyond over the bashing of religions. People call others "Ignorant" "Stupid" "mislead" and many other things, because "It's the reason for all/ most wars" or "Religion is evil and really ruins humanity" and yet on the other side, I see so many different religions, leaving their own homes to help so many across the nation and the entire world. Stop bashing on everyones religion. It's different then yours? Great! If you want to share yours with them, and share why you love yours, go for it! It's promoting positivity, but to sit there and Rack on how STUPID and how DUMB one religion is, just promotes yet again Negativity. YOU and WE need to stop it. Just let people have comfort in believing or not believing how they please. And then there's people in America and their Political Stance. It's amazing to me to hear my friends and family (on the republican side, the democrat side, and liberal side) all tearing on another down and saying how stupid the other is. I mean, really lets split it into thirds, and if only One is smart, truly you think 2/3 of the country is STUPID? You're really that much smarter than everyone? You're that much better? Unfortunately, I can see good in all of them, it's too bad there isn't some sort of opportunity to put someone in office that can please all parties. There isn't, and there is always going to be people who are bummed at whoever is in office, there is always going to be people who hate who is in the GOP, and there are always going to be people who disagree. Fine, disagree, give feedback, but STOP with the tearing comments of YOU ARE STUPID, you are DUMB I can't (explicative) Believe YOU explicative explicative explicative... and so on... this also really needs to be "So 2014."

#3 The way that People Date

I finally got myself out of the dating world, God Bless! Whoo! That was a whirlwind in time. So dishonest, so deceitful, rude, misleading, and truly uncommitted. Lets Hang Out instead of saying "Hey wanna go out?" or just being honest and telling someone that you are interested in them instead of playing it off like you Don't care about them. Beyond frustrating when I was in the dating scene to be on the receiving end where girls would play the "Yeah whatever, I don't care" card, and yet be bugged when I'd stop talking to them, like "Wait, Why did you stop talking to me?" then girls pull the bull crap card of "Guys are jerks, all they want is to hook up and then bounce" - It might look that way! I personally know LOTS of guys who truly are looking for a lady, yet when they kiss a girl or whatever, they then have to PRETEND they don't care, not text them, and DEFINITELY don't call the person for a bit. What the Hell has happened??? Really? We have to Play "Games" with one another because if we use any type of committed gestures at all, it probably for sure will scare the opposite sex away, because they are "CLINGY" for being interested and might "LIKE" you? BULL crap! I mean literally makes me want to yell explicative explicative explicative explicative explicative!!! Why do we do this?! Now I see it even more so, because I'm on the outside looking in, My wife and I set up people pretty regularly, and people do not have the guts to tell people what they think, so they play a game until it fizzles out and isn't worth it anymore. Wanna know how people get into relationships? They risk saying things, doing things, and allowing things to happen. It's called commitment and I know it sounds farfetched and probably scary compared to the very "non committal" gestures we so often use so that if something better comes up we don't have to give it up. Holy explicative explicative explicative!!!! We really do that wayyyy to much. It's beyond getting old. I was over that when I was in Freaking high school. Alta High was full of the non committal voicings like "Yeah I might be able too..." Followed by some sort of bull response to save you so you don't have to for sure. Or how about "Hey wanna do something this weekend?" (First of all it's the weekend and you're single... So any excuse to not hang with someone or go out with someone, is probably going to be a lie if not a committed "YES") but alas, "Well, I don't think I have (something that is a complete cop out) this weekend so I should be good!" - First off, it doesn't make you sound important, all that does is make the person you're talking too feel Less important. Stop! It makes people feel dumb when they Go out of their comfort zone to ask you out, or to see if you want to do something. GUYS Stop lying to girls, stop telling them lies about what you do, who you wish you were, and how you don't have time in a day to do something for them/ with them. LADIES Stop making excuses. Your girlfriends aren't going to abandon you because you went out on a date this weekend. Allow yourself to commit to something, and stop copping out to go do "NOTHING" over the weekend, that you and your friends say "OMG BEST WEEKEND EVER!" because no one got thrown up on at the most recent party. Being single is fun, it was a party, and it should be enjoyed- but when you go out of the zone and start boobing about how there is no one out there, take a look at yourself - Hooking up via tinder a lot? Just mack daddying and bouncing? Lying? Making Plans on top of plans already made? Stop it. Start dating more traditionally, it's amazing how you personally change and become better by allowing yourself to make and keep commitments in life. Non committal gestures, lies, deceits, false plans upon plans, bailing out, no shows, and playing games need to stick in 2014.

