We’ve all been there—angry about something so inconsequential it’s almost laughable in hindsight. Whether it’s a driver cutting you off or your coffee order being wrong, these small irritations can fester into full-blown anger. But here’s the kicker: getting angry over dumb things hurts no one but you. It raises your stress levels, affects your mental well-being, and wastes your valuable time. In the grand scheme of things, these minor issues are just that—minor. Letting them hijack your emotions only gives them power they don’t deserve. So, take a breath, let it go, and save your energy for what truly matters.
Ah, the weekend. Those glorious two days where I can finally take off the work hat and just be myself. You know what that means? Time to dive into my three favorite things: reading, video gaming, and, oh yeah, the start of college football season.
So, first thing’s first. Books. There’s something about losing myself in a new story that’s like hitting the refresh button on my brain. I could be in the middle of the most hectic week ever, but give me a good book, and it’s like an instant vacation. In a way, each page turned is a step away from stress, a mini-holiday for my overworked neurons.
But hey, reading isn’t my only escape hatch. Let’s talk video games. Whether it’s a first-person shooter, an intricate RPG, or just a good ol’ platformer, games give me this sandbox where I can hop in and just mess around. The real world has enough rules, thank you very much. When I’m gaming, I’m the one setting the pace, deciding what challenge I’ll conquer next.
Now, let’s not forget the cherry on top. College football is back, baby! There’s something about the start of the season that feels like cracking open a can of pure excitement. Maybe it’s the crowd roaring from the TV speakers or the drama that unfolds on the field. Either way, when it’s game time, you bet I’m glued to the screen, caught up in every pass, tackle, and—yes!—touchdown.
So that’s my weekend in a nutshell. A good book in one hand, a game controller in the other, and college football on the screen. And you know what? It’s exactly what I need to recharge and tackle another week. Can’t ask for a better way to spend my downtime.
This scripture has been on my mind a lot recently. It’s a challenging principle to embody. While we may outwardly express a desire for God to take center stage, there’s often an internal murmur hoping for our own elevation too.
“Hey, God. I want you to increase. But, if I could increase a little as well that would be great.”
This tension magnifies when you’re an author striving to both write and promote your work. In an industry where building a platform is crucial, humility and contentment become the elusive virtues we all seek.
Too much success can lead us to erect personal empires, while too little can trigger jealousy, causing us to undermine others’ accomplishments.
My aspiration as a writer is to capture the hearts of young boys and men who are disenchanted with reading. I want to turn their apathy into a love for storytelling.
Yet, when they follow me, on social media, my blog, etc. I don’t want them to see a cultural warrior steeped in politics or riveting with anger. I want to aim for them to see a reflection of Jesus. Have I succeeded in that?
So, how does one sideline their ego? How do you arrive at a point where you’re comfortable with being sidelined yourself?
It’s a tough conundrum.
At the end of the day, our mission as authors should be to inspire thoughts that lead people closer to Jesus.
I’ll be honest: I’ve tried to read the Bible through in a year, and I can’t do it. Each attempt leaves me feeling discouraged and overwhelmed. The structure, rather than helping me, I find becomes a hurdle. I’ve realized it’s not the right fit for me, and that’s okay.
I grow Spiritually (for lack of a better phrase) by wrestling with individual verses, dissecting their meanings, and pondering their relevance in my life.
Sometimes, I’ll even do a deep-dive study into a specific book for several months, going verse by verse.
Quality over quantity and relationship over immediate knowledge is what we should pursue. What’s important is finding a method that works best for you.
There was a moment in my life when I realized the extraordinary power of simply stopping and noticing. It was as if a hidden switch had been flipped, illuminating sounds I had been oblivious to. These sounds, though always there, had been overshadowed by the constant noise in my mind.
Our daily lives have become an endless battle against stillness and presence. We find ourselves separated from the tranquility we need, consumed by the digital world and our own repetitive thoughts. Whether it’s scrolling through social media, checking emails, or automatically reaching for headphones when we walk, we rarely give ourselves a moment of silence.
I’m not talking about the new-age hipster type of meditation. I’m talking about actually shutting off the noise and listening.
The idea of breaking free from this cycle might seem daunting, but the solution can be surprisingly simple: listening.
Taking the time to intentionally listen opens a gateway to a world filled with beauty, and a reality that’s always evolving. This isn’t just a theoretical concept – it’s something you can try right now.
Why not gift yourself a 30-second pause? Wherever and whenever you’re reading this, take a brief moment to listen. Hear the sounds around you and let yourself be present in the moment.
By engaging in mindful listening, we reconnect with the world and ourselves, uncovering the beauty that is always there but often hidden by the chaos of our thoughts. Try it, and embrace the calm and connection that await you.
