The Little Things

Do you know what it means to "Bic" someone? That's a Gen X slang term for stealing someone's lighter. It used to happen frequently when a group of friends got together to smoke weed.  The joint goes out, you borrow someone's lighter to relight it, the conversation goes on with you being fully engaged, the owner of the lighter gets distracted, eventually you forget about it, stick it in your pocket and walk away. 

There are a couple of my friends who became known for this. One guy even had a collection of stolen lighters that he bragged about. He kept them in a little box that he would show you when you went to his house.  It wasn't that he was trying to do anything wrong, it was just because he was stupid.  Eventually he got a reputation for it, so whenever somebody was missing a lighter, they would go right to him.

Pens are another common item that gets stolen frequently without people even realizing it.  I'm reminded of the pens that are attached to the little chains, that are stuck to the counter in the bank or post office.  

So, why would I even bring up something like this on a blog about wisdom?  Because it's an example of the little things that real humans do that irritate each other. It's one of the little mistakes that some people make, often without even realizing it, but at the expense of another. It's taking away a little thing from somebody, that would result in nothing more than a minor inconvenience. 

It's still wrong though, isn't it? Eventually you'll move on and forget about it, the person may never even realize what happened to their lighter or pen, it will hardly have any impact on their lives, but it's still wrong.

The thing about these little things is that they add up over time.  A lot of little things in a relationship, for example, can lead to big problems eventually causing her to get sick of your shit and throw you right out on your butt. It also gives her a lot to use against you in the future, because she will remember and throw it in your face every chance she gets. 

Also, something that seems little to you, may be pretty big to somebody else. You never know.

The good thing about the little things is the good little things that you do in the world are multiplied in the same way.  Think about it.  

Do you have integrity?

Are you true to yourself?

That's a hard question because as humans, it's natural for us to want to fit in. In order to fit in, we may have to deny some aspect of ourselves, our likes, our personality, or our beliefs, that for whatever reason, may be considered stupid or offensive to the people who we are trying to fit in with.  Especially if they are different in whatever way.  The pressure to conform is especially intense when those around us markedly differ in ideology, lifestyle, or values.

In other words, we tend to become who or what we spend our time with. We become one of the guys when we are with the guys. We become a holy roller when we are in church. We become something entirely different when we are at work. Sometimes, it may even require us to go against our beliefs because we are afraid of what the others in that group may think if we come out as who we truly are.

Integrity means staying true to yourself, no matter what kind of situation you are in. It requires me to acknowledge my identity as a Catholic in all situations and be mindful of how I present myself to others. It doesn't mean I have to preach or defend my faith to people who are babbling on and on about nonsense just to keep the attention on them, just that I can't deny it just to impress some idiot who thinks they know the way. I have to stay on my own path. I have to stay on the path that God put me on.  Occasionally I will stray, but if I stay true to myself, it will be easier to get back on.

Honestly who gives a hoot what others think? That's all vanity. It's not going to matter when the bills come due. If they can't accept you for who you really are, then simply move on. If you live an authentic life with God and love as the guiding light, others will be drawn to that.  

Life will go on regardless.  

 

About Me

I am an embodied spirit who is stuck in the physical world. I assume God has his reasons for this, but I don't yet fully understand. I'm sure most of us don't, but here we are.

What I do know, is that he put me on a life path that includes various obstacles and temptations that I have to navigate my way around while giving me an attitude that doesn’t help me very much. I assume this is normal; but it sucks.  

Therefore, I am trying to find a different way of going about it. I am seeking his wisdom. I am spending time in prayer. I hope it's all for the best.

The TikTok Ban

Today I want to bring it back into the secular world.  Specifically, the looming TikTok ban that is set to happen this coming Sunday, January 19th, 2025.  

The US Government is concerned that the app can be used to spy on Americans, and that the Chinese Government can demand collected information from the company which owns and runs TikTok.  

Sadly, this means that a lot of content creators, who have been making a living off of TikTok are about to lose their income.  It's going to happen, Just Like That.

