Walk in the Woods

Nik Curfman 7/19/23 Nik Curfman 7/19/23

Vol IV: #2 A New Short Coming Soon

Yesterday, for the first time in many months, I let my mind run and stumble as it pleased. The opportunity presented itself as I began to write a new short story about Gary Mellmack, my main character and new resident of south Brooklyn. For the sake of authenticity, I spent 30 minutes researching elevated subway lines and cheap walk-on apartments. All I knew when I began to write was I wanted Gary to be wake up to the sound of a screeching subway train. And that this spine shivering sound was his new de facto alarm clock. The ultimate questions were still yet to be answered either on the page or in my mind. Why was Gary in New York? Where was he from? What’s the conflict?

And then, without reason or explanation, the story landed in my lap. I skipped to the bottom of the page and began writing a plot summary and story notes as quickly as my finger allowed. Yes, of course, Gary was a fish out of water, trying to make it in the big city. Not an original plot, but a start nonetheless. And after a few more notes I stopped and implored myself for more. Come on Nik. What makes this story worth reading? I wiggled in my seat and took a deep breath. On the exhale I began to envision something altogether new to me.

And tomorrow, God willing, I’ll share it with you. Friday at the latest.

Nik Curfman 7/11/22 Nik Curfman 7/11/22

Vol II: #91 Think On These Things

However I affect the world it will not be out of anger or fear. If I want a peaceful and kind world, I must be peaceful and kind. And to be peaceful and kind, I’ve got to shut off all the channel aimed to distract me from Jesus. He’s the source and His kingdom is my home. Whatever I do and however I affect people will be because of the Jesus inside me, not how educated and articulate I am on social/political issues.

They almost got me last week while watching videos on YouTube. It was subtle and appealed to my intellect just like the enemy does. The first was a video on Critical Race Theory in which a clean cut young man named Andrew explained- in great detail- what Critical Race Theory is according to the people who created it. The second video was done by a young black woman from Africa. She hates wokeness and explained why. Again, she was thoughtful and did not speak in language common to Fox News or CNN. Rather, she talked about forgiveness and restoration as part of the Civil Rights process. And then, YouTube, as it does, brought me slightly darker content from less eloquent people.

I could feel my attitude shifting as I became more defensive and angry. In the following days I battled a sense of doom and hopelessness. These were not the thoughts and feeling of the Holy Tree. So…I stopped watching the videos and went back to writing and reading and drawing. However I affect the world it will not be out of anger or fear. If I want a peaceful and kind world, I must be peaceful and kind. And to be peaceful and kind, I’ve got to shut off all the channels aimed to distract me from Jesus. He’s the source of peace and kindness, and His kingdom is my home. Whatever I do and however I affect people will be because of the Jesus inside me, not how educated and articulate I am on social/political issues.

The world will say we are ignorant and useless. That’s ok. As I’ve said before, I’d rather be a hopeful idiot.

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. - Philippians 4:8, The Message