Keep Living with Dave Trottier

Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.

2021-01-18T06:15:00.005-07:00

Today, I remember Martin Luther King Jr.” with these quotes:

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." 

"Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.”  

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

"Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge, which is power; religion gives man wisdom, which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals." 

“I have decided to stick with love.  Hate is too great of a burden to bear.”

Family Day & Halloween

2020-10-26T13:35:00.000-06:00

The movie Coco inspired me. I already knew about the Day of the Dead (November 1) because I lived in South America for two years as a missionary. It’s a day of family reunion, both living and dead, and remembering family. It’s a time to think about family with a deeper perspective.

If I had my druthers, I’d transform Halloween into more of a Family Day. I wouldn’t lose the positive things I like about Halloween; I’d only place more emphasis on family history, family love, and (of course) family fun. Hey, let’s start a movement!

Speaking of fun, I have selected 10 Halloween-type movies that I think are appropriate for families with children (all G and PG rated). Consider selecting one or more to watch with your family.

Coco
Monsters, Inc.
From Time to Time (a family ghost story)
E.T.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Hotel Transylvania
Spookley, the Square Pumpkin (only 47 minutes)
Scooby-Doo and the Goblin King
Hocus Pocus
Goosebumps

The final two may be a bit questionable for some families. Check Common Sense Media for a review.

Do you have any movie suggestions you’d like to add? And do you have any ideas for the next Family Day?

Coping with Commotion

2020-10-22T06:35:00.002-06:00

It’s been years since I’ve contributed to my blog. I write today because I see difficult days ahead, and today’s message focuses on four dimensions of living—mind, heart, spirit, and body.

Mind

These days, we tend to think of ourselves as African-American, White, Latino, Asian, Dallas Cowboys fan, consummate Bar-b-cue master, Republican, Democrat, Soccer Mom, ace Pickle Ball player, and so on. Without discarding any of the positive ways we view ourselves, please consider a new, over-riding and primary identity.

You are a child of God. Think about that a little. Perhaps you’ve always known this. If you are a child of God, then you can approach Him in prayer. You can expand your perspective. Your spiritual heritage also implies that there is a lot of goodness in you. Thus, you can relate to others from that good heart of yours.

Heart

Speaking of heart, COVID time is family time and friendship time. It’s an opportunity to strengthen our relationships with those we are closest to, those that we most love. We may wish to reconcile with Aunt Alice or smooth over the contention with Brother Bob.

In response to the current and future civil unrest, I’d like to quote Martin Luther King, Jr., who pointed out that “hate begets hate; violence begets violence; toughness begets a greater toughness. We must meet the forces of hate with the power of love.... Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Let’s get tough with ourselves and turn to love.

Spirit

For me, the epitome of living is being “alive in Christ” and relying on His love and grace to strengthen me in time of need. Regardless of your religion or spiritual path, turn to the principles of your God. For me, those are found in the Bible and The Book of Mormon. If you are not religious, seek for the good that you can find. Often, you can find the silver lining in dark clouds and become a support to those in need.

Body

I’m always saying to myself, Dave, get in better physical shape and eat right. That’s sound advice for all of us. Have a 72-hour supply of food, emergency items, and water. Be wise with your credit cards. Create a plan for possible tough times ahead, whether it’s ice storms, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, riots, or an overlong visit from relatives.

God bless you and keep living!

Enter the Young

2017-08-05T13:49:00.000-06:00

All you teens and young adults, pull up a chair

‘Cuz Uncle Dave has something to share.

When I was as young or younger than you, I heard this wonderful song by The Association that inspired me. Here are the lyrics.

Here they come, yeah
Some are walking, some are riding
Here they come, yeah
And some are flying, some just gliding
Released after years of being kept in hiding
They're climbing up the ladder rung by rung

Enter the young

Yeah, they've learned how to think
Enter the young, yeah
More than you think they think
Not only learned to think, but to care
Not only learned to think, but to dare
Enter the young

Yeah, here they come
some with questions, some decisions
Here they come
And some with facts and some with visions
Of a place to multiply without the use of divisions
To win a prize that no one's ever won

Enter the young

Here they come, yeah
Some are laughing, some are crying
Here they come
And some are doing, some are trying
Some are selling, some are buying
Some are living, some are dying
But demanding recognition one by one

Enter the young.

