Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously

[@derekdaniels5452]

I write this with tears in my eyes from the ending. God bless you.

[@mitchhaight7517]

As recent converts, my wife and I received the same response from Protestant family members. We know what we have found - Christ's Holy Church. And my wife and I couldn't be more satisfied and content. Wecome home :). Look up the writings of St. Philip Neri, the Patron St. Of laughter and joy. He says “Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and helps us to persevere. A servant of God ought always to be in good spirits. Charity and cheerfulness, or charity and humility, should be our motto.”

[@stephensmith4480]

Sir, there is a Church Here in My Home City of Liverpool UK Called St Philip Neri. It's not near where I lived as a child, but I always remember My Mum Taking me in there, whenever we took that route into The City Center, it was Beautiful inside. That was when I was about Eight or Ten, I'm Sixty Five this year and It's still There 🙏

[@thepipecottage3301]

Good quote! I am preparing a lecture about St. Philip Neri to be delivered at a Chesterton conference in Philadelphia this summer.

[@matthewpeterson3517]

I am not Catholic and i do not like the pope, but i have some great friends who are Catholic and i love them dearly and know they are brothers in Christ. I enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@uptonsavoie]

Beautiful. I couldn't agree with you more. Happy Candlemas Day to you, your family, and everyone who is watching this presentation.

[@piptypibe8051]

Well said. And welcome to the church!!

[@Yoshio5190]

I started piping in 2019, and loved following your channel for your guiding words, aesthetics, and commitment to your convictions. And now I thank you for your courage and strength to be public about your conversion. I love the way this channel is heading, and I hope it continues to include pipes, traditionalism, Catholicism, with grace, vulnerability, civility, and beauty.

[@dexter255]

The wisdom you have bestowed upon the world is immeasurable. Just found the channel today and absolutely love it. I know we’re supposed to take things in moderation but I’m binge watching all your videos! Thank for knowledge. I needed to hear that message today. I am so grateful to be alive and on our ranch with my wife and 4 kids. Haven’t smoked pipe in years so ran down to the local tobacco shop and bought some Borkum Riff to remember my loving best mate Ronald Michael Zarycht ! I miss him dearly. Hi is the last Zarycht in his family but will live forever through our family. RMZ

[@diane4983]

What a blessing to grow up with such a wonderful example in your Grandpa. What a treasure to share

[@bobbycraigue725]

Amen Brother!

[@watchrepairtutorials]

As a cradle catholic all I can say is Amen brother. Oh by the way I am a new pipe smoker at 63.

[@nathanmcbride149]

Thank God

[@jimjohnson9093]

What a great post filled with peace, love, and contentment settled in the heart of the Lord. Powerful and heartfelt...and lite that pipe!

[@shawnpierce6285]

You are a blessing. Watching you develop from the videos you’ve shared, it is evident that you have not only converted to Catholicism. You have been transformed by the light and love of Christ!

[@priestofpartagas]

SO glad to have you in the 'Cult of Catholicism,' Dr. H! My grandsire was a POW in Japan during WWII and cheerfully rejoiced in the glory of The Lord the rest of his life, despite the numerous medical problems his torture and capture caused for him later. Thanks so much for the excellent message!! Btw: I went to college at Durham in the UK in Venerable Bede country - fantastic stuff!!

[@geoffbennett1703]

I joined the Church in 1999 and it's best decision I ever made. I only care what Jesus knows and desires of me. I thank you for your channel and your openness.

[@Sotec502]

Alan, what a blessing this message is. Thank you for sharing what was placed on your heart sir!

[@thankfulpiper]

"Enjoy life, enjoy every breath" Thank you Allen!

[@ryangg1756]

Bitterness is a disgusting thing. An impossible demon to get rid of without looking it in the face and recognizing that's what's inside. life is finite and rare. I'm not wasting mine by being bitter towards anything or anybody.

[@Sean-vz7zw]

Thank you brother, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice 🙏

[@mooseruncoffee9754]

Good Word!

[@kayakkevin]

Godly timing on this video. Very needed for me right now.

[@tomislavzuzak3086]

Dear Alan, thank you so much for this video. I would like so much to talk to you in person one day. God bless you and your family!

[@jmr0105]

Thank you sir. You are an inspiration. I'm currently working on restoring and building my faith back up and you have been a key figure in that process! I believe I was meant to come across your channel!

[@HeroOfTime303]

The funny thing is...after I stopped taking myself so seriously, other people started to take me more seriously (in a good way).

[@aeronlee5423]

Thank you also, Allen. I enjoy the interviews and perspectives. God bless, abundantly.

[@steveherrmann456]

Very well spoken!

