Why I sing "Considering Matthew Shepard" as a Christian

On Friday, June 26, I will be singing in a regional performance of Considering Matthew Shepard, a contemporary oratorio by Craig Hella Johnson, remembering and reflecting upon the murder of 21-year-old Matthew Shepard in 1998.

The work intentionally mirrors traditional Passion settings, drawing on themes of hate, love, grief, forgiveness and a broken yet beautiful humanity. Audience and choir members are put into the metaphorical shoes of Matthew, his parents, his murderers and even the fence to which he was tied.

For a thorough movement-by-movement analysis of the piece, check out our assistant director's piece on the oratorio.

As you might've gathered by now, the piece is substantial, both in its musical beauty, interest and complexity and the themes, questions and stories that it tackles. But why am I singing it?

I grew up in a Protestant Christian home, attending Chandler Bible Church, where I was baptized as an infant, and then Center Church in Gilbert, AZ. At TCU, I was a faithful member of Chi Alpha campus ministries. My Christian faith walk led me to the Catholic Church, in which I was confirmed. I regularly attend mass at St. Patrick Cathedral in Fort Worth, TX. 

Through it all, the foundation of my faith (the Gospel) has never changed. Many of my doctrinal beliefs have not either (what I believe the Bible teaches on how to be in the world but not of it). 

The relevant piece of doctrine in this case is the Bible's teaching on homosexuality. 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraph 2357) references Genesis 19:1-29, Romans 1:24-27, 1 Corinthians 6:10 and 1 Timothy 1:10 and calls homosexual acts "intrinsically disordered,” saying that "under no circumstances can they be approved." I believe the Bible to be clear and relevant about this.

That said, I believe that singing this work is not a departure or betrayal from these truths. It is in fulfillment of The Gospel Truth. In some way, I believe Johnson understood this.

In the score's forward, he writes that the oratorio is meant for choristers and audiences "to see ourselves in the lives of the protagonists and the perpetrators, and, perhaps most importantly, to recognize the presence of the divine in everyone."

We are all children of God.

One movement of the work is entitled "We Are All Sons." We share in the unique blessing of being image bearers. We share that divine image and humanness with the worst and best of these image bearers, the most Godly and the vilest sinners.

Quoting Dante, the choir sings, "Know we are the Love that moves The sun and all the stars, O Love that dwells, O Love that burns In every human heart."

In John 17, Jesus Himself prays that we all may dwell in Him in unity. The promise of the Gospel is for everyone who accepts Him and seeks to do as He commands. In that is a beautiful intersection of faith practices and lives lived all drawing closer to the unity for which Jesus prayed. All walks came to mourn and pray at the fence. I will join.

Matt was murdered. My brother, and one of God's children, was murdered. I cannot ignore that because it is difficult, and I cannot ignore that because his life looked different than mine.

I don't sing CMS as a protest, but as a prayer.

Even in darkness — actually, especially in darkness — God is present, and if we search for His light, we can learn to pray and praise in those times as well.

In one movement, we hear a portion of Matthew's father's testimony to the court. He speaks to his son not being alone. He had nature and he had God.

On this side of Heaven, I don't know what happened in the 18 hours he was tied to that fence, but I do know what God was doing. He was reaching out to His lost son — His lost and suffering son.

The oratorio mirrors a passion because Matthew's death was not dissimilar in nature to a crucifixion. For me, though, I don't compare him to our Savior, but the thieves crucified with Him. In all of his crying, praying and wondering, I hope Matthew found God like the the good thief did. I hope he repented and trusted that God's plan for his life and even his death was good. I hope he understood even better than I do why extraordinarily bad things happen to ordinary people.

One movement portrays Matt's soul as reaching out for some Divine connection.

I pray for Matt's soul, I pray for those hurting to find hope and comfort in Christ and I pray for the space between Earth and Heaven to be that much thinner as we recognize our shared heritage and internal dwelling of love.

I don’t know whom "Hell awaits," but I know God awaits us every day, and all it takes is our true faith and open arms surrender.

But what about how the oratorio portrays Christians who think like me? 

In short, it's bad. The local Baptist church protested at the funeral. Hateful people said he deserved to die. No one deserves to die, and the Bible is very clear about the dignity of every human life. 

They are not acting as Christians are called to act. They are just as much sinners as those they persecute. Instead of teaching the whole truth of the Bible (this includes what sin is and isn't and how to love), they often seem to teach an easier thing: hate.

On the other hand, I do not believe churches should affirm a homosexual lifestyle, but some do. We have yet to fully figure out how best to be loving without affirming.

Maybe we should be more like Ananias whom God sent to heal Saul's blindness in Acts 9. Ananias never affirmed Saul's persecuting of Christians, but he obeyed God to serve and love Saul even before his conversion. Then, Ananias baptized him as Paul. He loved Saul as a sinner and led him to new life by that love and by God's merciful will.

The most true and pure Christianity has always been the minority. Look at the religious in the Bible. The Pharisees hated the imperfect, the persecuted apostles sought them out. Lord, let me be the latter. Let Russell and Aaron revel in the mercy they were shown and find their faith to grow to be the latter as well.

Their call was to crucify the sinful but they forgot they were sinful, too.

We are all sinners. 

It just shows up in different ways for each person. For Matthew, it was homosexuality.

The Catechism states the clear Biblical view on homosexuality, but what I quoted above was not complete. In paragraph 2358, it reads, "They do not choose their homosexual condition; for most of them it is a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided."

In one movement, the oratorio asks, "where has the innocence gone?" I say that it left long before Matt's murder. It left even before the first murder in history. It left at the fall. The fires of Hell burn for us all. That's why God sent Jesus, His only son, to save us poor sinners. 

God does not turn His back on sinners. He runs to them as the father runs to his prodigal son. His people, me included, should seek to do the same. Yes, we should call out sin in our brothers and sisters, but as Paul does, we should recognize that we are the chief of sinners, first. 

The Church is not a museum for saints. It is a hospital for sinners. Matt included. Me included. 

For now, life goes on. People break themselves on the law of God just as falling breaks oneself on the law of gravity. The grieving, Wyoming nor the world will change because I sing this oratorio. But I, and I pray others, will be moved by a Godly sorrow to a Godly love for all His sinful children.

I sing Considering Matthew Shepard to praise God for His mercy and pray to God for His light.

Don’t Give Up On Christian Music

“Christian music is boring!” 

