After not posting for an exceedingly long time, I wanted to restart by posting some things I have been pondering about recently.
Change is super hard. Haha. I think it is because changing ourselves isn't something that is possible. Change is possible, but doing it to ourselves isn't possible. Because our brains become somewhat hardwired by habits, I feel like it takes supernatural power to REALLY have permanent change. Just by seriously increasing your input of uplifting music, inspiring talks, and helpful books doesn't in and of itself change you. Even when we stop doing a habit, that doesn't mean we have necessarily CHANGED. It takes a lot of humility and prayer and a miracle from God for it to be permanent. At least this is my experience regarding change.
Regularly talking about the good and bad in our lives is critical to sanity and growth. I realized a few weeks ago that for 4 straight years in college, I was part of a faith group where we could talk about how we are really doing and learn/grow together. Wow. I didn't realize how helpful that was at the time to have people I could be REAL with in a safe environment. Now, more than two years removed from that, I am seeking to develop/foster 1-3 true friendships with fellow guys. As for me, I realized that my friendships with girls are super difficult because I'm a guy and she is a girl. Haha. While I'm more naturally gifted at talking with girls, male friendships or brotherhood is a much better long term solution! It has been good overall. I haven't had a peer who I expose my good and bad to on a regular basis. We seek to break through the 'politically correct' stuff and REALLY share what is going on. The one friend of mine I have right now is getting married soon and briefly shared his experience talking with his fiancé about their honeymoon expectations. Dang!! Haha. I didn't think about that before!! Suffice to say it is amazing to have such a good friend who I have been through things with and we are now starting to learn and grow together.
I am super excited to experience true change of heart. I know it is real and possible. I have experienced it to some degree already!! :) I was reminded today that a commitment today without work tomorrow won't last. I know that change is a process and that by doing what I need to TODAY, I can ultimately be changed! I also excited to experience the fruits of true male friends. I am so pumped to go through life's journey with them. I feel like the friendships will be critical for me and them. We shall see how it goes!!
FYI, I'm planning to write 1x/week. We shall also see how that goes. I desire to become more gifted at writing!! So it's time to write. :)
Have an amazing week. :)
Jeff Campbell
Copying a great friend of mine... I would like to leave you with my first favorite scripture. I love it because it gave me hope that I could change. It gave me hope that my simple desire to change/learn was sufficient to begin my journey. :) It comes from the Book of Mormon in Alma 32:27.
"But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words."