#4 The Marriage/ Relationship Games, Not Communicating

This one goes out to all the married couples, and or will be soon, or are in a serious Committed relationship. Now I'm no professional in the art of a marriage. No No No. I'm in my first year, AKA The Hardest Year - and I'm sure there are a lot of people who understand the Marriage thing QUITE a bit better than I do, and I don't doubt that and I do understand that. Here are a few things, I have recognized that need to start happening, and STOP happening. Ladies and Gents. Stop holding a score card. You know what I'm talking about. Stop starting Nothing Fights and be grown up enough to recognize that they are NOTHING. Literally about Nothing. Dane Cook has a funny skit where he talks about witnessing the infamous "Nothing Fight" while in a grocery store. Guy wanted jelly, and girl didn't want jelly. It's pretty crude humor, but there really is a good thing or two to learn of it. What usually happens in a Nothing fight, DIFFERING OPINIONS. Well goodness, it's a good thing you have two differing opinions! You won't always get what you want, but you'll probably get the best of both worlds! Allow yourself to be wrong, try something new, and do something you don't always want to do. It's pretty simple actually, just let the small stuff roll on. It's really all small stuff. (OK of course we have our things that do matter, we all know what those are) But what TV show you want to watch, and who thinks what is good and what isn't, the food you could eat, the fact the bed wasn't made, the toilet seat was left up, or that people just seem to NOT want to get along. Just get along. Be humble enough to just take a deep breathe and let it ride, it's ok. Just be ok. Give in. Nothing fights are about Nothing anyway. Leave the Nothing Fights in 2014... Also, STOP BEING SELFISH - Start being sweet to your Women, guys. Figure out the things that make them crazy happy and just do it. Do the laundry, clean up the house every once in a while, leave them notes on their car, bring them flowers, or food, or candy, make them dinner, take them out, tell them what they did to their hair looks good, tell them they're beautiful, hot or pretty, tell them their legs are nice, compliment until you're blue in the face, do something different. Just change for the better. And honestly, for the "glue" of your house purposes, make sure they are always taken care of FIRST! You know what I'm talking about. Want them to be happy with your love life? Make sure they are always #1. Don't let it change either. As for the Women, Take care of your MAN! He just wants to feel like a man. Build him up, we need to hear it. Us mama's boys don't have our mom around to tell us we are the worlds greatest, so we look to you for that. We need to be told we are a MAN. We need to feel it too. Come up and give us a big ol' wet one! Squeeze us tight! Compliment our bodies, tell us we did great at work, and be interested in what we do. Validate the things that make us "Manly" - and tell us thanks, and recognize what we do. Playing things off like it's just how it's suppose to be is overrated. Pretending like you "Just Deserve It" is ungrateful, and doesn't serve either party. (the being grateful part goes for guys as well) We need to say thanks more, and reward each other more. And Ladies "Take care" of your man. You know again what I mean. You really want the world in your hands? Men will always be more willing to take care of you, go out of their way to do things for you, and be a better man for you, when you "take care of them" - it just is what it is. It's a gift from God! The practice of procreation and making love is God Given, (of course I personally believe this should be your husband or wife, that makes it even more special) but it is not a bad thing, and it isn't something to hold out from your husband or wife. Give them love. We all need it. Stop withholding your love. Ladies, you want the guys to be more lovey dovey with you, so you tend to hold back on giving them love, NO. Stop that. Tell them what you need. It's a rad concept called COMMUNICATION. Just communicate. Take responsibility, and make sure you are giving if not more than you are receiving. "You Can have anything you want in life, as long as you're willing to give enough other people what they want first." Be willing to give. Be selfless. Be responsible. Being rude to your wife/ Husband is a TV fictional game. Stop it. Being good to your spouse/ partner is so 2015.

