Why We Celebrate Easter

Dear Everyone,

Happy Easter! It was 22 years ago that I was born today, and there are a couple of things that I have been thinking of. I want to share something about Easter that came to me right now, as I sit on a bus heading home from Utah to Idaho.

Easter as we celebrate  it is a celebration of Christ over the Grave. It is a celebration of victory. It is a celebration of completion, of happiness, of life, of hope, of the future. We are those who survive Christ, and that people so long ago. Each year we take some time to be grateful for what we have, but I want to take it a step further this year. Let us take it to the step that we will do just that in our lives.

Let’s celebrate our successes. Let’s celebrate our good grades, our accomplishments. Let’s decide that we will Carry On and move forward with our lives! The best birthday present anyone could give me would to be a promise that he or she will never ever give up. You want to make me the happiest friend ever? Be happy with the things you have, and make your life more than that! Find beauty in the mundane, and make the mundane impressive!

Don’t allow yourself to settle in life,  especially with yourself. Don’t accept mediocrity! Don’t allow your Monday’s to be bad! Make rainy days the ones that are the sunniest! Do you realize how much YOU can do? Do you know how much any one person can do? One person who was just like us saved the human race. We can’t quite do that because He already did, but we can do quite a bit! Doubt and fear rob faith. One of the wisest people I know told me once that worrying shows a dedicated lack of faith.

I also recently heard a good saying about doubting, and how it isn’t worth our time. Can we really afford to waste even a moment of our lives worrying all that much? Please don’t misread—I’m the chief culprit here. If worrying were an Olympic sport I would have a few gold medals to pin on the wall! HOWEVER! I work every day to not worry so much. I work my mind and heart together to fight against my weaknesses. That’s what Christ did. That’s what He taught us to do.

He already felt everything that we will ever feel. He already knows how amazing you are. We are given weaknesses not to trip us up or to tear us down, but rather to lift us closer to God and as an opportunity to grow and learn. I can’t think of anything better to do than to overcome.

That’s what Easter is all about too, isn’t it?

To sum up today’s message, I invite you to overcome something and come forth a better, stronger person. I know you can!

I love you all! Happy Easter!!

-Doug Knuth

New Week!

Dear Readers,
Well, we have another week in front of us! This one is special for all of the Christian world, and for me (my birthday!), but most of all it is going to be special for YOU! Why you may ask? For no reason at all--and yet for everything. YOU are an amazing person that is going to save your world this week! You are going to make a decision, take a chance, do something fantastic, that is going to make all the difference!

This week will be one worth remembering. This week will be something out of the ordinary, simply because it is a week in which we will live that will never happen again! We are constantly living in history, and this week will help us grow and will NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN! How amazing is that! We have a limited number of chances to make a difference in the world. I don't want to even think of how boring my life would be if I didn't ever make a difference.

Sure, at times I take a little while and unwind on the computer. We all do! The thing that will make this week amazing though, is what we do on the computer, and whilst we are away from the screen!!!!

There are so many good things in the world! Broken Record Doug is saying it again, the world is an amazing place! YOU MATTER! YOU CAN DO IT!

I just want to jump around and yell! I believe in the people around me so much, we just have to be able to look in the mirror and see those amazing things in ourselves and then go and act on them!!

We can change the world! We WILL change the world! It won't be through complaining or negativity. Cynicism will never get anyone anywhere, and pessimism is there on the couch next to him! Optimism will win in the end. I will forever be the Optimist. I will never ever give up and I will never ever give up on you, my reader.

Listen to your favorite uplifting energetic song to start out the week and then make it happen! You're dreams are calling, and they want to meet with you. They're waiting right where you put them! Go and get them and make them happen!

Have an amazing, fantastic, sunny, bright, energetic, healthy week, and remember that you are loved!
-Doug Knuth

Rexburg or Bust and Bursting with Optimism!!!

Dear Readers,

I’m writing this on the way home to Rexburg right now! Having a long car ride to think about things has filled me with a new sense of purpose and excitement about life and I wanted to take a minute to write about that! I was just listening to music and I thought—why don’t I just have an amazing day, and then an amazing week, work really hard, get work done, be happy and amazing, and just make the whole world know it?!

Well, I may not be able to touch the whole world, but I know what I will work to make my corner of it brighter and better than it was before! I love the world, and I love what I am doing! I am learning and growing in an amazing university, I have been blessed with amazing friends, and I am living in an amazing part of history! I live in an age where I can talk to my mom on Facebook from an airplane and write a blog post in a car! I can do anything!

I am one person, but one person can make a difference in the world! Yeah, we all have down days. Down weeks, months, or even years sometimes. It doesn’t matter that we have hard times. What matters is that we are part of the human race. We make up part of a group of beings that are learning, growing, and moving forward to a better tomorrow.

Sure there are bad things in the world. Sure there are natural disasters happening. What is the important part to remember though? The important thing to remember is that we have a choice. We can make the world sadder, darker, and harder to bear, or we can make it shine.

