The Quiet Triumph of the authentic youth In certain corners of the world, virtue is punished before it is ever rewarded. To be young, sharp-minded, and clean-handed is to invite contempt. The clever boy who reads instead of robbing, the girl who dreams in metaphors instead of carrying a blade—these are branded as inauthentic, as
Details : Explore the powerful parallels between Jay-Z’s “I Know” and Tragic Hero’s “Mercy,” two hip-hop tracks that personify addiction as a seductive woman. Through vivid metaphors of lust, materialism, and dependency, both songs delve into the emotional and physical toll of temptation, with Jay-Z’s confident swagger contrasting Tragic Hero’s introspective struggle. Poem Treads :
I find myself drawn to this blazing force within me—my “fiery fire”—a restless, burning energy that I crave to awaken fully. It’s as if I’m seeking to dissolve the frost encasing my heart, a coldness I’ve carried too long, tucked away in a place I call the “void less dark.” That phrase feels right to me—a shadow not pitch-black, but muted, a half-lit emptiness where I’ve lingered, neither lost nor found. Philosophers like Heraclitus might see this fire as my life’s constant flux, a heat that promises to reshape me if I let it.
But there’s a tension I can’t ignore. This fire I tend, this soul I ignite—it’s fleeting. A bonfire roars only as long as I feed it, and my cold heart, my void, they hover close, ready to reclaim me. I wonder if this is what Sartre meant by crafting meaning in the face of nothing—a refusal to let the dark win. Or maybe it’s Nietzsche’s voice I hear, urging me to embrace this cycle of melting and burning, to affirm myself again and again. I’m caught in that dance, desiring my own renewal, holding my soul’s light steady against the shadows I know too well.
The Quiet Triumph of the authentic youth In certain corners of the world, virtue is punished before it is ever rewarded. To be young, sharp-minded, and clean-handed is to invite contempt. The clever boy who reads instead of robbing, the girl who dreams in metaphors instead of carrying a blade—these are branded as inauthentic, as
Details : Explore the powerful parallels between Jay-Z’s “I Know” and Tragic Hero’s “Mercy,” two hip-hop tracks that personify addiction as a seductive woman. Through vivid metaphors of lust, materialism, and dependency, both songs delve into the emotional and physical toll of temptation, with Jay-Z’s confident swagger contrasting Tragic Hero’s introspective struggle. Poem Treads :
I find myself drawn to this blazing force within me—my “fiery fire”—a restless, burning energy that I crave to awaken fully. It’s as if I’m seeking to dissolve the frost encasing my heart, a coldness I’ve carried too long, tucked away in a place I call the “void less dark.” That phrase feels right to me—a shadow not pitch-black, but muted, a half-lit emptiness where I’ve lingered, neither lost nor found. Philosophers like Heraclitus might see this fire as my life’s constant flux, a heat that promises to reshape me if I let it.
But there’s a tension I can’t ignore. This fire I tend, this soul I ignite—it’s fleeting. A bonfire roars only as long as I feed it, and my cold heart, my void, they hover close, ready to reclaim me. I wonder if this is what Sartre meant by crafting meaning in the face of nothing—a refusal to let the dark win. Or maybe it’s Nietzsche’s voice I hear, urging me to embrace this cycle of melting and burning, to affirm myself again and again. I’m caught in that dance, desiring my own renewal, holding my soul’s light steady against the shadows I know too well.
The Quiet Triumph of the authentic youth In certain corners of the world, virtue is punished before it is ever rewarded. To be young, sharp-minded, and clean-handed is to invite contempt. The clever boy who reads instead of robbing, the girl who dreams in metaphors instead of carrying a blade—these are branded as inauthentic, as
Details : Explore the powerful parallels between Jay-Z’s “I Know” and Tragic Hero’s “Mercy,” two hip-hop tracks that personify addiction as a seductive woman. Through vivid metaphors of lust, materialism, and dependency, both songs delve into the emotional and physical toll of temptation, with Jay-Z’s confident swagger contrasting Tragic Hero’s introspective struggle. Poem Treads :
The Sixth Tread from “Call Me A.C Green..(Poem): “Virginity as a Gift: Building Integrity for My Future Wife”
“One DM from a girl resembling Vanity… My sex drive is packaged as a gift for my future wifey.” That’s the line I walk—a fleeting temptation in my inbox, a spark that could ignite my sex drive, yet a choice to hold it back. Virginity isn’t just a status for me; it’s a gift, something I’m shaping with every “no” I say to the now, saving it for my future wife. A message pops up, her words dripping with allure like Vanity, the singer whose beauty once captivated the world. But I scroll past, not because I’m immune, but because integrity matters more. Kant’s principle whispers in my ear, and scripture seals it: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25). My virginity is a promise, a piece of me I’m building for her.
