The Vortex of Southern Charm

I've been thinking about this post for awhile now. The title isn't actually of my own making but of a friend of mine who we will call E. Bennett. No, no. Elizabeth B. (Name has been changed to protect her identity.) She knows who she is. She actually helped me start thinking about this topic a few months ago whilst we served as missionaries in Long Beach. So I guess I'll just go ahead and dedicate it to her.

Elizabeth B. This is for you!

What is The Vortex of Southern Charm anyway? 

Well I'll be honest and say it started with a guy... As most things tend to. The first thing I liked about this guy was his accent. He opened his mouth and spoke and I fell hook, line, and sinker. And as it usually goes... He didn't feel the same way. Of course. 

As I talked to Elizabeth B. about this guy with the accent, she started talking about how it's that Southern charm that just SUCKS you in and before you know it... You are flat on your butt staring up at the sky with no idea how you got there. Haha. Lately, I've been thinking about this Southern Charm and what it is about it that I like. I decided to choose 10 things that I liked the most. Here they are in no particular order: 

1) The Accent- as previously stated. I'm just a sucker for it. 

2) A Sense of Decorum (manners)- My friend Lauren, who is originally from Mississippi,  is AWESOME at always sending thank you cards to people. It's just ingrained in her to do it and it's something that I admire and try to emulate.

3) Southern Gentlemen- Alas, I have another friend from Mississippi who is such a southern gentleman. Yes Ma'ams and such. Add the accent and it's so charming!

4) Barbecue! I don't eat a ton of meat but I enjoy a good barbecue with the tangy awesome sauce. And people in the South just seem to know how to make it just right.

5) Fried chicken. I'm not talking about KFC chicken either (which originated in Utah). But the legit fried chicken at home. Mmmm.

6) Sweet Home Alabama. Both the song and the movie. (Fun Fact about the movie- it was actually filmed in Georgia.) 

7) Country Music. I don't know the exact history of the genre but I know that A LOT of the artists from this genre come from the South... like Scotty McCreery!! 

8) To Kill a Mockingbird. It's written by someone from the South. It's about the South. How much more Southern can you get?!

9) Matthew McConaughey. Nuff said.

10) Dr. Pepper. Born and raised in Waco, Texas. This is my poison of choice, which is why I don't drink it that often. 

These are just a few of the things that suck me into The Vortex of Southern Charm. But what it really boils down to is the guy who started the Vortex in the first place. He's one of the most aggravating people I've ever met but between his accent, his blue eyes, and his natural charisma... I was helpless. I got sucked into his Vortex of Southern Charm- along with a dozen other girls. *eye roll* Alas, all hope is not lost for me. (Or those other girls.) Good things do come from the South. Not just sweet talking boys who turn your knees to jelly (I'm talking to you Matthew McConaughey).

Remember to Smile Always!

Chuck

P.S. I am fully and completely aware that I am a totally ridiculous. I find much delight in it. :)

Smile Always Chuck Spotlight: "See You Tonight" Scotty McCreary

This week's Smile Always Chuck Spotlight is...

"See You Tonight" by Scotty McCreary. 

This song is one of my current favorites just because I love the sound of it. Also, I LOVE Scotty McCreary's voice. It's a very "melt like a popsicle on the Fourth of July" kind of voice. He's also very cute in that Southern kind of way with the button up shirt, tight jeans (not normally my style), and the boots. I could get along with that. Haha! And I just like the way he dances at the microphone. I find it amusing and cute.

Enjoy!

Smile Always,

Chuck

How Do You Know?

I've done it: I've finished school, served a mission, gotten a job, moved out of my parents' house, and I have my own car. So now what? 

What's the next step? I know it starts with D and leads to M. That's right. Dating leads to marriage. And to be honest, I'm kind of scared of that like kind of commitment. Don't get me wrong, I want it. I know it is essential to the Plan of Salvation and all that jazz but it's scary to put yourself out there like that. 

And how do you know? How do you know if what you feel is temporary attraction for someone or the real thing? That L thing? Love has always been confusing to me. Not the familial or frienship love that we all feel for those around us, but the romantic "his and her towels" (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days) kind of love. 

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines love as the following: [NOUN] 1) Strong affection, 2) warm attachment, 3) attraction based on sexual desire, 5) unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for others. [VERB] 1) cherish, 2) to feel a passion, devotion, or tenderness for.

The King James Bible Dictionary defines love as: CHARITY: the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love, not merely affection; the pure love of Christ. It is never used to denote alms or deeds of benevolence, although it may be a prompting motive. [And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things... But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. -Moroni 7:45, 47] 

So how do you know? How do you know if you have mere affection for a person or if you have that "unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for others" or as the scriptures say "charity" or the "pure love of Christ"? 

I guess it's when you can accept a person flaws and all. None of us are perfect. That is our whole purpose in this life isn't it? To work toward perfection? But I digress. 

My whole purpose was to pose the question that I have struggled with ever since I reached a certain age. Again, how do you know if it's simple attraction or if you love a person? This is romantic love I'm referring to. I'm not looking for some grand gesture of love. I just want somebody who wants to spend time with me. Somebody who knows who I am and accepts me for me. Just as I wish to accept them for who they are. 

