Grateful for Faith

Thankful for safe travels and the color green?
Current headlines tell us about much human suffering around the globe. From the natural disasters in Japan followed by the subsequent nuclear crisis to the violence in Libya…suffering seems to 9/10 of our news today. This is a very sad reality. Where does this leave basic humanity? More specifically – me?
Have you had those thoughts?
If you have, I also hope that somewhere in your thought process the idea of “gratitude for faith” came to mind. In times and trials there is nothing stronger than faith.
I was travelling this week on the west coast and a man asked me if I were going to buy Iodine due to the radiation? When I shared this story with a wise man he said my response should have been “no, but I think I will go buy a new Bible.”

Brilliant.

This is exactly the right direction. If we are at peace with our faith it will sustain us through the turmoil headlines. There is still much, MUCH goodness in this life and I intend to remain a beacon of light and love.

I am grateful for my faith.

Grateful for an Honor Code?

I would usually not comment on a controversial current event however in this case I could not resist. I know you have heard about it –  the BYU basketball player who has been suspended due to breaking the BYU honor code.

Now here is an epic idea….an honor code.

Don’t we all have one? What do you stand for? Do you say what you mean? These may sound like trivial and vague questions however the they are truly at the heart of who we are. 
In this case you have a reputable school with an honor code which embodies many attributes of behavior and gives instruction on what is and is not permissable.  By signing it you are agreeing to obey this code.
For an incoming student, this is a noble move – making a commitment to behave in a certain way in order to reflect positively on the University and encouraging a level of personal accountability.  Recently a star athlete admitted to breaking this code and has now been suspended from the team.
While many think this is a tragedy or fodder for a late-night comedy rant – it is an appropriate response based on their honor code.

In an age when athletes are given “passes” for many reasons it is refreshing to watch an institution and a team deal with a tough situation with honesty and integrity.

I am grateful for the wisdom of integrity and would submit there are many lessons to be learned from this situation.
I may even have to become a cougar fan?