What I'm thankful for this year: The art of slowing down and reading good books

Because I was born in 1995, I have lived my entire life in a world dominated by technology and an increasing push to individualize how content is consumed.

This year I am especially thankful for pushing back against those forces. This year, my wife and I gathered with dear friends several nights a week to read "The Wingfeather Saga," a series of books that tells a beautiful, redemptive story written by Christian artist Andrew Peterson. The story was great, and I would recommend the books to anyone.

But what made the biggest impact on me is our intentional decision to gather together to read. And, more importantly, to slow down and reject the modern pressure to be constant consumers.

We live in a hyper-individualized, hyper-technological age in which all outside forces push to do more, scroll more, and consume more. But there is something beautiful — indeed, deeply human — about slowing down to gather with great friends, great food, and a great story.

There is something different, after all, about listening to a story from watching one.

On the TV, the pictures are provided for us. But with books, we have to conjure up all the creative juices our brain can muster to paint the scene of the story and, ultimately, to bring it to life. The negative dopaminergic side effects of screen use aside, we have few opportunities these days to exercise these muscles, but I believe it is necessary, especially to combat the low-grade anxiety that exists in our hyperactive society.

Reading a story with a group of friends not only forces you to slow down, but it forces you to connect with one another as you share the ups and downs of a riveting plot.

As we spent months reading these books, I found myself not a consumer but a participant in the story. The story forced us to reflect on life's major questions, and in doing so, we were vulnerable with one another as it pulled from within us thoughts about good, evil, and redemption.

This is a deeply human experience that I believe is necessary to lean into, lest we fall to the idols of our age and become mere consumers — productized by Big Tech and big business — which erodes the unique parts of our humanity.

If you've never experienced it, I enjoin you in this next year to put down your phone, find a good story, and gather with friends as you enjoy it together. You'll be thankful you did.