The Joy of Words: Sounding Smart versus Being Smart

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

You ever find yourself geeking out over something most people overlook? Yeah, I’m one of those guys. The kind who flips through a dictionary for fun, marveling at the sheer arsenal of words we have to express ourselves. It’s wild to think about, isn’t it? We’ve got this vast, vibrant toolbox of language at our fingertips, yet sometimes, we still trip over our own tongues. Or maybe that’s just me.

Let me take you back to my teenage years. While some kids were out perfecting their jump shot or cruising around in shiny cars to look cool, I had a different mission: I wanted to sound smart. My weapon of choice? Big, fancy words. The bigger, the better. Problem was, I didn’t always know what those words meant. Spoiler alert: trying to sound clever often made me look like a total goof.

Picture this: I’m 16, strolling into the Christian bookstore in my small town. The place had this cozy vibe—rows of books, soft music, and the owner, a friendly guy from my church, behind the counter. He asks me how my day’s going, and I, in all my teenage wisdom, respond with a confident, “Very monogamous.” Cue the owner bursting into laughter. For a split second, I consider being offended. What’s so funny? I ask. He catches his breath and says, “Do you mean monotonous?”

Oh. Yeah. That’s exactly what I meant. I had the right idea—my day was dull, same-old, same-old—but the wrong word. Monogamous? That’s a whole different ballgame. I slunk out of the store that day, my ego a little bruised but my curiosity about words fully ignited.

That moment stuck with me, not just because it was embarrassing (though, trust me, it was), but because it was the beginning of a life long enjoyment of language. These days, I’m still all about using a wide vocabulary, but it’s not about looking cool anymore. It’s about the sheer joy of words—their nuances, their histories, their power. Words can lift us up, tear us down, inspire us to dream, or motivate us to act. As the poet William Wordsworth once wrote, “Words are too awful an instrument for good and evil to be trifled with: they hold above all other external powers a dominion over thoughts.” He’s right—words aren’t just sounds or symbols; they shape how we think and connect.

Think about it: words are like tiny time machines, carrying meaning across centuries. They can paint vivid pictures, spark revolutions, or make someone’s day just by being kind. But they can also trip us up, like my “monogamous” mishap. And honestly? That’s part of the fun. Those missteps teach us to slow down, to listen, to learn. They remind us that language is a living, breathing thing—always evolving, always surprising.

I’m reminded of another gem, this time from Mark Twain: “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter—’tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.” That’s the magic of words. The right one can light up a conversation, while the almost right one? Well, it might just leave you blushing in a bookstore.

So here I am, still nerding out over dictionaries, still chasing the perfect word to capture a moment or a feeling. I’ve learned to laugh at my linguistic fumbles and to savor the moments when I nail it. Because at the end of the day, words aren’t just about sounding smart—they’re about connecting, creating, and celebrating the wild, wonderful mess of being human.

What’s your favorite word? Or better yet, what’s the most epic word-fail you’ve ever had? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories. Let’s keep the conversation going and geek out over this beautiful thing called language together.

Day 32 of the 7-40 Challenge: Embracing the Journey of Transformation

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Hey there, friends! Welcome to day 32 of round two of my 7-40 Challenge. Can you believe it’s been almost 75 days since I kicked this thing off? I’m starting to see some real shifts in how I move through my days, and I’m excited to share the wins, the surprises, and a few areas where I know I can level up. So, grab a coffee (or tea, no judgment here), and let’s dive into this journey together.

Before I started this challenge, I was in a rut. Picture this: I hadn’t stepped foot in a gym in a few months, my energy was low, and I knew I needed to get back to taking care of myself—stat. Enter the 7-40 Challenge, my personal accountability bootcamp. It’s all about committing to seven life-changing habits over 40-day periods, and let me tell you, it’s been a powerful shift.

The Wins: Progress I’m Proud Of

First up, let’s talk about the victories. One of the biggest? I’ve been exercising for at least an hour almost every single day of this challenge. That consistency has paid off in a big way—I’ve shed about 18 pounds over the last couple of months! Not only do I feel lighter, but I feel better. My body’s thanking me, and I’m starting to see that spark of energy I’d been missing. As Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” I took that to heart, starting where I was, and it’s led to real progress.

Another win I’m thrilled about is my reading habit. I’ve been diving into books or audiobooks for at least 30 minutes on all but one day of this challenge. Some days, I’ve even lost myself in a good book for over two hours! This flood of positive ideas and stories has been like a mental reset. I’m thinking more clearly, staying more positive, and finally checking off a long-time goal of reading more. It’s amazing how small, consistent actions can lead to such big shifts. As Ralph Waldo Emerson put it, “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” Deciding to prioritize this habit has been a decision I’m proud of.