[@Glewis917]

I'm a believer just as you and I have my problems with the catholic church (Inerrancy of the pope, praying to Mary, using catholic historical books in place of the Bible [I see this in practice and not taught]) but I very highly respect you and your intellect. It has caused me to reevaluate some of my positions. Truly, only because I see how much thought and time you've devoted to your conversion to Catholicism. Its caused me to learn more about Orthodoxy and Catholicism. Praying for you to not be affected by the negative comments. God bless, brother!

[@edgomes4015]

Amen...God bless your parents and grandparents for raising such wonderful person, "keep plowing the ground" the smell of tilled earth, there is nothing like it.

[@mcross681]

Amen

[@ronnieadams6330]

Amen! I say that same prayer every morning that your grandpa said. Pack a bowl and relax and be content.

[@georgekaftan2000]

This is your best video. Thank you

[@GregLondrigan]

Great stuff! Appreciate your vulnerability. God is good!

[@mallninjarising]

your videos are not just informative but entertaining. you set a good example for both catholics and protestants.

[@lucabrasi5070]

Great video ! Pursue your happiness however you see fit. And always keep in mind that the pursuit will change over time. Pipes, good whiskey and wine, and the companionship of others are proof that God loves you and wants you to be happy.

[@quietpiper6043]

I grew up Catholic and my faith had become stale your excitement has rejuvenated my faith so thank you for that,

[@corinabecerra953]

Thank you Lord🙏🏼

[@bryanmanderfield8427]

Grace and Peace be with you. Thank you for opening your heart and sharing the joy that Christ brings into your life. ----We adore you most holy Lord Jesus Christ, here and in all your Churches throughout the world and we bless you, because by your holy Cross - You have redeemed the world. Amen

[@austinkairnes5549]

outstanding video. thanks for posting!

[@williamforsterjr276]

1st Amen. 2nd a dear friend of mine, Charles TREMENDOUS Jones would say " Thank you for your SMILE". No one ever cheated him, he always got a smile. 😊

[@michaelbelfast1]

We're truly blessed Alan. Sitting here smoking a bowl of Samuel Gawith Jamaican Flake (Rum Flake) in my house in Belfast, Ireland. Important one for me, not to take myself too seriously. Happy smokes brother, AMEN.

[@waynebullington1221]

If the world hates you and persecutes you remember that they hated me first . Your on the right track and you obviously have it figured out! God Bless

[@cohiba1982]

Keep slaying those “dragons” Dr. Harrelson, you have inspired me to share with you. I have been catholic all my life but not practicing unfortunately, that has recently changed as my first born has been baptized and is now attending Sunday school and it is good to be back with the church and Jesus. My only regret is not coming back sooner. Bless you and your family, keep the inspiring videos coming!

[@subaquagene608]

Thank you Allan, very good and valuable message. There is so much pressure to perform and maximize your potential that most people simple forgot how to just live. Exactly what you are saying we take "who we are", "who we think we are" and push ourselves way to hard to meet some fictional expectation. Instead of very simply being "Who God Made Us to Be" and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that ! When we find that place God fills us with a Peace and Joy beyond all things. So your words are so true and Thank You for sharing them. May God truly continue to richly Bless You.

[@jamescahill2772]

Thank you Alan for sharing your message to encourage us all to take the Lord more seriously than ourselves. I am happy for you, that you have found a faith that gives you hope and joy. I am happy with my faith in Jesus too. It all begins with a true sense of gratitude, as your grandpa demonstrated. Be well and keep the content coming. TR reminds us: "it's not the critic that counts..."

[@hankster2241]

i just found you 6 months ago and as a cigar smoker and looking into pipe smoking, i love your vids. born and raised as catholic, went thru CCD and conformation and catholic school my whole life. As iI've gotten older I've found my own way, If religion is what helps to make your life full, then good for you. I appreciate all people who find a way to make their life better. I find your words very helpful for all no matter your belief .

[@jonahstephens2904]

God bless you, Dr. Harrelson. I am a student of mathematics, and I am taking a course in real analysis this semester. As part of the class, we have been assigned a book to read called 'How to Think about Analysis' by Lara Alcock, a professor at some school in Britain. One of the quotes from the book that I really appreciate and interpret as a personal admonition to me is this: "Accept that you will not always have perfect knowledge of everything... maintain sufficient knowledge of the important things." As one might expect from a wiseacre blatherskite such as myself, pride is the most serious of my vices, and I so desperately try to know everything about everything and figure out how to fix all the problems of the world. This video feels like an elaboration of that quote in a way. I have smoked a little more since my last comment on your channel, and I think the pipe has been helping to teach me this lesson too. Thank you very much for this. Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to see another day upon the face of the earth!

