This does not include organized sporting events and leagues but "just for fun" events.
Yes I just got back from an activity... but I've actually wanted to write this post for YEARS.
So this is hardly a reflection of simply the last event

• Everything is permissible in the name of having fun.
• It's alright not to try your best.
• Every failure, lack of effort, time of goofing off, rule breaking can be excused by saying "It's just a game"
• Goals and objectives are so very over rated in life... why do them in activities.
• The way to learn how to deal with loosing is to never put yourself in a position where anyone can loose.
• Working as a team is way over rated.
• Working as a team for one united effort is too hard to even attempt.
• When you try to work at a team it means sometimes someone has to tell someone when they're doing something wrong and that makes someone into a bad guy.
• It's best to let someone just keep doing something wrong.
• Let people do whatever they want because it avoids any chance of contention.
• Trying your hardest is over rated.
• Keeping score just leads to people having an objective and putting in their best effort... which as we all know leads to problems stated above because we're not mature enough to deal with those sorts of things.
• Rules don't solve anything... the best lesson is to learn how to exist with eachother in chaos.
• The most vocal person gets to decide the rules because no one else should stand up for what's right.
• It's best to just make up the rules as you go along instead of stating them at the beginning.
• It's too much to ask to have someone come prepared to know the rules to begin with.
• Knowing your order or your position is for dictators... it's better to let people stress each time about where they're supposed to be. Even if it's wrong.
• When someone gets hurt the bigger the crowd around the person doing nothing... the better the person is going to feel.
• "Next point wins" is the way for everyone to feel good about the ending because no one really wins because we all know it really means nothing at all.
• So above all the standard of "having fun" can only be achieved in chaos, lack of objectives and and a void of leadership.
• Becoming better at what you do is for prudes and people that hate fun.

RECAP

• Don't keep score.
• Don't enforce rules.
• Don't have an objective.
• Finish the game when it just disolves into chaos.
• Or finish the game when the popular person says he or she is done playing.
• Allowing people to fail time and time again is much better than possibly coming off as the know it all.
• Being organized is over rated.
• Having fun is impossible if 1. You're trying to work as a team 2. Trying to get better 3. Organized 4. Have an objective and keep track.

Did I miss anything?

Be sure to take these points and apply them in your every day life such as at school, at work, personal goals, hobbies, spirituality.

Just have fun remember it's all just a game and if you're trying hard and doing your best you're overworking and you're obviously not having fun.

Thoughts?

I believe in the constitution and small government that's why I would be your best bet for creating new government jobs and handing out confiscated wealth to you and my savvy friends.

I learned the hard way (went from rags to riches) and I know all about money as well as justifying my actions because I'm a small businessman-millionaire.

I'll get the job done no matter if I have to give up what's most important to me to get it done. Like principles. But i'd do it all for you.

You voted for a businessman the last 2-3 times you shouldn't have a problem voting for me. Cut from the same fabric i'd say.

PLEASE VOTE TODAY

MORE?

Want more proof? I oppose the same programs you oppose like no child left behind... but see as a businessman at least I know how to make a buck off it while I'm at it. This helps Utah! A smart businssman knows to use his enemies to his advantage. I'll get the job done!

Principles mean nothing if you can't get the job done.

Voting is Today... please go to the poles and vote for the businessman! I'm really good at making money I'm sure this senate thing will be a breeze, hobnob a little bit, give and take a little bit, earn up some favors on the hill... we'll be living the good life here in Utah in no time.

Did I mention I'm a small business man? I mean I'm really successful and all... we all value money in this state, it is the symbol with which we understand success, it is what we all aspire to, there really is nothing more important right now, I will bring us jobs because as your senator my job under the constitution is to dole out money and create jobs and I know how to do that because I've employed people unlike my oponent who is silly enough to believe the wolves in the senate won't eat him alive for his strong stances on principles above politics.

I bet he can't stretch a budget... all he wants to do is count to $0 for all the big government programs he aims to cut.

Vote for me if you want more bang for your buck, the other guy will probably want you to make sacrifices and cut government jobs and benefits.

I know Utah and I know you don't want to sacrifice... I've learned that the one queen was right, you can have your cake and eat it too. We can return to the constituion and not have to sacrifice in the mean time. Look at me I have always championed small government and made a living off said government while I did it!

It's not so hard... I can teach you! Vote for me TODAY! Not the constitutional guy... he's way to strict with his principles!

When I first listened to the candidates I thought Mike Lee and Bridgewater seemed to be good choices. Mike Lee went on to continue to impress me and Bridgewater has not done anything that has made me feel he'd be the right choice.

