Protecting Our Time
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Hello friends, As a person who creates things for a living, I need to set boundaries around energy, attention, and time. Even from myself. That last might seem funny, but when you think about it, it’s very true. How often do we say something is important to us, but fail to make it a priority? That could be health, family, enjoyment, financial stability, creativity, spiritual practice, social justice work, or spending time with friends. How often do other things creep in, crowding out the space, time, and attention needed to center what we say we want or need? These interruptions may be something as simple as robotically scrolling through social media. They may also take the form of binge watching far too many episodes on a streaming service, or letting family barge into our meditation or creative time. In other words, we all deal with some form of this, until we finally say, “No.” That no is a boundary that helps us reclaim our space. Other boundaries come in the form of priority lists, or marking things on our calendars, with reminder alerts if necessary. And what does all of this have to do with this week’s photo of cactus flowers dotted with rain? Well, the cactus keeps itself strong and healthy by virtue of sharp spines that will impale any creature that comes too close. This enables it to bloom in season, beautifully. Our boundaries may not need to be that pointed or extreme, but perhaps for some of us, they do. So, this week, I ask: How are you protecting what feels important to you? And what boundaries help you do that? Best wishes — Thorn Secret Links! My new contemporary fantasy novel launches on Kickstarter on Tuesday. I’ve created two secret, discounted tiers with extra perks only available to my regular supporters. No one else will have access to these links. They’ll be good for the first 48 hours of the campaign, then expire. I’ll send out a reminder email Tuesday morning, pacific time, so you can check them out if you wish. For now, if you click one of the links now, it will take you to the prelaunch page where you can sign up to get alerted the minute the campaign is live. Otherwise, the links will work as intended Tuesday and Wednesday only. Thanks for your continued interest in my work! Links below: Early Bird Special Edition Hardback Early Bird Deluxe Special Edition Hardback
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T. Thorn Coyle
Hello friends, Folklore tells us of magical cities and villages that appear out of nowhere, and disappear again. I like to think that these stories are rooted in real events and real communities. I myself, have found magic in such places, time and time again. Last week, I was off grid at a lovely camping event in a small valley surrounded by tree filled mountains. There was a creek, and on the forest paths, some community members had planted ceramic toadstools, squirrels embracing acorns, and...
Hello friends, As you read this, I'm out camping with friends outside of cell and wifi range. So, to simplify things this week, I'm leaving you one photo and a podcast! First, the photo. It's from one of those moments where I'm reminded, once again, amidst the very real horrors, how much I love this world. Just look at that bumblebee on those bright pink sweat pea flowers. Amazing, yes? Photo: Bumblebee on Sweetpeas Next, I wanted to share the latest episode of Magic, Creativity, and Life....
Hello friends, There’s an artist—or perhaps an arts collective—here in the Pacific Northwest that makes wooden dragon heads with glass teeth and jeweled eyes made of old CDs. The dragons are always painted in bold colors, and attached high up wood utility poles, so it seems as if they are roaring to the sky. I love that part. The roaring to the sky, part. I also love how bright and colorful these dragons are, and how carefully thought out, even if they are made of scraps of wood and outdated...