No doubt you’ve heard something to this effect before. Many music lovers hear the musical stylings of Phil Wikham or Elevation Worship and make the point that most of their songs sound the same. 

I’m not one to disagree. Worship songs often have a format. You’ll likely hear something to the effect of a soft verse, soft chorus, loud verse, loud chorus (twice), bridge that starts low and builds, and then the chorus again… and again… and again. 

While I believe there should be a time and a place for basking in the glory of God while listening or singing this kind of music, many people discount the whole genre of CCM based on this small, often repetitive sample size. 

In 2017, Plugged In writer Bob Waliszewski encouraged readers to listen to more Christian music and even attempt the Menconi 30-Day Christian Music Challenge (a challenge where participants listen to only Christian music for a month). 

Just that idea might scare some people. You might understand that hearing the truths of God in your earbuds is probably better than hearing about another one of Taylor’s exes, but maybe her music is just too good to resist.

Is Christian Music too Jesus-forward to sound any good? Or are some artists just like the pop stars? 

Still hovering in that Spotify search window? Here’s some ideas: 

If you like Taylor Swift, try Mandisa or Francesca Battistelli. Billie Eilish? Lauren Daigle or Ben Potter. Eminem? T-Bone or NF. Morgan Wallen? Rhett Walker or Anne Wilson. Kendrick Lamar? nobigdyl. or Andy Mineo. Post Malone? Forrest Frank. Hozier? Brandon Lake. Teddy Swims? Zach Williams or Needtobreathe. Noah Kahan? Rend Collective. Ed Sheeran? Jason Gray or Colton Dixon. Metallica? Skillet. Bruno Mars? Tauren Wells. Coldplay? For King & Country. 

And there's so many more.... Allison Eide (indie-rock), The Hillbilly Thomists (bluegrass), Emma Nissen (jazz), Blessing Offor (soul) and more.

“But the music I listen to isn’t bad!”

You may have heard something to this effect as well. And maybe it’s true. Maybe you stay away from explicit music or even music that talks about explicit subjects. In essence, your music taste is comfortably neutral. 

Anything you listen to can have an impact that any form of media can have on your mind, your heart, your thoughts and your actions, but that impact doesn't have to be negative. Our minds, our hearts, our thoughts and our actions can be affected positively, too. Check out this blog I wrote for Plugged In on the subject.

It doesn’t have to be a chore, though. While I don’t exclusively listen to CCM, I would count Crowder, Natalie Layne and Ross King as three of my favorite artists, Christian or otherwise. So, I’d encourage you to find that Christian artist that scratches your popular music itch and listen to the truths of God and good music at the same time.

ChatGPT Can't Take My Job

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly integrating itself into human society, leaving many, including AI's creator to worry about the potential dangers... and it's too late. But rather than spend a whole blog talking about how AI robots are going to take over the universe, I decided to focus on the positive: it can't take my job... yet.

ChatGPT, OpenAI's highly capable generative chatbot, recently got an upgrade, allowing it to better source its information, provide more human-like responses, and even assist with image recognition and generation. But, even from its earliest iterations, ChatGPT wasn't a bad writer. We even teamed up to write an article on it that I published for TCU360 a couple years ago. 

I'll admit it... ChatGPT can write... maybe even report. Though it is limited by lack of human interaction in the amount of information it can gather, one of my journalism classes just discussed some potential uses for AI in the newsroom. Here are three:

1. Interview Prep: Do you need to practice before an important interview? No problem, just ask ChatGPT to act as this important public figure. This way, you can try out your interview questions on a lifelike sports star, politician, or other public figure. ChatGPT can even provide good follow-up questions for you.

2. Idea Generator: Do you have a story due by the end of the day and no clue what to write about? Ask ChatGPT. It knows what types of stories are trending on the internet and can task you to cover events that you didn't even know were happening. ChatGPT can also help with your preliminary research.

3. Broadcast Translation: Do you broadcast in English, but wish you could broadcast in Spanish, too? New AI applications will analyze your voice and face and make it look and sound like you are speaking another language. (Why am I taking Spanish again?)

Reporters seem to already be sharing their job with the AI chatbot... how long before it takes over completely? 

Truth is, I don't know. While it still gets some things wrong, ChatGPT (arguably, one of the more basic AI softwares) is pretty good at what it does. So, I put it to the test. Its mission? Write like me, a collegiate level reporter with over 200 published works.

After directing it to samples of my work and having it summarize my writing style, here's what I asked it:

Write a made-up headline of an article that Caleb might write and provide a snippet of the article in his tone

It responded:

TCU Musicians Unite for Student-Run Recital Highlighting New Compositions

Last night, the intimate Van Cliburn Concert Hall buzzed with creativity as TCU music students debuted original works in a student-organized recital. From intricate percussion arrangements to evocative string quartets, the performances showcased not only technical prowess but also the depth of storytelling through sound.

“It’s not just about performing,” said sophomore composer Emma Rodriguez. “It’s about connecting with the audience and sharing something personal.”

The recital reflected TCU’s commitment to fostering artistic expression, with students taking the reins in curating and performing the event. The audience, composed of faculty, peers, and community members, gave enthusiastic applause to each piece, proving that the next generation of composers is ready to make its mark.

Not bad, right? It has the necessary information, a good quote, and a newsworthy premise; however, there are a lot of problems with it. How do I know? Well, I'm not just a reporter. For the past two years, I've been working at TCU 360 as an editor. I pride myself on my knowledge of AP style and good journalistic principles many reporters miss. ChatGPT asked me to share my problems with its reporting. I did:

1. Headline needs to be in sentence case and should be shorter

2. Stop using flowery words like "intricate, evocative, etc"

3. Shorter paragraphs, specifically the first one... the lead should tell you everything you need to know in one concise sentence

4. The quote source should read "Emma Rodriguez, a sophomore composition major, said"

5. Don't make assumptions that TCU is committed to fostering artistic expression or that the next generations of composers is ready 

It complied:

Students Showcase Original Music in TCU Recital

TCU students performed their original compositions at a recital organized entirely by students. The event featured new works for percussion and strings, highlighting their creativity and collaboration.

“Sharing something personal with the audience is what this is all about,” said Emma Rodriguez, a sophomore composition major.

The recital drew applause from peers and faculty, celebrating student-led music initiatives at TCU.

