Kindred spirits
“If it is true for you, it is true for someone else, and you are no longer alone.” ~Colson Whitehead
If you’re a sports fan, one of the thrills of rooting for a team is the sense of unity you experience with your fellow fans. For me, reading books, magazines, and newspaper articles is another way to feel connected to humanity. Whenever I read a piece of writing that lifts my heart or gets me thinking, I believe the author and I are kindred spirits.
This happened last week when I read a fabulous New York Times column by David Brooks, who beautifully explained why studying art and the humanities can make us better people. I cheered aloud as I read it, which probably annoyed my husband. Soon after, I ordered one of the author’s books from Amazon, and will report back as soon as I finish it.
Being in touch with so many readers is the greatest reward I’ve received from writing my newspaper columns and blog posts. (Believe me, I’m not getting rich from it.) Over the years I’ve forged some lovely connections with kindred spirits who responded to something I shared. In turn, they’ve shared their own stories and viewpoints, reminding me that we’re all part of a bigger team. ~CL
Cindy La Ferle
Throughout my career, I've worked as a book production editor, travel magazine editor, features writer, and weekly newspaper columnist. My award-winning lifestyles features and essays have appeared in many national magazines and anthologies, including Newsweek, Reader's Digest, The Christian Science Monitor, Writer's Digest, Victoria, Better Homes & Gardens, Bella Grace, and more. My weekly Sunday "Life Lines" column ran for 14 years in The Daily Tribune (Royal Oak, MI) and won a First Place (Local Columns) award from the Michigan Press Association. My essay collection, Writing Home, includes 93 previously published columns and essays focusing on parenthood and family life.
