Meet Chris

The Trouble With Being Virtuous (Part 1)

2010-03-09T23:28:00.000-08:00

Upon reflection of this post's title you are most likely to think, "What's wrong with being virtuous?" In fact my treatise is focused on the phrase "trouble with being" and not so much the word "virtuous."

Integrity, honesty, charity, humility and the like are universally accepted as correct and right. It is not my intention to challenge in any way their rightness. My thoughts are on the processes of becoming these virtues. One might be tempted to say, "All you need do is discipline the creature and bend it through iron will and then you will have these virtues." However, a stick bug, though it may through sheer determination, focus and camouflage have the appearance of a stick, it is still an insect. So it is with us. We do not become something simply out of sheer force of will.

You become something by giving yourself over to it. Living for it. Each breath you take echoes an aching desire to become it. You learn to love and cherish it. Not despise it, struggle with it, and force yourself to fit the pre-conceived mold. You learn about it, understand it, and yes, you work at doing the virtue to learn how it feels to be the virtue without actually being the virtue.

Just because I show charity in one small moment to a less-fortunate person, does not mean I am suddenly charit-able. If I readily accept rebuke or learn from anothers' hand for a short period of time does not mean I am humble. An act of patience does not mean in all instances I am patient. By learning, loving, and employing the virtue, over time you begin to become the virtue.

The ironic thing is, once you begin to become the virtue your are striving to live you don't notice any difference. It is who you are. Ingrained in you and written upon the fleshy tablets of your heart. If one were to admiringly point out your patience, you would openly say, "Oh no, not me, I have a long way to go." Knowing of course perfect patience, in this life, is not possible. And that only through trial and error, love for the virtue, and continued application, have you become a small partaker of the virtue, such that those around you take notice.

This now brings us to the trouble with being virtuous. Firstly, as we begin to become the virtue we seek we don't notice any difference for it is our homeostatic state. The virtue begins to become second nature to us, much like a fish in water. The other problem we ask ourselves is this. If the virtue is right, and if there is a God who wants us to become these virtues, why are they not then simply handed to us for the asking? Shouldn't we be able to drive up to Virtues-R-Us hand pick the very best, in true sincerity of heart, of course, and then be able to live these virtues openly to bless all mankind?

If all the world were just one virtue. Honesty. Imagine all the corrupt business owners, liars, fraud committers, schemers, stealers and the like instantly disappearing in favor of a more delightful being. One who is honest in ALL aspects and walks of life. Why then are we not simply blessed with these virtues in order to live in greater peace and harmony with each other?

This is part one in a two part article. Your comments and insight are not only welcomed, but greatly encouraged. What do you think?

Mormons Carve out Niche in Facebook

2010-02-11T11:42:00.000-08:00

Mormons are carving out their own cultural niche within Facebook. Later this week Pete Warden will release an abundance of Social Media analytics information to the public. Among this will be information about how Mormons interact with each other on Facebook.

An example of what will be said..."In the Mormon-influenced areas of Utah and Eastern Idaho, the most popular Fan pages are The Book of Mormon, Glen Beck and the vampire book Twilight, which was authored by a Mormon."...

Although there is a higher concentration of members in this region, I think this says alot about how Mormons as a whole have readily adopted social media as a communication device. Hopefully this will also dispel the myth which says Mormons don't use technology.

To read the whole article Click here. You will need to scroll about half way down the article to where the colored map is and then you will see the above mentioned quote.

Second Pregnant "Man" is Really a He-She

2010-01-29T10:50:00.000-08:00

A man is pregnant with a baby. That is really weird. Personally, I feel that is wrong, but then they throw in the mix this man, Scott, was originally born a female named Jessica. The pregnant man, Scott, has a mate named Thomas, also born a female, now man. And now they are having a baby together...