The way I see it... Bridgewater would be my choice for a partner on a strategy board game (We'd have fun, be friends and win the board game) and Mike Lee would be my choice for the next senator.

(My ramblings below)

My style

For some of you reading this the first time... you'll find my writing style hard. Some will love it. Some will complain I didn't fix up all grammar. I'll tell you you're totally right about the grammar things but it's your ineptitude I'll be making fun of ... let's just get that out of the way and let you know what you're getting into.

So don't give me a Pulitzer, at least I took the time to write my views.

I'm me and these are my thoughts on Mike Lee and Tim Bridgewater

This is where i'm coming from.

Last big election I got even more into politics, perhaps you could say that many of what was being talked about (good and bad) helped to spur passion and cure what was left of my apathy.

I used to call the two parties the RepubliCrats because I viewed them as the same thing. Just different dollar amounts for or against the same problem. They didn't have different solutions to the problems just different levels of commitment to the same ideals.

OK so in november 08' I kind of made it a point to not vote for republicans. Sometimes it's hard in Utah where there isn't always 3 choices. But I did vote for a democrat (which I've always viewed as big government which I'm against.)

So recently I changed my party affiliation to Republican (I'm a believer in 3rd parties and against those that believe in the lesser of two evils principle) and in may I went to a caucus meeting for my area - Lehi. They read the party platform and I was seriously impressed. I thought these aren't the principles I was slamming in posts a year or so ago. These weren't the principles of the Republicrats I was totally opposed to and didn't want to see around. I didn't like Mr. Bush and these certainly weren't the platform for how he acted. (As a warmonger that increased the powers of the government.) This wasn't McCain who I didn't like. It wasn't Romney who I thought could help improve the government in the way someone can patch up a broken car to run a few more years. (Certainly not to change out the broken parts and get it running like new) He would just tune up a broken system, not change it.

These weren't the ideals of the party I thought was a joke. These were sincere... why weren't they actually doing what they preached?

The people in the caucus were smart and educated. They were mostly there because they didn't like the votes Bennett was making, they were there in part to stop him and make a change.

Why did I start helping Mike Lee?

Well it's all because of Connor Boyack. The kid genious the person who writes passionatly an amazing blog. Who doesn't flinch even when it's not politically correct. I told connor you know I'd walk door to door getting votes for you if you were running. He laughed it's pretty far from a possibility in his mind. He certainly has ruffled enough feathers that it'd be hard to get elected. But he's amazing kid and works tirelessly to educate about liberty and for me the stuff about religion is important as well. I respect his views soo much.

So he wanted a photographer to help a campaign. I said if you support him and think he stands for liberty that's enough for me. Enough to give of my time to do pictures for Mike. This was before the public declaration of being in the running when he was giving chats about the constitution. I mean I only knew so much... but I couldn't see anything wrong.

I came from time to time when connor said there was something awesome coming up and pictures would be great.

I made a declaration that anyone that would fight tirelessly and with correct principles for MY liberties deserved my support and that meant photography which is the most valuable asset I have.

So I'd do the same for any others that I was convinced were fighting for my liberties in the same way.

It's hard to know when it's a game, when it's politics and when the person truly believes and wants to help the country and is all about me and my liberties and supporting our constitution and form of government.

Til this day

I have now met Mike Lee and his family and his kids and the people around him. Now there's lots of people around him and I can't verify each one... I know many of them are very passionate and I know that I in times of passion have done dumb things. But now as for Mike... he's solid. I mean he uses some of the same stories but I guess it's new to each group and i can understand why. But I'd tell you if I was worried about something.

There are no worries with Mike, I'm being honest. I've heard some of the worries. It's not like I would never consider being on the wrong side of the issue but for now Mike is solid.

Concern 1 - That he would become like Bennett as he took office or be corrupted by washington.

Repsonse: I think someone that is deeply founded in principles is less likely to be corrupted and while it's still a possibility of course someone that's firm in principles even when it's less than popular is going to be stronger against the manipulations of washington. Now take someone that is a compomiser who is said to be good at politics and negotiations... they are said to get things done... but to me that just means they're more apt to sacrifice principles more often, it's a game. The end justifies the means. That worries me... it eats away at a person each time you sacrifice what you believe. I have seen little to make me think he would become a well intentioned puppet that would succumb to the games of DC.

Concern 2 - Lee Supporters

Some haven't liked the things the supporters have done or feeling they got from them.

