Rewiring for Happiness + Freedom

 

I cannot recommend these two dharma talks enough.

3 Good Things: September 18, 2021

 

1. This hilarious murder mystery (And yes, such a genre exists!)

2. "You can't control the amount of time you spend on this planet, but you can control what you contribute while you're here." Great piece by James Clear.

3. Enjoyed watching the footage from this recording. 

3 Good Things: May 28, 2021

It's the last day of school for the girls. Summer, for us, begins now! While we have a few fun trips planned, I also hope to leave a lot of white space for impromptu adventures involving water, popsicles, and time with friends and neighbors. 

A few good things:

+ Radical acceptance. I try to do a Tara Brach meditation a once or twice a week. 

+ This gave me chills.

+ Binged the final season hard. 

This

 

3 Good Things: February 25, 2021

[A new book on a sunny day.]

1. A beautiful video to go with an even more gorgeous sound.

2. A spirit of generosity.

3. Here's to small triumphs. (Reading! Baking! Returning internet purchases!)

More Search, Less Feed

I relate so strongly to this piece by Austin Kleon. Sure, the internet is a crazy place, but I do find and discover a lot of amazing things – new music, long form articles, recipes that feed my family, podcast and show suggestions, etc. The past two years, I've pledged to be more intentional with my media consumption. I'm not quite there, but my habits have definitely improved. Here's to more searching and less feeding!

3 Good Things: November 23, 2020

1. A charitable holiday gift guide. (Because lord knows, we don't need more crap.)

2. Current read. 

3. Love my new stamps.

3 Good Things: November 11, 2020

1. The nightmare is over. Let's rebuild this country.

2. A thought provoking podcast episode on agency. (Leave it to Kelly.)

3. One of my favorite musical duos discusses life in quarantine, optimism, and their new album, "Boots No. 2: The Lost Songs, Vol. 2."

6 Good Things: May 20, 2020

And by things, I mean people. Women, specifically. Their work, art, and creativity have eased my anxiety, helping make this time a tad more manageable. I hope they do the same for you.

1. Dani Shapiro

2. Kelly Corrigan

3. Courtney Martin

4. Maggie Smith

5. Kate Baer

6. Tara Brach

3 Good Things: May 14, 2020

The days are long but the weeks feel, strangely, short. No major updates or changes here. My girls continue to amaze me with their ability to play, imagine, and find joy in the smallest of things. They are teaching me so much during this time.

3 good things:

1. Never Have I Ever was the perfect pandemic show.

2. This poem feels appropriate right now.

3. I am so grateful for this daily podcast from one of my favorite authors.

3 Good Things: April 30, 2020

Tomorrow is MAY. I don't know about you, but that feels like an enormous accomplishment.

3 good things:

1. More Courtney Martin

2. Enjoying this new show.

3. Sylvan Esso shared their live WITH performance! 

3 Good Things: April 17, 2020

This week felt low and long. I don't know if it's the novelty wearing off or the weather being blah or that this is all just very very very hard.

I'm glad it's Friday because it feels like somewhat of an accomplishment. Relentless forward motion.

Some good things:

1. Fiona Apple gets a perfect 10.

2. Just finished Alexandra Fuller's two most recent memoirs. (Thanks to the free audiobook app, RBDigital.)

3. Courtney Martin strikes again.

3 Good Things: April 13, 2020

1. Beware. Think about your inputs and outputs – what you want to keep from this experience.

2. Laura Marling's new album release date got bumped up. Thank the lord!

3. Still thinking about this podcast episode.

3 Good Things: April 7, 2020

Week 4. Hope everyone is staying healthy and somewhat sane. It's certainly been a rollercoaster of emotions but our spirits are often high. I'll count that as a win! (Ask me how we are next week...)

Here's a round up of some good things:

1. A poem for us all during this time of lockdown.

2. A new show we're loving (and yes, it's much better than Tiger King).

3. Since the library's closed, I've been swapping books with friends. Currently reading this one.

3 Good Things: March 31, 2020

Over the weekend, we checked out Edible Landscaping up in Afton and came home with a small peach tree. Our drive was moody – foggy then sunny then rain. Sounds like a metaphor for life right now.

3 good things:

1. So so grateful for Rachel Meyer's yoga classes. I'm practicing every day for the first time in a long time (or maybe ever?)

2. Podcasts continue to be a lifeline for me. Especially now. The latest This American Life is heartbreaking but a must listen.

3. Current read.

3 Good Things: March 26, 2020

We let the girls run around a local peach orchard the other day. It was a much needed, colorful distraction for us all. Hoping we can actually pick peaches this summer...

A few other good things:

1. Yes, we're watching. No, we can't look away.

2. This helped me identify how/what I'm currently feeling.

3. Enjoying Ben Gibbard's virtual concerts. Don't wake me, I plan on sleeping in. 

3 Good Things: Weekend Edition

I walked with a friend for nearly 2 hours yesterday. We strolled through the quiet streets of my favorite Cville neighborhood. If you do anything during this time, please treat yourself to a walk or two a day. It's life giving!

Some other good things:

1. This spoken word is especially appropriate (and painfully beautiful.)

2. Successfully made these yummy cookies with the fam on Saturday.

3. Book recs!

3 Good Things: March 19, 2020

1. Don't waste today.

2. Can't Do Much!

3. An excellent and realistic read about what's happening right now.

3 Good Things: March 18, 2020

I don't have enough brain function to write about what's going on in the world right now, let alone how I'm feeling about it. I think we can all agree it's a sad, scary, and unknown time. However, as a world, country, and community, we're strangely united by this shared experience. And that's been somewhat comforting.

As a family, we're creating a new routine that works for us. It involves yard work, some TV, daily strolls, coloring, and a whole lot of books. Thankfully, my girls are too young to know what's going on and I plan to keep it that way. Oh to be 3!

While all of this is extremely challenging and anxiety provoking, I'm trying to find a rhythm that will ease the pain and worry. I'm taking things one day at a time, staying connected with friends and family, doing online yoga, reading fiction, getting fresh air, and going to bed at 9pm.

I desperately need a creative outlet. So, why not pick up blogging again? I plan to keep it light... a picture, some links, and of course, music. (Thank god for music in a time like this!)

So with that, here are 3 good things:

1. Kitty O'Meara's beautiful poem.

2. One of my favorite podcast episodes to date.

3. Because who doesn't love Samin Nosrat?

5 Senses

Taste: these cookies have been my go-to during the holidays

Touch: freshly washed sheets

Smell: it's grapefruit season!

See: finally watched Trevor Noah's Netflix stand-up

Hear: not ready to stop listening to my Christmas playlist