@isatandstared Replying to @Maddie🌛 ♬ original sound - Kass Theaz

As a content creator myself, I feel the pain.  In fact, I once ran a blog that covered a very controversial topic that became somewhat successful and even made a little bit of money through Google AdSense, only to have it cut off the minute Google made a new rule that my blog apparently didn't follow.  Just like that, it was gone.  

Now I blog for the artistic and creative expression rather than the money.  If I can make a little bit, then great, but I have learned not to rely on it.  It takes too much work.

We shall see what happens though.

What I'm Reading: The Screwtape Letters - Understanding Temptation Through Literature

I call this blog the companion guide to my search for wisdom. So, I should probably discuss what I'm reading every now and then. Currently, I have been reading the Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis. 

The book consists of a series of letters from an elder demon named Screwtape to his younger nephew Wormwood, who has been charged with leading a certain human to Hell.  It's an interesting look at human nature and our response to temptation and evil. 

It's also an interesting concept that if we have a guardian angel 😇, chances are we have a demon 👿 assigned to us as well. Both of them battling it out over our souls. I guess it just depends on which one we want to listen to. If you believe in that sort of thing that is. 

I am approximately a quarter of the way through the book. I have so far read the first eight letters. It's a deep book, covering serious topics. So I don't try to bite off too much all at once. I've read each of the first eight letters two or even three times. I have taken notes.  I am able to relate to things that are said. 

Let me give you a couple of examples. 

In the first letter, Screwtape discusses how to keep what he calls the patient focused on the mediocre. How he can distract him from any deep thought just by whispering in his ear, suggesting things like, "it's time for lunch."  

Just look at how distracted we are in this day and age. When was the last time you had a deep thought and the phone rings, or you stuck your face in a screen, or you saw that shiny object and picked it up and started fidgeting with it?

The book was written during World War II, which delights Wormwood, but Screwtape warns him that during times of suffering, humans are more likely to turn to God, who is referred to in the book as the enemy.

He suggests encouraging the patient to focus on that which annoys him about his loved ones, specifically his mother.  At the same time he suggests encouraging the patient to worry about the state of his mother's soul rather than her current suffering and health.  That keeps his attention off of his own soul.

Now, although this book is a satire, I think it has some pretty deep meaning, discussing philosophical and spiritual truths about life.  Therefore it should be taken with at least a little bit of seriousness.  CS Lewis is considered to be a brilliant theologian, whose work has had at least some influence on Christian thought. That's a pretty good resume. 

And it all fits right into my life. It's like explaining how I divert from the straight and narrow path every now and then. 

I do believe the evil does exist. I also believe that good exists. And I believe that we are going to choose one path or the other. We're human. We are a race of fallen people. Even when we fall, God will be there holding his hand out to us to help us back up. We have to choose to take his hand. And when we do, we are better equipped to fight the spiritual battles.

The demon will tempt you with shiny objects.  It will offer you instant gratification. It will keep you focused on the mediocre, the negative, and anything that will divert your attention from God.  It will whisper things in your ear and encourage you to go with it. It will offer you gifts that come with a price. It will remind you of things that aggravate you. It will encourage you to entertain your fears. It will help you to stress about the future with much anxiety.  

Just look at the world today and the people in it. Those who turn to God experience more peace while fighting the spiritual battle because he doesn't have to fight it alone. Just ask anybody who prays. While at the same time, the battles come and the battles go.  And they are going to come.

Those who don't turn to God, often experience chaos and confusion, as there will always be that missing piece of the puzzle, often without even knowing it.

Or maybe I can just only speak for myself.  

Stop Arguing With Demons

A Test to See if You Are Wise

In order to be a Wise Man, you have to be able to look at yourself as a fallen person and examine your own conscience.  Ask yourself different questions such as....