Well sad, I don't know what to say about it. I haven't seen it... of course they love me and the pictures I take for them so they're not about to be rude or mean to me. So really I don't know what to say. The people I've met are pretty awesome. But I've only met a few hundred. (Far from all of them)

As for endorsements, I don't like one of the supporters of Mike Lee, I voted against him on the last election. It's important to note who supports a person but I don't see the guy very often and he's not vocal at all. Heck I'm not sure where he stands anymore. But I'd take that over a Bennett endorsement any time or day of the week. So really if it's about supporters for Lee vs Bridgewater and those were our only choices I'd take the Lee supporters. But guess what it's not. Oh i'd take the Lee endorsements as well.

I mean after all I'm pretty much giving my own endorsement to Lee - so obviously his endorsements are more awesomer. What amazing photographers are supporting Bridgewater? Yes I'm kind of poking fun at endorsements. They help and are meaningful sometimes and are meaningless the other 80% of the time. Let's not forget it was the endorsement of Connor Boyack that helped me initially trust Mike Lee.

Concern 3 - Energy Solutions

Response. OK I've heard many people talking about this issue. So I'll not touch on it too much because I don't know it all. My viewpoint is this. I believe in the concept of "I do not agree with a word you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it!"

In this case it's not the same, but perhaps It's a matter of if the constitution allows this I will defend your right. Heck I don't even know what energy solutions is doing and what the problem is. They have the right to be supported we can't neglect their rights under the constitution just because what they're doing is unpopular. Doesn't mean we have to allow it to happen either... just make sure it's handled in a constitutional way.

Again I wouldn't take me for a scholar on this issue, i've heard (and not memorized or about to do the quote finding right now) but it seems Mike is doing a solid thing so regardless of how you feel about energy solutions I don't think it affects him really. I know many are passionate and think it does. I say from all I've heard I believe it doesn't.

Concern 4 - Money

Ok so I confess I didn't know a lot of the concerns so I went to Bob Lonsberry's site who seems to have championed himself as the voice against Lee. He says his chief reason is that mike lee has school loan debts. In his Dave Ramsey world this is uneceptable and reason alone for him to not be in charge of the nations money and yet he flaunts that Mike makes lots of money.

Perhaps I shant respond since I myself have school loans to pay off but have opted to invest money into my business and pay the small interest for now.

The thing is I want someone in congress that says look at all these programs we're spending money on... they're not the role of our government lets rethink this and get rid of them. I guess lonsberry is saying Bridgewater will manage those programs better, like no child left behind... what I'm saying is Mike Lee will check his operating manual and say well hot dang these aren't proper we could get rid of them. -I'm not his adviser or anything but sounds like what would happen.

Eventually Tim's own personal money will run out after spending it all on his own campaign (which I personally don't have a problem with) and he can't fix everything that way. Solid solid principles will win.

It's funny that I go to Lonsberry to learn what people are upset about Mike for because the first time I heard who Lonsberry is was because of a post chastising Bridgewater for an anti ad against Mike Lee. (That's a side note of course in fact I can't find the post now... maybe it wasn't Lonsberry I make no claims to amazing memory for names of authors)

On the other side Bridgewater

I'd like to be open to hearing all about what's really going on. I'll try to do the same with bridgewater and the problematic things I've heard. Like here http://stopbridgewater.com/

I want to know more about how he seems to justify away many of his principles. I mean what I say I'm sure he justifies all those things like using stimulus money and yet hating the stimulus package, or opposing no child left behind and yet profiting off of it. Or wanting a smaller government and yet helping to keep it big by using government money oh so very often on business ventures.

Yeah so they both seem to have ghosts. (I guess we should just suppose everyone does)

I don't know where Bridgewater stands on all my personal liberties. Where he stands on enlargements of the powers of the government. Where he is on things like Patriot Act?

What I have seen is a very astute politician. I've thought to myself several times he's made good political moves to get momentum on his side. Moves that I felt were to play on the emotions of the masses. Personally I thought they weren't for me and reminded me of every other politician or a business man that will do what it takes to win. Good for him. But like I said I want someone who stands on principles and says I'll always do what's right and let the consequence follow. Sometimes there are repercussion to doing what's right. But it turns out good in the end.

Bridgewater for Board game strategy - Lee for Senate

I'm going to study more about Bridgewater and hopefully beyond the talking points. But I see Bennett#2 in him and that's my opinion right now. He's someone you'd want on your team for a strategy board game, he's got more money and probably more fun at a party. But I want the man who will fight like a lion for ME and my rights and my liberties who will fight to restore the republic and uphold the constituion with undying zeal. That's Mike Lee - I'll be sad if he doesn't make it. I'm not dumb enough to vote for bridgewater if I don't think he's the best option and there will be more than 2 choices in november and as of now he wouldn't even win that vote unless I'm convinced of the passion behind his words and that he won't be a hypocrite and justify doing things against what he says... anymore. Heck I've done dumb things. But for now we don't have to worry about worrying about believing the true change of heart... we have Mike Lee.

