By: Caleb Minson In a world deeply divided, where the concept of morality is fractured into countless interpretations, the question of what it means to be a decent human being grows ever more urgent. At the heart of this question lies a profound challenge: how do we reconcile the fundamental flaws of human nature with the moral frameworks we create to guide our lives? And how do we move forward in a society where the very idea of morality is contested, where belief in a divine lawgiver is no longer assumed, and where opposing sides are equally convinced they hold the moral high ground?
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It’s been a while since I’ve taken the time to sit down and write a journal entry. The fall season is in full swing now, and the colors outside have settled into those beautiful oranges, reds, and yellows that we all love about autumn. Today, the weather sits comfortably at 59 degrees—a typical crisp October day. As I reflect back on the week, I realize just how busy it has been. I’ve taken on an extra day at the farm, which now means I’m working there two full days a week, and three every other week. The work is rewarding, but it’s definitely adding to the load.
Last night, I attended an open house at North Cumberland Middle School. It was an interesting experience, as parents were asked to live a day in the life of their child—walking from classroom to classroom, participating in what the students experience every day. For the most part, it was fun, but one aspect stood out to me in a less positive light.
True freedom is rooted in the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These rights form the foundation of a free society and define what it means to live without undue interference. Freedom means an individual has the autonomy to raise their family, make a living in the way they see fit, protect their property and livelihood, worship as they choose, and move freely without impediment. In a free state, government interference is minimal—only stepping in when absolutely necessary to preserve these rights for all.
As someone who has lived in Cumberland, Rhode Island, for 14 years, I have witnessed firsthand the gradual erosion of the values that this country was built on—values of individual responsibility, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In 2024, these foundational ideals seem distant, buried under layers of centralized government control. That’s why I believe the upcoming mayoral election is so crucial, and it’s why I’m endorsing Brad Dean for Mayor of Cumberland.
This weekend was yet another chapter in my ongoing saga of keeping the country lifestyle alive while living in the suburbs. It started on Saturday with a lesson in the art of tree climbing. Carter and I spent the morning outside, where I schooled him on one of my favorite pastimes from when I was a kid. I shared stories of how I would spend hours perched at the tops of trees, chilling on a branch, soaking in nature's peace. Inspired by those tales, he decided to give it a go himself. He started small, tackling the red maple tree in our front yard. Though he's not quite reaching the heights just yet, I can see that determination in his eyes to go a little farther each time he climbs.
I grew up at the end of a dirt road, surrounded by the woods of North Jacksonville, Florida, just 15 minutes away from the Georgia border. Every aspect of my upbringing was as country as it gets. From a young age, my friends and I were running through the woods, playing cowboys and Indians. We didn’t just play; we lived it. We built a genuine teepee using trees we cut down, wrapping it with fern leaves for cover. One time, we even tried to carve a canoe out of a fallen log near a creek, inspired by the idea of taming the natural world around us.
What a week. Let’s talk about parenting—specifically, parenting a teenager in today's world. It feels like the pace of everything, from trends to information, is overwhelming, and it's our kids who are bearing the brunt of it. This week, we faced the effects of this head-on with our son, and let me tell you, I don't envy the environment these kids are growing up in.
Sometimes, I like to drift away to the sounds of songs by artists like James Otto, Zac Brown Band, and Chris Stapleton. There’s something about the melodies and lyrics that seems to transport me to a different place—a place where the troubles of the world don’t feel so heavy. We live in a world full of heartache and anxiety. If you let it, that weight can overtake your thoughts, dragging you down into a dark place that’s hard to escape from.
This weekend marked a long-awaited camping trip with my kids—a special request they’d been making all summer. The cabin we stayed in was rustic, with just enough space for sleeping. Everything else felt like being at a regular campsite: a campfire, a nearby lake, and plenty of outdoor activities.
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Caleb Minsonis a filmmaker, musician, visual artist, and storyteller with a "suburban country boy" spirit. His journal is a space where he dives into his creative process, exploring not just filmmaking, music, and art but also his thoughts on politics, philosophy, and theology. Through these reflections, Caleb shares the diverse ideas, experiences, and outdoor adventures that shape his work and life. Archives
November 2024
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