Here them sing it here.

As I grew older, I saw that Henry David Thoreau was onto something when he said, “The youth gets together his materials to build a bridge to the moon, or, perchance, a palace or temple on the earth; and, at length, the middle-aged man concludes to build a woodshed with them.”

What are your dreams? It’s never too late to get started. Listen to the lyrics of the following song by Crosby, Stills, and Nash. They sung this tune as older men.

Look around me, I can see my life before me
Running rings around the way it used to be
I am older now. I have more than what I wanted
But I wish that I had started long before I did.

And there's so much time to make up everywhere you turn
Time we have wasted on the way
So much water moving underneath the bridge
Let the water come and carry us away

Oh, when you were young, did you question all the answers
Did you envy all the dancers who had all the nerve?
Look round you now, you must go for what you wanted
Look at all my friends who did and got what they deserved

So much love to make up everywhere you turn
Love we have wasted on the way
So much water moving underneath the bridge
Let the water come and carry us away
Let the water come and carry us away

Here them sing it here.

So take a tip from Uncle Dave: whatever your dream, make your plan, gather your “materials,” and go for it. And keep living!

Who Needs Rules?

2017-04-10T13:02:00.000-06:00

Recently, two writing clients have expressed their irritation at formatting guidelines and the rules of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. After all, shouldn’t a writer or anyone else be free to write any way he or she wants?

It’s a good argument, and I’m buying it. People should be free to write in whatever manner they feel comfortable. After all, it’s not like the arbitrary rules of English are like the Ten Commandments, although who needs those? I should do whatever I feel like doing. I have my own path. And we can begin to be truly free by first abolishing the rules of punctuation, grammar, formatting, and spelling. So I decided I don't need no stinkin' rules.

Me when I decided no more rules!

Sins than Ive feel AWESUM free!!! 2, be a riter & rite weather u approve or, not & i lol @ ennyone who aint lik it asap i comm w/ any ya dont say or that fyi my stressload reduced greatly & that a, fact wanna me singin LIKE BIRDIES now i FREE to cree-ate + u can 2 by plunk down w/ me in protest & its duh new lazee fair! thoses are French words haha who can say 1 writing is better than another HUH u can c that now no 1 can judge

what does it matter example 1

Woman without her man, is nothing

example 2 same words w/ punct rules

Woman—without her, man is nothing.

what does it matter who needs them! dum! stupud! rules! I just keep living....

11 things you did not and will not learn in school!

2017-03-25T12:23:00.002-06:00

Note: There is some doubt that Bill Gates ever created these 11 rules. Apparently, they surfaced in about the Year 2000. Whoever wrote them, they are worth considering.

Rule 1: Life is not fair.

Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something before you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3: You will not likely make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't happen in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is not real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to their jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. You may end up working for one.

Bald is Beautiful

2017-02-08T09:26:00.001-07:00

NOTE: Since the November 2016 election, numerous people have asked me to republish my 2014 blog that featured a picture of Donald Trump. So here it is, by popular demand.

Would all the women within the “sound” of my blog who like comb-overs on men please stand up? Ah ha! Just as I thought—no one.

Are you listening men? Because one thing is certain—bald is beautiful!

Not only is it beautiful, it is masculine. Embrace the truth with a man hug! Have you ever heard of female-pattern baldness? No. It’s called male pattern baldness, which is why ancient Samarai warriors shaved their heads to look more “manful.” You got that, Bro?

Marketers attempt to make you feel less attractive so they can sell you hair treatments and product. You don’t need no stinkin’ product. You need a buzz! And I’m not talking about ten successive cans of Dr. Pepper. I’m talking about a #1 attachment to your barber shears.

Men, attention! Chest out, stomach in, chin up, and your male-pattern baldness shining like a glorious manly orb. What woman would not like to get her hands on one of these hunks:

Men, be fearless and be bald! Stand up for the Sacred Masculine and get a buzz. You’ll save some money, you'll save your macho, and you'll keep living...in style.

Where have all the liberals gone?

2017-02-06T13:41:00.000-07:00

Those who read my blog know that I am basically apolitical. I don't get involved much in politics. A lot has changed recently.

