Social Networking and Charity

Thanks to websites like Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn I have been able to reconnect with many of my friends from ages past. These sites are also good for meeting and networking with new people, but I particularly enjoy the reconnecting part. Blogs have become more popularized over the past few years and there aren't too many of us guys out here. One of my friends from the past, I think we trick or treated together in 1989, is Deyl. Deyl and his wife Paige have issued a challenge to the blogosphere... make them give until it hurts.

Deyl and Paige are going to donate $10 to Opportunity International for every comment on their post titled 'Make me give 'til it hurts' before the first Thursday in November. Go to his site and tell him Tyler sent you. Just follow the 3 steps he outlined... spread the word... change the world.

Thanks Deyl and Paige... you guys are inspirational.

Have you seen the Pyramids?

Gone skydiving? Traveled to Hong Kong? Been on Safari? Helped a stranger for the better?
My beautiful wife rented The Bucket List for us to watch. I'm not much for writing movie reviews, but all in all it was a good flick. It made me think a little bit about my life's goals and aspirations. In the movie Morgan Freeman's character has a nice family life (but a stale marriage), a modest job and a traditional home. Somehow he ends up sharing a hospital room with Jack Nicholson's character (sorry about the Lakers in Game 4 Jack) who is an extremely wealthy man, but with no family ties to speak of. Both characters get to impart a bit of their views to the other through the movie and end up better people in the end.

The first thing I thought of was my amazing family. I have three ridiculously amazing children and a super star wife. If I were left desolate in a shack in Tulsa (the Paris of Oklahoma) but I had my family then life would be alright. The next thing I thought about is that I want to see some stuff while I'm on this earth. I've been lucky to chase giraffe in Africa and I am very grateful for my time there... but I want to see Machu Picchu, sing to my wife in Italy, tour the Holy Land and climb Kilimanjaro.

While I was in South Africa I read some words in Afrikaans that have stuck with me.

Gryp Die Dag

Many of you know it's Latin counterpart, Carpe Diem. Both say the same thing so both are obviously good but Gryp Die Dag, said in a gluteral and milataristic voice full denotes expedient and forceful action. Carpe Diem is so much more poetic and light.

That being said, two questions to think about?

1. What is one thing you feel you MUST do before you kick the bucket?

2. What is the most rewarding thing you can do TODAY?

My thoughts after watching the movie are in line with Baird's poem:

Time flies on wings of lightning;
We cannot call it back;
It comes, then passes forward
Along its onward track;
And if we are not mindful,
The chance will fade away;
For life is quick in passing.
'Tis as a single day.

Life your life with a sense of determined urgency. Reap while the sun shines.

Entertain me and leave a comment with your answer to question #1. Maybe there's a prize for whoever leaves a comment with the most original answer.

Perpetual Education Fund

A friend of mine was featured in an article on the Perpetual Education Fund (PEF). The PEF is a loan program offered through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with the concept that loan repayments will fund future student loans and thereby perpetuate. The great thing about the fund is that it allows people an opportunity to gain education and training where they otherwise may not be able to. Here's one of my favorite quotes from his interview:
“It’s not just education. It’s not just getting a diploma or getting a degree. It’s not just a career. It’s so much more than that. It opens doors for you to grow individually” Viwe Xozwa