December 27, 2023 • 66 mins
This week we reflect on 2023 and all the ups and downs regarding it. Fron trips, to concerts, to new life events 2023 in all reality was not that bad. While the end of the year is often one where people make all sorts of changes which last only a few moments, it is probably even more important that you take time to reflect on all of the good things that have happened in the midst of all the crazy. At the same time, it is also a good time to look forward to the year 2024 and what it may bring and the fresh new opportunities that are around.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:05):
Thankfully it has been one of those been a good one at a micro level for certain people it's been good as well it's been good you know like Aon would probably say 2023 good for him.
Why the why the grimas all of a sudden?
What at least a good?
Ending it's been good.
(00:26):
Overall yeah as said a micro level you would probably say it's good macro level and you know war and Gaza Ukraine that.
Sort of stuff y crazy people all over not so much of a good thing bad economy.
Yeah it's only going to get worse.
Yep that dollar is not going to stretch as far in the future anymore NOP.
(00:47):
Yeah that's and that's the sucky part but we still have things to look forward to in 2024 we'll get to back to that in a little bit here about what we're looking forward to in 2024 all a sudden.
Like oh boy but 2023 it has been a interesting one and what's funny is as you come into the end of the.
(01:11):
Year all your services that you use whether it's a music service or stuff like that gives you all sorts of things like.
This was your year in 2023.
Look back in 2023 blah blah blah so since we're going into 2024 let's reminisce a little on 2023 and see how many times I can say the word 2023 why why' you go 2023 I'll.
(01:42):
Probably still be that down for a majority of 2024 we're writing it on what work.
Stuff oh oh you actually have to write stuff on physical paper yeah oh I do all paper.
Paper is just to me I do it all digital digital yeah fancy everything in my life is digital nowadays so which.
(02:10):
Is beautiful analog is so old school?
I like the old school do you now some of it yeah cool so 2023 in review how about that that.
That's what this is now.
The the way I kind of came across.
This so I do use apple music even though apple right.
(02:32):
Now is on my crap list on so many things right.
Now but their music service I still use and they give you an apple and I just showed.
This to Aaron his year in review sort of deal for uh music and wow Aaron you listen to a lot more music than I do yeah I do what's your total music that says you listen to for the year.
(02:58):
How many minutes minutes?
Okay my total for the year was only 10,793 wow all right so 24 minutes.
(03:27):
Right that's 9637 hours hours.
That is 4.15 straight of Music.
40 yeah so over the course of 365 you listen to 40 days worth wow let's say 41 right yeah that.
(03:51):
Means you spent about 11% your year listening listening to music yeah or at least it on H whereas conversely.
I listen to 179.2 hours.
Right which equates about seven and a half days so I only done a couple more days yeah that's awesome just about a month a little over a month's worth yeah I know that.
(04:24):
Jee and I was just like wow!
Okay that's a lot of music of course to no one's surprise at all what.
Is Aaron's number one band of the Year August Burns Burns?
Red and what was your number two band well was an artist or artist sorry NF and what was your number three sleep token and your number four Elevation Worship why the face I don't.
(05:01):
Let I'm just surprised it's got to be because of church.
Okay yeah well I I'll put.
This to to say.
This um because it gives you the top I think 12 artists.
No 15 okay um unless you're you can stretch a little bit in cold one of these artists of wor shiy type artist but of the 15.
(05:33):
Then I would only have one nice do you want to guess what my number one band of the year is classic crime yes knew it what's number two I don't five Friendzy.
No I don't know I don't know just take a guess um oh Rusty ship.
(06:04):
No okay no was it Jonathan Young no oh come on this group has put out a ton of music so it's real easy to rack up the minutes on them.
(06:25):
A lot of BS they've been around since I've been in high school you've.
Been I mean alterbridge has been out since that long I'm sure.
No because they're Creed back.
Then oh okay that's fair Creed.
Oh golly you have a book by them that I'll probably finish before you in fact I'm probably further longer than you are right.
(06:54):
Now kill it yes Dam have you even started reading that book no.
Okay then I'm further along than so scale.
John Cooper has a new book in case what is it like yeah what's it called like weak wimpy yeah wimpy weak and woke yeah all.
(07:16):
Right what's my number three.
Then I don't know I barely got number two come on uh Rusty ship Yes actually he sick number four you would never guess oh because it's band you're probably like 12 Stones.
Oh I would never have guessed that but I remember I remember you mentioning that band to me before followed by Brave Saint Saturn.
(07:40):
Then thousand foot crutch oh.
Then th then five iron frenzy.
Then Ren Collective oh.
Then Lincoln Park then.
Cutless even think of Lincoln Park.
Then Rise Against then Alter Bridge.
Then Toby Mack then Dave Matthews bandn and then Adelaide hm so yeah um classic crime.
(08:04):
That's why I had you play like little slideshow at the top because in mine it put in you I'm going to pull.
This up here so I can read it exactly what it says here yeah because it's about the classic crime.
Uh yeah I want to make sure I got right you made it into the classic crimes top 100 listeners.
(08:28):
Whoa so I'm like do I stream that much of them apparently so that's that's why I had you go through that to see if you hit like if it added in one of those things for you on any of your bands or anything like that that you had in there yeah so it's um it was entertaining to me just.
(08:51):
Looking at the data right because it's like.
Okay yeah your number one band is classic crime.
Okay your top songs of the top three the crime classic crime right yeah number.
Four is Rusty ship.
Okay okay but my top album of the Year apparently.
(09:15):
Was Rusty ships album?
I listened to that more than I listened to the classic crime album even though my top three songs were classic crime and those top three songs were all off the Same album.
That's bizarre so I'm like that's interesting yeah all.
(09:38):
Right so then the part I didn't have you do yet I wanted I wanted you to save toe afterwards so go back to your screen there okay I know making air and do work.
Okay minutes listened we know that one 50,000 when did you hit 50,000 it say November.
(10:02):
14th okay and then Milestone artist played it says right yep when did you hit uh August 8th.
Okay and songs played 2500 didd you reach that on August 16th wow yours yours is a lot more interesting than Mine mine's very boring huh minutes.
(10:25):
Listen you know because they break into 10,000 so I didn't make it to 20,000 only hit but that wasn't until October 24th.
Okay 100 played which I hit that at March 9th but you hit 500 so you know you have a lot more diversity going on I guess what.
The heck and then 500 songs played March 16th but you have 25 200 songs.
(10:57):
Wow wow and do I listen to that much it's interesting!
Looking back on this data.
Now uh because you could see kind of like wow I'd never realized I played all of thish you don't realize it now for me.
Like I said my top three songs they came off of the classic crime they came off with their newest album Grim age oh.
(11:20):
Okay so number one was rage boy.
Number two was end of everything number three was right.
Now what were your top three songs there I don't want to talk about it why cuz it was surprising what was surprising about it um what.
The heck why what the heck number two I don't understand how don't I don't there's no way well obviously got to be a way because yeah all right so what was what.
(11:55):
Was number one number one was Hope by NF?
Okay yeah you are a big NF fan so that makes sense yeah what was number three Mistake by NF why did you skip two because I want to get to two in a second here what.
Was number four the summoning by Sleep token?
Okay what was number two it's such a good riff.
(12:22):
Beer never broke my heart by Luke Holmes beer never broke my heart by Luke Holmes how many play did you play of that 82 you okay your number two has been played more than my number one how many times did you play your number three song 74.
(12:43):
Okay that's still more than mine number one and then number four 73 let's go back we got to keep going down my.
Gosh tell me when you get to 62 number.
Seven okay is at 54.
Okay so that's running by NF is G number seven that's a 54.
(13:06):
Okay my number one song rage voice 62 plays go what's number six uh elucd or Eid.
Uhhuh by Sleep token at 64 what number.
Five let's let's stay home tonight by need to breathe at 70 interesting yeah they did they did.
(13:36):
Let stay home tonight.
Well it's not it's not the one you're thinking obviously not yeah no oh I see why yeah I can't believe that came up to 70 that.
(13:57):
Quick do you two just play that and while you're down here in the basement together no no li no not down here in the no.
Okay maybe once two listens in this basement maybe three of the how many 7 some plays there the.
(14:24):
Car rides okay uhhuh yeah is that your two song I guess so that's going to be an awkward dance no oh well I I don't know if it'll be that one but I don't know interesting it's possible yeah my my top songs category.
(14:50):
Is very monolithic I think I have the entire grimage album in the the top 15 my gosh um and then I have random little like things in there like Rusty?
Ship Bottom of the barrel yeah uh run Collective Hallelujah anyway and then I have to go all the way to 13 get cutless End of the World featuring disciple and mother folk give my heart away otherwise.
(15:21):
It's all Grim age classic crime.
