writing : blog
When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life. -Jean Shinoda Bolen Care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life. I remember going to a yoga class in Washington, D.C., on Connecticut Avenue, years ago. And I remember walking out…
Read the rest…
Imagine my surprise to wake up in Atlanta on Saturday morning to find myself on the front page of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. I like the headline: "37-Days Challenge. Author: Pick Thing, Stick to It." And an even bigger version of my slightly winded, Zen self on the front of the Living Section. If you're in or around Atlanta, I…
Read the rest…
One of my favorite artists. I want to be her. If I can't be her, I want her arms. Happy 45th birthday today, Tracy Chapman!
Day Four. My lord. Is it only Day Four? It seems like a lifetime ago that I signed that pledge. If you are faltering, just remember that this is for you. This isn't for anyone else but you. It's not for me or your Aunt Estaleen or that cute man at the Food Co-op who likes pistachios in the shell….
Read the rest…
In November, 1979, I was living in Greensboro, North Carolina, when the Greensboro Massacre took place. Members of the KKK opened fire and killed five civilians on the streets of Greensboro. As readers of Life is a Verb know, I was dating a black man in Greensboro at the time–it was a difficult time for us, a very difficult time,…
Read the rest…
It only takes 72 hours for doubt to set in, usually. "I've picked the wrong challenge." "I don't think I can do this for 37 days." "This is too hard." "I don't have time." "But I'm traveling!" "The planets are in retrograde!" "I have a headache!" As Caren wrote: "I'm not feeling so excited. I think I've done this –…
Read the rest…
Day Two is still early enough in the process that we're excited, making lists, anticipating the changes that will happen, feeling all puffed up and proud of ourselves. "We can do it!" we tell ourselves. "We're self-actualized people way up here at the top of Maslow's hierarchy!" we croon. So enjoy this honeymoon, this second day, this 2 cents worth!…
Read the rest…
I suck at consistency. I'm good at visions. Big pictures. Desires. The plot to save the world. Beginnings. I suck at consistency. Did I mention that already? Keeping it going. Finishing. I'm especially lousy at it when it is something I have promised myself. Not you, but myself. So this challenge is for me. And you, if you believe–as I…
Read the rest…
Let's do something consistently for 37 days just to see if it changes our lives. Something small. Doable. Actionable. Recognizable. Every single day for 37 days. Tomorrow we begin. What will you do? [image from here]
Spirit can walk, spirit can swim, spirit can climb, spirit can climb. There is no terrain you cannot overcome. -Irisa Hail My Amy McCracken Angel (AMA) has struck again. In my email inbox this morning, I found this from her: The funniest thing happened to me at the grocery store last night. I went to pick a carton of half…
Read the rest…
Patti Digh is the author of six books, including bestsellers Life is a Verb and Creative is a Verb. She travels the world teaching others about mindfulness: to live fully, love well, let go deeply, and make a difference. Patti's comments have appeared on PBS and in The New York Times, Fortune, the Wall Street Journal, the London Financial Times, and many other international publications. She writes a thank you note every morning.
