Thank you Jon for sharing your story, vulnerability, and wisdom! The first guideline, to practice first, has been so helpful to me. I remember back when I was online dating, I was trying to represent my racial identity (white) alongside my commitment to being anti-racist. I struggled with the verbiage so much that I ended up taking it out. Fast forward nearly a decade, after having started to really engage with anti-racist work, and the words have flowed freely. I hadn’t realized this until reading your essay, that the reason I couldn’t write about it on Tinder was because I actually wasn’t doing it. Thank you for this loving and informative reflection.💜
Thanks for this piece, Jon. I absolutely agree. We must live our values and act with intention to bring about the world we want to see. I'm trying to exemplify that in my Substack, Words over Swords. I encourage you to check out my work, if you're so inclined. Looking forward to reading more from you.
This is a good discussion. It should be clear that your deeds show your true self, not your words unless your words are your deeds (writers, philosophers).
"The inferior man thinks that small acts of goodness are of no benefit, and does not do them; and that small deeds of evil do no harm, and does not refrain from them. Hence, his wickedness becomes so great that it cannot be concealed, and his guilt so great that it cannot be pardoned."
-- I Ching
I've also gone from rejecting the religion of my fathers to having some sympathy for it. It really doesn't get much better than the Golden Rule. I'm taken to referring to myself as a "Christian Agnostic." I don't know how much of the good book is history versus mythology, but I know it was the foundation of Western Civilization. Warts and all.
I like to think I’m philosophical— seeking wisdom; sometimes I find that wisdom woven into a religion’s texts, sometimes i see it in a religious person’s behavior… sometimes not.
I guess it all has to do with how well we are aligned with our core values. If we think it, but don’t do it, we experience stress. When we act in ways that reflect how we think, we experience pure joy, bliss.
Every day I ask myself if I’m living in accordance with my own values. The only person whose opinion matters on this topic is mine. I hold myself to my own standards and I try to be lenient with others.
Virtue has no meaning if you simply focus inwards. It becomes self-congratulation, not character. True virtue is measured not by your intentions or inner peace, but by the lives you touch, the injustices you challenge, and the courage you show when it costs you something.
I have been calling myself a “Jesus Follower” for a few years now, and today with all the political connotations attached to the word “Christian,” I like the “Jesus Way” as anyone who was taught about Jesus and all its wonder, meaning, and the importance of a man who walked the Earth all those years ago, and all the love and life lessons that go with that learning toward every human in the world is the best part!
Even if a person doesn’t believe in the Trinity or organized religion, sometimes sticking to the basics of Jesus and what he stood for is the best part of Christianity teachings for me. I remember learning about Jesus as a little child about 8 yrs old and it always stuck with me; never forgot it. Jesus is the best role model for our world. And I remember the older ladies in the church basement as we made crafts and were so loving toward us children..they were Jesus in action for sure, not words. The world needs more love. “Do small things with great love.” A special lady named Therese once said. It is something we can all do anytime. Like maybe buying this sensitive and thought provoking writer a coffee today?…A small thing to show appreciation for his honest and inspiring reflections. Thank you Jon
Thank you Jon for sharing your story, vulnerability, and wisdom! The first guideline, to practice first, has been so helpful to me. I remember back when I was online dating, I was trying to represent my racial identity (white) alongside my commitment to being anti-racist. I struggled with the verbiage so much that I ended up taking it out. Fast forward nearly a decade, after having started to really engage with anti-racist work, and the words have flowed freely. I hadn’t realized this until reading your essay, that the reason I couldn’t write about it on Tinder was because I actually wasn’t doing it. Thank you for this loving and informative reflection.💜
Thanks for reading, Vanessa and for sharing your experience!
Thanks for this piece, Jon. I absolutely agree. We must live our values and act with intention to bring about the world we want to see. I'm trying to exemplify that in my Substack, Words over Swords. I encourage you to check out my work, if you're so inclined. Looking forward to reading more from you.
Thanks for taking the time to read my essay, Jeff. Will definitely check out your work!
This is a good discussion. It should be clear that your deeds show your true self, not your words unless your words are your deeds (writers, philosophers).
Loved this man, so accurate and much needed!
Appreciate that Luke!
"The inferior man thinks that small acts of goodness are of no benefit, and does not do them; and that small deeds of evil do no harm, and does not refrain from them. Hence, his wickedness becomes so great that it cannot be concealed, and his guilt so great that it cannot be pardoned."
-- I Ching
I've also gone from rejecting the religion of my fathers to having some sympathy for it. It really doesn't get much better than the Golden Rule. I'm taken to referring to myself as a "Christian Agnostic." I don't know how much of the good book is history versus mythology, but I know it was the foundation of Western Civilization. Warts and all.
I like to think I’m philosophical— seeking wisdom; sometimes I find that wisdom woven into a religion’s texts, sometimes i see it in a religious person’s behavior… sometimes not.
I guess it all has to do with how well we are aligned with our core values. If we think it, but don’t do it, we experience stress. When we act in ways that reflect how we think, we experience pure joy, bliss.
Every day I ask myself if I’m living in accordance with my own values. The only person whose opinion matters on this topic is mine. I hold myself to my own standards and I try to be lenient with others.
Virtue has no meaning if you simply focus inwards. It becomes self-congratulation, not character. True virtue is measured not by your intentions or inner peace, but by the lives you touch, the injustices you challenge, and the courage you show when it costs you something.
Great and powerful read, thank you.
I have been calling myself a “Jesus Follower” for a few years now, and today with all the political connotations attached to the word “Christian,” I like the “Jesus Way” as anyone who was taught about Jesus and all its wonder, meaning, and the importance of a man who walked the Earth all those years ago, and all the love and life lessons that go with that learning toward every human in the world is the best part!
Even if a person doesn’t believe in the Trinity or organized religion, sometimes sticking to the basics of Jesus and what he stood for is the best part of Christianity teachings for me. I remember learning about Jesus as a little child about 8 yrs old and it always stuck with me; never forgot it. Jesus is the best role model for our world. And I remember the older ladies in the church basement as we made crafts and were so loving toward us children..they were Jesus in action for sure, not words. The world needs more love. “Do small things with great love.” A special lady named Therese once said. It is something we can all do anytime. Like maybe buying this sensitive and thought provoking writer a coffee today?…A small thing to show appreciation for his honest and inspiring reflections. Thank you Jon