Plus, a favorite dad joke... ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
| Hi John! I've been reflecting a lot on the idea of struggling this week — it’s a big one. With so many of us navigating feelings of anxiety and depression, I’ve felt the need to dive deeper, to question, and to start a conversation about what it really means to find peace. Because I’m realizing... it’s not just about being “zen.” Cartoon: Your struggles are valid 🏳️⚧️💙
Dad Joke: 911 💰
Quote: Freedom 🕊️
New Original: I Am One With The Light ✨️ |
|
| It’s a heavy time for trans people — the struggle is real. But has it ever not been? In this incredible community we’ve built together, I hope you’ve found a space where you feel safe, supported, and loved as you navigate your journey. Every struggle you face is valid. If you need a place to land, connect with me on Bluesky — a space where you can bring your heaviness and maybe, just maybe, start to let it go. |
|
| My mom always said to work hard until your bank account looks like a phone number. I finally made it. Available balance: $9.11 !! |
|
| As I read this young monk’s journey, I realize that although he is an enlightened human, he struggles, too. Even though he is a spiritually adept man, he wrestles with real emotions and thoughts. That is why I appreciated him saying that freedom isn’t freedom from our struggles but freedom with our struggles. I must be honest with you… I do have some struggles lately. Acknowledging that I enjoy extraordinary privilege as a straight white cis-gendered male, I live in a world near a country where many people who do not have these privileges are experiencing profound suffering. Not the least is fear… fear for their safety and lives. I have friends who do not know what their future holds. But there are more people all around the world exposed to food insecurity, drought, illness, poverty, insurmountable debt, pandemics, genocide, erasure, war, pain, death, and more. When facing a problem that bothers me, I often say I need to “get zen about this!” This means I need to adopt a Buddhist attitude towards the problem so I don’t get overwhelmed. Calm, cool, and collected… with poise. Because “this is where the suffering arises… between things-as-they-are and things as-we-want-them-to-be." It’s far easier for me to be in the moment and find peace here. I acknowledge that it is far more difficult for those who are being bombed and deprived to be in the moment and find peace there. It’s made me ask a few questions: Is being able to be “zen” and encouraging others to be “zen” a privilege in and of itself? Is feeling the pressure to be “zen” an underhanded way to pacify me, my anger, and my resistance? Is it possible and maybe even humanely required for me to be “zen” and outraged at once? I must confess that the fact that I’m asking these questions betrays the times we’re living in… |
|
| I Am One With The Light Another tree! Trees are important to me. I notice them every day. They play a very important role in my life. One of their roles is inspirational. Here, I am in the Canadian north, and trees are everywhere. I have a very close relationship with them. This one is inspired by the dark times we are living in. But there is still light. And I hope we all do our part to be light and extend light in the world. Be the light! You can see more of my one-of-a-kind pieces, where I’m sure you’ll find something that really speaks to you! Or if prints of more of your thing, I’ve got a bunch for you, too. P.S. This painting is very textured. It even FEELS stormy! Oh and there’s only ONE of this original painting. |
|
| Take the time to go deeper. Reflect on what you're truly experiencing in life, but don’t forget to pause, breathe, and see the wood from the trees (yes, I’m back to the trees again!). It’s all about reflecting, understanding, and finding your way through the challenges. Much love my friend, David P.S. I’d love to know what kinds of questions you are asking right now? |
|
| Copyright © 2025 nakedpastor, All rights reserved. No longer want to receive these emails? Unsubscribe.
NakedPastor Gondola Point Road Quispamsis, NB E2E 1H6 |
|
|
|
|