Every one of us has within us infinite potential to do good and make things better! Why focus on sad things? I know that I sound like a broken record with this, but it’s only because I go around and hit the same part in my life. I need to remind myself, or be reminded, that there is good in the world, and that it is worth fighting to protect! We’re change! We are the ones that will make a difference! One day at a time we can be that future that we want!

Have a great week everyone!!

The Golden Rule, and Thumper's Mom

Dear Readers, 

I want to start with a small update, especially after last week's less than enthusiastic post about my inner drama! This weekend I was very uplifted and I am now having an amazing week! I found out that many things are going my way, and one of the best is that I only ever have to take one math class in college! I will survive--Huzzah! I also won a fun contest on campus, enjoyed seeing Les Miserábles again, had an amazing time at an etiquette night with a good friend of mine, and the list goes on and on! 

Onto the post for the night though. Around Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and most social media sites I am surrounded by a large demographic of people. There are those that are affiliated very strongly with certain political parties, and all those in between. This isn't limited to the internet, but it is easier to track and see it there. I see a lot, and I read a majority of the things that people write. I give time to the things that people pour their souls into, and I appreciate that everyone has their opinion. There is an issue though, or a few, that I can't seem to fight past. 

The issue is a lack of common decency. The world is in a degrading state and it is a societal norm to post whatever comes to your mind. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it really is causing problems. Where will it stop? Who will be that one person that you won't say something bad about in a post? What is that one thing that is too personal to share? When is it not okay to post something? The lines and limits are shifting and being erased by us as a whole, and it has to stop. 

I've mentioned it before in my blog, and I doubt that anyone that is doing this will read here, but I am so sick and tired of people mocking and slandering our president. I will openly state that I voted for Mitt Romney in the past election, but I will not resort to being less than childish about the way I speak of him. Guess what americans--HE IS STILL THE PRESIDENT! This is where Thumper's mother comes in. "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all." For any cynical grammarians out there we will ignore the double-negative there and get to the point. There is an endless cacophony in our minds of what will draw attention to ourselves online. What can I do or say that will be radical or funny? How can I be seen or heard? How can I tell anyone that something unrealistic is true, or that something that isn't even a possibility is going to happen? To all of this I repeat the words of a very wise man: STOP IT. 

We will never get anywhere in this world, or in this life, if we continue like this. There is enough bad stuff in the world as it is. What will complaining do to it? What will--I am going to stop here with that thought. I don't want to complain about it. What do I want to do? I actually want to do something about it. 

Here's what I really want to say;

-Stop existing, and start living.

-You can't spend today worrying about tomorrow, and yesterday is gone. You can spend all of your todays regretting your yesterdays, but until you get up and go and do something, nothing is going to change. 

-Be trusting. 

-Put yourself out there. 

-Make a difference for the better in the world! 

-Respect your leaders. Whether you think they deserve it or not. (Even if you don't agree with them)

-Be one worthy of the praise that others give you.

-Be optimistic. Putting yourself or others down doesn't make anyone look good, and there isn't any point to it. 

In general, I don't think that any of you that will read this need to worry about the things that I am saying. I am grateful to know that there are people in the world that are willing to listen to me rant around. I just want the world to be a better place. I won't follow blindly, but I will not be uncouth in my dealings with those around me. 

Last of all though; do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 

We can't ever run out of nice things to say or do. No one will ever show you disdain over a good deed. There are always opportunities to do good in the world. Why don't we take them more?

Thank you so much for reading. I care about you and want you to have the best week ever. You deserve it. You can make it happen. 

Sincerely, 

Doug Knuth

Crap Happens- I will never give up

Dear Readers,

Nothing big has happened in the last week and a half. No life-changing events or tragedies. In fact, everything is going my way. I love college, the people that are here with me, my teachers and classes, and yet I am still just in a slump today. In fact this week in general for whatever reason I have just been a little down. Who knows why? I sure don't know. The only thing I know is that I am down, but I will never give up.

There have been too many times where I gave up for inconsequential reasons--that I decided to be scared instead of brave. I have left too many battles un-fought and too many challenges left by the wayside. I know that this is just another opportunity to grow and I will recognize it as such. I have the chance to choose right now--the chance to change the future for myself.

I will choose Joy over sadness. I will choose Bravery over fear. I will choose to make the hard decisions instead of doing what is easy. Whatever karma may ensue for these statements I will endure it. I will not give up those things that I deserve in my life because of a gloomy beautiful day.

Nothing can get in the way of my happiness except myself and I want you to know that I will not let myself give in!!!

The world is amazing. There is always something that I can do to learn or grow and I don't want to let it pass me by.

I acknowledge my flaws and shortcomings because I know that they are a part of who I am, but I will not be ruled by them. I will accept responsibility for my actions and I will face the consequences for them--be they good or bad.