#5 Stop Denying your Personal Responsibility

More than half of the problems going on in the world today have something to do with a lack of personal responsibility. I've blogged about "CHANGING YOURSELF" quite a few times. It's somewhat of a necessity in life. It's the cause to fixing all the things I listed in #1-4. It solves the problems of the world if we all just take a look at what we aren't doing and step up. It changes the world when we look at ourself and accept our misdoings as well, and make the change. It's not a new concept. This again is a universal principle. Some call it repentance, some call it fixing, and simply put just change. Just change it up. Stop being irresponsible, stop lacking responsibility as a whole. If you screw up, fix it! It's not the end of the world. There's really only a few things that can't be righted so easily, taking someones life being probably the top of that. Most other things should be looked at as stubbing their toe, bonking your head, or biting your tongue. All of those things when you do them seem like the world is going to end for a moment in time! It's the worst 3-5 seconds of your entire life!!! Then it's over... Or it wrecks your day. You end up in a bad mood, everything and everyone is against you and the world stops spinning! Really though, you just stubbed your toe. It's ok. Same with your mistakes. Look at them as such and just fix it. Don't dwell on it for days. Stop letting people ruin your day, and if you may have helped ruin someone else's, take responsibility say sorry and fix it. Just change it. People so often say, "well, it is what it is", and "what's done is done." Yes, but right your wrong, don't leave a mess. Just buck up and fix your mistakes. In the work place, right your wrongs. In relationships, right your wrongs, and please for the sake of your relationship move passed it. In your personal life, fix your problems and move on. It's not healthy to stay in a negative place. Your day doesn't need to be wrecked, nor should it be. Just Take Personal Responsibility and move along. Things are so much easier when we all take a fall for our own mistakes. Stand up. In Setting goals for your 2015 resolutions, I hope you resolve what's already been done, and make sure you're ready for the good you really want in your life. Then go out there and make 2015 your explicative explicative explicative...

When Mind Vomit Becomes...Sobering.

Well.

Failure

Isn't always the funnest thing around. Lucky for me I have failed a lot in my life. I'm grateful for the challenges and the falls I've had. I guess thats now why I understand why I'm the way I am. I try something, do something, attempt SOMETHING and fall, fail, bounce, or stumble. Yeapppp... Not the greatest outcome right? Yet it's usually after some great things have happened! It's Usually when I myself decide to get caught up in a train called

PRIDE

Awkward right?... Let me explain... I've been soaked in this idea that I just need to be AN ATHLETE. Why? Because It makes me LOOK COOL....

ALL ABOUT THE IMAGE

What did I all the sudden become a provo Allstar- that I'm so focused on my PERSONAL image that nothing else matters? What the Crap Colt!... For real though... I think I've become so worried about myself that I pretended that I was something more than I was, so that I could just do whatever I WANTED. Yeahhhh. Selfish.me.com/colton Thats the website I was starring in... (Joke..Joke..) <---- but should have been. It's been a while since I've worked a regular job consistently... I worked for about 2 months last year and then it had been since winter of 2011... Sooo yeahhhh. Proud that I have been a BUM pretty much. Barely making it by as an "ATHLETE" ... Up to the Nitro Circus Live opportunities. In all Honesty, I was called on as a back up. Not even as a main guy for the tour, then after a little was given, I asked to at least do the Salt Lake show, so that I could be... An Athlete. I got the GO AHEAD to do the show, showed up and right before practice told me "ya know, we have a lot of guys here today and we don't want to complicate things too much so today we are just gonna have you practice, and unless you do something unreal, it'll probably stay at practice..." Well... I felt like an idiot. Not only did I have the impression that I would be in the show, and was told so, I had told lots of other folks the same... ha Sooo again, my image was on the line! So in practice, I went all out... Way too much. Ended up over rotating a double backflip on my roller snowboard, about did a triple, Landed right on my head and taco'd hard. Got a concussion, and soon I'll find out how bad my shoulder separation is, along with any possible ribs broken or what ever. I don't remember the show, and I've had some gnarly head aches since. I used to have a good head on my shoulders. A bit more humbled in life, a servant. A "How Can I Help?" attitude. Thennnnn, I had some success as an athlete again and traded up. Get Cash for playing was the goal. Yeahhh kinda did it for a couple years, Crap cash for getting wrecked too... haha. Kinda funny. What wasn't funny is how I lost myself...

