Impact Change

 This week learning about impact evaluation and change reminded me that knowing the full impact of the things you do is not as easy as it would seem. Data is important in identifying the impact. Evaluating the data on a daily weekly, monthly and yearly can help you understand the impact you are having. Figuring out how you will measure success is and important step. Also identifying the steps you must take to measure that success. Figuring out your impact and the steps to get to that data will help you understand the impact of your data. 

The eight word mission statement was very interesting. I won't lie, reading long drawn out ,mission statements often never get to the point. Having 8 words really gets to the point. These mission statements include concrete results and they talk about the what, not the how. These are made by using a verb, a target population and an outcome in eight words or less. 

The article Starfish Hurling and Community Service gave a new perspective I had never though of. The author suggests five problems with the story. First, the story is simplistic. Most of the time the problem is much more complex.  Second,  the story is apolitical. The starfish have no voice. Third the complexity is not addressed as we don't know why the starfish are washing ashore. Fourth, the story demonstrates and emotional response rather than a rational one. Lastly, the story is about random acts of kindness. It is an interesting take on a well known story,. I think some things can be simple and often emotional responses are what get things moving. Random acts of kindness may not be the most efficient way to get things done but they are important for the population you can affect with your act. 

Design thinking

I thought this week was going to be difficult for me because I think I am not a very creative person. I really enjoyed the ted talk by David Kelley "How to build your creative confidence". I realized that I do have more creativity then I think and I need to use that creativity. I think I just need to revisit it and get comfortable with it. I also realized that I don't want to be a person who squashes other peoples creativity. Creative design is a process of finding solutions to problems in our world. There are a few process' to design thinking but the basic overview is understanding a need by observing and engaging. Nest step is define the issue and a solution. Then brainstorm different solutions and come up with a plan. The last step is to test out the solutions. Human centered design is imperative as we need a deep understanding of the needs of the people we want to serve. 

I am so glad I took the time to watch the optional video for this week's study called "Design for the Developing World" by Christopher Mattson. When he spoke about putting our capacity to design to work on difficult problems, I realized I need to stop holding myself back. My strong suits are with people and if I am able to be people centered and understand what people need and be creative with my solutions I can solve problems.

This is such a needed skill to have in social innovation. We must have creative design. Understanding a need and them creating ideas around that need are how we will solve problems. It takes critiquing and evaluating and doing the process over and over again. It is hard work but the benefits of solving social issues are exciting!

Be the Change

 I love this week's lesson! The phrase "Be the change" reminds me that everyone has a place and something they can contribute. When it comes to Social Innovation, the Ballard Center uses a pyramid with social entrepreneurs on top. They are fewer in number. The next level is Implementers. This is the level I see myself at more than a social entrepreneur. I would implement the ideas of a social entrepreneur within the framework of the job or organization I work or volunteer at. An implementer encourages those around her to move towards a more social innovation task, trying to get her organization to move towards a goal of making a difference in a social issue. The third level is a volunteer or a donor. Spending time helping in a social issue that you feel passionate about is a great way tp help a movement, cause and issue move forward. Without volunteer and donors it would be nearly impossible to get the work done. 

This weeks reading included and article titled "What is your Calling in Life" By Jeffrey Thompson. This was exactly what I needed to push me toward figuring out what my life calling is. In fact last weekend I spent some time contemplating and praying for that exact question. I loved how he offered things you could ask and "Heresies" that sometimes we fall into. It reminded me that I need to put the work into figuring out what my calling is. I loved a quote by John Calvin that said God gives us talents and gifts and it is our job to figure out what those gifts are and how to use them to bless other people. 

We may have a jumpstart on others as our patriarchal blessing usually lists some of our gifts. Mine gives me several and then tells me to work on them and enhance them. I want to be able to use these to bless other people and myself. The scriptures tell us that we have access to all the spiritual gifts. We need to ask for them. We can use the gifts God has given us to bless others. He gives them to us so we can help His children. It is our responsibility to move towards making a change in this world. God has given us everything we need on this earth to solve the problems we face. We need creative people who are willing to use what God has given them to make the change in this world. It starts with each one of us as we pray to know where we are needed and what the Lord would want us to do. |It seems to me that we have been given so much that we need to give back and fight for a cause that can and will make a difference. We can be the change we want to see in the world. 

Social Innovation

 Social Innovation was a term unfamiliar to me until I began this class. Social innovation is coming up with a new more effective and more long term solution to a problem that affects society as a whole rather than just individuals.  I love this concept. It is a way to contribute to society and make lasting change in a neighborhood, community, city, state, country or globally. The idea is brilliant. Innovation is using creativity to problem solve to create social value. It comes in the form of a product and a process.

Social Entrepreneurs are the people who are the game changers. They are the ones who make the changes happen. They are continuously innovating and creating  and learning. They are courageously moving forward without being constrained by the funds they have. According to Say-Schumpter Social Entrepreneurs the catalyst behind economic progress.

The video about the Ballard Center was very moving. It is impressive that BYU is working so hard to find solutions to issues in our world. Some of the solution's the students have invented have made a dent in the issues affecting our community and even globally. It is amazing that there is a way to use your creativity and problem solving skills to change the world, even making it possible to make a living doing so.

One possibility as to why Social innovation is more prevalent today could be the idea that we like in a culture of abundance. We have everything we could ever imagine and often times when people live in abundance they want more. That means we are looking past the things we could own and looking to make a difference in the world. Many no longer struggle for the day to day survival and want to change the world. 