Nice and then of course my top albums.
Then start that's a little more Diversified but not fully.
Okay I dark side of the ocean Rusty ship you know Grim age a classic crime raided R red.
(15:48):
Mortal ghost Rusty ship.
The rage boy single from the classic crime the.
Bottom of the barrel single from Rusty ship pawns and Kings all Alter Bridge.
Uh divided frame of mind Steven Stanley.
Life after death Toby Mack how to be human the classic crime.
(16:13):
It goes a little more diverse but n as diverse as like what.
You have I'm all over the place.
Yeah but you keep coming back to metal with your ab.
Darn right darn right darn to darn totin.
(16:33):
I like my metal.
That's fair enough for the most I don't know I'm getting old.
Now so I might change we'll.
See what next year's is I'm sure they'll still be ABR H.
Nah you'll finally grow sick of them.
(16:54):
It's possible I don't know it's possible to do I'm not going to say it's out of the realm of possibility.
Likely probably not possible sure.
All right so as you look back at 2023 Johnson.
(17:14):
Yeah it being now the 15th of December.
Uhhuh halfway through the month uhhuh uhhuh why the jeez.
Louise only like you know yeah 16 days left in the year.
That's crazy what are your highlights of 2023 that.
(17:41):
You look back on and say ah that made.
This year good the amount of music I listen to just kidding no wow that's a tough one how is that a tough one I don't know what happened.
(18:05):
This year now obviously there's a few big things or a couple big things.
Okay what did I what did I do this year.
Um what did I do this year I mean the trips which.
(18:30):
I can't even think of the.
Trips I've been well.
Okay besides Grand Rapids in Pennsylvania.
I guess I was in michig well no yeah I was in Grand Rapids in April too that was cool oh for uh more AVR stuff yeah cuz yeah I saw them twice in April.
(18:57):
Once in Grand Rapids and then Once in Chicago all right goodness so I've seen them five times.
This year wow okay so yeah the trips Grand Rapids the art prize Pennsylvania.
(19:20):
Oh I was in Pennsylvania twice.
Yeah oh my goodness yeah.
Moving a washing machine for Matt.
That was a lot of fun.
That was in June oh was that in June.
Okay yeah when I went to Pennsylvania gotcha.
I was like end up getting lunch him and then ended up helping him move a washing machine in his basement that was awesome uh I mean I just getting to honestly spend the day and hang out was obviously the cool part.
(19:56):
Um that art prize.
Christmas brns red Church merge girlfriend that's weird why is that weird what.
This weird to say why is that weird to say it's not something I ever expected to happen why huh cuz I know well I mean not that I didn't want it I was like careful yeah I know not careful on what you say I because it's like part of me like no I ain't get no grun uhuh no and I was like oh well.
(20:40):
Now I have one oh.
Okay all right um I mean gosh those there probably the biggest things of the year that I can think of off the top of my head all right I guess new band.
(21:02):
It's pretty exciting which one is that one the balconies one with Jonah see hopefully that I don't know that one's been fun for the little bit we've gotten together and T of stuff yeah.
Okay spot I can think of off the top of my head so trips band.
(21:23):
Moving a washing machine yeah and finally somewhere in there you put in their girlfriend well I wasn't I would have said that to be the number one one but about what no I know I just.
I was trying to think past that and see what else has happened here because there's been a lot that.
(21:47):
I just don't remember yet how do you not remember them I don't know I barely remember what I did a couple weeks ago sometimes.
Interesting I have to look through to my phone.
Okay what were my memories all right you are definitely like my mother remind me what.
Did I do you're definitely like my mother?
(22:09):
Then I mean I hit my apparently a fiveyear anniversary at work that's cool congratulations.
Yeah all right as as you kind of look back on this.
Now with your trips all all that stuff right yep what.
One I guess sticks out to you the most in your in your mind.
(22:41):
What probably the one that has the biggest potential well has would be the biggest life change balconies?
Would that have that big of a life change I don't know you tell me I guess could if it took off that would be a big life change you you tell me which what which one the?
(23:05):
One that has the most probable biggest life change which.
Is the girlfriend okay I'm not going to let you get away with just simple like I want you to be explicitly?
Clear on what what you're saying you just need should know oh no no no no no no no I'm doing.
(23:26):
This for your benefit oh.
Okay then thank you oh.
Okay yeah thank you because um when I send her the clip and if you go well so my the.
Biggest things for me was just music stuff that was the most important part yeah.
This year somehow you'll.
End up sleeping well no you already sleep on a couch so she'll make you sleep on a mattress.
(23:52):
No cuz that's where she'll be sleeping she w't me no your own mattress.
Okay yeah whatever you know what.
Okay I'm not talking about in the future I'm talking about right.
Now now oh right here and now yeah well I'd have to have mattress.
Then good classic crime song uh I'd have to oh the here.
(24:15):
Now right okay my gosh oh I could be like I can have a mattress here in 1 hour.
No she be like be like thank you that's sleeping that's re sleeping.
Now but I like the couch that's funny you're the only person in the world who when they get in trouble cast to sleep on a has to sleep on the mattress not the couch.
(24:46):
That's probably the weirdest thing ever but you know what I ain't Dever Joe.
Thinkin that the truth.
Now now so those are good things you looked at right huh is there anything you looked back on in the past year.
(25:07):
That you're like ah dang it that that was I regret that it's always good to look back I regret nothing.
Just kidding because that's part what made me who I am today.
Um interesting I some people do some people don't some people do it's like I understand that to a degree but it's like that.
(25:37):
Was a conversation at work it was it was like regret versus um if you were to change anything if you go back in ch time to change something you would but it's not something you necessarily regret and I like what?
Okay yeah maybe if you just want to see the outcome be a little bit different but you didn't necessarily it right so um and sometimes that it is a case and sometimes it isn't so that's what I said um but oh that was two years well that wasn't last year that was a year before which.
(26:31):
I I can say I kind of regret getting the bike.
Why is that it is money I didn't need to spend it was selfishly spent just for fun I mean yeah?
Okay that was that that was 2022 definitely had the realization.
(26:57):
This though gotcha um what else is there okay that's I just asked because sometimes you do have stuff and sometimes you don't so that.
Yeah Le this year has been better than the previous for sure.
(27:25):
Okay I think all.
Right yeah and what are you forward to in 2024 as that new year is slowly creeping up on us and slowly coming forward.
Oh more stuff what.
(27:47):
Stuff um I don't know just.
Guidance job stuff relationship.
Stuff friends stuff uh I don't know yeah gosh Health.
(28:16):
Hopefully keep working on that as I'm starting to do stuff.
Now with that well actually no I had better starting do stuff with that months.
Ago but just taking a more aggressive step towards it um yeah Health relationship job.
(28:45):
Hopefully that's probably the biggest stuff that's what you're looking forward to in 2024 right yeah just.
See where stuff goes whether it's good or bad I suppose I don't know and is there anything in 2023 you don't want to carry over into 2024 oh my gosh what are all these questions.
(29:13):
Um anything going on now I don't want to carry into bad habits.
Wow so descriptive yeah I don't know!
Especially more so a spending Financial bad habits.
(29:38):
I don't want that stuff to carry on over I see yeah I mean the biggest thing is being yeah health and financial because I've been on top of that per se.
All right let me ask you this uhhuh looking at the camera not at me.
(30:10):
What is the message you want to give your?
2024 to remember at this point in time next year.
What's the message I want to give myself in the future in the future and the future.
(30:31):
What should 2024 hear from you right?
Now why is this so much pressure.
Why is this so intense what do you mean why is it so intense cuz it's like I'm looking at myself right?
Now this is weird why is it weird I don't know what am I going to tell myself but what if I'm dumb.
Now and I get smarter.
Later that's always a possibility yeah it is but what does 2023 to remind Aon.
(31:05):
Um what do I want what do I want to you of gosh.
This is difficult why is this difficult Paul why are you making me do difficult things ah how am I making you do difficult things well you're asking the difficult things no it's not even that difficult H.
(31:43):
Wow wow what say it to yourself don't get lazy Aon!
Don't do it oh man so that's your message to your future self don't be lazy Aon you don't be lazy but that encompasses so many things yes yes it does yeah a lot of things.
(32:16):
Like time in the word time with God.
Oh um well actually oh goodness.
This is so weird Paul why is it so weird I don't know it's just different I haven't done.
This before this is different to me um yeah making sure to have the.
(32:42):
Daily quality time with the Lord the word and prayer and anything.
Else oh man not to get too selfish with yeah not to be selfish.
(33:12):
Okay especially in a relationship don't be so thinking don't think of yourself.
Too much right right.
This is to you I know.
This is to me I know yeah so I mean others will glean stuff from what.
