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Hello friends, What happens when we’re not inspired? Or worse, what happens when we’re downtrodden, or exhausted, or want to give up? Well… Rest is always a good option when we can make space for it. Refilling the well is another strategy: going for a walk, reading a novel, listening to music, sitting under a tree, watching a movie, meditating… Other times, we have to adult, don’t we? The thing I’ve learned though, is that adulting goes better if I don’t carry the attitude that this sucks and everything is a grind. We don’t always have to feel inspired, we can show up because we’ve committed to something. We commit to family, community, spiritual practice, creative practice, work, nature, or ourselves. That’s all important. I don’t feel inspired today—as a matter of fact, I feel a bit tired—but here I am, committed to communicating with you. I will also get at least a short writing session in on my current novel, plus edit some audio. Maybe I’ll do some other business tasks, too. That’s a big maybe, but I’m keeping my options open. I’ll likely go for a walk, because that’s one of my other commitments. But I’m also not going to push too hard. When I’m in the flow of inspiration, energy rises, and vice versa. When I have more energy, inspiration is easier to access. Today, my energy feels low, but I’m doing my best to stay curious. How about you? How are your current life conditions and energy reserves? What helps you recommit or feel inspired? When inspiration fails, we still have life. I’m going to remember that. Best wishes — Thorn
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Hello friends, James Baldwin is one of my favorite writers. He was also a massively intelligent and cogent thinker, who held great insight into the human condition. Baldwin saw in us a breathtaking capacity for love, he also gazed unflinchingly at the worst parts of humanity, mostly our bigotry and greed. Along with his writing, teaching, and activism, Baldwin fought for a life in which he had time and space to do the deep thinking that gave rise to his insights. He also danced with friends,...
Hello friends, “The search for love continues even in the face of great odds” the paper stapled to the battered wood of a utility pole read. I paused en route to lunch with an old friend to ponder the message. I am not certain whether the person who made the sign referred to the personal, intimate, partnership type of love, or the love of friends or family, or some other kind of love. But the reason the sign made me pause is that to me, it spoke of hope. Odds seem stacked against us. Rights...
Hello friends, There I was, on our tiny back mud porch—earbuds in, writing business podcast queued up—putting my boots on. A strange, metallic noise sounded from the back garden. I looked up. A crow was at the birdbath. Not the source. I shrugged, slung my bag with my writing paraphernalia over my shoulder, pressed play on the podcast, and stepped out. The strange sound cut through the podcast voices. Pulling an earbud out, I found the source: a squirrel on the fence, busily grabbing,...