Potent Quotable (July 2024)

“She woke knowing that if she was to cross the desert she must shed burdens.” -Doris Lessing

“But strange things do happen when you trudge twenty miles a day, day after day, month after month. Things you only become totally conscious of in retrospect. For one thing I had remembered in minute and Technicolor detail everything that had ever happened in my past and all the people who belonged there. I had remembered every word of conversations I had or overheard way, way back in my childhood and in this way I had been able to review these events with a kind of emotional detachment as if they had happened to somebody else. I was rediscovering and getting to know people who were long since dead and forgotten. I had dredged up things I had no idea existed. People, faces, names, places, feelings, bits of knowledge, all waiting for inspection. It was a giant cleansing of all the garbage and muck that had accumulated in my brain, a gentle catharsis. And because of that, I suppose, I could now see much more clearly into my present relationships with people and with myself. And I was happy, there is simply no other word for it.” -Robyn Davidson

“The principle difference between an adventurer and a suicide is that the adventurer leaves himself a margin of escape (the narrower the margin, the greater the adventure). A margin whose width and breadth may be determined by unknown factors, but whose successful navigation is determined by the measure of the adventurer’s nerve and wits. It is always exhilarating to live by one’s nerves or towards the summit of one’s wits.” -Tom Robbins

“When the beliefs of one culture are translated into the language of another culture, the word “superstition” often crops up.” -Robyn Davidson

“The two important things that I did learn were that you are as powerful and strong as you allow yourself to be, and the most difficult part of any endeavour is taking the first step, making the first decision.” -Robyn Davidson

Be good to each other,

Nathan

A Reader (2021)

A Reader (2021) 

An American Sickness by Elisabeth Rosenthal (4/5 Stars) 

Our healthcare system in America is terrible. An American Sickness explains how we got here. This book can be frustrating and infuriating, but it also ends with a sense of hope. We created this system. We alone can undo the harm it has caused.  

Shortest Way Home by Pete Buttigieg (3/5 Stars)  

I am a lifelong Democrat. As our 2020 nomination process got underway, I watched with admiration and curiosity as Mayor Pete meteorically rose in popularity. Like lots of Democrats, I had countless questions about his background and qualifications for the job. With the election in the rearview mirror, I answered these lingering questions. With Shortest Way Home, we meet Mayor Pete, follow his life, learn about his political aspirations, and get a sense of his plans for the future. When I finished the book, one thing was abundantly clear to me. Mayor Pete may have not secured the nomination, but we have not heard the last of him.  

Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta (4/5 Stars) 

Every member of the LGBTQ+ community has a unique story about coming to terms with the truest version of themselves and their journey of inviting others to live with this truth. Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta is a story of Nigerian girl, living in the shadow of war and in a deeply religious community authoring her own story. Her path toward acceptance is heartbreaking and moving. This is a book I will never forget.

Not for Sale by David Batstone (3/5 Stars) 

In graduate school, I wrote my thesis on human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Cambodia. The experience of research, writing, and presenting that project profoundly changed me. Nine years later, I still want to learn more about the global sex trade and efforts to abolish slavery once and for all. Not for Sale is a story about David Batstone’s experiences with the global slave trade, the people he met along the way, and the organization he founded. David's words are not always uplifting, but they will change you.

The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells (5/5 Stars)  

The Uninhabitable Earth by David Wallace-Wells was the best and most important book I read in 2021. David pulls no punches and refuses to sugarcoat any statistic in his presentation of the facts concerning climate change. The peril we face can feel overwhelming when reading this book. The sheer volume of pain headed our way will make you want to put this book down, but I implore you to push forward. It will take a lot of changes to get to the light at the end of the tunnel.

Racecraft by Barbara J. Fields and Karen Fields (2/5 Stars) 

Of all the books I have read about diversity, equity, and inclusion since the murder of George Floyd, Racecraft may be my least favorite. I did not connect with the research presented, nor did I walk away with a concrete set of steps to take next. Oh, well! I will charge forward.  

