A few days ago, I wrote about the importance of starting a new year.
The past few days, I have written about a young guy with a controversial opinion.
If you ask me, It wouldn’t be too much for him to write himself a manifesto on the topic entitled: “Little Boys Need Books That Aren’t Queer or Gay.”
But that is just me.
I think sitting down and scrawling out your ideas into one place, where people can come and find out what you are about is a great thing to do.
Of my writing, I would say, only about one-third ever gets seen by others. I have a look and determine that it is only for my eyes.
And sometimes, writers, write for themselves manifestos, guiding statements, touchstones to return to, that no one else ever sees, but that for the writer act as a way to check in with himself about the things that are most important for him.
A manifesto says what you are doing.
A manifesto says what you are about.
Though it may be for others, a manifesto, importantly, helps you at the very least, clarify what you are about.
One of my favorites, a manifesto that I have quoted in a number of speeches and writings is "A Cypherpunk's Manifesto," written by Eric Hughes in March of 1993.
Upon that vision are privacy apps such as Signal built.
Upon that vision is Bitcoin built, alongside other important projects.
These manifestos can come to mean something -- as they clarify for the author what he is doing and what he is about, and can also clarify for a community, for an organization, or for a family what they are doing and what they are about.
I am forever writing myself such guidestones, taking such notes on life, having these ongoing conversations that allow me to know better where I have been and where I am going.
Passionately written manifestos abound in my life. Some that are shared with others, but most of which are for my eyes only.
I suspect the year we are about to enter, is going to be one of the most historically monumental in our lifetimes.
As the world finds itself in flux, and as you perhaps find your own life in flux, I ask that you take a few moments in the days ahead and jot down the things that are most important to you, and to, no matter what comes over the next 12 months, keep your attention solidly focussed on your values.
There is hardly any other way to know how to act in such tumultuous times.
What do you value?
What matters to you?
Over the past year, I have started a tradition with some of the readers of these emails — a tradition that I suspect will continue for some time.
We read the Bible, at a clip of about 15 minutes a day, cover to cover through the year.
In the upcoming year, I will do the same, and I ask you to join me in that.
The daily reading has been good time for me to parse what it is I truly value, and to examine the things that matter most to me.
The conversations that have come out of it between myself and other readers have added to that.
Perhaps you may find in that process a similar value.
Also, this year, I will be reading two versions of the Bible: One that is organized as a study Bible in a modern translation and in chronological order, and another that is organized in the usual order, the Geneva Bible of 1560.
Everyone may sign up free of charge at the link below to receive the daily readings.
To participate in all the bells and whistles of the paid group will cost a little - I promise you it will be well worth it though.
Whichever option you choose, come join me over the next year as we read through the Bible.
Tap here to get in: https://55hours.org/
Allan Stevo