When I was on my mission

I realized that I didn't need to be some "Cool" Athlete kid. I didn't need to do that stuff anymore, or any type of fame or to be somewhat idolized.. At all! I committed that from then on, Any quote "TALENT" that I may have, would be used for a missionary opportunity from then on only. Not for my benefit. Unfortunately, I think I was so caught up in TRYING TO BE SOMEONE ELSE for such a time I lost it all. Annnd, I lost being an athlete really. I was progressing a lot for a bit there! Started doing ok with wakeboarding (not like I was some pro or anything) but just getting it for once, moto was coming back, I was hitting stuff on snow I never had, and then all the nitro stuff all up in it hanging with some of my best friends, made me want to just be a part of the whole gig. It was like a secret obsession. I think I lost touch with some of my best friends. Traded up important relationships and faded away a little. That's why I'm grateful to fail this last weekend. What a blessing in Disguise. Just the thing to help me get into gear. Glad I could be handed a genuine piece of

Humble Pie!

For all of you that I've "Big Timed" or tried to out cool, or look cool in front of, NAME DROPPED, or pretended to you in anyway, I apologize. To anyone that I've faded our relationship due to my desire to make MY NAME something, I apologize. To anyone who I've offended, took for a ride, or been disrespectful too- I apologize. I hate failure... it always ends the exact opposite of what you wanted right?! Wrong...

God Is The Gardener

The story of the CURRANT BUSH is one I was reminded of by my best friend Tyler Cahoon. I was whining to him of how I failed, all because of a Concussion I was just gonna give it all up and didn't make sense to me that God would let me get this when I was trying to push myself to being my best and doing what I felt I was here to do right now, which I could help a lot more people! Tyler, was playing football at the UofU and got a football career ending concussion just over a year ago as well.. As he shared with me the thought of the talk "God is The Gardener" I decided to listen to it again this morning. It talks about a man named Hugh B Brown who when he was younger was working on a farm, and came across a Currant Bush that was tall and barren, he decided the only way to save it was to cut and prune it so that it could later bring forth fruit again someday. He left it tiny and down to nubs. He recalled hearing the Currant Bush talk to him saying "I was Big and Beautiful, But you Cut Me Down..." - Following he spoke back to it saying- "Hey, I'm the Gardener here, I know what I want you to be. If I had let you grow the way you wanted you would have continued to be big and goofy. Someday You'll thank me Saying, Thank you Mr. Gardener, for Cutting me down." Well, as the story of the currant bush may not be completely alike my story, I want to say

Thank You Mr Gardener, For Cutting Me Down.

I had a good experience that last while, and thoroughly enjoyed being "an Athlete" - but I'm grateful for the sobering experience to get me back grounded on solid ground and realize where I need/ want to be. When I came off the plane and gave my homecoming talk from my mission to Virginia, I said I would NEVER go back, I would remember always my purpose here, and always be more focused on others. I'm ready to get back. The good news, I'm definitely not perfect. I almost ruined something I have going with someone that has created something perfect. So grateful for a special lady named Taylor in my life. She's helped me recognize my best self and helped me want to be better. Most relationships fail because someones pride outweighs the desire to serve and be selfless for the other. Sacrifice is what makes the world go round. Publicly to anyone who may read this, I'm sorry for not being there for you. For the Girl who told me Last night "I don't care if you're someone big, with Fame and Fortune.. that's no who I am into, or Love. Please be your real self, I miss that part of you." ... What a difference that has made as of yet.

This is Only The Start

And I understand that, but I'm committed right now. I don't need peoples approval or opinions to have self worth. I don't need the masses to know who I am. I don't need to Have "A NAME" or recognition at all. Those that I know and Love are those that deserve the recognition... I'm a hoarder of information- and all that I've taken and kept is from those closest to me. So grateful for them in my life. This isn't me saying that I can't achieve greatness and that I'm giving up on life by the way... I fully believe in achieving our dreams, ESPECIALLY My own. I did in a way. And it didn't make me happy. And more than a dream or a goal, being happy is much more important.

To End This Right

I hope you recognize that YOU don't need others approval. You can't get caught up "in your image" - after all we weren't created to get all the credit in the first place... As cliche as it sounds, we are here for "HIM" and to glorify "HIS" name. Don't give up on your dreams, I'm asking you to evaluate where you are at, how you are getting there, and what is most important along the way.

