Beyonce

So....just keeping it real honest here.

Is it wrong that I think Beyonce should not have been allowed to sing (lip sync) the national anthem at the inauguration?

I love Beyonce. She's a great singer. Lots of people say stupid things. But come on, when she posted this on her Tumblr page after Barack won?

It was taken down, but really? About half the country voted for Mitt Romney and she shoves it in our face and then sings the national anthem at the inauguration? 

I just wish the media would address this. Just saying.

All the single ladies....

Ask Questions

James 1:5

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upraideth not; and it shall be given him."

Do we believe this? For real? Is this a joke?

Here's why I ask. I  have been questioning a lot of things lately. (No, I'm not going apostate, so don't freak out.)

I took some good notes on Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk a few weeks ago when he spoke at the CES Fireside. One thing I remember is that he said, "the truth will set you free."

I believe this. I really do! I ask so many questions now. I think it annoys some of my friends, but if it's truth, and if it's God's truth, then it's true.

Thank goodness for faith, but thank goodness for that scripture in James also! God encourages us to ask if we lack wisdom. We have a question? Ask. We have a concern? Ask.

The trick is to always move forward in faith, while waiting for the answer. I think I'll go to the grave with some of my questions unanswered. (Man, that dinosaur question is just a stumper isn't it?) But that doesn't concern me. I'll keep asking, and maybe one day it'll be revealed to me. (No, not the dinosaur question. Other questions. Questions that matter).

For the answers I have received, I need to kind of remember to quit asking. I don't want to be that badgering child that asks God the same question over and over and over and over again.

"Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?"- D&C 6:23

Ask questions.

Wo is me....shut up me

Ok, I knew that my movie obsession would pay off one day. That day has come.

Today I have felt so bad for myself because __________ (literally you can fill in the blank with whatever you want).

I'm sitting here doing my homework and I decided to turn on the Les Miserables soundtrack because I wanted to join in with 'the miserables.'

Cue....this song.

This song...need I say more? My life is hard? Really? Really? Really? No. It's nothing. 

Anne Hathaway kills it. 

"I had a dream that my life would be....so different from this hell I'm living."

Those who hate Les Mis, feel free to comment, just know that you are wrong. 

That's what friends are for

For good times. And bad times.

So I remember watching this video over ten years ago live, and I just thought of it again tonight. I remember watching the first season of AI with my closest family friends in San Diego. 

That week in San Diego I needed friends "for good times."

This week I needed friends "for bad times."

But hey, that's what friends are for. 

I'm not writing this for sympathy, or anything like that. I'm just writing this to remind myself that this truly is what friends are for. Sure, maybe it's a cheesy American Idol video, but I remember watching it years ago, and the words have stuck with me for so long.

I am grateful for the friends I have, especially during the times I really need them.

I know that God is so aware of me. I know that He is aware of you too. Many of the prayers that I have needed answered have been through close friends. Ask God who you can go to for these times. 

"...may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life." -Thomas S. Monson

Best of Times, Worst of Times

My favorite scripture in the Book of Mormon is Ether 12:6. "... I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."

When things go really well for me, they seem to go really bad for me soon after. I think God above knows that this is my favorite scripture because I share it with others a lot and I am put to the test. I know I have a pretty good life. But my life is not perfect, and my life is far from easy.

I have had my faith strengthened by watching others hold on to their faith.

The hard times are hard.

I know that I need to give more recognition to the good times.

Are we done yet?

I almost wanted the title of this post to be the title of my entire blog. This phrase runs through my head so many times a day.

Are we done yet?

Are we done judging our fellow men? Are we done gossiping about those around us? Are we done laughing at the hurt and sinful? Are we done being un-Christian Christians? Are we done mocking those who sin around us daily? Are we done being hurtful to those who believe differently than we do?  Are we done being sarcastic? Are we done putting down others?

Today in church, my Bishop talked to us men about the dangers of pornography and how it destroys lives. He talked about the dangers, the sadness, the addiction, and the sin. Are we done judging our brothers/sisters who are going through hell? Let's help them, love them, and not hurt them.