Pictures

Anyway it's been fun to be more involved in politics. Fun to see my pictures around everywhere. Heck bennett used them on fliers and on TV even. Now Bridgewater uses them too. Not sure if they're allowed to or not... but I don't want this campaign to be about my pictures. They were as a donation to those that would fight for me and my liberties. If they aren't supposed to use them and use them in bad ways shame on them and they should stop. (Or heck they could ask me) but then they'd have to qualify. Are they fighting for me and my liberties. I suppose I'd have to let them use them. I've taken lots of great pictures of Bennett, Eagar, Bridgwater and Lee and many of the other politicians at rally's and conventions and debates.

Recap

Lee stands on principles and he would continue to do so as a Senator, I believe this firmly.

Bridgewater is a politician and a game player and it's impressive and it's also what I don't like about DC, but I could look past that.

I am yet to be convinced when things get tough Bridgewater would stand on principles. Would he pick the hard road or play political games?

So far I think Bridgewater would be more of a Justify his actions type of guy... which is what I saw in Bennett (who was always trying to explain why he voted for TARP and other terrible programs) Sometimes the right choice will have sad consequences like a time of economical healing we don't need justifications as to why an unprincipled move is best to keep things status quo.

If Bridgewater get's the slot on Tuesday I will do more studying of him and the 3rd parties... I will vote who is the best person and I'm just saying Tim might not get my vote in November, I don't look at who has the best chance to win, with me it's all about who is the best person. I vote like in grade school where you put your head down and raise your hand. No crowd mentality... I wish more people would choose not to vote like it were a sporting event where they vote like they're at Vegas.

My offer

If Bridgewater is on the November ballot and can lay aside my concerns I will offer my services as photographer free of charge like I would with anyone that can prove they are going to fight for my liberties and freedoms and uphold the form of government as stated in the constitution.

VOTE

Not many people vote in these primaries. Therefore if you're in Utah go and vote. Today is last day of early voting ( i think) and then primaries is the 23rd (i think)

Because not many people vote in primaries votes count for a lot more. Just last month I saw an election spot (for congress) go to someone because of 1 vote.

Not saying this one will be one vote but maybe the 100 people that read this article all go out and vote I could easily see the election decided by 100 or so votes.

Good places to find out stuff for yourself http://www.mikelee2010.com/ - http://timbridgewater.com/

(Read many of the other write-ups on the subject)

Achievement
Passion
Disappointment
Honesty
And above all ... Forgiveness

It really is an impressive story... better than the movies... and set to share a message to millions.

No it's not a happy story, it's not a comedy... but not all stories need a laugh to make us better people.

I respond in a poem/song/hymn

Oh say, what is truth?

1. Oh say, what is truth? ’Tis the fairest gem
That the riches of worlds can produce,
And priceless the value of truth will be when
The proud monarch’s costliest diadem
Is counted but dross and refuse.

2. Yes, say, what is truth? ’Tis the brightest prize
To which mortals or Gods can aspire.
Go search in the depths where it glittering lies,
Or ascend in pursuit to the loftiest skies:
’Tis an aim for the noblest desire.

3. The sceptre may fall from the despot’s grasp
When with winds of stern justice he copes.
But the pillar of truth will endure to the last,
And its firm-rooted bulwarks outstand the rude blast
And the wreck of the fell tyrant’s hopes.

4. Then say, what is truth? ’Tis the last and the first,
For the limits of time it steps o’er.
Tho the heavens depart and the earth’s fountains burst,
Truth, the sum of existence, will weather the worst,
Eternal, unchanged, evermore.

Text: John Jaques, 1827–1900

Music: Ellen Knowles Melling, 1820–1905

Doctrine and Covenants 93:23–28

John 18:37–38

How do we obtain that truth can sometimes be the trickiest and yet most beneficial stuggle of our lives.
There are so many avenues, so many philosophies of men so many ideas that people skilled in rhetoric can seem to convince you of.
Any manipulator or false prophet or eager teacher seems to have a large following of disciples eager to proclaim THE TRUTH.

As for me and my house. I hold tight to the concept taught by Amos the prophet in Amos 3:7

"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."

This with the combination of the holy ghost will be the way we obtain the truth IMHO

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26

There are many other scriptures on how to help distinguish a truth from god from a philosophy of men or a philosophy sprinkled with truths of god. (Of which there are many of these mixings)

Thoughts on that?
Personally I love it!

