The World According to Tyson

DISCLAIMER: This content may be offensive to some. Some readers may feel singled out or called out. This is not my intention, but rather my intention is the same as it has always been with this, my own personal blog. I share my thoughts based on my own experience - perception is everything. You may perceive things differently. That is what makes us all unique and makes the world a special, albeit sometimes difficult place to live. If you are reading this and think I am specifically talking about you, maybe I am. Or maybe I am speaking from an amalgamation of you and many other people I've met throughout my life. This is not exactly a fun one to write, but these are some things that are on my mind that 1) I feel need to be said and 2) may help others as it helps me simply by "getting it off my chest." I don't take to accusations or bullying. But I do sometimes tell it like it is. And, admittedly, I could easily be writing about myself as well. Please don't send me ...

First of all, I noticed that once again, it has been over a year since I last wrote. Where the hell does the time go? It is 2020, so I'll tell you where it went - right down the crapper! I don't know why I am so inconsistent with writing in my blog. I mean, I know I'm super busy, but writing in my blog is so therapeutic to me; one would think I'd make it more of a priority, especially when I'm just barely keeping it together and thus, need all the therapy I can get. I did discover that I started a post back in April about being in this together, but obviously, that never came to fruition. Perhaps I will come back to it someday. Nonetheless, here I am with another ramble. A few years ago, at work, my boss said something interesting to me. She said "Tyson, your niceness is rubbing off on me! A few months ago, I would've fired [this person] on the spot without thinking twice about it. Now, I want to give him another chance." While, on the surface, she mea...

I type this up as I am just coming to the realization that it has been over a year since my last post. I can't believe it has been that long! This post was intended to be about how we always look to something in the future, never the moment right in front of us. But as it hits me how much time has really gone by since I last wrote something up here and what has transpired, I find myself looking back, not forward, and still, not necessarily at the present moment. For the longest time, I thought that something was wrong with me because I couldn't ever focus on the here and now. But, in talking with other people, it has been revealed that, while there are indeed things wrong with me, the fact that I fail to "live in the present" is not at all unique to me. So, why do so many of us fail to really live in the moment? Perhaps you've heard of the term "mindfulness." Essentially it is about being in a full state of awareness. So, as the name would suggest, ...

First, I'd like to thank everyone who has added to my discussion on Facebook regarding feeling homesick while one is already "at home." While I didn't get responses from as many people as I was hoping and expecting, the quality of the responses I got was astounding. And I'll take quality over quantity. This is something I've been thinking a lot about for the past few weeks since I first read someone asking if it is possible to feel homesick when one is at home. This question has really stuck with me, especially because it kind of put to words what I have been feeling for quite a while. We bought our current house in November 2009. So, one would think that after having been here for almost 8 years to the day, I'd feel at home. I don't. I wouldn't say I've never felt at home at all here, and I'm not sure if this feeling has just come up as of late since life as I knew it (and marriage and family life as I knew it) is now gone. Perhaps I ha...

This post is one that I have felt needed to be written for a long time. But I have avoided writing it for a number of reasons. I won't go into the why nots, but I will go into the reasons I feel like it needed to be written. To start the "whys," I will explain why I write a blog. There are 2 main reasons I blog, the first is rather selfish - it is therapeutic to me. I can't explain how or why, but it is. The second reason is really 2 fold - 1) it may help others by reading it 2) it may help others to help me. This will likely be a longer post that usual. You've been warned. It may seem to odd to people that someone who is has been happily married for almost 10 years and has a child could ever feel lonely. Perhaps someone reading this is currently or has gone through a similar situation where they have a chronically, seriously ill spouse. If you are or have been in that situation and never felt lonely, I commend you and ask for your secret. If you are someone wh...

Sometimes I hear a song that just totally gets me. Today it is "For What it's Worth" by one Liam Gallagher. It's not a cover of the Buffalo Springfield song and isn't about Vietnam. It is an apology to his fans, which all you fellow 90s Alternative fans will understand considering the volatile nature of the band Oasis, mostly due to conflict between the Gallagher brothers, Noel and Liam. I'll post the video below, but some words that really hit home with me are: "In my defense, all my intentions were good. And Heaven owns a place somewhere for the misunderstood. You know I'd give you blood if it'd be enough" "For what it's worth I'm sorry for the hurt. I'll be the first to say I made my own mistakes." "Sometimes we lose our way." I feel like I've lost my way. I'm not the person I was back in Middle School, or High School, or the mission, or college....  Heck, I'm not the pers...

This is my first blog entry since February 2016. And what a lot has happened since then! I can't believe it has been that long. I kept meaning to make a new entry but life got the best of me. I had a lot to say and still do. Sometimes I just have a hard time putting it down. And I fear that as I start to type, I will change the subject over and over just like I do when speaking to people. Anyone who grew up with me, especially those of us in Deseret remember me being told by one of my church leaders that I have the attention span of a hummingbird. It's kindof an interesting phenomenon because when I talk, I can sometimes jump from topic to topic, with or without any sort of connection; but yet I did relatively well in school. They actually at one time thought that I may have some form of attention deficit, but when they realized I graduated Valedictorian (in college - I was far from that in high school), they said it isn't very likely I have a hard time paying attention. I...

