I told my older sister one afternoon that I know what sort of a person I’m becoming. I have come to understand that I am on track to something, that I am becoming someone I do not need to be scared or ashamed of, that I could actually be useful, inspiring, strong, and yet vulnerable,…
Growth
I’ve been described as someone with more drive than they know what to do with, a sort of ambitious overachiever. Why strive for so much? Why seek mastery when it’s already “okay”? Why do and attempt so much, when you could just let life happen, go with the flow, take things as they are, and…
To Live and To Die…But For Whom, and As Whom?
A friend once asked me to elaborate on why I disagree, on a fundamental level, with the general definition modern evangelical Christianity gives to the idea of “living for God” (see here for an example); and furthermore, how I intend to disprove it through my life. This is part of the answer I gave. (I…
The Terror of Excellence
Excellence and knowledge terrify the cowardly. Having reached a higher standard, what was once unexpected strokes of greatness amidst mediocrity becomes the ground from which others and self judge you. No longer can you claim inability or lack of insight, for you have proven yourself capable and cognizant of more than what you were and…
A Matter of Conscience
A conscience is a slippery thing. In one sense, it’s the most subjective thing in the world–it’s your personal code of ethics, your view of morality, the motivations and fears that drive the reasons for why you do certain things, or decide not to do them. Yet in another sense it’s objective–and can it help…
How Demons Are Born
Honesty is crucial to a life of integrity. Without consistent adherence to truth, the structure and value of your thoughts and actions fall apart. Yet the commitments we make to ourselves are often the first to fall away under pressure. Somewhere along the way, we’d lost sight of this: When we don’t keep our word…
The Master of Your Soul
We like to think we control ourselves, that we are our own masters, that we are not slaves to another being, an ideology, an object. That’s what we might want. Reality is different. Human beings must serve something greater than themselves–or at least something they think and live as though it is greater than themselves.…
The Poverty of Not Knowing Yourself
A few thoughts I’ve gleaned from the Gospel of Thomas that may be worth elaborating on: – Poverty is not measured by external wealth, but by how well one knows one’s self. – Know what is before your face, and what is hidden from thee shall be revealed to you. We are responsible for figuring…
Money, Meet Value
It’s no secret that cash (or numbers in your bank account) isn’t the most precious unit of value humans exchange with each other. You know that truth, tip your hat to it on your way to work, do your best to make sure you die with people and memories around you, and not just be…
Becoming a Warrior-Poet – Part 3
I gave a speech on “Becoming a Warrior-Poet” somewhere in Michigan on August 22, 2023, so thought I’d share it in written form here. Here is Part 1 and Part 2. Enjoy! * * * Warrior poets are lovers of truth and people, and defenders of both. They hold to deep convictions, act from careful…