 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). I may have a TBI, but with Him I have overcome, and will continue.
It is not how I feel, at the moment I may feel exhausted, however I know feelings are liars, and we do not rely on them to sustain us. We rely on Him. I consider myself to be lucky. He came into my life at a very young age through my mother. I have no reason to feel down or bad for myself. He promises us that we will have an abundance if we die to ourselves, and live in Him our faith, and our commitment. John 10:10 (NIV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” I invite you to think about what struggles you have been dealing with lately. Can you let go of them and surrender them to God?
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I went to a trade show a while ago where my brother was selling at Ohana Comic Con. I spent most of my time hanging out at the booth to support Steve and Josh. I’ve never been a big comic book fan, mainly because I didn’t enjoy reading much when I was younger. That said, I realize I should try again now that I’m older, especially since I do enjoy reading these days. Comics actually feel good for me now because they aren’t long novels. They’re more my speed, shorter stories with images that help move the narrative along and make it easier to remember. In a way, they might even act as a mnemonic tool for recalling what I’ve read. Years later, my older brothers are still teaching me things. I’m learning to humble myself and recognize that they’re older and have more life experience. I know I can sometimes come across as Mr. Know-it-all, but I truly am malleable and open to learning. I’m practicing being more go-with-the-flow and allowing life’s experiences to guide me rather than trying to control everything. It was also really special to be in the presence of my brother’s favorite thing. Watching him light up while he was in his element was meaningful. The name of the event--Ohana, which means family—felt especially fitting. It was just so good to be together. We went out to eat afterward, shooting the shit and catching up, which made the day even better. This whole experience inspired me to think about what kinds of comics I might enjoy as an adult. I remembered liking the Captain Underpants series as a kid and thought it could be fun to revisit it now—especially as a nostalgic way to connect with kids today. While searching, I also came across a biblical comic series called The Hero Bible, which feels more aligned with where I am in life right now. I’m really looking forward to starting it this weekend. I also ordered a blank comic book template, which I’m excited about. It will give me a way to map out my own religious stories. I don’t usually enjoy hand drawing, but sketching out the structure first feels like a helpful step before creating something digitally. Honestly, if someone had presented stories of God to me this way when I was a kid, I might have listened more closely.   ...it’s not promised.
We think we have all this time, but tomorrow is not promised to anyone. You may miss those opportunities now, because you decided later would be more opportune. Something happens, later never comes. We are all so used to having His grace, that we don’t think about tomorrow never coming. We need to realize His grace is not a free for all, that we can do as we wish. His grace is a free gift, but it’s not to be taken for granted, or abused. God instructs us not to be slothful, and to be diligent. "slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger" (Proverbs 19:15)  It is a gift to see wrinkles and gray hair as a sign of wisdom, laughter; but also experience. It’s the sign of age, not as flaws but of a life well lived through all of its obstacles. A beauty map, filled with experience, wisdom, and a journey with anticipation. A precious gift not enjoyed by many. It is a testament to surviving and thriving. Highlighting deeper and richer connections. A more profound appreciation for life.
I don’t choose you because it’s easy. I choose you because I love you. The obstacles are what we survived together. When I see you I see the essence of our life. Having appreciation for life’s obstacles shows how you develop in them. You need obstacles to challenge you. At the end realize it wasn’t you that brought you through the bad times, but God. He has been with you the entire time. In your ups, and downs. To bring His child back up on sturdy ground.  In 2026, my intention is to live each day with purpose, movement, and creativity. I’m continuing to strengthen my body through the gym, kickboxing, walking the track, and preparing for more 5Ks and 10Ks. I’m also deepening my faith by attending church on Sundays and making space for reflection.
Writing remains central to my growth by working on my books and blogs, researching new ideas, and improving my self-editing skills. At home, I’m exploring creativity through digital art, Canva design, cooking, and baking, while finding meaningful ways to connect with my family through letters, art, and shared projects. This year is about filling my time with things that matter: learning, creating, serving others, and staying connected to my goals, my people, and my sense of purpose. What are your goals this year?  I actually do not have any photos of the kids opening their gifts because, you guessed it, we were on FaceTime. It was so nice in the moment to see them open their gifts, but now I can not go back and reminisce on the moment. It is a blessing to be able to “be together” and a curse there are no pictures to look back on.