The Butterfly Story

Talks about a butterfly when emerging from it's caccoon- a man was watching for hours until he thought the Butterfly gave up- so the man trying to be kind, helped him, by cutting an easier route to escape. He came out with a withered body and shriveled wings, never to be able to fly. Sometimes the challenges we face, are GOD's Way of helping us, like the butterfly- in his struggle was to force fluid into the body and wings so it could fly as soon as it had emerged, When we take the "Short Cut" we literally cut ourselves short. Sometimes you ask for help, and get people to help... You ask for strength in life, and get burdens to carry. You ask for love, and get people that need love... All in all, you get nothing you Want, But EVERYTHING YOU NEED. The same happened for me, ONCE AGAIN in my life. I'm glad I was yet again put in my place, glad I yet again could be humbled. If You read all of this, you're a champ, ha I love you.

An Addicts Crave for The Crave - *Wedding Season*

The daily grind in a single life is a brutal one... Lets get down to the GRIT right now... Being single isn't what it's all cracked up to be. Ha- some of you may disagree and say I'm an idiot, "Live it up while you can!" "Take advantage of what you have at the single life! YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TIME!" And honestly, yeah, you are so right, RIGHT?! All the time in the world. But that's the principle itself that people overshoot... People think it's all about--->TIME. It's really not! WHY is that even important? Yes of course, take time to find the right one, yada yada yada... Got that... I'm on it. BUT, I'm tired of hearing people say- "You have plenty of Time! You're in such a great spot! ohhh man live it up!" Well- I've had my 25 years of dating. Over it man. For real it's gettin old! It's not about the fact that I have plenty of Time, I just want what I crave. What we ALL Crave in a sense. Like any addict, or really any crave for that matter- When you're hungry, you crave food, and thirsty- Drink yeah? Like an addict without his squeeze for the day, I need my squeeze. I Guess this is me fessing up thanks to my good Man Robert Palmer-

"Might as Well Face it You're addicted to Love!"

Ha in the song it says "Yeah You Like to think You're immune to the stuff" - yeahhhh That's the thought in the single scene... Right? You are good to go. But I straight up Crave it, Crave the company of someone else. Peeps that are in relationships think, "frick, I really wish I could have a go at the single scene for a while!" --- It's selfish and you suck. Ha for real man!!! I guess I can understand MAYBE you have commitment issues and aren't ready for a Relationship more than what you and your dog share- but if You're in one and don't want to be, You probably don't know how good you have it! You're thinking about YOU YOU YOU, and Not realizing you are already getting YOU YOU YOU. The thought to go Hang with Your BROS! Or Your GIRLS! TIGHHHHHHHHT! Ha- no- It sucks. I've been in it realllll Heavy for a long bit. The majority of the passed 2 1/2 years I have been single. I've been super grateful for the relationships I've had within, and truly learned the most from those people in those times, and the most about me. Not ever searching for something to do, no searching for a date, you always have someone, you always have someone to take care of, and someone to take care of you. Of course if your significant other isn't meeting the criteria, you don't get along and you're not happy sure, skedaddle- but really it is so much easier to have someone than it isn't. The only thing people really look forward too about being single is the random hook up, and feeling wanted by more than one person of the opposite sex at one time..? Tight, soooo we are all in High School again I guess... Yes, I'm venting because I feel like there are some amazing people that really close themselves off because they think they have it good in the single life, which really is just dandy and peeps can choose to do what they want for sure. It's just frustrating, not only for me, but to witness others that give it all they have, and could be a PERFECT match for someone, yet they don't get the opportunity because the thought of a relationship doesn't fit in THEIR, or their friends genre at the moment. I really have dated pretty hard, and do pretty hard. If you and I have ever dated, you know, I'm pretty bold, and sometimes come off really over the top. I'm bold and blunt and am not really worried about what peeps think. Probably not good at times, but I do what I do because I feel like I'm better than A GAME to be played, or I know better than to play it. OR I really like using my brain and my voice, the combination, mixed with emotions called COMMUNICATION. It's Tight. NO BS, No Games, Just straight Honesty. I'll be honest, If I need too, I could play the game, but I hate it, and I suck at things I don't like, This being one of them. Seriously, I consistently meet more and more people that genuinely impress me. Really, VERY FEW have really been impressive passed a first time meeting basis but there really are a lot of amazing people. I'm actually surprised at how many Quote unquote "catches" there are around. Serious Sam here. Really there is only a few things that do keep me dating... One of Which...

