LIGHTtheWORLD Day 13 - Humility something I need to work on!

Facebook, blogs, twitter, have not been much help in assisting me to be humble.  I write a lot, show off more than I should and as a reforming politician, haven't quite passed up on "highlighting the moment".  Even my blog, you may have noticed, has the term "carltonthegreat" in its URL.  I was challenged a little as a youth with self confidence.  My mother, who was a theater major and could quote Shakespeare like it was her second language, would have me participate in little drills that would reinforce self esteem and confidence in the things I would say.  Even in college, I got so nervous that I got a "D" in a public speaking course and had to retake it.   I still get nervous on occasion when I'm doing public speaking, but it's fair to say, that I've given some version of public speaking probably 1,000 or more times in both religious and secular circumstances.  Can't say I'm very interesting, but I try.

I had big ears, that I eventually grew into.  I got them from my grandpa, but in my early years, they made me a little self-conscious.  I still think I was cute however....

Carlton as a young man

Grandpa Christensen with my step-grandma
Elizabeth

I think the challenge has come in later life, of how do you have confidence in yourself without needing to gain the approval of others.  It's a challenge, and one I need to work on.  Carlton the Great came one day when some co-workers and I were joking around, and I used it from time to time for different things.  However I went with it one day when I created my twitter account and later this blog, because I knew my Mom would want me to have self confidence and know who I am.  While I probably wouldn't recommend that particular therapy for everyone, I would suggest, that you should know you're a child of God and in that right alone, should have confidence that you can do all that he needs you to do.  He loves you and wants you to succeed despite life's ups and downs.

#LIGHTtheWORLD Day 12 - Learning from others

While my dad taught me a lot, he died when I was 10 years old.   Much of what I learned in my life came after that time, and it came from others.  I was grateful for many along the way, who were instrumental in my life that taught me either by example or in helping me learn a skill or technique.  One such individual was my Uncle, Millard Charles Laird Or MC as he was known was one such person.  He was my aunt's second husband and they moved from California just shortly after my dad passed away.  MC had just left a business that he owned where he moved mobile homes for clients.  As part of that, they had to do all the mechanical and electrical hookups to reinstall the units.  MC found similar work here, and on occasion would take me along to help. Sometimes there were family projects where he would show me how to do it, and then insist that I finish or complete it.  I did it on such a repetitive basis that I actually got pretty good at it.  I've done a lot of projects for myself and others when needed and still do a lot of small repair projects for others as service.  The other day, I fixed the heating element in my dryer, confidence that came from what MC taught me.

Frank Dahn was another person that had an effect on me.  He was a firefighter, that did plumbing on the side.  As Irish as they get, and was always concerned about my widow mother.  I would be working on a plumbing project, get frustrated and suggest that Mom call Frank Dahn to come fix it.  She would call, and a few minutes later, Frank would tell Mom, "Put Carlton on the phone" to which I would mumble, "that's why we called you Frank!"  Frank would then proceed to tell me how to fix it, and say, "If you can't fix it now, call me back."  Sadly, most of the time, I would then be able to fix it.  Still don't like doing plumbing much, but I can't tell you how many faucets I've replaced, toilets moved, or leaking taps repaired.  I even use to do water heater replacements but after breaking a toe when a water heater fell on my foot while taking the old one out, I've given that one up!

A few years ago, while shopping at Costco here in Salt Lake City, I ran into my old fifth grade teacher George Tsalaky.  I had Cathy take a picture of us and then wrote a blog about him.  A few years later when he passed away and I went to his viewing, his family had the blog posted along with other things he had done in his life and the thousands of children he had influenced.  That blog consistently stays in my top ten blogs written and so many look at it still.  He was such a kind and patient man and he loved all children and wanted them to succeed.  If there was an example of the Savior here on earth in how he dealt with the little children, it was George Tsalaky.

I know I need to work some on being more patient, sharing knowledge more with others and knowing how my actions are a form of teaching.  The Savior did teach others, and so can we.

