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Memorial Day
“Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt There’s an important difference between Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. On Veteran’s Day we honor those who served in our U.S. military; on Memorial Day we commemorate those who died defending our country. But we might lose sight of the sobering reason for Memorial Day while we enjoy our family picnics, plant our gardens, or shop the holiday sales. So, no matter what you’re doing with your long weekend, please pause to remember the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the countless privileges we enjoy today. As novelist Cynthia Ozick wrote, “We often take for…
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Throwback Thursday: “Make music of what you can”
Good morning, friends! Today I’m re-posting an old favorite for new subscribers… I always knew I wanted to be a writer. When I was a kid, I perched in the gnarly apple tree in my backyard and scribbled stories in a notebook with lined pages. In college I majored in English and journalism, but it took a few more years to find the courage (and the income) I needed to begin a real writing career. The zig-zag path that led me here was marked with detours and littered with excuses. After graduation, I worked at other jobs where I learned some valuable lessons — including what I didn’t…
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Seize the day!
“Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.” ~Oscar Wilde Oscar Wilde wouldn’t agree, but studies show that early risers have several advantages. For starters, they typically go to bed earlier — in step with healthy circadian rhythms — and are more likely to get eight or nine hours of sleep. Researchers at Northwestern University found that early risers are slimmer, probably due to the fact that body weight is influenced by exposure to natural light. According to this study, people who had most of their daily exposure to bright light in the morning had a significantly lower body mass index (BMI) than those who had most of their light exposure…
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You are legendary
“Don’t be satisfied with stories, or how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.” ~Rumi In our celebrity driven culture, it’s easy to dismiss our own lives as unglamorous or uninteresting. But as the Sufi poet Rumi reminds us in today’s quote, comparing ourselves to others is a waste of precious time. And besides, do all those curated Instagram photos and People feature stories reveal the whole truth of “how things have gone” with others? So do yourself a favor today: Appreciate how far you’ve come. Think of all your gifts and advantages, no matter how small or large. After that, consider everything you’ve done to touch…
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Reading
“Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.” ~Mary Schmich, journalist Today’s quote reminds us that anyone who loves to read is a fellow traveler. Reading opens us to new worlds and ideas — just as touring a foreign country introduces us to different scenery and culture. Likewise, reading a good novel, biography or memoir can coax us out of self-absorption or loneliness — and away from our worries. If you’re stuck in a waiting room, for instance, a good book or magazine will help you pass the time. And as any book club member will agree, books are wonderful conversation starters. Why not visit your local library or book store…
