C's get degree's

As I was sitting around a table a few weeks back, a young college student was talking to an impressionable high school student and made the comment, "C's get degree's" referencing how it really doesn't matter what kind of an effort you put into your school work because in the end, everyone has a degree. So if C's get degree's then why should anyone try to excel at anything?

Let me pose a few questions:

Do you want a doctor working on you who got C's in college - who studied just enough to get by, who partied all weekend, and crammed the night before, perhaps memorized it, but then it was gone the next day, week, and after a few months couldn't remember a thing they'd crammed for that one test... or a doctor who applied himself, who studied hard, who worked to learn the material inside and out, the student who not only memorized the material but learned how exactly it worked in the body, became a t.a which in turn sealed the knowledge into their memory and allowed them to teach others the same material they had been taught. Do you want a lawyer fighting on your behalf who cheated his way through school and never learned the laws of the land, the in and outs of the Constitution, the state laws, bi-laws, or amendments to those laws?

Do you want an accountant who learned the in-and-outs of the tax code, who learned about each and every loop hole, who studied numbers and equations, and appreciated and maintained a certain amount of integrity. Or do you want an accountant who cheated, who looked off his friend notes, who never read the book, who figured out way to skimp by, just giving the bear minimum to succeed?

As a runner I have often watched people run around an entire path, only to stop at the bottom of the hill and walk up. When they get to the top, they'll start running again. I am sure they receive a great deal of satisfaction at what they have accomplished through this small feat.

Unfortunately what they don't know is that, if they had only required just a little bit more they would find that their potential is so much more than what they are giving themselves credit for. I've often wished I could go run with them and at that point when they willingly give up and say, okay lets walk this hill, because I don't think I can do it, I instead tell them, sorry, you are going to run this because you CAN! I would yell... DON'T STOP RUNNING< IN FACT -- KEEP RUNNING! YOU CAN DO IT... HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF FAITH IN YOURSELF, YOU HAVE SO MUCH MORE POTENTIAL THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE!!!

Even though their heart is pounding, even though they feel like they can't breath, even though their lungs are burning and they feel like they are going to pass out -- just when they think they can't give anymore, the horizon levels out, the worst of it is over, and with in thirty-to-forty feet, their heart rate has adjusted, and the path just got a little easier.

So many times we sell ourselves short because of fear, because of doubt, because of the unknown. Instead of trying and failing, we'd rather not try at all. How unfortunate this is! Each of us has so much untapped potential, we just have to dig deep enough to find it. We have to say "forget you" to all the nay sayer's. We have to stop enabling each other from what could be and start encouraging for what will be.

Fourteen years ago I was in the same place as the girl I mentioned above. The one that said "C's get degree's". I thought I didn't have what it took to follow my dreams. I allowed the doubt to consume me, and I cowered to the possibilities and settled for comfortable. 

And she is right, fourteen years ago, I was right. C's do get degree's. A "C" is average. But, is that who we are? C's are those who never realize their true potential. C's are those who never realize their true self. C's are those who wish, but never fail out of fear, they stay comfortable with comfortable. C"s are average.

Instead, be an "A". Work your butt off. Try harder than you've ever tried -- just to see if you can. Run up that hill that has kicked your butt and don't stop, not at the top, not ten feet after, not twenty feet after, just keep running. Who cares if you fall, or feel like your going to pass out... you will survive and you may just find out that you actually can do the impossible. That you are not a "C" but in fact an "A"!

If I could go back and look myself in the eye fourteen years ago, I would tell myself to stop doubting, to stop selling yourself short, to not listen to that part of you that thinks you are not capable of achieving your goals. I would tell myself to be ambitious, to work your ass off and if you fall, to get back up, scrape off the dirt, and run harder.

