Deep Something

Summum Bonum: Navigating Life by the Highest Good

June 1, 2025May 30, 2025 B. John 8 Views 0 Comments Holiness, Kindness, Highest Good

In a world that constantly shouts at us—“Buy this! Be that! Hurry up!”—It’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. New trends, metrics, or moral panics are always trying to claim your time and energy. This raises a profound question: What is truly worth living for? The pursuit of the highest good is not simple. It demands something of us—sometimes a great deal. It requires saying no when saying yes would be easier. It calls for patience when the world rewards immediate reactions. It demands courage when fear would be much more convenient. But it is also freeing. When you let go of the need to gain everyone’s approval, avoid every mistake, or secure every possible outcome, you begin to live with more peace, not because your life is perfect, but because your intent is clear.

Culture Featured Stoicism

The Obstacle Is the Way: Facing the Future When the Road Changes

May 30, 2025May 30, 2025 B. John 22 Views 0 Comments Challenges, Encouragement, Stoics, Stoicism, Job, Obstacles

So this is where I stand: older, yes, but not done. Not stuck. Just at the next bend in the road. It’s not the one I expected. But I’m learning, little by little, to see it not as a detour but as a direction. If you’re in a similar place, wondering if you’re too late, too tired, too tangled in the “should haves,” let me offer this: You are not behind. You are not disqualified. You are standing right where your next beginning begins. “The obstacle is the way.”

Religion Stoicism Culture Deep Thoughts Featured

The Gift of Memento Mori

May 28, 2025May 30, 2025 B. John 32 Views 0 Comments Memento Mori, Friends, Family, life, Friendship

That phrase—Memento Mori—means “remember that you must die.” It’s an old Stoic meditation, not meant to provoke dread but to awaken us… and remind us not to sleepwalk through our lives. The Stoic philosopher Seneca put it this way: “Let us prepare our minds as if we’d come to the very end of life. Let us postpone nothing.”

Politics Election Culture Featured

Mourn The Time But Stand With Resolve

November 19, 2024November 19, 2024 B. John 255 Views 0 Comments Election 2024, mourning

To foster hope, we must remember the countless individuals working tirelessly for justice, unity, and compassion. These voices may seem drowned out by anger and division, but they are there—teaching our children better ways, forging connections across divides, and laying the groundwork for the future we long for. Change starts small, often unnoticed, but it accumulates and eventually becomes unstoppable.

Photo of Andrew Warren, Hillsborough State Attorney

Places Tampa Society Crime Cafe Con Tampa Featured

The Case of Robert Dubois as Told by Andrew Warren

September 7, 2024 B. John 324 Views 0 Comments Cafe Con Tampa, Andrew Warren, Robert DuBois

On Friday, September 6, 2024, former Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren gave a compelling speech at Café Con Tampa, recounting the case of Robert DuBoise, a man wrongfully convicted of murder. Warren’s speech highlighted the importance of justice, the flaws in the criminal justice system, and how his office worked tirelessly to correct an egregious mistake.

Culture Featured Places Kings Mountain Tampa Politics Religion Methodism General

Resuming Rants

September 26, 2023 B. John 246 Views 0 Comments Idalia, Tampa, Cafe Con Tampa, Kings Mountain

There was a brief restaurant review posted earlier this year. The last post before that was a movie review (The Whale). A lot has transpired in my world over the past few months, and I think I am ready to get back to trying to post more or less regularly. The highlight reel looks a bit like this:

Culture Movies

The Whale – A Movie Review

December 31, 2022 B. John 118 Views 0 Comments Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Ty Simpkins, Hong Chau, Samantha Morton, Sathya Sridharan, Jacey Sink, Darren Aronofsky

Lay was dying to see this. I admit to feeling a bit less enthusiastic and a little uncomfortable. There’s a part of this movie that I was apprehensive about even before going in. Is it exploitative? More than probably, yes. Is it phobic in a certain way? It isn’t impossible to think that. It was a hard film to watch. Not because of any exploitation but because of the deep emotional impact and intensity of the story and the actors. It was stunning in nearly every way, and to a one, the actors were outstanding.

Featured Society Crime Technology Culture Movies

The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley-A Movie Review

May 25, 2020 B. John 766 Views 0 Comments Alex Gibney, Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos, Edison

The story of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos has inspired quite a bit of content, including a NYT Best Seller, an ABC podcast, a movie starring Jennifer Lawrence, and now an HBO documentary directed by “Going Clear” director, Alex Gibney. If you want a great overview of the story that concentrates on Holmes, this is an excellent two-hours you can spend. I’m going to give it a 7, what say you?

Culture Movies Entertainment Featured

1917 – A Movie Review

March 8, 2020May 25, 2020 B. John 915 Views 0 Comments Drama, Sam Mendes, War, WWI

April 1917, the Western Front. Two British soldiers are sent to deliver an urgent message to an isolated regiment. If the message is not received in time the regiment of 1,600 men will walk into a trap and be massacred. To get to the regiment they will need to cross through enemy territory. Time is of the essence and the journey will be fraught with danger, and Sam Mendes will make you feel like you’re running every mile with them.

Culture Movies Entertainment Society

Joker-A Movie Review

January 18, 2020January 18, 2020 B. John 766 Views 0 Comments Brett Cullen, Drama, Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Todd Phillips, Zazie Beetz, Thriller, Frances Conroy, Crime

Joker centers around an origin of the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen. Todd Phillips’ exploration of Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), a man disregarded by society is not only a gritty character study but also a broader cautionary tale.

Culture Movies

Richard Jewell – A Movie Review

January 12, 2020 B. John 791 Views 0 Comments Crime, Drama, Biography, Richard Jewell, Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell

Based on a true story, Richard Jewell tells the story of security guard Richard Jewell who likely saved many lives from an exploding bomb at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, but is vilified by journalists and the press who falsely reported that he was a terrorist. Me and Lay watched this at AMC Westshore Plaza Saturday, January 4, 2019, and here’s my review.

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