Here is the story from MSN. Second Pregnant Man - MSN Reports

Why You Shouldn't Buy your Music From I-tunes

2010-01-28T21:16:00.000-08:00

Dear Apple,

This really isn't a question, only a complaint from a usually satisfied customer. When the rest of the country realizes we are in a recession and they're handing out deals and special offers to help battered consumers and the unemployed, you, Apple, raise the average price on a majority of your songs from $.99 to $1.29 Sure you package it all nice and say, "But you're getting all this extra digital artwork!" When you know as well as us that A) We don't care about digital artwork, B) We only look at it once and then put it in a long forgotten folder on our computer, IF we look at it at all and C) You don't give us a "Comes with Digital Artwork" Option. The artwork is forced upon us if we want the music.

For the few of us who are striving to still be honest about how we purchase music and not pirate it, you, Apple, are making it more and more tempting by raising your prices in a down market and economy. You simply use the, "extra content" ploy as an act and justification for charging us more money per song when 9/10 times we don't want the extra content. Thank goodness there is still Amazon and other, more understanding companies out there. Maybe you are doing this just to give yourselves hefty bonuses at years end?

Until you lower your prices I will be buying my music from your competitors. Plus, I will be posting this on my blog and Facebook and I am very actively involved in both so quite a few people will see this. It's your choice Apple, you can either be more understanding and give us the option for the "extra content" or watch as your customers go to your competitors in order to avoid paying higher premiums for music.

Sincerely waiting for a change,

Chris Shumate

My Beef with Apple and Itunes

2010-01-28T09:57:00.000-08:00

Why are all of Apple's Itunes songs $1.29?? They were all .99 cents for the longest time, and now that we are in a recession you bump UP your prices?? Aren't we all struggling enough? Shouldn't you do your part to help ease the economic burden? Or are you all having a nice time in your cushy offices laughing as you throw back martinis and saying, "ITunes has enough demand, let's go ahead and raise the prices so we can give ourselves hefty bonuses next year."

Reminiscing about the Past

2010-01-24T01:58:00.000-08:00

As you go through life you realize you've met a lot of people. Made a few good friends, and you wished you would have become friends with a lot of your acquaintences. At least that's how I feel.

Now that I am back in Washington, I realize how much my friends have shaped my life over the last several years. I'm glad to be back in Washington, but there is something that I am going to miss because I won't see my Idaho friends for a while.

I guess that's just how life works. We meet people, make friends, hang out for the short time our paths intersect and then move on to the next stage of life. Ideally, I'd like for all of my friends and me to just hang out in this never-ending fun zone where we'd all have everything we want and need and we'd do stuff together. Oh well. I guess that will just have to wait for another time!

I have other plans and opportunities. I don't think it's bad to look back on the past and appreciate it, (and even miss it a little), but to try and constantly relive or dwell on the past, hinders your future growth and potential. Appreciate the past, don't stay stuck in it!

Big News with Social Media Endorsement!

2010-01-20T13:08:00.000-08:00

FTC cracking down on bloggers, social media - Kingsport Times-News Online Big News (aka click here!)

Gone are the days of Ashton Kutcher or Ryan Seacrest throwing a quick shout-out to Ke$ha or David Archuleta!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T11:28:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone! It's been a while since I've updated my blog. Here's the latest. I am currently working in Rexburg, Idaho, but seriously considering a change. Things have been going great in my life! Right now I'm in Washington hanging out and having fun.

I'm dating a fantastic girl! I like being home for Christmas and overall things are good! Here is a video I made for Andy on Christmas day. We all just barely woke up and look very disheveled so don't judge us! :) Happy Christmas!

Changed My Blog Address

2009-11-24T22:52:00.000-08:00

While fiddeling around with Blogger (the free Google hosted blogging platform). I discovered, if you have a domain already setup, you can simply transfer the blog over to the domain you currently own.

A "domain" for anyone not as nerdy as me, is any web address, ie: www.aol.com, www.google.com, etc. that you have registered. I have MeetChris.net among many others and thought it would be fun have my blog run under the MeetChris.net domain rather than blogspot.