When I was first in college back in 2000-2001 I left with a 2.78. I had no idea that inside I had the ability to pull a 4.0 for almost 5 five years in a row. That I would have three amazing kids, go to school full time, be a VP of the Public Relations Students Society, be the Relief Society president of my church branch, support a husband as he follows his dreams, and survive! I am not saying this for bragging rights -- rather I'm saying it because I never would have thought back then that I was capable of accomplishing so much up to this point in my life.

We all doubt, we all are afraid of failing, but should that define us, or do we define ourselves by our actions, by our continued determination to try harder than we did the day before.

I love Lucille Ball. Why? Because she failed over and over again before she became a famous movie star. Even when everyone else around her was pushing her down. She had a dream and she fought for it. 

So yes C's get degree's, and doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, and accounts can get by with a "C", but do you want them working for you, or on you for that matter. Do you want a doctor prescribing medicine to you who got by with C's? I can assure you those who earned their degree's through hard work and determination are those that actually are successful. The reality is, C's  never realize their true potential because they either never give it their all or because they are too worried about failing. So, rather than try, they sail through life on the easy boat. 

But, I don't want to sail through life on the easy boat. I don't want to someone else paddling for me. No I want to be at the stern, I want to lean into those waves as they crash down on me, knowing that I am strong enough to hold on. You are strong enough to hold on. 

To all you girls out there wondering if you are capable of reaching those dreams, I shout "YOU ARE MORE CAPABLE THAN YOU CAN EVER IMAGINE, REACH FOR THOSE STARS, AND WHEN YOU GET THERE REACH FOR THE NEXT STAR... Then you will know what you are capable of. 

Is the War on Women Coming from Women?

A woman films herself having an abortion. To get herself through it, she talks about humming and thinking positive thoughts throughout. She also talks about how it feels to have the ability to give life (while she is taking it), and that if her apartment burned down, the first thing she would grab is her picture of her sonogram - before she killed the baby.

What she doesn't say, is that instead of giving life, she took life. What she hasn't said, is how it is effecting her now. What she didn't do, was be an unselfish. What she wasn't - strong.

A woman who knows her value and the value of life is STRONG and she is BEAUTIFUL.

Being strong is more than claiming women's rights, or equality. It is giving a voice to someone who doesn't have a voice. Being strong is unselfish love. Being strong is not something you can gain through selfishness - that is the opposite of strong, that is weak. Someone who purposely hurts another to put themselves ahead - is narcissistic. That, is what this world has become.

Today we have become numb. We fall in tow with the crowd. We cower at our own ability to make right choices. We find that our actions leave impressions that will remain forever. We convince ourselves that it is okay, that somehow, this choice we are making is the harder choice. We pat ourselves on the back, and we call it "standing up for women's rights." We allow ourselves to be pulled in by the current, rather than take a stance against the rushing ideologies of the world. Our so-called principles fall under "popular" or "cool." Eventually, we lose sight of who we are, why we are here. Instead... we realize we have become a facade of what we think we should be, but realize, we are not what we could have been.

The idea that aborting ones baby has no long-lasting effect on the mother is absurd. The realization that tree's are now more important than human life is also absurd. Have we become so desensitized by our world that we no longer value the gift of life?

Have women become so selfish that they - even in the most imperfect situation - can not realize the depth and gravity of the choice that they are making when they choose to kill an innocent child. I have no doubt that those who are pro-abortion have taken hold of the notion that all that matters in this world is "ME."

This is not equality, this is selfishness at its very root. Why not sacrifice a few months and give a gift that another could not give themselves. Why not be the bearer of the gift of life, rather than the one who took it. Do you really want to chose death for another who could not choose it for themselves.

I am tired of all the haters who claim that pro-life takes away a women's right. That it somehow makes her less than a man to believe life is precious, or that somehow she is weaker if she chooses to give life. This is where they're wrong.

A man, no matter what he does, can NEVER EVER give life. He may be able to save life if he becomes a doctor, but he will never have the gift that we as women have - to give another LIFE. The war on women is coming from women, unfortunately. We are taking our right, our gift, and throwing it away.