• What good have I done?
• What have I done that is good for others? 
• Am I able to be loving toward those who are close to me?
• Am I able to recognize the beauty in another person?
• Have I done anything to help the less fortunate?
• Can I be empathetic?
• Am I a light to others?
• Do I practice kindness regularly?
• Am I able to love?
• Love requires willing the good of another, have I done that?
• What have I sacrificed to ensure the good of another?
• Can I stay true to those closest to me?
• Do I listen actively or do I just wait for my turn to speak?
• Am I patient with those closest to me?
• Do I hold grudges or am I able to forgive?
• How have I hurt them and what have I done to make it right?
• What harm have I caused?  
• What have I done that is hurtful towards others?  
• Am I critical or judgmental of others, while being no better?
• What do I do for benefit of myself at the expense of others? 
• Am I a giver or a taker?
• Do I often find myself getting into trouble?
• What expectations do I have of others, and am I willing to give at least that much towards my loved ones?
• How am I using the gift of life?
• How much time have I wasted on meaninglessness when I could have done something good?  
• Am I able to see and respect the beauty in the world?
• What do I focus my energy on?
• How am I making the world a better place than I found it?
• Am I humble?
• Do I brag about my accomplishments?
• Do I get myself into trouble in order to make myself look better than I actually am?  
• Do I worry too much about what other people think of me?
• How do I handle criticism?
• How do I handle disappointment?
• Can I admit when I'm wrong?
• How do I deal with failure?
• What have I learned from my mistakes?
• How do I manage my emotions?
• Am I able to show gratitude?
• Am I personally responsible?
• Do I take responsibility for my actions?
• Do I deny pleasure in order to meet my responsibilities?
• Do I contribute to my community?
• Am I trustworthy?
• Am I nurturing my spiritual growth?
• Do I pray?
• Do I study scripture?
• Do you fear God?

How did you do?

There are probably thousands of questions you should be asking yourself, but this is at least a start.

Taking it to a whole new level

Back in the spring 🌱 of 2021, I had gone to confession and was given the Rosary as a penance. I wasn't all that familiar with it, I waited until that evening so I could pray along with The Family Rosary Across America which is on Relevant Radio at 8 PM Eastern Time, which I had recently discovered. I listened to it while I was at work.

That must have really pissed off my devil 👿 because the next day, I fell off my electric bike and broke my wrist.  It was like, during a moment where I wasn't paying attention, he kicked the back wheel right out from under me, and down I went. I was laid up for about 10 weeks. It totally sucked.

That's how the devil works. If you try to turn to God, he will be right there doing whatever he can to turn you away. He will find a way to distract you. He will find a way to hurt you. He will point out your faults. He will try to get you to focus on the things that aren't very important. He will whisper things in your ear that will remind you why you should be angry. I'm sure that he thought he had me for a moment. 

I was in pain. It was all I could do to get through my day. I couldn't work, so I had a lot of time on my hands. I didn't have the money coming in. I had to have surgery. I had a big bulky cast that went all the way up to my armpit. I was raising a young child on my own. She was a handful. She was still a little too young to help me, although she did what she could. It was a real struggle. I started going to bed around 10:00 p.m. completely exhausted. So, I started praying the rosary every night.

I really began to look forward to that time, trying to pray. At first it was an escape from a difficult situation. It brought me to a place of peace, if only for a moment.  It was a way to connect with God. I learned to look forward to that time.  

Once I felt better I started to do it in the morning. Now, I start everyday by praying my rosary.  It has become a part of my regular morning 🌄 routine.  It has been for a couple of years.  It's often a struggle to get through it.  Especially if I'm anticipating something, good or bad, it doesn't matter.  Especially if I have something major going on.  My mind will wander, and saying the words become a little mundane.  

There is one thing that I have discovered that the rosary is really good for, that is helping me to deal with a crisis.  It's amazing how things just fall into place when God gives you the grace to deal with it.  It's amazing how simple a solution to a problem can be when you turn to him.

Now, I'm going on 4 years into it. I managed to get through it on most days.  Some days it's easier than others. Some days it's really difficult to stay focused, but even a bad prayer is better than no prayer at all. I simply offer my distractions to God, because that's how I take my worries to him. Most days I'll do it on my own.