writing : blog
For years as a child I wore a POW/MIA bracelet with one man's name inscribed on it: Stephen Paul Hanson. Today, I am remembering him and his sacrifice on this Memorial Day. May he rest in peace. On my way home from Nebraska on Saturday, I chose a seat in the Atlanta Airport, Gate C51, beside a young soldier. As…
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On May 5th it was the birthday of a man named Mukhtar, a bus-driver in Copenhagen. This May on that date, he had no idea that a large group of people had planned to celebrate him. I burst into tears when the video got to 2:05, watching his face register what was happening. And beyond. Be mindful of others. Delight…
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My kids sometimes ask, “Mommy, what was your favorite age?” I answer truthfully, “The age I am.” Or, they ask, “What was the best time you ever had?” I explain (in simpler words – my kids are young), “I’ve had amazingly memorable times, such as each of your births. But, the best time is right now because this moment is…
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From “The Johnny Cash Show,” September 30, 1970. As Mr. Hopper points out prior to his impassioned recitation, “if” is the middle word in life. May you rest in peace, Dennis Hopper. (Thanks to Jennifer Cook for pointing me to this.)
To supplement my financial aid, I work part-time helping a woman organize her home office. She has the cutest 2 year old named Morgan. The other day, we’re eating lunch – which is generously supplied by my boss. (Bonus tip, Emma: always get a job with perks). Morgan is chomping on bite-size pieces of homemade pizza, with thick doughy crust…
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Dear Emma,? 1. Never forget the joy you first felt when you discovered art. 2. Find a few people who believe wholly in you and protect these relationships with all your might. 3. Don’t ask everyone you know for feedback. Creativity is subjective, and your art will find its tribe. 4. Your dream has its own heartbeat. Listen…
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Dear Emma, The only advice I can give you is this: do not be afraid to love. Open your heart wide. Throw back the curtains. Let the sun in. Prop the front door open, make a pitcher of lemonade, invite the world in, and have a fabulous party! You never know who you might meet. Don't be afraid to fall…
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I want you to use your voice. I want you to yell and scream and run and jump and use every bit of energy you have to race around the block, banging on drums and cymbals, car hoods and trunks, neighbors’ doors, the bells on bikes, tree stumps, and trashcans. I want you to be loud and fierce and wild,…
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Dear Emma, I hate to break this news to you, but you have maybe another four years before you get asked the proverbial “adult” question. It’s the question people will ask when they want to make some kind of sense about who you are before you even have a chance to tell them. It’s the question people ask when…
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Go broke, get lost, run out of gas, lose your job, watch your beautiful plan go down the drain… Jams arched an eyebrow. “Izzat supposed to make you a better person? Like zen or…just busted. Bobby McGee, as in.” No. No, man, I don’t think I am any better a person. Or leastways it’s not about becoming any kind of…
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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.