Having a baby is the most powerful gift on this planet... whether it is a moment of joy for you personally, or for someone else, there is nothing more emotional and more powerful than a woman's ability to give birth to a beautiful, capable, human being.





Other sites to check out:
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/04/24/Oregon-County-Orders-Incinerator-To-Stop-Using-Aborted-Babies-To-Generate-Power

I don't usually follow or read this blog, but this I felt was the reality of the situation at its very core:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/bristolpalin/2014/05/haunted-photos-of-woman-who-filmed-own-abortion/

Decision 2012: War on Women, Part 2

Abortion is such a sensitive topic as we've already seen because there is NO clean cut line.  When a girl through no choice of her own loses her agency due to the malicious desires or power kick of some crazed lunatic rapist, it complicates things.  When drug addicted women lose the ability to make wise choices under the influence of a substance that physically and mentally changes her brain and her ability to decide right from wrong, this causes concern.  When a baby is forced to come into a world drug induced or is the result of incest or rape, decisions become  formidable. 

However, there is something fundamentally wrong about a girl who, through poor, unplanned choices of her own; relinquishes her responsibility through the act of abortion.  This begs the question. Does this become the responsibility of the American taxpayers? Are we expected to pay for their lack of preparedness?  

What we need is to figure out a way to educate these girls before they find themselves in these precarious positions.  We need to figure out what is at the root of this epidemic. Can this be blamed on poor education, poor social backgrounds?  I'm sure some would argue, and perhaps there is some truth behind those notions.  However, the brutal reality is simple; we have become a nation of selfish desires and we continue to exacerbate the idea of entitlement.

Should women wanting an abortion with no outlying circumstances be required to pay for their abortion?  Should certain circumstances be covered and others not? Is it possible to take into account those who legitimately require and possibility need an abortion, or should all women be allowed to terminate a pregnancy no matter the reason?

First, These girls need to get some birth control, and IF they cannot afford it, then we can step in and give them free birth control, or stop having sex and practice abstinence. It's FREE!
Second, I understand that things happen, so learn the first time around and stop the excessive use of unnecessary abortions in the United States just so girls don't have to deal with the consequences. 

Third, doesn't this all go back to the breakdown of the family?  Families continue to be attacked; and without kids having someone who can teach them integrity, morality, & responsibility; we will continue to see kids making adult decisions without the knowledge to do so adequately.

And finally, going back to accountability; only when we are held accountable for our actions do we learn lessons from tough choices.  Instead, we are giving these girls a free pass.  These girls, (And I am not talking about rape victims, etc.) act as if they are doing nothing wrong.

WE ALL have days where we wish we didn't have kids; where we wish we could lead another life free of diapers, poop, feedings, laundry, housecleaning, tantrums, and everything else moms get to deal with.  But, it in NO way negates the atrocity of abortion as a result of entitlement.

Planned Parenthood has proven time again that the rules do not apply to them.  In this video, Live Action goes undercover as a mother who wants to abort their baby if it is a girl.  In this particular interview, they are talking about waiting until the mom is around twenty weeks so they know what the sex is, and then are told, if at that time you find out it's a girl, you can abort it. My favorite part is, the Planned Parenthood advisor tells her, "you can get pregnant right after the abortion, I've had two abortions myself and I have two kids, so I know". The Planned Parenthood advisor never bats an eye. Apparently we are starting to follow China's lead, let's just throw our baby girls away. Sounds rational right?

"In 2009 Planned Parenthood received over $360 Million dollars of taxpayers dollars in government grants".  In 2010 they received over $500 million.  Taxpayer dollars are going to pay for girls to have abortions, and sometimes multiple abortions. Planned Parenthood would argue that their money is not allowed to go towards abortion, however the number of abortions are increasing, and the lack of credibility on their behalf is overwhelming. Unfortunate, considering in the beginning Planned Parenthood was probably created to truly advocate for women's rights.  Now, it has become a foggy mess of moral abandonment mixed with politics.

