This is not important/Index

Just a stump.

It was a chockfull week of conferences and online courses and I’m bushed but also living for that learning life.

I just wanted to say. That.

In what constitutes much of my life now with regards to the messy real life-ness of ministry/prepping for youth group lessons and keeping in touch with friends and family, 24/7 overthinking about and worrying too much and regretting everything, I rediscovered and revelled in that part of myself of holing up and taking miscellaneous courses. And I just love that part of myself. I just want to say that. 

And I don’t mean to boast about that. I just really thank the Lord that when an online course starts, and someone with something to say starts talking, I’m just riveted and wholly absorbed, taking notes, and that feeling of “eating” something substantial, to which I can further personally masticate in my own time, that feeling is great. I mean, it does worry me (like, has my mind not been eating enough? hmm) but I’m counting my blessings. And they make me productive. There’s so much to learnnn aaahhhh.

I think. I haven’t been thinking about some things for a while. So let me think. I think. That I have shut off thinking about some things seriously, have stopped trying out of the tiredness and potential hurt and new regrets and so on etc. So that part of me just stopped a little. Starts and stops. Sputters. So maybe being intellectually stimulated now becomes a rush to make up for whatever it is that’s not happening anymore in that other bit of me. Maybe.

And here, I also am very thankful for the mind as a part of the body and the spirit, in being able to listen and hear and think things and dialogue with others that is able to convict me and move me in my spirit, in stirring up and challenging me to think about the things I’d shut off and not want to think about.

I just think we are really amazing, complex human beings and really amazingly made. kabooosh

***

For myself/if you were interested, the diet last week:

• MediaBranding – Completed, 2 days, 8 hours each, sponsored
  • It was reflective in crafting the internal hero’s story, then learning how to manipulate social media algorithms for better publicity (this part was actually very “oh wow I did not know that veryy cunning”)
  • 8 hours on the screen for 2 days in a row was tough
  • first class with other older adults. Comprehension skills across the board was lacking. But also applauds for older folks attempting to re-invent themselves
  • Feels that the dude was hitting on that one participant but ok
• Hillsong College Online Introduction to the New Testament – In Progress, finished Week 2, 4 weeks to go, free
  • Absolutely fascinating
  • There is just so much context that needs to be set
  • Did not even realise there was such a thing as intertestamental period
  • Newfound respect for Pharisees. Legit feel that if I were in that time/space/context, I would not necessarily believe that Christ was the Messiah. Because I’m such a stickler for laws and rules. Thank God for the hindsight I’m living in now
  • The Hasmaneon Dynasty could be really good source material for a political period drama. I’d watch it.
• Theology of the Body – Spammed and completed this weekend, free
  • This was just out of this world. Underrated and much needed for the times we live in now. Really important stuff. Everyone should hear about this I swear.
  • Eyeopening in itself with regards to the Catholic traditions. Truly appreciate everything these scholars do in reading John Paul II. Important theology right here.
  • Finished about 10 courses or so according to the checklist and rather proud about that
• Engaging Youth Digitally – 1.5 hours, free
  • It is cool to see other non-govt non-religious organisations coming together for the same cause of sharing resources to help youths
  • Super insightful into youth povs and how to engage them in a very technical sense with social media
  • Currently trending: Instagram and TikTok

Currently, in progress:

• Hillsong’s Intro to the NT (see above)
• Hinduism Through its Scripture – edX, Finished Day 3, 5 days to go, free
  • The first exploration of religion beyond Christianity and its siblings so incredibly fascinating how there are such similar and different paradigms to this religion
  • Covered the creation of the world, the treatment of women, marriage and karma

***

I have also been religious in catching all the free shows and musicals being released every once in a while but I feel like those deserve a separate index. If I’m diligent, maybe it will happen.