Are we done yet?

It is time to accept the sinners as our own. It is time to teach the sinners what repentance is without being self-righteous. Luckily we have a perfect example to follow: Jesus Christ.

Are we done yet?

Mess Up Over Stress?

I don't ever make a wrong decision. Ever.

No joke.

Let me try and explain. I spend so much time over analyzing every little decision in my life that every decision I do make, is right. I feel like I have never made a wrong decision in my life because I over compensate by thinking about all of the different outcomes of every decision--however minor the decision may be. What would happen if I gave up some of this stress in exchange for some 'mess ups'? Would this make me a more happy person? What if I didn't do the 'worst case scenario' thinking and just went for it? Obviously I would make a lot more mistakes, but would I enjoy life more? Would it be worth the risk?

I don't know. But I think it's worth a shot. I don't know if I'm ready to jump off the diving board yet though, if you know what I'm saying.

Any advice?

Slow Down

First day back to school and I have so much to do.

I have a hard time getting back to real life--especially back to real life after a long vacation. I have so many new goals, and things I want to do....but there is just one little problem, I have SO much I want to do. I want to do it all. I'll save you my list of goals because it could take a whole blog post, but I want to walk you all through two of them.

1- Go to the gym. I want to start going to the gym. Everyone does right? I want to lift, run, eat right, diet right, protein right, make a plan, etc.. Too much stuff to do, so I don't do any of it.

2- I want to read the Book of Mormon again this year. The whole thing. But it's really long. And sometimes I lose my place. And sometimes I start reading it on my phone. So I just don't read it at all.

Let's talk about my gym goal. What if I just went today and ran a mile? At least it would be something, right? Yes. Something. A start. A step. 

Let's talk about the Book of Mormon goal. The Book of Mormon seems kind of long. Well, it is long. What if I just wanted to read 1 Nephi? That's all. Don't read anything else. Just that. After that, 2nd Nephi. 

I think I'm going to just slow it down.

Worry Differently

I was a strange kid in junior high and high school. Luckily, I am 100% normal now.

 I used to stress so much about choosing the right. Good thing to stress about right? I remember watching some movies and just thinking "oh man, this is terrible." PG-13? Forget it. I always wanted to choose the right. Always. To the point where it gave me a really bad headache.

Here's my thought and scripture for the day for y'all. Worry a little differently, ok?

Luke 5: 31-32 "And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

I just think of Jesus Christ so much now in my life. What did he do when he was here on the earth? Did he worry about the Law of Moses? No. He didn't count how many steps he took on the Sabbath Day. He healed the sick on the sabbath. He loved. He cared for the sinners. He did good.

I don't know, but I just don't see God at the judgement day saying, "Justin, I see here that you watched this many rated blah blah blah movies and drank caffeine and you sinned that one day...." Of  COURSE, there are commandments, and we must keep them. But that is not the point of the post. The point is this. Do good, as Christ did. Care for those around you. I think judgement will be a little more like this. "Justin, how were my scriptures? Did you like them? Did you read them? Did you share them with others? Did you talk to my people? Did you lend a helping hand? Did you sacrifice your time for me?"

It isn't about the "rules" for me anymore. I'm just trying to be a good person more. Continually repenting daily, but doing more good for others. Love the imperfect.

We Are Born - So Live

Last night I had the opportunity to see the movie Lincoln for the second time. Lincoln is one of the greatest movies of 2012. The first time I saw this movie I felt like I was watching General Conference. The second time, I picked up on things I hadn't the first time. Such a powerful movie. Sure, it was long and stuff, but I'm all about getting the deeper meanings and changing my life now so I enjoyed every word Lincoln said.

Every line in the movie is profound. Half of you are saying, "I slept through every line of this movie."

Abe Lincoln- "Do you think we choose the times into which we are born? Or do we fit the times we are born into?"

Lincoln asks this to the man who is sending out the messages to General Grant. The man answers something to the effect of, "I don't think I was chosen for this time, but you maybe."

