This lovely, short, time-lapse video is a meditative reminder that the world is doing its creative thing around us, the only constant is change.
Read MoreA Guide to Eating As Many Flowers as Possible
“One of my life’s quests has been to eat as many flowers as possible” wrote Dina Falconi in her wonderful book. Then she showed us how…
Read MoreOpened at Random: Chronicles Vol 1 by Bob Dylan
This morning, we opened Chronicles Volume 1 by Bob Dylan at random and found this…
Read More10 Enduring Rules for the Creative Life (Sister Corita Kent + John Cage)
This remarkable set of 10 “rules” for creative living and working taught by Sister Corita Kent and John Cage have guided artists for over 50 years.
Read MoreOtto Zitko Makes Me Want to Paint on the Walls
Even though I will never have the mastery of Otto Zitko’s wondrous scribble-scrabble, I wanted some of the experience of it, so I figured out how and when…
Read MoreEven as Things Are Going Wrong, Thousands Are Going Right
It was one of those days, with all manner of things going awry. I posted a message on Facebook to alert readers, along with the a few lines about the strange synchronicity of challenging little events that had occurred. A reader sent back an amazing message..
For all who hit a with a blank screen, a rolling beach ball or the terrible message that Improvised Life could not be found, I apologize for the mishap, a technical glitch that took several hours to resolve.
It was one of those days, with all manner of things going awry and a fine lesson.
Read MoreBenediction for a New Year on an Ordinary Day (Neil Gaiman)
Every year around the holidays, we publish blessings and benedictions in keeping with the spirit of day. Why not have benedictions for ordinary times?
Read MoreUsing Limitations As If They Were a Tool For Your Benefit
In this unique view of constraints, not having enough —money, help, whatever— can be a good thing…
Read MoreThe How and Why of Donald Judd’s Brilliant Plywood Tables
Artist Donald Judd’s iconic plywood tables are made with materials you can get anywhere, with methods just about anybody can do: his response to the lack of useful, well-designed furniture he was unable to find.
Read MoreTsundoku, The Wonder of Books Stacked High Around You
After years of enjoying the stacks of books piled by my sofa for the random discoveries they afford, I’ve discovered there is a word for them…
Read MoreQuestions that Transform Difficult Situations (Jack Kornfield)
At the height of a crisis, a friend sent us this hugely helpful excerpt from Jack Kornfield’s wise book about becoming at ease with the difficulties of life.
Read MoreSolar Lanterns Make Lunar Magic, Sensual Bubbles and, in the end, Stars
One of the best ways we know to create outdoor lighting magic in warm months are with Shoji Solar Lanterns…
Read MoreOpened at Random: Hold Still by Sally Mann
This morning, we opened Hold Still by Sally Mann at random and found this…
Read MoreWhat to Eat When Hiking Naked and Other Essential Info
While reviewing Greenbelly Meal Bars, I also found a trove of useful information about navigating the outdoors with pleasure and ease. Even naked.
Read MoreTiny Word Bombs That Take the Top of Your Head Off
We’ve collected some two-or-three-word clusters from our readings that “take the top of our head off”, Emily Dickinson’s definition of a good poem.
Read MoreHow Hermeto Pascoal Turned a Lagoon into a Musical Instrument
On a hot day, we can think of nothing more inspiring and refreshing than Pascoal’s astonishing Musica de Lagoa, made in a lagoon…inspiration for our own summer music.
Read More2 Ideas To Evoke Charming Wabi-Sabi in Your Space
Tiny Japanese restaurant Davelle employs inspired tricks to create a “bright and thoughtful little world” and a lovely feeling of wabi-sabi.
Read MoreFind Your Address As It Was Millions of Years Ago (+ Other Perspective Expanders)
Type in any modern address to see it on earth millions of years ago, for a powerful shift of view. Then read what poet Gary Snyder has to say…
Read MoreThe Social Network of Trees
Recent research revealing altruistic communities of trees is changing the way we view Nature and the meaning of community.
Read MorePoem for the 4th of July (Mary Oliver)
On July 4, 2010, poet Mary Oliver found a whale bone on the beach and wrote a poem about it, full of ‘looking, and touching, and loving’: a fine way to celebrate independence.
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