The Walk

• The Walk - What Saint Kevin Taught Me

  I remember standing in Glendalough, the valley of two lakes in Ireland. The air was crisp, the landscape bathed in that soft Irish light, and the echoes of ancient footsteps seemed to linger in the stillness. Centuries ago, a young man named Kevin stood where I had stood. Born into privilege, he walked away from it all to live in solitude, seeking God in the wild beauty of that valley. But solitude didn’t last. People found him, drawn by the authenticity of a man who wasn’t trying to lead… but ended up leading anyway. His story stuck with me because, well, isn’t that life? We seek peace, but people find us. We run from expectations, only to stumble into purpose. Sometimes, saying yes to the unknown is the bravest thing we do. Saint Kevin didn’t set out to start a community. But he did. Not through strategy, but sincerity. Not by force, but by simply showing up, fully present in his calling. I shared more about Kevin, Glendalough, and what they taught me about purpose and presence in my latest podcast episode. Maybe it’ll resonate with you, especially if you’re standing at your own crossroads.

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• The Walk - What St. Patrick Taught Me About Fear and Faith

  I was standing at the foot of Croagh Patrick, a rugged mountain in Ireland where St. Patrick once fasted for 40 days. Pilgrims were climbing barefoot over sharp rocks, a powerful act of penance. I, meanwhile, was lacing up my sturdy boots, wondering what drove them to do this. This mountain, this saint, and his story all have something important to teach us—not just about faith but about how we navigate an ever-changing world. St. Patrick wasn’t even Irish. He was a kidnapped teenager, taken from what is now Scotland and enslaved in Ireland. Instead of giving in to despair, he turned to prayer, learning to listen for God’s voice in the silence. When he finally escaped and made it home, he had another vision—this time calling him back to Ireland. It made no sense. Why return to the land of his captors? And yet, he did. And that changed everything. What fascinates me is how Patrick spread the Christian faith. Not through force or fear, but through understanding, culture, and storytelling. He spoke the people's language, embraced their traditions, and built communities that would last for generations. That’s the part of Patrick’s story that feels so relevant today. We live in a time where many are retreating into fear, seeing change as a threat. But Patrick’s life proves that faith doesn’t thrive in isolation—it grows when it meets people where they are. He didn’t fight against the culture. He engaged with it. He didn’t preach from a pedestal. He walked alongside people. He didn’t see outsiders as enemies. He saw them as his mission. I think that’s something worth reflecting on today. What if, instead of fearing change, we looked for the ways God is calling us to step into it with courage? What if we saw differences not as barriers but as bridges? If this sparks something in you, I dive deeper into these ideas in this week’s episode of The Walk. We explore Patrick’s real story (not the myth), how his approach still speaks to us today, and why faith always flourishes when it embraces, rather than rejects, the world around it.

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• The Walk - Frodo's Lessons for Anxious Times

  "I will take the Ring, though I do not know the way." There’s a powerful moment in The Lord of the Rings when Frodo steps forward, against all odds, to carry the burden of the Ring. He doesn’t know how he’ll succeed. He has no guarantee he’ll survive. But he takes that first step, and it changes everything. The world feels overwhelming right now—wars, political tension, economic struggles. It’s easy to feel like Frodo, staring at a monumental challenge and wondering, “What can I possibly do?” Here’s the truth: like Frodo, your small actions can have a ripple effect. In fact, they’re more powerful than you think. We often fall into two traps when faced with overwhelming challenges: Avoidance – Pretending it’s not happening, unplugging completely from the news or issues. While boundaries are important, disengaging entirely can leave the world’s problems unchecked. Outrage – Getting sucked into a constant cycle of anger and frustration. Outrage culture thrives on this, draining your energy without providing solutions. But there’s a better way: focus on what you can control. Here’s how: Take one small step. Do one good deed today, even if it feels insignificant. Small acts of kindness build up in powerful ways. Turn outrage into action. Instead of letting frustration drain you, channel it into creating something positive. Write, volunteer, or simply offer encouragement to someone in need. Find hope in the small things. Just as Frodo and Sam remind us, even the smallest people can make the biggest difference. The fate of Middle-earth didn’t rest on the mighty armies of men, elves, or dwarves. It rested on two small hobbits who took one step at a time, fueled by hope. What’s one small thing you can do today to bring a little more light into the world?

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• The Walk - Blue Monday? Let’s Paint It Gold

  I'm recording this on the third Monday in January, and for many of us, the spark of the new year feels like it’s fading. The Christmas lights are gone, the weather is bleak, and those ambitious resolutions? They’re feeling more like distant dreams. Some call this day "Blue Monday," and I get it—it’s easy to feel stuck when the world seems gray. But here’s the thing: Blue Monday doesn’t have to stay blue. I’ve discovered a mindset shift that’s helped me push through the gloom and find a little light in the darkness. It starts with one question: What can I do right now to make things better? Here’s how I’m turning Blue Monday into something brighter: Acknowledge the feelings. Feeling down? It’s okay. Emotions are signals, not the whole story. Writing them down in a journal helps me understand what’s triggering them. Focus on what’s in your control. Whether it’s making a room warmer (even if it costs a bit more) or taking a quick walk outside, small actions can make a big difference. Be the helper. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by bad news, I look for ways to help others. Even small acts of kindness—like supporting someone in need—can shift your mood. Embrace imperfection. Didn’t stick to your New Year’s resolution? That’s fine! Start small. One healthy meal or a short walk is better than giving up entirely. Blue Monday isn’t a permanent state—it’s an opportunity to rethink, reset, and take small steps toward brighter days. So, grab a mental paintbrush and turn those blues into yellows, oranges, and golds. You’ve got more agency than you think. Curious how I’ve been practicing this myself? I unpack it all in this week’s podcast episode, including how small changes in perspective can make a big difference. Give it a listen—it might just brighten your day.

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• The Walk - What To Do When Your World Falls Apart?

  Walking through a winter forest earlier today, I saw bare trees and fallen branches. Everything seemed lifeless. But beneath the decay, I noticed something powerful: the forest wasn’t dying—it was preparing for new growth. The trees had left nuts and seeds on the ground. The decaying leaves provided nourishment and protection, waiting for spring to arrive. It made me rethink the changes happening on social media right now. TikTok bans, Meta shifts, platforms falling apart. It feels like loss. But losing a platform doesn’t mean losing connection. Just like the forest, new life depends on what you do next. Here’s what I’ve learned after 20 years on social media: Platforms come and go, but relationships last. Genuine connections outlive follower counts. Numbers don’t equal community. You own your message, not the medium. Diversify where and how you share. Your podcast, newsletter, or blog gives you agency. Be present where it matters. Go to the platforms where your audience is, but don’t rely on just one. Engagement beats algorithms. Talk with people, not to them. Invest in meaningful conversations. Loss creates space. Mourning a platform can open the door to deeper connections and new opportunities. Let go to grow. Holding on to what’s gone prevents you from building what’s next. Platforms don’t define your value. Your voice and your impact do. What’s one step you can take today to strengthen your community beyond social media?

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