The Enduring Question
As I walk through my neighborhood this morning, I’m grappling with a persistent and complex question: How do we go on in a time of rising authoritarianism, persecution, and diminishing freedoms? I’ve found a few partial answers in my past walks. The first is to find solace in the perfection of nature, which endures despite human chaos. The second is to be a brave individual—to stand against what is wrong while ensuring my own life reflects the values I believe in.
Connecting with Others, Bridging Divides
Another answer, perhaps the most challenging, is to focus on the people around us, regardless of their politics. It’s easy to dismiss those who have been “deluded into supporting this unconscionable regime,” but so many of them still practice Christian charity and love every day. They feed the hungry and help others, showing a genuine kindness that transcends their political beliefs. It’s a reminder that we must see beyond the surface and connect with the shared humanity in others.
Education as a Form of Resistance
For me, a crucial part of the fight is continuing my work as an educator. I have a responsibility to use my classes on communication and culture to combat misinformation and foster critical thinking. In a world of lies, it’s more important than ever for my students to develop their own sense of self and their own values, independent of what well-meaning people in society—be they political, religious, or even educational—tell them. This requires a healthy skepticism, even of those we trust and love, because no one is perfect.
My goal is to teach principles that help people use their education for good, to appreciate the world without causing harm, and to live their faith in a way that helps, not hurts. It’s a tall order, but it’s a fight I’m determined to win.
A Sobering Reminder of Our Legacy
Yesterday, a more personal experience brought these thoughts into sharp focus. My wife and I visited a monument company to choose a headstone for our cemetery plot. Seeing our names and birthdates etched in stone, with a blank space for our final dates, was a powerful and sobering reminder of our mortality. It was a sweet and tender moment, yet also a stark call to be awake and aware.
One day, that monument will be all that’s left, a silent record of our existence. It’s a sad thought that our children may only visit once, and that memories, in the end, are often just a name carved in stone. This has made me more determined than ever to live fully and completely, to go out with as much strength as I can, and to leave a meaningful legacy.
The Power of Creativity
This brings me back to the core of my morning meditation: creativity. I believe all creativity is our way of proving to the universe that we were here, that we matter. It’s a way of sharing what we experienced and survived. I think of my father, who repaired cars and gave people a sense of pride in their possessions. I think of my mother, who taught home economics and improved the quality of life for thousands of students.
My own teaching is a creative act, a way of giving my efforts to the world and saying, “I matter. I was here.” I once told my students that the Bible tells us to lay up treasures in heaven, not on earth, where they can be consumed. But I think the things we create—whether a poem, a book, a movie, or even a beautifully prepared meal—can leave a lasting mark for good on this earth.
This is the soft, subversive fight I believe in. It’s a refusal to be corrupted, a loving and compassionate way of teaching that touches hearts and inspires people to be better. This is what’s on my mind on July 23, 2025. Thank you for listening.
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