Being away from my parent's home causes me to think a little more about what the word "Home" means to me. As I ponder only upon that simple word I become more determined to create my own little home where ever I am.
A home is not just a place where you live; that is a definition of a house. A House becomes a Home when a certain spirit resides there: A Spirit of Love, Joy, Kindness, Service, and many other qualities.
D&C 88:124-125 says, "Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated. And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace."
This, I think, is something that can be applied to our homes. I mean imagine if we could incorporate it into our lives.
There would be no idleness. We would be extraordinarily productive if only because the ordinary are not. If we accomplished everything that is on our "To Do" list, then we have time to develop a talent, serve someone, visit someone, learn something, etc.
There would be order and cleanness. A Spirit of peace, tranquility, openness, etc in which allows a person to more easily express love and learn different things.
There would be no arguments. There would be peace in the home. Growth in healthy relationships. Helping each other progress. More love.
Not taking naps that are not needed cause you to be more involved in your day and in your life and in those around you. Going to bed early and waking up early causes you to become more productive and healthy. (Benefits of Sleep)
Charity is the pure love of Christ. It is the highest, noblest, and strongest kind of love and the most joyous to the soul. Moroni 7:45 says, "And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."
Imagine if we took all of this upon ourselves. Upon our homes.
It is no wonder that President Hinckley has said, "Imagine how our own families, let alone the world, would change it we vowed to keep faith with one another, strengthen on another, look for an accentuate the virtues in on another, and speak graciously concerning one another. Imagine the cumulative effect if we treated each other with respect and acceptance, if we willingly provided support. Such interactions practiced on a small scale would surely have a rippling effect throughout our homes and communities and, eventually, society at large."
Married, Single, or still in your parents home, can you not imagine the wonders that would happen if we took these simple principles into our homes? Even if it be with only with roommates, rather then immediate or extended family. Life is a fantastical thing. It is amazing what progress we can make in it, if only we put forth the effort of doing so.
As President Kimball has once said, "When Satan is bound in a single home – when Satan is bound in a single life – the Millennium has already begun in that home, in that life" (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, edited by Edward L. Kimball [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1982], 172).
This is what we strive for: the Millennium, the Zion within our home. It will grow outward from there into the communities around us, into other's lives. Not just our own.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Reason why to Gain Wisdom and Knowledge
There is a question that has been repeated to me over and over again since I was in Kindergarten: What do you want to be when you grow up?
I had no idea in Kindergarten. I had no idea in First Grade. I had no idea in Second Grade. I didn’t know what sort of things I could be when I grew up. Being the oldest child, I honestly didn’t know what there was. So the standard question was treated with a standard answer that I thought they expected of me: a doctor, a policewoman, a fire-woman, the first female president, a teacher, a lawyer. That was the extent of my knowledge of what I could be when I grew up, perhaps because that was all I was exposed to. William Golding in “Thinking as a Hobby” explains how as a kid he was to mold himself into a certain way of thinking and this is how I felt the question tried to mold me as well. However, every year, my answer would be different, because I had no real interest in any of those careers.
But if I could talk to my younger self now, I would make my self aware of the goals that I already had at that age. I cannot remember a time in which I have not had a great hunger for gaining Knowledge and Wisdom continuously. I cannot recall a time in my life where I had thought knowledge and wisdom were the same; I always knew they were separate meanings.
My family owned many children’s books before I was five years old. I would pull them down and follow the words on the page with my finger and make up the story as it continued; I knew I could not read and I wished to learn. My mother told me that I would learn to read when I was five. On my fifth birthday, I had run to the bookshelf, pulled out a book, and tried to read, then immediately burst into tears; I could not read. My mother then told me that I would learn when I start school. Three months later that day came, and my mother sent her oldest child out into the world and worried all day. When my mother came to pick me up I was in tears. She worried and panicked that her daughter was picked on and bullied and had a horrible day. Once I was able to speak to where she could understand what it was I was saying she had a hard time trying not to laugh; I was crying because I couldn’t read yet.
In primary, I remember of learning of King Solomon, how he was the wisest man. In 1 Kings 4:29-34 it says, “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much . . . And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men; . . . and his fame was in all nations round about. . . . And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard his wisdom.” I was determined then and there that I wanted wisdom. I thought that he was very clever and I wanted to be as well.
Growing up in a family who has been strong and active form the time in which all of my ancestors were converted before they traveled West, the Gospel is just a part of life. It defines my family. It defines our traditions. It defines our thoughts. It defines our philosophy. It defines how we see the world and the events that occur in it. We talk of math and it somehow relates. We talk of friends and it relates. We talk of money and it relates. We talk of anything and it’ll relate.
Before my tenth birthday, I came to a conclusion as to why gaining knowledge and wisdom is important. The gospel is all about progression; if we do not progress, then that is the definition of damnation. The reason we wish to gain entry into the highest kingdom in the Celestial Kingdom is because it means we can progress and increase. Doctrine and Covenants 130:18-19 says, “Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.” I take this to heart.
Knowledge and wisdom are not just to be gained for money and wealth and public recognition; They are gained as preparation for the Eternities. That is my goal in all my mortal life. I realized that this life is only a probationary stage, but a stage in which we experience because we can only truly learn by experiencing it so I should take full advantage of it as I do not think I will ever experience it again, even in the Eternities. The Life Lessons I learn here are lessons that I’m going to be able to use forever, but only if I take the right wisdom and knowledge from the experience, otherwise it would almost be an entire waste of mortal time and useless to me in the Eternities. Then how could you progress without any real wisdom gained?
President Gordon B. Hinckley has said in Stand a Little Taller, “It is not a sacrifice to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is never a sacrifice when you get back more than you give. It is an investment. And the living gospel of Jesus Christ becomes a greater investment than any of which we know because its dividends are eternal and everlasting.”
Keeping the commandments of God, being obedient, it just makes you gain knowledge and wisdom and more blessings. It is not that difficult to practice and live the gospel. You are the one that gains in the long run, in the Eternities. I do not think we can adequately comprehend all the blessings we gain just by following the law.
So I’ve always had this thirst for knowledge, but not always the classical school knowledge. I don’t much care for geology for example. I’ve always wanted to learn how to care for a horse. Or how exactly it is that the words can be phrased in such as way that it means different things. Or what a true friend is. Or how I can help the world be a little better. Or just the workings of the government and economy. Or how to live within a budget. Or how to better interact with people.
President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “Seek for the real things, not the artificial. Seek for the everlasting truths, not the passing whim, Seek for the eternal things of God, not for that which is here today, gone tomorrow. Look to God and live, as the scripture enjoins us.”
There are many who seek knowledge that could advance them in this world. But in the Eternal perspective, there are things that you could learn here in our mortal life that would have not as much value in the next life than other possible things to learn. It is much better to seek for those things that have true value. These are more of a type of the things I wish to learn.
Jacob 6:12 “O be wise; what can I say more?” is one of my favorite scriptures that I try to apply to my life. I think of that scripture every day and what it means to me. The phrase, or command, “be wise” continues to change its meaning for me. Wise in the ways of the Lord. Wise in the workings of the planet. Wise in the abstract ideas. Wise in material things. Wise in relationships. Wise in how I manage my life. Wise in how I interact. Wise in my schooling and education and learning. Wise in my finances. Wise in my health. Wise in exercising my agency. Wise in preparing for the future and Eternity.
My family has cultivated the habit of thinking and pondering. Before coming to college, it’s a tradition in my family to just philosophize and bounce ideas off each other and be open to learning by inspiration. We recognize that we do not know everything; that the things we do know may be wrong. However, no matter what we learn from the world we always have Faith and confidence that it somehow fits into the complex plan of our Father in Heaven. That the holes and questions we have on life, on the missing parts of history, on understanding the standard works, will be answered eventually. We just need to be faithful and obedient and all will be answered.
As Doctrine and Covenants 6:7 says, “Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich.” This seems to be the theme of my family’s way of learning; realizing that we do not know everything, nor is it likely we will in this life and so ask our Father in Heaven, yet be grateful for the knowledge we are blessed with and continue to learn all we can from it.
Here in college, Life has been wonderful. Because I am learning, but I am learning things that I can see be actually applicable to my life. My mind is exploding with knowledge, wisdom, ideas, and how that can be utilize in my life and in making the world a little bit better then before, even if it’s just the way I live my life.
I am now making the habit of thinking better professional.
Doctrine and Covenants 9:7-8 says, “You have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right.” President Hinckley has says, “Knowledge without labor is profitless. Knowledge with labor is genius.” In my belief, this is what the professional thinker should be. Gaining knowledge with labor, with work, not just something you do every day, is what divides the professional from the hobbyist.
I am making my limited and slightly molded way of thinking from my time in the nest at home transform into a professional way of thinking in which there is no limits in what you can learn from every little thing you come in contact with. Much like William Golding’s highest way of thinking; the first grade thinker; the professional.
“The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.” ~D&C 93:36
I had no idea in Kindergarten. I had no idea in First Grade. I had no idea in Second Grade. I didn’t know what sort of things I could be when I grew up. Being the oldest child, I honestly didn’t know what there was. So the standard question was treated with a standard answer that I thought they expected of me: a doctor, a policewoman, a fire-woman, the first female president, a teacher, a lawyer. That was the extent of my knowledge of what I could be when I grew up, perhaps because that was all I was exposed to. William Golding in “Thinking as a Hobby” explains how as a kid he was to mold himself into a certain way of thinking and this is how I felt the question tried to mold me as well. However, every year, my answer would be different, because I had no real interest in any of those careers.