We Are the Weather by Jonathan Safran Foer (4/5 Stars) 

Confused about concrete actions you can take to combat climate change? Me too. This uncertainty led me to We are the Weather. Jonathan Safran Foer writes openly and honestly about our refusal to change, why we must change, and simple steps we can take to get there. When I closed the book, I was more determined to do my part.

Everything Is F*cked by Mark Manson (3/5 Stars)  

Watching the news or lost in the mire of your favorite social media platform, you might feel like the world is worse than ever before. Based on all available data, you're wrong. Facts do not support your argument, but perception is reality. Everything Is F*cked by Mark Manson attempts to explain why we feel this way and what we can do to reframe our outlook.  

Fear by Bob Woodward (4/5 Stars)  

From the outside looking in, the Trump White House felt chaotic, and nationalistic. In reading Fear by veteran reporter Bob Woodward, we learn it was so much worse than we thought. From the brink of war to the infighting, Mr. Woodward uncovers the truth and exposes this administration’s greatest failings.  

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (5/5 Stars)  

As the United States withdrew from Afghanistan, ending its longest war, I sat with The Kite Runner. Khaled Hosseini paints an Afghanistan of tremendous beauty and pain. It is in this paradox we discover the truth. People are complicated. Traditions do not die easily. The truth will set us free. Ideology makes everything murky.  

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande (4/5 Stars) 

I have a fear of dying and have since I was a little kid. I fear the pain and the unknown. With this in mind, I approached Being Mortal. When I finished the book, my fear of the unknown remained, but I felt at ease with dying. I now know how to die with dignity, grace, and quality.

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (4/5 Stars)  

There is a lengthy monologue at the end of Invisible Man that may be the best thing I have ever read, but it also encapsulates the struggle of black people in America. For much of this book, I failed to connect with its point, but when a black man is killed on the streets of New York, I realized it was telling a story that is still being written and far from finished. Once again, as I put this book down, I felt deeply moved and profoundly changed.  

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara (4/5 Stars)  

I tend to avoid true crime stories. These sorts of books have never interested me much, but the buzz around this book was hard to ignore. As I dug into each chapter, I realized this is not just a story. It is an obsessive search for truth, a tireless pursuit of evidence, and a woman’s longing for justice. If more books in the true crime genre are like this one, I’ll be reading more of them in the years to come.  

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (4/5 Stars)  

I have never read a book quite like Never Let Me Go. For the first two-thirds of the book, I was royally confused. Sometimes I thought there must be something wrong with me. Why isn’t this clicking? Then, out of a clear blue sky, it reveals itself in a way that left me in awe and second guessing everything I read in the book before that moment. I will not spoil a single word of this book, but I recommend you give it a chance.  

Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman (5/5 Stars) 

Call Me by Your Name reaffirmed my love for the English language and the written word. Focused on a relationship between an adolescent boy and the summer house guest, this week is eloquently written. In every scene, the vivid descriptions transported me to another world and left me enraptured. This book will influence my writing for years to come.

Dawn of the New Everything by Jaron Lanier (3/5 Stars) 

The genesis of virtual reality is not a beginning I have given much thought. Still, I approached this book with a sense of curiosity and openness. My mission for this book was simple; learn about some of the work that has gone into creating modern tools, and perhaps it can open a to door to some of the thinking behind the tools shaping our world. Dawn of the New Everything did not meet my expectations, but I still found it insightful.  

Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance (4/5 Stars)  

The stories held inside of Hillbilly Elegy are not contained to Appalachia. They are the stories of rural America. In these small, dying towns, there are manifestations of a changing world. On every street corner, you can see the economy changing, addiction thriving, radicalism growing, and portions of the country being left behind while bigger cities steal our attention. This book does not offer concrete solutions, but it starts a desperately needed conversation.  

Wonderlandscape by John Clayton (4/5 Stars)  

I love our National Parks. In fact, it is on my bucket list to visit all of them before I die. In late summer of 2020, I visited historic and storied Yellowstone for the first time. While it is not my favorite entry in the park system, I understand and respect its value. Wonderlandscape does a magnificent job of telling its history, impact, and relevance for a new generation.  