This isn't at all how I thought this post would turn out. Usually once I start writing, something totally different than what I planned flows from my fingertips. 

If anyone has an answer for me, I'd love to hear it. 

Before my mission, as a college student, I was introduced to a blog where the author did "Dear Boys" letters. I'm not sure if she still does because I haven't read her blog in probably two years. But I decided to do a couple of "Dear Boys" letters. (I've done this on my old blog so those of you who have read it should be familiar with the format). 

Dear Wonderful,
Are you really as Wonderful as I think? How is a girl supposed to know if you are wonderful from so far away? Wishful thinking has me hoping you are wondering the same about me. 

Hopefully yours,
Chuck

Dear Small Town Boy,
Age is just a number and I'm reconsidering all my preconceived notions. You are what you seem and there's nothing wrong with that. Don't give up.  

Love,
Chuck

Dear Mr. Right,
Please tell me you are right around the corner. I'm not getting any younger and I think I'm finally ready for you. I hope I recognize you for who you are when I finally meet you. Please don't wait too long to ride into my life on your white horse. 

Yours always,
Chuck

This post as been one of reflection for me. I've pondered this topic often as I've come to seriously consider the M word. I know that the day will come that I will recognize Mr. Right and it'll all work out. The hardest part is having faith that I'll know it when it happens and that I'll have the faith to trust him, whoever he is, to not let me down and break my heart.  

As I've come to learn over the last couple of years though, and I've shared it on here before, "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." As painful as it sounds, being single is comfortable. All you have is yourself. No one else's feelings to worry about. No heartbreak because you can keep yourself in your little self-contained bubble. You don't have to worry. You don't have to stress. You can spend your Friday nights watching Star Wars and blogging about love like I'm doing. But in the end, you feel alone. You feel like you are missing something that other people have... you don't feel as happy as you know you could be. You are safe but are you happy? Without risk, there is not real reward. A lesson I am learning the longer I'm alive. 

Well, I feel I have beaten this topic to death enough tonight. I just wanted to get it all out on paper computer screen. And I'm serious, if any of you have answers for me please let me know. I could use all the help I can get on this topic. 

"Never give up! Never surrender!" -Galaxy Quest

Smile Always,

Chuck 

Life in the Office: In the Beginning

I've spent the last few months praying for my life to begin. This is the week of new beginnings. But let's go back 7 days ago...

I drove to Lehi for a job interview with a company that my friend, Leggs, told me about. I am extremely grateful to her for doing so. I had a really quick interview- fifteen minutes in fact. I drove 2 hours for a fifteen minute interview. Don't worry though, I had other matters to attend to... like visiting the RANSOMS!!! The Ransom family was in Utah to drop off their son, Elder Ransom, at the MTC. I met them in Orem where they treated me to a lovely lunch. It was so good to see them. Sister Ransom has such special place in my heart and I loved having the opportunity to see her and her family. 

Oh, ten minutes after my job interview I got a telephone call... they wanted to HIRE ME!!! I said yes, of course. Now I have a job! Yay!! I was home by the mid afternoon. And then Leggs gave me a call and had a place for me to live in Provo. I gotta hand it to Leggs, she sure has helped me out a lot in my life. 

That left me with a week to get everything figured out and get moved to Provo. It's been a pretty crazy ride. 

Friday, my mom got off work early and she showed up at home and dragged me to the local car dealerships in town. Yep, new job. New apartment. And a new car. All in one week. I'm grateful for my parents being so willing to help. Of course, my mom did "kick me out of the house". Haha. 

So Monday morning, Mom and I met at the bank and signed the paperwork. Then we headed to the dealership where I got my new car... a dark blue 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. I hugged Mom and watched her drive off. I was on my own again.

It only took me about 15 minutes to pack my belongings in the car (not everything I own). I ate a quick lunch and tried to figure out how to open the trunk from inside. Haha. And, of course, I had to set up my radio presets. I couldn't take a 2 hour drive without my radio stations set ahead of time. As a back up I had a Lady Antebellum CD in. 

I made it to Provo in plenty of time. I helped Leggs finish cleaning and moving out, signed the paperwork, and got the key. Two hours later, I was all unpacked. (Like I said, not everything I own.) Leggs made dinner and then I was on my own... again.

This whole week has been a whirlwind. I made it through my first week of work. I know I'll enjoy the job but I hate feeling incompetent. I like being confident in what I am doing and know what to do, when to do it, how to do it. You get the picture. I think that is why I try to learn as fast as I can. Not a bad trait but also can make life tricky. I get the projects I'm working on at work done much faster than anticipated.

At the end of the day, I just have to count my many blessings. I know that the Lord has His own time. I've learned a lot about patience. And I know I have a lot more to learn in my life. However, I am so grateful for how smoothly this week has gone. Even with some bumps in the road, I made it to Provo in a newly acquired car and got moved into my new apartment. I'm learning how to be independent again. And loving it.

The lesson I've learned is: even when it feels like it'll never happen, don't give up because before you know it Heavenly Father will be answering your prayers. Have an attitude of gratitude.

Smile Always,

Chuck