But if I could talk to my younger self now, I would make my self aware of the goals that I already had at that age. I cannot remember a time in which I have not had a great hunger for gaining Knowledge and Wisdom continuously. I cannot recall a time in my life where I had thought knowledge and wisdom were the same; I always knew they were separate meanings.
My family owned many children’s books before I was five years old. I would pull them down and follow the words on the page with my finger and make up the story as it continued; I knew I could not read and I wished to learn. My mother told me that I would learn to read when I was five. On my fifth birthday, I had run to the bookshelf, pulled out a book, and tried to read, then immediately burst into tears; I could not read. My mother then told me that I would learn when I start school. Three months later that day came, and my mother sent her oldest child out into the world and worried all day. When my mother came to pick me up I was in tears. She worried and panicked that her daughter was picked on and bullied and had a horrible day. Once I was able to speak to where she could understand what it was I was saying she had a hard time trying not to laugh; I was crying because I couldn’t read yet.
In primary, I remember of learning of King Solomon, how he was the wisest man. In 1 Kings 4:29-34 it says, “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much . . . And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men; . . . and his fame was in all nations round about. . . . And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard his wisdom.” I was determined then and there that I wanted wisdom. I thought that he was very clever and I wanted to be as well.
Growing up in a family who has been strong and active form the time in which all of my ancestors were converted before they traveled West, the Gospel is just a part of life. It defines my family. It defines our traditions. It defines our thoughts. It defines our philosophy. It defines how we see the world and the events that occur in it. We talk of math and it somehow relates. We talk of friends and it relates. We talk of money and it relates. We talk of anything and it’ll relate.
Before my tenth birthday, I came to a conclusion as to why gaining knowledge and wisdom is important. The gospel is all about progression; if we do not progress, then that is the definition of damnation. The reason we wish to gain entry into the highest kingdom in the Celestial Kingdom is because it means we can progress and increase. Doctrine and Covenants 130:18-19 says, “Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.” I take this to heart.
Knowledge and wisdom are not just to be gained for money and wealth and public recognition; They are gained as preparation for the Eternities. That is my goal in all my mortal life. I realized that this life is only a probationary stage, but a stage in which we experience because we can only truly learn by experiencing it so I should take full advantage of it as I do not think I will ever experience it again, even in the Eternities. The Life Lessons I learn here are lessons that I’m going to be able to use forever, but only if I take the right wisdom and knowledge from the experience, otherwise it would almost be an entire waste of mortal time and useless to me in the Eternities. Then how could you progress without any real wisdom gained?
President Gordon B. Hinckley has said in Stand a Little Taller, “It is not a sacrifice to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is never a sacrifice when you get back more than you give. It is an investment. And the living gospel of Jesus Christ becomes a greater investment than any of which we know because its dividends are eternal and everlasting.”
Keeping the commandments of God, being obedient, it just makes you gain knowledge and wisdom and more blessings. It is not that difficult to practice and live the gospel. You are the one that gains in the long run, in the Eternities. I do not think we can adequately comprehend all the blessings we gain just by following the law.
So I’ve always had this thirst for knowledge, but not always the classical school knowledge. I don’t much care for geology for example. I’ve always wanted to learn how to care for a horse. Or how exactly it is that the words can be phrased in such as way that it means different things. Or what a true friend is. Or how I can help the world be a little better. Or just the workings of the government and economy. Or how to live within a budget. Or how to better interact with people.
President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “Seek for the real things, not the artificial. Seek for the everlasting truths, not the passing whim, Seek for the eternal things of God, not for that which is here today, gone tomorrow. Look to God and live, as the scripture enjoins us.”
There are many who seek knowledge that could advance them in this world. But in the Eternal perspective, there are things that you could learn here in our mortal life that would have not as much value in the next life than other possible things to learn. It is much better to seek for those things that have true value. These are more of a type of the things I wish to learn.
Jacob 6:12 “O be wise; what can I say more?” is one of my favorite scriptures that I try to apply to my life. I think of that scripture every day and what it means to me. The phrase, or command, “be wise” continues to change its meaning for me. Wise in the ways of the Lord. Wise in the workings of the planet. Wise in the abstract ideas. Wise in material things. Wise in relationships. Wise in how I manage my life. Wise in how I interact. Wise in my schooling and education and learning. Wise in my finances. Wise in my health. Wise in exercising my agency. Wise in preparing for the future and Eternity.
My family has cultivated the habit of thinking and pondering. Before coming to college, it’s a tradition in my family to just philosophize and bounce ideas off each other and be open to learning by inspiration. We recognize that we do not know everything; that the things we do know may be wrong. However, no matter what we learn from the world we always have Faith and confidence that it somehow fits into the complex plan of our Father in Heaven. That the holes and questions we have on life, on the missing parts of history, on understanding the standard works, will be answered eventually. We just need to be faithful and obedient and all will be answered.
As Doctrine and Covenants 6:7 says, “Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich.” This seems to be the theme of my family’s way of learning; realizing that we do not know everything, nor is it likely we will in this life and so ask our Father in Heaven, yet be grateful for the knowledge we are blessed with and continue to learn all we can from it.
Here in college, Life has been wonderful. Because I am learning, but I am learning things that I can see be actually applicable to my life. My mind is exploding with knowledge, wisdom, ideas, and how that can be utilize in my life and in making the world a little bit better then before, even if it’s just the way I live my life.
I am now making the habit of thinking better professional.
Doctrine and Covenants 9:7-8 says, “You have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right.” President Hinckley has says, “Knowledge without labor is profitless. Knowledge with labor is genius.” In my belief, this is what the professional thinker should be. Gaining knowledge with labor, with work, not just something you do every day, is what divides the professional from the hobbyist.
I am making my limited and slightly molded way of thinking from my time in the nest at home transform into a professional way of thinking in which there is no limits in what you can learn from every little thing you come in contact with. Much like William Golding’s highest way of thinking; the first grade thinker; the professional.
“The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.” ~D&C 93:36
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The Well-Being of a Lazy Student
Family Nursing Skills - Women aka SFN 302
That is the class I have to tell me about being Healthy and all the health things a woman should know.
Well. The other day, we were talking of blood pressure. The normal is 120/80. The first number is the systolic pressure, or the pressure generated when then heart contracts. The second is the diastolic pressure, or the blood pressure when the heart is relaxed.
We then measured everyone in the class. Mine is 93/56. That's quite low. I didn't know it at the time, but this other girl in my class, who knows more about nursing than I, looks at it, and then exclaims, "Wow! Your's is really low Alex." In fact, my teacher, hearing this comment, turned and read my blood pressure then examined my face. She was a tad worried that I was going to faint right then and there. She asked me if I felt dizzy or faint. I just looked at her in confusion as I tried to figure out if I was dizzy or faint. I felt normal. But she told me that when the class was over, that I am not to stand up too fast because I would black out.
Now. I should probably get my blood pressure up higher. Because that way, when I stand up too fast, I won't black out for a little bit. Which happens at least 5 or so times a month. It's never really bothered me before. I just have to stand perfectly still until I can see again and the floor stops moving then I'm normal. But it would probably be a good idea to higher it. Maybe. Because perhaps its just what I am. I could higher it unhealthily and become average, but then I'd be unhealthy even if it is average.
But I'm on the "Borderline Low", meaning that for athletes and children this is normal. But I am not very athlete and nor am I a child. At least, not physically. Mentally? Perhaps every once in awhile.
Here is a chart I found on the internet called Systolic vs. Diastolic Blood Pressure Range and then here is and article discussing blood pressure called Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) in which I am trying to figure out how to healthily increase my blood pressure.
Well, as I am reading this I am figuring out that low blood pressure is not actually measured by the numbers, unless I have the symptoms. Which I might have if only because I stand or sit up and black out a little. One thing to be worried about with low blood pressure is the fact that if "the flow of blood is too low to deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidney, the organs do not function normally and may be permanently damaged". Now I don't know about you, but that does now sound good at all.
Reasons as to why I could have low blood pressure: Option A: less blood is being pumped into the arteries. Option B: the arterioles are larger and more flexible so less resistant to the flow of blood.
Question: Is Low blood pressure bad for your health?
Answer: "People who have lower blood pressures have a lower risk of stroke, kidney disease, and heart disease. Athletes, people who exercise regularly, people who maintain ideal body weight, and non-smokers tend to have lower blood pressures. Therefore, low blood pressure is desirable as long as it is not low enough to cause symptoms and damage organs in the body."
Oh dear. I'm still reading this article and I've discovered that I probably really do have low blood pressure because of the symptoms... and guess what I have a a risk of now? Chest pain or even heart attack (when there is insufficient blood pressure to deliver blood to the coronary arteries). I hope I do not have that. I really hope. But guess what else I've discovered? Shock is a life-threatening condition to a person with low blood pressure. Persistently low blood pressure causes organs such as kidney(s), liver, heart, lung, and brain to fail rapidly.
This is bad. Why? Because I got into shock frequently, at least things that my mind doesn't want to handle and retreats from. See mom? It is a good for my health to ignore things that I know I wouldn't be able to handle. This is all rather interesting to me because last year, during spring break, I had slightly cut my finger freaked out and knew I was going into shock, and once my mom arrived and I knew she could handle it, out I went. Unconscious. And went into complete shock. But that is another story. But apparently, having low blood pressure as I have, I basically had one life-threatening experience in my life.
