Return to Sender

I have been M.I.A. for quite a while on this blog, I apoligize for that. I have been going through some major changes in life and am now working full-time to support my family. Many I love are going through challenging times and role-changing experiences, including depression and joblessness.

 I stumbled upon some great articles today;

Developing a Healthy Self-Concept http://www.essentiallifeskills.net/self-concept.html

How to Resolve Conflicts, in different stages
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/conflicts-their-stages-and-how-to-resolve-them

 Why some men need a woman's approval: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/relationships-why-do-some-men-need-a-women-s-approval

 Balancing Independence and Intimacy in Relationships
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/how-to-balance-the-need-for-independence-and-intimacy

 Why Commitment in Love is Difficult-
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/why-is-commitment-to-love-difficult

 Positive Self Image and Self Esteem Steps

 http://www.mtstcil.org/skills/image-3.html

Have you done any Good in the World Today?

Reactions to Recent Events

As most of you know there was a horrible shooting which took place at the Opening Night of the Batman movie in an Aurora, Colerado movie theater. I have been so saddened by these tragic events that I have decided to write about how it makes me feel. Twelve innocent lives were taken that night by one crazed gunman. I cannot fathom to know what the fallen victim's families are feeling right now, nor can I understand what the survivors are going through. I know that 58 people were wounded and there are several in critical condition, while others are recovering faster.

I am of the opinion that if the gun control law was made so that innocent victims can carry legal registered weapons to protect themselves from crazy people, the night may not have turned out so bad; and more lives could have been saved. I understand that this is a very controversial topic. I am not wanting to start a debate or push an agenda. I am sharing my opinion, that if citizens of the U.S.A. who are innocent civilians being attacked could more easily protect themselves, I think they should do it. Whether that is by being trained in Martial Arts, Fencing, or any other kind of self defense training; I think they would have been more well protected.

I read on the Internet that Switzerland promotes responsible gun ownership for self defense. "What America can learn from Switzerland is that the best way to reduce gun misuse is to promote responsible gun ownership."
By David B. Kopel and Stephen D'Andrilli (American Rifleman, February 1990)
Read this Article to learn more; http://www.guncite.com/swissgun-kopel.html
 (  http://www.policymic.com/articles/11778/james-eagan-holmes-shooting-strict-gun-laws-only-lead-to-more-violent-crimes)

Statistics of Switzerland's deaths by guns; (http://www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/region/switzerland)

My point here is not that we should let every citizen have a gun. I believe that those citizens without a criminal or a Police Record, the law abiding citizens of the United States of America should have the right to protect themselves by owning a gun and by teaching gun safety rules and regulations for its use. Of course, there are exceptions those who may have served in the Armed Forces may have issues with guns or may have PTSD or other reasons that it would not be a good idea to let them use a firearm. On the other hand, they may also be the people most well-trained in how and when to use a gun for self-defense and to save others lives.

This is just my opinion. I think educating the American Communities on Gun Safety and when, how and why to use a gun for self defense, teaching possible scenarios etc. would be a good idea.

What do you think?

Here's some good news: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/celebritology/post/christian-bale-visits-aurora-reminds-us-why-hes-batman/2012/07/25/gJQAksDd8W_blog.html

Hope Rises out of the terrible tragedy of last week:http://www.smh.com.au/world/miracle-woman-who-survived-thanks-to-brain-defect-she-never-knew-she-had-20120725-22odr.html

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/colo-shooting-victim-remains-icu-wife-gives-birth-173442732.html

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/he-provided-me-the-opportunity-to-survive-woman-describes-how-military-boyfriend-took-a-bullet-for-her-during-shooting/

Chelsea Merkley

Poignant Quotes

• "Words are only words when trust and loyalty are not in them.

  If you make a promise, keep it.
  Broken hearts do not heal easily; they are pieced back together by love, trust, charity and loyalty. "

  - By Chelsea B. Merkley 

  
  

  God wants you to know ... that your task is not to seek for love, but to seek and melt all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.
  
  God loves you with the very air you breathe, the very light that touches your skin, the very ground that supports you. Love is everywhere, - melt your barriers, and you will have love in abundance."

   - God Wants You to Know App

  
  

  Options

• ‎"Abundance is not about how much money you have... It's how you feel about what you have." -

  Anonymous

  
  "This world is filled with beauty.
  
  Allow yourself time to be nourished with the beauty of this world. Watch the sun rise, gaze at the ripples of water on the lake, listen to the songbirds, feel the breath of the breeze, glory in the colors of the sunset, feel the magic of the moon. This beauty is the air for your soul." -Anonymous
  
  

  I really love this article, very sound marriage advice from a couple who's been married 85 years! http://www.yourblackworld.net/2012/02/featured-bloggers/oldest-living-couple-on-earth-gives-great-relationship-advice/

  
  

  This website is very helpful;  http://www.maritalhealing.com/conflicts/angryspouse.php 

  
  

  • 
    

Fire Situation in Utah

Please pray for rain for Colerado and Utah as we have way too many fires going on right now.

Information on the Fires in Utah:

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=21108431

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865558512/Hundreds-remain-evacuated-as-wildfire-burns-near-Alpine.html

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=21120380&title=crews-douse-fire-on-ensign-peak-more-evacuations-to-be-lifted-in-alpine&s_cid=featured-1

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765587953/The-call-of-duty.html

http://www.utahfireinfo.gov/

http://fox13now.com/2012/06/21/utah-fire-agencies-bring-in-national-experts/

Chelsea Merkley

Reflection on the Water

Video from LDS Church Youth Mormon Messages

Elder Uchtdorf's talk here:http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&sourceId=81e3f5036e881210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=43d031572e14e110VgnVCM1000003a94610aRCRD

How do we deal with Difficult People?

I took a class on this a few terms ago and it has been very helpful.

Luskin's Hope Method involves Healing Our Past Emotions.

Luskin describes his H.E.A.L. method of practicing forgiveness, forgiving others or yourself.

H: What did you hope would happen? Or think shouldn't have happened?

I wanted my relationship with Tracy to last forever.

E: Educate yourself about reality, and accept what you can’t control. I know I cannot make Tracy love me forever.

A: Affirm your big dream/positive intention – I want a lot of loving people in my life.

L: Long-term commitment to Learning: I will gladly devote the rest of my life to learning more and more about giving and receiving love.

One of the 9 Steps of Forgiveness that is found on Dr. Luskin’s website is the following:

“Forgiveness does not necessarily mean reconciliation with the person that hurt you, or condoning of their actions. What you are after is to find peace. Forgiveness can be defined as the peace and understanding that comes from blaming that which has hurt you less, taking the life experience less personally, and changing your grievance story.”(http://thinksimplenow.com/forgive/forgiveness/)

I really like these resources: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Levick2.html

http://thinksimplenow.com/happiness/dealing-with-difficult-people/

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200609/dealing-difficult-people?page=2

http://www.arthritis.org/forgiveness-boosts-health.php

http://www.newconversations.net/essay_luskin.htm

http://learningtoforgive.com

http://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/409-how-to-deal-with-difficult-people?start=2

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17785209

http://www.davidkupferphd.com/forgive.htm