The Apple/Damus situation today caused me to remember an incident with a co-worker many years ago who had the rug pulled out from under him at a previous gig. He was so anxiety ridden and worried that the same thing would happen at our current job that it caused all of us to worry and be hyper vigilant that our current employment was constantly just a second away from vanishing. There was an element of truth in his assessment. We worked in entertainment. But the gig we were all so worried would vanish lasted another 15 years. Blindsides happen all the time. If there is an up, there will assuredly be a down. And there will assuredly be another up again. However, for me, I am continuously learning to stay in the moment and do the next thing. Over-reactive panic and anxiety hasn’t helped me in the past. It’s just caused me to pull my focus away from the next important thing I want to be doing for God and my family. Jesus is on the throne. His Kingdom will come. Lord, help me to just do the next right thing. Peace for you brothers and sisters. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 #Catholic #Christian #Jesus #JesusisKing #fearnot

The title for this piece (“Manual for an Unfortunate Moron”) came from an experience I had several years ago. While working at my job I had to go to my local credit union to get quarters for laundry during lunch. After many years I was still renting a home for my family in Los Angeles. Financial calamity, dysfunctional extended relationships, and medical challenges had left us in the state we were in. We had made our rented place a home, but it had challenges. Like paying for laundry machines to clean our clothes. A co-worker saw that I was returning from lunch holding several rolls of quarters. He asked what they were for. As I told him it was to do the laundry, he looked at me astonished that I didn’t own a washing machine or dryer. When I proceeded to let him know that I was still living in a rented home after all these years, this co-worker did what I had seen him do in countless interactions over the years. He was blunt, unsubtle and let the first thing in his head drop out of his mouth. “What are you, a f@#king moron?!?” It stung. It filled me with shame and anger. I quickly shot back, “It’s been a little hard to save up when my finances got wiped out with medical crises, bankruptcy and caring for a son with autism.” He got very quiet and mumbled an apology. We talked through some of it after that, but I was stuck with a nagging feeling. I did feel like a moron. I felt like I had made many choices that had led me to this point and I didn’t want the future to be like this. Anyway… there’s a brief explanation of the title. More to come. #proofofbook #catholic #christian #writing #practiceinpublic #manualforamoron Manual for an Unfortunate Moron Post #2

Had been working on a project over the last three months with a partner and when I finally came up for air, I realized I had written a 100 page book. This evidence made me realize that a concept I had developed back in July 2020 was achievable. I’m going to use Nostr as the place as I develop this. You will see outlines and segment of the book coming together on this platform. I look forward to sharing this experience with you. May you find value in this project and may it help and encourage you. The Title: Manual For An Unfortunate Moron: How to thrive as a creative Catholic after battling cancer, bankruptcy, toxic people pleasing, addiction and self-destructive behavior #proofofbook #catholic #christian #writing

So good! Your dream is not dead. God’s plan for your life is greater than you could have envisioned. Trust in Him. Lean on Him. View quoted note →

A truth mic drop statement. View quoted note →

Sacred Heart of Jesus, make my heart like yours. #Jesus #SacredHeart #Catholic #Christian

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot control; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as a pathway to peace; taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever and ever in the next. Amen Reinhold Niebuhr #serenity #serenityprayer #Catholic #Christian #lettinggo #surrendertoGod

Well what I thought would be a simple task of editing a document today took 5x longer than I planned. Frustrated? Yes. But what better time to pray a prayer for the virtue of patience. Patience is a virtue of the Lord: He awaits the return of His children. Forgive my trespasses Oh Lord Jesus, For many times have I tested You. I deserved the wrath of Your hand, But You saw greater things for me: Your patience has been enormous! Grant me a droplet of such endurance, That I may abolish my impious impatience, Refraining from using unpleasant words, And always reflecting Your serenity. Great is the Lord Jesus in His ways! #Jesus #catholic #christianity #patience #endurance

Posting using Snort for the first time. Also had a HUGE revelation about using Nostr as a platform to share my experiences and process as I work on a book project that I began developing over a year ago. I think Nostr is the perfect place to share this and invite others along as I create the work. More to come...

Participating in my first #zapathon with #[1]​ Who knows how this will work out? Testing and trying

From Joshua Charles A second century BC historian predicts the decline of Rome. Relevant. “I think there can be no doubt what lies in the future for Rome. When a state has warded off many serious threats, and has come to attain undisputed supremacy and sovereignty, it is easy to see that, after a long period of settled prosperity, lifestyles become more extravagant, and rivalry over political positions and other such projects becomes fiercer than it should be. If these processes continue for very long, society will change for the worse. The causes of the deterioration will be lust for power combined with contempt for political obscurity, and personal ostentation and extravagance. It will be called a democratic revolution, however, because the time will come when the people will feel abused by some politicians’ self-seeking ambition, and will have been flattered into vain hopes by others’ lust for power. Under these circumstances, all their decisions will be motivated by anger and passion, and they will no longer be content to be subject or even equal to those in power. When this happens, the new constitution will be described in the most attractive terms, as ‘freedom’ and ‘democracy,’ but in fact it will be the worst of all constitutions, mob-rule.” Polybius, “The Histories” (Book 6, §57)