First, I should say that I was once a liberal. After all, liberals were open minded and took care of the underprivileged. I voted for Diane Feinstein and exchanged correspondence with her. Martin Luther King, Junior, is one of my heroes. I have black, gay, Asian, and Hispanic friends. I believe everyone deserves food and shelter.

I did not vote for Trump or Clinton this election because either suited me, but reactions to the election from the Left are unsettling to me, and the totalitarianism at our universities worries me. I'm still not very political, and I am certainly not an activist. I love the idea of changing the world by doing good and being good.

But I happened upon this brief video that really kind of says it for me. Give it a listen, see what you think, and keep living.

Peace and love....
Dave

The Single Golden Key to Success in 2017

2017-01-03T12:09:00.000-07:00

There are books on the subject. You’ve already seen articles explaining in detail how to succeed in the new year. I’m going to make it easy.

Keep it Simple

Once every week, create a Weekly Action Plan of specific steps or actions you will take during the coming week towards achieving your goals.

That means you first need to make a few goals for the coming year. Make them specific, perhaps one for each area of life: career/work, social/emotional (such as family and relationships), spiritual, intellectual/educational, and physical (exercise, diet).

Speaking of exercise, my wife was at the gym yesterday, and her exercise class was jammed. A woman stood up and shouted, “Those of you who are going to quit by March, please leave now. You know who you are.”

I laughed when I heard the story, but it begs the question, How are you going to keep from quitting in March?

With a Weekly Action Plan, that’s how.

How does it work?

Since I am a writer, let’s use me as an example. I want to write a certain book this year. That’s the goal. On Sundays (or other day of the week), I will sit down and decide what I will do this week to achieve that goal. I may commit to a certain amount of time that I will devote during the week towards this goal. It could be Tuesday and Thursday night from 6 to 10, or 15 total hours of writing.

The power comes in making specific commitments and then doing your best during the week to achieve your weekly action goals. Do this every week! If you don’t keep your commitment precisely, don’t fret or give up. Focus on your progress. And keep living.

Image by rhbaptist.org

UP on the Creative Path

2016-11-11T08:01:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite movies is UP by Pixar. I remember looking around the movie theater and watching the adults cry and the kids laugh. It reached nearly everyone. The marriage montage at the beginning is already a classic sequence. The crafting of the story must have come easy, right?

Wrong.

Read these comments on the creation of UP from Ed Catmull, Pixar Animation Studios President in a recent speech:

"The first version of UP took place on a castle floating in the sky, and there was a king in the castle who had two sons; the sons didn't like each other. And the people in the castle were at war with the people on the ground, and...the two sons happened to fall overboard and ended up wandering around in enemy territory. And in this wandering around they came across a large bird.

"This version of the movie didn't work; all that was left was the bird the word 'up.' [Creativity] is a path that is filled with false turns and errors, and the errors are a necessary part of the process."

As I like to say, trust the process. And of course...

...Keep writing and keep living!

More tips on creativity: Double Your Creativity in 3 Hours

I Concede

2016-11-09T07:28:00.001-07:00

As the presidential candidate of the SODA Party (Screenwriters and Other Disadvantaged Americans), I hereby concede the election to Mr. Trump. Both Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton campaigned hard and I acknowledge their efforts for America.

I appreciate the two votes I got in Rhode Island and another handful scattered across this great land. I was hoping for double digits, but alas…it was not to be. Yes, I am disappointed, but as with others that lost, I promise to support our country's principles.

Let’s all come together and play nice on our national playground. And God bless the United States of America!

The Last Statesman

2016-11-04T14:46:00.002-06:00

As Election Day nears, I become more confused. I get the feeling that neither of the two major candidates are terribly concerned about what is good for America. It’s seems as though it’s all about them.

Okay, okay, I know it’s politics—I get it. But I yearn for a candidate closer to a statesman or stateswoman. In fact, who was the last statesperson in our country? I realize that politicians are politicians, but one guy stands out to me as someone who seemed to stand for what he thought was right, to the point that he had to leave his own party for it. Yes, I’m thinking of Joe Lieberman.

Now I often disagreed with Lieberman’s stands on issues, but I always had the feeling that he felt those stands were good for America, regardless of criticism. Perhaps I’m mistaken about him, but I like to think of him as a symbol of what I’d like to see in American politics today.

In the words of Paul Simon, which I have slightly altered: “Where have you gone, Joseph Lieberman; a nation turns its lonely eyes to you—woo, woo, woo.”