WEDDING SEASON

Most People HATE Wedding Season... And Sometimes I'll give off the same notion that I don't like it-(possibly out of desire to be cool like everyone else, ha) but really, I Love it. Yeahhhhppp. I love Wedding Season. Super inspired every chance I get to VICARIOUSLY live my life through a Newly wedded couple. Some people don't like that, I do. I'm a sucker for Love and Romance! Seeing one of my Best friends JD and His Wife talk at their wedding Dinner was so cool- listening to them talk about FALLING IN LOVE, and how they didn't know it could be that good... I felt it! It was legit! And that was only a glimpse. It's beyond inspiring. I can only hope that I have some sort of Love to share with someone someday. I Can't wait. YES I CAN WAIT TO FIND THE RIGHT ONE. Yes I press to get things going with meeting people and really "Getting to Know" the other person, but I can Wait for the right one... I'm sincerely pumped to have a special relationship for sure. I'm so stoked to find someone that I am super pumped on as much as they are of me. Someone that we are just Jazzed to kick it every chance we get. Like I said, I'm over the dating scene... Same old same old for the passed 10+ years here and I'm super over it. Ha- I wanna find a real person, that just has a heart of Gold. Lead by Compassion. I know I'm no perfect person and don't always have all my ducks in a row, but I'm trying, and I can't wait to find someone that inspires me to have them straight, and someone I can help as well. Someone I crave. Someone I want to be addicted too. If I die before I find that Significant other in my life- I hope at least people could know how I felt. I was once told

"Love Happens, So Let it."

I feel that same thing with a lot of things, going back to "TIMING" As I talked about at the beginning of this here gig. People put a time frame on things, a block on things to happen until a certain amount of something, or a destined number of dates before such things to come, or however many days, months, and years before things come to pass. STOP IT! It makes things fake at times, or just not YOU. Don't let the voice of critics paralyze You. Don't let other peoples routes determine how you live your life and the way you go. Love Happens in all sorts of Ways. Realize that You get what you give out- so allow yourself to be out there. Things come to those that go after them, same as those that stick their necks out more often than others. For myself, I'm ready for it, but I'm not Waiting. I'm addicted to the Chase. I'm addicted to the Crave.

Fresh Pair of Kicks- Metaphorically

Failure is so good. Losing is So good too. Not really. It totally Sucks... Failure blows, and so does Losing. Losing friends, Losing family, a game, a competition, a sock, Your car spot, a significant other... Losing is a bummer. Same as failure, though losing out feels like failure itself. Problem with it is... We gotta have it.

Old Shoes Suck... Or do They?

If we had a pair of shoes that never wore out, that always kept its grip, that always had its sole, that never smelled smelly, always looked and felt like a brand new fresh pair of shoes, We'd ALWAYS be reppin these SAME Kicks. You'd never have to get new shoes, and you'd always walk as you do with a brand new pair of kicks on your feet; A little pep in your step, a lean here or there, a smirk on your face and a feeling of confidence. You'd be so used to having the most legit kicks, if you ever got a scratch on them, It just might kill you. How would you adapt? But Old Shoes... My older kicks... Man.. They don't smell as good, or look as good, but with some wear on them, they feel so good! Ever played sports with brand new shoes or cleats? It freakin WRECKS You! Old Shoes are Broken in and it's like Home for your feet. And on top of that, they are like an addicts crave for drugs- they give you that desire for NEW for MORE for something Bigger, a better Hit, if you will. Problem with the old kicks... They are old kicks. You get wear and tear like crazy and crave the new, to be out and done with the old. Plus, your feet start adapting to these old broken shoes, the sole of your foot gets warped a little, your feet get rougher and you realize that these old kicks aren't what they used to be. Over time wearing old shoes wears on you period. Literally your feet like I said, and even more so on YOU. Your confidence is swayed a bit, because they don't look as good, you don't know if they'll hold up doing what you do, your mind is on other things than what you could be focusing on. You've had so many good times in these shoes you feel an attachment, almost a relationship, and you're afraid to abandon it. Old shoes are great, you learn a lot, do a lot and walk A LOT. Every once in a while... You just need new kicks.