You're saying obviously wait what others will glean stuff from what you say Obviously glean stuff what ises that mean don't know what to glean is no add on I don't know well but we're adding a dictionary to the list of things to get you for Christmas I i' it's funny I've been thinking about that for like a month or two.
(33:51):
Now you know there's dictionaries on the phones right I want to make my own you want to make your own own dictionary.
Oh by the way your girlfriend did message back yeah she.
Said I would love to no for what wait till which one the solo.
(34:11):
No sorry for interrupting.
This moment but that was important all.
Right I'll be selfish in that moment.
Um no to glean you seriously don't know what that means I seriously don't so when I say Others May glean something off of this.
(34:33):
B take something from it exactly they might grab something onto it that.
That they can learn of and think of for their own personal application even though you're saying.
This to yourself in the future.
Okay okay yeah okay God stuff relationship stuff not being selfish not being lazy with God relationship.
(35:07):
Just oh this is weird um Health not to be careless with financials so maybe not so much August friends red and ban merch and music GE.
(35:28):
Gosh yeah all right growing up even more and one final thing before I start talking stuff thank you kid what if you had if you could if I could obviously.
We don't have time travel no but if you could send a message to your self.
(35:51):
What would it say what would it say don't drink the juice?
That could be interpreted wrong I know put down the booze boy and listen to your friends boy at least for the red flags.
(36:12):
Boy yeah yeah interesting that all you would tell your self.
Well no cuz that's just for one moment.
(36:40):
A I would have been to be more.
Disciplined and diligent and being the word.
Being more involved at church instead of just the banned and then done well ban Sunday morning.
Then done yeah enjoyed should have yeah spent more time in fellowship and build off of one another.
(37:16):
Okay yeah all right yeah done I'm done all right it so for me highlight to 2023 uhhuh uh life Fest as always definitely definitely.
Good that right I never count on you making ah fair I unless yeah unless Skillet's there maybe no because even.
(37:48):
Then you're still kind of wishy-washy on things well I was going to go the one year but then it was bad weather and I was on my motorcycle yeah motorcycle gee keep seeing that come up over and over again more.
Water you know what.
No so yeah so that.
Trip uh Grand Rapids was a good trip enjoyed that.
(38:12):
Um but out of you know out of Lifes you know discovered some new music new bands obviously Rusty ship being one of them right um they've.
Gotten a few hundred of my bucks.
This year yeah or did I say a few hundred I'm talking like like.
This many that's so far few in a couple yeah so wouldn't that be several I don't know what it is yeah but anyways.
(38:39):
They got the money MH um part of that is through patreon part of that is through just the.
Album stuff when they're recording their new album they're like we're still a little short was like well that's 300 like all.
Right why not at least next year I get to go to the album.
(39:00):
Release party inside of a studio that's cool of Nashville Studio that'll.
Be cool yep that'll be fun.
Yeah you're invited but if you don't go.
Then Andy and Robin said they'd Go Me Andy and Robin yep obviously.
One of them can come into to the studio right but they can still go on the trip and hang out yeah that's cool cuz they're like well if he's going to no they didn't say that I filled in the blanks I said if he's going to be a putts no yeah no it would be a lot of no it would be but I understand you have to be more.
(39:37):
Financially responsible especially the income stream that you do I understand stupid no it is what it is it is what it man yes uh so you know those are the.
Trip highlights you know those are the two trip highlights I'd say um on a professional level you know flipping career not careers but jobs changing jobs um Midstream.
(40:07):
Right before Thanksgiving literally the week of Thanksgiving started a new job.
Woohoo um doing all that fun stuff that was uh see it's always weird people always it's so much stress it's so much stress it's so much stress.
(40:28):
This job was real there was a lot steps involved mhm but the interview process was ridiculously simple that's good and and considering it was all.
Telephone yeah I know all these people are like oh I'm dressing in suits doing all.
This stuff I got dressed for it and then like oh yeah camera off I was.
(40:50):
Okay just audio cool I can deal.
This perfect I still have never seen one of my teammates whoa.
I have no idea what anyone looks like outside maybe if they have a photo you know somewhere in the environment that I could find right but other than that I have no idea wow that's cool I've heard all their voices many many times in my head but I haven't seen them yet uh so you know doing that was a change for me a highlight a good one and I'm still keeping in Conta with a bunch of people that.
(41:28):
I wanted to from uh the previous job and actually there were so what I did for that I don't think no I didn't tell you this so my last day there um you know you send the traditional email.
Blah blah blah blah blah you know that goes to basically everyone but there were two people that I actually recorded just for them an individual.
(41:55):
Video for them and so you know it's available only with the link sort deal so they don't have to have an account but they just have the link so I was like here's a link here's your link that's only for you huh here's your link that's only for you you know and I was like here you go have fun um I was like and I I wrote and I said in both of them I was I suck at writing along emails and how long.
(42:20):
This video is it would be a long email so not happening not doing it I can get behind the mic and talk a lot easier than I can type up an email right because if I start rambling one way my brain.
Can go with the ramble and continue on doing that thing there so that?
That's what I did there kind of as a it just FYI if you ever leave a well you're in a small company so it doesn't matter as much for you um but like a larger company right keeping those personal connections is a good thing because you never know I may end up going back to the old job one day.
(42:58):
Potentially I suppose yeah if they ever allow full the remote that'll be my condition.
I work in an industry where that works that's fair I suppose not all Industries.
Do can do that and I understand obviously your industry that you're in right?
Now cannot do that cannot do that so I get that mine.
(43:20):
It's all click click click drag drop woohoo.
It it it's all computer based so yeah works perfectly fine as a remote yeah so professionally that's that was a highlight of my my.
Year uh being able to do that and change and successfully transition right before a holiday.
(43:42):
Just oh man that was crazy probably wasn't smart to do that but at the same time it worked yeah so I did it pinned out.
Uh outside of those things other highlights of the wonderful wonderful year.
Why you going why you in the wonderful wonderful year huh no I mean it wasn't a 2018 yes it was a wonderful wonderful year and now your mind's going back to it like what was 2018 going on what?
(44:19):
Was happening then do you remember 2018 what happened 2018 why I would say not a good year?
(44:39):
What happened five oh dirt?
What the the like rehab stuff yes yes yes that's when I went into what that's why I went to impatient rehab yes for mental health stuff yes yep so yeah not a good year no you know near the?
(45:06):
End of the later half of the Year got better um.
First half of the year not so good um but then.
This year was pretty.
Good obviously some flare ups there you know I had obviously some issu some not issues but things.
Happened in middle of the year my aunt passed away um in hospice and then all the fun dealing with that because then that triggered my while my aunt.
(45:31):
Was in hospice that triggered my mom having a stroke and then me having deal bunch of stuff with the family wonderful time not so much um yeah so dealing with that you know that was stressful but it wasn't like and I took a hit to my mental during that time but it wasn't as such that?
(45:54):
It made the year bad it just made it a little more stressful than normal right which is okay considering everything else that went on was not so stressful and was pretty good I can deal with that you know I look back at things like um things that I I think they weren't professional successes per se more.
(46:16):
I would consider them.
Personal highlights because it's led to a lot of conversations and when I say a lot of conversations I mean a lot of conversations.
Um that I've been able to have with certain people.
Uh the episodes that we released at the end of May which by the way there are a couple people.
(46:41):
Listen to him and they're like that Aaron guy he just seems so uncomfortable I was fine leave me alone I was like it's he wasn't uncomfortable with the situation I think he was more uncomfortable with having to lead the discussion.
Oh for sure I was like that's not his normal Forte that's his his.
(47:02):
Normal role to kind of be more the background sidekick type guy not the foreground.
Let me push the narrative forward type person and I was like that's probably where you're getting the uneasiness with some of that with him if if I'm misch characterizing.
Let me know nope so you know so those things that's said that's not on the professional level but on the personal level and that um and then getting involved with all the new stuff at the.
(47:33):
New church has been good it really has.
Looking back on things that maybe as I look back at 2023 and go oh what.
Do I regret I nothing?
Regret per se um except maybe a lesson learned so it's not a regret but a lesson learned you know right at the end of my aunt's life you know she.
(48:06):
Was talking about her regrets and you know she was like oh I wish I would have traveled more with my nephews and nieces she's like I had the funds to do it and she go she?
Went on this long list of I wish I'd have done wish I would have done that wish I have done.
This and I look back at that.
Now and I go yeah she can't take anything with her right we can't take anything with us we pass so those list those things.
(48:38):
We say we want to do that.
May end up on our regret list in the future.
Do them now that's not to say be materialistic and worship the altar of money that's not what I'm saying at all don't Mis don't misre that you know what I'm saying though is it is something to think about is this?