I noticed some things... The headline? Not in sentence case. The lead? Not one sentence. The quote source? It still has "said" before the name (a big journalism no no). Also, I don't really know where the end of that quote went...

This is why, as editors, we just change things for the reporters instead of asking them to do it. Even an artificial intelligence language model has the arrogance to refuse to change its first draft too much in some cases and change too much in others. But, I decided to give it another shot. Here's what I wrote:

The "said" should still come after the name

The headline is not in sentence case (in sentence case only the first word is capitalized)

The lead is not one sentence as it should be

It complied:

Students showcase original music in TCU recital

TCU students shared their original music in a recital organized entirely by peers. The event featured new works for percussion and strings.

“Sharing something personal with the audience is what this is all about,” Emma Rodriguez, a sophomore composition major, said.

The recital offered a platform for students to present their work and connect with the campus community. 

Well, two out of three ain't bad, right? (Notice the lead still isn't one sentence). I actually regenerated the response twice more and only once did ChatGPT accomplish all three objectives. In the other flop, the AI failed to put "said" at the end of the attribution. 

Research completed, I went to bed with a smile on my face. At least for the moment, even if AI can write, it has a long way to go before even it doesn't need an editor (and don't get me started on Grammarly... AP style is not its forte either).

The Same Brand New Moments: the Stories Behind the Songs (Part Three)

The Same Brand New Moments
a song about life

The writing process for this one was interesting in that I had the melody before I had an idea of even what instrument it would be with. I ended up going with electric guitar so I could truly utilize all my instruments on this album. 

In the earliest stages of this album, my thought was for there to be a song for every holiday (I had Thanksgiving, Christmas, and graduation already covered). It went from holidays to moments very quickly, but this song started out as a New Years song. Every start of a new year is a time to reflect on the years past in my mind, and as one does that, it becomes very clear how much of our lives are just reiterations or repetitions of the same moments. I wanted to reflect that in a song.

In the first iteration of this song, it was missing the last verse/chorus, and in some ways, was a bit depressing... Sisyphean, some might say. But, there is truth in that last verse/chorus. If we are, as humans, going to keep making the same mistakes and feeling the same feelings, we should put our trust in the one who makes no mistakes, but also went through life just as we are. He's been here before.

The more I've thought about it, our lives are made up of these same moments, presented each time in this brand new way. That's not a bad thing, though. We grow. We learn. Some moments get easier with practice and some get harder with frequency, but that is how this life on Earth is. And, until I get to heaven, I want to keep living these same brand new moments. 

Special thanks to my dad for tracking drums on this one!

Let Us Give Thanks
a song about thankfulness

Just like Departure, some of you may have already heard this song! I wrote this back in 2021, recorded it in my room and then posted it to my YouTube channel with a cool lyric video before sharing it with my friends and family. It was my first real toe-dip into song writing: I had a cool guitar part and a message that I thought was important, so I made a song. 

I have been inspired by so many singer-songwriters over the years. Now, some of my biggest inspirations are Ben Rector and Matthew West. Listening to a lot of music and growing up in an encouraging and musical household helped me have the confidence to write and record this song and ultimately this album.

The story of this song has actually already been written for the most part in my blog here about Christmas not being celebrated before Thanksgiving has happened (other than Christmas in July (on July 25)... I'm cool with that. Thanksgiving truly is my favorite holiday and, while I'm glad it already had a couple songs, I'm happy to add to that small collection.

A Basic Christmas
a song about simplicity

This song is short, it is relatively simple musically, and it is to the point. This song was also written and self-recorded before the album, but not too much before. "a BASS-ic Christmas" is a collection of Christmas song covers over on my YouTube channel. Over the past four years, I have recorded five songs (making them appropriately "bass"-y) every December to add to this collection. In 2022, I wrote and recorded A Basic Christmas to be an intro of sorts to my other four songs that year. 

Stemming from my views about Thanksgiving, I believe Christmas is overhyped. I love Christmas, don't get me wrong, but all the decorations, all the hubbub and travel, and all the commercialization has taken away from Christmas being about family, a break from worldly things, and ultimately about our savior being born. When I sing "a basic Christmas, a simple Christmas like the ones before" I'm not just talking about Christmases when I was a kid. I'm talking about the very first Christmas and Christmases that truly model the simplicity of the holy celebration of our savior's birth with loved ones. 

Maybe you're like me and you're not going to listen to this song until December or maybe on July 25th, but when you do, I hope it instills a sense of peace in simplicity.

Special thanks to my dad for tracking jingle bells on this one... it wouldn't be a Christmas song without them.

_________________________________________________________________________

At the beginning of part one of these stories behind the songs, I said that this album represents me. Yes, a country song, a rap song, and a pop song don't typically all belong on the same album. Nor should there necessarily be a Christmas song or a Thanksgiving song on an album that came out in September. But, on my playlist of around 300 of my favorite songs, there are songs that do not belong on the same playlist together. That playlist actually only has one song from any given artist. Musically, my album is representative of that: my tastes in many genres. 

I think the greatest tie between all these songs as an album, however, is a life. In this case, this life is mine, but the moments are not. Every life has moments of leaving, celebrating, praising, mourning, loving, losing, thanking, wanting, and having. Every life sees multiple variations of these moments. I wrote these songs over a year before they were released and I don't think they are any less applicable and emotionally-tied to my life, and I hope some of you that listen see the ties to moments in your life as well. 

These three blogs are meant to accompany the songs, not substitute for them, for in the very nature of music, more is communicated emotionally than anything I could ever explain in writing. "The Same Brand New Moments" is available wherever you stream music. Thanks for reading, thanks for listening, and go live the moments.

One final special thanks to John McJunkin (recording engineer), Ryan Buckland (mixing/mastering), and the whole team at GCU for helping me bring these songs to life, to my dad for tracking drums and percussion, to my uncle for letting me record his song, to all my music teachers past and present for teaching me how to play and sing, and to all my friends and family that have encouraged and supported me along the way. Y'all are the best.

The Same Brand New Moments: the Stories Behind the Songs (Part Two)

I Mean It
a song about love

While I am aware that I am no Johnny Cash, I am a bass and this is a country song, so he was my musical inspiration for this one. I love the spoken style of some of Cash's storytelling songs, and who doesn't love a country song with a catchy chorus with the story in the verses (ie. The Gambler, A Boy Named Sue, etc.)? So, with all that in mind I sat down with my guitar and wrote myself a country song. 