Well. I read it all and apparently I can be perfectly healthy but with low blood pressure or I can be not so healthy and need to visit the doctors to see if there is anything I can do. The treatment of low blood pressure is determined by the cause of the low pressure.
So that's all about the blood pressure and me.
Next, I've discovered that I am most likely have iron deficiency anemia.
It can be so mild that it goes unnoticed. But as the body becomes more deficent in iron and anemia worsens, the signs and symptoms intensify. (Iron Deficiency Anemia)
Symptoms may include:
-Extreme fatigue
-Pale skin
-Weakness
-Shortness of breath
-Headache
-Dizziness or lightheadedness
-Cold hands and feet
-Irritability
-Inflammation or soreness of your tongue
-Increased likelihood of infections
-Brittle nails
-Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
-Unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances, such as ice, dirt or pure starch
-Poor appetite, especially in infants and children with iron deficiency anemia
-Restless legs syndrome - and uncomfortable tingling or crawling feeling in your legs
There is something rather, interesting, about the situation. One complication that can come from being iron deficient are heart problems from rapid or irregular heartbeats as it tries to pump more blood to compensate for the lack of oxygen carried in the blood when you anemic. Now I just have really low blood pressure, so I wonder at how exactly they compound upon one another.
So I more or less plan that within the next year visiting a doctor just to discover if I am really anemic and what I should do about that as well as my low blood pressure.
Once thing to start doing now, that I should be doing anyways, is to exercise. I am just one of the most laziest people you will ever have the great chance of knowing. Ok. Well, physically lazy. I am rather productive while I sit and not move except to eat something. I'll just start to exercise. Small steps. Very very small steps.
Healthy eating. Well. I already do that. I should probably add more meat to my diet besides chicken nuggets and pepperoni from pizza, but the Word of Wisdom does say to eat meat sparingly (D&C 89:12). I should have more herbs. And I already have a lot of fruit, but I miss California where I can easily get them. Vegetables I eat all the time too. Same with grain. I eat a whole lotta grain here.
So yes. The Physical Well-Being of a Lazy Student. That would be me. I'm certainly learning a lot though. A lot that can be applied to my life in many different ways. Love it. and I love writing about it in here, because then I learn more as I look things up. So you are learning right along with me. :D
That is the class I have to tell me about being Healthy and all the health things a woman should know.
Well. The other day, we were talking of blood pressure. The normal is 120/80. The first number is the systolic pressure, or the pressure generated when then heart contracts. The second is the diastolic pressure, or the blood pressure when the heart is relaxed.
We then measured everyone in the class. Mine is 93/56. That's quite low. I didn't know it at the time, but this other girl in my class, who knows more about nursing than I, looks at it, and then exclaims, "Wow! Your's is really low Alex." In fact, my teacher, hearing this comment, turned and read my blood pressure then examined my face. She was a tad worried that I was going to faint right then and there. She asked me if I felt dizzy or faint. I just looked at her in confusion as I tried to figure out if I was dizzy or faint. I felt normal. But she told me that when the class was over, that I am not to stand up too fast because I would black out.
Now. I should probably get my blood pressure up higher. Because that way, when I stand up too fast, I won't black out for a little bit. Which happens at least 5 or so times a month. It's never really bothered me before. I just have to stand perfectly still until I can see again and the floor stops moving then I'm normal. But it would probably be a good idea to higher it. Maybe. Because perhaps its just what I am. I could higher it unhealthily and become average, but then I'd be unhealthy even if it is average.
But I'm on the "Borderline Low", meaning that for athletes and children this is normal. But I am not very athlete and nor am I a child. At least, not physically. Mentally? Perhaps every once in awhile.
Here is a chart I found on the internet called Systolic vs. Diastolic Blood Pressure Range and then here is and article discussing blood pressure called Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) in which I am trying to figure out how to healthily increase my blood pressure.
Well, as I am reading this I am figuring out that low blood pressure is not actually measured by the numbers, unless I have the symptoms. Which I might have if only because I stand or sit up and black out a little. One thing to be worried about with low blood pressure is the fact that if "the flow of blood is too low to deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidney, the organs do not function normally and may be permanently damaged". Now I don't know about you, but that does now sound good at all.
Reasons as to why I could have low blood pressure: Option A: less blood is being pumped into the arteries. Option B: the arterioles are larger and more flexible so less resistant to the flow of blood.
Question: Is Low blood pressure bad for your health?
Answer: "People who have lower blood pressures have a lower risk of stroke, kidney disease, and heart disease. Athletes, people who exercise regularly, people who maintain ideal body weight, and non-smokers tend to have lower blood pressures. Therefore, low blood pressure is desirable as long as it is not low enough to cause symptoms and damage organs in the body."
Oh dear. I'm still reading this article and I've discovered that I probably really do have low blood pressure because of the symptoms... and guess what I have a a risk of now? Chest pain or even heart attack (when there is insufficient blood pressure to deliver blood to the coronary arteries). I hope I do not have that. I really hope. But guess what else I've discovered? Shock is a life-threatening condition to a person with low blood pressure. Persistently low blood pressure causes organs such as kidney(s), liver, heart, lung, and brain to fail rapidly.
This is bad. Why? Because I got into shock frequently, at least things that my mind doesn't want to handle and retreats from. See mom? It is a good for my health to ignore things that I know I wouldn't be able to handle. This is all rather interesting to me because last year, during spring break, I had slightly cut my finger freaked out and knew I was going into shock, and once my mom arrived and I knew she could handle it, out I went. Unconscious. And went into complete shock. But that is another story. But apparently, having low blood pressure as I have, I basically had one life-threatening experience in my life.
Well. I read it all and apparently I can be perfectly healthy but with low blood pressure or I can be not so healthy and need to visit the doctors to see if there is anything I can do. The treatment of low blood pressure is determined by the cause of the low pressure.
So that's all about the blood pressure and me.
Next, I've discovered that I am most likely have iron deficiency anemia.
It can be so mild that it goes unnoticed. But as the body becomes more deficent in iron and anemia worsens, the signs and symptoms intensify. (Iron Deficiency Anemia)
Symptoms may include:
-Extreme fatigue
-Pale skin
-Weakness
-Shortness of breath
-Headache
-Dizziness or lightheadedness
-Cold hands and feet
-Irritability
-Inflammation or soreness of your tongue
-Increased likelihood of infections
-Brittle nails
-Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
-Unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances, such as ice, dirt or pure starch
-Poor appetite, especially in infants and children with iron deficiency anemia
-Restless legs syndrome - and uncomfortable tingling or crawling feeling in your legs
There is something rather, interesting, about the situation. One complication that can come from being iron deficient are heart problems from rapid or irregular heartbeats as it tries to pump more blood to compensate for the lack of oxygen carried in the blood when you anemic. Now I just have really low blood pressure, so I wonder at how exactly they compound upon one another.
So I more or less plan that within the next year visiting a doctor just to discover if I am really anemic and what I should do about that as well as my low blood pressure.
Once thing to start doing now, that I should be doing anyways, is to exercise. I am just one of the most laziest people you will ever have the great chance of knowing. Ok. Well, physically lazy. I am rather productive while I sit and not move except to eat something. I'll just start to exercise. Small steps. Very very small steps.
Healthy eating. Well. I already do that. I should probably add more meat to my diet besides chicken nuggets and pepperoni from pizza, but the Word of Wisdom does say to eat meat sparingly (D&C 89:12). I should have more herbs. And I already have a lot of fruit, but I miss California where I can easily get them. Vegetables I eat all the time too. Same with grain. I eat a whole lotta grain here.
So yes. The Physical Well-Being of a Lazy Student. That would be me. I'm certainly learning a lot though. A lot that can be applied to my life in many different ways. Love it. and I love writing about it in here, because then I learn more as I look things up. So you are learning right along with me. :D
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
The Economy and Me
My American Foundations class amazes me. (Well, all my classes do.)
I was required to buy the book Economic Facts and Fallacies by Thomas Sowell who has also written Basic Economics. I must say, that I was not overly excited about buying a book from Amazon. Because that meant money being spent on books that I could have spent on food. Which is weird for me to say as books are normally higher on my list of priorities then food. But, no matter, I bought the book and it arrived yesterday, and while I was at my FHE brother's apartment, I began to read.
How interesting it is! How depressing it is!
I must say, that I believe America's economy seems to be heading in the wrong direction then it should for a Healthy Economy that we would all love.
Goals of all people: getting rich.
Now perhaps, that goal can be really unhealthy for you if its prioritized too far at the top of your list, but it is something that we all need to have in our lives. Plus, it creates advancement and progression. Progression in technology and standard of living and such.
Here is a question you should consider: Are you richer then the richest American, John D. Rockfeller?
John D. Rockfeller was over Standard Oil Company. This article "John D. Rockefeller Oil Standard Time Worth Business Andrews" says, "By 1901, he was worth about $900 million and is believed to have been the world's richest man at the time. His net worth when adjusted for inflation would put him in the top twenty modern day billionaires; however, when adjusted for the size of the United States economy in his day, his net worth would dwarf that of any of today's billionaires. In 2001, it was estimated that in contemporary money Rockefeller would be worth $200 billion."
