Summer > Fall

Author

TJ Jones
September 01, 2025

I’ve been inconsistent in my writing and haven’t given myself creative space the past few months. As the fall creeps in, I always feel a shift in my soul. Days feel gentler and time spent outdoors allows us to recharge.

The past few months, I’ve watched my two boys (Tate is nearly 3 yo and Micah is 6 months) grow and am constantly thankful for their joyful spirits. I’ve tried to dance more, laugh frequently, and be intentional about where I place my energy.

I’d like to write on a set schedule, but I find writing is most meaningful for me when I do it ad hoc. Here are thoughts, events, and ideas from the last few months:

I got baptized on August 2nd. It had been on my mind for a long time and it was a meaningful day in my life. Tate keeps saying that “Dad got appetized.”

I’ve had some hard conversations the past few months and have realized that being forward/honest is so much healthier than checking out and not saying anything at all.

We are about to add our 6th teammate at Neighbor Serve. The past few months have had their challenges, but I’m energized each morning and building something incredible with good people is something I’m forever grateful for. I’ve gained a lot of confidence the past few months as a human being, leader, and entrepreneur.

I’ve been thinking about the minimization of ego and death a lot. 109 billion people have died to date. That number is staggering and I’m really not sure what to do with it.

Quote: “It’s not about you”

See the spectrum below. I believe panic and belief are opposites. Sometimes believing in something or someone feels insane, but that is a much healther place to live than a state of panic. I found myself too close to panic in the summer and forced myself towards belief. Where do you fall?

Panic ←───────────────→ Belief

Poem

We are born the wander and think

If you do not make the time

you will surely sink

Make plans to go nowhere, just roam

If you make the time

you will surely find home

Do something kind for someone and don’t tell anyone. I stress the “don’t tell anyone” piece of this action.