The Beginning: Friendship

This my first post is dedicated to Stephanie, a dear friend.

Okay I'm not going to even come close to lying. This blog is starting because of two things: the first being that a wonderful friend of mine promised that if I started a blog she'd read it; the second is that the same friend wrote an amazing blog that I'm really appreciative of and so I feel a certain need to get revenge on her!

So I'm going to start off by stating a very important fact; something that must not be forgotten UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES no matter how long I wind up keeping this blog going and how much I write. I am a very simple guy with very simple tastes and even simpler expectations and needs from life. I'm not looking to show off my knowledge or awe anyone with my writing. If you walk away from this blog feeling uplifted and maybe a little bit inspired, then I have done my job.

Now with all of that said, my intentions with this blog are simple and straightforward. I'm a bit of a dufus, and quite often find myself missing what's right in front of my face. So just in case there are other people out there that suffer from the same problem, I'm going to try to keep a bit of a record here of things I've realized were right in front of my face. I'm going to try to point out the simple and wonderful things in my life that are important to me and bring me happiness in the hopes that maybe anyone else reading this will be reminded of the things that they have forgotten about or taken for granted. Perhaps you can learn from my mistakes and you won't have to spend as much time as I have, miserable for no better reason than that you weren't looking hard enough at how wonderful your life was.

So where to start? I've learned so much, in the last few months even, about my life and what I'm appreciate of, but I think the best place to begin and certainly what has become absolutely most important to me is the people around me. When you realize that there are people around you that you love and that love you right back, no matter how much you deserve to be punched in the face due to sheer lack of sense, life becomes quite a bit brighter. And you realize that no matter what you're going through, it'll all be okay because you have people that are going to be there with you through thick and thin and a little tiny bit further beyond that. These are the people that will come give you a hug when you really need one, with get angry with you at someone or something who has slighted you, and who will lovingly say "You know, dear, you're really being kinda stupid" when you most need to hear it.

I have a wonderful group of friends. Every day they all, each and every one of them, find new ways to inspire me and teach me new things about myself and the world around me. Some of them I've known for a very long time; others I have only recently enjoyed getting to know. But one thing I'm certain of is that it doesn't matter how long you know someone, when they love you and you love them, you're going to be friends for life. I'm so grateful for the people I have around that I know I will be able to count on for the rest of my life, and even beyond into the eternities. I have lost count of the number of times that one of them has said something, even something silly or seemingly unimportant, that has touched me or made me think about things differently and changed me in ways that are irrevocable. Without these people in my life, I would be truly lost. To all of my beloved friends out there, whether you wind up reading this or not, I send you my love and infinite gratitude. I don't know what road lies ahead for me or you, but I smile at the thought that no matter what road it is or what direction it leads, we'll get to experience it together.

To those of you who have a close group of friends, don't ever let it slip away. Do whatever needs to be done to keep it tight. Mend any rifts, forgive any wrongs, and hog-tie any stragglers and bring them back to the fold. Love is the foundation for everything. Through the love you share with your friends, your joy will grow more and more full, and you will look more and more towards the source of all that is good, a loving and kind Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

To those of you who don't have such a group of friends and people that you feel love you and enjoy your love... there's still good news. You have a Heavenly Father who loves you. He loves you infinitely, more than anyone in this world will ever be able to match. He loves you so much he sent His Son to atone for all of your flaws and mistakes and foibles. He sent His Son to be there to comfort you, and to lead and guide you. I bear my firm witness that as you seek to follow the Lord, he will lead you towards happiness, and he will help you find the people that you need in your life, and that may need you just as much. 

This is my testimony tonight as I close this post. I have lived and experienced the road that the Savior would have us walk to change our lives and turn misery and despair into happiness and joy. As you look for the simple and wonderful things in life, look to your friends and loved ones. Their influence will affect your life forever, and through them and the love you share with them you will find a better life and a happier existence.

Until we find our paths crossing again, I wish you the best, and remind you to always remember that the simple and most important things in life are often right there, hiding in plain sight right in front of us, awaiting only our acknowledgement that they are indeed what makes our lives truly grand.