This was one of my favorite talks from General Conference 2012. May it lift your spirit as it did mine.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Few things there are...
A wise man once said of the things in life most worth attaining
Are those that will require the most sacrifice, even dedication unfeigning.
What is this heart's greatest desire?
What lies within this ox's mire?
On the most positive end of the human emotion spectrum,
Like a guitar string plucked by an iron plectrum,
Lies love; such is the tune to which I aspire.
Like Frodo longing for the Shire.
But why? Is it really worth all the time and energy?
Isn't it easier to let our lives be driven by soothing lethargy?
I am afraid that by so doing, we make mediocrity our natural abode.
No, in order to find true happiness, we must take the higher, harder road.
The scriptures teach us that an opposition in all things is requisite.
Bugs Bunny, for example, without Elmer Fudd is simply another rabbit with a carrot.
No, we cannot know joy without sorrow;
If darkness is our today, light is our tomorrow.
No, it is best our time and energy to invest!
We must leave behind the falsehood that success comes without the feeling of being compressed.
Trials give us experience and are for our good. It should be no surprise
That if we are to achieve what we desire, then we must be willing to sacrifice.
We must tear down the buildings that we build to hide,
For potential happiness lies on the outside.
Few things there are which are so satisfying,
Few achievements worth the pain and crying,
As that unhindered love worth trying.
Are those that will require the most sacrifice, even dedication unfeigning.
What is this heart's greatest desire?
What lies within this ox's mire?
On the most positive end of the human emotion spectrum,
Like a guitar string plucked by an iron plectrum,
Lies love; such is the tune to which I aspire.
Like Frodo longing for the Shire.
But why? Is it really worth all the time and energy?
Isn't it easier to let our lives be driven by soothing lethargy?
I am afraid that by so doing, we make mediocrity our natural abode.
No, in order to find true happiness, we must take the higher, harder road.
The scriptures teach us that an opposition in all things is requisite.
Bugs Bunny, for example, without Elmer Fudd is simply another rabbit with a carrot.
No, we cannot know joy without sorrow;
If darkness is our today, light is our tomorrow.
No, it is best our time and energy to invest!
We must leave behind the falsehood that success comes without the feeling of being compressed.
Trials give us experience and are for our good. It should be no surprise
That if we are to achieve what we desire, then we must be willing to sacrifice.
We must tear down the buildings that we build to hide,
For potential happiness lies on the outside.
Few things there are which are so satisfying,
Few achievements worth the pain and crying,
As that unhindered love worth trying.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
Scenes from my life...
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| Mine eyes did not behold a river until mine age was twenty and one. |
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| Real Mexican food is the way to this man's heart. |
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| A typical residential street in the best little town in Norcal (aka Napa) |
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| Can't wait for Harry Potter land to be built in LA! |
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| Crickets make for healthy eating. Don't worry, it had lime and chile seasoning to help with the flavor. |
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| The temple's view of Oakland and San Francisco |
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| I cannot say I enjoyed witnessing the butchering and frying of a real cow tongue. But the taste sure was delectable :). |
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| Unfortunate to confess, my calendar collection includes Hannah Montana. What can I say? I like the best of all worlds. |
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| My mission was the happiest of times (up until that point in life). California Santa Rosa, Spanish speaking. 2009-2011 |
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| It doesn't get much better than a relaxing day at the beach. |
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| I have walked through a forest of GIANTS. |
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| I have seen a cow give birth. It was definitely more enjoyable than human birth. |
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| Worst parking job..... ever (Elder Jones) |
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| I stand corrected (Elder Scott) |
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| There is nothing like Martinelli's to celebrate the New Year! |
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| My niece has won numerous recognitions as the world's cutest toddler! (Boo ya!) |
Sunday, April 15, 2012
And here we go...
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,
Welcome to my official blogspot! For a longtime have I desired to impart the peculiar thoughts of my mind via a blog. For my first post, I will simply explain the title that decorates the peak of this page. In high school, I had many nicknames. Some were given simply because they were a looser, more fun way of saying my old-school biblical name: Dah-veeeed. Some were awarded by virtue of my merits: Monster Manciati. This one came to me because of my ability to consume unnatural amounts of food in one sitting. One was assigned, however, by my last name's resemblance to a popular, delicious Italian dish: Manicotti. This is also how people pronounce my name when their eyes first meet its bewildering combination of letters. M-a-n-c-i-a-t-i, Manciati. Why can't you people just get it right?
One day, I went to dinner with friends from the Eagle Rock High School tennis team. As I sat to feast at Capri Brothers, a local Italian restaurant, and thus uphold the honor of my second aforementioned nickname, my friend Chris noticed a most interesting sign. Upon reading it, he beckoned my attention to it and exclaimed, laughing his heart out: "Hey Manciati, get out of here!" All of our friends followed suit in like manner. Lo and behold, the sign read: "No Manicotti on Tuesdays."
It was a Tuesday.
Welcome to my official blogspot! For a longtime have I desired to impart the peculiar thoughts of my mind via a blog. For my first post, I will simply explain the title that decorates the peak of this page. In high school, I had many nicknames. Some were given simply because they were a looser, more fun way of saying my old-school biblical name: Dah-veeeed. Some were awarded by virtue of my merits: Monster Manciati. This one came to me because of my ability to consume unnatural amounts of food in one sitting. One was assigned, however, by my last name's resemblance to a popular, delicious Italian dish: Manicotti. This is also how people pronounce my name when their eyes first meet its bewildering combination of letters. M-a-n-c-i-a-t-i, Manciati. Why can't you people just get it right?
One day, I went to dinner with friends from the Eagle Rock High School tennis team. As I sat to feast at Capri Brothers, a local Italian restaurant, and thus uphold the honor of my second aforementioned nickname, my friend Chris noticed a most interesting sign. Upon reading it, he beckoned my attention to it and exclaimed, laughing his heart out: "Hey Manciati, get out of here!" All of our friends followed suit in like manner. Lo and behold, the sign read: "No Manicotti on Tuesdays."
It was a Tuesday.
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