Thus my new blog address is Blog.MeetChris.net. But don't worry, if you still type it, MeetChris.blogspot.com that will work and simply transfer you to the new address.

FDA Reports: Swine Flu Paranoia Spreading

2009-11-11T16:45:00.000-08:00

This is the latest in a series of photos taken by the FDA showing how widespread Swine Flu panic is causing severe problems worldwide.

I Quit My Job

2009-11-08T17:44:00.000-08:00

So, for those of you who haven't heard yet. I quit my job at Channel-3 in Idaho Falls.

I'm doing kinda a duel role thing where I've created my own advertising agency in Rexburg, and I also offer the services of a Tacoma based Ad Agency for which I get a commission from the sale.

I'm really excited to see where this goes and if I can be successful at it. I think it'll turn out great and feel good about it. I know my stuff, I know how to help a business grow and expand, so I should succeed. If I do fail, it's totally ok. I learn from it, find another job, and move on.

My cavalier attitude about failing I think takes a lot of people back.

I mean honestly what is the worst that could happen? The best part is I learn from it and figure out how to avoid failure the next time! I already have three clients with several others seriously considering using my services.

If any of you know of a business anywhere (and when I say anywhere I mean it), shoot them my way or get them in contact with me, and I will help their business grow.

I offer everything, from brochure design, website design, facebook, twitter and blog consultation, tv/radio commercial design, writing press releases, PR consulting, billboard design, etc. I do it all, and what I'm not proficient in I contract out to the Tacoma based ad agency, so it's a win-win!

If you want to contact me just comment on this post or give me a call! 208.881.4105

Island Hopping Teen Burglar Eludes Washington Police

2009-10-07T21:42:00.000-07:00

This story is crazy!! Click on the Link Below!!

Teen Burglar Repeatedly Escapes Washington Police

Take a Look at Yourself and Make the Change - Michael Jackson

2009-10-07T20:25:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure why I thought of this, but it is important to be true to yourself, and not who others think you should be. This also means the person who you are right now may not be who you really are. That is interesting. You can be untrue to your true self by thinking you've already found your true self. Limiting your potential, getting stuck in bad habits, and refusing to learn and change are what prohibit us from being our true selves.

I'm not at all professing to say, "You are this or you are that." No, that is only for each individual to decide. You need to look deep inside yourself, meditate, ponder, and pray about who you really are and see if there is anything in life you could/should be doing differently or better. This is no simple 5-minute exercise. You need to really challenge everything you believe about yourself, see if you could be wrong, look at it in a new light, and make changes.

Heck, I know I'm far from becoming the person I could be if I just applied myself a little bit more. As I learn, change, and grow, in the right direction I will continue to shave off the mask I think is me and discover a new, fresh, clean and better person, and so will you too.

Cops Nearly Arrest me for Stealing Money

2009-09-01T22:02:00.000-07:00

So this is what happened...I have a weakness. I hope by sharing it on my blog I'll overcome it. I got caught stealing money from my roommate and he called the cops on me. They drove over to our apartment, cuffed me and started reading me my Miranda Rights! I didn't care they were arresting me. Finders keepers is what I always say...

If you're reading this, you, like all of us, (me included) are drawn in by the provacative and slanderous. Whenever we hear something outrageous about someone, we want to know the dirty little secret as well. However, it's not just the personal lives of our friends that intrigues us. This desire to know extends to impersonal associations with celebrities and gov't officials!

What is it about gossip that draws us in? Why do we like to read it, hear it, or share it with others? All of us at some point in our lives have shared or passed gossip along in one way or another. Many times we do it in the name of "helping the individual," when in reality our motive is less than altruistic. The question remains: Why do we like gossip?