So what can you do, and who should you vote for? Well, that’s for you to decide, but in any case, keep living!

How to get whatever you want from your parents!

2016-06-02T21:06:00.000-06:00

Grow up! That’s the deal. You grow up, and your parents will give you most anything you want short of a Mustang Shelby GT350. There are six dimensions to GROWTH that your parents are looking for as you grow into adulthood.

G is for Grateful – Eat the food and be thankful for car trips that the starving children in China don’t get.

R is for Responsible – The Key to Freedom is Responsibility. Be responsible for your room, your school work, and your chores. Be joyful when you take out the garbage, sing praises when you clean the bathtub, and rejoice exceedingly when you work to save money to buy the things you want.

O is for Open – Realize that there are other people on this planet and be open to their needs as well as your own. That includes brother and sister. You’re not going to be able to kick him or her out of the nest anyway, so make the best of it.

W is for Willing to Wash – Wash your face, brush your teeth, and take care of your body--and that includes your armpits.

T is for Teachable – You have somewhere between 12-18 years’ experience behind you; your parents have somewhere between 60 and 100 combined. Be willing to listen and learn.

H is for Honest – Don’t deny you ate that cookie; there’s chocolate all over your face. If you can’t admit to your problems, you can’t solve them. This takes humility, and humility is the prerequisite for progress.

Do the above and you will not only be happier and more successful, you will keep living.

10 Books that Changed My Life

2016-05-16T09:35:00.002-06:00

Below are ten books that came at the right moment in my life. They aren’t necessarily the most entertaining books, but they are the ones that significantly moved me to productive action and positive change.

The Bible and the The Book of Mormon. These have worked so well together in my life that I have listed them as one. I read the Book of Mormon for the first time in ninth grade. My home life was troubled, and so was I. I give the influence of The Book of Mormon credit for getting me through high school and keeping me free from alcohol, drugs, and girls that do.

As a Man Thinketh by James Allen. For some reason, it wasn’t until I started my LDS (Mormon) mission in South America that I understood that I actually had free will. This little book gave me that first glimpse that I could act rather than be acted upon.

photo from uglydogbooks.com

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Persig. This book puts rationality on the surgeon’s table. It released me from taking a purely analytical approach to life, things, and people, and opened me up to intuition, feelings, and creativity. Now, when someone asks in surprise “How did you know that?” I say, “Just my masculine intuition.”

Wishcraft by Barbara Sher. A friend received this for Christmas and was making fun of the title, so I asked if I could have the book. The main concept of the book is to do what you love for your career. I was not fulfilled in Corporate America (see my book How I Became Perfect), so I worked on a self-directed M.A. at Goddard College (Vermont), and radically changed my career.

The Self-Publishing Manual by Dan Poynter and The Screenwriter’s Bible by Yours Truly. I list these two together because the one helped me self-publish the first edition of the other, and the other became the basis for a new career as a teacher and writing coach.

Winning Through Intimidation by Robert Ringer. The title is misleading; it’s not about intimidation, but working from a position of strength. It’s full of common sense for business. The “3 Types of People Theory” led to the formation of a business philosophy that has been with me for over 30 years: Be as wise as a serpent (not naïve or unaware), but as harmless as a dove (intend good to all).

The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People by Stephen R. Covey and The Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck. Hasn’t everyone read these books? Though very different, both helped me better understand and apply principles I already believed to be true.

The Twelve Steps: A Spiritual Journey published by RPI Publishing. I was getting along in years and was unmarried, so I began a year-long spiritual odyssey with the premise that if anyone needed to change it was me and that my only hope was the atonement and grace of Jesus Christ. So I applied the Twelve Steps, discovered the deep emotional issues, and experienced miracles. I am now married with two kids. Voila!

Unstuck by Robert Reynolds. I just finished this, but it’s helping me put everything in its proper perspective and ushering me into another spiritual odyssey.

I could list ten more; it was difficult picking only ten. We all have books that have influenced us for good at the right time. I wonder what your ten are. Keep reading good books, keep applying them, and keep living.

Uncle Dave for President

2016-02-29T06:04:00.000-07:00

Today, I announce my candidacy for President of the United States, and the formation of the SODA (Screenwriters and Other Disadvantaged Americans) Party!