[@georgesilverhawkstrailcame2297]

Well said sir, and I admire you for speaking from your heart.

[@oasisjuani]

What a beautiful video. God bless you and your family always. See you on the next video.

[@SouthAlabamaPiper31]

Well said brother. Thank you for everything you do. God bless you and your family.

[@EppWalls]

Great message! Life is way too short to be way up right!

[@fuzzydunlop0507]

As a man who is not religious and doesnt believe in a god, i respect this man, his beliefs and mindset. There is a lot of similarities in our way of thinking. Everyone is different, everyone believes in, is convinced by and relates to all kinds of different things. While we may not agree in what we believe in and what we dont.... I love his videos, hearing him speak and would love to sit down, drink some bourbon and smoke a pipe with this man any day and contemplate life.

[@NAVIETVET72]

That was heart felt humility and all of us need to look at our lives with perspective and deep intersession. Christ to the Pharisees, "He who is with sin, cast the first stone". When he looked up every accuser was gone. We live in a world that wants to trample us for what we believe and how we live. We are children of God and He loves us and is waiting at the door and knocking. Open the door and he will come in an live with us and His creation will blossom right before your very eyes.

[@jeffcollins3108]

Thank you Alan. You are a good man!

[@toddtipton2857]

Great message! We appreciate you

[@Lmann1969]

You may have wondered if what your shared was if value to others. I will say it was of value to me. Thanks for taking the time to share your heart!

[@gregb5979]

Great advice!

[@shell..47]

Thank you!! I’m on a very similar path. God bless you and your family.

[@bjvaskejr]

Thank you for sharing your attitude. My prayer is that it may be contagious. May God bless.

[@gather.sip.flourish]

Alan! I want to sincerely thank you for this encouragement! My kids are in their 20's and making good and bad choices like we all do. I am praying like crazy for them but am learning to trust in the Lord without worrying and this is difficult. Thank you for reminding us to focus on the joy of Our Lord and rest in faith! In Christ, Lynda

[@bdagnolo]

Existential truth spoken here!! And oh, is it not so true that we are truly nothing without Him? So true. And BTW, that was an awesome pipe.

[@glennstevenson6242]

Beautifully said. Thank you!

[@PipesandBBQ]

Thank you! What a wonderful message, I needed to hear this!

[@wezl5150]

well said Brother. Something we all need to hear.

[@theologyandpipes]

I love the richness and depth of the Catholic Faith and I constantly read Scott Hanh, Brant Pitre, Robert Barron, even though I am not a Catholic, I serve at a Southern Baptist Church but I align much of my theology with the Early Church Fathers: Athanasius, Irenaeus, Gregory of Nazianzus, etc. especially their focus on the centrality of the Relationship of Perfect Love of the Father, Son, & Spirit and their desire to unite us and include us in their perfect fellowship from the foundation of the world. I love your channel and am so excited for all the things to come! Peace, Grace, & Love in the Name of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit 👍🏻❤️

[@jandacy4759]

Our Saviors love for us is far beyond our understanding!! So grateful for the amazing sacrifice He made for us, and His grace and mercy upon us!!

[@electronwolf]

I was raised by catholics, and was in a very strict part, didnt know you chose a saint because i wasnt part of the church but ive always favored St Micheal, hearing you speak today that would have made perfect sense to me that i chose hime

[@padensmith4354]

Greetings! I am new to you! I found you the other day and cannot say enough how much I enjoy you and your videos. You have also inspired me to more earnestly pursue pipe enjoyment and knowledge over the past week ( a week in which I had my third born nonetheless) I suppose I am a Protestant of sorts though I find much more alignment in the scriptures with freedom of the will and personal responsibility than the deterministic sovereignty proposed by Augustine and his progeny. At any rate you clearly know and love God and I’m sorry to hear about the pain you’ve had to endure as a result of your conversion. I can’t wait until Jesus’ prayer for the church to be one is finally fulfilled. Anyway I just wanted to thank you and encourage you. Thank you for boldly following the Lord and speaking openly about it. I love your passion and perspectives. Wishing you well- Paden from Texas

[@seeker2219]

I allways welcome a brother in christ, and pray you´ll be guided well. ☦

[@Hillbilly_Papist]

The whole time I’m listening to this with a pipe fully of Merry Monk and a cup of Barry’s Irish tea nodding my head.

[@mrsteve170]

I wasnt sad before but this video is most welcome for me at the moment

[@weshuber9124]

As the kids used to say, haters gon hate. We might not agree on all things, but we probably agree on more than we disagree. Christ’s humility is our example. God bless you and what you do.