(49:05):
Something that will end up on my regret.
List in the future because I didn't do it now because I said oh I'm going to save that extra dollar.
Now versus having that experience that's I was like you know.
Ultimately I was like all right I got to do these things got to go on and uh whatever that may be where that's trip.
(49:28):
You know where that's maybe funding a band I like with a little extra money so that way they can do some other stuff.
Whatever it may end up being that's I was like H yeah.
Okay so it's not a regret per se but a lesson learned and a lesson to mle mle on for me.
(49:52):
Each of you are different you may have a different thing that you Maul on or different lesson that you might have taken out of the year that.
Maybe you need to process and and chew on a little bit and and pray on and see how is that going to maybe impact or change things maybe it doesn't not everything has to be World altering lifechanging Paradigm.
(50:15):
Shifting for you sometimes.
It's just the little things for me that was it and that's why I was like all right these.
Are the things I'm going to do now what?
Would I say to my 2024 like send the message into the future what what when we come back to this time of year next year and we replay?
(50:37):
This portion because I'm going to replay your message back to you Aon that you left for yourself in 2024 no why are you going no I don't know why you going no no love to see how it turns out to my 202 herself.
This is what I say don't be afraid to take that leap professionally no matter what it may be and how nervous and disastrous you may think it can be because ultimately the only thing people are going to care about or whether you continue move the needle or not what.
(51:18):
Do I mean by that speak up more meetings I hope you're doing that I hope?
You're taking the risks that are necessary Neary not that put the company in Risk but the risk that moved the needle forward what I mean is innovation.
Continue doing that don't stop it's easy to get LAX it's easy to feel relaxed inside of a company that you know you can make an impact in stop doing that don't.
(51:48):
Let that relaxation make you lazy in that regard and don't be so busy doing things things.
That you think you're doing for the kingdom or for relaxation.
Don't be so busy that.
You stop doing the basics.
(52:10):
What are the basics?
The basics are mental health making sure that's okay the.
Basics reading the word the basics prayer the.
Basics are community if in serving you lose those Basics.
(52:34):
Then in serving you will cause harm to yourself remember that it is so easy to get lost in doing the serving doing the thing.
Forg getting to take care of yourself.
Learn from your past mistakes I know I have done that and a reminder myself get out my own head at times but remind yourself of that because that.
(53:03):
Is the case sometimes and what would I say to my self if I could send a message back in time and influence what?
Happened there I would say leave.
(53:25):
Now it's scary to make that jump leave.
Now you won't regret it it will only staying only causes and prolongs pain and Aaron's probably over here sit going what the.
Heck is he referring to the.
First thing that came to mind is work.
(53:48):
Noain work I was I was content with staying with work until until tell they they did the whole you must return to office thing blah blah blah oh never mind.
What the only other big thing that happened at least to my mind?
(54:10):
Church yeah yeah yep but that would be the message.
I send in my 22 2022 self.
I would say that'd be my regret from last year not from this year what.
Why are you going huh I don't know yet well if you go huh that bring has to have a thought in the head somewhere?
(54:40):
It's not a thought that you're thinking I don't know what thought thinking that's that's why I'm going what if I if I kind of had a clue.
A spark an idea if I gleamed something off of it I would have said something but I got nothing that's I said what.
(55:05):
Nothing huh and what am I looking forward to most in 2024 H.
That one's going to be interesting personally and professionally.
I don't know I I I'm looking forward to contining to do what I do at work I I'm looking I want to try to get back into speaking at conferences again professionally.
(55:33):
That being said I also.
Look at the State of Affairs of the world and go well the world kind of sucks right.
Now Ukraine Gaza oil prices are in a free fall which means who knows what there there is so much going on around the.
(55:55):
World that it's easy to get lost in it and say that that is a cause for stopping things and I'm saying.
This to myself I'm saying.
This to Aaron I'm saying to anyone hearing.
This just because the world has gone crazy does not mean that we can't control a little bit of the area where we live I'm not saying control like it's my word way nothing else happens I'm saying control like where we can't influence control.
(56:24):
Is an influence control as in where we continue to take action on things control as in where we continue to move forward?
We can still do that even with the world crazy the macro events.
Well yes they do influence the micro events don't necessarily overwhelm and if you sit there going I feel so overwhelmed by the world because of pick a topic.
(56:55):
It's not like we haven't done.
This before okay maybe not us in our lifetime necessarily but I'm saying in general in in in humanity we've.
Done this before unfortunately and we will continue to do it again unfortunately so yeah the world's crazy the world's uh what what's what's the common phrase to Hell in a hand basket.
(57:24):
Yeah the world's doing that doesn't mean that I can't doesn't mean that Aaron can't continue.
Moving forward and doing things.
Just because the war on Gaza doesn't stop doesn't mean that Aaron's U.
Practices that he's putting into place to better his health have to stop they can continue on regardless of what happens over there in Gaza unless that you know Israel.
(57:50):
Is the only source of whatever Cricut protein he's using in his shakes and then?
He you know they stop exporting it then.
Yeah then he would have to stop why why the.
Why why the Crickets in my protein shake I don't know they use in some oh I suppose so I I don't know what your protein shakes made out of I don't know either?
(58:17):
It's kind of scary it has to be legal so it's not corpse so you're fine with that true vored be insect and then you go yummy earthworm spider speaking of spiders.
Sorry tangent someone made a pillow so you can cuddle a spider at night it's a big old spider pillow.
(58:41):
Gosh nope nope nope someone.
Wrote on the comments I hope it has hairy legs oh gosh that's awful that's awful but yeah sorry tangent but continue on you know every year people make uh resolutions at the end of the year and go ah and then within a week.
(59:08):
Usually broken don't wait until January.
1st to start doing things.
Be like Aaron start.
Now because things that you start doing.
Now by the time he gets the.
First you're you know you're already doing it a week or two which means you're that much closer to making it a habit which means that you're that much closer to to staying by it which means you're that much closer to your goal.
(59:44):
Be like Aaron start.
Now Aaron did you ever think I would ever say that phrase nope uhuh nope.
That's the first really.
I think so yeah all.
Right so be Aaron.
Start your things now figure.
(01:00:05):
Out what those things are take the steps no matter how uncomfortable they are how uncomfortable they make you and realize that those things are maybe.
There to help grow you and maybe take the time before the new year.
(01:00:28):
Write a message to yourself for one year from now.
What do you hope to have accomplished during that year what?
Do you hope to have changed because then the year comes by then you can watch it or read it and if you're an audio visual person record it to yourself for the next year and then when that time comes go back play it and realize how much is different how much has changed how much you've accomplished and how much there's still go as we always have room to grow and continue to learn?
(01:01:13):
Especially if you claim to be a Christian there is always room to growth we.
All have we all have that because we know one thing we're Fallen we're sinful and we need Grace So Aaron do you have any last words.
(01:01:46):
Nope no my last words are.
This don't dwell on the negative so much.
That you forget to see the good but always at the same time ask God and ask.
(01:02:15):
Honestly how he wants you to grow and change over.
This next season this next year maybe.
It's the next month.
Maybe sometimes you have to take it a week at a time and God has to kind of show you where that is but if you ask him and you're Earnest he'll show you you might not like it you might not uh enjoy it or agree it at first but God will show know walk you through what needs to happen next I think I'm not going to speak for Aaron but I'm sure Aaron would agree that there are instances.
(01:03:02):
He can think of where that comes to mind.
Where God has shown you something and guided you and changed you in certain ways not going to ask you to share that right?
Now but I think you can come up with instances if if you thought right yeah.
Okay yeah we all can and that's okay uh and and and this is one of the things that I do like about the church I go to and this phrase I think actually sums it up pretty well we are not perfect people.
(01:03:41):
We are people made new and that's what we should be striving for all.
The time with Christ with our relationship with him so have a happy contemplative maybe even New Year and we'll.
(01:04:03):
Start off next year.
The right way with Aaron finally reading a book again yay yep if not well um I have his girlfriend's number.
Now so I can be like um make him do this make him read otherwise.
(01:04:25):
I'm going to take your Greeno away from you oh I've reading read the specific book yeah otherwise the Gringo will be taken away no and put in solitary confinement he.
Reads no throw a hissy fit just.
K you know I I just read no I believe you would throw a fit i' read though all right well have a happy happy Year enjoy have fun with uh friends.
(01:04:58):
Family whatever you're doing for New Year's I know personally me I'm going to be at a lock in uh supervising a bunch of teenagers as security so I'm going to be hopped up on so much caffeine that my uh watching is going to go why is your heart rate high what's going on that's just.
Just like my watching that when I was sick go said.
