Nothing fires me up quite like seeing an ‘underdog’ overcome. MikeD sent me this video a couple days ago and it sucked me (and Jess) in and brought tears to her eyes. You know I’m a cry baby. Jess isn’t as emotionally unstable as me, but this one got to her. Maybe it has something to do with the cast on her leg :(
On a related note, tomorrow is the Ironman world championship at Kona, Hawaii. Can’t wait to see who wins. I’m rooting for Crowie (Craig Alexander) to be the 3rd man ever to 3-peat.
I initially titled this ‘Return of the Marshmallow’ and then went to link to the first time I wrote about it. No luck. I can’t believe I never wrote about my favorite FHE of all time. I saw a video today that reminded me of it that I’m including at the bottom of this entry.
It happened during June of 2009 …
The lesson was based on a 6 minute TED video that impressed me (see below). I had Caleb present the plan of salvation to the family, starting with the pre-mortal life … when he finished, I asked the kids if they knew what was needed to make it to the the celestial kingdom (heaven). They said baptism and temple marriage. “Yes, but incomplete,” I said. I told them I was about to teach them the secret to making it to heaven. And, that I was going to teach them with marshmallows!
I put them in separate rooms (living room, dining room, kitchen) and gave them each 1 marshmallow. I told them, “you can eat this marshmallow right now or anytime you want. But, if you wait and don’t eat the marshmallow during the next 15 minutes, then I’ll give you a second one and you’ll have 2 (when the 15 minutes is up).” They stared at their marshmallows. I heard this …
Caleb: “Madi, are you going to eat yours?”
Madi: “No.”
Caleb: “Me neither.”
When I came back to the kitchen, Lucy was crying.
Me: “Why are you crying sweetheart?”
Lucy: “I took a bite.” And then her tears really started to flow.
Me: “I said you could. So, why are you crying?”
Lucy: Because I knew I shouldn’t and now I don’t get the second marshmallow do I?”
Me: “No. You don’t. Go ahead and finish your marshmallow.”
Madi and Caleb heard Lucy cry and yelled out, “What’s wrong Lucy?! Did you eat it?!” Through the sobs, “Yes I did!” Almost in unison, “Oh Lucy you shouldn’t have!” “I know” (still crying). I went to check on Caleb and Madi. Caleb put his marshmallow in his pocket. “Caleb, where’s yours?” “I put it in my pocket so I won’t be tempted.” Madi put hers far away from her on the living room table and dove into a coffee table book on the couch. “I don’t want to smell it,” she said.
10 minutes into what turned out to be the Parable of the Marshmallow, I went back to Lucy who was sadly sitting at the kitchen table.
Me: “Lucy, if I gave you a second marshmallow right now would you promise me that you won’t eat it for another 15 minutes?”
Lucy: (looking at me hopefully) “Yes.”
Me: “OK, here’s another marshmallow. Don’t eat it until I tell you ok?”
Lucy: “OK.”
When the first 15 minutes were up I told Madi and Caleb to meet me in the kitchen (5 feet away from Lucy). They presented their uneaten marshmallows and I presented them with a second one (Lucy remained seated at the table, looking on). Caleb stuffed his face with both at the same time. Madi enjoyed both of hers with a bit more elegance. Then we talked about what we learned …
We talked through both answers for a while and I was touched by their insights. Then we looked over at Lucy, still sitting somberly at the table. I asked Madi & Caleb if they thought that eating the marshmallow before the 15 minutes was up meant that Lucy couldn’t have a second one and, in essence, go to heaven. They sadly agreed that Lucy was disqualified. I then told them that that’s not necessarily true. In unison, “What!?” I told them that I had given her a second marshmallow (“What?!”) already and that she had it and had to promise to wait another 15 minutes. I compared that to the Gospel plan and how Heavenly Father knew that none of us would be perfect and that we would all ‘eat the marshmallow’ too soon. But, if we repent (what does that mean guys? Ask forgiveness. Pray. Promise to not do it again) we will be given second chances and have the same ability, because of Jesus’ suffering for our sins and his resurrection, to have the second marshmallow or make it to the celestial kingdom.
