Still wanting real

"We have the opportunity to make a real difference in each others’ lives.  Far too many of us are steeped in negativity and focused far too much on our obstacles. . . . Focusing on our obstacles will yield a reality of obstruction and frustration.  Focusing instead on our opportunities will create a reality of opportunity and freedom."

It’s been a long time.  I never imagined where my efforts back on 12/12/12 would take me.  I started a blog to vent frustration with a woman who summarily rejected me without really knowing me.  It was a song I knew all too well.

My blog continued, and I learned some great lessons that first year.  For example, the effort I’d adopted as my own personal ministry couldn’t be about me.  It had to be about people.

So with the start of a new year in 2014, I moved my blog to a website dedicated for housing the succession of posts I would publish every Wednesday.  That was four years ago.  And I have a weekly post for every Wednesday since.

In my first post at the new home, I shared the philosophy behind my efforts.  It all came down to wanting real.  My effort has evolved in those four years.  But my desire for real is as strong as ever.

---

Begin the begin

Four years ago I wanted to help LDS singles conquer the challenges of LDS singles life.  That desire has driven my evolution of the past four years.

Today we take the next step in that evolution.  Today we jumpstart Joy in the Journey Radio with a regular weekly broadcast.

Four years ago I spoke of turning conventional wisdom on its head by not sending annoying marketing emails to my audience.  Now I’m turning conventional wisdom on its head again.

The weekly broadcast will comprise a talk show format.  However, unlike most talk shows which feature special guests selected because they’re somehow notable, we’ll feature the average Joes from across the spectrum of the LDS singles community.

I believe that so-called ordinary people have extraordinary stories and perspectives that can uplift and strengthen all of us.  Their contribution will make the program more real than any lineup of notorieties you can assemble.

---

Change the culture

Most of my weekly blog posts over the last four years have generated no comments, but I didn’t care about that four years ago, and I still don’t today.  My effort is not about me; it’s about making a contribution that will improve the lives of LDS singles everywhere.

I’ll still work to engage everyone in the conversation we need to have about LDS singles life and changing our culture.  That’s why I’ll invite married men and women on the program as well as in the audience.

Four years ago, I cited our need for a conversation about what it means to be single in a family-centered culture.  And we need to move the center of our culture towards Christ.

That need is as great today as it was then.  What impact will our conversation make if we have it only among ourselves?  We must include our married brothers and sisters if we want to see real change.

---

Called to serve

You may have noticed how I’ve been using plural forms — “we take the next step” and “our journey.”  That’s because none of this is about me.  It’s about something larger than any one of us individually.

We have the opportunity to make a real difference in each others’ lives.  Far too many of us are steeped in negativity and focused far too much on our obstacles.  Our focus will always determine our reality.  Focusing on our obstacles will yield a reality of obstruction and frustration.  Focusing instead on our opportunities will create a reality of opportunity and freedom.

That is real, and that is what I want for all LDS singles everywhere.

That’s why Joy in the Journey Radio exists, to uplift and strengthen LDS singles everywhere.  We do that by offering content intended to impart positive energy and improve the lives of singles of all ages and backgrounds.

Because this is about something much larger than me, I can’t do it alone.  I’m calling on LDS singles everywhere to contribute to this effort by volunteering.  There is so much that needs doing.  If you’re sincere about wanting to improve the lives of LDS singles, that willingness alone qualifies you to help.  Go now to the contact page of the website to make yourself counted.

I’m still wanting real, and if you want real in your life, come join me.  It’s a brand new year and a brand new Joy in the Journey Radio.  We will lift and support one another as we journey towards our heavenly home.  And that will bring us more joy in our journey.

---

You can listen to the monologue from today's episode of Joy In The Journey Radio here.  Please also feel free to continue the conversation by leaving a comment below.  Want to hear more?  Listen to the whole show by going to the show page for this episode!