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World Cup 2010

I'm just a little excited about this. Once every four years, the world almost pauses everything to cheer on 32 countries as they fight for the World Cup title. The United States is sitting in the middle of the pack according to the odds makers. It's going to be a fun month!

The Happiness Illusion

I've come to the conclusion that there are two types of people.  I classify the world into two types of people constantly.  It's always true but the types are interchangeable.  For instance...

There are two types of people....

Disney people & Universal People

PS3 & Wii

People who appreciate music & Country music fans

Soccer fans & morons

The two groups I speak of tonight are those who can recognize happiness and those who never do.  Both groups tend to be quite unhappy.  As a whole, humanity is quite self-centered and self-loathing.  You see, those who are unable to recognize happiness in their lives constantly talk about the "way they wish things were."  Those who are able to recognize usually always speak of the "way things used to be."  

For some reason, happiness is never in the present tense.  It's always something that was or could be.  Tonight I find myself in the reminiscent group.  I think often of how things were.  The laughter, enjoyment, peace, contentment that used to be.  Friendships that have almost disappeared; work projects that were filled with so much promise and joy; the trust and love that once kept groups together; the excitement and creativity that kept you coming back for more.

The truth of it all is that this idea of happiness, the one we've built up in our minds, is an illusion.  The happiness illusion exists because we either forget about the hardships and difficulties that we walked through in the past or we neglect to think about the cost of future joy.  Very, very rarely do we stop to soak up true happiness.  The moment happening right now; the memory to be that you'll think back so fondly of; the moment that others are looking forward to experiencing for themselves one day.  Almost no one can see the happiness found in "now."

The happiness illusion will continue to frustrate you until you decide to see it for what it is.  It's the failure to live in the present.  Only when you live and soak up the marrow of the moment right now will you truly be happy with your circumstances.  I'm pretty sure that's why Jesus encouraged us so much.

Ladies and Gentlemen...

After a couple of weeks away, I return to blog about none other than....

"PHILLIP'S NOT CREATIVE" 

Every once in a while I'll stumble across something that leaves me humbled about my so called ability to be creative.  Today is on of those days.  Below you'll find two videos.  Each was made by Brett Domino.  This is in no way an endorsement as I have only seen these two videos.  However, one can not see this and deny the creative genius behind them.  

After watching them I now feel compelled to by a keytar and a bunch of "school supplies" and start my own band.  So without further ado...Ladies and Gentlemen, I present Brett Domino.

It's About Being Healthy

So I've been debating whether to write this or not but in the hope that it will encourage someone, I've decided to share.

Last year I was very disappointed with myself...physically speaking.  I can't do anything about my height, hair and a host of other things, but the things I can control I failed to.  Late last Spring or early summer, Brian started working out at a nearby gym and I decided to join in.  At first I just wanted to be able to run a little without being winded a quarter mile in.  As I continued to workout on a somewhat consistent basis, I decided to start trying to get healthier.  

I'm turning thirty-two this year and I have three young children.  By the time my son in ten and I'm forty-two I want to be able to play sports with him and even challenge him in his teenage years.  That means I've got to be in good shape and stay there.  It's about being healthy.  

So almost one year later, I'm very happy with my progress.  I'm measuring it in several ways.  Physical appearance, weight, strength and stamina.  I'm not sure what the average is in these categories but my status has improved in each.  I'm twenty pounds lighter than I was a year ago; I'm doing sixty-five pushups and twenty pull-ups in a row; I can run two miles at a decent pace; and I'm happier with the way I look in a bathing suit.  (as an encouragement to myself I made a before and after picture comparison. If you want to see that...well, I'm not sure if I'll let you but it's a huge difference.)

I didn't have a huge difference in my diet.  I cut back on sweets, soda and portion size.  If I wanted to indulge, I would but sparingly.  I started working out at least three times a week.  Mostly upper body weight lifting and elliptical or treadmill.  My hope is to continue to eat better, live healthier and enjoy this life I've been blessed with.  After all, my body is a temple and I need to be a good steward of it.  

So SG, Ry and Mac...watch out because Dad is gonna be around for a while!

Coming To An End

With the season of Lent coming to an end I'm tempted to focus more on the end of my fast than the reason for it in the first place.  I'm looking forward to all the things I've been withholding from myself over the last month and a half.  However, the reason for Lent is to prepare our hearts and minds for celebrating Easter.  

God has had a lot more of my attention these days; as a result, He is seriously messing me up.  If you're not familiar with this idea let me assure you that this is a good thing.  There are things that were a major part of my life in February that no longer are.  Some of those things don't need to have so much of my focus or attention ever again.  Other things have been given more attention and my life is the better for it.

So looking back I feel like this has been a very fruitful season of Lent for me personally.  With that said, if you've been fasting, what are you looking forward to most that you've been without over the last forty-ish days?  What do you think my first twitter message should be (scripture, goofy, loud & proud, twitpic)? 

More importantly, where and how will you be celebrating the resurrection of our Savior this weekend?