Join the SODA Party

If elected, I will represent all screenwriters and Americans who can’t get their scripts read or otherwise can’t make all of their dreams come true. It’s not well known that screenwriters suffer more than the average American and should preside over the Victim Class of our nation

My competitors:

Like many Americans, I am dissatisfied with our current slate of candidates. They look like characters from a movie comedy. Wouldn’t you agree?

Donald Trump – If he’s elected, numerous countries may not allow him to cross their borders. If Mexico does build a fence (as he said Mexico would), it will be to keep him out. Besides, my hairdo looks better than his, don’t you think?

Ted Cruz – He should run for Prime Minister of Canada.

Hilary Clinton – If she’s elected, her husband Bill Clinton will be the First Lady, further confusing the gender issue. Also, she may have connections with Hell, since women who don’t vote for her will (allegedly) go there.

Crazy Uncle Bernie – the USSR candidate – if he’s elected, we’ll become a socialist state, which may not matter since we are practically there already. Instead, elect Crazy Uncle Dave (me).

Marco Rubio – I’m trying to get him to switch parties and be my running mate because I know just what to make him say. Stay tuned for an announcement from him.

Stumping in rural Indiana

Drink to SODA

Our SODA Party Song will be “Don’t worry, be happy” and our SODA Party drink will be soda, naturally, or natural soda. Perhaps just that alone will induce you to join the SODA party and create a three-party system in our country. However, what should really convince you are my qualifications.

A Westerner looks East to the White House

My qualifications

I am not political plus I believe in God, the environment, and the quadratic formula.

Virtually everyone can vote for me because I am multicultural and have a diverse family heritage: English, Irish, French, German, Danish, and Scottish. My wife is Southern and I promise to wear Hawaiian shirts in the Oval Office.

Need more proof? I favorably reviewed the movies “Dances with Wolves” and “The Color Purple” and have mentioned them in my book (The Screenwriter’s Bible, available at Amazon.com). Plus, if elected, I promise not to blow up any countries in the world except maybe North Korea…and one country to be named later.

Get your campaign button today

Finally, if that is not enough, I speak Spanish: Hablo español, mis gran amigos. Por favor, votan por mi y siguen viviendo. (Translation: I speak Spanish, my great friends, Please vote for me and keep living.)

Republicans, Democrats & the Drowning Man

2016-01-21T08:36:00.000-07:00

In a screenwriting class, I was asked about my politics. I said, “I’m with Woody Allen whose character says (in Sleeper), ‘I don’t believe in political solutions.’” One writer threw her hands in the air: “How crazy is that!“ Well, it’s time I came out of the closet and explained.

Imagine a drowning man 50 feet off shore.

A Republican will stride along the shore and say, “He got himself into this situation; let him get himself out and learn to swim. It will be good for his character.”

A Democrat will tax you and me, buy 100 feet of rope, throw it to the man, and let go of his or her end.

Either way, the man drowns.

In my crazy and perhaps flawed philosophy, I like the idea of a person (or group of individuals) who spots the drowning man and swims out and saves him…and then teaches him how to swim. As important as “political solutions” may be, I guess I believe in individual change more than political change. That way, the drowning man keeps living.

Image from reclaimingthemind.org

What do you want for your child?

2015-12-01T12:36:00.000-07:00

The only time I remember talking back to an adult as a teenager was while coaching a Little League baseball team. A parent twice as big as me, Mr. Gooch, was riding the umpire, the boys, and me. I finally marched to the backstop behind the catcher—stopping the game—and yelled at the man, “Hey you! You wanna coach this team? Come over right now and take this cap.” I held out my manager's cap and pointed to the dugout. “Come over right now and take over. You’re the new coach!” He sat down and became silent, swearing and profaning under his breath.

His son was under such pressure to perform that he would tremble at games and make stupid mistakes. My golly, can’t we let the boys have some fun? I used to think this was a male thing (Little League dads and soccer dads) until my daughter entered dance and I met the dance mothers.

What are we teaching our children?

Here’s a tip I gleaned from author Dennis Prager: ask your children what they think you most want them to be—happy, good, successful, or smart (1). I want my children to choose “good.” Sometimes doing what is right does not lead to immediately happiness, such as choosing not to cheat and suffering the “D” grade. Mr Gooch stressed “successful.” He would try to bully the empire into making a wrong call so his son could have a successful experience.

