Never Say Never

Tear Those Castles Down

June: On Conflict and Courage GoFundMe for my wife's cancer fund: https://gofund.me/3682c6720 [https://gofund.me/3682c6720] June 9 Blossoms of honesty on the branches between the leaves. With kindness, you turn to those crawling upon the blighted sands toward your feet, you crouch low, and let them eat of the fruit of the tree of thought.  Returning to form, they stand.  Shrieks of pain and wrath from the castle. It is what those rulers fear most: this unflinching thought, spreading like a cure for the plague, anarchic and lawless—merciless to their privilege, indifferent to their authority. A thought that looks upon the pit of hell they have created and is not afraid. And together with your people, you march upon this castle built on sand, your thought, swift and free like the wind, blows upon the feeble foundation, and down it falls. It is what they fear most. It all starts with a thought. Your thought. * Reflection title: Tear Those Castles Down * Creative inspiration: Bertrand Russell, Why Men Fight * Reflection Question: What is my thought being controlled by? Do I fear critical thought as it challenges the foundations of my beliefs and the status quo?

Never Say Never

June: On Conflict and Courage GoFundMe for my wife's cancer fund: https://gofund.me/3682c6720 [https://gofund.me/3682c6720] June 8 “Never regret your mistakes” Not entirely true Like life, and being human— It’s nuanced and gray Some mistakes? Those mistakes made That irrevocably changed everything? For the worse? Those from which there is no return? Feel free to regret those But only if you have the mind to see them as mistakes And if you do, from that awareness And courage to see the truth You will grow, and shed your old skin Irrevocably changing for the better All because of realization  And regret * Reflection title: Never Say Never * Creative inspiration: Yogi Tea * Reflection Question: What mistakes am I clear-eyed enough to regret? How can I learn and grow from these, irrevocably changing for the better?

Rise Like the Wind

June: On Conflict and Courage I mention again in this episode that wife has recently been diagnosed with cancer. We have a GoFundMe campaign live now to help ease the financial burden of medical expenses. If you are able to contribute or share, we would be eternally grateful. You can find the link here:  https://gofund.me/3682c6720 [https://gofund.me/3682c6720] June 7 From the top, away from the flood and the flames, that’s where you’ll find your solution and your path forward. And you might be tempted, along the way, to try and restore the balance and harmony that once was before the disaster struck, but that’s not an option. We know that by now. What’s done is done. The past cannot be changed. These events we face forever change us. So you must fight that temptation with everything you’ve got, knowing instead you’ll create something new that transcends the past. When these monsters of life come your way (and they will), you must slow down, have faith in yourself and in others and maybe in something higher—you must choose courage and rise above. * Reflection title: Rise Like the Wind * Creative inspiration: Angie Branham Mullins, The Psychology of Zelda * Reflection Question: Am I choosing the easy reactions to obstacles? Or am I rising above with courage to see a new way forward?

Hic Sunt Dracones, but They’re Not What You Think

June: On Conflict and Courage I announce in this episode that my wife has recently been diagnosed with cancer. We have a GoFundMe campaign live now to help ease the financial burden of medical expenses. If you are able to contribute or share, we would be eternally grateful. You can find the link here:  https://gofund.me/3682c6720 [https://gofund.me/3682c6720] June 6 Rather than looking at the terrible things that happen to us as enemies, instead, look at them with compassion—remember to love your fate. Listen to those internal or external conflicts plaguing you. Try to understand what created them in the first place, where they came from, and what they need. You may be surprised to learn that in some cases, it was you who gave them life in the first place. So, to reiterate—do not flee from the discomfort in your life, the challenges, and terrible things. Stand up to them, yes—sometimes, you will need your sword and shield—no doubt. However, other times, your best path forward will be to listen to the sorrow, fear, or conflict. Hear what they have to say. If you listen to truly understand them—with honesty and patience—they or you may transform into something beautiful. Remember, you never know what these conditions are doing inside you. * Reflection title: Hic Sunt Dracones, but They’re Not What You Think * Creative inspiration: Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet * Reflection Question: Am I reflecting on the root causes of my pain and sorrow? Am I listening to what they need, and am I giving room for these conditions to do work inside me?

Are You Passing the Test?

June: On Conflict and Courage June 5 Testing our courage at its highest point, isn’t easy. Often, we fail the test. Yet, there’s no need to get down on yourself. Practicing the virtues can go against our instinct for self-preservation. It’s natural to keep your head down rather than speak up and risk becoming the next target. It’s natural to act virtuously when it’s easy and everyone else is doing it—and to falter when it becomes truly difficult or really matters. The first step in passing such tests of courage is to be aware that you are human and that this is difficult—and to know that you will fail. But as always, you must get up, learn from the past, and move forward to do better next time. Until you show your wisdom, honesty, patience, gratitude, and mercy even when—especially when—it’s risky. * Reflection title: Are You Passing the Test? * Creative inspiration: C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters * Reflection Question: Am I practicing the virtues even when it’s risky? Am I passing or failing the tests life throws at me—and how can I work to do better?