Back when I volunteered at New Folsom Prison in Sacramento, CA as part of my year with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, I used to write a weekly reflection for the inmates. Greg, my boss, had a weekly “Agape” newsletter that he created and sent to all the men’s cells; when I started at the prison, Greg left the task to me. The reflections were short, capped at around 200-300 words, and in the 2-page newsletter I threw in other interesting prayers or reflections I’ve found, as well fun crosswords and puzzles to help break the mundanity of prison life. 

My whole JV year was a time of reflection and introspection. Ideas and new experiences were constantly being placed on my heart, and the year challenged me every day emotionally, spiritually, and personally. The weekly Agape newsletter gave me the space to make my thoughts and reflections concrete, and added the important element of community to my internal wanderings. The inmates appreciated reading my weekly musings. While I was just a naïve kid, the guys appreciated the simplicity and sincerity in the writings, and they were brought along into my journey. From our conversations during different groups and services, I became a part of theirs, and we formed deep connections and built a loving community.

The newsletter inserted a time of forced reflection into my weekly routine. I never had to write about anything profound. I could write about something I noticed that morning, a kind gesture from one of the guys, or a funny incident with my JV housemates. Oftentimes, the reflections did take on a serious tone, and they provided me an outlet and a supportive community. Regardless of what murmured in my heart, the weekly journal served as a space where I was free and vulnerable, challenged my own beliefs and predispositions, and sought for growth. 

I am in a different world now from my JV year. In some ways, the polar opposite. No longer surrounded by the gray concrete walls of New Folsom Prison, I am now live at the heart of the frenetic and seemingly ever-teetering world that is Silicon Valley. While my JV year was characterized by simplicity, groundedness, and connectedness, the Bay Area abounds with abundance, ambition, and rising inequalities. I’m beyond grateful that I’m here–for my job, my friends, and the plentiful things to do, see, and learn. However, just as prison challenged me, life in the Bay has challenged me in its own unique ways. Every day, I am confronted with hope and suffering, fear and joy, and countless murmurings in my own heart. 

This blog will be my weekly outlet for musings. They might be short or long, serious or comical, but they will reflect what’s on my heart and carry vulnerability. It is a place for me to challenge my own beliefs and spark conversation, and to seek and concretize where I find meaning in my life. I’ve left comments turned on, and I invite you to join in the discussion if you feel so called. Did anything challenge you that you’ve read or strike a chord, negatively or positively? 

In this new world of AI, we often consume much more than we generate. I wish this to be a space for me to actively engage with the world, be creative, and contribute my own unique self, and I welcome you to do the same. You may notice typos, grammatical mistakes, and myriad other imperfections in the writing. However, in this AI-free space, the imperfections are uniquely me, and I invite you all to similarly step into spaces of vulnerability and live life free-flowing.

At the end of the day, we all yearn for connection. We desire meaning in our lives, and I wish to live and act in a way that makes me come alive, without fear. I appreciate you reading this post and (maybe) subscribing. Thank you for supporting this space grounded in the pursuit of authenticity, growth, and meaning.