The Last Days of Hitler by Hugh R. Trevor-Roper (4/5 Stars)

Without an ounce of hesitation, I believe Adolph Hitler to be the most vile and evil human being to ever walk the face of the Earth. Yet, it this belief and his atrocities that make him so interesting. Over the years, I have read lots of book about the Holocaust and the Nazis, but I knew very little about the death of Hitler. The Last Days of Hitler takes all available data/reports and attempts to paint a picture of Hitler’s final days on Earth. It is a fascinating read that leaves even more questions to be pondered.

Be good to each other,  

Nathan  

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Potent Quotable (December 2021)

“Outside, darkness wrapped itself around me like grace.” -Chinelo Okparanta

Be good to each other,

Nathan

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A Reader: My Five Favorite Books of 2019

“Driving Home” by Jonathan Raban

Reading “Driving Home,” it was impossible to not think of what originally attracted me to the Pacific Northwest. Like countless others who arrived before me and all those who followed in the well-worn path taken by us, I arrived at this collection of states hanging in the untamed left-hand corner of the United States with a mission of being closer to nature and defining life on my own terms. Raban’s book forced to question that migration and what it means to make a place home.

“Into Thin Air” by Jon Krakauer

“Leave No Trace” should be the bedrock of every hiker’s time in the wild. Simply, it means that no one and nothing should ever know you were there. Every item of food, every item of gear, and everything you brought with you should leave with you. This allows the delicate balance between nature and man to stay intact. To read, “Into Thin Air,” is to read a story of men and women hellbent on spoiling nature in pursuit of standing on the highest point in the world. A mountainside littered with human waste, oxygen tanks, and bodies of the fallen fills almost every inch of every page. It is enough to frustrate and infuriate the most passive of nature loves.

To read the rest of the review, click here.

“Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart” by Carrot Quinn

“Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart” by Carrot Quinn reads like a turn by turn description of the Pacific Crest Trail. So much so, that at one point in the middle of the book I was fearful of knowing too much. Now, I know reading about a trail is much different than experiencing it first-hand. There are still plenty of surprises waiting for me between Mexico and Canada, but the last year has been about getting ready not spoiling the journey. With that said, moving forward I am going to spend a little less time reading and watching stories about the trail. I am confident in what I know, and I am ready for what I don’t to force me into earnest adaptation.

To read the rest of the review, click here.

“Walking the Amazon” by Ed Stafford

There are major differences between preparing to hike the entire length of the Amazon River from Peru to Brazil and hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. When Ed Stafford decided to undertake the pioneering journey of walking the Amazon River, costs, guides, customs, terrain, safety, length of the journey and much more had to be taken into account. This doesn’t mean there aren’t similarities between the two and it all comes down to the very act of preparation. Financially situating yourself, physically finding a comfort zone, struggles with food and water, and mentally finding a sweet spot are all steps that must be taken no matter if the journey lasts six months or 2 years.

To read the rest of the review, click here.

“Tracks” by Robyn Davidson

A hike of 2,650 miles doesn’t require a purpose. One could simply love the thought of hiking, competing against yourself to accomplish something unthinkable, and working with nature to reach an ultimate goal. This is all that is truly required. For me, the pull of something bigger than myself is required. This isn’t simply just a hike. It is a test. Since the day I solidified my decision to undertake this journey, it has been about financially planning, research, finding the right gear, getting into shape, and preparing my life for a 6-month break. It is also a test of something deeper; manhood, spirituality, simplicity, and the very essence of nature itself.

To read the rest of the review, click here.

Be good to each other,

Nathan

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A Reader: “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis

As always, this is not a book report. Rather, it is an opportunity to discuss some ideas that stuck with me while reading “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis.

Devils and Angels

“The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis entered my world, because of a friend who challenged me during a debate on religion. At the time, I called myself agnostic and I told my friend that nothing was settled, and I was still searching for some sense of proof in either direction. This book was sold as a life-changing read that would pull me closer to God. In the end, it didn’t, but it did provide a compelling read focused on a conversation about the potential tools at the disposal of the devil as he seeks to lure us away from belief. This conversation was insightful and gave me something to think about, but it didn’t prove the existence of God nor did it fill me with missing faith. So, the search continues, but not without a final thought.