When they are talking about adjusted for the size of the U.S. economy verses adjusted for inflation, they are talking about the fact that the general standard of living for Americans increased from his day to ours verses just the money value being adjusted.
So here is a question: Would we want to take $200 billion dollars (adjusted for inflation) if we could only use it in the ways he could in the 1800s?
I personally would not. Why? Because with our standard of living today in America we are better off then the billionaires back in those days. The billionaires, if they were sick, did not have the medical advances of today. They could not travel as easily as even the poor in American can today. So we have more options and possibilities today for the average person then even the rich ever did have back in the day.
Why is that? That is a question I shall endeavor to answer in this post.
Have you ever heard of the essay I, Pencil. My Family Tree as told to Leonard E. Read? It was written by Leonard E. Read and first published in the December 1958 issue of The Freeman. If not, you should read it. The principles behind it are still in effect. It shows the advantage of capitalism and why it is so effective.
No one person knows how to make a pencil. They don't have the skill nor even the know-how of the skill. There is no human mastermind. I'm sure our Heavenly Father inspires a lot of it (which I will address later), but I think there is an abstract rule like gravity in economics that Heavenly Father knows how to use. In anycase, the Invisible Hand is a theory as to what runs the economy when no one else is as when you look at the big picture of it all its obvious that something is missing and we haven't yet discovered what it is. But we have labeled it the Invisible Hand. It's the Individual's plans that seem to run the economy. Everyone plans for his or her self-interest which could be labeled as profit and to fulfill dreams. Love of our fellowman can motivate, but not taking imperfect people. Heavenly Father has our best Self-Interest in mind. And his plans are so large that we can't really comprehend it. But through inspiration he helps us and gives us personal revelation in everything in relation to our lives.
My teacher told us a story of when he was in college and in an economic class in which he was the only LDS member, the teacher was talking about economic growth throughout the ages. The professor then taught: Imagine if aliens visit every 100 years from the beginning of time. Every time they would visit the human race would only have advanced a little bit if at all.
But then. Approximately in the 1820s the standard of living skyrocketed. If the aliens were to come back they would wonder if they landed on the wrong planet. The professor said it was the U.S. Constitution that its an economic miracle document and he wondered at how the Founding Father's knew. Because it was a total revolutionary idea. No other people or theorist ever came up with such an idea. That it took a couple years for it to start working, but that the U.S. Constitution is an economic miracle. My teacher, the only LDS member in the room, heard the year 1820 and basically fell out of his chair. That is the year of the First Vision.
My teacher remembered the scripture saying that the Spirit of the Lord, or inspiration, will come to the whole Earth again with the Restoration. The Heavens were opened once again in 1820. The Spirit fell more abundantly upon the face of the Earth. It was of my teacher's opinion that when the Gospel was once again upon the Earth it was to the benefit of all men. More inspiration. More progress. It's amazing.
Heavenly Father guides this economy giving us what we want, we just need to be in tune to the Spirit so we can benefit and be obedient without even knowing, because being in tune with the spirit will mean we are in line with God's will. There are scriptures in which the Lord tells those leaving on missions not to worry about food and material goods, that have faith, he'll provide. He talks to all people, saying that if we are righteous and obedient we will never lack. Miracles occur.
Oh how I love the gospel. and even though I read and hear of the direction the world's economy is headed towards. Even as I hear of the pride of different groups of people who refuse to look at any other option than their own. I remember that as long as I am righteous and obedient and faithful everything will turn out as God wills, which is in my best interest. I know that we do not have to worry as long as we are doing the best we can with what we have and know.
I was required to buy the book Economic Facts and Fallacies by Thomas Sowell who has also written Basic Economics. I must say, that I was not overly excited about buying a book from Amazon. Because that meant money being spent on books that I could have spent on food. Which is weird for me to say as books are normally higher on my list of priorities then food. But, no matter, I bought the book and it arrived yesterday, and while I was at my FHE brother's apartment, I began to read.
How interesting it is! How depressing it is!
I must say, that I believe America's economy seems to be heading in the wrong direction then it should for a Healthy Economy that we would all love.
Goals of all people: getting rich.
Now perhaps, that goal can be really unhealthy for you if its prioritized too far at the top of your list, but it is something that we all need to have in our lives. Plus, it creates advancement and progression. Progression in technology and standard of living and such.
Here is a question you should consider: Are you richer then the richest American, John D. Rockfeller?
John D. Rockfeller was over Standard Oil Company. This article "John D. Rockefeller Oil Standard Time Worth Business Andrews" says, "By 1901, he was worth about $900 million and is believed to have been the world's richest man at the time. His net worth when adjusted for inflation would put him in the top twenty modern day billionaires; however, when adjusted for the size of the United States economy in his day, his net worth would dwarf that of any of today's billionaires. In 2001, it was estimated that in contemporary money Rockefeller would be worth $200 billion."
When they are talking about adjusted for the size of the U.S. economy verses adjusted for inflation, they are talking about the fact that the general standard of living for Americans increased from his day to ours verses just the money value being adjusted.
So here is a question: Would we want to take $200 billion dollars (adjusted for inflation) if we could only use it in the ways he could in the 1800s?
I personally would not. Why? Because with our standard of living today in America we are better off then the billionaires back in those days. The billionaires, if they were sick, did not have the medical advances of today. They could not travel as easily as even the poor in American can today. So we have more options and possibilities today for the average person then even the rich ever did have back in the day.
Why is that? That is a question I shall endeavor to answer in this post.
Have you ever heard of the essay I, Pencil. My Family Tree as told to Leonard E. Read? It was written by Leonard E. Read and first published in the December 1958 issue of The Freeman. If not, you should read it. The principles behind it are still in effect. It shows the advantage of capitalism and why it is so effective.
No one person knows how to make a pencil. They don't have the skill nor even the know-how of the skill. There is no human mastermind. I'm sure our Heavenly Father inspires a lot of it (which I will address later), but I think there is an abstract rule like gravity in economics that Heavenly Father knows how to use. In anycase, the Invisible Hand is a theory as to what runs the economy when no one else is as when you look at the big picture of it all its obvious that something is missing and we haven't yet discovered what it is. But we have labeled it the Invisible Hand. It's the Individual's plans that seem to run the economy. Everyone plans for his or her self-interest which could be labeled as profit and to fulfill dreams. Love of our fellowman can motivate, but not taking imperfect people. Heavenly Father has our best Self-Interest in mind. And his plans are so large that we can't really comprehend it. But through inspiration he helps us and gives us personal revelation in everything in relation to our lives.
My teacher told us a story of when he was in college and in an economic class in which he was the only LDS member, the teacher was talking about economic growth throughout the ages. The professor then taught: Imagine if aliens visit every 100 years from the beginning of time. Every time they would visit the human race would only have advanced a little bit if at all.
But then. Approximately in the 1820s the standard of living skyrocketed. If the aliens were to come back they would wonder if they landed on the wrong planet. The professor said it was the U.S. Constitution that its an economic miracle document and he wondered at how the Founding Father's knew. Because it was a total revolutionary idea. No other people or theorist ever came up with such an idea. That it took a couple years for it to start working, but that the U.S. Constitution is an economic miracle. My teacher, the only LDS member in the room, heard the year 1820 and basically fell out of his chair. That is the year of the First Vision.
My teacher remembered the scripture saying that the Spirit of the Lord, or inspiration, will come to the whole Earth again with the Restoration. The Heavens were opened once again in 1820. The Spirit fell more abundantly upon the face of the Earth. It was of my teacher's opinion that when the Gospel was once again upon the Earth it was to the benefit of all men. More inspiration. More progress. It's amazing.
Heavenly Father guides this economy giving us what we want, we just need to be in tune to the Spirit so we can benefit and be obedient without even knowing, because being in tune with the spirit will mean we are in line with God's will. There are scriptures in which the Lord tells those leaving on missions not to worry about food and material goods, that have faith, he'll provide. He talks to all people, saying that if we are righteous and obedient we will never lack. Miracles occur.
Oh how I love the gospel. and even though I read and hear of the direction the world's economy is headed towards. Even as I hear of the pride of different groups of people who refuse to look at any other option than their own. I remember that as long as I am righteous and obedient and faithful everything will turn out as God wills, which is in my best interest. I know that we do not have to worry as long as we are doing the best we can with what we have and know.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Creative NonFiction
Many of you know that I like to write. That I like to write in my journals. However, I think I've recently discovered that Creative Writing is not exactly what I am looking for. I mean its fun to write and imagine and create a picture or a movie with only words. Its rather amazing to me. And it truly is a lot of fun to make up a story on the spot and tell it to your younger siblings and have them comment, adding to the story or making up their own interpretation and telling me that the characters should actually do something else instead of the thing they were doing.
But then I was thinking which genre would I wish to write in? Fantasy? Science Fiction? Historical? Modern? I just had no idea.
I would like to have an element of each in anything I were to write. However, I then begin to write and I come up with no real true interest nor motivation. :D I'm sure that I just have to push forward and of course everyone is going to do something they don't quite like doing in the process of doing something they enjoy.
However, I have discovered something today that makes me quite excited.
I've been kinda wishing that some entries in my journals could just be published, as they are rather hilarious in my own personal opinion, which might be a little bit biased. Well, I had then come to the Conclusion that when I write a fiction book I want to write just as I do in my Journals. It adds something to the "voice".
