Red Light. Green Light. Red Light.

IF you've ever been a small child, and I'm quite certain you probably have been, there is a good probability that you, at some point in your life,  were able to play the game of red light/green light.

I, for one, have played this game on many occasions.

When I played, I understood the rudimentary rules. If someone yelled,"Green light," I knew it meant I had the right to run as quickly as I could. I also knew that when someone yelled "Red light!", I I had to freeze in place for the time being.

I wasn't aware however that in real life these rules applied to other things.

(I would like to point out that driving is NOT one of the things that these rules apply to. Though I do believe stopping at the red light is good, you probably don't have to completely freeze, and also I believe that driving off as quickly as possible is not the smartest idea.)

In life, things seem to stop us from getting to our destination when we want to.

"Things" can include problems that are self-induced. If we stand waiting for someone to yell "Green light!", we might miss out on the opportunity standing in front of us.

Other times, the red light may be what we want to reach if we just could. BUT, something or someone is standing back telling us, "It's not time yet. You just have to wait a while. Stop for a second. I can't let you go any further."

Yeepp.

Because sometimes worthwhile things take time. And don't come when we want it. Actually, that can happen a lot more than sometimes.

We can't get a college education over a day. We can't fall in love in a minute. We can't find true happiness in a second. We can't achieve a forever family in less than forever . (My forever family....cute, right?)

And lots, and lots, and lots of trials will slow us down, preventing us from achieving what WE want when WE want it.

Luckily,  after red lights come green lights. We may be told, "Stop! Wait awhile. The time isn't right yet," but God knows when the time really will be right.

And when that time comes, He won't just ask us to run. He'll help us to fly.

:)

Looking Towards the Future, in Life, in Journalism.

This will be my last blog for my principles of journalism class, and there are things that I think I've learned along the way.

Who knew that journalists were supposed to be such honorable people?

I don't know what will happen for sure for journalists in America, but there is a comparison that is often used for directions in life.

A train does not suddenly switch to a whole new direction as it goes along the tracks. It is in increments--as said by a prophet of the LDS church, 2 inches were all it took for a train to end up in a totally different state.

That's the way it goes in life. A small decision, taking a class in a certain major, who to go on a date with, whether to read your scriptures that night, those things create the person you become.

The world is made up of people's decisions. While I have grim expectations for this country in the future, I feel journalism is being taken down a more corrupted track inch by inch, I do know that there will be people who will stand up for things that are worthwhile.

The journalists that come from Brigham Young University, perhaps they will have the integrity to fight for freedom of the press.

When things come down to it, good will stand together.

Marketing Yourself as a Journalist.

There are a variety of celebrities in this world. Some are songwriters, musicians, actors. Others are athletes, models, bodybuilders.

Some celebrities are journalists.

There are obviously advantages to getting your face out there in the journalist realm. For one thing, YOU will   make more moola and have more options in working. Plus, come on...you could get fame...which is something many people want, right?

On the other hand, will you be doing your job? Some people like people just because they know them.
I'll be honest. If Matt Smith(The Doctor, Doctor Who) were to market something, I'd be more likely to get it. Just because...I idolize the television show. Likewise, people may believe what you have to say just because you are a famous journalist. Marketing yourself may make what you have to say become more about you and less about the information you are giving, to some at least.

So, just be careful.