Hello friends and damn-givers!
When was the last time you counted your blessings? Regardless of whether the last time was this morning or a year ago, I hope you spend time counting your blessings right now. Why? For starters, it can help you live a happier life. This week’s podcast guest has had a remarkable journey and has been through so much. She attributes her success to the gratitude she feels on a daily basis. More on this in a minute.
Before we move on, I want to acknowledge one horrific thing (sadly, one of MANY horrific things) happening in the world right now and give you the opportunity to respond. Earlier this week, thousands of people were swept into the sea in Libya. The photos and videos I have seen are absolutely devastating.
My friend Noor Tagouri, incredible damn-giver and past podcast guest, is from Libya and is asking people to donate to their family foundation so they can send money to the people and places who need it the most. Please consider giving on Venmo (@ISYFoundation) or PayPal (contact@isyfoundation.org). Please label your donations “Libya Relief” if/when you give. And please keep the precious people of Libya in your thoughts and prayers.
OK, let’s dive right in. Here are a few things I think you should read, watch, listen to, and consider:
🎧 PODCAST TO LISTEN TO:
The latest Let’s Give A Damn podcast conversation with Barbara Jo Jenkins was incredible! Barbara Jo is an absolute delight. 40 years ago, Barbara and Peter spent 3 years walking across America. Their lives and this trip became international news. Their book, The Walk West, became a bestseller and sold over 15 million copies! That book is now part of the permanent White House Library.
BUT there were so many things happening behind the scenes that we didn’t know about—until now. Barbara’s new book, So Long As It’s Wild, is out this week and it’s amazing! Once you pick it up, you won’t be able to put it down. Also, Dolly Parton, Connie Britton, Hilary Swank, and Jedidiah Jenkins have all endorsed it so you know it’s going to be good. Listen to our conversation on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
🎶 SONG TO LISTEN TO (OR IN THIS CASE, SONG TO WATCH):
Saturn, by my friend Sleeping At Last, is one of the most remarkable songs out there. I don’t say that lightly. Ryan’s music, in general, and this song, in particular, have inspired me to do so much of the work I’m currently doing.
Here are my favorite lyrics from this song:
You taught me the courage of stars before you left
How light carries on endlessly, even after death
With shortness of breath
You explained the infinite
And how rare and beautiful it is to even exist
That last line. So goddamn perfect.
📺 VIDEO TO WATCH:
We face a barrage of American exceptionalism on the news and in our social media feeds every damn day. Truthfully, though, we aren’t the greatest. Nor have we ever been the greatest. AND most of all, why do we feel the need to be the greatest? I was thinking about this scene from brilliant show, Newsroom. If you haven’t seen it, now is the time.
We can be better and do better. And we must! But let’s please stop pretending we’re the greatest. We’re not.
📱 ARTICLE TO READ:
“Putting things off is the biggest waste of life: it snatches away each day as it comes, and denies us the present by promising the future. The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today. You are arranging what lies in Fortune’s control, and abandoning what lies in yours. What are you looking at? To what goal are you straining? The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately.” — Seneca
Here are 7 Stoic Lessons on How to Keep Going. So helpful.
🤔 QUOTE TO PONDER:
”I see no strangers. I see no enemies. Wherever I look, I see my people.” — Guru Arjan
That’s it for this week! Thank you for reading. I'm truly grateful. Consider forward this email to a friend? Or send them this link so they can sign up. And you can always email me about anything. I’ll be back next week with good news and steps we can take together to make our world a much better place. We have a lot of work to do. Love y'all.
Peace and love,
Nick Laparra