BLADES

BY WALLACE CALEB BATES


Every few months, I remove the old blades from my electric razor and snap in the new ones. It only takes a minute, but the difference is real: a smoother shave, less tugging, and no more working harder than I need to.

It always reminds me that sometimes we keep using things that technically still work, even when they are slowing us down. Whether it is a dull mindset, a worn-out routine, or an outdated habit, maybe all we need is a little renewal.

Today, it was the razor. Tomorrow, who knows?

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BY WALLACE CALEB BATES As I sit here drinking my coffee this Saturday afternoon, looking out the window at the snow-blanketed ground and my dog frolicking through the yard (I love the word frolicking!), I am reminded of how the world outside our homes can fill with joy and pain, happiness and sadness, and other contrasting emotions.  At the start of this new year, I set a few small goals that were aligned with James Clear's framework in Atomic Habits : incremental, small changes that will lead toward steady progress. Among these goals are making my bed each day, listening to or reading scripture each day, and journaling each day.  This blog site is part of the last effort mentioned above. I plan to use it as a public-facing journal in which I share my thoughts regarding topics of varying natures. Some of them will discuss my faith, my profession as a higher education public relations professional, my academic pursuits as a scholar, and my perspective as an Appalachian living i...
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PROTECT AND DEFEND

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