Well, I've discovered that there is actually a genre called Creative NonFiction. Which is exactly what my Journal Writing is.
Here's a website: http://www.creativenonfiction.org/
In it it explains what Creative NonFiction is: "The word 'creative' refers simply to the use of literary craft in presenting nonfiction—that is, factually accurate prose about real people and events—in a compelling, vivid manner. To put it another way, creative nonfiction writers do not make things up; they make ideas and information that already exist more interesting and, often, more accessible."
When I eventually have the extra cash to spend I think I'd subscribe to this Literary Journal. But doesn't this sound exciting? This genre includes essays just as Emerson and Thoreau have written. I love their essays! In fact, I was thinking the other day that bloggers nowadays are much like Emerson and Thoreau but on a smaller scale of writing professionally. I think I shall address this another day.
In the meanwhile, this is something I would like to do. Write essays about life, about different topics. I'd write personal essays. Much like I do on here and in my Journals, but perhaps more official and revised and more thought out. I should be using the same process of writing a fiction in writing nonfiction, or even an essay. Such as brainstorming, organizing thoughts, etc. I mean, I'm sure you can tell here that I'm a little scattered brained. But these ideas! They would take much time to write. And there are so much thoughts and ideas and facts I learn in college that it seems almost impossible to effectively write on every topic I wish too.
College. You certainly Learn. More about Self. Others. The World. Abstract Ideas. and the Intangible.
On this day I've learned exactly what genre it is that I would enjoy writing in.
But then I was thinking which genre would I wish to write in? Fantasy? Science Fiction? Historical? Modern? I just had no idea.
I would like to have an element of each in anything I were to write. However, I then begin to write and I come up with no real true interest nor motivation. :D I'm sure that I just have to push forward and of course everyone is going to do something they don't quite like doing in the process of doing something they enjoy.
However, I have discovered something today that makes me quite excited.
I've been kinda wishing that some entries in my journals could just be published, as they are rather hilarious in my own personal opinion, which might be a little bit biased. Well, I had then come to the Conclusion that when I write a fiction book I want to write just as I do in my Journals. It adds something to the "voice".
Well, I've discovered that there is actually a genre called Creative NonFiction. Which is exactly what my Journal Writing is.
Here's a website: http://www.creativenonfiction.org/
In it it explains what Creative NonFiction is: "The word 'creative' refers simply to the use of literary craft in presenting nonfiction—that is, factually accurate prose about real people and events—in a compelling, vivid manner. To put it another way, creative nonfiction writers do not make things up; they make ideas and information that already exist more interesting and, often, more accessible."
When I eventually have the extra cash to spend I think I'd subscribe to this Literary Journal. But doesn't this sound exciting? This genre includes essays just as Emerson and Thoreau have written. I love their essays! In fact, I was thinking the other day that bloggers nowadays are much like Emerson and Thoreau but on a smaller scale of writing professionally. I think I shall address this another day.
In the meanwhile, this is something I would like to do. Write essays about life, about different topics. I'd write personal essays. Much like I do on here and in my Journals, but perhaps more official and revised and more thought out. I should be using the same process of writing a fiction in writing nonfiction, or even an essay. Such as brainstorming, organizing thoughts, etc. I mean, I'm sure you can tell here that I'm a little scattered brained. But these ideas! They would take much time to write. And there are so much thoughts and ideas and facts I learn in college that it seems almost impossible to effectively write on every topic I wish too.
College. You certainly Learn. More about Self. Others. The World. Abstract Ideas. and the Intangible.
On this day I've learned exactly what genre it is that I would enjoy writing in.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Greed: Good?
The word "Greed" has a negative connotation. It immediately brings to mind selfishness, dishonesty, evil tycoon, and other such flattering terms. But is greed in and of itself bad? Perhaps we would widen our American vocabulary. Greed does mean an intense and selfish desire for something.
Greed is bad because it infringes on other people's rights and can also promote dishonesty. Would Bill Gates be considered greedy? He's the wealthiest person in the world in terms of money; is he greedy? He still wishes to become wealthier, elsewise he would have retired. I don't think he is a greedy man in the sense that he's infringing on other people's rights; the right term to use in place of greed I think would be self-interest.
"Self" has a rather obvious meaning. But the word "interest" has some meanings that might be useful to fully understand the abstract idea; it is the state of wanting to know or learn about something or someone and/or the advantage or benefit of a person or group. It also is a word to describe the money that is paid regularly at a particular rate for the use of money lent or the delaying of paying debt. So if you have self-interest, you are investing in yourself in one area or another.
But how does the world work without some kind of motivation? Would just the fact of knowing you are doing good motivate the world to progress? It should, but does it? But even then, are you partly selfish when you are going about doing good? This is what self-interest is. Greed can be gone, but we must still have self-interest in order to progress.
Bill Gates has a type of greed, or self-interest, where he has to persuade people to buy his products. Not force. Also, when he increases in his profit it means that he's creating more jobs, more wealth at an employee's level, and such.
So the question for all of us to ponder is "How can you persuade everyone to give you a dollar voluntarily?" Answering that question, and then investing in it, that's what can cause great wealth. Look at the problems that people are complaining of, fix it and then sell it.
Here is a video they showed in class:Milton Friedman - Greed
But this is what I learned of greed and capitalism today. :D
Greed is bad because it infringes on other people's rights and can also promote dishonesty. Would Bill Gates be considered greedy? He's the wealthiest person in the world in terms of money; is he greedy? He still wishes to become wealthier, elsewise he would have retired. I don't think he is a greedy man in the sense that he's infringing on other people's rights; the right term to use in place of greed I think would be self-interest.
"Self" has a rather obvious meaning. But the word "interest" has some meanings that might be useful to fully understand the abstract idea; it is the state of wanting to know or learn about something or someone and/or the advantage or benefit of a person or group. It also is a word to describe the money that is paid regularly at a particular rate for the use of money lent or the delaying of paying debt. So if you have self-interest, you are investing in yourself in one area or another.
But how does the world work without some kind of motivation? Would just the fact of knowing you are doing good motivate the world to progress? It should, but does it? But even then, are you partly selfish when you are going about doing good? This is what self-interest is. Greed can be gone, but we must still have self-interest in order to progress.
Bill Gates has a type of greed, or self-interest, where he has to persuade people to buy his products. Not force. Also, when he increases in his profit it means that he's creating more jobs, more wealth at an employee's level, and such.
So the question for all of us to ponder is "How can you persuade everyone to give you a dollar voluntarily?" Answering that question, and then investing in it, that's what can cause great wealth. Look at the problems that people are complaining of, fix it and then sell it.
Here is a video they showed in class:Milton Friedman - Greed
But this is what I learned of greed and capitalism today. :D
Monday, February 8, 2010
Learning about the Financial
Perhaps its because I am at college and am more aware of all the knowledge out there and try my best to soak it up, but it seems to me that themes are occurring and repeating. Possibly because I really need to know this information for some strange reason. It amazes me that if you are open to inspiration, you learn things that would be most beneficial. It seems to me that one of the most ideal times in which to learn and gain wonderful habits are in our college years. However, I also think that in all stages of our lives is the best time to be learning more and gaining better habits.
In anycase, yesterday was Fast Sunday and some of the young men from our ward go around to our homes to collect Fast Offerings (which I didn’t know and so turned them in earlier at church). As they do so they also drop off an Ensign for our home: one per home. I began to read it and near the beginning was the Visiting Teaching Message which is entitled “Managing Resources Wisely and Staying out of Debt.” Then today, in my College Success class, the lesson of the day was entitled “Financial Awareness” taught by a Senior who’s major is accounting and who works in the financial advising department. It was very interesting and enlightening.
As a result, I now have some new goals. I’m more knowledgeable about what these goals should approximately be and how to accomplish them. That’s my problem sometimes; the lack of knowledge, also known as ignorance, causes me to not know what it is that I want to attain.
But first, let’s continue with what I have learned and perhaps you may learn something as well, or come to a better understanding with me as I rewrite what it is I have acquired from these different sources.
Why should I care about my financial state? Personally, I think that is a stupid question. I mean, money matters. Not in the way of wealth and ambition and greed, but rather in the way of taxes, bill payments, education, food and other necessities. As it does matter we need to be wise about the money we are given. It’s not actually ours anyways. It’s our stewardship, we are to manage and be responsible over it. Use it for righteous means. Money is a blessing, but it can be used for evil as all things can be.
Another reason as to why we should care: the Deficit effects the economy. Less jobs for those of us who are looking for them, even after graduation from college with a major.
What we do with our money depends on our perspective. There are three words that people don’t really like to hear or do: “Debt”, “Budgeting” and “Savings”.
DEBT
What is debt to the average American? An everyday thing. Something you run up everytime you go shopping. It’s a normal occurrence. Debt is something that defines life in the normal way of the world, at least in America.
What is debt to many LDS members? Something bad and to be avoided at all costs. However, there are good debts. What? you ask. Good debts? Why, what is that? Good debts are debts that are made as a result of education, housing, and transportation. Although, it has to be reasonable and not overboard on buying some topnotch super expensive car just because it’s cool and whatnot. But there are somethings that it is acceptable to have a debt for.
