“Your attention is basically a currency. And what you spend it on matters. You can spend it on outrage, and the world feels angrier. You can spend it on kindness, and the world feels a little softer. The thing is, you only have so much to spend, right? It’s a finite resource, so what will…
Category: Uncategorized
Let them be
“You know what’s underrated? Letting people be. Letting them mispronounce a word, talk too much about a show they love, or get excited about something you don’t understand. You don’t have to get it, just be kind. Everyone’s got something that lights them up. Let them shine, even if it’s not your thing.” — unknown…
Plot twist
“I hope you get a plot twist — and I hope it’s really beautiful. Like a new beginning. Or a second chance. Or the miracle you hoped for but never really expected. I hope everything changes and the light seeps in somehow. I hope you see things start to unfold. I hope your soul undergoes…
That’s what kindness is
“Because that’s not what kindness is. It’s not doing something for someone else because they can’t, but because you can.” – Andrew Iskander Today when I went to pick up some flowers at lunchtime, I couldn’t choose between a few bundles — so I decided to get all three. When I got to the register…
The call
“The world has lost Robert Redford, Jane Goodall, and Diane Keaton in one month. Three extraordinary souls who reminded us what it means to live with purpose. Their legacy is a call…to rise with kindness, to protect what is sacred, to create boldly, and to love without apology. The next chapter belongs to those brave…
Cookie class
Today I taught a few friends how to decorate cookies with royal icing — fall and Halloween-themed. And appropriately enough, this little ghost face formed as I was creating some of the icing colors. What a fun time! I loved being able to share this craft with others and pass along some of what I’ve…
Temporal
“We collect moments like we collect anything else — without thinking much about it. A hand reaching across the table. The sound of a name in a particular voice. Morning light that only exists for an hour. None of it keeps. The truth is simpler: Impermanence is not a thief. It is the thing that…
Everyday joy
“Keep a list of small, ordinary things that make you happy. A new flower from your plant-baby. That book you can’t wait to finish. When you hear something wonderful that happened to someone you love. Cultivate the habit of everyday joy. After a while, you won’t even happen to try.” —- Nanea Hoffman Nanea Hoffman…
Sorry, not sorry
“You know what breaks me? When someone is visibly excited about a a feeling or an idea or a hope or a risk taken, and they tell you about it but preface it with: “Sorry, this is dumb but…” Don’t do that. I don’t know who came here before me, or who conditioned you to…
It’s a feeling
The second trip I’m behind on documenting is New York City over St. Patrick’s Day. And this pretty much sums it up: Of course this can be said of every trip to New York for me. There is literally no place I’ve ever visited that stirs my mind and spirit the way this city does….
The gift
“Their joy – that’s the gift to you.” Not long ago, I saw a Steve Hartman segment featuring some school kids who were inspired by a Secret Santa to raise and give away literally thousands of dollars to strangers in need. (Please watch the segment here if you haven’t seen it, which includes the above…
Gentle Goals
Gentle Goals for a New Year “Wander more. Notice at least one beautiful thing a day. Take the class you’ve been thinking about. Leave your comfort zone more often so you have stories to tell when you get back. Make a new friend. Read a book that changes you. Stay loyal to yourself. Act with…
Come to think of it…
What’s something you’re grateful to have today that you didn’t have a year ago? The gratitude journal prompts continue – and day three was actually kind of hard! My first pass at the above question didn’t yield much; not much has changed from last year in terms of family, friends, job, car, house, or even…
Love you
This photo from the other evening sums up everything you need to know about my dog. I noticed the “love you” on this bench while I was waiting for Finnegan to make friends with each person he encountered at the park. So I figured I’d take a photo of him with it while he socialized….
Think about such things
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will…
Just be here
“Everyday is not an opportunity to improve yourself. Some days are just there for you to accept yourselfand look at the clouds. This too is growth.This too is rising. Just existing is enough on some days. The flowers do it everydayand make the world more beautifuljust by being here. So do you.” – Nikita Gill
Nostalgia
“One is always at home in one’s past.” – Vladimir Nabokov l’d been thinking a lot about nostalgia lately and then this National Geographic article (click here) popped into my email inbox. I was surprised by the timeliness of it – especially in light of an interesting experience I’d had recently that centered around this…
Ultimate trifecta
Thought of the day: So March 20 is the first day of Spring…and International Day of Happiness…and Fred Rogers’ birthday. That is a whole lotta goodness loaded into a single day. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Perfection? No doubt about it.
As long as we’re here
“You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.” = Walter Hagen Both of my fur-boys seem to enjoy stopping to smell the flowers. And it always reminds me to pause in appreciation. We are given so many tiny opportunities to savor, if…
When the old is new
So I post about this pretty much every year. Or at least it feels like it. And I’m totally good with it. Because some things just can’t be emphasized or lifted up enough. This is my favorite Christmas decoration — and it gets put out first in my house during the holidays. No tree, no…
Sunday Scenes
Today’s leaf report: while most colors are past their peak, there’s still quite a bit of beauty and the gingko tress are just getting warmed up. There’s still some red out there! And hearts, of course.
Smile
Day twenty-seven delight is kinda built in: World Smile Day!
Shared joy
“A dog wags his tail with his heart.” – Martin Buxbaum Day twenty-five‘s surprising delight happened on our way home from the park. The top was down and Finn was in his car seat (looking into every car window we passed) as we pulled up next to an SUV at a stoplight. When we came…
Hello, love
Day twenty-one‘s delight: a long Saturday morning walk in the park, complete with a few little love notes along the way.
Peace
Day fifteen. Good night and God bless.
hey there, friends 