'The Hunger Games' Is Fiction ... Or At Least We Hope So http://imdb.com/rg/an_share/news/news/ni25544602

Piano

if your life was a story...

Would your readers be mesmerized as they tore through the pages, or would they toss it aside?

Would they trumpet it to everyone they knew, leaning forward with wide eyes, or would they forget about it?

Would it shatter chains of fear and doubt and awaken faith and courage?

Or would it weary readers with standard routines, pitiful clichés and plain pettiness?

Would it wallow in normalcy, or soar with inspiration?

Would your readers want to be like you?

How would people feel after reading your story?

Would you be a hero, a villain, or a faceless nobody drowning in a sea of faceless nobodies?

Would your story be told a hundred years after you had passed on?

Would it matter if your story was told or not?

Guess what: Your life is a story. And you're writing it every moment of every day.

Is it worth reading?

Finished! But not forever...

Well, I finished the Federalist Papers. Overall, it's confusing, but I did manage to pull out some principles. Great stuff, teaches freedom. (See my previous posts.) My next book is a short one.

Another note from the Federalist Papers #71

People show interest in things which they feel reasonable for. That has been known for a long time. If you want to help people in their lives, help them find responsibility in their lives. :-)

Open with Chris Brady

Last night we went to see Chris Brady in Phoenix. He was amazing!  We sat in the front row, and learned. Chris, for those who don't know him was a systems engineer for GM. He was the youngest to reach the top in the companies history. He understood systems. He and his buddy left the "prefect jobs" that they had because they could see where things were going. His buddy who was with him had 4 patents in production by the age of 25, also worked for GM. His name, Orrin Woodward.
These two guys have put together a leadership/life coaching group that is top notch. These guys understand business and systems. The group they organized is very systematic. Everybody gets the same coaching as everybody else, and they even offer the opportunity for personal mentorship.
Orrin Woodward recently won an award, the International Association of Business. The IAB is a million plus member nonprofit organization, helping American small businesses start, grow and effectively crate jobs in the US.

Rock Music

I've never really been into rock music, but this song gives me the chills every time I hear it! I love it, bag pipes and all! I just imagine it being played as I'm coming out on stage for some big event/achievement. Someday...

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.2

The Federalist Papers

So, I'm reading the Federalist Papers, and it just hit me that the way the country was set up, with each state having it's own government was pretty genius!  That way the states would have computation to see who would be the better state. The people would be leaders themselves and know what's going on in government.

When one state would do good, they would be rewarded with more people who desire good becoming residents of their state. That's the way the market and economics work. They who are the best, become better.

I know this principle is something that is trying to be violated by our Uncle Sam who wants to take over and make everyone equal. However, the principle still will triumph, because as long as their are people out there who are trying to improve themselves, their will always be a difference. Those with the biggest difference, make the most difference. Haha, I just said that...that's a good sentence. I'm going to put it in quotes and call it mine. "Those with the biggest difference, make the most difference." -Jacob Padgett

I listened to a talk by Oliver DeMille called Freedom Matters. That single talk is the key to Freedom, and how to restore it at our time. get sold of me somehow if you want to listen to borrow it. jacobpad@gmail.com
I was actually able to be at this talk when he gave it live in Colombus, Ohio. It was incredible! It was at the Nation Wide Arena downtown Colombus. The stadium was practically full to the brim. In fact I have (had-it got deleted when I reset my phone) a video of when he came to stage... It was EXCITING!!!

Facing your Giants

Facing Your Giants: The God Who Made a Miracle Out of David Stands Ready to Make One Out of You by Max Lucado

This can hit hard, teaches me to get away from negativity.
Linger too long in the stench of your hurt, and you will smell like the toxins you despise.

David (David and Goliath) went from low (Sheppard boy) to high (practically ruler of the earth). He then suffered from altitude sickness, thinking he was higher, and better than everyone else. (Proverbs 8:13) Reminds me of this blog post regarding a good example of humility that we should strive for.

This is one of my favorite quotes...
"Humility doesn't mean you think less of yourself, it means you think of yourself less."

One thing that stands out to me is the saying "Succeeded At Home First".

"Focus on your giants, you stumble. Focus on God, your giants tumble."

It's a good book on overcoming or personal Giants and how God helps us win the battle over the things that hold us down. The book is written in such a way that it relates the biblical stories (of David mainly) to our day for simple understanding.

For more details, read the book. :-)

Unschooling Rules

Today I finished reading another book. This book is not quite what you would pick from a reading list in school.

It's titled Unschooling Rules: 55 Ways To Unlearn What We Know About Schools And Rediscover Education by Clark Aldrich.