BUDGETING
To many people, budgeting is something you do when you are poor and broke. That is a False Statement, as budgeting is something in all actuality is an asset to making you far more prosperous. Budgeting, in my own words, controls the “natural man” to spend. Budgeting is just telling our money where to go. It is also a collection of financial goals. Another false statement: Without goals any failures can be looked at as a success. No progressing equals no improvement and no achievement and no success.
SAVINGS
This is something Americans just do not do. In fact, we are in the negatives of saving. Meaning we spend that which we do not have. We need to plan ahead as we don’t put into account all that we should. For example, what is the estimated cost of education? $1640 for tuition. Then an high estimate of the cost of books at $500. Housing off campus at an average of $900, many places are higher. $700 for food. Possible $150 cost of transportation of gas if owning a vehicle, and even if not, for other kinds of transportation. So an estimated total of $3890 per semester. Do we college students keep that in mind as we are home from school and working, of the amount we should be saving for only one semester of college. For one year, or two semesters, its an estimated total of $7780. And this is only at BYU-Idaho. (Now, hopefully, my parents are freaking out right now. :P) Another something to be aware of as we try to plan ahead is the resources available to us. The free financial advisors, the scholarships and grants, and such. Sacrifice is a huge part of planning ahead. How? Well, explain to me when it is convenient to save. When you are single? When you are newly weds? When you have children? When your children are older? Is it truly convenient at any of these times? No. But we should do it anyways. Even if is just a small amount. At least something should be saved. Excuses shouldn’t really be accepted as to why you can’t save. Although, obviously the amount depends on the situation of each household.
“To provide providently, we must practice the principles of provident living: joyfully living within our means, being content with what we have, avoiding excessive debt, and diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies. When we live providently, we can provide for ourselves and our families and also follow the Savior’s example to serve and bless others.
‘. . . Of course some debt incurred for education, a modest home, or a basic automobile may be necessary to provide for a family. Unfortunately however, additional debt is incurred when we cannot control our wants and addictive impulses.” So says Robert D. Hales in “Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually”.
I like this. The Principles of Provident Living:
Joyfully living within our means
Being content with what we have
Avoiding excessive debt
Diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies
What does Provident Living implies?
President Spencer W. Kimball says that provident living implies:
Conversing of our resources
Wise planning of financial matters
Full provision for personal health
Adequate preparation for education and career development
Giving appropriate attention to home production and storage
Development of emotional resiliency
It’s interesting to learn all these things and then try to apply them into our lives.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin has 5 key steps to financial freedom:
Pay your tithing
Spend less than you earn
Learn to save
Honor your financial obligations
Teach you children to follow your example
That is a lot of information and there is even more out there. But it honestly just amazes me the financial information that I gained in these last few days. I really shall be making goals and keeping to them.
Gotta love learning. :D
In anycase, yesterday was Fast Sunday and some of the young men from our ward go around to our homes to collect Fast Offerings (which I didn’t know and so turned them in earlier at church). As they do so they also drop off an Ensign for our home: one per home. I began to read it and near the beginning was the Visiting Teaching Message which is entitled “Managing Resources Wisely and Staying out of Debt.” Then today, in my College Success class, the lesson of the day was entitled “Financial Awareness” taught by a Senior who’s major is accounting and who works in the financial advising department. It was very interesting and enlightening.
As a result, I now have some new goals. I’m more knowledgeable about what these goals should approximately be and how to accomplish them. That’s my problem sometimes; the lack of knowledge, also known as ignorance, causes me to not know what it is that I want to attain.
But first, let’s continue with what I have learned and perhaps you may learn something as well, or come to a better understanding with me as I rewrite what it is I have acquired from these different sources.
Why should I care about my financial state? Personally, I think that is a stupid question. I mean, money matters. Not in the way of wealth and ambition and greed, but rather in the way of taxes, bill payments, education, food and other necessities. As it does matter we need to be wise about the money we are given. It’s not actually ours anyways. It’s our stewardship, we are to manage and be responsible over it. Use it for righteous means. Money is a blessing, but it can be used for evil as all things can be.
Another reason as to why we should care: the Deficit effects the economy. Less jobs for those of us who are looking for them, even after graduation from college with a major.
What we do with our money depends on our perspective. There are three words that people don’t really like to hear or do: “Debt”, “Budgeting” and “Savings”.
DEBT
What is debt to the average American? An everyday thing. Something you run up everytime you go shopping. It’s a normal occurrence. Debt is something that defines life in the normal way of the world, at least in America.
What is debt to many LDS members? Something bad and to be avoided at all costs. However, there are good debts. What? you ask. Good debts? Why, what is that? Good debts are debts that are made as a result of education, housing, and transportation. Although, it has to be reasonable and not overboard on buying some topnotch super expensive car just because it’s cool and whatnot. But there are somethings that it is acceptable to have a debt for.
BUDGETING
To many people, budgeting is something you do when you are poor and broke. That is a False Statement, as budgeting is something in all actuality is an asset to making you far more prosperous. Budgeting, in my own words, controls the “natural man” to spend. Budgeting is just telling our money where to go. It is also a collection of financial goals. Another false statement: Without goals any failures can be looked at as a success. No progressing equals no improvement and no achievement and no success.
SAVINGS
This is something Americans just do not do. In fact, we are in the negatives of saving. Meaning we spend that which we do not have. We need to plan ahead as we don’t put into account all that we should. For example, what is the estimated cost of education? $1640 for tuition. Then an high estimate of the cost of books at $500. Housing off campus at an average of $900, many places are higher. $700 for food. Possible $150 cost of transportation of gas if owning a vehicle, and even if not, for other kinds of transportation. So an estimated total of $3890 per semester. Do we college students keep that in mind as we are home from school and working, of the amount we should be saving for only one semester of college. For one year, or two semesters, its an estimated total of $7780. And this is only at BYU-Idaho. (Now, hopefully, my parents are freaking out right now. :P) Another something to be aware of as we try to plan ahead is the resources available to us. The free financial advisors, the scholarships and grants, and such. Sacrifice is a huge part of planning ahead. How? Well, explain to me when it is convenient to save. When you are single? When you are newly weds? When you have children? When your children are older? Is it truly convenient at any of these times? No. But we should do it anyways. Even if is just a small amount. At least something should be saved. Excuses shouldn’t really be accepted as to why you can’t save. Although, obviously the amount depends on the situation of each household.
“To provide providently, we must practice the principles of provident living: joyfully living within our means, being content with what we have, avoiding excessive debt, and diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies. When we live providently, we can provide for ourselves and our families and also follow the Savior’s example to serve and bless others.
‘. . . Of course some debt incurred for education, a modest home, or a basic automobile may be necessary to provide for a family. Unfortunately however, additional debt is incurred when we cannot control our wants and addictive impulses.” So says Robert D. Hales in “Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually”.
I like this. The Principles of Provident Living:
Joyfully living within our means
Being content with what we have
Avoiding excessive debt
Diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies
What does Provident Living implies?
President Spencer W. Kimball says that provident living implies:
Conversing of our resources
Wise planning of financial matters
Full provision for personal health
Adequate preparation for education and career development
Giving appropriate attention to home production and storage
Development of emotional resiliency
It’s interesting to learn all these things and then try to apply them into our lives.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin has 5 key steps to financial freedom:
Pay your tithing
Spend less than you earn
Learn to save
Honor your financial obligations
Teach you children to follow your example
That is a lot of information and there is even more out there. But it honestly just amazes me the financial information that I gained in these last few days. I really shall be making goals and keeping to them.
Gotta love learning. :D
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Facing Death to Live
For my Writing Foundations class I am reading Tuesdays with Morrie written by Mitch Albom. It makes you think. It really does. Much like the book The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch.
So enlightening. So . . . It is hard to explain without reading it. But it seems to me that those close to death are more full of life, wisdom, inspiration, and cheer. Those who have lived a long life have so much wisdom they can impart to us before they leave us. We just have to listen.
Reading this book, Tuesdays with Morrie is insightful. It hit on some major principles that all humankind should know abut. It amazes me at how those people who never did know much about the Gospel while they lived here, were so close to the truth as they marched on closer to death. I wish that someone would do the work for them. I honestly think they would accept it. But they brought so many people perhaps a step closer to the Truth. We each have a calling here on earth.
As I read, I learned that even though I know a bit about life and living and the Eternities, I still lose sight of how I could and should be living my life day-by-day, hour-by-hour, and minute-by-minute. It's always much easier to imagine that "in the future, I'll be doing . . . " Or "I'll be . . . " But we have to realize that we won't become who we want to become in the future if we aren't who we want to be today and if we are not working on it throughout the day that we are living in.
"Learn how to die, and you learn how to live." So says Morrie. Once you realize that today could be your last day, all the sudden life becomes so much more in just the simplest of things. You enjoy every minute of the day. You enjoy your trials. You enjoy the family and friends in your life. Or you realize that what you have been working towards throughout your entire life is not important at all.
"The fact is, there is no foundation, no secure ground upon which people may stand today if it isn't the family. It's become quite clear to me as I've been sick. If you don't have the support and love and caring and concern that you get from a family, you don't have much at all. Love is so supremely important. As our great poet Auden said, 'Love each other or perish.' " Family. Such an important thing. Morrie hit it right on the nose. That is the foundation of Heavenly Father's plan. That is our first foundation of defense. Family.
" 'You know what what really gives you satisfaction?'
"What?
