We're here because were here.

I have a simple prayer at the beginning of this year, and every year: May this year justify our hope. -John

I give Auld Lang Syne 5 stars.

This video is going to stand in VERY stark contrast to the one I have planned for Friday and I think that's for the best...

John- a 20 minute musing on the nature of life and death that made me openly weep Hank- THIS BOBA LID LIED TO ME!! I love this sibling dynamic

I cannot express how it felt to see those seemingly perfectly timed birds fly past at the end. The thing with feathers.

I usually don't make a habit of re-listening to podcast episodes, but this one is certainly an exception. Aside from this time, I've listened to it when my friend and I were drifting apart, when I felt like my life completely lacked direction, when my boyfriend's mom was in the hospital for months, and just last week, when my boyfriend's mom passed. And I still remember the very first time I listened to it. I was cleaning the bathroom, and when I heard the line about the seas between you and the past, I just sat on the ground and cried. There is so much to be gained from the honesty and the wisdom here. I'm 19. The world is so big and I am so scared. We're here because we're here because we're here.

Thank you John. I had no idea what a journey watching that video would be but I treasured every bitter sweet moment, culminating in singing along with you in Australia with tears in my eyes and my children in the back seats of the car on the way home from the hardware store. Life is made up of these tiny moments that give you a glimpse of both your insignificance, and your significance, at least to each other. Thank you for sharing that moment with us, and with me.

“‘Cause here’s the thing: To know how it ends And still begin to sing it again As if it might turn out this time— I learned that from a friend of mine.” — Hadestown

This video is like going to the dentist for me, I dread it because I know it will hurt (emotionally) but I need to in order to clear out the plaque of nihilism that builds up in my soul as a byproduct of the modern age. But unlike the dentists, I feel better after watching it, like a weight that I didn’t notice was pulled off my shoulders, and I realize that I can stand straight again.

I am at my grandmothers house as she passes today. I needed this moment of peace and forethought today. Thank you for being here, John. ❤️

“Walk in the forest with John and soft background music” is exactly the kind of content i was hoping for this time of year

My sister made me drinking glasses with “were here because” etched into them and I love to sit around my table and share a drink with my friends and family

Honestly, it's such a good idea to have someone walk around and give out compliments.

I have, by almost any metric, had the best year of my life. After years of self hatred, I finally accepted myself, clued in my family about who I am, and found that actually, I love who I am. I'm here because I'm here, and I'll give that 5 stars.

I tried to sing along, but it came out as a low whisper because like John, it doesn’t take much to make me cry. Also I know he jokes a lot about not being able to sing but John actually has a pleasant, very nice singing voice!! And to the Green bros, nerdfighteria, and anyone else who reads this: Thank YOU ALL for being here.

I love that almost every step he took on this walk was on top of other footprints or hoof prints…little symbols of “we’re here” ❤

On the version of this video from 2020 I wrote the comment "Every time I rewatch this I cry", still true

The scenery is so pretty and goes wonderfully with the words. I also love how the sound of the footsteps were not edited out. Also, we Bengalies have a song similar to this tune and it is about old friendships and how all of the friends in said song had moved on and were mourning their past friendships. It was written by Rabindranath Tagore and is one of my favourite songs. Everytime I hear it now I think about The Anthropocene Reviewed😊

“Because love lives on, even though we do not.” Bless you, John. Also - This monologue breaks me open EVERY. DAMN. TIME. 😢

When the episode released Auld Lang Syne was the most intimate moment I ever had with an audio recording. It was so raw and powerful. I lack the words to describe it. I didn‘t expect to cry listening to one of my favorite podcasts and I didn‘t expect to sing a song I previously didn‘t know. But I did. And I‘m glad I did. Thank you, John. To old times, and better times yet ❤️