Seventeen years after I watched from my window as the twin towers fell, I remember a powerful message sent from a friend in Italy.
Read MoreWords to Begin or End the Week (Maira Kalman)
This week in the life of artist Maira Kalman has some very important reminders for any week to come…
Read MoreSister Corita Kent’s Visual Meditations on the Moment
Artist and renown educator Sister Corita Kent’s 1977 series around the theme of ‘the moment’ makes a heartening meditation…
Read MoreA Spider’s Lessons about Loss, Resilience and Pressing On, Regardless
In shock after the loss of a beloved tree, Susan Dworski found herself watching a spider at work on her web. It cast her loss in a different light altogether, and yielded an unexpected shift of view.
Read MoreWhen Things Fall Apart, I Turn to This Powerful Survival Manual
As the challenge that appeared in my life recently continues, I turn daily to the best survival manual I know, and this passage in particular.
Read MoreGone to Navigate a Lesson in Impermanence (Pema Chodron)
An unexpected blip in my life necessitates my taking time off from Improvised Life. Not “to relax a little”. More like a lesson in impermanence.
Read MoreAll You Have to Do (John Cage with Fast Forward)
These remarkable words by John Cage made us think of two teeny videos made by his friend Fast Forward that expand them…
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 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 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 MoreOpened at Random: Hold Still by Sally Mann
This morning, we opened Hold Still by Sally Mann at random and found this…
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 MoreRoad to Joy: Understand that the Glass is Already Broken (Achaan Chah)
Achaan Chah, the Thai meditation master, devised a simple mind-shift that loosens our grip on the impossible notions of perfection and forever.
Read MoreHow to Recycle Your Outer and Inner Garbage
The New York Times’ 6 Things You’re Recycling Wrong set us straight about a few things. But Epictetus really gets to the heart of the matter.
Read MoreOpened at Random: Twyla Tharp’s The Creative Habit on How to Be Lucky
This morning I opened “The Creative Habit, Learn It and Use It for Life” to this…
Read MoreFrom Opera to Improv: How Deborah Domanski Found Her True Voice
After years of singing professionally to great acclaim, Deborah Domanski found herself on an unexpected quest to find her true voice.
Read MoreAsking This Question Every Day Expands Your Sense of Time
Everybody I know, no matter what age or where they live, complains about how fast they feel time flying. Here’s a way to slow it down.
Read MoreThe Metaphysics of Mayo + Fast, Delish Ways to Transform Storebought
Poet, critic and theorist Fred Moten’s insights into the true nature of mayonnaise got me thinking about my favorite ways to jazz up storebought Mayo
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