pastoryancy

I think it’s time.  Time to admit I need help getting out of this situation.  As I weigh my options, I can tell some of the steps I’m taking are helping, but not enough.  Therefore, I’m planning on talking with my psychiatrist on Wednesday.  We’ll discuss whether it might be time for a medication adjustment.  I don’t like being on meds but sometimes that little kick goes a long way.

On another note, I’ve been having technology issues lately so bear with me on my posting schedule.  I think I may have some options figured out.  We’ll see.

So, until next time,

God be with you,

Yancy Adamson

It is time for another installment of “The Charlois Life,” staring yours truly.  When we last talked, I was giving a run down of what I’m working on.  In essence, I want to be the best version of me possible and to share that journey to the goal through my blog and books.  Today I want to keep that conversation going.

I spoke about being a Renaissance Man and what that would entail.  I am discovering that if I want to write and do my studies, I’ll need my environment to be organized.  It is not dirty or anything like that, it’s just cluttered and messy.  So, one of my first projects is going to be “get things in order.”

My room is divided into areas, as to rough purposes.  There are 5: office, kitchen, dining room, bedroom, and library.  My goal is to take each area in turn and clean and organize.  This job will take several days but once it is done, I feel like the stage will be set to accomplish my program.  At least my mood will be where it needs to be.

One step at a time and I plan on this stage being complete by Easter.  I’ll be able to celebrate properly at that point.

So, until next time,

God be with you,

Yancy Adamson

Greetings.  Tonight, I want to talk a little bit about what I’ve been working on in therapy.  My last session was this past Friday and we covered a lot of ground.  One of the things I’ve been struggling with is my apathy.  I can’t seem to find the motivation to accomplish things.  Amy, my therapist and I have determined that a possible reason is that I don’t have a primary, driving goal.  So, we brainstormed, and we discovered that one goal that has been in the background my whole life is to be the best version of who I was created to be.  So, we discussed the possibility of focusing on that as my driving force in life.  But what does the best version of me look like.  That is my homework assignment for next session. 

The question now becomes, who do I want to be when I grow up?  First of all, I want to be challenged.  I want to constantly be growing and learning.  To become a Renaissance man if you will.  To know a little something about a whole spectrum of subjects.  Therefore, I’m embarking on a journey / quest to realize that dream.  I will be reading widely, both Britannic’s Great Books, and the best books of the last 100 years.  I will study math and languages, art and music; subjects that would be covered in a good college liberal arts program.  There will also be my goal of being fit in all eight dimensions of wellness: Spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual, social, environmental, occupational, and financial.  But that is only the beginning.

Knowing is only part of the equation.  I also have to apply it by contributing in some way.  That brings up some other goals.  I am a writer, writing both books and a blog.  If I focus on inspirational, self-help titles and blog about my quest; maybe my work will contribute to the well being of society.  The best version of me that I can envision.

That’s an update for now, expect more in the future.

Until next time,

God be with you,

Yancy Adamson

We have been talking about reading and studying for the last couple of posts and that is because continuous self-improvement is one of the foundational beliefs of Charlois Philosophy. Research has shown that, with proper care, the human brain can continue developing until the day we die.  As long as we feed it a healthy diet, challenge it with new information, and keep it safe; it can provide us with the brain power we need to live an abundant life.

Not only does feeding the brain help it develop it, it can also be a source of great joy.  Reading, puzzles, and new experiences, are the base from which we can build a great life.  Why wouldn’t we want to get as much use from our mental equipment as possible.

Charlois is a philosophy that seeks the best for its practitioners.  So, if you want to access all God offers through the universe then continue providing yourself with all that helps body, mind, and spirit.

God bless, and have a great day.

Robert A. Charlois III

“Study to shew thyself approved…” 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

Most people assume that the author of this passage is referencing the Judeo / Christian scriptures.  I believe they are mistaken when they say the Bible is the only book for me.  I believe God wants us to study everything as it all reflects the self revealing nature of Himself.

In Richard Foster’s book Celebration of Disciplines, he has an entire chapter on the idea of study.  Through study we draw closer to God and His people.  Scripture tells us to love God and love neighbor as self.  How can we love if we don’t know the persons, we say we love?

It seems to be very important to God for us to expand our awareness of the glories He has provided for us.  This idea that we can know everything just by reading our Bibles is ludicrous.  We are to immerse ourselves in all manner of study so as to extract the truth, the whole truth.  We can only do this if we take our studies seriously.

Go, and show yourselves approved before God.

God’s peace to us all.

Pastor Yancy

The lifetime Reading Plan, by Clifton Fadiman is not only the title of a book it is also the focus of this installment of A Charlois Book Review.  One of the things that many people especially, me, is their desire to be a well-rounded person.  One of the best ways to accomplish this is to be a lifelong learner, especially by reading widely.

As I’ve said on other occasions is, I want to be the best version of myself that I can be.  That includes being a well-rounded individual, or polymath.  Naturally that means reading a lot, so, I am undertaking a quest.  Over the next ten years I plan on increasing my reading so that I’m reading the great literature of history.

But how does one choose what to read?  There is a myriad of ways to find your list.  Fadiman’s Lifetime Reading Plan lists 103 authors that he feels should comprise most peoples lists.  The Great Books by Britannica is a similar list that covers 74 of the world’s great literature.  This set even has reading plans to guide a person through 10 years of reading.  Another way of determination is computer lists of “best “……” books to read” , which may include websites that cover popular categories.