This got me to thinking. I wonder if I chose to come at this time, or if I am fit for the time I am born into. I do believe in God, and I do believe in His great plan no doubt. I wonder how much say I had into being born in 1988. I wonder how much say I had in choosing my family. I wonder how much say a child in Africa has in choosing their family. I wonder how much control we had in choosing to come when we came or the situations we have been born in to.

This much I do know. We are here now, and we are born into the lives we have been born in to. But we have so we can control. We are here. We are here in the here and now-- so let's live!

JJ Abrams: My Hero

I am obsessed with the TV show LOST. Many of you know this. I am also obsessed with the man behind the TV show, JJ Abrams. I think he is the single most creative genius mind of our time. I love TED talks. This is my absolute favorite TED talk obviously because my hero gives the talk. 

I could have a blog dedicated to JJ Abrams. This video explains my deep love for LOST and my love for JJ Abrams. I would love to meet this man. I seriously think about this talk all of the time. He knows how to put fun into life. 

Enjoy.

January 2nd..Now What?

I thought people who set New Years resolutions were lame. I mean, what is the point of setting a goal  January 1st because come January 2nd no one keeps their goal anyway. It is so pointless. Here we are, January 2nd, and have you all failed? Yeah, probably. Here's my advice. Wait until next year. 

Worst. Advice. Ever. 

I'm going to tell you what's up. Take my advice because I am right. I mean, I am always right.

Let's think about this: 'eternal perspective'. Do you think God has a calendar? Me thinks not. I obviously don't know, but I do not think he has the same 365 day calendar that we have. 

Here's why I think this is important to remember. Let's say that you failed your goal today. That's ok. Tomorrow is January 1st again. So is the next day. So is the next day. 

Did you read your scriptures yesterday? I didn't. I actually haven't read them in a little while again. Dang. I decided that starting January 1st I was going to read them every day of this year. Ok, I forgot to read them yesterday because I have not really been in the habit. So I should just give up until next year right? Or should I at least wait until Sunday? No, just go Justin. Just do it. I'm going to read them tonight. What better time to start a habit than right now? 

You want to go to the gym? Yeah, I'll start going next week. Why can't you start going tomorrow? 

You haven't prayed to God in years. Say a prayer tonight. Doesn't have to be long. Just do it. Try it on for size. 

When this gets really hard is March, July, and September. You guys, time doesn't matter. Procrastination does though.  Wait, what? Yeah, if you are trying and doing, then you are succeeding. 

Let's say you want to start a diet. I'll start next week! We hear this all the time. We can't start today because......? 

We control our own life. We can do this. So just do it. 

I am far from perfect. I am what you would even call a hypocrite because I don't always do these things, but I believe in them. 

Make a goal. Write it down. Start it tonight. PS...tomorrow is January 1st...cool huh?! (not that it matters)

Home is Now Behind You

I saw The Hobbit:An Unexpected Journey a couple of nights ago and although I thought most of it was kind of lame sauce and slow, there was a line in there that I thought was SO good.

Gandalf says to Bilbo, "Home is now behind you. The world is ahead."

Wow. Is that not awesome?! Ok, some of you are like, yeah, so what?!

You guys, it is all about applying this kind of stuff. I love my home. I have the best parents. I had the best growing up experience possible. I was blessed for sure. But I think I have a problem; I don't think I have ever really left home. (Ok, right now I am sitting at home writing this post so technically no, I haven't left home because I'm on vacation). But you get what I mean. I went away to college and I still am at 'home'. What does this mean? 

Here's what I am trying to get at. I'm 24, and yet sometimes I don't feel like I am an adult yet because I have not entered into the m (marriage) word yet. Gandalf gave me some good advice. He was telling Bilbo and me that I need to put home behind. I need to leave some of my childish ways behind at home. And guess what?! The world is ahead! I am SO excited for that! How awesome is that?! The world is ahead!

I love thinking about this stuff. I love watching movies and hearing lines and things that make me want to be a better person. This line did it for me. Home is now behind me. The world is ahead!

Don't You Want to be That Person?

This is on my mind a lot. Everyone always wants to be someone else. I speak in hyperbole a lot so get used to it. You will disagree with me a lot so get used to it. I am right though most of the time so get used to it.