We should love and cherish and uphold and fight for truth, strive to be educated and seek desperately for true principles.
We should be excited for every opportunity to learn something uplifting and true.
But we should run from false corrupting ideas of men, like they were the plague coming to infect us and leave us a blody pulp of flesh rotting in the scorching desert.

As Einstein said: to approach a problem at a different level of thinking.
To allow ourselves to be creative, to allow ourselves to be inspired.

Then we can avoid problems simply because we always know we can make them better.
We can work with people and their problems when they conflict with our expectations, because we can find the better way.
With this we "Let Go" and simply find a better way.

The will of the lord does not stop with what has happened, but continues in how we react.
Our sadnesses should be few when we really recognize we are capable, and we are supported, to make any situation better.

Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person;
having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words,
but to put them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together,
knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them,
keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away.
-George Elliot

What I want

I want to always be strong.
I want to continue to be the one that helps and supports others.
I like giving, I like teaching.
I like sharing my talents, photography, humor and even principles.

Who wants other people to see them at their weakest?
Why would we want to let people know there are problems... to view us like we're damaged?
Why to cry and bemoan our fate, like the annoying people we know who are always complaining and bringing others down.

Why hide it?

Well I'm here to say. I'm damaged.
I'm hurt, I'm not as strong as people think I am.
I try hard, I fail.

The one thing I've wanted the most in my life, for all my life, is the one thing I haven't achieved.
The thing I feel so far away from.
It's almost a slap in the face to have become successful in everything else but that one thing.
I feel closer to being famous... which could be fun, but certainly never been an objective and of so much lesser eternal value.

I struggle with doubts.
I wonder "why" frequently.

I wonder "Why" even When i know THE answer.
I can give the answer to a hundred friends and yet sorrow makes it hard to accept the realities of my own life.

WHEN

When will this time of strengthening end?
When will I be given the green light by my maker?
When will he decide I've had enough patience thrust upon me.
When will I say "this is too good to be true" and it IS true!

A different road

I've made the choice to be different... I've stuck with it.
I've said I'll do things different... to take a more principled road.
In business and relationships I run from manipulation.
In a world where everyone thrives on manipulating to benefit themselves, their products, their politics.
I kick against these ideas... believing that we can be successful even on the lonely road.
And am bound and determined to make it true.

In these areas

Seven social sins: politics without principles, wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, and worship without sacrifice. - Mahatma Ghandi

With a breath of kindness

The opening quote says I can let it all go to my good friends, to pour out the good and bad. And you my good friends will sift the chaff and the grain and keep what is worth keeping and with kindness blow the rest away.
This to me is what I want in a friend and what I want to be as a friend.

Sometimes in our life we all need friends someone to lean on.
I've been through harder, with the help of Christ and friends. And I'll do so again... but I'm wondering if I keep the first part and multiply the second part by You All, if I won't get through it much faster and easier.

A kind word

Am I allowed to call upon the past and future acts of kindness in return for your kind lifting words and prayers and hopes for a better month and better year?

In a time when so many are suffering around the world, I might be callous to even think my sadness is significant in anyway at all... but well it's my own and I don't want to go through it alone, like many times before.
So thank you... here's hoping this makes things much easier.

Not HOW but WHY

I think in times of struggles we often know HOW to carry on we just want reinforcment that we should-WHY. That people care, and that the things we've been doing in the past are worth keeping up with in the future.

What I'm trying to say is... i've been through this enough I know the way to get through it... I just would be really happy to hear why getting back up to speed would benefit others.
If my life has affected yours, to push me to get back to that point where everyone remembers me as the rock solid friend and teacher, who helps and helps and asks nothing in return.
I guess I do thrive on something in return and that's appreciation and for someone to care.

Christ is the one where all my strength and support should come from without fear of ever being let down... but until I get there... I ask my friends for help until then.

Continue On

And then lets support the next person who's breaking and hurting who might not open up like this, and put it all on the line.
Who is scared to believe that a friend will take the grain and chaff and still love and still help and who only grows closer.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

the objective I have is, to teach the following:

"Finding Meekness : Letting Go"

Letting go is part of Meekness and meekness is required to let go (put away childish things)

Let Go vs Grow Up

Some would use the catch phrase of growing up instead of letting go ... but I feel it too charged a phrase.
And frankly putting away childish things is a little obscure to me.

We think in words, the words have meanings that affect how we understand it.

