Evolution

So recently in biology we have been discussing evolution. The definition used for the class is a change in the frequency of a phenotype in a population. What is a phenotype you ask? It is the physical expression of a gene. Also discussed is that evolution has no real direction. It has no aim to get better or worse. It's simply change. So as I thought about this the random thought crossed my mind that this is true! Evidence being the evolution of fashion. It really has no direction for the better as more and more people are trying to "express" themselves.

Super Hero

What really makes a super hero? This question has been asked and debated since the first ideas of people doing super human things crossed comic book writers minds. From the age old debate of Super Man or Batman to Marvel and DC battling for the greatest heroes of all time in both the pages of comic books, to the silver screen, and even to saturday morning cartoons. So what makes a super hero? Does he have to have a super power? Be bitten by a radio active spider, be a super strong alien from a distant planet, or be able to run at incredible speeds? Or can he simply have everything on his utility belt, drive a fancy car, or have an arc reactor in his chest? Or can it be simpler than all of this? I'm sure that all of us have people in our lives that we consider heroes and maybe even super heroes. Everyday normal people who do extraordinary things. These people seem to rise above adversity despite all odds and make a difference in the world. Some are family or friends and some we may not even know personally. As for me I have been privileged to have many heroes around me and am thankful for the example these people set for my life. So even if you found out you can't fly by jumping off the roof in your Super Man pajamas (hence the label that they do not actually give superpowers)......You can make a difference in someones life. You can be a hero to someone. You may not have to rescue someone from a burning building, or fight super villains, heck you may even become an unsung hero to the masses, but you will mean the world to those around you. So lift your head up, see what you can contribute to the world and go out and make it a better place for all of us to live.

What Makes You.....You?

     Today, the semester started and I had my biology class. One of the topics we discussed was the human genome project. This was a project to try to identify the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes in human dna. This led to the discussion and question, "What makes you, you?". Is it just a battle between nature vs nurture or does it extend deeper? There are insects and even plants that have more genes than humans. A potato even has two more chromosomes than humans. Most people are affected by these two things on a way that influences who they are, but there are still those, who despite anything, are who they are. No matter how they are raised or what genes they are told make their bodies up. So does this concept of who you are extend to more than just your physical bodie and life on earth? Of course the gospel adds greately needed clarification on this subject; reassuring that this isn't the beginning and nor is it the end.
    This life still has a very great impact even though it is just a blink the great scheme of things. And most important is what you decide to do with our time as you are here. Who you decide to be. These things do influence us all, but they are not where we started. Thus you don't have to just let them determine who you are or where you finish.


I would like to hear your opinions though. What is on your mind? And if you would like anything else discussed on here that is necessarily not relevant with this topic, go ahead and mention it. Who knows! You may see your idea discussed next!

Monkey Bars

         As I've been thinking of the next steps in my life, I've come to realize that life is more like monkey bars than a box of chocolates. As you go from bar to bar one realizes that you must let go of the bar behind you to grab hold of the bar in front of you. The same can be said about life. It always seems like just when you get comfortable, you're asked to stretch, to grow, to let go of something old behind you and grab hold of something new in front of you. This can be very difficult and requires a lot of faith. Questions like, "Can I really make it?", "What if I fall?", and "Can't I just stay on this bar?" rush to fill the mind each time. No matter how hard that is, it is necessary.
       The great thing about it all, is that if you do take the chance to stretch and grab the next bar, you will make it. You may not succeed the first time you try, but when you are asked to stretch, we are also given the strength to do so. We are just asked to try and to give it our all. The real danger is not in trying, but is in not trying.
       You can't just stay still or not try. On the monkey bars, if you become complacent and just stay where you are, trying to just hold on, eventually you will become tired and fall. The same thing happens in life. If you stay in a rut and do not move forward to progress, you won't just stay in the same place, but you will eventually digress and fall.
        I've also come to realize that each of our life "monkey bars" is unique and different. Each is tailored to best help us in the end. Some bars for you may be further apart then others and you may have more bars than the next person. Everyone has monkey bars and each is made to make the best of us. This is because it is more about the process and progress than the destination or the time we get there. Although on the playground there isn't much satisfaction or partying when one finishes the monkey bars, in life's "monkey bars" doing them makes all the difference. There is a noticeable difference in the lives of those who do have the faith and live going from bar to bar and those who don't. It is not promised that we will be given everything; that we will be rich or even that we will have lots of friends. In fact, many times these are the things that we are asked to leave behind for greater things. What we are promised is the satisfaction of living a fulfilling life, to ultimately be strong and happy in any situation and with whatever life throws at us, and to have the power to make a difference in this life and to enjoy all that there is in the next life. This new year is a great time to look back at the progress you have made and to see where improvement can be made. So move forward and continue in life's "monkey bars". Just remember that you can do it and that there is always help!

Happy New Year!!!

Hope everyone had a great year last year! It was definitely an interesting year for me. Being back home hasn't been the easiest thing, but life moves on. New obstacles to face and new ways to grow. As we enter the new year it is of course a time that many of us reflect back on the last year and our lives and make resolutions for next year. Lose weight, run a marathon, stop drinking carbonation, etc. Some way to change for the better. But resolutions only last, for most people, a little while. But for the stalwart few there is change that happens! So good luck to everyone this upcoming year on all your goals, life changes, and resolutions you make this year. Remember that we all have the agency to decide who we are going to be and what we are going to be. It is never our circumstances that define us, but the decisions we make. So in whatever you circumstance you find yourself this year, make the decision to better yourself, stand a little taller, and be an influence for good in this world that needs it.