Get out of your cumfy zone...self-leading

Sir Francis Drake:

Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst for the waters of life…

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, to venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars.

We ask You to push back the horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future in strength, courage, hope, and love.

Why Comfort Is A Curse 

Have you started?

Hey Vanguard Youth!

Have you looked at your newsletter? Do you understand the required inspirements the "Study" aspect of the Apprentice level and have you chosen 1 or more inspirements from the list so you can come and "Teach" what you are beginning to understand?  And then as you teach, understand, will you become by "Applying" what you are gaining and increase your testimony and love for the principles of righteousness?

Just asking.

If you have any questions please email like Christine did.  Thanks Christine.

Personal leaderhip....choices...hey you! read this.

Why Americans Should Get Smacked

AUGUST 21, 2013 BY STEPHEN PALMER LEAVE A COMMENT

Elena Bonner would have smacked Jane Boucher upside her head. And she’d undoubtedly give Americans an earful for our relatively petty complaints.

Forbes reported that “Some surveys have found that 87 percent of Americans don’t like their jobs.”

Author Jane Boucher commented on the situation, “Most of us can’t just quit our jobs.”

SMACK!

“Don’t whine to me about what you can and can’t do in America,” I imagine Elena Bonner saying in disgust.

Elena was a Soviet dissident and human rights activist who died just last year.

Knowing her awe-inspiring story, I imagine what she’d say to any American who feels “trapped” for any reason:

“In December of 1985 I was under house arrest in the USSR with my husband, physicist and activist Andrei Sakharov.

“Andrei and I had subjected ourselves to long and terrible hunger strikes to protest the Soviet regime. My physical health had deteriorated so badly that I desperately needed medical attention.

“Gorbachev allowed me to travel to the United States, where I spent six months getting surgery, writing amemoir, and spending time with my family members who had emigrated.

“After recovering, there I was, free and comfortable, with a choice to make: to stay in America or to return to my hideous oppression in the Soviet Union.

“Understand that the Communist Party under Stalin had murdered my father and uncle. They had enslaved my mother for eight years in a forced labor camp, and had exiled her for nine more years after that. They had also exiled my aunt.

“In addition to our several hunger strikes, Andrei and I had endured years of exile under the constant watch of the KGB. We had no access to a phone. We were never allowed to leave our tiny, dingy apartment unaccompanied by guards.

“We were accused of numerous crimes against the state. We were constantly accosted, intimidated, and harassed by authorities.

“I could have stayed in America as a defector — free forever from the Soviet nightmare, happy with my family, well-fed and comfortable, immersed in opportunity.

“But under those circumstances, knowing full well what I was going back to, I chose to return to my husband and to continue our struggle together.

“So you can understand why it’s ridiculous and offensive to me when free Americans complain about having no opportunity or choice.

“We always have a choice. Yes, there are risks and consequences attached to every choice — believe me, I know that more than anyone.

“But to even imply that one has no choice is an absurd, outrageous, and revolting self-imposed limitation. It is to spit in the face of anyone who has suffered under oppressive regimes, to ignore the blood spilled and awful sacrifices made by those who secured your freedom. It is to be imprisoned behind bars of your own making.

“In America you can choose to do what you love. Or you can choose to love what you do. But never can you say — without gross self-deception — that you just don’t have a choice in the matter.

“You are not a helpless child waiting for a master to tell you what to do. You are not trapped in your job.

“If you don’t like something, you can change it. If you see something that needs improving, you can fix it. If you want a better life, you can fight for it. If you want more money, you can produce and earn more.

“So stop whining about being trapped. Choose what you want to do and become. And don’t make me smack you upside your head.”

Interesting ...from the Center for Social Leadership

Entrepreneurs succeed when they embrace and embody the values of initiative, innovation, ingenuity, integrity, frugality, tenacity and teamwork, among others. Remove any of these, and entrepreneurialism declines.

These are also precisely the values that are present when free societies flourish. Take these away, individually or severally, and freedom decreases.

A reminder for today from Life Manifestos...

An iron will is stronger than any stony obstacle. Indeed, the purpose of obstacles is to draw out your will.
When all else fails, when you've given your all and you're tired and wounded and bruised and battered and broken and oozing blood, sweat, and tears, when you see no light at the end of the tunnel, there is but one thing you can do: persevere.
Don't give up. Grit your teeth, square your shoulders, put your head down, put one foot in front of another.
As Franklin D. Roosevelt put it,

"When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on."

Hang on, and a light will appear, a way will unfold, a path will be revealed. And ultimately, your greatness will sprout...

 

F. Y. I. We are using this authors book in our government portion of our Leadership class so this might interest you.

Pamela Romney Openshaw, co-founder of the James Madison Institute http://www.jamesmadison.org/ and author of Promises of the Constitution: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow will be speaking on Marriage and Religion. She will be discussing how secularism poses as a hindrance to marriage, family, and religion on Tuesday August 20th at 7:00 pm at the Provo Library. She is apparently a cousin of Mitt Romney. This is a free event open to all ages. The link below has more details.