Digging into the scriptures is rewarding... having gone to college for the objective to study languages I have a particular soft spot for words
I fear we associate maturity and childishness with AGE and consequently are too readily to excuse our adult aged actions:

νηπιου adjective - genitive singular masculine
nepios nay'-pee-os: not speaking, i.e. an infant (minor); figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian -- babe, child (+ -ish).

(Nepios is the word they use... yes an Infant but figuratively "a simple minded person"

We take different approaches in other languages to the words we know:
Let's try this for a moment:

Cuando yo era niño, hablaba como niño, pensaba como niño, juzgaba como niño, mas cuando ya fuí hombre hecho, dejé lo que era de niño.
Quand j'étais enfant, je parlais comme un enfant, je jugeais comme un enfant, je pensais comme un enfant; mais quand je suis devenu homme, j'ai aboli ce qui était de l'enfance.

I think there's a lot of helpful inhearent meaning in the phrase Let Go and it's a meaning which we can now develope to better understand 1 Cor 13:11

Not just about letting go of "Bad" things

OAKS - We should begin by recognizing the reality that just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives.

Deciphering this situation and being able to let go and pick the better is pivitol.

MEEKNESS, what seperates the child from the childish

Moroni warned, “none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart.” (Moro. 7:43–44.) MAXWELL expounded- If we could but believe, really believe, in the reality of that bold but accurate declaration, you and I would find ourselves focusing on the crucial rather than the marginal tasks in life! We would then cease pursuing lifestyles which, inevitably and irrevocably, are going out of style!

MAXWELL Continues - You live in coarsening times, times in which meekness is both misunderstood and even despised. Yet meekness has been, is, and will remain a nonnegotiable dimension of true discipleship—a remarkable achievement, but especially in this age.

MEEKNESS DEFINED - Meekness, however, is more than self-restraint; it is the presentation of self in a posture of kindness and gentleness, reflecting certitude, strength, serenity, and a healthy self-esteem and self-control. - maxwell

Christ the perfect example of Meekness

in the context of todays scripture we should find the ability to let go through meekness, have as objective : kindness and gentleness, reflecting certitude, strength, serenity, and a healthy self-esteem and self-control.
Letting go attracts us to the idea of self-restraint: keep in mind that these other things also are required to let go and make self-control possible.
Certitude in the gospel, working on our self-esteem, kindness, and finding serenity.

(5)

God's foundation vs Satan's foundational principles

Anyone who knows me or reads things I write knows that I am an ardent supporter of freedom.
I adhore any abuse of power or authority.

Maxwell says: The meek are thus able to avoid the abuse of authority and power—a tendency to which, the Lord declared, “almost all” succumb. Except the meek. - Mawwell

The words of DC ... are close to my heart, when it tells us to not exercise unrighteous dominion: (taking of authority or dominion and mistreating those things or people you've been entrusted upon.)

The meek use power and authority properly, no doubt because their gentleness and meekness reflect a love unfeigned, a genuine caring. The influence they exercise flows from a deep concern: “No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned.” (D&C 121:41.)

On the other side of the coin I believe: it is one of the fundamental principles of the adversary to take away our freedom (our choice)
I believe too many things are done in the Name of "Good" but at the foundation they use the building blocks of the adversary and that's to take away our freedom to choose.

Satan told us we'd all make it to heaven under his plan, many were decieved by such a magnificent promise.
failing to recognize that it's a flawed proposal, besides the fact we can not become like christ unless we are tempted and allow to choose between good and evil (Choosing the good of course, and repenting - changing our ways if we choose incorrectly)

Yes we are tempted from every angle... but now is the time to try harder to put away the childish things... let go.

Yes there are a lot of commandments
Some perceive the gospel as nothing but limitations to our freedom.

Anything god does, satan immitates. What the first presedency in 1942 called: "clumsy counterfeits which Satan always devises of the gospel plan"

So the difference to some, is slight or unnoticable. But it should rather be a glaring difference.
We should just understand that God loves us always, no matter what. We have the ability to choose and he hopes we'll choose the right.

But we can choose bad and so can others... and yes there are consequences to those choices.

(look upon) what maxwell says "...the clear reality of  God’s deep commitment to our free agency—and we begin to see how essential meekness is! We need to learn so much, and yet we are free to choose! (See 2 Ne. 2:27.) How crucial it is to be teachable! There “is no other way” in which God could do what He has declared it is His intent to do. No wonder He and His prophets emphasize meekness time and time again!

Since God desired to have us become like Himself, He first had to make us free to learn and to experience; hence, our humility and teachability are premiere determinants of our progress and our happiness. Agency is essential to perfectibility, and meekness is essential to the wise use of agency—and to our recovery when we have misused our agency.