For those of you who know me pretty well, the autobiographical nature of this song was probably apparent, but for the rest of y'all, I'm Cooper in this song. It is so strange to me how some people, when they get broken up with, say that they never loved the person anyway. I know this is a coping mechanism, but I don't think it's a good one. Of course, it is very fair to not love them anymore, but in my life, I have meant it when I have said "I love you." I just have grown in the maturity of what that love is. It seems paradoxical, but I've found it true in my life that I've heard, meant, and said it before, but can still say I love you and mean it fully, no asterisks. And, since writing this song, I am grateful to have found someone to say this chorus to. 

Special thanks to my dad for tracking cajon and kick drum on this one!

If We Could Know
a song about courage

The second song in the kind of "love song trilogy," this song starts out about doubt and ends about courage. I believe that in every relationship, there are points of fear and doubt. No one wants to pour their heart into a relationship if things aren't going to work out. I certainly don't, but there's often no way to know. If we could know, it really would be easier to give someone all my love. Obviously, though, we cannot know what the 30-year future holds, but I still want to be able to fall in love if I believe it is at all possible that it will stay her and me. That's what courage in a relationship looks like, I think. When those doubts and fears come, to go forward despite them, together. 

I had the great opportunity to record this on an acoustic Yamaha grand in the GCU studio instead of the electric piano. I think that rawness adds to the integrity of the song. As I've continued to mess around with the chord progression, even after recording, my urge is to add so much more, but I value the meditative space that the song in its recorded form provides. 

This might be my favorite song on the album. I love the wordplay I stumbled on, the acoustics of the piano, and that super fun run in the piano and voice that took me way longer than it should've to master. 

It's Been a While
a song about retrospecting

So what does retrospecting mean? It means to look back in thought. This song looks back in thought very personally. The song is a cappella to represent my joining of an a cappella choir in my early high school years. It's topic is one that truly cannot be described in the present, but is still a milestone in my past. Even saying "it's been a while" sticks the speaker in retrospect.

I don't like breakup songs. They whine, cry and blame or ask for her back. There is a time for tears, but the moments we should remember are the benefits of the relationship as it was. Like it or not, a person was a part of your life for a while and to dismiss them is to dismiss the growth you had in that time. I am lucky to have had all my relationships end relatively amicably. Of course my first relationship was the hardest to lose, but it showed me how to move on, to acknowledge the importance of that person in my life, and care without wanting her back. It sometimes takes a while, but it allows for peaceful and growth-minded retrospecting, and for that, I'm grateful.

Special thanks to Ryan Buckland for mixing and mastering all the songs, but especially this one — I know it was probably tough trying to blend a bunch of "me"s together.

The Same Brand New Moments: the Stories Behind the Songs (Part One)

"The Same Brand New Moments" is, on a surface level, a hodgepodge of topics and musical genres. In many ways, the "album-ness" of this collection of songs is questionable. Ultimately, however, all aspects of this album are representative of me.

Apart from a few exceptions, I wrote these songs in a practice room at Texas Christian University my second semester of freshman year (Spring 2023). Over that summer, I recorded all the songs at Grand Canyon University. And now, you can listen to the whole album on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, or from wherever you stream or buy music. What follows is a glimpse into my motivations for writing these songs: my moments.

Departure (I'll Go)
a song about leaving

This, the first song on the album, is one of the aforementioned exceptions: I actually wrote this song before my spring semester. I actually wrote it even before I moved into my freshman dorm. This song, for me, is about leaving for college.

It was the week before I left Arizona for Texas with my dad to drive all my stuff out to school. I sat down at my keyboard and was just playing around with different chord progressions and GarageBand sounds. The next day, I had a song. That is still the quickest I have ever finished a song. I found the piano part simple and meditative, and the words were just a pure expression of what I was feeling at that time. When I made the decision to enroll at TCU, it seemed so clear, but when I got closer to actually going, I saw everything that I'd be leaving behind and I began to question my choice. These were my feelings.

Now, as a proud Horned Frog in his junior year, I can safely say I made the hard but right and God-ordained choice. Change is always a little (or a lot) knee-knocking, but through God's grace, I was able to grow through it. I made TCU my home away from home, I kept my relationships with some really good Arizona friends, and I found incredible relationships with people at TCU. It is truly still difficult to be miles away from home and I still sometimes think I'm crazy, but my God does still love me, so whatever my next departure is, I'll go.

All Year Long
a song about friends

I had tons of fun writing this one! I don't think anyone could've predicted me rapping, and some might still argue I shouldn't rap, but here we are. My main priority for this song musically was to explore—to do something different than my "norm." And yes, this song has the same vibes as Fireflies, but no, it's not the same (it doesn't even have the same chord progression). The genesis of the song was the loop behind the rap. The high pitched voice singing the title? Yeah, that's a clip of me singing from 2010 with a couple effects thrown on it. I wrote the music around that. 

I love my friends, both old and new, so I knew if I was going to write a song about moments in my life, I have to incorporate all those times just chilling with friends, whether it be at school, at my buddy Miguel's house, or in my college apartment. To me, "summer" in this song is all the time to just be with those people. So, the idea of summer lasting all year long, is possible. Through all my busyness, I strive to make time to be with my friends to do nothing important. That in it of itself is important enough. I am very grateful for my friends.

If There's a Heaven... There's a Heaven
a song about loss

In December of 2022, my grandfather, who I have always known as Papa, received his ultimate healing after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was a truly incredible man who lived a truly incredible life walking with such faithfulness and humility. He was an example to everyone who knew him and I was grateful to have him around as a big part of my life for so long. 

The pain of loss is real, but I didn't think I could write a song as insightful and true to what loss is as my uncle did. Here's what he said about this song that he wrote:

Too few know a man like my dad. Even fewer have the privilege of walking with one for more than 40 years. And precious few are able to call such a man “dad.”  

I wrote this song in his final weeks, as I wrestled with the process of moving my faith from head to heart (and vice versa) in such a moment. 

The conclusions... God is good, heaven is real, cling to truth. 

There’s real vulnerability in admitting those doubts that can creep in, but more importantly, there’s real faith in the comfort found in the truth we know to be true. 

Special thanks to my uncle, James Gottry, for letting me record this personal and profound song.