I’ve conducted the Prager survey with many children. Most think their parents want them to be happy or smart. If a parent stresses “being smart” over goodness, then cheating becomes okay, even a strategy. How many parents willingly intimidate teachers into giving grades their child did not earn so that their child can have the appearance of being smart and successful, or “get ahead”? What does that teach the child?

A friend recently told me that a child had been caught stealing from his school several times and was taken to the principal’s office. Each time, the parents threatened to sue the school for singling out their child and creating “undue stress.” What does that teach the child?

In many cases, we rescue our children from consequences that, if suffered, might help them build character and better prepare them for the real world later. Today, every child gets a trophy, whether they earned it or not. One long-time educator told me, “We don’t have resilient kids because we don’t allow them to fail.” Are we raising facades or good, moral human beings prepared for the difficulties of life? As Neil Maxwell pointed out, “it’s easier to be a character than to have character” (2). Is character really that important?

I’m betting it is, which is why my wife and I do our darndest to stick to agreements we make with our children and allow them the opportunity to experience painful consequences, which are much less consequential now than the harsher consequences of life will be when they are adults.

What would you do?

Jim Fay, parenting expert, tells the story of a boy who missed six days of school in one term. Three were excused because the boy had forged his mother’s signature. When his mother confronted him, the boy confessed and said, “You can’t tell anyone, Mom, because if I miss five days, I’ll lose my grade, and I’m an honor student. And you want me to be an honor student” (3).

What would you do?

Let’s ask ourselves this question: What do I want most for my children—be good (build moral character), be happy, be smart, or be successful? We want all four—that’s a given—but which is most important to you? And then, we muster up our courage and ask this one: What am I teaching my children through my own actions and words? Good luck and keep living!

P.S. Here's a picture of my son's Halloween costume which he described as "A soccer referee after dealing with parents and coaches at a little kids' soccer match."

References:

(1) http://www.jewishjournal.com/dennis_prager/article/everything_is_easier_than_doing_good

(2) https://www.lds.org/ensign/2000/08/insights-from-my-life?lang=eng

(3) Developing Character in Teens - https://www.loveandlogic.com/

Battling bullies

2015-11-11T09:02:00.000-07:00

Dad Picks her up from School and Finds Out She's Been Bullied. Watch What He Does!

This particular girl has faced her fair share of bullying and her Dad was naturally not happy about it when he found out. So he came up with a very unique solution: click here.

What the Blood Moon Really Means

2015-09-28T08:03:00.000-06:00

My daughter was the first in the family to spot the moon rise above the mountains and seemingly drip blood over the tops and down the sides like a giant sundae with a cherry on top.

The neighborhood children celebrated in a mad frenzy with grotesque expressions on their faces, running about with no apparent purpose. “How strange and clearly portentous,” thought I. It made me wonder what the deep theological meaning of this Blood Moon could possibly be.

Later, while pondering the ominous sight, I fell into a trance and I heard a voice say, “The Cubs win only once in a Blood Moon.” Then a vision was opened to my view, and I saw the Chicago Cubs win the World Series! After all, their logo looks like a Blood Moon with a blue circle around it! I awoke with a sob in my throat. “If the Cubs become a Wild Card and win the Series,” I conjectured, “the end of the world cannot be far behind.”

Even so, just in case the world doesn’t end, you can take it from me—put your money on the Cubs. Oh, and put a few things aside for an emergency, such as a partial end of the world, and keep living!

Tips for the Tricky Teacher

2015-08-16T09:56:00.002-06:00

It’s “Back to School” time, and soon you will be getting clever excuses from some of your students. Whether you are a teacher, parent, or manager, the following principles apply.

Handling excuses

It used to be “my dog ate the homework”; now it’s “my computer ate the homework” (a hard drive crash) or “my printer’s not working.” One excuse has not changed over the years, and that’s the famous “I forgot.”

Courtesy www.i-am-bored.com

As a college instructor with three decades of experience, my empathetic response is generally, “That’s sad. You can still get the homework in with a late penalty.” And then I might ask, “What can you learn from this experience so that it doesn’t happen again?” After the student says “I don’t know,” I might make some suggestions such as backing up files or, in the case of a broken printer, downloading your homework to a thumb drive and printing it somewhere else. If you can get a student to say this himself or herself, it will be much more powerful.

