People who write “56 things” lists are either monks disguised as dads or prophets in dad jeans. Possibly both.
The holiest sacrament is laughing at a fart while eating cake with someone who tells you your haircut is bad. That’s basically Eucharist for the emotionally evolved.
Anyone who says faith is about certainty has never had to hold someone they love through a panic attack.
The phrase “hate the sin, love the sinner” is the theological equivalent of saying “with all due respect” before slapping someone.
You’re right, politics is worth losing people over. Especially if their politics involve turning compassion into a crime scene.
“Love wins but requires overtime” should be engraved on every tombstone and marriage license.
Yes, your faith should make you kinder. If it just makes you louder, it’s not faith—it’s branding.
Forget legacy. The real miracle is being kind in a Walmart parking lot on a Tuesday.
I used to think I had to find the truth. Now I think I’m just supposed to become someone who can hold it gently when it shows up.
And finally: If you make it to 57, you’ll still be a beautiful contradiction wrapped in a body held together by sarcasm, grief, and muscle memory. That’s not failure. That’s the gospel.
Thanks for showing up messy and radiant, even when people are watching. That’s what holy looks like.
How about “marriage is a mutual misunderstanding”? Have had this up in my house for almost 55 years. Brother gave it to me when we got married. He was wise.
Today, May 27th, is my 65th birthday. I liked your list. I never thought I would be living in an era like this. I thought we would have evolved into a better, kinder world. That we would be collectively, smarter. That people would have what they needed to thrive. That we would be treating each other better. That we would be treating the earth better. I hope for better days, but I’m glad I have no children.
Mary, I echo your final sentiment. As someone who has spent the last 40 years or so as an educator (mostly higher education), I usually reply when people ask if I have children "I have hundreds of them--and they only contact me when they need something." ;-D I am glad I did not have children, for all kinds of reasons, but I am glad that I helped to socialize and educate the progeny of others--many of whom call me "mom" for reasons of their own--because I feel I have contributed a tiny bit to the other things on your list.
One of my favorite moments with my mother was when she, the mother of nine, confessed, "If I had it to do over again, I don't think I would have gotten married, and I certainly wouldn't have had children!" (Of course she didn't share this wisdom until I was heavily involved in my second marriage.)
Believe me: I cherish them. And, being an old person who grew up in the 60s, when we called almost all of our teachers and profs (I attended a very progressive college) by their first names, it also amuses me that they cannot countenance, after they graduate, calling me by my first name. So I became Mom, Dr. M, and (for those who said I needed a hip-hop name) D-LEM, because I use my initials in emails.
Exactly. My dear friend (also named Clyde, ironically!) has his own version of this: Don't make excuses. Your friends don't care and your enemies won't believe you.
I'm 80 years young, John. I just spent an hour doing 80 pushups and a variety of yoga poses. Now I'm sipping my first cup of coffee and almost 'snarfing' a sip as I chuckled at some of your comments. I would add a thought to your list: please, folks, as you age, be open to change; not for change sake but for your sake. I have lost 2 friends this past year because they are unwilling or incapable of making small changes in their lives. I choose not to spend time or effort on them when I realized they are quite comfortable in their sty. Death arrives close by in terms of family, friends, relationships. Get out and live. Get your ass in the woods and take in life's wonders.
Bill, well said. You have me by six years and I do love your statement about being open to change. Definitely words to live by. I live on nine acres north of Tallahassee and am surrounded by woods full of birds, squirrels and raccoons. They truly make me appreciate all that Mother Nature has to offer. Thanks for your words,
Clyde, you get it.... sadly many of my friends let life take them with the flow and do not work at being healthy, morally, poliitcally, etc. Living on acreage probably allows you to roam and enjoy the wonders. We're in the process of selling our unit in Bradenton and traveling month by montj towards you; we have friends and family in Lakeland, Deland, Perry, Fairhope, northern Alabama, mid Texas, San Tan Valley, AZ, San Diego, Temecula, and Santa Barbara. brobson1945@gmail.com
What an inspiration you are, Bill. Thank you for that. I have ALWAYS been very health-conscious, but my mental health has taken a HIT and I’ve fallen into bad habits, one being no yoga. I’m sore, I’m even more mentally down, because IM NOT DOING YOGA. Duh. Silly me. Thank you for giving me a kick in the seat to get moving. Best wishes.
