Wow I love this so much… thank you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful and inviting essay. I’m excited to listen to Bocelli and Garac, what a duet. Something I’ve been doing on my lunch break is listening to album while coloring with colored pencils. It feels like such a silly thing but I always feel a little better after I’m done. My favorite album so far has been the score of Robert and Frank by Francis and the Lights.
Thank you for this, Evelyn. I love these Letters From a Creative Life. You always share exactly what I need to hear. I felt my whole body relax, even as I imagined the necessary tasks to come today -- like I don't need to rush through them, but can also embody a posture of restfulness and maybe even reverence. At least, that will be my aspiration! All while soaking up the free views out my office!
"But in between those moments—in the morning with your tea, folding laundry with music, in the evening with a book—there are opportunities to choose the soundtrack. When you start treating the prosaic moments of your life as songs worth listening to, everything begins to feel a little more alive."
I love this piece, Evelyn. And such an important reminder about choice in the everyday moments.
Music is a big part of my day - it helps me focus, reset, have a bit of fun or a silly dance and helps me set my mood and intention for the day.
I love that you have chosen to slow down a little and I bet your nervous system thanks you for it - there is too much hustle in the world as it is and (I think) we shouldn't need explosive - harsh - bass heavy tracks to motivate us to move or workout. I listened to Wham! Make it Big this morning and possibly worked harder during Careless Whisper than I ever would during Firestarter!
Oh gosh, I never thought of listening to Wham! but that's a great idea. Last Christmas has long been a fave of mine every December, so why not Wham! the rest of the year?
This is something I need to create. I need to create time …. Notice the time is more like it…that’s actually already in front of me. I need to let the spinning out of controlness in the world to spin out of my peripheral vision so I can focus on what I can control right in front of me. That’s noticing time. Time to do the things I procrastinate which are things I really want to do!
I loved what you wrote. I actually took the time to read your beautiful words. I’m glad I did that.
Beth, I am so glad this piece found you and resonated. I love the way you put it, that you aim to “notice the time.” I hope you find some small chances to do so!
This resonates so much with me. Have you heard of Bella Grace magazine? Or their writing book? Their book magazine celebrates and encourages seeing the beauty in the every day, similar to some of the experiences you describe here.
I love what you said about both of you asking what you really want to do and then sitting outside and enjoying a delicious snack with a delicious view of the sun.
It’s so important to create and enjoy “little luxuries”, as I call them (I have a draft almost ready to be published on that topic).
I loved reading this newsletter. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Marisa! I haven’t heard of Bella Grace magazine or their book but now I’ll put it on my to do list to look it up, thank you for the recommendations. I’m glad this essay spoke to you and that you’re on the same wavelength of thought, too!
"slowing down and noticing the possibility for something special in the midst of the ordinary." I love this! I also love Andrea Bocelli's songs which ai haven't listened to in awhile. Thanks for the reminder.
Just this morning, before I read this, I decided to turn off all notifications and listen to one of my favorite albums, "Astral Weeks" by Van Morrison, as a way to tell myself: "This is Sunday, take a moment to relax and read." So I loved everything you had to say about being "the artists of our ordinary lives," and am going to try to do this more often.
Also, this was just a lovely piece of writing: "I’m gliding deliciously through honey, in a moment I’ve consciously chosen to make beautiful."
Thank you for Bocelli's song. Your essay is a sort of soothing some hidden and neglectable corners of one's daily routine or life. Hope you won't spill your oatmeal as did one of my favorite British self-proclaimed scribblers with her porridge. LOL. Excuse me, but why not ask Tom to make your breakfast nook spill-free.
Love this essay so much. Thank you for the reminder to slow down. Something I'm practicing in my life. I love the song. It's beautiful. I love Andrea Boccelli. Have a peaceful Sunday.
Wow I love this so much… thank you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful and inviting essay. I’m excited to listen to Bocelli and Garac, what a duet. Something I’ve been doing on my lunch break is listening to album while coloring with colored pencils. It feels like such a silly thing but I always feel a little better after I’m done. My favorite album so far has been the score of Robert and Frank by Francis and the Lights.
I love the idea of making your lunch break a little more yours with coloring! I will also have to check out the Robert and Frank score. 💛
Thank you for this, Evelyn. I love these Letters From a Creative Life. You always share exactly what I need to hear. I felt my whole body relax, even as I imagined the necessary tasks to come today -- like I don't need to rush through them, but can also embody a posture of restfulness and maybe even reverence. At least, that will be my aspiration! All while soaking up the free views out my office!
awww, Laura! Thank you! This made me smile, knowing the letters are touching you!