They want those attending to RSVP at http://pamelaopenshaw.eventzilla.net, enter registration code: pamela

Sherry Dew...You Were Born to Lead, You Were Born for Glory

http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=984&view=2

Updated... please note the new changes as of today.

September

Apprentice - Doctrine - Why or Knowledge - Mind

        (Read and mark your favorite parts. Write your favorite quotes, ideas, aha's from each book in your reflection journal.)

1-TJED for Teens, chapter 1 (11 pages) Mark favorite or interesting parts. Write any idea you learned while reading or thinking about this chapter.(You will receive a Reflection Notebook at the Vision Day. Until then, keep your writings in aspiral notebook or on loose paper.) Come prepared to share what you learned.

2-Promises of the Constitution Read Section 7 (20 pages) ‘Basic Governing Principles’ (these are quick vignettes that the family can enjoy at the dinner table together). Write 3 keywords that will help you remember each short subject. Write in your reflection journal any interesting quotes.Come prepared to teach what you learned.

3-?How Essential Skills for Living the Gospel: Choose one personal leadership skill, read the section and work on that skill during the month of September. Pray for guidance as to the skill you need to improve upon. Ask your parents for guidance if you still are not sure. Write in your journal, or your Reflection Journal regarding the changes you worked on, how things went for you. If you would like to share in class plan to do so in October or share with your family in a FHE lesson.

CHOOSE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING INSPIREMENTS. BE READY TO SHARE IN CLASS ON THE FIRST DAY:

-Write two or more questions you can ask the class regarding the reading assignments.(Four or more questions in total). Write out your answer for at least two of your questions.

-Answer one of the following:

Q: What does it take to make a meaningful life?

Q: What is true “happiness” and are we entitled to it or just the pursuit of it?

-In chapter 1 of TJED Teens, DeMille mentions preparing for your role. What do you think or feel is your role here on earth? Describe that role with words, in pictures, a story you write, a song you create or an object you build.

-Present what you learned from one or more of the vignettes from the book Promises of the Constitution. You can make a comic strip,or other picture to convey your message. Big challenge would be to use no words.

-Share something you created that expresses your love for nature.

-Plan a recreational activity that Vanguard youth can do together.

Journeyman- Principles - What or Understanding - Heart

1-Uncle Eric: Personal, Career & Financial Security: Read letters 1-8 (34 pages) This is another book worth reading to the family. Highlight your favorite parts and write one quote or idea you learned from each letter in your Reflection Journal.

AND CHOOSE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING INSPIREMENTS. BE READY TO SHARE IN CLASS ON THE FIRST DAY:

-Think about how you would feel if you made great sacrifice of your time to help your nation achieve greatness... What do you see yourself doing? Write, draw, paint, or create what you see yourself doing to help America.

-What does our Lord Jesus Christ say about the Constitution in our scriptures? Hint: look in the index of the Triple Combination. Write the verses and anything that surprised you. Share this with us in class. How does it make you feel to know that Jesus cares about our American Constitution? Now write about this in your Reflection Journal.

-Share an experience with the class regarding a time when you had a paradigm shift in your thinking. How did it change the way you see the world or others or even yourself?

-Explain the meaning of paradigm as you understand having read Uncle Eric’s letters. Come prepared to share your learning and understanding.

-Create a picture that expresses our love for America and/or for where you live.

Master Class - Application - How or Become - Intelligence

1-Read: God's Hand in the Founding of America by Elder L. Tom Perry https://www.lds.org/new-era/1976/07/gods-hand-in-the-founding-of-america?lang=eng

AND CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING INSPIREMENTS. BE READY TO SHARE IN CLASS ON THE FIRST DAY:

-Go to the leadership/government blog and click on either The Center for Social Leadership or Life Manifestos and choose one of the articles and read it. Write down your favorite quotes, what you like about it or what you did not like. What did you not understand? How did the article make you feel? http://vanguardyouthofprovoleadandgovern.blogspot.com/

-Can you find the bicentennial pictures that Elder Perry mentions in his talk? Bring a copy of the pictures or draw, color, paint or print the pictures if you find them.

-After reading this talk, How do you feel about America and our Constitution? -What do you want to do to be supportive of America?

-Write a song or poem honoring the United States Constitution.

-Do you feel like you know what your mission is? Write down what you feel it is right now. Don't worry if it's not clear, just go to a quiet place and think and write about everything that comes to your mind while thinking, praying about your missions in life.

-Create a piece of art that expresses your happiness to be an American.
-Why do we need to remember the Constitution in September? Research, Reason, Relate, and Record what you discover.

