All human history, at this point, became a quest for justification. Every morning every one of us began waking up and planning our days in order to affirm our existence. Every room we walk into we go looking for such an affirmation: “my life matters, my presence counts, I am good.” The fallen self feels intrinsically compelled to do something—to work—for its own justification.

Yesterday, I needed to remove the second row of seats in my Toyota Sienna so that I could load up the van with a bed and some other things to take to our storage unit. I thought of this video. I use to dread taking the seats out or putting them back in because I would have so much trouble.

But after watching this video a couple of years ago, I discovered the trick. You have to remove the headrest first so the seat is able to be in the correct position to remove or reinstall. It takes me little to no time to do it now that I know the trick and I don’t dread removing (or reinstalling the seats). The video has empowered me with confidence each time I have to remove or reinstall the seats. And that is a very good feeling.

From Readwise

My wife and I watched the movie, The Swimmers, on Netflix last night. It is the story of two Syrian sisters who escape war-torn Syria.

We were looking for something to watch and this one looked interesting. The trailer did not give a sense of how much of the story was about their journey from Syria to Europe and all the perils they faced.

It was a very sobering experience. One of those perspective moments. And one of those moments when your heart goes out to anyone that finds themselves in that position.

We really enjoyed the movie and highly recommend it.

I framed the print that my wife and family got me for my birthday. The frame came in the mail yesterday but did not have a chance to frame it until tonight.

It is a street map of Lawrence, Kansas, where I went to college. I have been thinking a lot about the Hill recently with basketball season and talking to my son about his college experience (at another school). #rockchalk

Also on Instagram

This book highlight came up in my Readwise review today.

A lone, solitary wiffleball in my backyard. Not sure which neighbor’s yard it came from.

Reminds me of the days that I hit rubber baseballs over the fence into my neighbors’ yards.

Also on Instagram

On Saturday, we visited the Moon Pie store in downtown Chattanooga. At the store, you can buy individual minis so each member of the family got to choose two.

I decided to try a new flavor, mint chocolate. When we got home to eat them, I was trying to figure out which one was the mint chocolate because every other family member had gotten one regular chocolate. My youngest daughter told me it was that the mint one had ridges. I quickly found it.

I am guessing that they patterned them after the Girl Scout thin mint cookies, which also have ridges. The moon pie was very good and did remind me of the taste of the thin mint Girl Scout cookie.

Found some. I have been craving these (wild cherry lifesavers) for a while and they are hard to find. I think of my Papa (my mom’s father). I think he used to give me a roll from time to time. I might be remembering wrong but the candy will always be a connection to him in my mind. He died when I was eight so I don’t have a lot of specific memories of times spent with him.