Me: Lucy, times up. Do you still have your marshmallow?
Lucy: Yes (she sheepishly removes the uneaten marshmallow from her pocket much to the surprise of her siblings).
Me: Go ahead an eat it.
Everyone in the family cheered as Lucy stuffed her mouth, worthily, with the second marshmallow!
Here’s the two videos I referenced:
1st … the inspiration:
2nd … from today:
Lastly, we all thought it was really cool to watch Pres. Uchtdorf give the same lesson at General Conference in April 2010:
(side note: it should be spelled ‘marshmellow’)
As we near November the volume from both sides of the aisle is going to go through the roof. (It’s times like this that I’m so grateful we don’t have TV in the house.) I can’t stand political ads b/c I don’t believe them. There’s always another side to the horrible picture the opposition paints. The media tends to demonize people on the opposite side of political belief instead of allowing thoughtful debate. Of course the media (from MSNBC to Fox) feed the hate and fear fanning on both sides b/c the perpetual state of outrage or panic or fear feeds ratings.
Indirectly related to this is a work by a self-described ‘information designer’ named David Mclandess. What I like about it is the straightforward comparison to the common values, motives, practices of both the left and the right. Check it out … Did he get it right? Are you 100% on one side? Or do you see things on the other side that identifies you too?
Left v. Right
For more of his info visualizations, check him out here: http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/
During my bike commute to work this morning I listened to a This American Life podcast titled the “Georgia Rambler.” Since I’m part Georgian through marriage I thought I’d post the link for my Jewkes family spread out all over to remind them of what they’re/we’re missing.
Enjoy. http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/413/georgia-rambler
Last night I took Madi, Caleb, and Lucy to the circus. Barnum & Bailey. I wasn’t much of a circus guy before last night. I can’t remember the last one I went to (probably close to 30 years ago … which just saying that makes me hate circuses even more since that’s the first time I think I’ve ever said ’30 years ago’ in reference to my own life!)
I didn’t have the heart to burst Lucy’s bubble. You hear her on the video talking about how she can tell that these elephants are soooo happy to be in the circus. She can tell b/c of the smiles on their faces. Oh to be a young child again!!
I had a very different perspective.
I couldn’t help but remember the elephants Jess and I encountered in Africa last summer. They are the kings of their wilderness. Everyone, especially our guides in Botswana, feared them. They shaped their environments (creating roads, plowing over trees). It was awe-inspiring. Truly. Check out some of our photos from that trip here.
I’m not an animal rights type of a guy. We don’t have pets. But, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for those giants of the animal kingdom. Don’t worry … I let Lucy keep her innocence.
Zoos? Ok. Circuses? Not so much.
One of the few Ted Talks that made me actually say ‘wow’ outloud. Watch out Luke Skywalker!
Ultimate Green Smoothie Ingredients
My Favorite Kitchen Machine - Vitamix
I’ve been getting a lot of questions from friends and colleagues about nutrition, diet, etc. I’m no expert. But, I have been reading and learning a lot. My nutrition evolution looks a little something like this …
1) Almonds and Other Nuts eaten with skins intact.
2) Beans and Other Legumes
3) Spinach and Other Green Vegetables
4) Dairy: Fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese
5) Instant Oatmeal: Unsweetened, unflavored
6) Eggs
7) Turkey and other lean meats. Lean steak, chicken, fish
8) Peanut Butter – All-natural, sugar-free.
9) Olive Oil
10) Whole-Grain Breads and Cereals
11) Extra-Protein (Whey) Powder
12) Raspberries and Other Berries
Vitamix fruit/dairy smoothies for lunch with whey powder, etc.
A good start for weight loss … but really incomplete as it doesn’t address the dangers of eating too much animal-based foods.
Meat warehouses & factories
Washing meat in bleach to reduce e-coli
Disappearance of ‘farms.’