Any questions you might have, please feel free to call me or email me.

Book List for Leadership/Government Lens Class begins September 4th at 10am

Leadership/Government Book Outline 2013-2014

(this Lens meets the first Wednesday of each month)

The Book List:

APPRENTICE CLASS

1. How, Essential Skills for Living the Gospel, by John Hilton and Anthony Sweat-
2. TJED For Teens by Oliver DeMille
3. Promises Of The Constitution by Pamela Romney Openshaw.
4. Hero Report- choose one book from the choices below to research and report on one hero each month. (Or choose a fitting book with your parents okay.) Use the library, it isn't necessary to buy these books though some can be found at D.I.  

For younger youth and easier to read:  The Founders: The 39 Stories Behind the US Constitution. For younger youth and easier to read:  The Signers: The 56 Stories Behind the Declaration of Independence
Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence Unlikely Heroes, Wives of the Signers, Greatness To Spare: Heroic Sacrifices of the Men Who Signed the Declaration of Independence
Founding Fathers: Uncommon Heroes The Other Eminent Men of Wilford Woodruff
Powerful Stories from the Lives of Latter-day Saint Men Soldiers,Statesmen & Heroes, America's Founding Presidents Remarkable Stories from the Lives of Latter-day Saint Women

1.   November:  The Young Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews   
2. March: Animal Farm by George Orwell  

     

JOURNEYMAN CLASS

TJED for Teens (Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens)

September: Uncle Eric's Personal, Career & Financial Security (through January) by Richard Maybury

October: Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman (69 pages)

November:

January:

February: Say Go Be Do by Tiffany Earl (128 pages) and Uncle Eric Talks About Whatever Happened To Penny Candy? by Richard J. Maybury

March: The Freedom Factor by Gerald Lund

April:

MASTER CLASS

TJED for Teens (Thomas Jefferson Education for Teens)

October:

November: Education of a Wandering Man by Louis L'Amour

January:

February: The Hiding Place or something similar

March:

April: Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Alright Vanguard Youth, what are you doing to make amazing happen in your lives??? (From The Center for Social Leadership)

Stop Waiting and Make Amazing Happen

AUGUST 7, 2013 BY STEPHEN PALMER 1 COMMENT

Mr. Incredible, you’ll recall, arrives home from work one day to find the neighbor kid lurking on his tricycle in theIncredibles’ driveway.

“What are you waiting for?” Mr. Incredible demands.

“I dunno,” shrugs the kid. “Something amazing, I guess.”

That wishful statement from a cartoon boy reveals profound insights into human nature.

It explains why millions of people lurk at magazine racks gawking at celebrities in cheap tabloids.

Amazing, isn’t it, how much time people will spend watching other people be amazing? Fearful and unwilling to live an outstanding life themselves, they get their fix of amazing vicariously.

The kid’s comment also explains why I closed all my personal social media accounts. I found that too often, when mentally blocked and uninspired, I would lurk on Facebook waiting for something amazing to happen.

Are you lurking on the sidelines of life waiting for something amazing to happen?

Amazing doesn’t just happen. You have to make it happen.

Opportunity ships never come in while you’re lazing on the beach, gazing wistfully at the horizon. You have to build them yourself, turn your back to land, and set sail.

The passive life is the entropic life — which is to say a life squandered and tainted by regret.

The only honorable form of waiting is that of working in your daily trenches, building the foundations of your greatness. As Longfellow concludes his classic poem, “A Psalm of Life”:

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.

The most amazing accomplishments take time and patience to build. Fireworks and cathedrals are both amazing, but one is gone in a flash and the other lasts for centuries.

And while you’re building your amazing magnum opus, never forget that you’re enveloped in amazing miracles every mundane moment of every day. While dreaming of grand adventures, never miss the ones right in front of your nose.

Remember how Bob Parr, fed up with the drudgery of his insurance job, tries to relive his Mr. Incredible days by doing covert hero work at night? His wife, Helen (Elastigirl), pleads with him:

“Yes, [the glory days] happened. But this — our family — is what’s happening now, Bob. And you are missing this!”

With discerning eyes and an attuned heart, playing and laughing with your family is more amazing than an expedition to the pyramids on the back of a camel.

Living a life of amazement usually takes more quiet gratitude than intense striving. It’s more about attitude than action.

But make no mistake — your actions will dramatically impact your attitude. As Roy H. Williams advises:

“If you will expand your world, you must crawl on your hands and knees, get on your belly and squirm under the fence that surrounds your insulated life.”

So drive a different way to work. Go home and dance with your spouse and tickle your kids. Wake up early and marvel at the sunrise.

Take that trip to South America you’ve been dreaming of. Act on that inspiration to develop that product. Write that book that’s weighing on your heart.

Take nothing for granted. Live extraordinary. Be incredible and make amazing happen.