Fresh Pair of Kicks

Drawing the metaphor here, I'm so all about my passed, people I've dated, things I've done, mistakes I've made, games/ competitions I've lost, accidents that have happened, body parts that I've hurt, those that have hurt me, and failures that I came through... I'm all about my Old Shoes. Every once in a while, it's time to step into some new kicks, and start walking another way for a bit. The definition of INSANITY is:

"Doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result

Sometimes it's all about a FRESH start. Febreeze brothers status in the which it's time to clean it up, pack it up and get going. The old smells, it's rough, it's sad, emotional, frustrating, full of let down, and over time false joy. Yes I love everything that has even happened to me in the last bit here- But Sometimes, it's just time to put on those new shoes, tie 'em up real tight and get bookin' it in another direction. I'm ready for a fresh start in my life personally. I'm stoked about the way life has gone, but I need a newness in there. I'm sure a lot of people feel that way at one time or another. If you do, don't hesitate to say see ya to the old shoes, you don't need to be where you've been, because

if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten.

My good friend Paul from the New Testament is one of the greatest poets of all time, one of the greatest orators as well I'm sure- and he wrote a great letter to his friends the Philippians and made mention of his thoughts on "New Shoes." Saying

"I count not myself to have apprehended: but this ONE thing I do, Forgetting those things which are behind, and Reaching forth unto those things which are before...Let us Walk By the same Rule..."

Today is Sunday, we can make the change now, so that tomorrow we are walking the way we need too. Don't be afraid to sacrifice what you have now, for what you really and truly want. Don't be afraid to let go of the daily, to achieve your goals and dreams. Don't be afraid to be kind, loving and charitable. Don't be afraid to be the best self you can be. Faith over Fear. Faith and Fear can't coexist. And when you choose to do something you're afraid to do, you get one of the coolest friends with you as you do it, ADRENALINE, which I deem a successful gig. Adrenaline is a feeling of escaping something you thought not possible. Impossible is only possible, if you say it is. Do what YOU desire. Do me a kindness.... Look up the video "What do you Desire?" on YouTube by Alan Watts. Be You and DO You. Put on a Fresh Pair of Kicks and get walkin'. Monthly Mind Vomit. Love Colton

Example Is Better Than Perception

After a couple SOBERING Weeks- I felt like sharing some thoughts might be good. Soooo Enjoi.

QUOTES With Meaning

"Love is Only a Feeling"

First of all- False and Not true. My thought Stems from the Quote: "One sees clearly Only with the Heart. Anything Essential is invisible to the Eyes." A quote recently recited by President Uchtdorf- a Latter Day Apostle. The real way to go about life in my opinion is really if something doesn't feel right, don't do it. And the same is true, if something feels right- for me personally anyway I've gotta stick with it, or do it. The song by the band The Darkness- "Love is Only a Feeling" - is so TRUE! But the wording of ONLY, sounds Negative... Love IS a Feeling. Yes I'm no pro on Love, (Based on Results of me being Single) but Love is something for the Heart. Of course you can show your Love and everyone likes to feel Love differently like the 5 languages of Love. Truth also, you can see how people really feel because Actions always speak louder than words. Yet, it stems from the initial feelings, NOT JADED, Not taken from others words, But YOUR PERSONAL Feelings. "Go with Your Gut Feeling" is a common phase- "Just do what feels good, or natural" is another great one. Super simple yet, we think "Ok if I want to make an educated and accurate decision in life with love.... I'm gonna need to calculate FREAKIN ROCKET SCIENCE!!!" Ok, save yourself some time... FEEL it out. If it doesn't work out, it's only because YOU and the OTHER PERSON didn't work out together and weren't the best for each other. BUT WAIT, "We were in Love!" --- Dearest Friends... Being in Love doesn't mean that it only happens once... Think of Elementary, think of Middle School, High School, or your first year of College. You've claimed to be in Love so many times! Sometimes the other person may not be completely sold on you like you are to them, but when it does happen you're thinkin YES! It's Happening! Sometimes it does, yet for the first few go around's it doesn't. Love Happens, don't cheat it, Just let it Happen. Hearts are made to be broken, and like my boy Bob Marley said, "You just gotta find the ones worth Suffering For." Feel It Out. It feels good, go with it! It might not work out, but You'll be grateful you did in the Long run. I've learned from everyone I've ever been with, and I'm grateful for everyone that has been that role in my life. Stoked to find the one "Worth Suffering For."

Dating is......

Rocket Science... FALSE. Yet people make it so. Really though and it's all because people DON'T want to Be Real?! People say they want a REAL man or a REAL Woman, BULLLLLL!!! How frustrating is it that people INSIST on including GAMES and BullCRAPPPPP! Man ALIVE! Sooooo Over it! Ha- People LETS MAKE A FREAKIN CHANGE!

