It's all about the Frame.

Every once in a while, I feel like life teaches me some important lessons. Some of the lessons are worth sharing, some aren't. This latest lesson is one that I have pondered a lot over the past years, and one that I think is more and more true every day.

Typically, we choose how to describe our lives to others in various forms. The way we present these things can have an auxiliary affect on our lives as well. We see it everywhere from every day conversation, to Facebook, to Instagram, to Twitter. People are constantly giving us clues to their lives and how they feel about their own lives. Positive or negative, we constantly get feedback on people's lives.

I am constantly bombarded with these messages. Here are a couple of examples.

Me: "Hey man, long time no see...How are you?

Friend: "Oh you know, just trying to make it through." (My Friend chose to present his life as a victim)

Here is another scenario.

Me: "Hey, how's it going? It's been a while."

Friend: "It's going great. Seriously. It's a good life."

Me: "I wouldn't expect anything else out of you, how's your cute wife?"


Friend: "Riley, she's awesome. We've been married for over 25 years now, and it just keeps getting better. I am a lucky man." (My friend chose to present life in a positive light).

I am not sure how to illustrate this better than with my own life.

Scenario 1: I am a 40 year old man who is married with two kids under the age of 3 and I have bounced around to 3 different jobs in the last  calendar year. I have struggled mightily in life that has included disastrous events like being benched my senior year at  Utah State University as the Quarterback. I have had over 7 jobs in 16 years. I have been overlooked for leadership jobs in the past because I was single,  and I didn't even get married until I was 37 years old! I am way behind in life because I didn't even purchase a house until the age of 30! Life has been difficult, and when I look around, there are a lot of my friends that have a leg up because their parents can help them with connections, networking, and monetary advantages.  At present, my wife is working, and I am taking care of the kids to help ends meet. I am not sure where my next job is going to come from, and quite frankly, it seems that every time I start to get some momentum, life kicks me in the face. I just can't seem to get a break. Why do bad things happen to good people?

Scenario 2: Am I ever a lucky man? At present I am a husband to a beautiful wife and two children. My wife is an unbelievable supportive woman who is smart, intelligent, kind, and funny. I have been blessed with outstanding parents. They have been huge "Riley" fans. They are always there with a supportive word, encouragement, and belief in me. There are a lot of people with loving parents, but none like mine. I fulfilled a lifetime dream of playing Quarterback in college at Utah State University where I  graduated cum laude and debt free. This has been a source of constant blessings in my life. Some of my jobs, contacts, and networking have been, at least in part, because I was able to play football in college. At present, because my wife is so outstanding, and because the Lord is good, I have been pushed to pursue co-ownership of a company called Mountain West Elite in a full time manner. There are so many opportunities with this company. I am blessed that my wife has a full time job and I am able to work from home. This gives me ample opportunity to grow my business and be the husband and Father I have always wanted to be. The future is bright. Gratitude is abundant in my life right now.

So you tell me, which scenario is true? Scenario 1 or 2? The truth is that both scenarios are accurate. At the time of this publication, I choose to frame my life as scenario 2. What good does scenario 1 do me? Absolutely nothing. I choose to be happy. I choose to be grateful. I choose to be content. I choose to frame my life in a way that uplifts others and myself. How do you frame your life? It is ALWAYS your choice how you decide to describe your life. You can describe your life as a horror film or a love story. I choose love. Every time.

It's a new day.

So it has been over 6 years since I have been to my blog site. I figure that today is as good as any to start again. I am going to try to write on this blog more often, as I feel that I am becoming more and more likely to opine as I get older. This is really as good of a forum as any for me.


Since my last post I can't even to begin how much my life has changed. I am married to the wonderful former Georgann  Manolis. We have two children, Alexis and Jack, ages 2 and newborn. They are beautiful. I have had an inordinate shift in thinking since I have these two bundles of bedlam. I hope they can handle the pressures of this world in a way that would be pleasing to our Heavenly Father. I hope they are courageous. I hope they choose the right. I hope they love the Gospel and Jesus Christ. Most importantly, I hope they find happiness in the Lord, as this world will pull them in many directions.


I recently (in the last year) have bounced around from all jobs that have provided steady income. I am giving a full effort to a company that I co founded called Mountain West Elite, and I can't believe how many possibilities and opportunities have opened up in the last month. I am also taking the GRE on October 30th in hopes of going back to school for Sports Psychology at the University of Utah. I am nervous about the test, and I am nervous about going back to school at the age of 40. There are two reasons that I want to go back. 1) I love the subject of Sports Psychology and the possibility of working with athletes. 2) I want my children to know that I wasn't afraid to take a risk, and that I find education extremely important.  I am grateful, humbled, and content to be part of Team Jensen. I hope that these next adventures becomes a good decision for our team.


see you soon.


Riles

Triathlon Season is here!

So it is officially here and I am officially in season right now! Triathlon season. It seems that it comes at me fast every year, and this year is no different. I have now completed the Utah Summer Games triathlon (sprint) and the
XangoEcho (Olympic) so far this year. It has so fart been a great year for me and triathlons.

For those of you who don't know, the distance for a sprint triathlon is roughly (1/2 mile swim, 12.5 mile bike, 3.1 mile run). For the Olympic you simply double those figures (1 mile swim, 25 mile bike, 6.2 mile run). Both are quite challenging for different reasons...