Well, despite my best efforts to be active in updating my blog, I just discovered that is has been almost a year since my last post. Is it because I've been too busy? Sure, I could say that. Life does keep me pretty busy. But as I'm back to not sleeping real well, I'm up late enough and thus, theoretically have plenty of time. So, what is the real reason I haven't "blogged" as of late? Simply, I've been too lazy. To make it just a tad more complex than that, it's actually I haven't been sure what to write or how to start. I have lots of ideas that pop into my head all the time and I actually think it would be a good thing to blog about. But, here we are... I feel like my mind is always racing and I am trying to figure things out. Maybe I'm a tad analytical. Maybe I just can't focus. Who knows. But the fact remains that I have a lot to say. And to be honest, for years people have thought I just say whatever is on my mind. To an extent t...

Someone complained about some of my blog posts asking me what makes me an authority on the topics. While I don't actually owe this person an answer to such a rude, condescending question, I will answer, as best I can. And my answer is twofold. First, I never claimed to be any sort of authority on the topics. This is my personal blog. I write what comes to mind and try to express what I feel. If what I write helps you in any way, great, if it doesn't, oh well, the price was right. Further, I had a conversation similar to this with the executive director of a local non-profit on which I serve as an associate vice president. I was explaining to her that I don't feel like I am necessarily qualified to serve on the board as I don't have a direct connection with the issues. But, I will gladly share my skills, talents and own experience to help the organization as best I can. All I can offer is my own background and experience along with a passion to help. If I am able to...

It is now officially 2015. I will try to avoid the cliché New Year's post. Namely, I will try to not make this all about "resolutions." But honestly, with the new year beginning, we are getting older, and the world is at least one year closer to the Apocalypse. There are plenty of people who, like myself ( realists mind you, not necessarily  pessimists ), can find plenty of negative in the beginning of a new year. So, celebrating the new year with resolutions can be very positive and uplifting, however cliché that might be. Every year it seems I struggle to set new goals or resolutions. Mostly because I know how likely I am to not actually achieve said goal. Which leads to one of my goals for 2015, but I'll discuss that later. Another reason I have a hard time with this is because any self-proclaimed life coach or resolution aficionado (if there is such thing) will tell you that your goal must be specific. While I like to consider myself one with impeccable attenti...

Anyone who knows me very well, knows that I like to consider myself a bit of a music buff. I even prefer the term aficionado. While I am not very talented with music, I do take great pride in my knowledge of music. Sometimes, certain songs just touch me or strike a chord with me that I couldn’t ever even try to explain. Because of how important music is to my life, I come across songs like that quite often. While I have always been a fan of the band “Live,” I especially think the words Ed Kowalcyk sings in this song, and the accompanying music, have such meaning and a deep, important message for all of us. I don’t remember a time hearing this song after 9/11 when it wouldn’t bring tears to my eyes. But, not just tears, also a love and appreciation for those fighting for the freedoms we take advantage of, often without any thought at all. I’ll never forget where I was or how I felt on September 11th, 2001. I don’t at all want to make an unfair comparison, but lately everyone has been ...

I received some disheartening news today. A young couple, both of whom I grew up with, just lost their baby boy. For 10 years these 2 have been trying to have a baby. Finally, they found out she was pregnant with their little miracle. For 38 weeks, everything was normal and looked good. Then, at their regular check-up, their doctor was unable to hear a heart beat. Their little miracle suddenly became the nightmare no parent should ever have to endure. This young couple and their family had to say hello and goodbye to this little guy at the same time. I can't even imagine what they are going through. I don't even want to imagine, nor would I ever want anyone to know what that's like. After being told we'd likely not have kids of our own, we were so ecstatic when we found out Ariana was with child. Being the way I am, every doctor appointment I was so worried that we'd get that terrible news. I'll never forget seeing Alexandra for the first time and knowing this...

Everyone has their own battle, everyone has their own cross to bear, everyone has their own struggles. No matter how you say it, or which cliché you use, the fact is, everyone, without exception is going through something that others don't know about. Whether it is physical or emotional, literal or figurative, no one gets through life without some sort of challenge, struggle or lesson. Further, none of us knows everything someone else is going through. We may thing Mr. Jones down the street has everything. He has the biggest house, most beautiful yard with a swimming pool, tennis court and even it's own meandering stream. We make think it's unfair that he has everything and we're struggling just to keep the lights on. There are 2 important facets to consider: 1) Do we have any idea how hard he worked for what he has? Have we ever considered how much time, hard work and struggles it took to get there?  And 2) Do we have any idea what struggles he goes through on a day-...

