In Day 3 of Journal of an Ordinary Man, I reflect on a quiet recovery day after Thanksgiving and the emotional weight my family is carrying as my wife and daughters sort through my late mother-in-law’s belongings. I talk about helping my sister-in-law navigate disability paperwork for my brother-in-law’s stroke recovery, the comfort of watching football together, and how the simple act of being present can make a difference in someone else’s heavy season. Today also brought a strange dream about my dad—someone I haven’t spoken to in nearly five years. That dream stirred old memories, guilt, and questions I don’t quite know what to do with yet. The “Unique Question of the Day” asks: What fear are you ready to let go of?I dig into the fear of losing direction after decades built around business, achievement, and productivity—and how this journal is slowly teaching me to step into a more human, grounded version of myself. In the spiritual reflection, I sit with Psalm 46:10 — “Be still, and know that I am God.” I explore what it means to be still when you’ve spent most of your life moving too fast, working too hard, and drowning out the quiet that God often speaks through. If you’re navigating midlife transitions, complicated family relationships, grief after loss, or fear about your next chapter, this episode offers a calm, honest reflection on learning to slow down, trust God, and show up for the people who matter.

In Day 2 of Journal of an Ordinary Man, I reflect on our first Thanksgiving without my mother-in-law—the woman whose presence once anchored the entire family. I walk through the emotions of the day: the quiet sadness, the unexpected laughter, and the way family and friends came together to create something that still felt warm and whole. From watching the Macy’s parade and cooking together, to football and shared stories, this episode explores what it means to hold grief and gratitude in the same space. I talk about the moments of remembrance, the limoncello toast in her honor, and the foggy morning after—physically and emotionally. I also share a moment of intentional connection with my sister, setting up a monthly lunch to strengthen our relationship. A small step, but one that brought real joy. The spiritual reflection centers on Proverbs 3:5–6, looking at what it means to trust God enough to let Him straighten our paths during seasons of transition. If you’re navigating a holiday after loss, midlife changes, family adjustments, or mixed emotions, this episode offers an honest, grounded look at love, memory, and choosing to be present with the people who matter most.

In this first daily entry of Journal of an Ordinary Man, I sit down to write after a sleepless night, realizing just how much this journal might become a tool for managing the anxieties and transitions of mid-life. Today, I reflect on a quiet evening at home, a frustrating garage door repair, and the emotional weight of preparing for Thanksgiving without the familiar family traditions that once anchored the holidays. With family shifting roles after loss, caregiving needs rising, and old patterns changing, today’s journal explores the mixture of grief, gratitude, and hope that often define this season of life. I talk about catching myself in frustration, learning to be more present at home, and recognizing how faith and personal accountability might help me move forward with more intention. The spiritual reflection centers on Philippians 4:13 — not just as motivation, but as a reminder that strength grows when we choose to live through Christ, not just ask strength from Him. If you’re navigating mid-life change, family transitions, emotional overload, or the challenge of slowing down after years of pushing hard, this episode will meet you where you are. Day 1 is about honesty, humility, and learning to put love first — especially heading into a complicated Thanksgiving.

In this opening episode, we begin the “Journal of an Ordinary Man” and set the foundation for a deeply personal journey through mid-life transition, faith, family, loss, and rediscovering purpose. At 54, the narrator finds himself in a season of massive change—stepping away from a career that once defined him, supporting his wife through the loss of her mother, preparing for life as an empty-nester, and navigating family shifts that make the holidays feel different than ever before. Raised moving from place to place—military bases, small towns, mountain communities—he grew up learning how to adapt. But this transition is different. This time, the change isn’t happening to him; it’s happening within him. In Episode 1, he explains why he’s beginning this journal:to slow down, to process anxiety, to let go of control, to understand the man he’s becoming, and to build a deeper relationship with faith after years of drifting in and out. Through honesty and simple reflection, he sets the tone for the daily entries that will follow. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Starting a personal journal during a mid-life transition Why a man steps away from career and into reflection Grief, marriage, empty nest changes, and shifting family roles Growing up moving constantly and the lasting emotional impact Anxiety, uncertainty, and learning to release control Rekindling faith and grounding life around what matters A foundational Bible verse for this season: Revelation 21:5 Perfect for listeners who are navigating: midlife change, men’s mental health, grief, family transitions, faith rediscovery, slowing down, or redefining identity after years of work and responsibility. This episode sets the stage for everything to come—an honest, unpolished journal from a man who is learning, day by day, how to live the second half of life with more intention, faith, and meaning.