(01:05:20):
Hey what's going on and even and even showed me a little graph and said you were more stressed these days than normal I was like yeah I was cuz I was sick oh your temperature elevated too yeah cuz I was sick these.
Smart things are getting a little smart so anyway.
(01:05:40):
Mr Johnson happy New Year Happy New Year.
Thankfully it has been one of those been a good one at a micro level for certain people it's been good as well it's been good you know like Aon would probably say 2023 good for him.
Why the why the grimas all of a sudden?
What at least a good?
Ending it's been good.
(00:26):
Overall yeah as said a micro level you would probably say it's good macro level and you know war and Gaza Ukraine that.
Sort of stuff y crazy people all over not so much of a good thing bad economy.
Yeah it's only going to get worse.
Yep that dollar is not going to stretch as far in the future anymore NOP.
(00:47):
Yeah that's and that's the sucky part but we still have things to look forward to in 2024 we'll get to back to that in a little bit here about what we're looking forward to in 2024 all a sudden.
Like oh boy but 2023 it has been a interesting one and what's funny is as you come into the end of the.
(01:11):
Year all your services that you use whether it's a music service or stuff like that gives you all sorts of things like.
This was your year in 2023.
Look back in 2023 blah blah blah so since we're going into 2024 let's reminisce a little on 2023 and see how many times I can say the word 2023 why why' you go 2023 I'll.
(01:42):
Probably still be that down for a majority of 2024 we're writing it on what work.
Stuff oh oh you actually have to write stuff on physical paper yeah oh I do all paper.
Paper is just to me I do it all digital digital yeah fancy everything in my life is digital nowadays so which.
(02:10):
Is beautiful analog is so old school?
I like the old school do you now some of it yeah cool so 2023 in review how about that that.
That's what this is now.
The the way I kind of came across.
This so I do use apple music even though apple right.
(02:32):
Now is on my crap list on so many things right.
Now but their music service I still use and they give you an apple and I just showed.
This to Aaron his year in review sort of deal for uh music and wow Aaron you listen to a lot more music than I do yeah I do what's your total music that says you listen to for the year.
(02:58):
How many minutes minutes?
Okay my total for the year was only 10,793 wow all right so 24 minutes.
(03:27):
Right that's 9637 hours hours.
That is 4.15 straight of Music.
40 yeah so over the course of 365 you listen to 40 days worth wow let's say 41 right yeah that.
(03:51):
Means you spent about 11% your year listening listening to music yeah or at least it on H whereas conversely.
I listen to 179.2 hours.
Right which equates about seven and a half days so I only done a couple more days yeah that's awesome just about a month a little over a month's worth yeah I know that.
(04:24):
Jee and I was just like wow!
Okay that's a lot of music of course to no one's surprise at all what.
Is Aaron's number one band of the Year August Burns Burns?
Red and what was your number two band well was an artist or artist sorry NF and what was your number three sleep token and your number four Elevation Worship why the face I don't.
(05:01):
Let I'm just surprised it's got to be because of church.
Okay yeah well I I'll put.
This to to say.
This um because it gives you the top I think 12 artists.
No 15 okay um unless you're you can stretch a little bit in cold one of these artists of wor shiy type artist but of the 15.
(05:33):
Then I would only have one nice do you want to guess what my number one band of the year is classic crime yes knew it what's number two I don't five Friendzy.
No I don't know I don't know just take a guess um oh Rusty ship.
(06:04):
No okay no was it Jonathan Young no oh come on this group has put out a ton of music so it's real easy to rack up the minutes on them.
(06:25):
A lot of BS they've been around since I've been in high school you've.
Been I mean alterbridge has been out since that long I'm sure.
No because they're Creed back.
Then oh okay that's fair Creed.
Oh golly you have a book by them that I'll probably finish before you in fact I'm probably further longer than you are right.
(06:54):
Now kill it yes Dam have you even started reading that book no.
Okay then I'm further along than so scale.
John Cooper has a new book in case what is it like yeah what's it called like weak wimpy yeah wimpy weak and woke yeah all.
(07:16):
Right what's my number three.
Then I don't know I barely got number two come on uh Rusty ship Yes actually he sick number four you would never guess oh because it's band you're probably like 12 Stones.
Oh I would never have guessed that but I remember I remember you mentioning that band to me before followed by Brave Saint Saturn.
(07:40):
Then thousand foot crutch oh.
Then th then five iron frenzy.
Then Ren Collective oh.
Then Lincoln Park then.
Cutless even think of Lincoln Park.
Then Rise Against then Alter Bridge.
Then Toby Mack then Dave Matthews bandn and then Adelaide hm so yeah um classic crime.
(08:04):
That's why I had you play like little slideshow at the top because in mine it put in you I'm going to pull.
This up here so I can read it exactly what it says here yeah because it's about the classic crime.
Uh yeah I want to make sure I got right you made it into the classic crimes top 100 listeners.
(08:28):
Whoa so I'm like do I stream that much of them apparently so that's that's why I had you go through that to see if you hit like if it added in one of those things for you on any of your bands or anything like that that you had in there yeah so it's um it was entertaining to me just.
(08:51):
Looking at the data right because it's like.
Okay yeah your number one band is classic crime.
Okay your top songs of the top three the crime classic crime right yeah number.
Four is Rusty ship.
Okay okay but my top album of the Year apparently.
(09:15):
Was Rusty ships album?
I listened to that more than I listened to the classic crime album even though my top three songs were classic crime and those top three songs were all off the Same album.
That's bizarre so I'm like that's interesting yeah all.
(09:38):
Right so then the part I didn't have you do yet I wanted I wanted you to save toe afterwards so go back to your screen there okay I know making air and do work.
Okay minutes listened we know that one 50,000 when did you hit 50,000 it say November.
(10:02):
14th okay and then Milestone artist played it says right yep when did you hit uh August 8th.
Okay and songs played 2500 didd you reach that on August 16th wow yours yours is a lot more interesting than Mine mine's very boring huh minutes.
(10:25):
Listen you know because they break into 10,000 so I didn't make it to 20,000 only hit but that wasn't until October 24th.
Okay 100 played which I hit that at March 9th but you hit 500 so you know you have a lot more diversity going on I guess what.
The heck and then 500 songs played March 16th but you have 25 200 songs.
(10:57):
Wow wow and do I listen to that much it's interesting!
Looking back on this data.
Now uh because you could see kind of like wow I'd never realized I played all of thish you don't realize it now for me.
Like I said my top three songs they came off of the classic crime they came off with their newest album Grim age oh.
(11:20):
Okay so number one was rage boy.
Number two was end of everything number three was right.
Now what were your top three songs there I don't want to talk about it why cuz it was surprising what was surprising about it um what.
The heck why what the heck number two I don't understand how don't I don't there's no way well obviously got to be a way because yeah all right so what was what.
(11:55):
Was number one number one was Hope by NF?
Okay yeah you are a big NF fan so that makes sense yeah what was number three Mistake by NF why did you skip two because I want to get to two in a second here what.
Was number four the summoning by Sleep token?
Okay what was number two it's such a good riff.
(12:22):
Beer never broke my heart by Luke Holmes beer never broke my heart by Luke Holmes how many play did you play of that 82 you okay your number two has been played more than my number one how many times did you play your number three song 74.
(12:43):
Okay that's still more than mine number one and then number four 73 let's go back we got to keep going down my.
Gosh tell me when you get to 62 number.
Seven okay is at 54.
Okay so that's running by NF is G number seven that's a 54.
(13:06):
Okay my number one song rage voice 62 plays go what's number six uh elucd or Eid.
Uhhuh by Sleep token at 64 what number.
Five let's let's stay home tonight by need to breathe at 70 interesting yeah they did they did.
(13:36):
Let stay home tonight.
Well it's not it's not the one you're thinking obviously not yeah no oh I see why yeah I can't believe that came up to 70 that.
(13:57):
Quick do you two just play that and while you're down here in the basement together no no li no not down here in the no.
Okay maybe once two listens in this basement maybe three of the how many 7 some plays there the.
(14:24):
Car rides okay uhhuh yeah is that your two song I guess so that's going to be an awkward dance no oh well I I don't know if it'll be that one but I don't know interesting it's possible yeah my my top songs category.
(14:50):
Is very monolithic I think I have the entire grimage album in the the top 15 my gosh um and then I have random little like things in there like Rusty?
Ship Bottom of the barrel yeah uh run Collective Hallelujah anyway and then I have to go all the way to 13 get cutless End of the World featuring disciple and mother folk give my heart away otherwise.
(15:21):
It's all Grim age classic crime.
Nice and then of course my top albums.
Then start that's a little more Diversified but not fully.
Okay I dark side of the ocean Rusty ship you know Grim age a classic crime raided R red.
(15:48):
Mortal ghost Rusty ship.