I will be the captain of my soul and darn it I WILL BE HAPPY. Today I just sort of want to cry myself to sleep for no reason, but I won't do it. I will not. I will study, I will lift those around me, and I will serve until the sadness is all gone from my heart.

I don't want you to either. Don't let negative feelings control your life. Don't you dare be less than you are. I want you to smile for no reason other than knowing that you are special. I want all of you to remember that you are important and that you matter.

Don't you ever doubt that. You deserve better than to do that. Every one of us has challenges and setbacks every day. We will all fall down sometimes, but don't let that define your life.

Be amazing.
Be wonderful.
Be someone's miracle.
Be the difference.
Be an example of what you want the world to be.
Be optimistic.
Have joy,
and have a good day.

-Doug

President's Day Resolutions

Dear Readers,

I know that it is only February, but I want to make some resolutions for President's Day! I want to renew the things I pledged myself to do on New Years! There isn't any reason for me to give up on those goals, and I want to make them something that sticks-- something that I really am willing to fight for!

I'm sitting here studying in the library and I just feel so happy. I know that I am in a good place in my life and I want to make it even better. The snow is melting and I am seeing the first glimpses of spring around the corner. The earth is waking up for the new season and it is such an invigorating thing to witness!

Don't give up on your dreams. Don't let your hope go. Fight for the good things in your life and keep moving forward! There are so many wonderful things to do in life! Don't waste a minute. I believe in you out there and I want you to believe in yourself! How can we just give up when there are so many amazing things in the world around us! I can't even think of how amazing everything in the world is!

Today is a beautiful day, and you are a beautiful person. Never forget that. I know I won't.

Let's usher in the week doing our best and building a better tomorrow-- today!

Les Mis again, working out, snow, and the BERG!

Hey there readers!

It has been a little while, but school does take its toll on you! I have been meeting people and making friends, working my butt off studying, working out, and in general just loving my college life! 

To start off I have been going to the gym for the last month or so! I am so happy with the changes that I am seeing in my energy, in my body, and in my stress levels here at school! I have been making an effort and although it is really hard sometimes I know that the benefits are super amazing! 

There was snow again today, and that made me super excited! I finished my workout and was walking home when it just started coming down! Nature loves me! 

I joined a really awesome group called student support here on campus a couple of weeks ago and now I am getting to the point where I am really involved! Helping people have a better day is so much fun and I love it! There is no cost to be positive and it has some amazing side-effects! There isn't anything better than to see those I love and care for happy and well! 

**LES MIS SPOILERS**

As I mentioned in the title I saw Les Mis again today! I have seen it three times now, and I focused on yet another amazing point that I hadn't thought of! Each character has a sort of sad story, but in reality they all have amazing stories of hope and love! Let us take a look at this! 

-Javert- Yes, he ends up killing himself, but he understands that there is mercy and love in the world. He really has the saddest of all the stories in the movie, since he really doesn't understand love until the end. 

-Jean Valjean- Has an amazing journey in which he learns how to have Christ-like love for those around himself thanks to an inspired priest. He may be followed by a crazy cop, but he shows love and compassion to all he finds. And he is the best father-in-law ever! His story ends being greeted by someone that he served and loved! 

-Fontine- A sad woman who falls on the hardest of hard luck, but the whole time she wants nothing more than the safety of her daughter. She holds on in the lowest of the low situations to save that person that she loves most and through the kindness and love shown by Jean Valjean she can rest easy knowing that her daughter is safe. She dies knowing that her purpose in life has been fulfilled. 

-Cosette- One of the happiest stories. She may have a hard start due to her mother's death, but Jean Valjean makes sure that her life is a happy one. 

-Marius- His friends may have died, but his father-in-law really made a difference. He ends up with a great girl in the end, and he stands up for what he believes in. 

-The Boys of the Barricade- They stood up for what they believed in and died knowing that they made a point and started something. They died as men with honor. 

-Eponine- Yeah, everyone is probably thinking that this is the real saddest story of all, but it really isn't. She has a hard life because of the scummy family that she has, but she is a true friend. She has the unrequited love card, and don't think I didn't weep for her, but she gets to do some very noble things for her friends and for the man that she loves. Not to mention that he holds her and loves her as she passes away. 

In the end this movie actually teaches us to look forward with hope. Les Miserables may mean the miserable ones, but it really sends a message of hope. If we really fill our lives with purpose then it doesn't matter what the ending may be. We will perpetually have the life we live each day-- and the chance to make it something worth living for!

Don't wait until tomorrow. Don't wait to do that nice thing for someone. Don't wait to tell someone that thing they do is great. Don't wait to tell someone that you love them. 

Tomorrow always comes, but we never know if we will be there to tell people tomorrow. 

I hope that you all have an amazing week and I invite you to take courage in the fact that I love you, believe in you, support you, and expect great things from you! 

I love you all! 

-Doug Knuth