Promised
a song about praise

Worship music has always been a big part of my life inside and outside of the church. Bob Kauflin, the Director of Sovereign Grace Music, said that a good worship song should be easy to learn and hard to forget. I agree, so as I tried my hand at writing a worship song, I followed the formula I'm used to... with my own flairs here and there. While there are CCM songs that are more technical or poetic, perhaps even more interesting or cool, I love the simplicity and clear purpose of this kind of worship music. 

There are many great worship songs out there about the promises of God and how he keeps all of them. I wanted to write something that spoke to that as well, but also spoke to the power and love of the God doing the promising. It's a beautiful thing to know all things will work out for the good, and we know that God keeps all His promises that are in the Bible, but how much more comforting it is to know He can promise that, because He knows everything that will be!

The starting point for this song was Psalm 16:5-10, from which is much of the chorus. That scripture was my grandfather's testimony to God's faithfulness. In that is the great promise of the gospel, that, if we believe in Him, God will not abandon us, but instead provide a way that our sins may be forgiven and we may have life. And for His great character and all His promises, it seems only fitting that we praise and bless His holy name.

Special thanks to my dad for tracking drums on this one!

I Wrote My Own Obituary For A Class

Morbid, isn't it?

Very much so, but I choose to look at it from a different perspective. Instead of treating it solely as a memento mori or solely as an assignment towards my journalism degree, I took the opportunity to think about who I am to others and how I want to be remembered by them. 

Now, I'm not going to publish the obituary I wrote in its entirety here. One day an obituary will be published about me in whatever form of media we read when my time comes, but I still, Lord willing, have a lot of life to live.

I turn 20 tomorrow. And what better way to celebrate your birthday than thinking about your obituary! That was sarcasm... kind of. At the same time, this could very well mark a quarter-way point through my life. So, let me take this blog to reflect on my life so far and look forward to my life to come. For it's never too early to start becoming who you want to be remembered as. 

There are many aspects of me that make me who I am. People recognize these things about me. 

Here's a few in no particular order: I am a good writer, I am a good musician, I am short for a dude, and I have a deeply rooted aversion towards using subtitles in news articles.

I could stop there of course, and you'd know a little bit about me, but you wouldn't know "the important stuff." That's the character stuff that's hard to make into a list.

My obituary put it this way: 

He was known for saying, “I love you,” asking “How can I help?” and joking “Hi hungry, I’m Dad.”  They were the three things Mr. Gottry said most in life, and he talked a lot.

That is how I want to be remembered.

I want to be someone who says, "I love you" often. I want to say it to my family who have and will continue to shape me and help me become the man I want to be. I want to say it to my friends, both old friends and new ones, for these are the people that have walked through life with me as we figure it out together. I want to say it to whoever I marry and those I date along the way, for they are a more sacred kind of friend and one day a more sacred kind of family and ones who's burdens and successes I will share in that love. I want to say it to those who don't hear it often, for those are the people that need to hear it the most no matter if they deserve it or not. Finally, I want to say it to my God for he has done more sacrificially for me than any person could ever do for me.

I want to be someone who asks, "How can I help?" whenever I am able. When I sent out an instagram story asking for quotes from friends and family for my obituary, I was encouraged that many people mentioned my kindness. I want to be known as a patient, helpful, and kind individual. This first starts with listening. I want to grow to be a better listener, for I can't help if I don't know the full extent of the problem. I want to be patient in how I respond in every situation, always leading with a servant's heart. Finally, I want the kindness that Jesus showed to those he interacted with to work through me as I interact with friends, family, and strangers. 

Lastly, but not least-ly, I want to be someone who jokes, "Hi hungry, I'm Dad" as much as possible. While this point may seem trite and to many who are around me often, mildly irritating on occasion, I see it as a deeper-rooted character thing. I am an optimist by nature and I hope that never changes. I find joy in the little things and the hard things and the things in between, like dad jokes. Furthermore, I want to be a dad—maybe an uncle and a grandfather, too. No matter what I achieve in my life, I don't think anything could top helping to raise a family... and telling the worst best jokes along the way.

I think I've made a good impact these past 20 years. It hasn't been perfect, but no person is. At the very least, I think some people see these qualities in me and I think I am set up to continue to make my impact in a meaningful way.

I am grateful for all the memories I've made and the people with whom I've made them, regardless of whether these memories and people make it into my obituary one day. For now, I'm just focused on living the next 20 years. In that time, my resumé, my contact list, and my photos will grow. But I am more intent on growing my obituary, for I am more focused on becoming a good man, one who God wants me to be, than anything else.

If I Won the Lotto Tomorrow...

I was walking out of the grocery store today and as I saw the lottery machine, I wondered, what would I do with that money?

In the musical, In The Heights, the lottery sum is $96,000, which is "not enough to retire." In real life (because as we all know, people don't randomly break out in song and dance...), the sum is $1.25 billion.

So, if I won the lotto tomorrow, I'd have a choice: $1.25 billion over 30 years or $625.3 million as a lump sum, according to Forbes Magazine. I'm partial to the first option. While both would offer lifetime financial stability, an annual sum would be like receiving a gift every January and would provide a hefty yearly budget.

Accounting for the 24% federal lottery tax and the 4.8% state lottery tax, I'd have more than "a knapsack full of jack after taxes." I'd receive around $39.5 million every year for 30 years. 

And what would I do with the money? "Esa pregunta es tricky."

Of course I wouldn't complain if someone gave me $39.5 million every year for 30 years. On the other hand, it would totally change my world. Money takes time to manage, especially deciding how much to give away and to whom. 

Before I get too far into other hypotheticals, let me share one of the things I would do first. I'd help fulfill my grandpa's hypothetical. If he won the lotto tomorrow, he has said he'd build/buy a cul-de-sac with a big community center in the middle. He would invite all his family to live there, having holiday and birthday gatherings in the community center, and I think that's super cool. 

With the rest of the money, who knows? There's spending, saving/investing, donating, and gifting. I don't have an accountant brain (which is why I'd definitely want to spend some of this money to hire someone to help me manage the rest of it), but here are just some of my thoughts.

SPENDING:

In my head, I wouldn't want my way of life to change much. While I wouldn't need to have a career, I would definitely still want to pursue my interests in writing and music making. I didn't grow up in a big house and while I could get a nice house, I wouldn't necessarily want a mansion.

I would travel to see people (friends and family) more. I would spend money on my hobbies (anything from a music studio space to a racquetball court). I would eat more expensive food, though still falling back on some simple homemade tacos now and again.

Finally, I'd buy my dream car--a truck. I don't know which one, but this one looks pretty sweet (Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid Truck).