Let us not brush by this developmental premise. The scriptures concerning life’s purposes do make it clear that we are to become like the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matt. 5:48.) “Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.” (3 Ne. 12:48.) “Therefore, what manner of men [and women] ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.” (3 Ne. 27:27.) Such an awesome objective—impossible of attainment without meekness.

God’s refusal to conform mankind by His sheer power reflects not only the gentleness of our Father in Heaven but also His desires to preserve our free agency. Just as agency is essential to perfectibility, so meekness is essential to agency.

Gods way is to allow the choice and asks us to give up our will for his, let go of the world for him, for heavenly things.

To let go of the things that bind us, the lesser things, the worldly riches, the many things we used to do... When we were a CHILD... when we were more simple minded (nepios)

Take an account of your life - See the signs of not letting go

In the scripture When he became a man he took inventory and put away childish things

ελογιζομην verb - imperfect middle or passive deponent indicative - first person singular
logizomai log-id'-zom-ahee: to take an inventory, i.e. estimate -- conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).

Self audit yourself using the words of Christ and the words of God's Prophets as your guide

When you find something in conflict figure out a plan to Let Go and Give your choice up to god's will.

WHAT to LET GO OF

The addictions - let go, grow up, part ways, it's what you used to do, it's what we all have... but it's time to do what god wants you to do.
Yeah I know which things you think about when the word addiction is used... but don't stop there.
Perhaps addiction even means not being easily able to let go.

Let go of Being offended and giving offense

Maxwell said: Not only are the meek less easily offended, but they are less likely to give offense to others. In contrast, there are some in life who seem, perpetually, to be waiting to be offended. Their pride covers them like boils which will inevitably be bumped.

Forgiving

I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men (D&C 64:10).

Let go of pride.

Let go of your Peeves... it's hard they are our challenges, but we so often CODLE them... treat them like they're our eternal passengers.
We believe since everyone has them we're allowed to have ours.
For heavens sake don't treat them like a badge of honor

Put away the phrase "I hate it when"
don't make exceptions saying well i'm justified to Hate utah drivers, or people chewing gum loud, or talking on the phone in the elevator. - Yes I understand things bother us... but that's the point ... find a way to Let go and find meekness

What's more childish than name calling and labeling.
Our politics are riddled with labels, our social groupings, our judgments of others.

Let go of manipulation

Let go of playing with fire
- Another talk on childish things focused on kids doing dangerous things, getting burned and growing up to put away these things.

Let go of fear

How you think through things

Letting go or Growing up is much more than what you do.

When I was a child I spoke and thought as a child as well he says.
Watch the way you think about things, the way you think through things, the solutions you come to.

Letting Go, Growing up and seeking Meekness during Hard times

How do we react to the hard things we face?

(Maxwell)

Granted, none of us likes, or should like, to be disregarded, to be silenced, to see a flawed argument prevail, or to endure a gratuitous discourtesy. But such circumstances seldom constitute that field of action from which meekness calls upon us to retire gracefully. Unfortunately, we usually do battle, unmeekly, over far less justifiable things, such as “turf.”

Just what is this “turf” we insist on defending almost at the slightest provocation? If it is real estate, this will not rise with us in the resurrection. If it is concern over the opinions of us held by others, there is only One opinion of us that really matters. Besides, the opinions of others will only be lowered if we go on an ego tantrum. If “turf” is status, we should not be overly concerned with today’s organizational charts. Who cares now about the pecking order in the Sanhedrin in 31 a.d., though so many cared so much at the time? Where are those now who worried so much over losing their places in the synagogues? (See John 12:42.)

Granted, there are some things worth being aroused about, as the Book of Mormon says, such as our families, our homes, our liberties, and our sacred religion. (See Alma 43:45.) But if all our anxiety amounts to is our so-called image, it’s an image that needs to be displaced anyway, so that we can receive His image in our countenances. (See Alma 5:14.)

A couple traits of the Grown up thought process or the process we search for  when we let the others behind.
Thinking with empathy, thinking with charity, thinking with logic, thinking with an open line of communication with the spirit of revelation.
It's not just what you think about. Don't be mistaken to think that just because you think of fancy sophisticate things that you've left childish thought behind and of course we are told to think on the important things in life as well.

The fight within

Listen to Plato's words: "It is the first and best of all victories for a man to conquer himself; but to be vanquished by himself is of all things the most shameful and vile" (Laws, Book I, trans. George Burges).