The rage boy single from the classic crime the.
Bottom of the barrel single from Rusty ship pawns and Kings all Alter Bridge.
Uh divided frame of mind Steven Stanley.
Life after death Toby Mack how to be human the classic crime.
(16:13):
It goes a little more diverse but n as diverse as like what.
You have I'm all over the place.
Yeah but you keep coming back to metal with your ab.
Darn right darn right darn to darn totin.
(16:33):
I like my metal.
That's fair enough for the most I don't know I'm getting old.
Now so I might change we'll.
See what next year's is I'm sure they'll still be ABR H.
Nah you'll finally grow sick of them.
(16:54):
It's possible I don't know it's possible to do I'm not going to say it's out of the realm of possibility.
Likely probably not possible sure.
All right so as you look back at 2023 Johnson.
(17:14):
Yeah it being now the 15th of December.
Uhhuh halfway through the month uhhuh uhhuh why the jeez.
Louise only like you know yeah 16 days left in the year.
That's crazy what are your highlights of 2023 that.
(17:41):
You look back on and say ah that made.
This year good the amount of music I listen to just kidding no wow that's a tough one how is that a tough one I don't know what happened.
(18:05):
This year now obviously there's a few big things or a couple big things.
Okay what did I what did I do this year.
Um what did I do this year I mean the trips which.
(18:30):
I can't even think of the.
Trips I've been well.
Okay besides Grand Rapids in Pennsylvania.
I guess I was in michig well no yeah I was in Grand Rapids in April too that was cool oh for uh more AVR stuff yeah cuz yeah I saw them twice in April.
(18:57):
Once in Grand Rapids and then Once in Chicago all right goodness so I've seen them five times.
This year wow okay so yeah the trips Grand Rapids the art prize Pennsylvania.
(19:20):
Oh I was in Pennsylvania twice.
Yeah oh my goodness yeah.
Moving a washing machine for Matt.
That was a lot of fun.
That was in June oh was that in June.
Okay yeah when I went to Pennsylvania gotcha.
I was like end up getting lunch him and then ended up helping him move a washing machine in his basement that was awesome uh I mean I just getting to honestly spend the day and hang out was obviously the cool part.
(19:56):
Um that art prize.
Christmas brns red Church merge girlfriend that's weird why is that weird what.
This weird to say why is that weird to say it's not something I ever expected to happen why huh cuz I know well I mean not that I didn't want it I was like careful yeah I know not careful on what you say I because it's like part of me like no I ain't get no grun uhuh no and I was like oh well.
(20:40):
Now I have one oh.
Okay all right um I mean gosh those there probably the biggest things of the year that I can think of off the top of my head all right I guess new band.
(21:02):
It's pretty exciting which one is that one the balconies one with Jonah see hopefully that I don't know that one's been fun for the little bit we've gotten together and T of stuff yeah.
Okay spot I can think of off the top of my head so trips band.
(21:23):
Moving a washing machine yeah and finally somewhere in there you put in their girlfriend well I wasn't I would have said that to be the number one one but about what no I know I just.
I was trying to think past that and see what else has happened here because there's been a lot that.
(21:47):
I just don't remember yet how do you not remember them I don't know I barely remember what I did a couple weeks ago sometimes.
Interesting I have to look through to my phone.
Okay what were my memories all right you are definitely like my mother remind me what.
Did I do you're definitely like my mother?
(22:09):
Then I mean I hit my apparently a fiveyear anniversary at work that's cool congratulations.
Yeah all right as as you kind of look back on this.
Now with your trips all all that stuff right yep what.
One I guess sticks out to you the most in your in your mind.
(22:41):
What probably the one that has the biggest potential well has would be the biggest life change balconies?
Would that have that big of a life change I don't know you tell me I guess could if it took off that would be a big life change you you tell me which what which one the?
(23:05):
One that has the most probable biggest life change which.
Is the girlfriend okay I'm not going to let you get away with just simple like I want you to be explicitly?
Clear on what what you're saying you just need should know oh no no no no no no no I'm doing.
(23:26):
This for your benefit oh.
Okay then thank you oh.
Okay yeah thank you because um when I send her the clip and if you go well so my the.
Biggest things for me was just music stuff that was the most important part yeah.
This year somehow you'll.
End up sleeping well no you already sleep on a couch so she'll make you sleep on a mattress.
(23:52):
No cuz that's where she'll be sleeping she w't me no your own mattress.
Okay yeah whatever you know what.
Okay I'm not talking about in the future I'm talking about right.
Now now oh right here and now yeah well I'd have to have mattress.
Then good classic crime song uh I'd have to oh the here.
(24:15):
Now right okay my gosh oh I could be like I can have a mattress here in 1 hour.
No she be like be like thank you that's sleeping that's re sleeping.
Now but I like the couch that's funny you're the only person in the world who when they get in trouble cast to sleep on a has to sleep on the mattress not the couch.
(24:46):
That's probably the weirdest thing ever but you know what I ain't Dever Joe.
Thinkin that the truth.
Now now so those are good things you looked at right huh is there anything you looked back on in the past year.
(25:07):
That you're like ah dang it that that was I regret that it's always good to look back I regret nothing.
Just kidding because that's part what made me who I am today.
Um interesting I some people do some people don't some people do it's like I understand that to a degree but it's like that.
(25:37):
Was a conversation at work it was it was like regret versus um if you were to change anything if you go back in ch time to change something you would but it's not something you necessarily regret and I like what?
Okay yeah maybe if you just want to see the outcome be a little bit different but you didn't necessarily it right so um and sometimes that it is a case and sometimes it isn't so that's what I said um but oh that was two years well that wasn't last year that was a year before which.
(26:31):
I I can say I kind of regret getting the bike.
Why is that it is money I didn't need to spend it was selfishly spent just for fun I mean yeah?
Okay that was that that was 2022 definitely had the realization.
(26:57):
This though gotcha um what else is there okay that's I just asked because sometimes you do have stuff and sometimes you don't so that.
Yeah Le this year has been better than the previous for sure.
(27:25):
Okay I think all.
Right yeah and what are you forward to in 2024 as that new year is slowly creeping up on us and slowly coming forward.
Oh more stuff what.
(27:47):
Stuff um I don't know just.
Guidance job stuff relationship.
Stuff friends stuff uh I don't know yeah gosh Health.
(28:16):
Hopefully keep working on that as I'm starting to do stuff.
Now with that well actually no I had better starting do stuff with that months.
Ago but just taking a more aggressive step towards it um yeah Health relationship job.
(28:45):
Hopefully that's probably the biggest stuff that's what you're looking forward to in 2024 right yeah just.
See where stuff goes whether it's good or bad I suppose I don't know and is there anything in 2023 you don't want to carry over into 2024 oh my gosh what are all these questions.
(29:13):
Um anything going on now I don't want to carry into bad habits.
Wow so descriptive yeah I don't know!
Especially more so a spending Financial bad habits.
(29:38):
I don't want that stuff to carry on over I see yeah I mean the biggest thing is being yeah health and financial because I've been on top of that per se.
All right let me ask you this uhhuh looking at the camera not at me.
(30:10):
What is the message you want to give your?
2024 to remember at this point in time next year.
What's the message I want to give myself in the future in the future and the future.
(30:31):
What should 2024 hear from you right?
Now why is this so much pressure.
Why is this so intense what do you mean why is it so intense cuz it's like I'm looking at myself right?
Now this is weird why is it weird I don't know what am I going to tell myself but what if I'm dumb.
Now and I get smarter.
Later that's always a possibility yeah it is but what does 2023 to remind Aon.
(31:05):
Um what do I want what do I want to you of gosh.
This is difficult why is this difficult Paul why are you making me do difficult things ah how am I making you do difficult things well you're asking the difficult things no it's not even that difficult H.
(31:43):
Wow wow what say it to yourself don't get lazy Aon!
Don't do it oh man so that's your message to your future self don't be lazy Aon you don't be lazy but that encompasses so many things yes yes it does yeah a lot of things.
(32:16):
Like time in the word time with God.
Oh um well actually oh goodness.
This is so weird Paul why is it so weird I don't know it's just different I haven't done.
This before this is different to me um yeah making sure to have the.
(32:42):
Daily quality time with the Lord the word and prayer and anything.
Else oh man not to get too selfish with yeah not to be selfish.
(33:12):
Okay especially in a relationship don't be so thinking don't think of yourself.
Too much right right.
This is to you I know.
This is to me I know yeah so I mean others will glean stuff from what.
You're saying obviously wait what others will glean stuff from what you say Obviously glean stuff what ises that mean don't know what to glean is no add on I don't know well but we're adding a dictionary to the list of things to get you for Christmas I i' it's funny I've been thinking about that for like a month or two.