Aldrich breaks three book up into 55 short 1-2 page sectionscovering each of his Seven Cs.

1. Curricula

2. Content

3. Coaching

4. Customization

5. Community

6. Credit

7. [Day] Care

This would be a perfect book for those who want to learn more about homeschooling their children, or why other people choose to homeschool their kids. But still a good book none the less for all to read and gain a better understanding of where our public school system is, and what can make schooling better.

Another one if my favorite books along this theme, and is actually referenced in this book is A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille. Now that book hits the grand slam of all "homeschool" genera books! Here is DeMille's review of Unschooling Rules.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.2

Margin & The Blessing

Well, yesterday (1-1-12) I finished two books.

Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives by Richard Swenson

And

The Blessing: Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance by Dr. John Trent & Dr. Gary Smalley

Margin was a good book, primarily about getting your life straight and decluttering, bringing back simplicity, peace & priorities. I have some things that I pulled away from this book that are quite great. I’ve got probably 6 dozen or so parts that stood out to me, but this “recipe for a better life” stood out most.

"SUGGESTIONS
The following are suggestions that will assist in simple living. Beware of the distinction between suggestions and rules, for if you make them rules, you will have converted simplicity into legalism and defeated its purpose before even beginning.

Possessions and Finances
• Cultivate contentment, desire less.
• Resist covetousness.
• Resist consumerism.
• Wage war against advertisements.
• Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status.
• I)e-accumulate.
• Develop the habit of giving away.
• Share possessions.
• Offer the use of your possessions-don't make others ask.
• Develop a network of exchange.
• Avoid overindulging-for example, toys, food, movie viewing, etc.
• Avoid impulse buying.
• Don't buy anything if the time and money spent on it compete with family, service, and God.
• Avoid debt if possible.
• Don't buy now, pay later.
• Avoid credit cards if they are a problem.
• Reject fashion, especially fads.
• De-emphasize respectability.
• Simplify your wardrobe-give away excess.
• Learn how to make do with a lower income instead of needing a higher one.

Pace and Atmosphere
• Slow down.
• Do not exhaust your emotional bank account.
• Lic fallow.
• Say no.
• Enjoy peaceful music.
• Control/restrict/eliminate television watching; surfing the net.
• Get a remote control and turn off advertisements.

Relationships
• Cultivate a closeness with God.
• Schedule "simple" dates with your spouse.
• Teach your children.
• Enjoy family field trips.
• Practice regular hospitality.
• Help each other, emphasize service.
• Encourage others.
• "Always speak the truth and you'll never he concerned with your menmory."
• Don't judge.
• Learn to enjoy solitude.

Appreciation
• Send cards of encouragement and appreciation when others are not expecting it.
• lie grateful for things large and small.
• Emphasize a joyful life.
• Appreciate creation.

Spiritual Life
• Make the Word central.
• Meditate, memorize.
• Pray.
• Encourage simple worship.

Activities
• Make your commitments simple.
• Don't overwork.
• last periodically from media, food, people.
• Elevate reading, go to the library.
• Simplify Christmas.
• Write down those things you need to remember and forget everything else.

Nutrition and Exercise
• Exercise.
• Bike or walk.
• Make your recreation active rather than passive.
• Develop healthy sleep habits.
• Avoid overeating.
• Frequent a co-op.
• Whenever possible, buy food directly from those who grow it.
• Garden."

I would highly recommend this book to the one’s who need it, mainly all those who “don’t have the time or energy or desire to read a book”.

As for The Blessing, it was more of a spiritually based book. Probably not something that a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or Mormons would just go read. It’s by a Pastor of another Christian based faith. The main plot of the book is to bless the lives of others, starting with family.

The Blessing was mainly about parents giving their children their blessings to succeed in life. www.theblessing.com. Five things are included in a blessing to make it memorable and easy for others to embrace.
1. Appropriate meaningful touch (hug, hand shake, laying on of hand...)
2. Words (spoken)
3. Attach high vale (Emphasize a character trait(s) that you think is awesome and let them know how much better they are because they have that trait.)
4. They have a special future, and God knows it.
5. Genuine commitment. (follow through in giving more fulfilling your blessing)

Overall, The Blessing was a really good book. The world would for sure be a better place if all people, who do and don't have children, would read and apply it to someone(s) they know.

It's very similar to receiving a Patriarchal Blessing. In fact, a good follow up book to The Blessing would be The Power Of Your Patriarchal Blessing by Gayla Wise.

Check out the web site, sign up for their monthly newsletter, follow the three steps after signing up and check out the PDF files, and bless the lives of others.

Also check out the links to the chapters...starting with www.theblessing.com/chapter1

For more details, read the books. ;-)