And Bryant S. Hinckley, our prophet's father, said it this way:

When a man makes war on his own weaknesses he engages in the holiest war that mortals ever wage. The reward that comes from victory in this struggle is the most enduring, most satisfying, and the most exquisite that man ever experiences. In no other conflict is there so much at stake. In no other struggle are the values so precious and the results so compensating and so comforting. [Bryant S. Hinckley, That Ye Might Have Joy (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, c1958, 1965), 83; emphasis added]

Ask yourself: Where do we find pleasure & joy?

Are the sources eternal or supplimental.

Is our primary source of smiles and happieness sports, books, games, clothes, another person, highs natural or not?
Is good getting in the way of great?

Do we feign meekness (to manipulate), or is it in our heart?

As a Child

EYRING taught in his talk "As A child" - His objective of the talk: Our natures must be changed to become as a child to gain the strength we must have to be safe in the times of moral peril.

King Benjamin, who understood as well as any mortal what it meant to be a man of strength and courage, makes it clear that to be like a child is not to be childish. It is to be like the Savior, who prayed to His Father for strength to be able to do His will and then did it. Our natures must be changed to become as a child to gain the strength we must have to be safe in the times of moral peril.

Here is King Benjamin’s stirring description of what that change to become like a child is and how it comes to us:

“For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields (LET GO) to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man (LET GO) and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.” 6 (Mosiah 3:19). (All these things require letting go)

We are safe on the rock which is the Savior when we have yielded in faith in Him, have responded to the Holy Spirit’s direction to keep the commandments long enough and faithfully enough that the power of the Atonement has changed our hearts. When we have, by that experience, become as a child in our capacity to love and obey, we are on the sure foundation.

Childlike Vs Childish

Elder Sorenson said: Childlike means having a sweet, innocent unspoiled quality; it means teachable, submissive, obedient, trusting. Childish, on the other hand, suggests irresponsibility, self-centeredness, or a lack of emotional restraint. - Sorenson (70)

WE can help other children become men

Speaking on how he chose to write book for children lewis said

The child as reader is neither to be patronized nor idolized: we talk to him as man to man. But the worst; attitude of all would be the professional attitude which regards children in the lump as a sort of raw material which we have to handle. We must of course try to do them no harm: we may, under the Omnipotence, sometimes dare to hope that we may do them good. But* only such good as involves treating them with respect. We must not imagine that we are Providence or Destiny. Lewis

Thomas S. Monson called us the teachers and said we should do the following for children

Parents and grandparents fill the role of teacher. So do siblings of the growing child. I offer those who serve as teachers of children four simple suggestions for your consideration:

1. Teach prayer,

2. Inspire faith,

3. Live truth, and

4. Honor God.

HOW LONG?

Maxwell - Meekness is one of those attributes acquired only by experience, some of it painful, for it is developed “according to the flesh.” (Alma 7:11–12.) It is not an attribute achieved overnight, nor is it certified to in only one exam—but, rather, “in process of time.” (Moses 7:21, 68–69.) The Savior said we are to “take up [the] cross daily”—not just once or occasionally. (Luke 9:23.) His rigorous requirement places a premium upon our having meekness

WE LET GO - what now  do we bring in?

If you were listening : certainly meekness is the answer.

Maxwell - Meekness means less concern over being taken for granted, and more concern over being taken by the hand. Less concern over revising our own plans for us and more concern about adopting His plans for us is another sure sign of meekness.

Petition for Talks

To: Raise our level of discourse for the sake of the Head & the Heart in our meetings.

To our speakers: Teach us the important and inspiring words of the prophets and bring us the spirit to have that message imprinted in our hearts.

I believe we've been coddled for too long. Told not to worry about your talks, done with the best of intentions, so that you don't give up.
But I would like to plea that you do worry, that it vex your soul a little. That it be hard, that you loose a little sleep over it.
Yes we know it's hard for you (that public speaking is said to be feared more than death), we'll pray in our hearts you say what we need to hear and you get through it.
But just remember there are a lot of us out in the audience too and we don't want to fall asleep. In fact we want Sunday to be special and inspired. You the speaker can be part of that.

While I'm at it: If you say something don't say it like it's scripture unless you're pretty darn sure... don't be mixing in philosophies. Yes we have our opinions so let us mark them with words like. "I think, I believe"

Now I know that opens me up to a lot of scrutiny for the talk I'm about to share.
I'm sure the expectation is high and that's fine... I'm willing to fall flat on my face with the expectations. I'll try to LET GO of my pride.
But you'll pay attention now, because I'll try hard. To teach the head and inspire the heart. With the words of the prophets.

(2:10)