My wisdom teachers have included, my dog, good church people, alcoholics, drug addicts, thieves, embezzlers, murderers, sex offenders, mob wise guys, out of control kids, parents at the end of their rope, bad bosses and good bosses, people taking their last breath, three wives, multiple step children, mystics past and present, Muslims, Jews, and Christians, and bookshelves full of stories, theology, non-fiction, and religious studies.

We live in extraordinary times that call for extraordinary courage—yet most of us feel like ordinary people living ordinary lives. Sound familiar? You’re in good company. Bilbo Baggins never asked to face a dragon. Frodo didn’t volunteer to carry the Ring. Sam just wanted to tend his garden.

But that’s exactly the point.

Tolkien understood something profound: the greatest acts of courage don’t come from warriors or wizards. They come from small people who choose to show up, to keep going, to do the next right thing even when they’re terrified. From hobbits who would much rather be home by the fire.

This blog explores what The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings can teach us about living with wisdom, courage, and Spirit in today’s world. Whether you’re facing your own Misty Mountains, wrestling with your precious burdens, or simply trying to find your way home, these stories offer more than escape—they offer a map.

Here, we’ll discover how Bilbo’s reluctant adventure speaks to our fears of stepping outside our comfort zones. How Frodo’s burden illuminates our own struggles with darkness and despair. How Sam’s steadfast friendship reminds us what truly matters. And how the long defeat—fought with hope anyway—might be the most courageous stance of all.

You don’t need to be a Tolkien scholar. You just need to remember what it felt like to read these books and feel something shift inside you. That’s where we begin. And if you’ve never read the books, no worries, I provide a brief summary of whatever chapter we are focusing on.

Welcome, friend. The road goes ever on.