SAVING/INVESTING:

I'm (hopefully) going to live for more than 30 years after tomorrow, so... yup, gotta do this.

DONATING:

This is also a priority. I'd want to support organizations that I've been a part of (schools and churches) and I'd want to seek out and support organizations whose mission I believe in. The amount of money I'd receive if I won the lotto tomorrow would definitely change my life--I'd want to change other people's lives too, especially those people who need the money more than I do.

GIFTING:

In a similar vein, I'd want to gift money to my friends and family. Not only will my birthday and Christmas game be stepped up, I could help my favorite people in the world accomplish their goals and fulfill their dreams. That's cool.

But how do I decide how much money and to whom it goes? Well, tell me what you need and I'll consider it! It's kind of like a scholarship application, except I'm not a college, I don't require essays and I know who all of the people applying are... so, not much like a scholarship application.

Suffice it to say, if I won the lotto tomorrow, a lot would change. But, in the great state of Arizona, I'm not old enough to buy a ticket, so I didn't. Maybe one year I'll give it a shot. I'll revisit this blog if I win.

Do I Secretly Want To Be a Tenor?

For those of you who have never heard me sing, let me tell you that I am a bass--a low bass. Let me also tell you to go listen to any cover on my YouTube channel so you can hear me sing (shameless plug). When I first started singing I was a soprano, but those days are long over. Since 8th grade, my voice has been low and getting lower. 

I do love being a bass. There's nothing quite like the low rumble of the bass voices in a harmony-filled choral work or the soft intensity of a walking bass line sung in a vocal jazz ensemble. The bass voice can ground an a cappella ensemble, have a country twang like no other, and give an air of wisdom and importance to a character in an opera.

But, if you're not also a bass singer, you might miss or fail to fully appreciate many of these things. I would also wager a bet that your favorite artist is not a bass (unless, of course, you are a bass).

The reason for this is that most famous male singers are tenors, or even baritones, but not usually basses. I Googled "famous bass singers" and clicked on an article entitled "11 Of The Greatest And Most Famous Bass Singers Of All Time." Singers listed include the legendary Johnny Cash, the opera star Boris Christoff, and former Pentatonix member Avi Kaplan. 

This is all well and good, but the same site also wrote a piece on famous tenors. Instead of just 11, they list "28 Of The Greatest And Most Famous Tenors Of All Time." A few singers not included in this list are Billy Joel, Bono (U2), and Adam Levine (Maroon 5).

There are likely many reasons why popular culture has chosen tenors. Tenors are even infiltrating country music more, a genre that used to be more dominated by basses and baritones. One interesting reason why we as a culture prefer tenors is that it is easier for the untrained human ear to determine the difference from pitch to pitch in the tenor range than between pitches in the bass range due to the slower frequency of the lower notes.

So, do I wish I were a tenor? Sometimes. I love the sound of an impressive tenor run and I would love to sing right along with some of my favorite artists. One more practical reason I sometimes wish I were a tenor is because of the doors it can open for roles in musical theatre. Many of the bass roles in musical theatre are the fathers or the bad guys, and while my voice fits the bill for some of these roles, my height and age do not. 

But, to become a tenor is to lose notes I would hate to lose. That's the thing--a tenor can sing as high as an alto, but so can a bass (albeit in falsetto, but we can). There are very few real tenors who can sing as low as a bass. It is a physical impossibility. The bass range is often unmatched.

Tenors have a lot going for them. It seems as if basses only have those notes to relish as their own, but they are our own and they serve to make our voices, like every voice, wonderfully unique.

If I were a tenor, my life might look different. I might be a musical theatre major. I might have recorded more music in the original key. But, in the end, I love my wonderfully unique voice and I wouldn't trade the low life for anything.

Tell Me I Ain't Turnin' Texan

I have lived my whole life in Gilbert, AZ, but now that I go to college at Texas Christian University, I'm (clap, clap, clap, clap) deep in the heart of Texas. And, with how enormous the state of Texas is, that is deep into Texas. But, does being in Texas for a whole semester of school make me Texan? Do I really have to like Whataburger? Over In-N-Out?! Let's look at a sampling of the quintessential Texan traits to see...

Boots - Now, I do know that not every Texan owns a pair of cowboy boots, but I've seen a couple Texas-natives on the receiving ends of judgmental looks from other Texans when they reveal they do not own boots. I did buy a pair of boots since going out to TCU, and I've walked out on the rodeo dirt with 'em on. 

Texan Pride - I certainly don't have enough Texas pride yet! I have a mug that says "Don't Mess With Texas," but I still don't know if I've gotten used to how many Texas flags are flying around me. Interesting fact: the Lone Star Flag is the only American state flag to have been also recognized as the flag of an independent country. 

Y'all - Yes, I do say "y'all." Then again, my sister goes to college in California and she says "y'all," too. 

Football - I love that football is such a big event in Texas. Being able to go to Big12 football games was a treat all season, and my love for college football will never die (see my blog post entitled "#GoFrogs #GoBucks"). When it comes to the Cowboys, however, I am much less committed than most. If I'm anything, I'm a Cardinals fan, so keeping up with the Cowboys is certainly not my first priority. 

Barbecue - The best barbecue I've ever had is from Joe's Real BBQ in Gilbert, AZ. For anyone from Fort Worth reading this and doubting that I've had good Texas barbecue, yes, I have had Heim Barbecue and Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que. 

Well, I don't think I'm a full Texan, yet, but maybe I'm fixin' to turn a bit Texan in my four years at TCU. Why not, right? My heart, however, is still firmly in the Grand Canyon State. And one more thing--I don't care how many people call it a gas station, but Buc-ee's is not just a normal gas station!

Check out my mashup of Blue Ain't Your Color and Tennessee Whiskey over on my YouTube Channel!

7 Ways You Could Be Using Your Sticky Notes

I don't know what I'd do without sticky notes. Sticky notes come in several varieties; you can get smaller sticky note tabs, larger sticky note lined pads, or even get virtual sticky notes for your computer. But, the standard sticky note pad surpasses them all. It is a versatile wonder that has a real impact on my life. Am I overselling it? Maybe a bit, but sticky notes are pretty cool regardless. Here are seven ways that YOU can use sticky notes in your day-to-day activities. 

