SodySpokes

This post found on FrugalDad.com:

The Difference in Being Frugal, and Being Cheap

What is the first word that comes to mind when I say the word frugal. Cheap? If so, you are not alone. Most people tend to incorrectly associate being frugal with being cheap, when in fact they are two entirely different ways of looking at financial life. Dictionary.com defines frugal as “prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful.” The same online dictionary service defines cheap as “stingy; miserly.” But the differences don’t stop with the words’ definitions. Frugal people spend, give and consume a little differently than their”cheaper” counterparts.

Followers of frugality generally believe in being lightweight consumers of resources, whatever those resources may be. For instance, many frugal people prefer to make meals from scratch rather than paying several times for the cost of equivalent foods at a restaurant. Cheap people also frequently look for deals, but still could be heavy consumers of resources. Many cheap people will buy things on sale just because they are on sale, not because they really need them. Frugal individuals hunt for sales, too, but buy only enough to live on for the immediate future. (Read the article)

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Thomas S. Monson, “May We So Live,” Ensign, Aug 2008, 4-9

Suddenly and without warning, on a bright day in September almost seven years ago, two airliners crashed into the twin towers of New York City’s World Trade Center, leaving devastating destruction and death. In Washington, D.C., and in Pennsylvania, two other airliners came down, also as a result of a terrorist plot. These tragedies snuffed out the lives of thousands of men, women, and children. Evaporated were well-laid plans for pleasant futures. Instead, there were tears of sorrow and cries of pain from wounded souls.

Countless were the reports we heard of those who were touched in some way_”either directly or indirectly_”by the events of that day. Rebecca Sindar was on a flight from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Dallas, Texas, on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001. Her flight, like all others in the United States at that time of tragedies, was interrupted; the plane was grounded in Amarillo, Texas. Sister Sindar reported: “We all left the plane and found televisions in the airport, where we crowded around to see the broadcast of what had happened. People were lined up to call loved ones to assure them we were safely on the ground. I shall always remember the 12 or so missionaries who were on their way to the mission field on our flight. They made phone calls, and then we saw them huddled in a circle in a corner of the airport, kneeling in prayer together. How I wish I could have captured that moment to share with the mothers and fathers of those sweet young men as they saw the need for prayer right away.” (Read the article)

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I belive that my imagination directs my life and is influenced by my life. When I was growing up I was forced to go outside and use my imagination. My imagination formed me into what I wam today. My brothers and I would have to take the every-day blasè stick and make a toy out of it. We didn’t have "cool" toys or brand name anything. We were forced to live out our childhood with whatever we found on the ground.

In consideration of the "forest" and the "cup" along with their respective meanings what I saw in my mind’s eye were closer to memories of confortable times. When asked to envision a cup I did not get a fancy china vase, I got a plastic collapsible pink cup. I still have this cup today, because I love this cup. I can not find another like it. The fact that the cup referes to my childhood is great. I had a wonderful upbringing. I described the forest form a campout I went on that was particularly good, with the trees and sky just the way it was that day. It was a glorious day and my life so far is glorious. Except for the unexpected bear that pops out of nowhere. Who, when living a blissful life, would not be surprised when out pops a problem from the middle of oblivion? Naturally, I was a little shocked by it’s emergence. After I saw the bear I walked up to it and started asking some "getting to know you" questions. In real life when faced with a problem I confront it; not an all out attack, but I get to know it and how to deal with it.

Now picture a weather-worn, red brick wall covered in moss and vines taller than your head. This represents my out look on the future. A dead end? No, rather the unknown. I am only able to imagine what is on the other side. "Uncertain the future is. "When let to wonder, my mind found many things on the other side of the wall. A run-down mansion with unkept grounds. A desire to explore and a need for adventure fills my being at the very thought of this mansion. I guess that will always be a part of me, the need for adventure, or change. Sadly I never actually went over the wall. I have no idea what the future holds for me; only my imagination can tell. Then comes the water, in all it’s forms. First is the scene on the beach. beautiful palm trees, old coconuts on the ground, fallen logs, and the smell of the ocean. That is my out look on liferight now. Just sit back and enjoy the scenery. No need to rush into anything, I am still young. Now aquariums, that is a different story, I saw two of them. One was about five feet long and two deep. Many fish were in it along with rocks, plastic divers, and castles, etc. Behind that one I saw a huge killer whale tank, but no fish, no descriptive attributes, just the tank and water. This is how I perceive marriage. No, not polygamy,more of I would be happy with a small marriage, nothing fancy. I could do big, but there would be no emotion in it.

As far as character goes, I have been molded by my imagination into a sort of artist. I would rather make snow-dogs and build thrones from bricks than solve for "x". There is a saying that goes, "Its not what you look like on the outside, but on the inside that counts." I am one hundred percent for that. It took years of hard work and imagination for me to look as good as I do on the inside.

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This is written for anyone who is really interested. I had minor surgery on Friday, November 30, 2007. I had Dad take me to the Granger Medical Urgent Care, Friday morning around 10. There had been a “growth” building up and it was very painful on Thursday, even though I went through with my scheduled plans. Friday morning I had Dad & Alex give me a blessing, then Dad took me to work. I called him when it got so bad I couldn’t stand it, and asked for him to take me to GMUC. We got there at 10:25am and about an hour later we went into an exam room. Doctor Devenport came in and asked questions and said it was a typical complaint. I had a cloged duct to a gland. There was nothing I could do to prevent it, there is nothing I can do to prevent it happening in the future. But, to solve the current problem, there was surgery. He cut into the gland and drained it and put something in to help with the drainage, ordered antibotics and said I was done. So I said, “Life as usual?” and he said, “Yes, in about three weeks.” I guess that is how long it takes to fully drain & heal.

Should you be interested in more details - please call and talk to me personally.

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