I nodded and sometimes laughed at the things on your list. A few things I believe are true is that God loves me, although many times I don't know why. I love my children no matter if I agree with their choices or not. And that to love radically is oftentimes the best way to love even though it might not look like it sometimes.
Happy Birthday, John! Thank you for all you do and for being authentic. 🥳🎂🎈🎁💙
I'm printing this out. A couple I would add for myself, would be a willingness to take accountability for what I say and do - own it if I screw up, and being willing to apologize when I should. In fact, I just finished sending an apology email that I needed to do.
Happy Birthday, young man! At 71, I believe most of these things, too! The f-bomb one is my favorite. One of my solid, reassuring core beliefs: “The older I get, the less I know. All I have is my experience.”
The days are long, but the years are short. (Reassurance for the first years of parenthood, but true later on, too.) Love the list-56 is SO young. Happy Birthday!🎈
John, happy almost-56.
Here’s what I believe, after reading your list:
People who write “56 things” lists are either monks disguised as dads or prophets in dad jeans. Possibly both.
The holiest sacrament is laughing at a fart while eating cake with someone who tells you your haircut is bad. That’s basically Eucharist for the emotionally evolved.
Anyone who says faith is about certainty has never had to hold someone they love through a panic attack.
The phrase “hate the sin, love the sinner” is the theological equivalent of saying “with all due respect” before slapping someone.
You’re right, politics is worth losing people over. Especially if their politics involve turning compassion into a crime scene.
“Love wins but requires overtime” should be engraved on every tombstone and marriage license.
Yes, your faith should make you kinder. If it just makes you louder, it’s not faith—it’s branding.
Forget legacy. The real miracle is being kind in a Walmart parking lot on a Tuesday.
I used to think I had to find the truth. Now I think I’m just supposed to become someone who can hold it gently when it shows up.
And finally: If you make it to 57, you’ll still be a beautiful contradiction wrapped in a body held together by sarcasm, grief, and muscle memory. That’s not failure. That’s the gospel.
Thanks for showing up messy and radiant, even when people are watching. That’s what holy looks like.
-Virgin Monk Boy
I calm myself down almost daily by fantasizing about slapping "certain" people . . . It is quite therapeutic.
that is probly one of the reasons I don't shop at walmart. I also Hate their politics but mostly the way they treat thei employees.
Perfect!
How about “marriage is a mutual misunderstanding”? Have had this up in my house for almost 55 years. Brother gave it to me when we got married. He was wise.
Today, May 27th, is my 65th birthday. I liked your list. I never thought I would be living in an era like this. I thought we would have evolved into a better, kinder world. That we would be collectively, smarter. That people would have what they needed to thrive. That we would be treating each other better. That we would be treating the earth better. I hope for better days, but I’m glad I have no children.
Mary, I echo your final sentiment. As someone who has spent the last 40 years or so as an educator (mostly higher education), I usually reply when people ask if I have children "I have hundreds of them--and they only contact me when they need something." ;-D I am glad I did not have children, for all kinds of reasons, but I am glad that I helped to socialize and educate the progeny of others--many of whom call me "mom" for reasons of their own--because I feel I have contributed a tiny bit to the other things on your list.
One of my favorite moments with my mother was when she, the mother of nine, confessed, "If I had it to do over again, I don't think I would have gotten married, and I certainly wouldn't have had children!" (Of course she didn't share this wisdom until I was heavily involved in my second marriage.)
There are a few teachers that I wish I had called mom or dad. I regret that I never did.