1. Unsurprisingly, sticky notes can be used as NOTES. The low-tack, pressure-sensitive adhesive means the note can be easily applied and easily removed from any surface. If I don't want to bother my roommate by texting him, but need to let him know something whenever he gets back to the dorm, I will write a sticky note and put it on his desk. 
2. Similarly, sticky notes can be used as REMINDERS. For example, if you know you have to grab the muffins out of your pantry for the office breakfast in the morning, you can put a sticky note that says "Grab the muffins!" on your front door the night before. You can also write "notes to self" if you're on the go and don't have a proper notebook.
3. Sticky notes can also be used as TO-DO LISTS. This has been my main use for sticky notes at college. I have 1-4 sticky notes on my desk at all times with different to-do lists. It is helpful for me to have a list of things I need to get done by the end of the day as well as a list of things I want to get done in the near future. The sticky notes take up less space and are more secured to the desk than a piece of paper, and I can still have the satisfaction of crossing off a job well done.
4. Next, sticky notes can be used for SCRATCH WORK. There's no sense wasting a whole sheet of paper to test if a pen is working! Or to test out your burgeoning calligraphy skills! Just, peel off a sticky note, use it, and then throw it away!
5. Sticky notes can be used as BOOKMARKS. The sticky adhesive means that you can simply fold a sticky note in half and use the small rectangle to mark the page you're on in your favorite novel.
6. With minimal effort, sticky notes can be used as LABELS. When I was packing to go home for break, I went around my room and put a sticky note on everything I planned to take home. It was very helpful! You can also make labels for drawers, cubbies, binders, etc. simply by cutting the strip of the sticky note that has the adhesive on the back and using that strip as a label.
   
7. Finally, you can use sticky notes for PHOTOCOPYING. If you are making a black and white photo copy of a document and want part of the document to be covered up, put a sticky note over that part and run the document through the photocopier.

There you have it. I hope this blog has encouraged you to buy some sticky notes or, if you have some already, inspired new and helpful uses for them. I consider it very on-brand that I used a sticky note to plan out this blog post. Merry (late) Christmas and a happy Boxing Day!

#GoFrogs #GoBucks

Week 12 of college football this year is over and week 13 is soon upon us. As I look at the season so far, I am elated by how my favorite teams are doing! The Ohio State Buckeyes are 11-0 and ranked second, and the Texas Christian Horned Frogs are 11-0 and ranked fourth. 

Now, despite what it looks like on the surface level, I am not a bandwagon fan of college football (or else I'd be a Georgia fan). I have been an Ohio State fan for my entire life due to generational loyalties to the Buckeyes. And now, I attend Texas Christian University and cheer for the Horned Frogs from five or six rows up from the field in the student section (or at dorm watch-parties). Barring extreme extenuating circumstances, I will still be cheering for the Bucks and the Frogs decades down the road, while more casual fans might stray from their loyalties if their team stops doing well.

After the first half in the TCU home game against Kansas State, the score was 28-17 in favor of the Wildcats. Someone standing nearby me said that if we didn't score soon into the third quarter, he was going to go back to his dorm. This baffled me. The Horned Frogs ended up pulling out the win, scoring 14 points in the third quarter and seven points in the fourth quarter, and the student ended up staying to see it. But, what if Kansas State had won that game or if TCU would've been shut out in the third quarter? That guy would've left. I would've stayed.

To put my point succinctly, "If you can't cheer for a team when they're losing, you don't deserve to cheer for them when they are good." If you truly support a team, you should be a proud fan despite any win/loss ratio. I think it is awesome that, despite some ups and downs, The Ohio State Buckeyes have never really had a bad football season while I've been alive to see it. But, even if it's not always that way, I will always wear scarlet and gray. There is no guarantee that the Horned Frogs will continue to thrive at this high level, but I will always bleed purple.

This doesn't just apply to college football, either. Take the MLB. I was born and raised in Arizona, and so "root, root, root for the home team" meant to root for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks are my only MLB alliance and just like for college football, I will always cheer them on. Unlike my college football alliances however, the Diamondbacks aren't good. In my life, the D-Backs have clinched their division only twice and they have finished the season with a losing record 11 times. If the Diamondbacks ever do pick themselves off the ground, though, I'll already be there cheering and it will make the good season(s) that much more fun to watch for me.

Obviously the issue of sports alliances isn't the most serious of issues, but I do believe it to be an important thing to consider. Do you deserve to cheer for your team when they're good?

I've been active over on my YouTube Channel! Check out my latest video, a public service announcement on the importance of saying "you're welcome!" in the miscellaneous playlist.

Small Jumbo Popcorn Chicken

I've explored one inconsistency of the English language before (see "What?") and there are many others (you can object to an object, a farmer can produce produce, a dump can refuse refuse, etc). But, if we were to ignore the fact that words mean many different things, there are still accepted ironies that make the English language so confusing. 

Just the other day, I was watching a YouTube ad for Sonic Drive-In, and they were advertising a deal that included "small jumbo popcorn chicken." Say what?? 

So, I scoured the internet and racked my brain to come up with a small but interesting collection of English ironies and oxymorons that we totally take for granted. Good grief! Take your time to read.

We've all most likely heard the example of jumbo shrimp, but why is it that eggplant has no egg, hamburger has no ham, and pineapple is not pine, nor apple?

But, it's not just in the culinary world where nothing makes sense. Math majors talk of a constant variable, even odds, and random order, education majors become student teachers, and music majors make live recordings in front of a small crowd. 

Have you ever been to the museum to see the permanent loans, the authentic models, and the lost discoveries? 

You are a walking oxymoron if you're wearing baggy tights and plastic glasses. But, if that's your only choice, just act natural. Don't be passive aggressive. 

What's an original copy? Is bad luck good? And where am I if I'm in a virtual reality? 

Quicksand is slow and boxing rings are squares. Our noses run and our feet smell. 

Maybe you've heard all these before and this blog is old news, but (this is just my unbiased opinion) I think this was seriously funny and an awfully good post. 

"June in January" and "The Intrepid Fox"

Jazz titles are strange and varied. When "Is You Is, or Is You Ain't (Ma Baby)?" is a generally recognizable tune, you know you're in deep. I mean, you could write two letters from a man to his wife using song titles from The Real Book and not have to use that many other words. Speaking of, let's try it!

