Meditations on God

Is It Worth It
Before engaging in argument or debate, ask yourself if it’s worth it.

What do you hope to gain?

Will it make your life better?

Will it make you happier or more useful to those around you?

Will you be a better person if you win?

If you are wrong, are you willing to admit it?

You have a limited amount of time, energy, and attention in this life so don’t waste it pointlessly on things that do not matter to who you want to be or the life you want to live.

IS IT WORTH IT
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
Meditations of a Gentle Warrior

To read my longer writing, subscribe at robertvanvalkenburgh.com
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July 22, 2024

argument, calling, choice, debate, purpose
An Artist’s Tension
Your task as an artist is not to make art that people like.

Your task is to make art that you are proud of.

Your task is to follow your vision where it leads and then to share your art with the world.

Your task is to express yourself courageously in spite of your fears and insecurities.

Your art is your voice and not everyone wants to hear what you have to say, but they are not your concern.

Share your art so that those who have no voice may feel seen, heard, and understood through you.

Your task as an artist is to carry the tension of uncertainty and vulnerability so that others don’t have to.

AN ARTIST’S TENSION
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
Meditations of a Gentle Warrior

To read my longer writing, subscribe at robertvanvalkenburgh.com
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July 21, 2024

art, artist, bravery, courage, creative, creativity, fear, tension, vulnerability
Change Your Mind
It takes a great deal of humility to be willing to change your mind.

Being right feels safe.

It feels powerful.

Admitting you might be wrong makes you vulnerable.

It feels unsafe and uncertain.

But the only way to truly know that you are right is to be willing to admit that you might be wrong.

True strength comes from the humility and vulnerability of being open-minded not the obstinance and arrogance of being close-minded.

CHANGE YOUR MIND
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
Meditations of a Gentle Warrior

To read my longer writing, subscribe at robertvanvalkenburgh.com
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July 20, 2024

humility, open minded, vulnerability
Kind Not Nice
Kindness is a better measure of goodness than niceness is.

Many people are nice, but not kind.

They are friendly, but not honest.

They will tell you what you want to hear with no intention of following up on their words.

Kind people, on the other hand are honest, generous, and faithful.

They may not always be nice, but they are reliable and sincere.

It is possible to be both kind and nice, but if forced to choose between the two, choose kindness.

KIND NOT NICE
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
Meditations of a Gentle Warrior

To read my longer writing, subscribe at robertvanvalkenburgh.com
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July 19, 2024

kindness, morality, niceness, principals, truth
Justifiable Anger
Anger is a normal and justifiable response to injustice.

Staying angry, however, is a choice.

Anger is an impulse, but resentment is a decision.

When something disturbs you to the point of resentment, there’s usually more going on than just that thing.

Something is going on in you; something is wrong with you.

Take a look at yourself and your life before you try to change others and solve the world’s problems.

If you are honest, you will see that you have a lot of work to do.

JUSTIFIABLE ANGER
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
Meditations of a Gentle Warrior

To read my longer writing, subscribe at robertvanvalkenburgh.com
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July 18, 2024

anger, change, resentment

Is It Worth It

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An Artist’s Tension

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Change Your Mind

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Kind Not Nice

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Justifiable Anger

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