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Benton

@benton

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The promise of God’s kingdom is eternal life.

In endless mathematical time, yes, but also in the Greek “aionios” sense. Aionios implies eternal depth, or eternal ascension if you’d rather see it that way.

There’s no limit to the dimensions in which we can experience, feel, learn and achieve. That’s evidence of God keeping His promise.

As we evolve, we unlock new levels. Accomplish new dimensions. We accumulate perspectives, and slowly, life starts to make more sense.

Grand visions are fine, but life happens in the mundane. What better place for aionios than the mundane? The act of seeing things in new ways happens subtly. It’s the art of noticing. How deeply can a sunset be seen? How perfectly can a bed be made? How much joy can a heart hold? There is no limit. Eternal, aeonic life.

Miyamoto Musashi said “once you know the Way, you will see it in everything.” That’s the idea behind Aristotle’s Hexis, the settled state of being; WHO are we and HOW are we (in relation to who and how we could be)?

Maximal actualization is both an aspiration and a judge. It’s cliché, but it’s the whole “you can’t add days to your life, but you can add life to your days” idea. Depth.

Romans 12 reminds us we each have “specific allotments of faith.” Our lives are our own and we’re supposed to work at them and on them.

Becoming the most you that you can be is honorable to God and man and all of creation.

The goal is progress, not just in time, but in depth. I wish you success 🫀🧲🕊️ by @benton

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23 days ago

In 44 BC the Roman statesman and philosopher Marcus Cicero wrote “friendship doubles our joy and cuts our suffering in half”

A few hundred years prior, Aristotle observed that durable friendship has virtue. We can’t examine our own lives directly and objectively, so our friends, whose judgments we’ve tested over time, become an invaluable source of our growth, self-image, and ultimately our life’s direction.

Friends stand side by side against common enemies, not face to face against one another. Joby Martin encourages us to “deputize” our friends in the Good Fight. When we’re isolated, we’re vulnerable. When we’re together, we go far.

Life is a team game and I hope you win 🏆 #strengthandhonor by @benton

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2 months ago

how presumptuous of us
to save it for later
…
not how this works by @benton

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3 months ago

it’s not that catchy by @benton

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4 months ago

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4 months ago

The Romans had a word for leisure, Otium, that’s now lost to the dustbin of history. Otium didn’t mean idleness or escape like the American interpretation of leisure.

Otium was time deliberately reclaimed from negotium (business, busyness) and spent on what actually builds a person: reading, writing, training the body, sharpening the mind, sitting with hard ideas, prayer walks.

Seneca defended Otium and there was a consensus among the richest men in Rome that life would be measured not by deals done, or military triumph, or power in the senate, but by the silence they earned and how they chose to spend it.

I like that idea. taken in Angels Landing by @benton

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5 months ago

Summer is here and @ctc.tampa programming is off!

@newlifevillagetampa is an amazing community for foster families. At the village there’s 95 male kids and only a handful of consistent male role models / mentor figures. Last December, CTC contributed gifts to their Christmas party and this spring we (aka @mitchhetrick) saw an opportunity to contribute to the young lads.

Once a month, CTC has committed to male mentorship through the outlet of sports. Had a bunch of fun yesterday and it’s inspiring to see my friends pull up to give back and love on kids the right way for the right reasons. It costs nothing to be decent and the payoff feels great. 💹 by @benton

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5 months ago

Philosophy teaches us to act, not just talk. It demands that we live according to our own principles, that our lives are in harmony with our words, and that our behaviors are consistent with our beliefs.

This, I believe, is the highest duty and the ultimate proof of wisdom: that our actions and words are in sync, that we are consistent with ourselves in all situations, and that we remain true to who we are.

So when we examine ourselves, there’s really just one question: “am I consistent?”

Have a good day 😊 taken in Mendoza, Argentina by @benton

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6 months ago

What if it all worked out and things were fantastic and every hard thing made you better and you fixed your thoughts on what is true and right and pure and lovely 🫀🍇🇦🇷

Wouldn't that be crazy taken in Argentina by @benton

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8 months ago

GM 2026 🏇 taken in Tampa, Florida by @benton

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9 months ago

Texas sized vibes 📍🐐 taken in Austin, Texas by @benton

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10 months ago

part time hooper, full time baller 😁 taken in Kia Center by @benton

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a year ago