This was originally written 7 years ago, but I felt it worthwhile to post it today. You see, I often feel like young Garrett in this story - sometimes reluctant to take risks, yet letting the sense of adventure take over, enjoying the thrill that comes with it. Until, that is, I feel in danger and/or scared that I might not make it through. Like Garrett, I often end up with scrapes and bruises, but I can relate to the young bloke in so many ways...

Enjoy the read; I know as a father I sure enjoyed the moment:

Overcoming Fears, Faith, FamilyNathan WestwickOctober 28, 2015Adventure, Risk-Taking, Growing Up Comment

Ready, Set, Go!

I’m fairly certain we can all relate to the paralyzing fear associated with feeling called to move in a particular direction. Perhaps it’s a calling for a career change, or to move to a new city, or maybe it’s a calling to finally pop the question to your longtime girlfriend.

The fears seem to wait until after we’re convinced that we should take that big step—it’s almost as if the torrent is held back until we finally decide to move forward in courage, and then the floodwaters break and all of the fears and doubts roll in…

Faith, Overcoming FearsNathan WestwickOctober 21, 2015Trust, Leap of Faith, Trying AgainComment

Celebrated...

I had the opportunity to celebrate my birthday over the weekend, and I was genuinely humbled by all of the love shown me by family, friends, and even those I don’t know particularly well.

It was such a contrast to a birthday I had a few years ago…

Relationships, Faith, FamilyNathan WestwickOctober 14, 2015Birthday, LoveComment

My Personal Encounter With A Wild Cat

I used to walk blissfully through life, all the while not knowing I was being stalked by a wild, stealthy cat—one with big teeth and sharp claws, and when it jumped me, I was caught so off guard I didn’t know quite what to do.

The Journey, Faith, Overcoming FearsNathan WestwickOctober 7, 2015Overcoming Fears Comment

Joy vs. Sorrow

My last 24 hours were contrasts on such heightened levels I honestly don’t know where to begin.

On Sunday evening I had the privilege of being a groomsman in a wedding of two lovely people who joyfully celebrated the beginning of a new life together.

On Monday I found out that a buddy of mine was hit by a car while on a morning jog and being held in the ICU in critical condition after emergency brain surgery.

Relationships, The JourneyNathan WestwickSeptember 30, 2015Joy, Sorrow Comment

Journeying Through Life's Headwinds

- Part 2 in a Study of Contrasts -

For nearly my entire childhood, life felt easy.

Friendships came easily, good grades came with little effort, even my junior high saxophone days had me playing first chair in the concert band. I won free stuff in high school (a CD player, a week at Magic Johnson’s basketball camp, even a trip to Europe) and I got in to the colleges I wanted. I even got a convertible for my 16th birthday.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but I had formed a worldview where everything seemed to go my way, and that although “hard work” was required to achieve, my awareness of hard work was quite limited.

The JourneyNathan WestwickSeptember 23, 2015Hardship, Perseverance Comment

The Miracle of Rain

I woke up this morning to the pitter-patter of rain. I couldn’t help but offer a cozy smile as I pulled the blankets over me just a little more.

There is something inherently so soothing about rain, especially here in Southern California where it has been in such short supply these days.

Just like the gentle breeze on a spring day invites us out, rain invites us in.

Being PresentNathan WestwickSeptember 16, 2015Being still, Rest, RhythmsComment

Confessions of an Addict

I had no idea when I started this that so much space would be taken up with confessionals, but apparently there has been a need to get a lot of stuff off my chest lately. I’ve struggled with my role as a Christian businessman, I’ve admitted my fears, and now it’s time for me to confess a deep, piercing addiction…

Faith, FamilyNathan WestwickSeptember 9, 2015Busyness, Rest, Family Time, AddictionsComment

Why Blogging Scares Me to Death

Forgive me as I offer up another confessional. I don’t love blogging… The truth is, it plain old scares me to death.

Blogging scares me because it requires an element of creativity. And creativity is vulnerable. And if I’m honest, I don’t like being vulnerable; it leaves me feeling incredibly exposed—almost worse than the I just noticed that I was naked at school dream we all had as kids.

Some might argue that I have control over just how much exposure I choose to reveal on this blog, and I suppose I could follow their advice, but it’s just not in my nature. I’ve always been a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of bloke, for better or for worse.

Nathan WestwickSeptember 2, 2015Comment

nathanwestwick.com