(33:51):
Now you know there's dictionaries on the phones right I want to make my own you want to make your own own dictionary.
Oh by the way your girlfriend did message back yeah she.
Said I would love to no for what wait till which one the solo.
(34:11):
No sorry for interrupting.
This moment but that was important all.
Right I'll be selfish in that moment.
Um no to glean you seriously don't know what that means I seriously don't so when I say Others May glean something off of this.
(34:33):
B take something from it exactly they might grab something onto it that.
That they can learn of and think of for their own personal application even though you're saying.
This to yourself in the future.
Okay okay yeah okay God stuff relationship stuff not being selfish not being lazy with God relationship.
(35:07):
Just oh this is weird um Health not to be careless with financials so maybe not so much August friends red and ban merch and music GE.
(35:28):
Gosh yeah all right growing up even more and one final thing before I start talking stuff thank you kid what if you had if you could if I could obviously.
We don't have time travel no but if you could send a message to your self.
(35:51):
What would it say what would it say don't drink the juice?
That could be interpreted wrong I know put down the booze boy and listen to your friends boy at least for the red flags.
(36:12):
Boy yeah yeah interesting that all you would tell your self.
Well no cuz that's just for one moment.
(36:40):
A I would have been to be more.
Disciplined and diligent and being the word.
Being more involved at church instead of just the banned and then done well ban Sunday morning.
Then done yeah enjoyed should have yeah spent more time in fellowship and build off of one another.
(37:16):
Okay yeah all right yeah done I'm done all right it so for me highlight to 2023 uhhuh uh life Fest as always definitely definitely.
Good that right I never count on you making ah fair I unless yeah unless Skillet's there maybe no because even.
(37:48):
Then you're still kind of wishy-washy on things well I was going to go the one year but then it was bad weather and I was on my motorcycle yeah motorcycle gee keep seeing that come up over and over again more.
Water you know what.
No so yeah so that.
Trip uh Grand Rapids was a good trip enjoyed that.
(38:12):
Um but out of you know out of Lifes you know discovered some new music new bands obviously Rusty ship being one of them right um they've.
Gotten a few hundred of my bucks.
This year yeah or did I say a few hundred I'm talking like like.
This many that's so far few in a couple yeah so wouldn't that be several I don't know what it is yeah but anyways.
(38:39):
They got the money MH um part of that is through patreon part of that is through just the.
Album stuff when they're recording their new album they're like we're still a little short was like well that's 300 like all.
Right why not at least next year I get to go to the album.
(39:00):
Release party inside of a studio that's cool of Nashville Studio that'll.
Be cool yep that'll be fun.
Yeah you're invited but if you don't go.
Then Andy and Robin said they'd Go Me Andy and Robin yep obviously.
One of them can come into to the studio right but they can still go on the trip and hang out yeah that's cool cuz they're like well if he's going to no they didn't say that I filled in the blanks I said if he's going to be a putts no yeah no it would be a lot of no it would be but I understand you have to be more.
(39:37):
Financially responsible especially the income stream that you do I understand stupid no it is what it is it is what it man yes uh so you know those are the.
Trip highlights you know those are the two trip highlights I'd say um on a professional level you know flipping career not careers but jobs changing jobs um Midstream.
(40:07):
Right before Thanksgiving literally the week of Thanksgiving started a new job.
Woohoo um doing all that fun stuff that was uh see it's always weird people always it's so much stress it's so much stress it's so much stress.
(40:28):
This job was real there was a lot steps involved mhm but the interview process was ridiculously simple that's good and and considering it was all.
Telephone yeah I know all these people are like oh I'm dressing in suits doing all.
This stuff I got dressed for it and then like oh yeah camera off I was.
(40:50):
Okay just audio cool I can deal.
This perfect I still have never seen one of my teammates whoa.
I have no idea what anyone looks like outside maybe if they have a photo you know somewhere in the environment that I could find right but other than that I have no idea wow that's cool I've heard all their voices many many times in my head but I haven't seen them yet uh so you know doing that was a change for me a highlight a good one and I'm still keeping in Conta with a bunch of people that.
(41:28):
I wanted to from uh the previous job and actually there were so what I did for that I don't think no I didn't tell you this so my last day there um you know you send the traditional email.
Blah blah blah blah blah you know that goes to basically everyone but there were two people that I actually recorded just for them an individual.
(41:55):
Video for them and so you know it's available only with the link sort deal so they don't have to have an account but they just have the link so I was like here's a link here's your link that's only for you huh here's your link that's only for you you know and I was like here you go have fun um I was like and I I wrote and I said in both of them I was I suck at writing along emails and how long.
(42:20):
This video is it would be a long email so not happening not doing it I can get behind the mic and talk a lot easier than I can type up an email right because if I start rambling one way my brain.
Can go with the ramble and continue on doing that thing there so that?
That's what I did there kind of as a it just FYI if you ever leave a well you're in a small company so it doesn't matter as much for you um but like a larger company right keeping those personal connections is a good thing because you never know I may end up going back to the old job one day.
(42:58):
Potentially I suppose yeah if they ever allow full the remote that'll be my condition.
I work in an industry where that works that's fair I suppose not all Industries.
Do can do that and I understand obviously your industry that you're in right?
Now cannot do that cannot do that so I get that mine.
(43:20):
It's all click click click drag drop woohoo.
It it it's all computer based so yeah works perfectly fine as a remote yeah so professionally that's that was a highlight of my my.
Year uh being able to do that and change and successfully transition right before a holiday.
(43:42):
Just oh man that was crazy probably wasn't smart to do that but at the same time it worked yeah so I did it pinned out.
Uh outside of those things other highlights of the wonderful wonderful year.
Why you going why you in the wonderful wonderful year huh no I mean it wasn't a 2018 yes it was a wonderful wonderful year and now your mind's going back to it like what was 2018 going on what?
(44:19):
Was happening then do you remember 2018 what happened 2018 why I would say not a good year?
(44:39):
What happened five oh dirt?
What the the like rehab stuff yes yes yes that's when I went into what that's why I went to impatient rehab yes for mental health stuff yes yep so yeah not a good year no you know near the?
(45:06):
End of the later half of the Year got better um.
First half of the year not so good um but then.
This year was pretty.
Good obviously some flare ups there you know I had obviously some issu some not issues but things.
Happened in middle of the year my aunt passed away um in hospice and then all the fun dealing with that because then that triggered my while my aunt.
(45:31):
Was in hospice that triggered my mom having a stroke and then me having deal bunch of stuff with the family wonderful time not so much um yeah so dealing with that you know that was stressful but it wasn't like and I took a hit to my mental during that time but it wasn't as such that?
(45:54):
It made the year bad it just made it a little more stressful than normal right which is okay considering everything else that went on was not so stressful and was pretty good I can deal with that you know I look back at things like um things that I I think they weren't professional successes per se more.
(46:16):
I would consider them.
Personal highlights because it's led to a lot of conversations and when I say a lot of conversations I mean a lot of conversations.
Um that I've been able to have with certain people.
Uh the episodes that we released at the end of May which by the way there are a couple people.
(46:41):
Listen to him and they're like that Aaron guy he just seems so uncomfortable I was fine leave me alone I was like it's he wasn't uncomfortable with the situation I think he was more uncomfortable with having to lead the discussion.
Oh for sure I was like that's not his normal Forte that's his his.
(47:02):
Normal role to kind of be more the background sidekick type guy not the foreground.
Let me push the narrative forward type person and I was like that's probably where you're getting the uneasiness with some of that with him if if I'm misch characterizing.
Let me know nope so you know so those things that's said that's not on the professional level but on the personal level and that um and then getting involved with all the new stuff at the.
(47:33):
New church has been good it really has.
Looking back on things that maybe as I look back at 2023 and go oh what.
Do I regret I nothing?
Regret per se um except maybe a lesson learned so it's not a regret but a lesson learned you know right at the end of my aunt's life you know she.
(48:06):
Was talking about her regrets and you know she was like oh I wish I would have traveled more with my nephews and nieces she's like I had the funds to do it and she go she?
Went on this long list of I wish I'd have done wish I would have done that wish I have done.
This and I look back at that.
Now and I go yeah she can't take anything with her right we can't take anything with us we pass so those list those things.
(48:38):
We say we want to do that.
May end up on our regret list in the future.
Do them now that's not to say be materialistic and worship the altar of money that's not what I'm saying at all don't Mis don't misre that you know what I'm saying though is it is something to think about is this?
(49:05):
Something that will end up on my regret.
List in the future because I didn't do it now because I said oh I'm going to save that extra dollar.
Now versus having that experience that's I was like you know.
Ultimately I was like all right I got to do these things got to go on and uh whatever that may be where that's trip.