[@PipesWithAugustine]

Amen. Absolutely. Thank you and God bless you Dr. Harrelson! ... I love the heap of tobacco tins at the bottom of your bookshelf behind you. ;)

[@dragonpugs6474]

God is good. Important video, Alan. Thank you.

[@RobertoDohnert]

One of your best videos, truly. Glad to see you hope you are well.

[@jimpm4705]

Good message imparted. The world does need more compassion and less of the self-centeredness that seems to have evolved over the past few decades. You see this every day whether it is in the pipe smoking community or just going to the grocery store. People just seem to be wrapped tightly about themselves. They forget how to be kind or accepting. The most important thing to realize is that the journey in life will always be about learning. Acceptance of the undeniable fact that we do not have all the answers is the important gateway to growth. The recognition of our own vulnerability allows us to be first kind to ourselves and then extend this compassion to others as it will come naturally. Ultimately this is the pathway to happiness in our personal life and within the greater society.

[@Adelaide1967]

Angels can fly because they take themselves so lightly -GK Chesterton

[@RasDoc89]

Bless and love

[@chriscon8463]

Great message, Alan! Thank you for relaying it. Also, I love hearing the parakeets in the background. It reminds me of growing up in my parents’ house. Our parakeets were a couple of little hellions; they would throw everything off our mantle & chirp & squawk triumphantly as they did it.

[@JohnCantey]

Thanks for sharing a great coffee story about Grandpa. Makes me think about mine. Definitely going to make a pot in the percolator and have a cup in my grandpas old cup.

[@michaelkaiser8694]

😊 Big smiles over here. Thanks brother! “Thank you Lord for Your love and Your mercy” indeed! Amen and God bless you man! 🙌

[@Einzelganger_enjoyer]

Very interesting topic to talk about

[@christophergilbert4338]

I needed this, thank you for making the video. You touched on some things I been trying to do and figure out. From 85 to now and I rececently realized that I don't have anything figured out. The more I think I know the more I realize I dont know. This helped me a lot. I won't get into a bunch of details and take up anyone's time but thank you! I like this content as much if not more than the pipe content!

[@blackrook1]

AMEN! AMEN! You have been so happy, so much at peace, and so 'present' since moving to Kentucky and subsequently joining the Catholic Church. I applaud and admire you, but most of all I am happy for you and your family! And btw, we love you back.

[@BlakesPipes]

My grandfather thought me the reason for living. I have followed it most of my life, got lost a couple times , but I am on the right track! For the rest of my life .

[@johanvandersandt8904]

God bless and take care Allan!

[@TacomaJohnsons]

Amen, my friend....

[@classicrider21]

Thanks for sharing. You are correct in your message. If you haven't watched any of Jordan Peterson's Exodus video series. I think you would enjoy that series. Stay safe and enjoy your day.

[@robertgyll1603]

Great video Sir! I’m so grateful that Christ called you and you chose to answer all them years ago. Thank you Alan and God bless you for recording these things for us to see. Keep sharing your journey, please keep sharing what you’re journeying on.

[@Cartyla]

I was once NOT a Christian. Now I am! Thank you for your content. Thank you for being a man of faith. A man of character. Your opinions are your opinions. I respect a man who has principles

[@jonmckenny8039]

Thank you! Just because someone disagrees does not mean i hate you. We just disagree. Debate requires respect and humility. Bravo sir!

[@jdiehl1004]

A lovely video. I love hearing about Pappa - reminds me of mine. I chose St. Dismas as a reminder not to complicate or over think Christianity.

[@FiremanFrach]

Hello, sir. I came to your channel because of your interview with Malcom Guite. I did not know you converted (well, honestly, I don’t much about you at all….yet). Welcome Home!

[@loymedic]

Fantastic, brother!

[@NickEvans72]

Good wishes and happiness to you and your family. The older i get the more i hope to learn , all the very best on your journey

[@thesmoovepiper4356]

Amen brother I couldn't agree with you more so true God bless you and welcome to the Church 😃👋🔥💨☕🙏❤

[@badger509]

I have strong opinions about things but there was a question posed on Twitter recently along the lines of "what is the most important lesson you learned from your father?", to which I answered not to take yourself too seriously. He never told me that, I just observed it. I think it's a really important thing to remember before you go arrogantly preaching whatever it is you're inclined to.

[@MapleGS]

this man is a regional/national treasure. legend; certified chad

[@isaacfujikawa1880]

I needed to hear this, Dr. Harrelson. Thank you so much for sharing. I love you too and am praying for you and your family. Peace.

[@joshuadarty-berry2908]

Good man keep up the good work, what a breath of fresh air.

[@mallninjarising]

Well said