Weight on your back

I joined a cross fit gym a few months ago.  It has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. It pushes me both physically, and mentally.  Everyday I wonder if I will make it through the workout and fight a battle inside myself. The one thing that I have been thinking alot about is lifting weights.  We lift often.  We do a heavy lift day every four days, however we usually incorporate some lighter lifting into our WOD's (workout of the day) several times a week.  Last week we did front squats.  I saw this meme.

I have been thinking about this for days.  I totally agree. Usually when I get ready to lift I start with a lighter weight and slowly build up.  When I get to a working weight I start my workout for the day.  Usually it is something like 6 sets of 5 reps.  The thing I have realized is usually the weight is so heavy that I am afraid every rep.  When I take that bar off the rig I am afraid that I will not be able to stand up after I have squatted. I am afraid of failure.  However, one thing I am realizing is that when you keep putting yourself out there, always chasing a heavier weight, always trying for a PR, you will fail. You will get to the point that you have maxed out and are not able to stand back up with that heavy weight on your back.  Failure is ok.  If you are working hard and chasing your dreams, you will fail.  The thing about a back squat is that if you fail you just let the bar roll off your back as you step forward and the weigh falls off.

I loved this idea when I was thinking about failure.  As we work towards our goals and are chasing our dreams, there will be failures. As we are trying to survive this journey we call life, we will fall.  It is what you do with your failure!  Do you let that heavy weight hold us down or do we let it roll of our back and stand up.  Do we turn around and try to make the lift again or do we walk out of the gym?  Do we cuss and swear and throw a tantrum? It is what we do with our failure that makes us who we are.

We have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and pick that bar back up. You have to have the tenacity to keep trying.  You eventually will be able to stand up under the immense weight on your back. Failure will happen but if you keep at it, you will eventually make the lift. We can't be so afraid of the failure.  It is what makes us the people we are.  This so much more than the successful lifts.

  There are days when life is just too heavy and my muscles are just too fatigued to stand back up. I can't do it! No matter what I do I just can't stand back up.  In my life, I know that my Savior and Heavenly Father are on both ends of my barbell. On those days where I HAVE to stand back up and I just can't do it, I know they are on each end and lifting where I can't!  I am so grateful for that knowledge and the spiritual and physical strength I have received from squatting!

Wholesome Recreation

Hiking, trips to the coast, backpacking, road trips, scuba diving,  camping, drive-in movies, Portland Saturday market, and game nights is just a short list of the things that my family has done together this summer.

D. Todd Christofferson says, "Just as honest toil gives rest its sweetness, wholesome recreation is the friend and steadying companion of work."

It seem sometimes that all this life revolves around is finishing the work week only to begin again the next Monday. The truth is, we need a break from that work. We need a time move away from the grind and to spend time with our families.

Elder Oaks states, "Remember that our Savior Jesus Christ always builds us up and never tears us down. We should apply the power of that example in the ways we use our time including our recreation and our diversions."

What better way to apply the example of Jesus Christ than to spend time with our family? The more time we spend with our family in a wholesome environment, the stronger those relationships will become.

M. Russel Ballard states, "Seeking out the best recreation can actually provide families with spiritual nourishment to overcome trials and resist temptations."

What better blessing could we ask for by simply giving up our time to have a good time with our families?

I am blessed with the time I have been able to spend with my family this summer because I know that it has given renewed strength to my children and myself as we have become closer. We have climbed mountains and descended beneath the ocean together. From sleeping on the cold ground to laughing through a movie, this summer of wholesome recreation has brought my family closer together.

For that small moment

Sometimes I get down on myself because I am not able to give my children everything I think they deserve.  Do they have the necessities of life? Absolutely...they have never once went hungry, been without clothing, or not had a home to call their own.  However, they haven't always had the vacations I would like to take them on or they opportunities to go to EFY or other activities they wanted to try like horses.  Since becoming a single mother, it has been even harder to provide all the things I want for my kids.  Now, if I read another mom's blog post saying those things I would instantly want to tell her that those things are not important.  I know it, but this is the truth of this mama's heart.  I want to take my kids to Disneyland. I want to go on a church history trip.  I want to have a nice car for them to drive. Those are the desires of my heart.  I know these things are not important. In fact, my kids have had to work for everything they have. This is a good thing. They are so strong and appreciate the things they have learned. They also are really proud of the things they have accomplished. However...in my heart of hearts I wish for something different.

The other day I was having a pity party.  One of those days when you feel like you are failing and wishing you could give more than you have. I went to my room early and pulled out a book and started reading.  I was trying to give myself an attitude adjustment.  I wasn't in their more than 10 minutes when my 19 year old daughter came b-bopping in and jumped on my bed with her book.  We started talking and laughing.  Pretty soon my 16 year old son and 14 year old son ended up in my room as well.  We were cracking jokes and laughing and teasing.  My boys were standing in the bathroom off my bedroom looking at themselves shirtless in the mirror and were discussing life events like how many chest hairs they had and who had the biggest traps when the spirit spoke to me and told me that this was what life was about. These were the moments that I wanted to cherish.  For that one instance my life was perfect.  I had my kids with me, we were happy and so content being together.  The spirit bore witness to me that for that moment my life was perfect.


I have a saying on my wall over my piano. It says " Enjoy the little things in life because one day you will look back and they will be the big things".  This was a little thing...my kids laughing and joking and enjoying being together. I know that moment was a tender mercy from the Lord. He reminded me of the immense blessings these children are in my life.  He reminded me that my life is perfect. For that small moment, everything was perfect!