Perhaps we like to find faults in others because then we don't feel so bad about our own weaknesses. Or in others words we are living the "Jerry Springer Theory." The Jerry Springer Theory states, "You have at some point watched Jerry Springer or a similar show and said to yourself, 'I may have problems but they are now where near as bad as their problems!'" Thus you feel a little bit better about your own faults and weaknesses.

Does this really justify your own weaknesses? Of course not, but we somehow convince ourselves that if Chris has a problem stealing, or Mary, the good christian, has a secret drug addiction problem, we must be ok people. We should instead gauge our own behavior by our own Moral Barometer and what we know to be true.

Instead of looking for, reading or sharing the dirty little secrets of our friends, family, and neighbors, we should look for the good in them. Tell them we love them, and help them through their trials.

Who knows...by helping others you may in turn find the strength to overcome your own weaknesses. :)

No mom, I didn't really steal from my roommate. :) -- For my Facebook friends: If you enjoyed reading this let me know by clicking on "View Original Post" at the bottom.

2009-08-30T16:51:00.001-07:00

Mobile bogging is set up.

Guys and Dolls has nothing to do with Barbies

2009-08-29T12:33:00.000-07:00

Wow! It's been 5 whole days since I've last posted something. Ok so to get you caught up, things have been progressing with my Comfort Bubble Departure plan.

I also went and watched Guys and Dolls in West Yellowstone at the Playmill Theatre. So confession...I thought Guys and Dolls was a feminist play about how women showed guys it's ok to be in touch with their feminine side and somehow tied that in with dolls. Needless to say I wasn't too excited to attend this play to get lectured. BUT if you've seen Guys and Dolls you know I was completely wrong. Dolls is a reference to women, not toys. It was hilarious, funny and awesome. So, if you ever get a chance, head up to the Playmill in West Yellowstone and watch this play.

I bought a new phone two days ago. The LG Dare. It is awesome. It's kinda like a poor man's I-Phone...since I couldn't afford an I-Phone, it works :)

Comfort Bubble Departure

2009-08-24T17:54:00.000-07:00

Today I helped do a roadside clean-up. I thought it was going to be rather boring but it was infact quite enjoyable. The weather was perfect, horses ran along side for a bit, there was a freshly cut field of wheat that reflected the summer sunset warmly, and the mountains in the distance reminded you, you were in Idaho. Yes, it was quite nice.

I am excited for what the future holds in store. It'll be exciting to see what new adventures I head out on, what places or sites I'll see, and what new people I'll meet. Life is great! I think far too often we limit ourselves to the expected and we never take risks.

Brian Tracy taught, "Truly great people frequently go out of their comfort bubble," or something to that effect. And it really is true. We only grow when we are uncomfortable. I've recently been thinking about doing something that is REALLY going to put me out of my comfort bubble. It is scary, it puts me in unsure territory and I don't know if it is completely wise. I've done some research and preparation in regards to this decision, but I think I should probably consider doing some more.

We'll see what happens. I think I will take the final step out and do it. I just need to trust myself and leave the comfort bubble.

Family Vacation!

2009-08-22T22:49:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from when my family came up to visit. We went to Yellowstone and Jackson Hole. It was a lot of fun!

My awesome sister and brother, Jenni and Sam. This was right before we went down the Alpine Slide in Jackson Hole!

Ok, this is a vain shot, I'll be completely honest. Me in Jackson Hole.

This was a really fun shot to do! A shallow depth of field w/ sis in the background.

Mom and Dad went up the scenic chair lift while the kids waited. We got a little bored.

Before Photoshop

After Photoshop

Fun blurred image of Jenni and Sam. (JH,WY)

Cool pic taken at Yellowstone National Park.
Fun tree pic taken at Yellowstone.

What Will You Do?

2009-08-21T21:56:00.000-07:00

I think a lot of the time the reason we do dumb, offensive things can be traced back to a few different reasons. The biggest of these is Love. I know that if we all felt like we were truly loved by everyone, and we in turn tried our best to love everyone, most of the problems out there wouldn't even exist. Instead, I focus on what I want, when I want it and how I'm going to get it, as do you, and everyone else.