Why Do We Need Hell?

 Over the years, I have thought a lot about hell since I am apparently heading in that direction for my sheer lack of faith. I have often wondered if hell is a man-made constructed tool built to lure people into believing. If there is no way to punish, would anyone believe in heaven, God, and the afterlife? I tend to think without some ability to hold people accountable far fewer people would believe. This begs another question; Do people believe because they truly want to be in the presence of God or do they believe because they are fearful of torment? The push and pull of this question is fascinating and one I never tire of discussing. So, as mentioned above, the search continues.

Be good to each other

-Nathan,

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A Reader: My Five Favorite Books of 2018

“Crank” by Ellen Hopkins

To read the entire essay, please click HERE.

I am a product of the 80’s. I grew up with “Just Say No,” D.A.R.E., and the War on Drugs. Throughout elementary school, my classmates and I were brainwashed with these messages. Our televisions were filled with images of eggs frying in skillets and the harm of drugs. For the most part, these messages worked on me. I avoided drugs all throughout high school. The first time I saw cocaine was in college. I immediately left the party. I didn’t experience marijuana until I was a senior. When I did, my opinion totally changed. Now, I live in a state where recreational use is legal. So, popular opinion is obviously changing.

“Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Grann

To read the entire essay, please click HERE.

I grew up in a small town in the southwest corner of Oklahoma. In my family, we grew up revering Native American culture. In fact, my mom’s side of the family appears on Cherokee tribal rolls. Before I ever entered kindergarten, I knew Oklahoma meant “red people.” I knew about the Trail of Tears, Andrew Jackson, forced removal, and a war on the frontier. As I grew older, that war, for me, would come to mean the attempted mass genocide of a race of people. Reading this book was to read another chapter in the long story of heartbreak, betrayal, and killing of a once proud, but forever noble people.

“Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe

To read the entire essay, please click HERE.

There may be no stronger force in the universe than a mother’s love. In thousands of examples across the animal kingdom, the protection and survival of the next generation falls on the shoulders of mothers. When fathers are absent or violent, mothers are there holding steadfast. When a mother is separated from her child and the prospect of that child being sold into the bondage of slavery is on the horizon, a mother’s love is damn near impossible to stop. Yet, even here, we learn a mother’s love cannot stop the cruel and barbaric hands of a system designed to commodify human beings. The scenes in this book focused on mother and child will stay with me for the rest of my life.

“Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand

To read the entire essay, please click HERE.

My friends on the right often talk of Ayn Rand as if she were some spiritual benchmark of what it means to be a free-market conservative. My friends on the left, who have actually read any of her books, often make her out to be the queen of selfishness and cruelty. On one hand, she is revered and on the other reviled.  Without a doubt, she may be one of the most polarizing figures in American literature. 

“Goddess of the Market” by Jennifer Burns

To read the entire essay, please click HERE.

I find myself fascinated by Ayn Rand. The fascination grows out of intrigue and not a devout belief in her ideas. I find Ayn Rand compelling for the same reason I find Scientology interesting; the fact that a movement was born in our lifetime is something that I find curious. Unlike Scientology, Ayn Rand’s ideas have taken hold on our society. While reading this book, I spent a lot of time thinking about the power she wields and wielded over her devotees. It made me question the very nature and meaning of influence. From genesis to widespread public support, what does it take for an idea to move masses? Is it timing? Circumstances? Luck? Or a combination? When you look at the entirety of her life, it is hard to believe that it isn’t some combination. More than anything, I believe this is the overarching point that this book tries to drive home.

Be good to each other,

-Nathan

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A Reader: "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens

As always, this is not a book report. Rather, it is an opportunity to discuss some themes that stuck with me while reading “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens.

The Plight of Orphans

The human condition and experience are not a solitary journey. Sometimes, it may feel like it is, but there are very few examples of uniquely human experiences. When we group shared experiences together, we find a tribe, people who understand you. As people outside these groups, it is our job to empathize when possible and offer support where appropriate. When reading this book, you cannot help but think about the plight of orphans and how much of their struggle goes unnoticed. Of course, in the West, we’ve corrected many of the issues faced by Mr. Twist, but this book does a fantastic job of making you ponder on the things yet to be done.