" 'Offering others what you have to give.' "
Service. That is what truly makes a person happy. True Charity. Not just giving money to people on the streets, but actual real service. Really knowing the person. Really giving ALL you have to someone. And perhaps not your material things, but your time, effort, love, joy, knowledge, and wisdom. It is hard to find satisfaction in getting and taking. But giving? That's something else.
" 'I believe in being fully present,' Morrie said. 'That means you should be with the person you're with.' "
"But really listening to someone - without trying to sell them something, pick them up, recruit them, or get some kind of status in return - how often do we get this anymore?"
This is something we don't give to people much. We are too concerned with the future. With what we want. With what we need. With what needs to be done. But in doing so we miss the life right in front of us. We could have made a difference. We could have bettered our selves. But we missed the opportunity.
"Invest in the human family. Invest in people. Build a little community of those you love and who love you."
We try to make the best investments and gain the best reward from it. One of the best things to invest in to gain the most reward is the human family. It's what we should all invest in. Imagine the profit we would gain from it.
These are lessons learned. Lessons to be applied. A lesson is not a true lesson if not ever put into relevance with our lives.
I love Life, but sometimes the best lessons learned of Life are derived from Death.
In any case, I recommend both The Last Lecture and Tuesdays with Morrie.
So enlightening. So . . . It is hard to explain without reading it. But it seems to me that those close to death are more full of life, wisdom, inspiration, and cheer. Those who have lived a long life have so much wisdom they can impart to us before they leave us. We just have to listen.
Reading this book, Tuesdays with Morrie is insightful. It hit on some major principles that all humankind should know abut. It amazes me at how those people who never did know much about the Gospel while they lived here, were so close to the truth as they marched on closer to death. I wish that someone would do the work for them. I honestly think they would accept it. But they brought so many people perhaps a step closer to the Truth. We each have a calling here on earth.
As I read, I learned that even though I know a bit about life and living and the Eternities, I still lose sight of how I could and should be living my life day-by-day, hour-by-hour, and minute-by-minute. It's always much easier to imagine that "in the future, I'll be doing . . . " Or "I'll be . . . " But we have to realize that we won't become who we want to become in the future if we aren't who we want to be today and if we are not working on it throughout the day that we are living in.
"Learn how to die, and you learn how to live." So says Morrie. Once you realize that today could be your last day, all the sudden life becomes so much more in just the simplest of things. You enjoy every minute of the day. You enjoy your trials. You enjoy the family and friends in your life. Or you realize that what you have been working towards throughout your entire life is not important at all.
"The fact is, there is no foundation, no secure ground upon which people may stand today if it isn't the family. It's become quite clear to me as I've been sick. If you don't have the support and love and caring and concern that you get from a family, you don't have much at all. Love is so supremely important. As our great poet Auden said, 'Love each other or perish.' " Family. Such an important thing. Morrie hit it right on the nose. That is the foundation of Heavenly Father's plan. That is our first foundation of defense. Family.
" 'You know what what really gives you satisfaction?'
"What?
" 'Offering others what you have to give.' "
Service. That is what truly makes a person happy. True Charity. Not just giving money to people on the streets, but actual real service. Really knowing the person. Really giving ALL you have to someone. And perhaps not your material things, but your time, effort, love, joy, knowledge, and wisdom. It is hard to find satisfaction in getting and taking. But giving? That's something else.
" 'I believe in being fully present,' Morrie said. 'That means you should be with the person you're with.' "
"But really listening to someone - without trying to sell them something, pick them up, recruit them, or get some kind of status in return - how often do we get this anymore?"
This is something we don't give to people much. We are too concerned with the future. With what we want. With what we need. With what needs to be done. But in doing so we miss the life right in front of us. We could have made a difference. We could have bettered our selves. But we missed the opportunity.
"Invest in the human family. Invest in people. Build a little community of those you love and who love you."
We try to make the best investments and gain the best reward from it. One of the best things to invest in to gain the most reward is the human family. It's what we should all invest in. Imagine the profit we would gain from it.
These are lessons learned. Lessons to be applied. A lesson is not a true lesson if not ever put into relevance with our lives.
I love Life, but sometimes the best lessons learned of Life are derived from Death.
In any case, I recommend both The Last Lecture and Tuesdays with Morrie.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Nursing - How to Cope with Stress
I am taking a nursing classes. Not just any nursing class. But a Family Skills Nursing class. Why? Well, the Family Skills Nursing class are for those who want to learn about being healthy and taking care of different issues, but for those who are not majoring in nursing. Which is entirely me. Nursing is something I would just like to know so I can help my self and family, not to pass a test and become an actual nurse. That takes a lot more concentration and skills then I posses. It's also not quite what I'm looking for in my life. But I certainly am glad that so many people wish to become nurses. In any case, this particular class is on woman's health. Teaching me how to be healthy and solve problems and signs and such...
Well, one day we learned about Stress. We were given some papers to tell us how to better manage stress. This is what it says, and as it came from my nursing class it's totally legit. :P
Ways to Cope with Stress
1. Jam miniature marshmallows up your nose and sneeze them out. See how many you can do at once.
2. Pop some popcorn without putting the lid on.
3. When someone says, "Have a nice day!" tell them you have other plans.
4. Make a list of things to do that you've already done.
5. Put your toddlers clothes on backwards and send them off to school as if nothing is wrong.
6. Tape pictures of your boss on watermelons and launch them from high places.
7. Pay your electric bill in pennies.
8. Drive to work in reverse.
9. Read the dictionary upside down and look for secret messages.
10. Write a short story using alphabet soup.
11. Stare at people through the tines of a fork and pretend they are in jail.
12. Make up a new language and ask people for directions.
13. Replace the filling of a Twinkie with ketchup and place it back in the wrapper.
Thoughts to Get You Through Almost ANY Crisis
1. All thing being equal, fat people use more soap.
2. Anything worth fighting for is worth fighting dirty for.
3. Be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a tough battle.
4. By the time you make ends meet, they move the ends.
5. Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.
6. Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.
7. Happiness is merely the brief remission of pain.
8. I have seen the truth, and it makes no sense.
9. If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
10. If you ever find something you like, buy a lifetime supply because they will stop making it.
11. If you think that there is good in everybody, you haven't met everybody.
12. Indecision is the key to flexibility.
13. Not one shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious.
14. One seventh of your days are spent on Mondays.
15. Someone who thinks logically is a nice contrast to the real world.
16. The facts, although altogether interesting, are irrelevant.
17. The more you run over a dead cat the thinner it gets.
18. The other line always moves faster until you get into it.
19. The world gets a little better every day, and worse in the evening.
20. There is absolutely no substitute for a genuine lack of talent.
21. You can't tell which way the train went by looking at the tracks.
22. To live forever, acquire a chronic disease and take care of it.
23. This is as bad as it can get, but don't bet on it.
24. Things are more like they are today than they ever have been before.
25. He who steals my purse is trash!
Stress Diet
Breakfast:
1/2 Grapefruit
1 slice Whole Wheat Toast
8 oz. Skim Milk
Lunch:
4 oz. lean broiled chicken breast
1 cup steamed zucchini
1 Oreo cookie
Herb Tea
Mid-Afternoon Snack:
Rest of the package of Oreos
Large Pepperoni and Mushroom Pizza
3 Milky Way Candy Bars
Entire frozen Cheese Cake east directly from the freezer
Diet Tips
1. If no one sees you eat it - it has no calories.
2. If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, they cancel each other out.
3. When eating with someone else, calories don't count if you both eat the same amount.
4. If you fatten up everyone else around you - then you look thinner.
I hope that just by reading them, and not necessarily doing all the them, you are a bit less stressed and laughter was brought into your day!
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want." ~ Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes
Well, one day we learned about Stress. We were given some papers to tell us how to better manage stress. This is what it says, and as it came from my nursing class it's totally legit. :P
Ways to Cope with Stress
1. Jam miniature marshmallows up your nose and sneeze them out. See how many you can do at once.
2. Pop some popcorn without putting the lid on.
3. When someone says, "Have a nice day!" tell them you have other plans.
4. Make a list of things to do that you've already done.
5. Put your toddlers clothes on backwards and send them off to school as if nothing is wrong.
6. Tape pictures of your boss on watermelons and launch them from high places.
7. Pay your electric bill in pennies.
8. Drive to work in reverse.
9. Read the dictionary upside down and look for secret messages.
10. Write a short story using alphabet soup.
11. Stare at people through the tines of a fork and pretend they are in jail.
12. Make up a new language and ask people for directions.
13. Replace the filling of a Twinkie with ketchup and place it back in the wrapper.
Thoughts to Get You Through Almost ANY Crisis
1. All thing being equal, fat people use more soap.
2. Anything worth fighting for is worth fighting dirty for.
3. Be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a tough battle.
4. By the time you make ends meet, they move the ends.
5. Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.
6. Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.