#LIGHTtheWORLD Day 11 - Teaching the Children

Some of my colleagues at Salt Lake County have helped initiate locally a nationwide effort, titled Talking is Teaching intended to encourage parents to not only spend time, but start talking with their children.  It turns out that children who have more conversations with their parents  not only have a better relationship with them, but it also helps them in some crucial development years with their own understanding of words and other thought processes.  This has a profound impact in the years to come.  I love conversations with my kids.  I still think of some of the funnest ones are from their early years.  In fact every time I go by Christmas Lights, I remember my oldest daughter Jessica,, who referred to them as "hights, hights".  Now she teaches sixth grade.

Troy and Clarissa Bartholomew teach our nursery in the children's auxiliary called Primary in our congregation.  While they have served in a number of capacities, they love that interaction with 18 month to three year old children.  As they teach them the gospel, both are enriched from the experience.  We likewise are blessed when we take time to teach our own children, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sets aside a time each week, called Family Home Evening. We have the opportunities to teach our children in our own homes. While not required to use these materials, you can find some helpful ideas on Family Home Evening Charts and Ideas found on www.lds.org.

While I don't know much, I do know that the Savior loves the little children, and so can we.

#LIGHTtheWORLD Day 10 Helping people walk is about providing them a way to do it

One of the great "awakenings" for me over the last couple of decades, is that most people with a disability or other physical challenge, don't really want you to do it for them, but they do need help so they can do it for themselves.  The Lord wants us to be self sustaining, but in doing so, we sometimes have to have a hand lift us up to move forward.  One day, on my way to work, I noticed a neighbor who had limited mobility and needed to use her motorized cart to get places, out in traffic on 600 North in Salt Lake City.  She was trying to take her grandchild to the nearby elementary school.  My first reaction was why is she out in the street?  I then realized that none of the corners at road intersections had accessible ramps so she could use the sidewalk.  She understandably felt it important to make sure her grandchild got to school safely but we had only left her one option.

Fortunately, in my case, I was serving on the City Council at the time.  When I brought the issue to the attention of our City staff, they quickly added these corners to the next batch of corners to have ADA ramps constructed.  What I also realized, is that we will all find ourselves in similar circumstances at some point in our life, whether by injury, age or disability and while we may be helping someone else this time, we may ultimately be helping ourselves.

As part of the City Council, we also enacted snow clearing regulations that were quite controversial in their time.  However I have often witnessed others with disabilities out in the road because the walkway wasn't clear and they needed to get somewhere.  While I usually get out quickly to clear my own walks, I often see footprints, even in the early hours of the day.  To make sure neighbors don't get citations, I often try and clear their walks too.  Without question, there are many small acts we can do on behalf of others that will allow for them to do what they need to do to be independent.

Here is a great video that talks about some of the good being done throughout the world.

#LIGHTtheWORLD Day 9 - Say hello and make someone's day

I love the concept of this video clip, just picking someone in our everyday lives that through a minor gesture, just changes our attitude about ourselves.  I don't lack for friends, and seldom do I sit by myself.  In fact, often I yearn for a few quiet moments without meetings or interruptions to just think and enjoy a little "me" time.  However there is a daily interaction that happens for me which simply makes a huge difference in my life.  I work at Salt Lake County and there is gentleman by the name of David who delivers our interoffice and other mail each day.  David works through the whole building, so it isn't uncommon for me to run into him from once to three times each day.  He is always positive, often calls me out as I walk down the hall and with him you know it's genuine.  Not that there isn't genuine interactions in a political setting, but with him, you know it's true.  David even occasionally sticks his head into my office when he comes to my suite, to simply say hello.  While I often look for opportunities to reach out to others, I just really appreciate the kindness David shows.

No one exemplifies the example of the Savior in this way than our current Prophet, Thomas S. Monson.  In fact, numerous stories and examples are spoken about in efforts he has made to lift someone else's life.  He is famous throughout the world for his efforts.  I read this story about his grandfather and it's no wonder that he received the example he did growing up.  We likewise can impact the lives of our children in a similar way.  I've watched my own children and their interactions with others.  They watch us, way to closely.  I remember as a Bishop, visiting the 70 or so widows or single members of my ward.  I was young with just a small girl who was four or five.  I decided to take her with me on those visits to have her help deliver the Christmas favors we had prepared.  I was touched by the impact she had in homes where we were let in for a visit.  As I've watched both Jessica and Sarah grow up and take on similar traits, I'm grateful for their willingness to do good.