In the last triathlon that I was in... I was having a little bit of trouble during the bike...I could feel myself getting tired. It was funny because the song that came into my head to help me was the Utah State fight song...I started singing it out loud! I can't believe how much it helped! Anyway, I would highly suggest triathlons to anyone who is thinking about it! I can't believe how good I feel.

Riles

What's in a Saying?

My Grandpa, My Mom, KC (#88), and Me (#44)

Sayings...

So I was talking to my roommate the other day, and he said that he wish he had a notebook so that he could write down all the sayings that I have. Do I really have that many? I started to think about how many sayings I have. I guess there are a few. More importantly I started to think about why I love quick and concise sayings. It stems from My Grandpa Clark Owen Thompson. He seems to be the most beloved person in my family, and for good reason. He was quick with a smile, a compliment, and I am not sure there is anyone that could make you feel better about yourself than he could. I know that when I was with him I felt like I could do anything! I have vivid memories of this man, and to think he passed away when I was only 7! Here are some snidbits and sayings that have been passed down over the years from Good Ole Grandpa Clark (may he rest in peace.)

I have put some sayings that I have acquired over the years next to his. If any of my friends are reading this blog. Please write down some of your favorites that you have heard me say. I may just be repeating my grandpa, but as you can see he is beloved. If you are family, please write down any other sayings that you remember Grandpa Clark saying…

Grandpa Clark
--She needs an over the shoulder boulder holder.
-- She’s going to have black eyes and bruised knees”
--I love myself I love me so, I took me to a picture show, I put my arms around my waist, I got so fresh I slapped my face.”
--spectacles, testicles, watch and wallet"
--Spinal Mengitis, I got it amen
--You (or I) have a good memory, it's just short!!
--Don't go by without passing
--When giving a toast say "here's looking up you old address"
--Rooty toot toot, rooty toot toot…we’re the girls from the Institute. We don’t smoke, we don’t chew, and we don’t go with the boys that do…well…2 outta 3 ain’t bad.
-- She had Russian hands and Roman fingers.
--I need to go see a man about a horse.
--I need to go and powder my nose.
--Here's your hat, what’s your hurry
--Don't let the door hit you on the way out
--Feels so good out, i think i'll keep it out all day
--I'd rather owe it to you, than cheat you out of it
--Sit down before you fall down and break something
--The carburetor doesn't carb, the batteries don't bat and the pistons; well they don't work either
--The fall won't hurt (kill) ya, it's that sudden stop at the end that will hurt(kill) ya
--I've (or you've) got a hitch in my (you're) get-a-long
--I have to go to the bathroom so bad I can taste it!!!
--I (or you) have good taste, too bad it is all in your (my) mouth!!!!
--Heads I win, tails you lose!!!
--You have a lot of class----- without the CL

--Here's your hat, what's your hurry.

Riley Sayings...

--Don't let the door hit you where the good Lord split ya.

--I hate to see you leave but I love to watch you go!

--You're so full of crap your eyes are brown.

--Get up and get gone.

--I've been sweating like a bad girl in church.

--Shut the Front Door! (With a look of, are you kidding me?)

--Damage!

--Bastage!

--Son of a biscuit!

--Holy Shiite Muslim!

I know I have a ton more! I just can't think of them right now!

Please send me some new one's or else send me some that you know I say all the time!!! Peace out!

Riles

Mustache May!!!

Wow. That's really all I have to say about blogging. I never thought I would do it. Well, it looks like some of my friends have talked me into it. I can promise you that I won't write that often, but when I do it could be incredibly funny, boring, interesting, genuine, and flat out lame. I ain't promisin' nothing. In fact, I am not even sure who my audience will be. The fact of the matter is that the older I get, the more comical this thing called life becomes. I promise to tell stories about my family, my friends, and about stupid things that I hear about. This thing could actually be fun if I can focus for more than three days. We will see if I can do it.

I have often told friends that if I were a good writer, that I could make millions off of my Dad. He is the most complex individuals on this Earth. He is also one of the funniest, albeit not on purpose. I have put a picture of him on the left here with my niece Malia. Anyway, there will be all kindsa stories on him to come. I can't even wait to tell the stories.

At the urging of my friends, I have decided to mention a few different things. One is Mustache May. For me, I am not exactly sure what the big deal is about Mustache May. Pretty much lived with one all my life. My Dad is a true 70's man, complete with mustache, sideburns, leisure suits, various tight sweat suits, turtlenecks, corduroys, wide collars, Adidas Stan Smith Tennis Shoes, bell bottoms, mosquito repellent Old Spice cologne, and white patent leather shoes. Yep, that pretty much describes him. So when my friends presented Mustache May to me in the glorious year of 2002, I had no choice but to join them. I have been rockin' the Stache since 2003 with great pride. For many of the men involved it means various things. For me, it is my glorious chance to poke fun at my Dad through costume, facial hair, and attitude. In fact, my Dad didn't even realize that I have been making fun of him until this year (do the math, that's 5 years later!) Anyway, love you Dad! Here are some of my interpretations of you thus far!

That's right, there's something about an Aqua Velva Man! Every year this event brings hundreds of men together for some "bonding." Honestly there is nothing like it that I have seen. Too much fun!

As you can see! There are plenty of Beautiful Women who have "bought" into the program. We are proud of you ladies!