Letter One

"Ruby, My Dear,"

I think I've gone crazy. "What Was" once a suspicion is now "Confirmation." I was walking down "Broadway" "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" and then "Out of Nowhere," "Standing On the Corner" I see "Captain Marvel" ("Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man"). It scared the "Heebie Jeebies" out of me, so I "Take the 'A' Train" up to the "Upper Manhattan Medical Group" to get me checked out. "For All We Know," it could be serious "For Heaven's Sake." But "They Didn't Believe Me!" I'm thinking, "What Am I Here For" then? "Beautiful Love," "I Could Write a Book" about "How Insensitive" they were. Except two: "A Man and A Woman." Here's a picture. The "Man in the Green Shirt" is "Miss Ann"'s husband. And "Have You Met Miss Jones?" "Wait Till You See Her." She's like the "Reincarnation of a Lovebird." 

Following my visit to the "Upper Manhattan Medical Group," I went home to enjoy some "Solitude." I had some "Black Coffee" and a "Swedish Pastry" in the "Blue Room" to try to get some "Peace" of mind. Did it work? "Yes and No." I still hear "Whispering" in my head. "Call Me Irresponsible," but I think a vacation would be "So Nice." I just "Don't Get Around Much Anymore." Maybe I could go to "The Green Mountains" or we could spend "April in Paris." I'd even be "Dancing on the Ceiling" to spend one "Afternoon in Paris!" "I Love Paris"... "I Mean You"... "I Love You." I am making plans already. "C'est is Bon (It's So Good)!"

"I Can't Give You Anything But Love,"

-Your "Sweet Henry"

"P.S. I Love You"

Letter Two (after receiving a reply from Ruby)

"Dearly Beloved,"

"Well, Alright, Okay, You Win." I received your letter "Very Early" "Yesterday," and "There'll Be Some Changes Made" to our vacation plans. We'll spend "Autumn in New York" and "Look to the Sky" to see the "Autumn Leaves" as they "Fall." We'll go to Paris "Some Other Spring." "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You?" 

As for Miss Jones, "Well, You Needn't" worry, so "Tame Thy Pen." You are "My One and Only Love," so "Speak No Evil" of her. "You Are the Sunshine of My Life."

I'll pick you up "Come Sunday" "'Round Midnight" from "Grand Central" Station (platform "Four"). But, before that, you have "Just One More Chance" to change your mind. "It's Easy to Remember" last year, "Skating in Central Park" "Sometime Ago," but "Woodyn' you" like some variety? We could do some "Stuff" away from New York. "Call Me" and let me know. 

"I Love You For Sentimental Reasons,"

-Your "Sweet Henry"

Well, that was something! And there were so many titles I didn't include! All of the titles in italics and quotes are, in fact, jazz titles in The Real Book and are classics from some of the greats. Give them a listen!

The Next Chapter

Graduation is often looked at as the closing of one chapter and the start of another and, in many ways, that is true. However, after spending a summer still living in my own home, hanging out with my same friends, and getting to see my family every day, I don't think this summer was the start of a new chapter. Rather, it was more like the final sentences of the previous chapter where all the readers favorite characters say their final piece before their role in the story slightly changes.

Now. Now is the time where the page turns to reveal the next chapter. Only small pieces of the plot have been revealed in this new chapter, but I will keep reading, and there is One who is making sure whatever happens works ultimately for my good because of His love for me. Yes, it hurts to leave what I have grown up with: the only house I have ever lived in, my friends, and my family. But, I am so excited to go to TCU and carve my path there! 

I have said a few times in the weeks where goodbyes were commonplace that I don't really know how to say goodbye, but I believe that is okay. I am grateful for the many ways to keep in touch with people and I know, no matter how connected I become with new people or new places, this will always be my first home and I know I will love returning here when I am able. 

On Tuesday, August 16th, I leave. I have been so blessed in this life so far and I have no doubts that God will keep pouring out his love on me. I hope to keep Untitled Thoughts updated with posts, but I cannot say for sure what the future holds. Thanks for reading and until next time, farewell. 

Check out my YouTube channel! Along with this goodbye, I posted my farewell on my YouTube page with an original song entitled "Departure".

Never Tell Me the Odds

If you have ever watched the classic George Lucas film Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, there is little doubt that the title of this blog drew your attention. The famously quoted five word phrase is often seen as yet another example of Han Solo's cockiness, but I strive to live my life by it. 

First of all, I must clarify that I do not see Han Solo as a role model. He is an excellently crafted character in the Star Wars universe, a (mostly) loyal friend, a rebel hero, and arguably the best pilot in the galaxy, but he is also a smuggler, a liar, a braggart, and an overall selfish person. In many ways, Solo is possibly the most human character of the original Star Wars trilogy. When faced with trials he is torn between helping himself and helping his friends. When faced with a chance to be the hero, he tries to show off, but, as seen in his older years, he eventually had to reckon with some of his mistakes. He is torn between good and evil in a mostly non-dramatic, human way. As a result, the things he says are not too worthy of being life quotes, but if Solo is this balanced character, there must be some gem in what he says.

"Never tell me the odds" seems to be one of Solo's life principles. Exemplified in the movie Solo, he made the Kessel Run in 12 parsecs, proving wrong the long held record indicating it couldn't be done that quickly. While I do believe it is good to listen to wise council and avoid anything foolish, I also believe that "never tell me the odds" is a good way to live.

At a freshman summer event for college, they presented a number of statistics. They were meant to give us comfort--to show that we wouldn't be alone if we felt or didn't feel a certain way, or did or didn't do a certain thing, because we wouldn't be alone. I left feeling less comforted. For some of the stats, I was in the majority, but for others, I wasn't. Did I have to go through depression in college or drink underage because the majority of college freshman in the United States do? I didn't think so. But, I wanted to be like the majority of college freshman who made a lasting friendship in their first month. I wanted to pick and choose my own path regardless of the odds. 

Odds do not take everything into account. Your family, your friends, and/or your most trusted supporters know you better. I have been brought up believing and learning the difference between right and wrong. In scenarios I find myself lost, I return again to the council of those who know me the best and can point me in the right direction. 

Life does not always follow the odds. The odds, in my opinion, should not influence one's decision making (apart from niche situations like the decision to not spend your life's savings on lottery tickets because the odds are heavily stacked against you). Han Solo made it out of the asteroid field even though the odds would have him dead. I strive to beat the "bad" odds, follow the "good" odds, but mostly, never know the odds enough to give my informed decisions a second thought.

Check out my podcast! The trailer and first two episodes of "[Prompted] Improvised" are now available on Spotify.