Overcoming the Odds

Oliver’s journey begins, while hungry, when he dares to ask for a second helping. Every page of this book is a trial to overcome the odds. Given the period and how society viewed orphans, his journey is anything but easy. Over the next 90% of the book, he is used, abused, forgotten, and left to die. All the while, he never loses his faith in better days ahead. In many ways, this was a revelation to me. This isn’t a story about the Lord giving us more than we can handle. Instead, it is a story of not knowing what we are capable of when our backs are truly against the wall. In these instances, I think we possess the tremendous power to surprise ourselves.

Searching for Love

Oliver’s grand quest is focused on love. Specifically, the kind of love that can only be found within the confines of a supportive home. Most of us take advantage of the love we receive at home, or don’t give it a second thought. What we fail to realize is the vast number of people who would gladly trade places with us, even on a bad day. For me, Oliver’s search made me warm and filled my soul. It made me look at the love I am getting from my parents now, and the love I have received over the course of my life with complete and utter humility.

Ending a Book

I live under the impression that the hardest part of writing is the journey from point A to B. I assume authors create characters with some idea how to begin their story, but wrestle with how a book should end. In many ways, I wasn’t pleased with the ending of this book. It didn’t diminish the journey in any way. It just didn’t leave me with a great deal of satisfaction. As I continue my writing journey, I want to bottle this feeling and forever keep it at the forefront of my mind. Life is much more than the beginning or end. It is about the time in between, but leaving people with something gained and learned is powerful.

Be good to each other,

Nathan

A Reader: "Crank" by Ellen Hopkins

As always, this is not a book report. Rather, it is an opportunity to discuss some of the themes that stuck with me while reading “Crank” by Ellen Hopkins.

Hell of a Drug

I am a product of the 80’s. I grew up with “Just Say No,” D.A.R.E., and the War on Drugs. Throughout elementary school, my classmates and I were brainwashed with these messages. Our televisions were filled with images of eggs frying in skillets and the harm of drugs. For the most part, these messages worked on me. I avoided drugs all throughout high school. The first time I saw cocaine was in college. I immediately left the party. I didn’t experience marijuana until I was a senior. When I did, my opinion totally changed. Now, I live in a state where recreational use is legal. So, popular opinion is obviously changing.

Throughout all of this, the one message that was cemented in my mind was this idea of being in control. I avoided heavy drugs because I didn’t want to relinquish control. Reading a book such as this just reinforces that message for me.

Split Personality

To read this book is to bear witness to a teenage girl with a split personality. On one hand, she is your average American teenager focused on friends, school, and getting into a good college. On the other hand, she abuses drugs, steals, lies, constantly pushes boundaries, and makes choices that put her in compromising positions. I think unless you have ever found yourself addicted to something like cocaine, crack, meth, heroin, etc. you cannot fully understand what it feels like to be two people at once. This book, better than any I have ever read, put me closer to understanding what this split feels like.

 Poetry as a Story

I have read several collections of poems, but I have never read a collection of poems pulled together to tell one story. I know these books are out there but for the life of me I cannot conjure up a reason for my avoiding them. This book inspired me to change that.

If you are reading this, comment below with some other books of poetry I should read. I am really excited about the thought of digging deeper and experiencing stories in a different way.

 She’s Gone Forever

As this book marches forward, the writing seems to be on the wall. With every turn of the page, you come to a pretty good idea of how this thing is going to end. As you watch the collection of pages at the end draw smaller, a sadness begins to wash over you. In our lead character, you see so much potential. You see someone who could make a profound impact on the people and places around her. You grow frustrated with each decision she makes because you hope better for her. I have been around addicts. I have watched them waste away. This book perfectly captures the agony of watching someone turn away from their potential and promise.