Temptation’s Knock
Temptation doesn’t come with a warning label—it slips in quietly, like that DM lighting up my phone. She’s not just a name; she’s a mirror of Vanity—stunning, magnetic, a test of my resolve. My sex drive kicks in, a natural pulse I can’t deny. I could reply, let the conversation flow, see where it leads. No one would know. But I stop myself. Not out of fear, but out of something deeper—a principle I’ve chosen to live by. That moment isn’t just about resisting; it’s about building, stacking another brick of integrity for the man I want to be.
Vanity’s allure fades when I think of what’s ahead. Temptation promises a thrill, but it’s fleeting—a sugar rush that leaves me empty. My sex drive isn’t the enemy; it’s a force I’m channeling, a gift I’m wrapping up for someone I haven’t met yet. One swipe, one reply, could unravel that, but I’d rather hold it together for her.
Integrity Over Impulse
Integrity isn’t loud—it’s steady, a quiet strength that grows every time I choose the long game over the short one. Kant, the philosopher, talked about the categorical imperative: act in a way you’d want to be universal, a rule for everyone. For me, that’s what virginity becomes—a principle, not just a personal quirk. I’m not saving it because it’s easy; I’m saving it because it’s right, because I’d want my future wife to trust me with her whole self too. It’s a standard I set for myself, a way of living that says my word, my body, my soul—they all mean something.
This isn’t about shutting down my sex drive—it’s about giving it purpose. That DM might stir it up, but integrity keeps it in check. I’m not perfect; some days, the temptation feels like a tug-of-war. But every time I walk away, I’m stronger, more the man I want her to find when the time comes.
Scripture’s Blueprint
Scripture gives me the why behind the what. Ephesians 5:25 isn’t just a verse—it’s a vision: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” That’s the kind of love I’m preparing for—sacrificial, selfless, all-in. My virginity isn’t a badge of pride; it’s a piece of that giving, a way I’m starting now to love her like Christ loved. It’s not about rules—it’s about relationship, about showing up for her with something pure and whole.
Then there’s Proverbs 4:23: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” My heart’s where this battle plays out—where temptation meets integrity, where my sex drive meets my faith. Guarding it isn’t passive; it’s active, a choice to protect what flows from it. That DM could crack the door open, but Proverbs tells me to lock it tight—not out of paranoia, but out of care for what I’m building.
A Gift Worth Waiting For
Virginity as a gift isn’t a cliché to me—it’s real. It’s not just about my body; it’s about my character, my commitment, the way I’m shaping myself for my future wife. That girl like Vanity? She’s a shadow, a flicker of now. My future wife is the flame I’m saving this for—a love I haven’t seen yet but believe in enough to wait for. My sex drive isn’t wasted; it’s packaged, tied with the ribbon of integrity, ready for the day it’s hers.
This gift isn’t about denying myself—it’s about defining myself. Every temptation I turn from is a step toward her, a piece of trust I’m earning before we even meet. Kant’s principle keeps me honest; scripture keeps me hopeful. Together, they turn my virginity into something active, not passive—a choice I make for love.
The Man I’ll Be
So I let that DM sit unanswered, not because I’m better than anyone, but because I’m building something bigger. My future wife deserves a man who’s wrestled with temptation and won, not by luck, but by principle. My sex drive is hers, a gift I’m keeping safe with every “no” I say today. Vanity can’t sway me—not when integrity’s my compass and faith’s my guide.
On life’s court, I’m still A.C. Green—sharp, steadfast, unashamed. My virginity isn’t a burden; it’s a promise, a piece of me I’m crafting for her, day by day.
The Quiet Triumph of the authentic youth In certain corners of the world, virtue is punished before it is ever rewarded. To be young, sharp-minded, and clean-handed is to invite contempt. The clever boy who reads instead of robbing, the girl who dreams in metaphors instead of carrying a blade—these are branded as inauthentic, as
Details : Explore the powerful parallels between Jay-Z’s “I Know” and Tragic Hero’s “Mercy,” two hip-hop tracks that personify addiction as a seductive woman. Through vivid metaphors of lust, materialism, and dependency, both songs delve into the emotional and physical toll of temptation, with Jay-Z’s confident swagger contrasting Tragic Hero’s introspective struggle. Poem Treads :
“I’m one swipe away from fulfilling my sexual appetite, but letting God take control keeps my soul from going wild.” That’s the edge I live on every day—a single flick of my finger could unravel everything I’ve built, yet I choose to hold back. It’s not because I don’t feel the pull; my sexual appetite is real, raw, a wild part of me that roars to be let loose. But I’ve learned that giving in doesn’t tame it—it sets it free in all the wrong ways. Instead, I trust God to harness that energy, to keep my soul steady when temptation presses in. Kierkegaard called this a leap of faith; scripture puts it plainly: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart” (Proverbs 3:5). One swipe could change everything, but faith keeps me grounded.