7. Happiness is merely the brief remission of pain.
8. I have seen the truth, and it makes no sense.
9. If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
10. If you ever find something you like, buy a lifetime supply because they will stop making it.
11. If you think that there is good in everybody, you haven't met everybody.
12. Indecision is the key to flexibility.
13. Not one shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious.
14. One seventh of your days are spent on Mondays.
15. Someone who thinks logically is a nice contrast to the real world.
16. The facts, although altogether interesting, are irrelevant.
17. The more you run over a dead cat the thinner it gets.
18. The other line always moves faster until you get into it.
19. The world gets a little better every day, and worse in the evening.
20. There is absolutely no substitute for a genuine lack of talent.
21. You can't tell which way the train went by looking at the tracks.
22. To live forever, acquire a chronic disease and take care of it.
23. This is as bad as it can get, but don't bet on it.
24. Things are more like they are today than they ever have been before.
25. He who steals my purse is trash!
Stress Diet
Breakfast:
1/2 Grapefruit
1 slice Whole Wheat Toast
8 oz. Skim Milk
Lunch:
4 oz. lean broiled chicken breast
1 cup steamed zucchini
1 Oreo cookie
Herb Tea
Mid-Afternoon Snack:
Rest of the package of Oreos
Large Pepperoni and Mushroom Pizza
3 Milky Way Candy Bars
Entire frozen Cheese Cake east directly from the freezer
Diet Tips
1. If no one sees you eat it - it has no calories.
2. If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, they cancel each other out.
3. When eating with someone else, calories don't count if you both eat the same amount.
4. If you fatten up everyone else around you - then you look thinner.
I hope that just by reading them, and not necessarily doing all the them, you are a bit less stressed and laughter was brought into your day!
"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want." ~ Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes
Monday, February 1, 2010
Minor Differences
Minors.
I love history. I really do. I love learning the the causes and effects. I love the stories of the average person and the political and military leaders. There are just so many stories! So many events! So many ways of interrupting the past. However, my definition of history and other peoples definition of history seems to be a little different. Sorta.
I just like reading all the information already gathered. I don't like much the whole researching every document thing. Although, I am very glad I live in this time where the internet, on which information is gathered, exists. Otherwise it would be a lot harder. I love to learn of all the missing pieces and imagine what the time period was really like, but still. I just like being the audience to the real historian.
So I was considering that perhaps I will change my minor. My major I am pretty confidant in. English with a Creative Writing Emphasis. But my minor? That's different.
My options I am looking at: Marriage and Family Studies verses Psychology with a Parenting Emphasis
I have not quite decided, but I think I want to go more along those lines. I'm currently taking Hist 101 so I can take other History classes down the road. Because I love to learn about the different eras and such. I mean, hello, i'm majoring in English. It's all one big story to me with lots of smaller stories in it. Think about all you can write!! It's mind boggling!
In any case, I'll still be taking a history class every once in awhile. But in all truthfulness, I don't quite want a career. Writing stories for fun, now that would be enjoyable, but for a career on which my livelihood depended upon? That is a different story that could be written.
I am not act school to only gain myself an education for which I can go into a career, I am gaining an education so I am more intellectually bright and knowledgeable as well as more wise. I am gaining an education so I can be a better mother to my future children. I am gaining an education so I will be an asset to my community. So I am just taking a wide variety of courses in which I am interesting in knowing more about or I can see being entirely useful.
The differences:
Marriage and Family Studies:
Family Relations - overview course of family development across the lifespan including the study of the family as a system, family interaction, family issues and family roles. This course will emphasize relationships of the family and its environment. Consideration is given to the cultural diversity and heritage of families.
Parenting - A study of theories, principles, and practices needed to build nurturing and supportive parent-child relationships and to guide children toward healthy development courses.
Marriage - Focuses on contemporary issues affecting marriage, along with skills and principles needed to build strong and successful marriages.
Money Management - Financial concepts of direct concern to the individual or family. Budgeting, financial institutions and services, consumer buying, use and control of credit, financial records, buying and selling home insurance, and basic investments will be discussed.
The Family - Application of gospel truths and supportive scholarship to strengthen marriage and family relationships using "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" as the guiding framework.
Home and Family Management - Application of principles of home management. A goal oriented study of values, resources, decision making, time and money management.
Family Recreation - This course will address the issues related to recreation as it applies to the LDS family environment and develop within the student the tools needed to implement the principles for success set forth by the prophets.
Marriage Skills - Foundation principles of successful marriages with application to strengthening marriages.
Parenting Skills - Foundational Principles and basic skills of parent child interaction with application to typical decisions, problems, and opportunities encountered by parents.
Preparation for Marriage - Highlight skills, attitudes, behaviors, and principles needed to prepare oneself for a strong marriage and to wisely select a marriage partner. Preparation for marriage is also emphasize by focusing on healthy practices related to dating, courtship, engagement, and the transition following marriage.
Psychology with a Parenting Emphasis:
General Psychology - This is an introductory course in Psychology which surveys the various fields of psychology and application of selected psychological principles to life situations.
Developmental Psychology Lifespan - The study of biological, affective, social, and cognitive aspects of development through the life span.
Psychology of Effective Living - An explanation of psychological principles which facilitate a productive and satisfying life.
Child Development - A theoretical, academically oriented course focusing on the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development of the child from conception through adolescence. Explores the influences of family, peers, and social institutions on the child's development.
Adolescent Development - A study of the biological, social and cognitive foundations of adolescence. Includes in-depth examinations of many developmental issues faced by adolescent, e.g., gender, the self, family relationships, friends and peers, dating, love and sexuality, school, etc.
I also debated with Home and Family as a Minor, but I think that I'll just take some of those classes rather then just the whole minor. Perhaps the same with the Psychology. It's so helpful to write it all out. :D I am certainly still going to be taking some History classes. And definitely some English - Creative Writing classes.
But these are some minor differences, and I plan on making them all together. Or at least, mostly. :D
I love history. I really do. I love learning the the causes and effects. I love the stories of the average person and the political and military leaders. There are just so many stories! So many events! So many ways of interrupting the past. However, my definition of history and other peoples definition of history seems to be a little different. Sorta.
I just like reading all the information already gathered. I don't like much the whole researching every document thing. Although, I am very glad I live in this time where the internet, on which information is gathered, exists. Otherwise it would be a lot harder. I love to learn of all the missing pieces and imagine what the time period was really like, but still. I just like being the audience to the real historian.
So I was considering that perhaps I will change my minor. My major I am pretty confidant in. English with a Creative Writing Emphasis. But my minor? That's different.
My options I am looking at: Marriage and Family Studies verses Psychology with a Parenting Emphasis
I have not quite decided, but I think I want to go more along those lines. I'm currently taking Hist 101 so I can take other History classes down the road. Because I love to learn about the different eras and such. I mean, hello, i'm majoring in English. It's all one big story to me with lots of smaller stories in it. Think about all you can write!! It's mind boggling!
In any case, I'll still be taking a history class every once in awhile. But in all truthfulness, I don't quite want a career. Writing stories for fun, now that would be enjoyable, but for a career on which my livelihood depended upon? That is a different story that could be written.
I am not act school to only gain myself an education for which I can go into a career, I am gaining an education so I am more intellectually bright and knowledgeable as well as more wise. I am gaining an education so I can be a better mother to my future children. I am gaining an education so I will be an asset to my community. So I am just taking a wide variety of courses in which I am interesting in knowing more about or I can see being entirely useful.
The differences:
Marriage and Family Studies:
Family Relations - overview course of family development across the lifespan including the study of the family as a system, family interaction, family issues and family roles. This course will emphasize relationships of the family and its environment. Consideration is given to the cultural diversity and heritage of families.
Parenting - A study of theories, principles, and practices needed to build nurturing and supportive parent-child relationships and to guide children toward healthy development courses.
Marriage - Focuses on contemporary issues affecting marriage, along with skills and principles needed to build strong and successful marriages.
Money Management - Financial concepts of direct concern to the individual or family. Budgeting, financial institutions and services, consumer buying, use and control of credit, financial records, buying and selling home insurance, and basic investments will be discussed.
The Family - Application of gospel truths and supportive scholarship to strengthen marriage and family relationships using "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" as the guiding framework.
Home and Family Management - Application of principles of home management. A goal oriented study of values, resources, decision making, time and money management.
Family Recreation - This course will address the issues related to recreation as it applies to the LDS family environment and develop within the student the tools needed to implement the principles for success set forth by the prophets.
Marriage Skills - Foundation principles of successful marriages with application to strengthening marriages.
Parenting Skills - Foundational Principles and basic skills of parent child interaction with application to typical decisions, problems, and opportunities encountered by parents.
Preparation for Marriage - Highlight skills, attitudes, behaviors, and principles needed to prepare oneself for a strong marriage and to wisely select a marriage partner. Preparation for marriage is also emphasize by focusing on healthy practices related to dating, courtship, engagement, and the transition following marriage.
Psychology with a Parenting Emphasis:
General Psychology - This is an introductory course in Psychology which surveys the various fields of psychology and application of selected psychological principles to life situations.
Developmental Psychology Lifespan - The study of biological, affective, social, and cognitive aspects of development through the life span.
Psychology of Effective Living - An explanation of psychological principles which facilitate a productive and satisfying life.
Child Development - A theoretical, academically oriented course focusing on the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development of the child from conception through adolescence. Explores the influences of family, peers, and social institutions on the child's development.
Adolescent Development - A study of the biological, social and cognitive foundations of adolescence. Includes in-depth examinations of many developmental issues faced by adolescent, e.g., gender, the self, family relationships, friends and peers, dating, love and sexuality, school, etc.
I also debated with Home and Family as a Minor, but I think that I'll just take some of those classes rather then just the whole minor. Perhaps the same with the Psychology. It's so helpful to write it all out. :D I am certainly still going to be taking some History classes. And definitely some English - Creative Writing classes.
But these are some minor differences, and I plan on making them all together. Or at least, mostly. :D
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