“But I had an opportunity to go to a One Direction concert last night.” Your tricky response to that could be “I understand completely, and you can still get your assignment in with a late penalty.” It doesn’t matter what the student says next; your response is this: “I guess you had to make a choice. If I were you, I would have chosen the One Direction concert, too. I understand. Of course, our choices in life bring consequences.” And then the follow-up: “What can you learn from this experience?” After the student says “I don’t know,” you can point out that waiting to the last moment to do an assignment is risky, but that’s a choice, too.

My favorite excuse while teaching college was “my grandmother died.” After checking with other instructors, I discovered that this woman’s grandmother had died five times over the past few years. She just used the excuse over and over with different teachers and at different times. I sat down with the student and asked her for the secret of life. She looked puzzled. “How do you get your grandmother to come back to life every class? How many times has she died now?” We had a good laugh, but she still faced the unexcused absence and the late homework penalty.

The great secret of education

We teachers teach students, not subjects, and that includes helping students understand certain things about life. The most important, from an educational standpoint is this: You are responsible for you. You are in charge of your life and your education. My responsibility is to teach; your responsibility is to learn.

I often hear, “You gave me a bad grade.” My response: “I don’t give grades. You earn them.” A person grows by accepting responsibility for their life without blaming others and circumstances. If my own child gets a “crummy teacher,” my response is, “Good. You’ll have a crummy boss someday and this will teach you how to deal with that.

One of my favorite questions came from a very capable young man, “What’s the minimum I have to do to get an A?” Did he just say “minimum”? Well, you earn an A by providing superior work, not by doing the minimum. That’s an erroneous perception.

I’ve seen students put great effort into trying to do as little as possible, creating excuses, and getting out of stuff (such as the dead grandma story). I often congratulate them on their creativity, but also reason with them: “Well, you can always just do the work and learn something.”

Whether you are a teacher, parent, or manager, it’s important to think through your pre-emptive strike; that is, provide a clear explanation of expectations beforehand. Good luck in the new school year!

Keep teaching, keep learning, and keep living.

You Are a Pioneer!

2015-07-23T14:13:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow is Pioneer Day in Utah, which celebrates the arrival of the first Mormon Pioneers in Salt Lake Valley.

I am wondering, in what ways are you a pioneer? As you know, pioneers explore, innovate, lead the way, or journey to unfamiliar places physically, mentally, spiritually, and/or emotionally. Here are a few examples of what other pioneers have done:

-- Learn a musical instrument

-- Be the first to break the cycle of anger or abuse or poor parenting in your family

-- Use writing or art to express something worthwhile to others

-- Develop a new procedure or product or methodology for your company

-- Start a new company

-- Overcome a habit or addiction through a 12-step program or other method

-- Teach something useful and positive to your children or others

-- Forgive people from the past that have harmed you

-- Be the first to get a degree or advanced degree in your family

-- Decide to take responsibility for everything in your life rather than blame others or circumstances

-- Move to a new location

-- Create a plan to transition from your current work to what you know you should be doing, and then implement that plan.

-- Begin that fun hobby you’ve always wanted to try

-- Break out of a negative thinking or behavior pattern

And there are many other ways to forge ahead and be a pioneer.

On this Pioneer Day, put some thought into how you have been a pioneer or how you are a pioneer or how you can become a pioneer. Pioneers are courageous and optimistic. They plan ahead and are willing to do the work.

To spur you on in your “journey,” you can listen to a song that was sung by Mormon Pioneers as they crossed the Plains, adapt it to your situation…and keep living!

Providence or Coincidence?

2015-06-21T09:49:00.002-06:00

My teens had heard the story of Yorktown before, but a few days ago they saw it with their own eyes and were amazed.

We were driving south on the Colonial Parkway and could see the Coleman Bridge ahead on the left connecting Yorktown (on the right) and Gloucester Point.

“Cornwallis was waiting for the British navy to rescue him, but the French were waiting. The Battle of the Capes was the only battle the British navy lost in over 350 years (1588-1941).”

“Wow, so then what?” my daughter asked while scanning for restaurants.

“Cornwallis decided to cross the river right about where the bridge is now.”