Fast Food Nation & Obesity
Poorest = Fattest Pardox
Western Diet … Food-like substances replace real food. Fascination with nutrients instead of real food. “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”
The typical western diet quantity of animal-based food is the primary factor in the prevalence of cancer/heart disease/diabetes/obesity/etc. in the US. I’m only 1/2 of the way through but I wish everyone I know would read it. It produces in me equal parts: education, motivation, and anger (maybe too harsh a word but used for effect).
At first, my interest was strictly weight-loss related. (I’ve lost 35 lbs. over the last couple years.) Then, as I got more serious about training for triathlons, I saw the real food as fuel that would help me get lean and fast (still have a ways to go on both :). Now … what’s become most important to me is the real WHY behind eating right … the direct connection to our health (not just short-term ‘I feel healthy’ health but long-range avoid disease type health). Having lost dad to cancer makes this hit home and helps me avoid the ‘it couldn’t happen to me’ thought.
All of these studies, books, movies point to the inspiration of the Word of Wisdom. At the time it was given, people didn’t understand why fruits, herbs, vegetables, grains should be eaten and meat only sparingly. People certainly didn’t know the tobacco-lung cancer connection back then. It should be no surprise then, that the word of wisdom (100+ years before any studies or research was done) includes the promise that those who live it, both the proscriptive (plant-based diet, meat sparingly) & restrictive (tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea, drugs) shall …
“…receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.”
Check out the section about it on mormon.org
I’m not a vegetarian. I will never become one. But, we have made changes in our diet/lifestyle to eat mostly real fruits, vegetables, grains (complex carbs), and significantly reduce our meat consumption. And, I’ve never felt better. I’ll still share a godiva chocolate cheesecake with Jess on occasion. I’ll still pound down a juicy steak on occasion. But, the key (for me) is to make what used to be a couple times a day more like a couple times a week. I strongly recommend The China Study to anyone looking for the motivation to make some changes along these lines.
I’m no expert. But, all the experts I’ve been reading (and referencing) are all pointing to the same thing to be fit now and be healthy for life.
I’ve posted about the improveverywhere guys before. Check out a couple of their latest ‘missions’ to lighten us all up a bit. Try not to smile …
Below is a video of Hans Rosling illustrating the incredible progress made in the last 200 years globally in terms of health and wealth. It’s amazing to see how quickly China and others have been closing the ‘gap’ between the them and the US. Check it out …
There’s nothing meaningful or topical in this video, just a cool take on the moments in our life. From RadioLab:
I agree. You?
For some reason issues like taking care of the environment have been taken over by the left. As if the right really looks forward to trashing the earth. As if conservatives are somehow bound by an unwritten oath to always support Business no matter what that business is doing.
Case in point … the industrialization of manufactured imitation food is making America the most obese nation in the world (not to mention its accompanying diseases).
As an aside, check out what the CDC says about chronic illness here.
This video/issue is another example of a company (group of companies) pursuing something that may be harmful to us and/or our planet. (As an aside, in case you wonder, I do not worry about global warming and I do not think the government ought to legislate cap & trade or other measures related to it). But, who’s going to argue against the needless pollution of the planet with water bottles?
The difference, I guess between me and my friends on the left might be how we deal with this type of issue. Stereotypically speaking, my progressive friends may want to have government intervene to protect us from this evil. I simply believe that I not only don’t need government to restrict the business or me, but I don’t want them to be my ‘Nanny.’ It’s a slippery slope. And, as a Californian, I’ve had a front row view of the Nanny state.
So … I believe in free markets (aka Business). I believe in limited government. I believe in taking care of our planet. I believe in the individual. But, just b/c I believe in those things, doesn’t mean there aren’t exceptions. Does every company have a positive impact on our country/world? Of course not. But, I believe most do. Should the government only support an army to protect us from invaders? No. It should do more than that, but what it has become … how many areas of our lives it touches, I believe, would make our founders throw up.
As for the evil water bottle packagers … I’m going to consume less. You?
On my way home from working in Phoenix this week, I watched a couple of TED talks. You veterans of this blog know that I love TED. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It brings together leaders of many areas and they have roughly 20 minutes to get their message across. I love learning others point of view, discoveries, and conclusions. I sometimes agree with them. And, I sometimes don’t.