I understand that women want to be able to decide what happens to their body's.  Let's put the politics aside.  We are women, we were given the most powerful ability on earth, to bear a child.  No man can do this!  But girls are choosing every day that this incredible gift is not so great and they opt for the selfish and destructive act of abortion.

Women, we are smarter than this.  Stop having unprotected sex if you're not interested in having a baby.  If pregnancy occurs and it's not the desired outcome of the woman, choose life, and choose to give it to someone who wants it.  You have the right to decide whether you want to be a mother, or not.  But if you don't, KNOW that someone else does! Your selfless act will give you knowledge and the sweet assurance that out of this, what you may see as a tragedy, came a gift that someone else could not give themselves.  Think outside the box, become a surrogate mother and find a woman who WANTS your baby!

As mentioned in part one... a friend of mine made the argument that there are times when abortion may be necessary.  In the situation of abortion due to rape, incest, abuse, drugs, or in the event of death to mother and/or child,  I believe in these situations women should have the option to an abortion  These are sensitive subjects and their is no one who can make that decision except the individual who is living through that specific circumstance.

In the event of a woman choosing an abortion based purely off of her selfish and narcissistic desires... why not choose life?  YES, pro-life involves sacrifice on behalf of the mother carrying the child.  She may feel insecure, ridiculed, and scared.  But, I believe that when we base our decision on what is best for the baby, all involved can be blessed, including those on the receiving end of that beautiful baby.  Parents who could not give themselves what they so desired will forever be grateful & indebted to that individual for the selfless and beautiful gift that only she could give.

"Stand with Protect Our Girls to call for a nationwide ban on the unethical practice of sex-selection abortion in America."

*If you are interested in more information on Live Action click here.

Decision 2012: War on Women, Part 1

Please post your thoughts, pro-choice or pro-life!  The importance in this election is that women get out and vote.  We as women need to also realize that; without a job, without a paycheck coming in, without a good economy, without the ability to be hired, we are all only as good as the government leading us.  And if we are all out of work, and if we have nothing but debt hanging over our heads; our rights and liberties are going to do little for us.  So be smart and vote for what counts TODAY!

The right to choose life or death by abortion is the hottest topic among liberals these days.  Liberals love nothing more than to paint conservatives and their pro life views as "war on women".  Abortion.  How this has become the main focus of women's rights is beyond me; and the idea of FREE birth control.  Thanks to Obama's mandate, and Sandra what the Flucke! Like women who attend an ivy league school can't afford their own birth control.  But, that is a whole other issue now attached to women's rights, thanks to Obama.  I will leave that for another time.  

Whatever happened to all the major stepping stones that women fought for, right to vote, right to work, right to education, right to conscript, equal pay for equal work.  Have we allowed the liberals to whittle us away to nothing but whether or not we can decide to take a human life before that person can speak for themselves? This is such a hot topic, and in an effort to get my point across, this post is 1 of 2.

Original Post: Abortion

Abortion / Women's Issues: Either but mostly Obama I go back and forth on abortion all the time. I have the same view on abortion that Romney does, which is the same view that many (not all) Mormons have, which can be read here. I've also been thinking a lot about Elder Oaks' recent talk about protecting children. But I think it's not always a black and white issue. I've had two babies. I feel for every woman who has a baby, whether the baby was wanted or not. BABIES ARE A BIG FREAKING FAT DEAL. I have felt the feelings of wanting a baby to go away. (Every day much? Ha.) So, I guess I can just empathize. Whatever that means ... it's scary to say. I'm still figuring it out. As for women's issues in general, I favor Obama a bit more. Actually I favor Obama a lot more. Wow, women's issues are complicated for me. I must be a woman or something. (Anonymous)

Women's rights should not be about women choosing life or death for the unborn child.  I believe very passionately that we MUST stand up and fight on behalf of the fetus (since the baby cannot speak for itself). Instead, we have become numb to our inner moral compass.  We have been persuaded to believe that OUR selfish desires are more important. The ability to feel appreciation for human life has been lost.  This toxic reality is leading to the idea that we care more about ourselves, then for the life of someone else.  And yes, fetus' are human beings.