“That shouldn’t have been hard,” my son said as he gazed across the York River.

“Looks like it,” I agreed, “but a sudden gale turned back most of the boats, so Corwallis was stuck. And, of course, he later surrendered. If he had not surrendered, the war would have continued on, and the Colonies were in poor shape to continue fighting.”

We turned left onto the bridge and my children just stared down at the river as we crossed over to Gloucester Point.

“Washington thanked Providence, but I guess it could have been coincidence,” I remarked.

After a moment of silence, I added, “Of course, I could tell you the stories of Long Island and Boston and—“

“—Dad,” they interrupted, “Can we just get something to eat?” We all laughed because, after all, we've got to keep living.

My Big Promotion

2015-05-22T08:36:00.000-06:00

Decades ago, I was the company clerk in the U.S. Army Reserves. I was my own version of Radar O’Reilly from M*A*S*H. I controlled all things, including the company jeep, duty rosters, and the paperwork. And the Army operates on paperwork (in triplicate), especially when it’s not operating in the field.

The epiphany

One day, it dawned on me. Who types up all the orders? Me. Who has deserved a promotion for nearly a year? Me. And who has told me countless times I deserved a promotion, but is too lazy to initiate anything? Captain Cappuccino, my commanding officer (name changed for his own protection). In my military mind, the math was compelling and the moral imperative was apparent.

So I searched for an MOS (Military Occupation Specialty) slot that was open. I knew Spanish and found an opening for “interpreter” to help interrogate Spanish-speaking prisoners. Since we weren’t at war with Spain or Uruguay, the slot was ideal.

The daring deed

I typed up the orders and left the signature line open for Captain Cappuccino. I had a pile of about eight items for him to sign, so I stuck my orders in the middle of the pile and handed it over to my lazy bones C.O. for signatures, all the while engaging him in small talk about the deteriorating condition of the coffee machine, the only source of sustenance for the entire unit.

“I wish someone would fix that thing,” he remarked as he dashed off signatures.

Getting my stripes

The day came for an official company meeting, the official company meeting. The entire unit stood at “parade rest” in formation. Captain Cappuccino glanced at his paperwork and shouted, “Trottier, David, front and center!”

I marched to the captain, saluted respectfully, and stood at attention—chin up, chest out, stomach in. “Yes, sir.”

Then, he looked puzzled as he glanced through the paperwork (in triplicate). He whispered, “Did I promote you or something?”

I did not panic; I was ready for the question. “That’s your signature right there, Sir, and I am most grateful.”

“Ah…okay, I see. Hmm, well, Trottier, you earned it. Carry on.”

“Thank you, Sir.” I saluted, about-faced, and marched smartly back into formation.

The aftermath

To this day, I don’t know if the good captain realized I had helped him do the right thing, or if he thought he had initiated the promotion himself. He seemed content with what had happened.

After that, I became drunk with power. I unilaterally requisitioned a new coffee machine and surprised Captain Cappuccino with a dramatic unveiling, all at taxpayer expense.

And now? Now, I just march forward and keep living.

Who Needs Rules?

2015-05-11T14:23:00.000-06:00

Sins than Ive feel AWESUM free!!! 2, be a riter & rite weather u approve or, not & i lol @ ennyone who aint lik it asap i comm w/ any ya dont say or that fyi my stressload reduced greatly & that a, fact wanna me singin LIKE BIRDIES now i FREE to cre-ate + u can 2 by plunk down w/ me in protest & its duh new lazee fair! thoses are French words haha who can say 1 writing is better than another HUH u can c that now no 1 can judge

what does it matter example 1

Woman without her man, is nothing

example 2 same words w/ punctuation rules

Woman—without her, man is nothing.

what does it matter who needs themdumstupidrules!

Bumps on the Creative Path

2015-04-25T11:01:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite movies is UP by Pixar. I remember looking around the movie theater and

watching the adults cry and the kids laugh. It reached nearly everyone. The marriage montage at the beginning is already a classic sequence. The crafting of the story must have come easy, right?

Wrong.

Read these comments on the creation of UP from Ed Catmull, Pixar Animation Studios President in a speech at BYU:

As I like to say, trust the process. And of course...

...Keep writing and keep living!

More tips on creativity: Double Your Creativity in 3 Hours