I think so many people spend way too much time hoping to be somebody else. We look at everyone else's life and we think, "oh man, they have got 'it' figured out."I can tell you this, the only people who have 'it' figured out are the people attending BYU. (HAHAHA what a joke).

But seriously, can we all just stop? Seriously, just stop.

I know that I am trying, but can we all just stop?! Stop trying to be someone else! Be yourself. Be you. God created you and He created Sam and Beth and Joe. The one thing that is hard about being obsessed with movies and TV is that I spend a lot of time comparing myself to individuals up on the big screen. See? I have problems. You don't want to be me. Surprise!

I'm guessing (only guessing) I don't want to be you either. That is really hard for me because a lot of you are richer than me, better looking than me, funnier (doubtful), cooler, married-er, etc., than me. But my guess is, you all come with some baggage. Guess what everyone?! Everyone's got baggage. So stop trying to be someone else. Be yourself. And live your life.

Quit Racing

I don't want to race anymore. I'm tired.

Did you know that life isn't a race? I didn't know that until very recently. I thought I was racing someone until I stopped running as fast and started looking around and noticed that no one was really running against me. In other words, I have been on this treadmill going at full speed and I have just recently stepped off, and now I enjoy walking.

I graduated from high school in 2006. I started my college career at ASU as a pre-med student for a year before serving my two year LDS mission in Ukraine. I came back, started back up at ASU, and after a semester I transferred to BYU. Many of my credits didn't transfer (and my scholarship most DEFINITELY didn't transfer), but I still felt like going to BYU would be the right thing to do. 

A couple years into BYU, I decided that I would prepare for law school. I gave my all to preparing for law school. I mean, I got this awesome job as a prelaw advisor at BYU, got an internship working for a judge, became one of the presidents of the Prelaw Student Association at BYU. I mean, I was like ALL IN. I dumped about a thousand dollars into an LSAT prep course. I took the LSAT, and guess what, I just recently decided I don't want to go to law school anymore. What a waste right? 

Here's what I have to say. Of course not! How could I have known that I didn't want to go to law school had I not given my all and gone forward with this plan! A lot of the time I stress though because I think, 'oh great, now what?! I am so far behind.'

Here's the question: So far behind who?

Here's the answer: No one.

It's my life. I'm figuring it out in my own time.

I just wish I could have figured this out earlier! So what's the new plan? I will probably graduate in Fall 2013 with a degree in Marketing. We'll see. Things change. 

The cool thing is, you are not racing anyone either. Don't let anyone tell you that you are in a race. 

This applies to everything. Dating, dieting, schooling, marriage, marriage, marriage (yeah...can you tell what people talk to me about a lot, right)? 

Quit racing. But DON'T. STOP. MOVING.

The First

I've always wanted to start a blog.

"But you have a movie blog, Justin!"

Yeah, I know. Believe it or not, I have thoughts, feelings, ideas, concerns, and a life outside of movies and I have really wanted to put it on the web. Why? Because I feel like my thoughts can help you. Vain right? Probably.

I have taken many classes lately where I have thought, OH MY GOSH I NEED TO WRITE THIS DOWN. Or, OH MY GOSH I NEED TO TELL SOMEONE THIS.

I will watch a movie and a certain line will stick out to me and I'll think to myself, OH MY GOSH THAT LINE WAS AMAZING AND PROFOUND and I will have all these thoughts about it and I just want to share it with the world.

I don't know if this blog is the answer. Maybe a personal journal is the answer. But I just feel that I need to put my thoughts out there. Wherever 'there' is. Take them or leave them, I have a really busy mind, and it's finally time I get some of my thoughts out there. Writing is therapeutic for me. Welcome to my therapy sessions. Yayyyy.

JustIn My Day. Yeah, it's a pun on my name. Get it? I want to leave the comment blocks open because I want to know what YOU think. I want discussion. I want thoughts.

2012 literally changed my life.

January 1, 2013. Let's see what this year brings. I regret not starting this earlier. But here goes nothing.