Yesterday, I found the two talks very compelling. They were about FOOD. The first is from a lady who is in charge of feeding all the kids in a No. Cal. school district. She rages against the USDA and all of us, really, for being careless when it comes to what and how we feed our children. Anyone with kids should watch her.
The second one is from a guy I’ve seen and read quite a bit during the last couple years, Mark Bittman (NYTimes food contributor). His view on food is framed more by saving the planet from climate change (which I care less about than he and the liberal machine would like.) Nevertheless, the information about our food, how we’ve changed how we eat, and WHY we’ve changed, and what it’s doing to us is important.
1 : devoted to religion or to religious duties or exercises
2 : expressing devotion or piety <a devout attitude>
3 : devoted to a pursuit, belief, or mode of behavior : serious, earnest
I ran my normal 5 mile loop this morning before dawn. (NOTHING beats starting the day running or riding under the stars). As I started eastward on San Juan Creek Road, I noticed a parked car on the side of the road up ahead with a couple people standing beside/behind the car with their backs toward me. They were standing next to each other. One was bent over; the other remained standing. Looked like they were stretching. I was still a ways off and I thought they were probably getting ready to go on a run themselves, though it seemed like an odd place to park (shoulder of the main road to the freeway).
As I neared, the scene came into focus. They were 2 men in normal business casual attire. They were standing side by side. They were standing and kneeling on a rug. They were facing east. They appeared to be Arab. They were praying. I tried not to stare but couldn’t help being struck by the newness of the scene. Sure, I’ve seen pictures and video of Muslims praying toward Mecca. There’s nothing remarkable about the act of Muslims praying. Yet, I DID find it remarkable that these 2 men looked at their watches, saw that it was 6:30 AM, pulled over, and prayed on a busy road to be faithful to their religion.
It made me reflect on how I/we view Islam and those who live it devoutly. I can’t help but admire their devotion. I remember learning in college about the 5 pillars of Islam:
I thought of how practically 1/5 of the world’s population (estimate of number of Muslims) have been demonized b/c of the heinous acts by what I would call radical Islamic terrorists who use their extreme interpretation of Jihad in the Qur’an as grounds for murder/terrorism. Since 9/11/2001, we’ve been bombarded with a very narrow, threatening view of Islam. During this morning’s run, I saw a much different view.
As I ran beyond my Muslim ‘brothers’ I realized that they were giving me a strong example of what it means to be devout. I thought of the hymn, Did You Think To Pray and realized that I sometimes come up short, sometimes get too busy, sometimes get distracted and that I need to be more devout in my prayers, like those 2 guys on the side of San Juan Creek Road at dawn.
Jess and I have been to Spain a couple of times. We love it. Big time. I get to speakin-a-spanish. The weather, history, people, culture. The mashing of Catholic & Moor. Don Quixote! For me, the most impressive experience was the bull fight. We were totally unprepared for the drama, the theater, the blood. We were mesmerized by the whole event. This 60 Minutes full episode goes behind the scenes in a great way. Take the time. Check it out.
I’m curious. I’ve always been curious. But, it’s not just curiosity. There’s a restlessness too. There’s a need to be learning, doing, trying, adding new things to my life. I always have talk radio or NPR on. If not, then I have music playing. If not, I’m asleep. According to Myers Briggs, I’m an ENTP personality which explains a lot of it. I’ve written before about how much I love to zone out during out my long rides/runs to podcasts of This American Life or The Story on NPR. I prefer these to music on long distances b/c I can get lost in the stories and interviews and lives and I get distracted from the time or discomfort. I also dig them b/c they scratch that endless curiosity itch.
I just found a new one that I’ve been listening to for about a week … It’s ALL TIME. It’s called RadioLab out of NYC public radio. It’s like The Story but has more of a scientific bent to it. The hosts are very funny and they make topics like Sleep, Placebo Effect, Morality, etc fascinating and totally entertaining.
Some recent ideas/questions/topics they presented:
My 'new' thing :)
