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Stop feeling sorry

“I’m sorry.” These two words are some of the most powerful in the English language. They have the power to heal, restore hope and bring people together like almost no other combination. Used correctly there’s almost nothing those words can’t do, including undo the past, if only in an emotional or figurative manner. Being sorry is an amazing thing, and in almost every circumstance, it is something I encourage people I counsel and those I love, to do.  So now,…

At any cost

If you have ever heard me speak or read my writing before, I think what I am about to say is fairly self-evident. If you haven’t, I invite you to go back and read some of my other stuff, or come hear me as proof that I am indeed telling the truth. What I want to say is this; the truth is ALWAYS the best option. Like always.  I can already hear some of the objections. “Aaron, what if my…

Get them with grace

There’s a phrase in pop culture that describes the way that people hope their kids live when they grow up, how they hope their bosses treat them at work, and how they’d like members of their families to react in their moments of weakness and mistakes. It’s short and sweet, it speaks softly - but carries a big stick. Perhaps you’ve heard someone say it. Perhaps you’ve used it yourself. “Kill them with kindness.”  At its core it’s a juxtaposition…

Neighbors in America

My neighbors name is… well, his dog’s name is Frank. I know that because he yells it when he wants him to come inside. While I can’t remember his name right now, I DO know a few things about him. He drives a truck. It’s black and has a bunch of fancy tinted windows. He also is really into race cars. Stock cars to be more exact. He drives them for fun in some sort of “league” or something. He’s…

A plan so simple

The plan was simple. We were going to burn the figurine because it was ugly and haunting the front door to my apartment. There were a few details to be worked out, but it was the only way we could destroy the thing, and not leave behind evidence. We knew WHAT we were going to do, and WHEN we were going to do it, we even knew HOW for the most part, but one thing was for sure, the Santa…

Back to basics

Basics are always important. No matter what arena of life you’re in, they lay the foundation for everything everything that you’re going to try and accomplish moving forward. Every soldier starts in basic training. Chefs all learn how to set an oven temp and melt butter in a pan. You have to know your letters before you can learn to read, write and spell. No matter what you’re doing, learning the basics is the proper place to start.  Christianity is…

My mask

It wasn’t even that good of a movie. Sure it made Jim Carrey more famous than he already was, but it was too unrealistic in my opinion. That green mask and all the weird cartoonish animation. It just made it seem completely unbelievable. Although perhaps that was the point? The overarching idea that masks are not reality, and they portray something fake and misguided. Maybe they were geniuses all along, and I am just now figuring it out.  Unfortunately, while…

Community comes calling

I used to watch this show called “How I met your mother.” It was pretty funny honestly. The finale was kind of a bummer if I’m being honest, but otherwise I thought it was worth setting the DVR for every week. The show was FULL of running jokes that would pop up throughout the seasons, calling back to previous episodes and situations, reminding viewers of something hilarious that had happened, and that this was one of their favorite shows for…

A better kind of book

I don’t like to read books. There, I said it. I’m not exactly sure what it is about them that turns me away, but I just can’t seem to bring myself to pick up the habit.  My ENTIRE family seems to love them. My dad reads books like people eat meals. My grandfather was the editor-in-chief of a highly successful and well-known local newspaper, so we know that guy loved him some reading too. My uncle, collects old books just…

Freedom, fireworks, and following Jesus

I got in some trouble last night - celebrating my freedom. There’s been a tradition at our house since the year we moved in, we invite friends over for the fourth of July and have a grill out and shoot off some fireworks. Seems like that’s what it means to be an American, right? I thought so too. Or perhaps I even still think so.  Only once (until last night) has this annual occasion proved dangerous, as a firework shot…