It is one of my core beliefs that our character is our choice. We can and should shape who we become. This was an idea that was rooted in my high school English class, when we read East of Eden by John Steinbeck. There’s an important idea in the book about an old word - timshel. It means, “thou mayest” and was the word from which a key passage in the Bible was translated?

Is conquering sin an inevitability? Is it an imperative? In Steinbeck’s story it’s neither. It’s a a choice. It’s something we may do. Thou mayest.

I don’t think becoming a better person is an inevitability, nor is it an imperative. It’s a choice. That’s why the title of the book I wrote is exactly that: Character By Choice.

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I’m trying something new for the next few months - a new creative thread to pursue.

I’m relaunching my podcast! I hope you’ll join me there as well as on this blog. Here’s the link to the podcast on Spotify. Or, search for “Muscle Memory” wherever you get your podcasts.

Here’s how it’ll work. I’ll read an excerpt from a chapter of the book every week and do a little discussion about it. I’ll summarize the most important idea on this blog. I’ll also have a 5 minute guided reflection with a question related to that chapter.

I’m doing this for two reasons. I’ve invested a ton in writing this book and I’m really proud of it. But the format of a blog can be limiting, I want to try unlocking it in new ways in a format that’s more conducive to voice and dialogue - much like a chat we might have around a campfire.

I also want to explore more creatively, and sow new seeds. Candidly, I’m a little stale and need to recharge my batteries before my blog posts have the same zest and originality that I know I’m capable of. Taking a break from new written ideas will help me find that zest again.

Either way, you’ll still find me here weekly - just with a new format and new energy. Thanks for being here with me and reading (and now listening again). Here’s the link again for the podcast.