The Power of a Swipe
Technology has made temptation closer than ever. One swipe on an app, one tap on a screen, and I could feed my sexual appetite in an instant. It’s not just about dating apps—it’s the whole digital world, dangling possibilities that feel so easy, so right there. My wild side doesn’t need much convincing; it’s ready to run, to chase the thrill that’s always just a click away. But I know where that road leads: a quick high, a hollow crash, a soul left restless instead of satisfied. That’s the trap of the swipe—freedom that feels like a cage.
This isn’t hypothetical for me. I’ve felt the itch, the moment where my thumb hovers over the screen, daring me to act. My sexual appetite isn’t some distant thing—it’s a fire inside, wild and alive. But I’ve seen what happens when I let it rule me. It’s not liberation; it’s chaos. So I pause, breathe, and turn it over to something bigger.
Free Will and the Wild
Here’s the tension: I’ve got free will. I could swipe. I could say yes to temptation and let my soul run wild. No one’s stopping me—not physically, anyway. Kierkegaard, the philosopher, wrestled with this too. He called faith a leap, a choice to trust when every instinct screams to jump the other way. That’s where I am—one swipe away, standing at the edge of my own leap. My wild side wants control, but free will means I don’t have to give it. I can choose differently.
That choice isn’t easy. Temptation doesn’t just knock—it pounds, loud and insistent. My sexual appetite isn’t wrong—it’s human—but letting it steer me unchecked turns it into something destructive. Free will gives me power, but it also gives me responsibility. I could feed the wildness, or I could tame it. And that’s where God comes in.
Trusting God’s Control
Proverbs 3:5 hits me hard: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” It’s not about ignoring my desires—it’s about handing them over. I don’t trust myself to tame my soul’s wild side alone; I’ve tried, and it’s a losing fight. But God? He’s got the strength I don’t. When I’m one swipe away, I don’t just resist—I release. I let Him take the wheel, trusting that He knows what’s best for this wild, restless part of me.
Then there’s Exodus 14:14: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” That’s my anchor. I don’t have to wrestle temptation into submission—God’s already in the ring. My job is to be still, to stop my thumb from swiping, to let Him calm the storm inside. It’s not suppression—it’s surrender. My sexual appetite doesn’t disappear; it’s redirected, held for a purpose I can’t always see but choose to believe in.
Faith Over Frenzy
This is where faith becomes real. It’s not a vague hope—it’s a lifeline when my soul’s wild side threatens to take over. Kierkegaard’s leap isn’t blind; it’s bold, a trust that God’s got me even when I’m shaky. One swipe could unleash chaos, but faith keeps me steady. It’s not about killing my desires—it’s about trusting they’re better off in His hands than mine. The wildness isn’t gone; it’s just not running the show.
Some days, that trust feels like a wrestle. Temptation doesn’t back off—it doubles down, daring me to test my limits. But I’ve learned to lean on Proverbs 3:5, to whisper Exodus 14:14 to myself when the urge hits. Faith isn’t passive—it’s active, a choice I make every time I don’t swipe, every time I let God tame what I can’t.
A Soul Worth Saving
In the end, it’s my soul I’m protecting—not from desire, but from destruction. One swipe could satisfy my sexual appetite for a moment, but it’d leave my wild side hungrier, more untamed. Trusting God doesn’t erase the fire—it refines it. My soul stays wild in the best way: alive, vibrant, but not reckless. Faith turns temptation into a proving ground, a place where I see what I’m made of and who I’m made for.
So I stand, one swipe away, and choose God over the frenzy. My wild side doesn’t win—not because I’ve crushed it, but because I’ve given it to Someone stronger.
