24 Things I Learned or Remembered in 2024
Christ is Lord.
“Whatever you tame is your responsibility forever.”
Perhaps memory is not intended to last forever.
Although the extra effort makes it unappealing sometimes, French Press really is the way to go.
Fewer close friends, with a truly deep relationship marked by honest sharing, is a good benchmark of a healthy lifestyle.
Lack of gratitude is a sign of immaturity.
I-294 is the superior interstate.
In general, our phones are a net negative.
Not in general (that is, always and everywhere), dogs are a net positive.
What’s happened to us is ours, and we get to talk about it. (Anne Lamott)
Interior freedom and despair both increase exponentially. Despair has a limit, but freedom will grow forever.
“What comes out of a man is what defiles him.” People miserable on the outside are far more miserable on the inside, even if they don’t know it. Instead of lashing out, trying lashing within.
We’re built for relationship, and that’s why we almost implicitly take them seriously. But sometimes, we water dead plants…in the name of being communal we hang onto dead friendships or stay in touch with people whose vision for life doesn’t align with ours (even if it once did), and this adds stress. When a relationship becomes one sided, if you are the only one keeping it going, release it and go it alone for a bit.
If the dog is sitting by the door and doing everything he can to get your attention, you ignore him at your own peril (and that of the carpet).
“I must have flowers, always and always.” Claude Monet
We should all probably try to reduce the amount of sugar we eat. Ya know?
Number 16 notwithstanding, doing my Sunday night strawberry milkshake tour in search of the best one in town was an excellent decision and it will continue.
The thing that I’ve loved the most about watercolor is how wrong it proves me almost every time I paint. “I can’t paint, I’m not artistic” is a lie.
You don’t have to pray like anyone else, you just have to pray like you. But be careful about praying to the anti-Trinity…you talking to you about you and calling it prayer. If your God let’s you do whatever you want, your God is probably you.
Try to be working through one book always.
It’s also fine not to be in the mood to read deep and meaningful things…sometimes it’s okay to sit and look at the wall or watch Bob’s Burgers or play TrainSim 5 on PS5.
Almost all of the best things are physically exhausting but spiritually vivifying. It’s easy to rest a weary body than it is to refresh a wearied soul, so prioritize what fills you with life.
We need to intentionally live a more Eucharistic spirituality. Mary’s greatest desire is to lead the Church toward her Son, so ask for her help in seeing the face of Jesus.
The world is beautiful, and God is forever good.
Happy 2025!