Episode 34 - A Father's Day Special (Pt. 1)

Episode 34 - A Father's Day Special (Pt. 1)

When I asked my dad if he would be willing to share some of his thoughts for the show, I had a certain idea in mind of how our conversation would go. To my great pleasure, it went nothing like I had imagined. In this, Part 1 of our conversation, my dad shares his thoughts on religion, agency, and his recently developed testimony of giving others the grace to utilize their agency even when that means facing the reality that they're bound to make choices he doesn't agree with. He explains how deeply important it is to him that people learn to develop a relationship with God, not because someone told them to, but because they desire it, and how this new perspective has changed the way he interacts with his kids. The wisdom he shares can and should be employed by parents, family, friends, and loved ones of all kinds, so regardless of your religious beliefs or lack thereof, I believe you'll find value in what he has to say. Thanks for listening, it means the world -TJ

Episode 33 - My Favorite Principles

I don't like to draw attention to my birthday, but it felt like an affront to myself and everyone who loves me to simply treat it like any other day. Considering this episode airs on my birthday, I figured it deserved some special treatment. So, what have I learned over my 27 years trying to navigate this crazy life? There are so many lessons and principles I love that it's hard to choose just one to share, but I did manage to narrow it down to two principles. These have become crucial cornerstones in my life, and I'm confident they'll continue serving in that role as I make my way into whatever adventure lies beyond. While I hesitate to make promises like this on the show, I will promise this: practicing these principles with sincere intent will change your life for the better. I believe it with every fiber of my being. Thanks for listening, and for all the birthday wishes. It really does mean the world -TJ

Episode 32 - The Willing Sacrifice of our own Happiness

Do we really have the ability to choose whether or not to be happy? At the risk of sounding overly reductive, I would argue that we do have the choice. While there are many arenas in which our happiness is battling it out with something else, I'll be focusing today's episode on the ongoing battle between happiness and pride. I share some of my own experiences of the battle between pride and happiness and how those choices have shaped my life since. I also offer an interpretation of the famous parable, The Prodigal Son that offers a similar lesson on the consequences of this battle. I hope you find a greater awareness of your own waging battles, and pray that you find the strength to choose happiness over pride. Thanks for listening, it means the world -TJ

Episode 31 - A Dead Horse takes you Nowhere

Have you ever felt as though you were pursuing something, or someone, that seemed only to be leading to a dead end? That despite all your best efforts, there was nothing you could do to fix the situation, but you weren't yet willing to abandon the pursuit? All of us, at one point or another, have been victims of the "Dead Horse," the hopeless pursuit that we refuse to leave. In today's episode, I discuss two examples of what that looks like, and offer an alternative interpretation of this mantra in an effort to help you evaluate your situation more clearly. As you listen, I hope you're able to better identify those Dead Horses that you've been clinging to and resolve to finally let them go. There are other horses out there waiting for you to hop on for the next ride of your life, but you have to leave the one you're stuck on first. Thank you for listening, it means the world -TJ

Episode 30 - Enough to Disarm All Hostility

At what point does the boundary of Forgiveness end? I have often mulled over this question and the conundrum of the balance it maintains with Justice. I consider the unfairness that runs rampant in our world: the Injustices enacted by those with ability against those who cannot resist, and the Injustices enacted even upon them in their coveted seats of power. Is it right to measure their lots against each other to define the boundary to which Forgiveness should extend? The truth is that I received an answer to this question long ago. It's an answer based around God, but there are many who don't accept my God, or any God for that matter, and I wanted to find an answer that makes sense even to them. While I can't pretend to know the whole true answer to this question, I can say that my search has led me to this individual truth: the boundary of Forgiveness is a matter of individual choice, but it contains within it the boundary of Happiness, for our Happiness can never extend past the limits we have set on our Forgiveness. Perhaps it is because of this that today's quote is of such great importance to me, and the reason behind my depth of love for the story that I have to share. The crux of many-a-religious belief is to provide a way for those adhering to it to obtain Happiness. Our willingness to Forgive is but one piece of that puzzle, but it's a crucial piece, and I fear we have become disillusioned with it in such a manner that many of us have chosen to throw it out entirely, only to be left confused when our Happiness goes with it. I hope this episode moves within you the same stirrings as it moved within me as I put it together. Life is so much better when we're living it Happily, a bliss that can't be achieved without our readiness to Forgive. Thank you so much for listening, it truly means the world -TJ