Lovely! Thank you, especially for this: ‘We get to be the artists of our own ordinary lives.’
💛💛💛 Amy!
"But in between those moments—in the morning with your tea, folding laundry with music, in the evening with a book—there are opportunities to choose the soundtrack. When you start treating the prosaic moments of your life as songs worth listening to, everything begins to feel a little more alive."
I love this piece, Evelyn. And such an important reminder about choice in the everyday moments.
thank you so much, Kathryn. It makes me smile knowing you felt this deeply, too.
Music is a big part of my day - it helps me focus, reset, have a bit of fun or a silly dance and helps me set my mood and intention for the day.
I love that you have chosen to slow down a little and I bet your nervous system thanks you for it - there is too much hustle in the world as it is and (I think) we shouldn't need explosive - harsh - bass heavy tracks to motivate us to move or workout. I listened to Wham! Make it Big this morning and possibly worked harder during Careless Whisper than I ever would during Firestarter!
Oh gosh, I never thought of listening to Wham! but that's a great idea. Last Christmas has long been a fave of mine every December, so why not Wham! the rest of the year?
Yes...why not turn A Different Corner and find your Edge of Heaven with Wham! all year round!
This is beautiful, hit me right in the heart, and so important for people to tune into. Thank you 🙏🏻
aww, I am so so glad, Jenna!
Woo! Love this!
thank you, Sam!
This is something I need to create. I need to create time …. Notice the time is more like it…that’s actually already in front of me. I need to let the spinning out of controlness in the world to spin out of my peripheral vision so I can focus on what I can control right in front of me. That’s noticing time. Time to do the things I procrastinate which are things I really want to do!
I loved what you wrote. I actually took the time to read your beautiful words. I’m glad I did that.
Beth, I am so glad this piece found you and resonated. I love the way you put it, that you aim to “notice the time.” I hope you find some small chances to do so!
This resonates so much with me. Have you heard of Bella Grace magazine? Or their writing book? Their book magazine celebrates and encourages seeing the beauty in the every day, similar to some of the experiences you describe here.
I love what you said about both of you asking what you really want to do and then sitting outside and enjoying a delicious snack with a delicious view of the sun.
It’s so important to create and enjoy “little luxuries”, as I call them (I have a draft almost ready to be published on that topic).
I loved reading this newsletter. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Marisa! I haven’t heard of Bella Grace magazine or their book but now I’ll put it on my to do list to look it up, thank you for the recommendations. I’m glad this essay spoke to you and that you’re on the same wavelength of thought, too!
"slowing down and noticing the possibility for something special in the midst of the ordinary." I love this! I also love Andrea Bocelli's songs which ai haven't listened to in awhile. Thanks for the reminder.
oooh Enjoy reconnecting with Bocelli's music!
Ok but YES!!! Running while Pavaratti is belting it out feels like flying.
Right? Even though you might be going slow, it FEELS like magic is propelling your feet.
Just this morning, before I read this, I decided to turn off all notifications and listen to one of my favorite albums, "Astral Weeks" by Van Morrison, as a way to tell myself: "This is Sunday, take a moment to relax and read." So I loved everything you had to say about being "the artists of our ordinary lives," and am going to try to do this more often.
Also, this was just a lovely piece of writing: "I’m gliding deliciously through honey, in a moment I’ve consciously chosen to make beautiful."
oh my goodness, thank you, Kirthana. This means so much to me (and now I'm going to have to cue up Astral Weeks, which I've never listened to!)
Thank you for Bocelli's song. Your essay is a sort of soothing some hidden and neglectable corners of one's daily routine or life. Hope you won't spill your oatmeal as did one of my favorite British self-proclaimed scribblers with her porridge. LOL. Excuse me, but why not ask Tom to make your breakfast nook spill-free.
haha be careful what you suggest to Tom because he loves a DIY challenge... One spill-free breakfast nook, coming up!
Lovely.
thank you, Diana!
I love the invitation to pause and ask what is more lovely and satisfying to do instead of relying on the default.
In a world where it's so hard to have control over anything, we get to do THIS, you know? So happy this piece felt good to you, Susan.
Love this essay so much. Thank you for the reminder to slow down. Something I'm practicing in my life. I love the song. It's beautiful. I love Andrea Boccelli. Have a peaceful Sunday.
Sounds like a wonderful thing to do today. I'm going to walk the beach. 🏖️
thank you so much, E! I hope you have a peaceful Sunday as well. I am off to the trail to jog/walk to this song again. 💛