"I Colton, Have a Dream! That Black People, White People, Asian People and all Other Peeps in the world, can Be HONEST and upfront with Each Other! That if they FEEL something good for someone, They'll be honest! And the receiver of it will be grateful and RECOGNIZE it and share their recognition with the person who gave it to them, whether they like the person back or not! AND NOT START IT WITH GAMES! 'Playing Hard to Get' Being one of those games, hence the word "Playing" - yes it's a game. I have a DREAM that People will be more honest with others When they AREN'T Interested in someone also! The Dream is that People will stop lying about going out on a date with someone, that they won't lie to bail on a date, that We all together will stop ignoring each other and giving the silent treatment as to say "I'm not Interested" and trying to give hints. Stop giving HINTS! Just tell them, HEY - I'm just not interested. Or, "hey you know what Tomorrow Night isn't looking good for me to go out, nor is there any night. We probably should stick to being friends."

Wow that's so hurtful right? NO! It's not! It's honest! Because when you lie and say, OK TOMORROW, ok can't anymore TOMORROW THOUGH! it pulls heart strings and gets people thinking you are interested a little because YOU ARE MAKING EFFORT to hang with them for the future. Don't do that anymore. Freak! It just happened to me recently! Was talking for a bit with someone being wayyyyy cool to each other, planned to go out, things didn't work out and I got the "OK TOMORROW! FOR SURE!" Then of course the silent treatment followed- no recognition at all. REAL Shady friends. It hurts your feelings! If you are afraid to go out with someone because you don't know them, suggest something simple and easy and something you can genuinely get to know them through. Just be Honest! PLEASE! If you have recently had your heart broken, you know how bad it sucks to feel like you are hanging by a rope, and it's the SAME feeling for those you put on hold by IGNORING Them and playing silent games with. It's not cool, and it's not Christian at all. Man, we cut people off from us so easy in this life. What if in the future they need you but can't have you as help? As someone to talk too? As someone of reference? Why can't you end as friends? Yes, you boldly end the dating side of it by saying, I JUST WANT TO BE FRIENDS. For you it's harder, but for the other person it's actually easier that way. It gives a quick ending. When you are HONEST it makes a world of a difference for people. Honesty and Integrity are in my opinion, two of the worlds, especially the USA, biggest struggles. Ridiculous. Just be upfront and honest. Be more selfless! PLEASE be more selfless. Forget yourself.

"Example is better than Perception" - Colton's Fortune Cookie

What a Killer Fortune Cookie right?! It goes in with everything I just talked about. DOING. BEING. It's saying that What YOU DO, is more important than what you think happened or what you can conjure up a thought of WHY you are ok to do what you do. It's Called Rationalizing which means that you LIE to have the benefit in your court. Yet, you're only lying to yourself. And people notice it. Trust me, people Notice it. I guess what I'm tired of is people pretending in the world. I'm tired of people acting like nothing bad happens at their hand and that they are initially Jesus. Admit your faults. Be the Bigger Person, 100% of the time! If everyone were accountable, mannnnnn it would be nice. With your friends, admit you're wrong, a jerk, a skeez, over the top, whatever! In Dating and Relationships, Take the blame, be more kind, say sorry first, be FIRST to do what's right. If people were all jumping to do so, the only thing we'd be fighting over is really who said or did good first. I'm tired of the hurt people ensue on others. I'm tired of the hurt people place on themselves. I'm tired of people not caring enough. Apathy is the worlds biggest killer Right Now. It's all over the place and I'm tired of Apathy. It's getting old that people give up or give in. It would be cool if people were themselves, yet with a lot more love. With a lot more giving, and a lot more selflessness. To all that are reading this, I'm sorry for ever wronging you, playing games, being dishonest or even not upfront- still dishonest. I am a student of self improvement, soooo I'm kinda changing all the time, or at least trying to do so. I'm a work in progress, This kid here isn't perfect, and I know it. Everyone wants Love. If you are the example of Love around, people will see it and pass it on. Guaranteed. Be the Example that people are receiving, not the thought you're perceiving. Know that "What your mind can perceive, the heart can Achieve." - Walt Disney Yepppp More Mind Vomit. Thanks For Indulging in My Novels and Incomplete scrambled thoughts. Hence the name SOBERING THOUGHTS.