I don't think we really know in what simple circumstance that we will impact the lives of others.  We clearly aren't perfect, and I'm certainly not.  In fact, I've returned to some individuals after the fact, and apologized for my short reactions.  However, every little gesture does impact others, and I'm going to try and work better to keep that in mind.  I know the Savior would want me to do it.

#LIGHTtheWORLD Day 8 - Prayer - A simple answer to some of life's toughest challenges

I think as we face some of the toughest challenges in life, we often forget a simple course of action that will help us navigate it, prayer.  Elder Russel M Nelson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke about it in General Conference. Many growing up in the Christian faith, learn the Lord's Prayer. Elder Richard G. Scott, now deceased but a former member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, talked about how we get answers to prayer.  Prayer doesn't need to be lengthy, in fact I never have a really good reason when I don't pray.  I think sometimes we get busy, and forget the avenue of the most simple solution to life's challenges, by not praying.  I know I have a long way to go before my prayer patterns are where they need to be.  However I know Heavenly Father wants to hear from me and I know I want to hear from him.

Sometimes when I know least where to turn, my prayer of just pleading for help, the answer just comes with a feeling of peace that all will be well.  I was called as an LDS Bishop in December of 1993 when I was 27 years old.  I had a two year old girl, working as an accountant and we were buying the house we were renting from my mother on contract.  I didn't have much in the way of resources or experience.  The prior bishop had started tithing settlement, but had not finished it.  A life long member of the ward passed away that week so I had my first of 30 funeral that I would eventually conduct.  I even had someone take exception to my service in a harsh way in front of his family when I thanked them for their faithfulness.  I had an overwhelming feeling that I hadn't signed up for all of this.  Not knowing which way to turn and wanting help, I knelt down with wife Cathy and prayed for Heavenly Father to help me.  I knew I couldn't do this alone and Cathy's support was essential to my success.  As I began the prayer, I had an overwhelming feeling of peace come upon me.  While not all answers came, nor burdens lifted, I felt somehow I could do it.  I wish I could say that week would have been the worse part of my challenges during the next four years, but they were not.  However the answer of peace that came that day, did give me hope that God would help me through it.  While prayer will not solve all problems, it will help guide you through them.  It's free, its simple and it's personal.

#LIGHTtheWORLD Day 7 - Jesus fed the Hungry - Transitional Services Office

As part of my service as Stake President, I have assignments beyond our own Stake.  One of those assignments is the Transitional Services Office at Welfare Square.  This is a location, that someone who is in transition, often passing through Salt Lake City metro area, sometimes, individuals who have found themselves homeless, or coming out of the correctional system without family or homes to reside. Service Missionaries are asked to interview them, determine needs and then give some basic items of assistance to help them with that transition.  If a prior Bishop can be determined, he is consulted with as part of rendering assistance.  With the exception of the correctional facilities, services are primarily geared toward members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  To avoid duplication of services, generous contributions are made to other organizations in the community and individuals are referred to those services.  However it should be noted, that many of the food products produced are contributed to food pantries, and often those who come out of the shelter system are referred to Deseret Industries to receive basic items and they re-establish their homes.

As part of my responsibilities, individuals or couples in the Salt Lake Rose Park Stake are asked to go down to the office and for two hours each day, help distribute lunches to those who have been asked to provide work for their assistance.  This food is prepared in kitchens at Church Headquarters and then brought in fresh daily.  The volunteers then assemble the food in sack lunches and distribute them among people being assisted for the day.  I try to keep the assignments at about six month intervals. While some ask to move on after six months, we have had some couples who ask me if they can continue.  It's all I can do from crying and thanking them for their faithfulness and love for mankind.  Some are active in our faith and others are not.  However each of them love Heavenly Father's children.  While it isn't fishes and loaves of bread, it is what the Savior would do.