The Surprises: Unexpected Gifts of the Challenge

One of the coolest surprises? I’m turning into a morning person. I know, I know—I’ve been the guy who groaned at the thought of a 5 a.m. wakeup. But here I am, lacing up my sneakers most mornings to take a walk around the neighborhood. There’s something about the quiet of those early hours, the fresh air, and the rhythm of my steps that’s become almost addictive. On good days, I’ve already hit 10,000 steps by noon! That’s a far cry from the old me, who’d barely move before lunch. I didn’t expect to crave being outside and active, but this challenge has rewired something in me, and I’m here for it.

Room to Grow: Keeping It Real

Now, let’s keep it honest—there’s still work to do. I’m a foodie at heart, and while I’ve made strides, my diet could use a little more discipline. I’m trying to find that sweet spot where I’m eating healthier but still enjoying the journey. It’s a balancing act, and I’m tweaking it as I go. The key is staying committed without being too hard on myself. Progress, not perfection, right?

Why This Matters

Committing to these seven habits over 40-day stretches has been transformative, and I’m only just getting started. I’ve got my eyes set on keeping this 7-40 Challenge going for many rounds to come, building on the foundation I’m laying now. It’s not just about the physical changes—it’s about the mental clarity, the discipline, and the joy of becoming a better version of myself.

So, I’m curious—what about you? What goals are you chasing right now? What habits are you building to create the future you want? Drop a comment below; I’d love to hear what’s driving you. Thanks for joining me on this journey, and I’ll catch you tomorrow!

Finding Magic in the Ordinary: Day 31 of the 7-40 Challenge

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Hello, friends! Welcome to Day 31 of the 7-40 Challenge, Round 2. What a day it’s been—bustling with energy at work, yet beautifully calm at home. It’s that sweet balance we all crave, and I’m sitting here tonight, heart full, grateful for every moment of it.

This morning kicked off with my usual routine: a quiet, grounding Bible study. Lately, I’ve been diving into a study that’s all about recognizing God’s presence in the everyday, the ordinary. It’s a powerful reminder that the Creator of the universe isn’t just there for the big, flashy moments. He’s with us in the mundane—through the morning commute, the endless emails, the grocery runs, and the dishes piling up in the sink. As the great theologian A.W. Tozer once said, “We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts.” That hits deep, doesn’t it? God is right there, woven into the fabric of our daily lives.

When you start to see this—really see it—something shifts. Suddenly, the words of Psalm 118:24 come alive: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Every day, no matter how ordinary, becomes a gift. A chance to notice the sacred in the simple.

Tonight, I’m soaking in that simplicity. I got to sit down for dinner with my bride, my favorite person in the world. We talked, we laughed, we just were. Afterward, we settled into the cozy quiet of our home—me playing a game, her curled up with a book. It was nothing extravagant, yet it was amazing. Those moments of just being together, with no rush or agenda, filled my soul in a way I didn’t know I needed. As C.S. Lewis once wrote, “The ordinary, when seen rightly, is a reflection of the eternal.” That’s what tonight felt like—a glimpse of eternity in the stillness.

So, I’m curious: How about you? Do you find joy in the ordinary? Do you pause to notice the beauty in the routine—the morning coffee, the familiar rhythm of your workday, the sound of your loved ones’ laughter? That’s where the magic hides, friends. It’s in the small stuff, the moments we often overlook. The ordinary isn’t just a backdrop; it’s where life happens, where God meets us, where love and meaning bloom.

Let’s make a pact to keep our eyes open for these moments. To slow down, to savor, to rejoice. Because when we do, we realize the ordinary isn’t so ordinary after all—it’s extraordinary, sacred, and brimming with purpose.

Here’s to Day 31, to the little things, and to finding God in every moment. Drop a comment below and tell me: What’s one ordinary moment that felt like magic to you today?

The Power of Talking It Out: Unlocking Better Communication Through Self-Discovery

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” — Rudyard Kipling

For the longest time, I thought everyone’s brain worked like mine. I assumed we all processed ideas in the same tidy, linear way. Spoiler alert: I was wrong. It took a few verbal stumbles—moments where my words tripped over themselves—to realize I’m wired a bit differently. When I’m grappling with a complex idea or trying to solve a problem, I need to talk it out. Saying things aloud is like untangling a knotted ball of yarn in my mind—it helps me make sense of the chaos and find clarity.

This process can be a wild ride. Sometimes, I’ll be mid-sentence and hear myself say something that makes me pause and think, “Whoa, that’s not what I meant at all—where did that come from?” Other times, I’ll blurt out a thought and stop, amazed, thinking, “Wait, did I just say that? That was actually kind of brilliant!” Talking out loud is like holding up a mirror to my thoughts, revealing what’s really going on in my head—for better or worse.

I owe this epiphany to my incredible wife. Over the years, we’ve had countless conversations where I’d dive headfirst into explaining something, only to see her brow furrow in confusion. Halfway through my ramble, I’d realize I was lost in my own words, circling around a point I hadn’t quite grasped myself. Recently, I’ve learned to hit the pause button and say, “Hang on, let me talk this out for a minute.” That simple phrase is like a magic wand. It signals to her that I’m working through my thoughts, and it gives me the space to stumble toward clarity. She listens with saint-like patience, and by the end, I’ve often landed on something sharper, clearer, and more meaningful than where I started.