Believe me: I cherish them. And, being an old person who grew up in the 60s, when we called almost all of our teachers and profs (I attended a very progressive college) by their first names, it also amuses me that they cannot countenance, after they graduate, calling me by my first name. So I became Mom, Dr. M, and (for those who said I needed a hip-hop name) D-LEM, because I use my initials in emails.
Happy Birthday Mary! Indulge YOU today! Tomorrow will come soon enough and back to the grind.......
Me too!
Happy Birthday Mary. I also hoped for a better world such as you described by now. Let’s do our best to create it wherever we are, whenever we can.
To those who understand, no explanation is necessary. To those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.
Exactly. My dear friend (also named Clyde, ironically!) has his own version of this: Don't make excuses. Your friends don't care and your enemies won't believe you.
I'm 80 years young, John. I just spent an hour doing 80 pushups and a variety of yoga poses. Now I'm sipping my first cup of coffee and almost 'snarfing' a sip as I chuckled at some of your comments. I would add a thought to your list: please, folks, as you age, be open to change; not for change sake but for your sake. I have lost 2 friends this past year because they are unwilling or incapable of making small changes in their lives. I choose not to spend time or effort on them when I realized they are quite comfortable in their sty. Death arrives close by in terms of family, friends, relationships. Get out and live. Get your ass in the woods and take in life's wonders.
Bill, well said. You have me by six years and I do love your statement about being open to change. Definitely words to live by. I live on nine acres north of Tallahassee and am surrounded by woods full of birds, squirrels and raccoons. They truly make me appreciate all that Mother Nature has to offer. Thanks for your words,
Clyde, you get it.... sadly many of my friends let life take them with the flow and do not work at being healthy, morally, poliitcally, etc. Living on acreage probably allows you to roam and enjoy the wonders. We're in the process of selling our unit in Bradenton and traveling month by montj towards you; we have friends and family in Lakeland, Deland, Perry, Fairhope, northern Alabama, mid Texas, San Tan Valley, AZ, San Diego, Temecula, and Santa Barbara. brobson1945@gmail.com
What an inspiration you are, Bill. Thank you for that. I have ALWAYS been very health-conscious, but my mental health has taken a HIT and I’ve fallen into bad habits, one being no yoga. I’m sore, I’m even more mentally down, because IM NOT DOING YOGA. Duh. Silly me. Thank you for giving me a kick in the seat to get moving. Best wishes.
I nodded and sometimes laughed at the things on your list. A few things I believe are true is that God loves me, although many times I don't know why. I love my children no matter if I agree with their choices or not. And that to love radically is oftentimes the best way to love even though it might not look like it sometimes.
Happy Birthday, John! Thank you for all you do and for being authentic. 🥳🎂🎈🎁💙
I'm printing this out. A couple I would add for myself, would be a willingness to take accountability for what I say and do - own it if I screw up, and being willing to apologize when I should. In fact, I just finished sending an apology email that I needed to do.
Happy Birthday!🎂 Loved your list!
I love this list! What a great birthday idea. I say this every day… "It isn't easy being human". Oh, and then there is the daily F bomb. 💥
Happy Birthday, John. The list is a helpful reminder to finding the joy and surviving the rest.
Also listening to birds sing is time well-spent. I’m not as good at this as you, but man, it’s fun to create aphorisms.
Happy Birthday, young man! At 71, I believe most of these things, too! The f-bomb one is my favorite. One of my solid, reassuring core beliefs: “The older I get, the less I know. All I have is my experience.”
Happy Birthday John!!
Love the list!
To add to the list-
If I have to step on or over someone to "get" somewhere, than I need not get there at all.
Experience is the decider. To thine own self be true
Great list, John! I can identify with most…at 84, one’s perspective on life continues to become ever more fascinating. Thank you for sharing yours 😇
The days are long, but the years are short. (Reassurance for the first years of parenthood, but true later on, too.) Love the list-56 is SO young. Happy Birthday!🎈
My favorite - “Most dogs are better than most people, and that’s the truth” (because it IS the truth 😂😂).