Blank Page

If you are reading this then that is because you figured out what I did in order to have a blank page. I wanted a long, blank page but if I just pressed enter repeatedly then it would only appear as if I pressed it once followed by my "signature." 


Oh boy! It's early morning! I have a bad habit of sleeping late so that is something I am going to change. Early to bed, early to rise. That is so true when I practiced it long ago. I don't know how people can stay up late. After a period of time where I've been staying up late, it really affects the mind to a degree where it just does not function at its capacity. I don't believe there are exceptions to anybody; it always affects us. Plus, the mind is full of inspiration and ready to receive inspiration when it's early in the morning and how I love that inspiration!


I was looking at prices for sky-diving. It's not a cheap thrill, but man! How I would love to go sky-diving! Ever since a friend planted the idea in high school, it just seems so amazing! To fly through the air...the atmosphere moving around you, the dance of wind and body, penetrating the colloquial sky. The rapture that mesmerizes you, sustains you, pulls you, guides you. Body meets Heaven. 


I had an epiphany on Sunday, March 11, 2012 in the afternoon. It was so subtle, but once the idea grasped me, it worked itself through me. It was as if my eyes were opened. I loved it. In Provo, Utah (go figure)...I would have found myself. It was so simple! I've been taught it for a good portion of my young-adult hood (which by the by, seeing how I'll be 23 in May 2, am I still considered a youth? I believe I am. True adult-hood really is reached until around late 20's, but I could be wrong. Eh, my opinion. But looking at my current generation, many kids my age still seem to be just that, kids. HAHAHAHAHA oh boy I love this world!)


I took a plane to California last month. I didn't realize I was sitting in first-class until I was in the middle of the flight. It was so fancy. I didn't know how to react. I was treated with more respect, but that respect seemed so artificial to me. How come I didn't get that exact same treatment when I'd fly economy? I don't care if money talks, I want others to be treated with that exact same level of hospitality. I told my brother that I didn't like it. He was quick to get on the attack and tell me "fine. Next time you'll be flying coach." Later on I said thank you to him and how appreciative I was for flying First-class (I secretly did enjoy it...how shameful of me). Truth be told, I really didn't enjoy it too much because I felt that I shouldn't deserve, or rather, be entitled to such treatment. It felt as if I was high-class, and it brought shame to me. Maybe it's the opinions of others, as if I'm rolling in money...I hate money, I absolutely detest it (because hate is such a strong word). I would rather be with others who are in Economy class, I feel comfortable there. However, I am planning on flying to Taiwan the second week of April and plan on being there for the minimum of 2 weeks (April 20, Taichung! Oh yeah! Totally going to live that night up with all those foreigners! I mean, it's Taichung! The city is ridiculous! Frankly, all of Asia is ridiculous...and I love it!) and the seats that are only offered for the flight are business-class and first-class, no coach.... Well I know what I said earlier, but I may have to take the offer for Business-class, especially when all I spend will be around $400 round-trip and business class is expensive (last I remember, to Japan it was around $10,000), PLUS! the flight to Asia is a long one, and I know I shouldn't fall asleep while travelling to and from, but the seats.... Nevermind service, the seats! So. Comfy.


Well I end this little random writing that whoever was able to figure this out, bien hecho! The title, "Blank Page" is to signify after an interesting period in my life, a period by which I sought to figure "it" out (you know, IT...the big, heartfelt questions to one's life), after a lot of battling and struggling within, I realized it. A new start. A fresh page. A blank page. I'm not forsaking a past I had, I'm just not letting the past dictate my present to ruin and eradicate a bright future that I am meant to enjoy. That future I so want. I had to plead for this. I have been so grateful for all of it. That spiritual side could never be abandoned. Oh how I'm grateful for the Atonement of Christ. I mean, it's crazy after having studied much about it, I still learn more about it. Man really is nothing. We don't comprehend it. Oh how I needed to grow up. Oh, how I needed it all. Oh, how I loved it all. I want you to know, whoever is reading this, that I love this Church. I know it deep and fully within in my eternal soul that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the one and only true Church on the face of the planet. I am not apologetic of that statement. I know it, God knows I know it, and by the power of the Holy Ghost, I know it is true. Christ and His Atonement, it is a perpetual life changer. However many times one wants to think that I just speak in a manner of speech, please don't be passive about this. I am 100% certain of it. You can tear me up and break everything about me, but you will never destroy my undying spirit! No! You will never be able to! I am bound to a God I love. I am in debt to a Savior who ransomed me. If you are not a member, please, ask me a question or even search us up, www.mormon.org. Better yet, meet with missionaries, and please be willing to accept what they have to say. Put aside any doubt you may have and try an experiment. Test it out to see if it is true, and I can promise you if you really intend to know if it is true, you will receive an answer from God, by the power of the Holy Ghost, an answer dedicated to you and meant for you, formed for you. I love you all.


Until next time, hasta proximo, 再見 (although you may get the idea that that means "bye" in Chinese, you split the words down, 再 = again, 見 = see; so, see you again, or see you later).


....dang it was supposed to be hidden...man...I don't even want to try to figure it out...lame....

~Philippe

Elder Eyring's "A Child of God" Response

Whenever I watch Elder Eyring speak, his words resonate with a strong sense of humility. His experiences in life - and those which he does share - reflect that he has learned a great deal by the critiques of others. The end result of one who did not allow his pride to be in control of him is the man who is an apostle of the Lord before I very lives. This humility which he emulates, resonates, is what he strongly discusses to his audience.

He spoke of the key factor in all learning, whether it be in school or outside in any institutionalized program: humility. Humility is key for one to receive much understanding, he stresses, for in being humble one is able to set aside what goes against your own wisdom in pursuit of a higher, more better way of wisdom. He relates that one who reflects humility is capable of receiving criticism, and he discloses why criticizing in what we do is crucial to becoming more wise and knowledgeable, therefore being able to fulfill the commandment which God has given to us, that of pursuing educational excellence. What came as a surprise to me while teaching this concept - of how receiving criticism is favorable for not only us but for others around us - comes when he discusses of a renowned mathematician, who soon after he passed away, "...it was found that he had never shared some of his best work with anyone. My response is that there would have been more if he had shared it." If that is the truth concerning humility and pride, I would be a different person if I would have but taken my stubbornness and placed it under my feet so that I may welcome criticism from others.

Yet, what I lack now, or rather what is impeding my rightful position and possibility, is more than possible to be achieved. "The great learner expects resistance and overcomes it." I myself am able to attest that I get discouraged about the work load that I am given, that I usually put upon myself (perhaps due to my stubbornness). I have had my battles with discouragement, failure, abandonment. I have lost some battles, but I have learned over time that I should expect to face opposition to that which I seek. I have learned to look those opponents in the eyes and take in all that comes in and say to myself, "I will find a way to overcome this." I refuse to be trodden down by resistance. That's why I am here, right? To not succumb to the easiness of the way?