Photos are important for all of us to help jog our past memories over the years. We all catch ourselves saying, “Oh I forgot about that day!” when we see an old photo. With a TBI, photos become even more important. They are like a time capsule. They capture the space in time to help me look back and remember. When you are navigating a TBI, that ability to do that in your head is broken. Photos then become my mnemonic technique (a pathway to remember) to hold on to the special moments. So maybe it would be better in my position to record the Facetime so I could replay it when I have moments of really missing them. Also, it would be so cool to replay the footage when they are older. It can be a time capsule for 2025 Christmas. If you have a loved one with a TBI, or just struggling with memory, I would recommend videos and pictures shared with them often as a way to connect and hold on to the memories. You can also share Google Docs with images and words to connect the dots between phone calls and visits. Take advantage of the technologies we now have to stay connected.  It took a catastrophic injury to get me to realize that I needed to reset how to set up for my future. So now instead of dwelling on the past, I look towards the future. Not everything is black and white. I mean, you can be told that you can’t do something but I have learned that with determination, grit, and God you can do anything that you put your mind to.
You always want to remind yourself where you came from to see how you have grown. A lot of times we are critical of ourselves. We focus on what we haven't done. We need to focus on how far we have grown. Look at yourself a year ago and see how far you have come. Has it gotten better or worse? It is never too late to start again. Remember that God should be at the forefront. Remember all you need is faith the size of a mustard seed. “So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” ( Matthew 17:20) Just remember, that yes, the mountain will move or the situation will become better or transform. But it may not happen all at once. It may be that the mountain or situation will move one rock at a time. Endure to the end. Will you be able to keep your faith during the process? There are situations and things that are happening in the background that you have no awareness of. That is where your faith comes in. We do not have control of every situation, so we leave it to Him. The Father knows best.  Nordic wild blueberries (bilberries) are beneficial for one's health and can help with the following:
I personally usually add them into a smoothie but you can also just eat them as a fresh snack, in yogurt, as a cereal topper or add them into baking. Something to consider in the way you eat frozen blueberries is you can not just stick fresh blueberries in the freezer. If you do that it is going to kill the nutrient. However if you flash freeze them they will maintain (or even enhance) the nutrients. If you would like to read more about the health benefits of bilberries, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bilberry-benefits If you would like to know how to flash freeze your bilberries, check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esKBqVsodyw&t=55s Focus on self-compassion, setting achievable goals, and surrounding yourself with supportive people. Focusing on self-compassion is actually a form of self-growth. It means being kind to yourself and recognizing when you need to heal, whether that healing comes from exercise, recovery, or simply navigating the daily grind. Think about it this way: what would you tell your wife if she were struggling? You would encourage her to take care of herself and to speak kindly to herself. So do for yourself what you would want for her. When you take care of yourself, you become a better person, partner, and parent. The bonus is that when she is cared for, she is also able to take better care of the family as a whole. Setting achievable goals is key to making real progress. Using the same analogy, you wouldn’t want your wife to clean the whole house and prepare an entire Thanksgiving meal in one day on her own. You would tell her to break it up over the week so she doesn’t burn out. Life works the same way. Push yourself, but not to the point where you break or lose the joy that life has to offer. Finally, surround yourself with supportive people. You want your wife to spend time with people who support her, your marriage, and the positive environment you are trying to create for your kids. The same applies to you. The people you surround yourself with matter. Their energy can be contagious, for better or for worse. Stay close to the ones who bring out the good in you. What can you do for yourself today that shows self-compassion? What small thing can you do today to set you up for success tomorrow? Who are the supportive people you surround yourself with?   The holiday might not look the way it did when we were kids, but it is still important to pause and be grateful. Be grateful for what you have, not worried about what you don’t have. It is a day to stop and thank God for watching over us. We might not have everything we want at this moment, but He has a bigger plan. He wants us to prosper. Faith the size of a mustard seed is all we need. Do not put your faith in your job or in what the world can offer. Put it in Him.
To go deeper, I look at where I was a decade ago. I was broken. He put me back together and did what needed to be done. I am thankful to be alive. Without Him, I would not be where I am today. I used to see situations as something bad, but now I see them as obstacles to overcome. I am grateful for my family and for the technology that allows me to see them even when we are far apart. I am thankful that God brought her into my life and multiplied it in every way. Yes, that includes our children, but it is also true in a deeper, more spiritual sense. She lifts me up, brings me closer to God, keeps me balanced, and is honest with me when I am wrong. The legacy of having two children means everything to me. They will carry forward the lessons we teach them and one day share them with their own families. Before I had kids, life was centered around me. Now that they are here, everything I do is for them. I want to stay strong and be the best version of myself, not just for my own sake but to show them that anything is possible. I want everyone who meets me to feel the goodness that comes through me. It is not just me trying to do good. It is Him working through me. Now I know it was never just me. It was always Him. What are you thankful for? |
Come back soon for new blogs weekly!I will be writing about my TBI recovery tools, favorite healthy recipes, workout ideas and encouragement, and ways I stay engaged. Archives
October 2025
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