(49:28):
You know where that's maybe funding a band I like with a little extra money so that way they can do some other stuff.
Whatever it may end up being that's I was like H yeah.
Okay so it's not a regret per se but a lesson learned and a lesson to mle mle on for me.
(49:52):
Each of you are different you may have a different thing that you Maul on or different lesson that you might have taken out of the year that.
Maybe you need to process and and chew on a little bit and and pray on and see how is that going to maybe impact or change things maybe it doesn't not everything has to be World altering lifechanging Paradigm.
(50:15):
Shifting for you sometimes.
It's just the little things for me that was it and that's why I was like all right these.
Are the things I'm going to do now what?
Would I say to my 2024 like send the message into the future what what when we come back to this time of year next year and we replay?
(50:37):
This portion because I'm going to replay your message back to you Aon that you left for yourself in 2024 no why are you going no I don't know why you going no no love to see how it turns out to my 202 herself.
This is what I say don't be afraid to take that leap professionally no matter what it may be and how nervous and disastrous you may think it can be because ultimately the only thing people are going to care about or whether you continue move the needle or not what.
(51:18):
Do I mean by that speak up more meetings I hope you're doing that I hope?
You're taking the risks that are necessary Neary not that put the company in Risk but the risk that moved the needle forward what I mean is innovation.
Continue doing that don't stop it's easy to get LAX it's easy to feel relaxed inside of a company that you know you can make an impact in stop doing that don't.
(51:48):
Let that relaxation make you lazy in that regard and don't be so busy doing things things.
That you think you're doing for the kingdom or for relaxation.
Don't be so busy that.
You stop doing the basics.
(52:10):
What are the basics?
The basics are mental health making sure that's okay the.
Basics reading the word the basics prayer the.
Basics are community if in serving you lose those Basics.
(52:34):
Then in serving you will cause harm to yourself remember that it is so easy to get lost in doing the serving doing the thing.
Forg getting to take care of yourself.
Learn from your past mistakes I know I have done that and a reminder myself get out my own head at times but remind yourself of that because that.
(53:03):
Is the case sometimes and what would I say to my self if I could send a message back in time and influence what?
Happened there I would say leave.
(53:25):
Now it's scary to make that jump leave.
Now you won't regret it it will only staying only causes and prolongs pain and Aaron's probably over here sit going what the.
Heck is he referring to the.
First thing that came to mind is work.
(53:48):
Noain work I was I was content with staying with work until until tell they they did the whole you must return to office thing blah blah blah oh never mind.
What the only other big thing that happened at least to my mind?
(54:10):
Church yeah yeah yep but that would be the message.
I send in my 22 2022 self.
I would say that'd be my regret from last year not from this year what.
Why are you going huh I don't know yet well if you go huh that bring has to have a thought in the head somewhere?
(54:40):
It's not a thought that you're thinking I don't know what thought thinking that's that's why I'm going what if I if I kind of had a clue.
A spark an idea if I gleamed something off of it I would have said something but I got nothing that's I said what.
(55:05):
Nothing huh and what am I looking forward to most in 2024 H.
That one's going to be interesting personally and professionally.
I don't know I I I'm looking forward to contining to do what I do at work I I'm looking I want to try to get back into speaking at conferences again professionally.
(55:33):
That being said I also.
Look at the State of Affairs of the world and go well the world kind of sucks right.
Now Ukraine Gaza oil prices are in a free fall which means who knows what there there is so much going on around the.
(55:55):
World that it's easy to get lost in it and say that that is a cause for stopping things and I'm saying.
This to myself I'm saying.
This to Aaron I'm saying to anyone hearing.
This just because the world has gone crazy does not mean that we can't control a little bit of the area where we live I'm not saying control like it's my word way nothing else happens I'm saying control like where we can't influence control.
(56:24):
Is an influence control as in where we continue to take action on things control as in where we continue to move forward?
We can still do that even with the world crazy the macro events.
Well yes they do influence the micro events don't necessarily overwhelm and if you sit there going I feel so overwhelmed by the world because of pick a topic.
(56:55):
It's not like we haven't done.
This before okay maybe not us in our lifetime necessarily but I'm saying in general in in in humanity we've.
Done this before unfortunately and we will continue to do it again unfortunately so yeah the world's crazy the world's uh what what's what's the common phrase to Hell in a hand basket.
(57:24):
Yeah the world's doing that doesn't mean that I can't doesn't mean that Aaron can't continue.
Moving forward and doing things.
Just because the war on Gaza doesn't stop doesn't mean that Aaron's U.
Practices that he's putting into place to better his health have to stop they can continue on regardless of what happens over there in Gaza unless that you know Israel.
(57:50):
Is the only source of whatever Cricut protein he's using in his shakes and then?
He you know they stop exporting it then.
Yeah then he would have to stop why why the.
Why why the Crickets in my protein shake I don't know they use in some oh I suppose so I I don't know what your protein shakes made out of I don't know either?
(58:17):
It's kind of scary it has to be legal so it's not corpse so you're fine with that true vored be insect and then you go yummy earthworm spider speaking of spiders.
Sorry tangent someone made a pillow so you can cuddle a spider at night it's a big old spider pillow.
(58:41):
Gosh nope nope nope someone.
Wrote on the comments I hope it has hairy legs oh gosh that's awful that's awful but yeah sorry tangent but continue on you know every year people make uh resolutions at the end of the year and go ah and then within a week.
(59:08):
Usually broken don't wait until January.
1st to start doing things.
Be like Aaron start.
Now because things that you start doing.
Now by the time he gets the.
First you're you know you're already doing it a week or two which means you're that much closer to making it a habit which means that you're that much closer to to staying by it which means you're that much closer to your goal.
(59:44):
Be like Aaron start.
Now Aaron did you ever think I would ever say that phrase nope uhuh nope.
That's the first really.
I think so yeah all.
Right so be Aaron.
Start your things now figure.
(01:00:05):
Out what those things are take the steps no matter how uncomfortable they are how uncomfortable they make you and realize that those things are maybe.
There to help grow you and maybe take the time before the new year.
(01:00:28):
Write a message to yourself for one year from now.
What do you hope to have accomplished during that year what?
Do you hope to have changed because then the year comes by then you can watch it or read it and if you're an audio visual person record it to yourself for the next year and then when that time comes go back play it and realize how much is different how much has changed how much you've accomplished and how much there's still go as we always have room to grow and continue to learn?
(01:01:13):
Especially if you claim to be a Christian there is always room to growth we.
All have we all have that because we know one thing we're Fallen we're sinful and we need Grace So Aaron do you have any last words.
(01:01:46):
Nope no my last words are.
This don't dwell on the negative so much.
That you forget to see the good but always at the same time ask God and ask.
(01:02:15):
Honestly how he wants you to grow and change over.
This next season this next year maybe.
It's the next month.
Maybe sometimes you have to take it a week at a time and God has to kind of show you where that is but if you ask him and you're Earnest he'll show you you might not like it you might not uh enjoy it or agree it at first but God will show know walk you through what needs to happen next I think I'm not going to speak for Aaron but I'm sure Aaron would agree that there are instances.
(01:03:02):
He can think of where that comes to mind.
Where God has shown you something and guided you and changed you in certain ways not going to ask you to share that right?
Now but I think you can come up with instances if if you thought right yeah.
Okay yeah we all can and that's okay uh and and and this is one of the things that I do like about the church I go to and this phrase I think actually sums it up pretty well we are not perfect people.
(01:03:41):
We are people made new and that's what we should be striving for all.
The time with Christ with our relationship with him so have a happy contemplative maybe even New Year and we'll.
(01:04:03):
Start off next year.
The right way with Aaron finally reading a book again yay yep if not well um I have his girlfriend's number.
Now so I can be like um make him do this make him read otherwise.
(01:04:25):
I'm going to take your Greeno away from you oh I've reading read the specific book yeah otherwise the Gringo will be taken away no and put in solitary confinement he.
Reads no throw a hissy fit just.
K you know I I just read no I believe you would throw a fit i' read though all right well have a happy happy Year enjoy have fun with uh friends.
(01:04:58):
Family whatever you're doing for New Year's I know personally me I'm going to be at a lock in uh supervising a bunch of teenagers as security so I'm going to be hopped up on so much caffeine that my uh watching is going to go why is your heart rate high what's going on that's just.
Just like my watching that when I was sick go said.
(01:05:20):
Hey what's going on and even and even showed me a little graph and said you were more stressed these days than normal I was like yeah I was cuz I was sick oh your temperature elevated too yeah cuz I was sick these.
Smart things are getting a little smart so anyway.
(01:05:40):
Mr Johnson happy New Year Happy New Year.
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