As my kids are now 7 and 9, they have been asking more and more about cigarettes which they continually see being sold openly at grocery stores and yeah "smoked" by their at times favourite actors and singers on good ol television.

So having spoken about the subject from time to time over the years and them questioning the "logic" of people smoking whilst being aware of its dangers, I'd figured this would be a great time for a Dad Talk video and do an OPEN and UNREHEARSED discussion about cigarettes.

The goal here is not to scare them or alienate those who do smoke but to help empower themselves to make their own decisions when the D-Day does come.

Do share your own thoughts, tips and experiences ah yeah, let me know if you want to see more of these Dad Talk segments.

Sometimes there’s no gray. Sometimes there is clearly right and painfully wrong, plain as day.

Even if both sides have a point, one side can be wrong. And it’s exhausting to constantly find “balance” and remain neutral. Neutral, in the face of evil, is not only a cop-out, but it’s dangerous. Neutrality is exactly how abusive and manipulative systems continue to operate unimpeded. Neutrality is grease for the engine.

It is not enough to say “I’m not one of them” or “There are good ones too.” It is not enough to say “We need more love in the world.” It’s exhausting to see one more picture of people hugging or high-fiving or laughing with some kids one time in an unseen community, as if that solves a thing. None of this centrist moderate stuff is enlightened. It’s cowardice. It’s fear of losing a fanbase.

Really, I’m a coward when it comes to this. I always want to be gracious, nuanced, thoughtful. I hate to cause discomfort, rock the boat, be a downer. I want to look at all things from all angles, all the time. I never want to alienate anyone. I’m a master of tip-toeing on thin ice, dancing around hard words, stretching between absolutes, trying to silver-line my way through.

But to know the stories of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor—it’s impossible not to shout and scream and cry. Their murders are on me. On being neutral. To be silent is to have picked the wrong side.
As it has been said, it’s not enough to say “I’m not racist,” but we must be actively fighting it. Otherwise, you and I remain grease, keeping the engine running.

To be truly nuanced is to humanize those we have lost. To fight for them. To be as angry as you need to. It’s to take care of yourself amidst daily retraumatizing. It’s to call evil what it is. It’s to condemn racism in every form, individual and systemic, in the home and in the heart.

I’m sorry I don’t speak as loudly as I should. I don’t always know how to fight, but I want to. To the wounded families: I’m sorry. I will act.
— J.S.

#typewritertherapy #justice #grief

Been thinking and praying...and it has been in my heart for quite some time! No harm sharing it with y'all :) I want to start a podcast show and to be specific, a Christian podcast show.
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I think it's high time people are aware of what or rather, WHO I stand for and that Christ does save. Of course, there are a lot of doubts and worries in my heart. I mean, it's a Christian podcast...in Malaysia. How are you gonna sustain this ministry of sorts? You're gonna alienate yourself. Who's gonna listen? But all I know, is that God, like many other umpteen million times in my life, will provide. My calling is to simply be obedient.
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SOOO, if I do start a Christian podcast show, WHO WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO INTERVIEW? 😊 I'm so serious about this!

As my kids are now 7 and 9, they have been asking more and more about cigarettes which they continually see being sold openly at grocery stores and yeah "smoked" by their at times favourite actors and singers on good ol television.

So having spoken about the subject from time to time over the years and them questioning the "logic" of people smoking whilst being aware of its dangers, I'd figured this would be a great time for a Dad Talk video and do an OPEN and UNREHEARSED discussion about cigarettes.

The goal here is not to scare them or alienate those who do smoke but to help empower themselves to make their own decisions when the D-Day does come.

Do share your own thoughts, tips and experiences ah yeah, let me know if you want to see more of these Dad Talk segments.

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