Tonight I had a great experience! I had the honor of accepting an award on the behalf of Adobe Systems Incorporated. It was a great honor to represent such a great company in front of such great people who do so much for the community and society as a whole. Tonight was the Community Service Awards for the Epilepsy Association of Utah. Adobe was awarded the President's Award for its donations and support. Even aside from actually accepting the award, just being there was a great experience. I was touched to see the great work of various people in researching, treating and raising awareness of Epilepsy. I learned a lot about both the organization and disease, both of which I didn't know a while lot about. It's always amazing to me to see the dedication and passion people have for helping and serving others. Regardless of where you stand on the Medicinal Cannibis issue, one can't help but be touched by the story of Charlee Nelson, the namesake for HB 105, now known as ...

It has been a longtime since I last "blogged." I still hate that word, but whataya do... Anyone who knows me knows that I am very opinionated and will openly share my opinion, sometimes not I need the best forums. And, sometimes I offend. I don't apologize for my opinions, but I do apologize for coming across as very abrasive. I often use Facebook as my medium for expressing my ever-growing opinions. I like using Facebook and/or Twitter because it allows me to reach a large audience at once and get input from my friends and family. The downside is, feelings and expressions don't come across that way, much like this medium as well. I sometimes (far too often) says things that make it sound or look like I am "ripping someone apart." But, in the same conversation in-person, one could easily see that I'm either being sarcastic, stirring the pot, or honestly seeking further conversation. That being said, there are definitely times where I was less-than-plea...

When I started my blog, the intention wasn’t for it to be all “doom and gloom.” However, it seems that it has inadvertently become that. I simply wanted to write what was on my mind. And that is exactly what I did. With this entry, I want to go a different direction. The video I am going to post here talks a lot about God. However, that is one topic I generally don’t write or really talk about to the general public. Further, that isn’t the reason I am sharing this video, nor is it what I want to focus on. You can take whatever you want from the video, obviously. But as for me, I was just so touched by the selfless love Larissa has for Ian. It’s a little less than 10 minutes. But it is definitely worth watching. Larissa & Ian's Story What do you think the world would be like if more of us practiced such true love? Obviously, no one would wish to be in the situation these 2 were. And none of us know how we would respond if that happened. We can say “I’d do the same thing she d...

If one was to put all of their money on a certain reason as to why so many average Joes like myself feel so inferior, or insignificant in the world, what would you put your money on? I'm not a betting man, and never really have been. And, further, I don't really know what makes everyone else tick, but, I think for me, the biggest issue is my constantly comparing myself to others. I see other people who I grew up with finishing (or finished with) law school or medical school. Or, ones who have several kids. Or, live in a cooler place in bigger house, have a nicer car. And the list could go on and on and on and on.  Why is it that people such as myself feel that way? I know I'm not the only one. So, where does it come from? Is this something we let Society do to us? Is it something we have control over? Are we just really that vain? I don't even think this song is about me! Isn't vanity based solely on physical, or monetary things? If that is the case, th...

Today's post will be brief. But it is important we welcome in the new year with great goals, ambitions, and plans. For me, 2013 was quite an eventful year. Some of these events were great, some, not so great. But I learned a lot. Going forward in 2014, I expect to learn a lot more. I haven't yet set specific resolutions for 2014 (which I usually don't keep very long anyway), but I WILL make this next year much happier! This will be a year where I once again love life. I will feel better and hopefully not have to spend as much time in the doctors' office or hospital as I did in 2013. I am going to make this book a great  one!

I like to consider myself a comedian or comic of sorts. And someday, I will have some blog posts most focused on that direction. But right now, I'm still trying to state the many things on my mind into words. I don't want anyone to think that my blog is all "doom and gloom" or that it just brings people down. I want it to uplift. And sometimes, it order to that, we need to be blunt and talk about the proverbial "elephant in the room." Then, once it is out in the open, we can begin dialogue in which we can uplift one another. I also don't want anyone to think I am any sort of "authority" on these topics. I am simply stating my feelings from my life experiences and experiences that others around me have shared. With that in mind, I hope you understand where I am coming from and that I am not a Psychologist or any sort of expert. After some comments I received personally from my post on depression, I feel the need to address a related, but co...

To quote the Lorax, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not.” I first read that book long before I was old enough or smart enough to really understand what that was even saying or what that meant. Now, as an adult, when watching the full-length film adaptation of that book, I appreciate those words a lot more and realize that I've modeled my life around that since longer than I even knew. I've always wanted to leave the world a better place than I found it. It may seem proud or even trite to say this, but at times I may be accused of caring too much. There have been times in my life where I cared so much about something that I had no control over, but still needed to give my input. Sometimes in the professional world, this has hurt me. But in the end, no matter the result, I haven't regretted saying or doing what I truly felt needed to be said or done. I consider this a personality flaw. But if I was ever to look bac...