For me, I’ve decided to follow a multipronged approach.  Over the next 10 years I’ll be following the Great Books 10 year reading plan, which will be my core reading list.  Add to that a reading list of the 100 must read books from reedsy off the computer.  Also included will be selections from other non-fiction lists that I may find.

Whatever you choose to read, I suggest we get intentional about increasing our reading time.  It is one of the best ways of improving yourself.

Happy reading,

Robert A. Charlois III

Are you noticing that I’ve been rather erratic in my posts?  Since late last year I have struggled.  Everything in my life has been shaken up.  However, I am taking steps to get past that.

I have started Journalling, both in my private journal and here on this blog.  I have every intention to become more consistent in my posts.  That’s not to say I won’t mess up occasionally, but I’m going to try.  Beginning with this post I am working on a weeks’ worth at a time.  In other words, I have 6 posts in the works at all times.  This is not the only project I’m working on.

My reading is expanding.  Next week I plan on starting The Great Ideas Reading Plan by Britannica, and will continue that for the foreseeable future transitioning into Britannica’s 10 year reading program.  Add to that, for recreational purposes I’m reading the classic writings as listed on the Reedsy website.  And I’m reading various selections from my public library. There is more.

Yesterday I signed up for the Daily Stoic’s Spring Challenge.  It’s a program designed to help you restart your dreams for the year.  This looks to be the “kick-in-the-seat-of-the-pants” that I so need.

As you can see, I’m tired of wallowing in self-pity and eager to regain my focus on a purpose;  become the best version I’m created to be.

Until next time,

God be with you,

Yancy Adamson

It has been a while since I’ve posted anything, but that is not indicative of any problems in my life.  In fact, things are going pretty well.  It’s just a result of me getting things ordered the way I want.  Since late last year I had some struggles with my mental health team going through a transition.  While I was dealing some personal issues my treatment was sporadic, often times not seeing anyone for weeks at a time.  That has all changed.

My current team has someone that touches base with me every week, that is a plus.  It’s not that I need it every week but sometimes things come up that could be addressed.  I now have that in place.

Another issue is, I’m coming to terms with my limitations.  That has been hard considering the life goals I had.  That to is being dealt with.  I have accepted the fact that I just need to be myself and let God use me how He sees fit.

I’ve come a long way these past few months but I still have a long way to go.

Until next time,

God be with you,

Yancy Adamson

Trying to get back on track with my life.  It has been made clear to me that these last few years have been very productive for me, in a lot of ways.  It is no wonder I’m coming down, and that’s ok.  But now it’s time to pull it together.

I had a mental health appointment yesterday and we started a conversation about keeping it real.  Don’t get me wrong, having goals is a good thing; even if they’re highly unlikely to reach their intended completion.  But there are times when we need to evaluate and adjust.  That is what I have been doing, as painful as it’s been.  Now, I would like to see my dreams come true, but I’ll not be the one to make them happen.

I am starting to get ideas about what I want the rest of my life to look like, which I shared some of in my last post.  From here on out I’ll be working on being the best version of who God created me to be.  I spent most of my life trying to make other people happy by being who I was expected to be.  No longer.  I don’t know what the future holds but I’m going to live it on my terms as I feel God leading.

This blog is basically going to stay the same as far as order; only a few changes.  Mondays will still be foundations, (or basic beliefs), Tuesdays and Thursdays will now be “The Charlois Life”,   ( my personal journal), Wednesdays is dedicated to my other interests, (Fellowship of ALL God’s Children and The Charlois Co., LLC), Fridays will continue to be focused on reading, and Saturdays will cover Pastoral Reflections.

Come along for the ride and maybe we’ll all grow in the process.  God bless. 

Yancy N. Adamson Jr.

I need to make a confession; I’ve not been doing well lately, actually, since late last year.  Every since my book came out I’ve not had a driving purpose or any sort of motivation.  My therapist and I have been working on it but there doesn’t seem to be much progress.  I’m just sinking deeper into depression.

Things may be taking a turn for the better.  I’m at least trying to try different things to shake it off.  This, my blog, is one of the things I’ve decided to give a try.  By focusing on keeping a web log of my journey I believe I’ll feel I’m being held accountable, which I need.  If you want to help you can comment on these posts, or send me an email.  Just knowing you’re out there will be a great boost.  That and using this site as a journal will help keep me focused.

Other things I’m going to be doing are conducting myself in a manner that reflects who I desire to be.  This will include giving up some things and starting others.  First on the list, smoking.  Smoking has been my number 1 issue most of my life.  Not only is it bad for my physical health but my emotional wellbeing suffers because of it.  The financial cost is oppressive as is the drain on what could be time used for more productive pursuits.

In order to accomplish my goal of being a non-smoker I have a plan; I’ll track my habit and reduce my consumption by at least 1 cigarette per day.  I started this process on Friday, May 10^th, 2024.  On that day I smoked 44 cigs, a little above average but a good starting point.  The next day I smoked 30, a decrease of 14 cigs.  The next day I’m shooting for 28, which is about average.  From now on it will probably be more difficult, only lowering the number by the 1 I’ve planned.

Another practice I’ll be undertaking is a move to add positive habits in the spaces left from my smoking cessation.  I have an ideal daily schedule that I have posted.  Each week I’ll be adding one thing from it to turn into a habit.  So, I have some things to work on.  It’s not the end of the journey but it is a good start.

Looking forward to the future.

Yancy N. Adamson Jr.