The Quiet Triumph of the authentic youth In certain corners of the world, virtue is punished before it is ever rewarded. To be young, sharp-minded, and clean-handed is to invite contempt. The clever boy who reads instead of robbing, the girl who dreams in metaphors instead of carrying a blade—these are branded as inauthentic, as
Details : Explore the powerful parallels between Jay-Z’s “I Know” and Tragic Hero’s “Mercy,” two hip-hop tracks that personify addiction as a seductive woman. Through vivid metaphors of lust, materialism, and dependency, both songs delve into the emotional and physical toll of temptation, with Jay-Z’s confident swagger contrasting Tragic Hero’s introspective struggle. Poem Treads :
“Day and night, listening to the words of the wise keeps my lust deprived.” That’s my shield, my rhythm, my way of holding steady in a world that’s always trying to pull me off course. Lust isn’t just a fleeting urge—it’s a force that creeps in, testing my resolve when I least expect it. But I’ve found a defense: wisdom. Not the fleeting kind that comes and goes, but the deep, steady kind I draw from the words of the wise—mentors, scripture, voices that echo truth. Aristotle saw virtue as a habit, something you build over time, and scripture backs that up: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). Day and night, this wisdom shapes my restraint, keeping lust at bay and my soul intact.
Wisdom as My Armor
Lust doesn’t knock politely—it barges in, loud one day, subtle the next. Without something to counter it, I’d be defenseless. That’s where wisdom comes in. It’s not just a collection of smart sayings; it’s armor I put on every day and night. The words of the wise—whether from a trusted friend, a sermon, or the pages of scripture—give me something solid to lean on when temptation starts whispering. I don’t just hear them; I listen, letting them sink in until they’re part of me. That’s how I keep lust deprived—not by willpower alone, but by filling my mind with something stronger.
This isn’t a one-time fix. Day and night means consistency, a rhythm that doesn’t let up. Lust doesn’t take breaks, so neither can I. The wise don’t just tell me what to avoid—they show me what to pursue. Their words aren’t rules; they’re a roadmap to a life where restraint isn’t a burden but a strength.
Aristotle’s Habit of Virtue
Aristotle had it right: virtue isn’t an accident—it’s a habit. He believed that you become what you practice, that goodness takes root through repetition. For me, that’s what wisdom does—it turns restraint into something natural, not forced. Every time I choose the words of the wise over the pull of lust, I’m building that habit. It’s not about being perfect right away; it’s about showing up, day and night, until resisting temptation feels less like a fight and more like who I am.
This fits my battle with lust perfectly. It’s not enough to say “no” once and call it done—lust keeps coming back, testing me in new ways. But Aristotle’s idea gives me hope: the more I practice restraint, the stronger it gets. Wisdom is my training ground. By listening to the wise—those who’ve walked this road before me—I’m not just dodging lust; I’m growing into someone who can stand against it.
Scripture’s Steady Voice
Philosophy lays the groundwork, but scripture brings it home. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” That’s where it starts for me—not fear like dread, but awe, respect, a sense that there’s something bigger worth living for. This verse isn’t abstract—it’s practical. When I let that reverence guide me, wisdom flows in, pushing lust out. It’s a trade: I give up the cheap thrill of temptation for the deep clarity of a life rooted in something real.
Then there’s Psalm 1:2: “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” That’s my blueprint. Meditating on scripture isn’t just a ritual—it’s a lifeline. Day and night, I turn to those words, letting them wash over me, crowding out the noise of lust. It’s not passive—it’s active, a choice to fill my mind with truth instead of letting temptation take up space. The wise voices in scripture don’t just warn me about lust—they point me toward joy, purpose, a life that doesn’t need to lean on fleeting desires.
Restraint as a Practice
Restraint isn’t glamorous—it’s quiet, steady work. But wisdom makes it possible. The words of the wise don’t shame me into saying no; they inspire me to want something better. Day and night, I’m reminded that lust promises more than it delivers—quick highs that fade into regret. Wisdom offers the opposite: a slow, sure strength that builds me up. I practice restraint not because I have to, but because I’ve tasted what it’s like to live free of lust’s grip.
This practice takes shape in small ways. When lust stirs, I don’t wrestle it alone—I turn to a verse, a prayer, a lesson I’ve learned from someone wiser. I keep those words close, like a playlist on repeat, so they’re there when I need them. It’s not about shutting down desire—it’s about channeling it toward what lasts.
Day and Night, Lust Deprived
The beauty of this is how it works: wisdom doesn’t just block lust—it starves it. Day and night, I’m feeding my soul with the words of the wise, leaving no room for temptation to take hold. Aristotle’s habit becomes my reality; scripture’s truth becomes my strength. Lust might knock, but it doesn’t get in—not when I’ve got wisdom standing guard.
So I keep listening, keep practicing, keep choosing restraint over chaos. The wise have shown me the way, and I’m walking it—one day, one night at a time. Lust doesn’t stand a chance when wisdom’s got my back.
The third Tread from “Call Me A.C Green..(Poem): “Battling Lust: Protecting My Eternal Sunshine in a Lustful World”
LifeandTimelessart 