This discovery got me thinking: how often do we misunderstand each other because we don’t realize how differently we process and communicate? How many times have we been this close to a breakthrough in a conversation, only to miss it because we didn’t take that extra step to clarify? I bet it happens more than we think. As the philosopher Epictetus once said, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” But what if we also need to speak to understand ourselves better?

Communication isn’t something that just happens—it’s a skill we have to hone. It starts with understanding ourselves: how we think, how we express ideas, and what we need to be clear. For me, that means talking out loud and asking for patience while I sort through my thoughts. For you, it might mean writing things down, mulling over ideas in silence, or asking questions to better understand someone else’s perspective.

The beauty of this realization is that it’s not just about me—or you. It’s about creating space for others in our conversations. The next time you’re in a discussion that feels stuck, take a moment to reflect. Are you saying what you really mean? Are you giving the other person room to express themselves fully? One small step—like saying, “Let me think this through out loud” or “Can you help me clarify this?”—can transform a conversation from frustrating to fruitful.

Here’s my challenge to you: Pay attention to how you process and communicate. What’s one thing you can do to make your conversations clearer and more connected? Maybe it’s pausing to gather your thoughts, asking for feedback, or simply listening a little longer. Try it, and you might be surprised at how much easier communication becomes.

Talking it out has taught me that clarity isn’t just about finding the right words—it’s about understanding yourself and inviting others into that process. So, go ahead and have that conversation. Speak, listen, reflect, and repeat. You never know what breakthroughs are waiting on the other side.

Finding Awe in the Quiet: A Morning Under the Stars

~ David Willis ~ Leave a comment

Good morning, or perhaps good evening, wherever you are in this beautiful, spinning world. It’s October 6th, and I’m diving into day 29 of my 7-40 Challenge, round two. The sun hasn’t yet peeked over the horizon, but I’m already out here, heart pumping from my first workout of the day. The moon hangs bright in the sky, and Orion, one of my favorite constellations, gazes down at me. There’s a stillness, a quiet magic in this moment, and I want to share it with you.

Let me confess something: I not naturally a morning person. Oh no, the snooze button and I were old friends. In my younger years, I’d set the loudest alarm I could find, place it across the room to force myself out of bed, and still—still—I’d hit snooze, shuffle back under the covers, and repeat the cycle. One time, I even had an alarm that sounded like a bullhorn. Imagine drifting through a peaceful dream only to be jolted awake by what felt like a drill instructor screaming in your ear. It was jarring, to say the least.

But as I’ve grown older, I’ve made peace with the alarm clock. Like most of us, I have to get up, go to work, and show up for life’s demands. Yet, somewhere along the way, I’ve come to cherish these early hours. There’s something sacred about the world before it wakes up, before the noise and busyness take over. It’s in these quiet moments that I find rhythm, clarity, and connection—to God, to myself, and to the awe-inspiring creation around me.

This morning, as I stepped outside, the cool air brushed against my skin, and I heard the gentle whisper of the breeze moving through the trees. They swayed softly under the glow of a streetlamp, their leaves dancing in the pre-dawn light. I looked up, and there they were: stars scattered across the sky like diamonds, twinkling with a quiet brilliance. And then, as I lingered, I spotted those steady, unshaking lights—not stars, but planets, millions of miles away, whirling through space yet appearing so still, so present, as if they were placed there just for me to marvel at.

C.S. Lewis once wrote, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” That’s what these mornings feel like—a chance to see the world illuminated by something greater. The heavens, as the Psalmist declares, truly “proclaim the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). In the quiet, under the vastness of the sky, I’m reminded of a God who loves us, who crafted this universe with such precision and beauty. It’s humbling. It’s grounding. It fills me with gratitude to be alive, to be here, in this moment.

John Eldredge, in his book Wild at Heart, says, “Deep in his heart, every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue.” For me, these early mornings prepare me for that adventure and the battles of the day that lie ahead. I get to face them with my family and friends by my side. I get to fight for the hearts of those I love. It fills me with purpose. In the stillness, and the moments before the world wakes up I can be still and prepare for the day. It’s in this space that I can reflect on God’s plan for my life, focus on my goals and simply be.

The world is busy, isn’t it? There’s always something vying for our attention—notifications, deadlines, to-do lists. But these quiet moments? They’re a gift. They’re a chance to step away from the chaos and find peace, and to reconnect with the One who made it all. Whether it’s the rustle of leaves, the twinkle of a distant planet, or the simple act of taking a deep breath, these moments remind us that we’re part of something so much bigger.

So, wherever you are today, whatever’s going on in your life, I pray you find your own moment of peace. Step outside, even if just for a minute. Look up at the sky, feel the air, and let yourself be reminded of the beauty around you. I pray you feel God’s love today.

Now, let’s go out and do some good things to start this week. I’ll see you tomorrow for day 30.