2319: 7 Falls

Hey Friends,

Fall has finally arrived, and I’m reminded of the same feeling I had just before the start of summer—a mix of optimism, hope, and the sense of a fresh beginning. There’s something about the changing seasons that makes you feel like you’re blossoming into a more mature version of yourself. Living in the Midwest, the weather isn’t quite like the southern heat I grew up with, but that change, the crispness in the air, only deepens my appreciation for the passage of time, for each season’s unique beauty.

This week, I found inspiration from Morgan Wallen’s song “7 Summers.” The song reflects on a past lover, reminiscing about who they were seven summers ago. As I was driving back from class, it hit me—seven summers is really just saying seven years. That took me back to 18-year-old Zechariah, in the fall of 2018. Seven falls ago. It feels like a lifetime and no time at all. I was a senior at Madison Central High School, just having turned 18 on Wednesday, September 26, 2018. It felt like such a big milestone. I could register vote. I could register for the draft. And I did register to vote, that same weekend at the Wellfest Festival, a community event that marked the start of fall, where I stood a little taller with my newly-claimed adulthood.

Back then, my worries were simpler. Making it to football games. Not rolling into class too late—though I usually rolled out of bed with just twenty minutes to spare. And, of course, playing the game with the boys. Looking back, I realize how much those moments meant, even the small rebellions of sneaking on the game during the school week evenings and always getting in trouble. The infamous "Zechariah get off that game". Always made for great memories. The laughs, the teasing—it’s funny how those memories are what stick. Even now, when I’ve moved past the high school and college now, I still carry some of those same habits. I usually just play the game on the weekends. And I definitely don’t cut it as close with getting to class. But some part of me still misses the simplicity of those days.

But the Zechariah from seven falls ago would be proud of the Zechariah writing this today. And I know many of you are wondering, "Where has Zech been?" It’s true—I haven’t posted in a while. Over the past month, I’ve been grappling with a lot of self-doubt. I’ll be transparent: I tried to resolve it by searching for answers outside myself, as we often do. But I’ve realized that what I was looking for wasn’t out there. The answer was within me all along.

Life can clutter your mind like a full email inbox—there’s important stuff in there, but it’s buried under all the noise. It’s easy to get lost, to feel overwhelmed. But when we take the time to pause, sit quietly with ourselves, or go for walks without distraction, we begin to declutter. We find clarity. And I found that the solution to my self-doubt—or whatever you may be grappling with—is simply learning to listen to yourself. The key is within us, waiting for us to clear the mental fog, the spam, to hear it.

Peace,

Zechariah Davis

Song of the week:

• 7 Summers
  • Morgan Wallen

Quote of the week:

Scripture of the Week:

Weekly Challenge:

• Take a 15-minute walk with no distractions.

Journal Prompt:

• Using this week's prompt, "7 Falls Ago" reflect on yourself 7 fall seasons ago.

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