 A New Life

I read books such as this one in hopes of garnering some knowledge I can capture for myself and those who follow in my footsteps. In many ways, “Just Say No” worked. In many ways, the War on Drugs was an abysmal failure that wasted money, tore apart families, and unfairly targeted minorities in poor communities only to create a prison-industrial complex in this country. Yet, I have witnessed what drugs can do to a family. From here, all I can do is share these stories and hope that our society moves away from punishing people for their addictions to a place where we help people take control of their lives.

Be good to each other,

-Nathan

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A Reader: “Listen to the Warm” by Rod McKuen

As always, this is not a book report. Rather, it is an opportunity to discuss a theme that stuck with me while reading “Listen to the Warm” by Rod McKuen.

I have been writing poetry since before I knew how to write poetry. It began as a way to collect my thoughts on a page, put the world in some sense of order, and express myself. Long before it was any good, it was a way to keep myself breathing and on this side of the Earth. What I have never done well is read poetry. Reading this book, which was given to me by a dear friend, changed that. Now, I am committed to the idea of experiencing the world through the eyes of poets.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Mr. McKuen was the right writer to begin this new journey. His poetry in this collection has a way of detailing the world around us. He takes everyday occurrences and abstract thoughts and gives them purpose. He applies meaning where we often leave none. He makes me want to be a better writer. More than that, he shifts desire into action. When I finished this book, I realized I had all the tools I would ever need to experience the world in new and exciting ways. For that, I will be eternally grateful.

Be good to each other,

Nathan

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A Reader: "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

As always, this is not a book report. Rather, it is a discussion of some themes that stuck with me while reading “The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver.

An Out of Body Experience

We are too often chained to the comfortable. We are victims of routine. Our adventurous spirits are like caged birds. Something made abundantly clear to me while reading this book was the value of an out of body experience; moments when we shake off normal like winter snow from a coat. These moments afford new opportunities to learn and grow. In them, we are made to experience a piece of the world unknown to us.

Foreign Customs

A part that makes the out of body experience so valuable is the chance to experience customs foreign to you. New foods, new people, new cultures, new ways of doing things… This sense of newness can both inspire and frighten. For me, I would argue that’s a good thing. It has the power to change your mind and how you perceive the world. It can change the core of man and make him more open. It gives you a wisdom few will ever possess.

Adapting to the Fear of Changing World

In our own self-indulgent view, the world is changing at a rapid pace. We are fond of saying it is changing faster now than ever before. For many people, this increases fear and tumult. For me, it inspires. Every day, we are introduced to pioneers. Pioneers who are exploring the depths of the galaxy. Pioneers who are curing disease. Pioneers who are standing on the edge of unshakable peace. Pioneers who are changing the way we communicate. Pioneers who are daring boldly and altering the direction of the world. I wake every morning with the hope of quieting my fear and replacing it with an unquenchable sense of curiosity.

Americans Not Wanted

America seems to make one foreign calculation repeatedly. We love to overthrow regimes, dictators, and tyrants in the name of democracy. Then we end up backing individuals we don’t truly understand, and the people don’t want. More often than not, this leads to an idea of Americans not wanted here. As an American who loves to travel, this creates a map where we are not welcome. Yet, the solution to this problem is simple. Instead of playing world police, perhaps we hold fast to the idea of being the consummate preachers of freedom.

Leaving All That You Know

On more than one occasion, I have loaded everything I own into a moving truck and in the process left behind everything I know and hold dear. There are power and courage in such an experiment. There are opportunities for new experiences, new customs, new worlds, and a new sense of belonging. There is also a tremendous opportunity to learn a whole lot about yourself. For those stuck in a routine, I cannot recommend starting over somewhere new enough.

Moving Forward with What You Know

New knowledge gained? Now what? It is selfish to hold these experiences just for yourself. I believe you have a responsibility to share what you have learned far and wide. If you want to spread change, it is your duty. Then it becomes your responsibility to help others get where you are because everyone should have the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow. Everyone deserves to see the world, and have it change them.

Be good to each other,

-Nathan

I've never asked readers for financial support before. I am committed to keeping content on this site free and open to all. For me, this means no paywalls or subscription fees. If you like what I create, please consider making a contribution on Patreon. 

Become a Patron!