tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14421550834607630532024-03-12T21:56:17.458-06:00The Way It IsRandom thoughts that occasionally come to my mind. Every now and then I let them out. New post every Monday.Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.comBlogger210125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-35766282931100468662014-11-14T07:00:00.000-07:002014-11-15T22:28:52.707-07:00An Old Man and Ice CreamEveryone wants to change the world, right? Or am I the only one? The older I get the more I'm resigned to the fact that I'm not going to be in the NBA, (that ship has sailed) I won't be the next Warren Buffett, and I'm not going to invent some cool gadget like Steve Jobs.
The realization of all this, combined with an experience I had with an old man and ice cream, has changed my perspective of Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-44098748979075313962014-11-13T07:21:00.000-07:002014-11-13T07:21:34.592-07:00I Promised to Never Be Like My DadWe all have our struggles in this life. Sometimes it's easy to recognize the weaknesses of others and not see the good. That's how I was. Especially when I was young. Especially when it came to my dad. More than once I promised never to be like him.
I grew up with great friends who all had great dads. It seemed to me that the relationships they had with their fathers were a step above the one I Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-77416050623429624112013-06-06T23:48:00.000-06:002014-11-11T20:34:49.615-07:00God Bless the Selfless Soldier
As you read this post, please follow the links to learn more.
God Bless the selfless soldiers who
offer their life for me
But cursed be our country’s leaders
who “spread democracy”
Please comfort families back at home
that worry every night
And judgment be upon evil men who
pretend we need to fight
Keep safe our sons and daughters who patrol fields of poppy, oil, and grain
BelievedBen Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-63154848298185903612013-05-22T19:14:00.001-06:002014-11-11T18:55:46.812-07:00My Last Days: Meet Zach Sobiech
He went down fighting.
At age 14, Sobiech was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer which mostly strikes children. CBS reported that during his treatment he underwent 10 surgeries and 20 rounds of chemotherapy. He started writing music after his diagnosis.
In May 2012 his doctors informed him that he had up to a year to live. Sobiech recorded the song "Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-12096156031036103082013-01-23T10:11:00.003-07:002014-11-20T12:14:12.884-07:00A Reason To Be ThankfulIt's been bitter cold these past few weeks. Bitter cold. The "this makes me not want to ever go outside" kind of cold. Temperatures in the low teens every day, sometimes dropping into the frigid single digits. It's all I can do to make it from the door to my car that is parked in the garage. I'm just glad there is never a significant windchill here in Utah.
The severity of the cold triggeredBen Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-61434887136564527662013-01-14T13:08:00.001-07:002014-11-11T20:45:49.466-07:00Welcoming Dad
This is the best part of my day, by far! Is there any wonder why? Not many people have this kind of reaction when I come into the room. This is just one reason why this angel baby has stolen my heart.
Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-8882696976915592912013-01-09T08:51:00.004-07:002013-01-09T08:51:54.438-07:00My Child Is Worth More Than YoursWhat price would you put on a child? What price would you put on YOUR children? How about those of Sandy Hook Elementary? What about children in other countries, are they worth less than us?
It appears they are, according to the viewpoint of some. How can we justify the killing of hundreds of thousands of children in war? Take a view of this 0:23 second clip and let me know your opinions of Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-64533507884359503062013-01-04T08:47:00.001-07:002014-02-21T16:02:40.106-07:00Les Miserables at the Movies
I have yet to see the movie Les Miserables in the theater, but was expecting to. I then came across this article from "The Catholic Wife" and now I'm not as excited to go. Here's what she said. What are your thoughts?
Les Mis – A Drop of Poison Spoils the Cup
I think it’s important to protect your own soul from impurity – crude or mean lyrics in music, excessive violence, and the Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-20735485010060185152013-01-02T20:57:00.000-07:002013-01-02T20:57:08.707-07:00Demand a Plan - Sandy Hook ElementaryHave you seen this latest public service announcement that includes a huge list of celebrities all pleading with us to "demand a plan" of action to stop gun violence.
In my opinion, "actors speak louder than words." Check out this video which includes the celebrities words and works as well.
Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-85936976537947286112013-01-02T09:02:00.000-07:002013-01-02T09:02:17.320-07:00One Of My SecretsMany of you don't know that I'm an avid boxer. Here is me with my gloves on.
Here is a video of me in action.
Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-61882799454728207402012-12-28T08:38:00.000-07:002012-12-28T08:45:37.084-07:00Can Somebody Cry For Me?I've had this image in my mind for days. I keep seeing this sweet little Iraqi girl sailing into heaven after being killed. This is what she is saying to me, and I don't know how to answer her.
I sail away into the sky
As I stare down below
My home destroyed and family dead
Now to heaven I go
But none will talk of how I died
No cameras are at the scene
No weeping eyes or mourning Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-14020411438969763292012-12-26T16:37:00.001-07:002014-11-19T14:07:46.220-07:00Now Is The Time To Kill Santa ClausIt's the moment I always knew would come, and it's the moment I've always been dreading. It's time to tell the kids the truth about Santa Claus. There are a myriad of reasons we're doing it and a bundle of worries as well, but the pot is boiling over and it's time to pull the plug on the greatest parental deception of all.
I must first say that I love Santa Claus and I always have - ever Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-83089311293311116892012-12-19T10:03:00.002-07:002012-12-19T10:03:22.458-07:00An Unexpected GiftThis video clip is amazing. We all experience hardships in our lives: death, divorce, fear, loneliness, etc. There is peace that can come, and that is beautifully reflected in this short message.
Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-13527390056622135482012-12-14T09:41:00.001-07:002014-02-27T11:31:29.383-07:00A Suicide Story - Part OneI've seen the amazing things social media can do. It
connects, informs, motivates, and infuriates. I've been part of some pretty incredible experiences thanks to the
miracle of technology. How many people can say they've saved a life because of
Facebook? Probably not many, but I can.
The details of that experience are too sensitive to share,
but that and other experiencesBen Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-31883163675155333842012-12-10T21:37:00.002-07:002012-12-10T21:37:41.796-07:00Four Foods That Save LivesEverybody turns to food at times. Sometimes there is just nothing else to do, sometimes your body craves it, and sometimes it's just lying around. These are the four foods that I want close by in times of need.
1. KFC's cole slaw - Colonel Sanders got it right on this one. Cole slaw is one of those things that is hit or miss. Kentucky Fried Chicken's version is a definite hit.
2. Hershey's Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-37327551760694994982012-12-08T15:43:00.000-07:002012-12-08T15:56:57.436-07:00A Most Influential Mormon Missionary
Many have declared this era the "Mormon Moment", a time when people are starting to understand a little more about who we are, what we believe in, and what we stand for. Most attribute this to the candidacy of Mitt Romney, who's presidential bid ended last month. However, there is one man who's influence upon the "Mormon Moment" might also be characterized as significant, perhaps even incredibleBen Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-76100186279297976572012-12-07T08:40:00.002-07:002012-12-07T10:06:55.587-07:00TNT - They Know Drama
Who's the guy that had the idea for this little advertising ploy? I wish I had his job. If you haven't seen this video clip, see what happens when this biker presses the red button!
<!-- adsense -->Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-18186685988995714712012-12-04T21:24:00.001-07:002012-12-05T11:36:13.664-07:00Why Are You So Annoying, Why?One of the more well documented annoyances of being a parent is dealing with the cursed "whys". Some experts say that between the ages of 2-4, children are most likely to grill their parents into submission. From my experience, it's more like 2-infinity. At times it is extremely cute, but after a while it becomes insanely annoying.
Why this?
Why that?
Why do this?
Why do that?
Why not this?
Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-45006084454308827072012-12-02T11:39:00.000-07:002012-12-26T15:55:21.736-07:00The Slow Death of a Magical Christmas
Christmas as a youngster was nothing short of magical, and Christmas Eve was easily the greatest day of the year. My childhood imagination running wild, snow falling softly on the frozen ground, family braving the cold temperatures to share the holidays, and the comfy living room lit solely with the brilliant glow of the lights from the beautifully decorated Christmas tree.
I loved it all!
Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-50009503243250666432012-11-28T12:48:00.000-07:002012-12-05T09:25:17.484-07:00The Five Most Viewed Movies Of All-TimeAlright, so maybe the title was a little deceiving. It's true in part, but I left out two words: "By Me". I recently was reminded of a movie I used to watch over and over as a kid. I loved it. I decided to scour the internet until I finally found one company that actually sold the movie. I bought it for the kids and they loved it too! Now my little boy can have a crush on the same girl I had a Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-4131904372940037592012-11-27T11:23:00.003-07:002012-12-05T09:25:32.974-07:00A Christmas Slap In The Face
I wanted to post a Christmas memory from two years ago that taught me an incredible lesson.
Yesterday my wife and I were watching Miles hobble around the living room. She mentioned that he was lying in her arms in the foyer at church and would occasionally pop his head up after she would ask "Where's Jesus?". He would look up at the wall and point to the picture of Jesus.
I wanted to Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-49172927875774087812012-11-21T07:11:00.000-07:002012-12-05T09:25:50.837-07:00Divorce's Loving BetrayalSometimes circumstances bring a very bitter taste of devastation. I want to share one of those experiences with you, an experience that literally felt like a punch in the gut. It was one of those rare moments when emotional pain turned into physical pain. Even now, I'm shocked at how I reacted.
A long time ago I had two friends that were perfect lovers. They oozed love for each other. They had Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-79508302148908942582012-11-20T11:11:00.001-07:002012-11-20T11:11:49.620-07:00Wash You How?We had close to eleven inches of snow last week. The kids and I spent most of the following day building an igloo. It was so much fun piling on the snow and carving out the "quarters". I almost slept in the thing it was so beautiful.
Due to the rigorous labor and multiple layers, I sweat through my clothes and my jacket stunk. We decided it was time to wash it, so to ensure it didn't Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-31050045555884295852012-11-17T16:01:00.000-07:002012-12-05T09:26:13.349-07:00Your Vote Counts, But Does It Matter?I’ll have to admit. When it came down to it, on election
night, a part of me wanted Mitt Romney to win over Barack Obama. Does that mean
I would have voted for him? No. There’s a big difference. I feel that I am
accountable for who I vote for, so I never would vote for someone who doesn’t
adhere to certain principles. At the same time, I recognized that perhaps the
only thing our country had Ben Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1442155083460763053.post-91484943599577569862012-11-16T22:58:00.000-07:002012-11-16T23:00:43.862-07:00Goodbye to the Hostess TwinkieThis has been a little outrageous. Twinkie fans everywhere are up in arms with the news that Hostess is going out of business, meaning goodbye to iconic cake products such as Twinkies®, CupCakes, Ding Dongs®, Ho Ho’s®, Sno Balls® and Donettes®. Bread brands to be sold include Wonder®, Nature’s Pride ®, Merita®, Home Pride®, Butternut®, and Beefsteak®, among others.
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In memoryBen Arkellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498238407869065383noreply@blogger.com0