Anyone who has ever been pregnant cannot deny that there is life inside them (although they may try).  When you can feel, see, and experience the growth of a baby in your belly, it is difficult to deny the existence of that life.  That little baby, even in the beginning, is full of life.

Unfortunately for some the first thought is, I don't want it!  So, instead of giving it to someone who would do anything to have one, but can't; the girl chooses to kill it? Abortion is too nice of a word; it somehow softens the severity of what is actually occurring 

Every woman who has ever given birth to a child knows how hard it is.  Motherhood is the hardest job on earth.  We have all had those days, weeks, or even months, perhaps even years, where we wish we had another life.  I can attest to those feelings of craziness, and wishing you could escape to a deserted island where no one could find you, not even your husband.

I always love the women who don't have kids and how they glare at you any time you say anything like, "I could kill my kids today".  Why do they glare?  Because they want to know what it's like to want to kill their kid's.  These women would do anything to want to tie those little "basement trolls" up; as another fellow mom blogger put it .  Women who've tried and failed to have a baby would love to hate changing diapers, they would love to hate those midnight feedings, those thousands of dirty diapers, spit up on your brand new blouse, food in the hair,  and baggy eyes from lost sleep.  They would give anything to hear & see that winey 5 o'clock dinner time dance when mom is trying to get house cleaned, dinner on, and kids fed; just so she can have a moment of peace once the little hellions are in bed.

I feel for these women, because I know if I were in their shoes, I would be mourning the unborn child as well.  I would be angry, if not furious at the loss of every child that is so easily vacuumed away.  How can you tell this woman that her wants and desires are not as important as your right to kill a baby?

Lets say you COULDN'T have kids.  Would you be begging every girl out there who is having an abortion, to give you that baby?  Would you be begging her to just be selfless for nine months (and really your only showing for 4 or 5 of those months) so YOU could experience what it would be like to be a mother?

I remember vividly that fear before I even started having kids.  It was a very real fear.  Luckily I've been blessed with three kids who drive me absolutely insane almost every day of the year.  I'm positive I'm on the verge of a breakdown most days and my body may never be the same; but would I kill them, NO! Do I wish I'd aborted them, NO!  Would I regret it EVERY day of my life had I, YES!   I always wonder if these girls have asked their mom who was selfless enough to go through with their pregnancies if she'd wished she could've had an abortion. And what if she had? You wouldn't be here.

About a year ago I was involved in a charitable organization, I happened to work with a girl whose stance was pro-choice.  At that time she worked for the women's clinic in Salt Lake City.  She shared multiple stories of girls under eighteen, some as young as fifteen or sixteen who had been in for their second or third abortion. Some were as far along as five and a half months.  I was shocked that she saw nothing wrong with this.  She went on to tell me that they could not advise them on anything except birth control and if the girl wanted an abortion, they could not discuss the option of life if the girl did not want to.  This was shocking to me, because as a mother I know what a baby looks like at five & a half months.  At five & a half months when you go in for your ultrasound, you can see two eyes, ten fingers, itty bitty fingernails, ten toes, their belly button, their tiny little nose, little cute penis' for boys, girls little vajaja's, and most importantly the beautiful heartbeat; the four chambers of the heart are even visible.  There is no mistaking that at five & a half months, there is a human being in your belly.

So how does someone justify abortion?  How does a woman decide to end life?  And if she does, what effects will that decision inevitably take on her life, mentally and physically?

Somehow, there has to be another solution.  One that doesn't involve killing the life of another human being.