That's not to say there's not the noble, the selfless, and the loving out there. We all have our moments of noble selflessness and service to others. If we could learn to capitalize on those moments, recognize them, and perpetuate them more often in our lives then I think we'd all be happier.

A wise man once said, "Each day try to make life a little easier and happier for each person you come in contact with and your life will be a success, a happy success." - Robert M. Shumate

I believe that. If we all were concerned about our neighbor more than ourselves, the world would be a different place.

So now that we've covered this topic here's our question..."What will I do to make the change?"

Taylor Swift Raps? ...and My Musings...

2009-08-21T21:26:00.000-07:00

This makes me laugh. I have no idea what kind of person Taylor Swift is, but if she is like the music she makes then I'm going to guess she is a pretty good person. Unfortunately, the kind of music somebody makes and the kind of person they are don't always go hand in hand, but here's to hoping. :)

This link is to a video by Jeff Buckley called "Hallelujah"click here to watch it.

When you watch this video, look at the comments below. From the conversation I read, somebody was depressed and feeling down. Random strangers shared their belief in Christ with this other person and I thought it was really neat. So often we read people who degrade or make fun of others online and it was just cool to see these random people band together in a spirit of fellowship and support.

Working from Home!

2009-08-20T11:33:00.000-07:00

Yeah I was really bored when I made this. Just wanted to keep ya'll up to date on my way exciting life...heh. What is the most boring day you've ever had?

Lightening Hits Telephone Pole Less Than 100 Feet from House!

2009-08-08T09:19:00.000-07:00

This is the telephone pole that was hit by lightening. It actually hit the transformer, which was replaced the next day. It's about 100 feet from our house and you may be thinking "Wow, 100 feet isn't that close."

Unless you've been within 100 feet of lightening striking you, you have no idea how scary it is.

This gives you an idea of how far our front door is from the fence, about 20 feet or so. I was sitting about three feet away from our front door, which was open, when the lightening struck.

This gives you an idea of how far the telephone pole is from our fence, about 70-80 feet.

Seattle Bank Teller Fired for Chasing, Apprehending Robber - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

2009-08-04T12:16:00.001-07:00

Seattle Bank Teller Fired for Chasing, Apprehending Robber - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

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Friends are Leaving...Parents are Coming!!

2009-07-21T22:05:00.000-07:00

Hmmm....well..Where do I start? Ok. First my friends are leaving. No bueno. They will be gone for 7 weeks to their respective homes. A few examples of these places are, Utah, Virginia, Washington, California, Not-Rexburg, Idaho, etc.

Needless to say I will get A LOT done on my website during this time. I will also get a lot of X-box time in as well. BUT I neglect one all important fact! My Rexburg friends are still going to be here. So I will have people to hang out with.

My Padres (parents) will be coming to visit me this Thursday! That is exciting because I have Thursday and Friday off! Bring on the 4-day weekend!

That is all for now. It's late...I'm tired. My next post will be 200% more interactive with links, pictures, video, and maybe even a swirling vortex to take you baaack into time! (who knows? It could be possible)

MeetChris.net is Up and Running!

2009-07-14T10:42:00.000-07:00

Today I am working on my site MeetChris.net! It has all my professional information, such as my Portfolio my Resumé and Sample Commercials! Click Here to check out all my Portfolio work!

It also contains marketing, advertising and publicity tips to help businesses bring in new customers. Currently however this section and all other sections of my website are under construction.

To get you caught up on the latest and greatest going on in my life......

Right now I work at KIDK-Channel 3 as an Account Executive. I love working there and it is a ton of fun to create television commercials. However, I am always on the look-out for new business opportunites so if you know of any please don't hesitate to Contact Me.

I am currently living in Rexburg, Idaho. I sing in a fantastic A'Capella group called My A'Capella