Yes, I realize it's been awhile. But, we're going to have something new to announce on Monday. It's related to this whole open your eyes and look around you thing I'm doing.
Last time we checked in, I was listening to The Art of Racing in the Rain on audio book. I finished it, and I can't say enough good things about it. Read the book, listen to the audio, whatever. It's a great work of fiction.
Some other stuff I'm reading or listening to:
. This is a free ebook that's basically an extended version of Life's Little Instruction Book. But rather than snap off a witty one-liner like "Always check for toilet paper before you sit down," this book rattles off something like "Learn how to say thank you" and then explains the cross-cultural value of thank you for a few pages. Definitely a good read.
. After reading Steven Pressfield's Do the Work, I had to read more (someday I'll actually read one of his novels or something). This book is designed to get you through the resistance that stops you from doing things. Lots of things. Like writing that book, painting that portrait, or, in my case on one day while I was reading the book, going to a meeting I didn't want to go to on a gorgeous, sunny day.
. I've been listening on and off to an audiobook version of Walden. It sounds like I'm a five-year-old getting a lecture. I appreciate the sentiment, sure. I love a good hike, and I love that I can do things like hang a door (or curtains) without the aid of a "professional," but I just don't see modernity as evil. Are there things we could change that would make our world better? Absolutely. Could we be more frugal? Certainly. Could we, as a society in general, be more skilled with our hands? No doubt. Is the solution isolation, self-reliance and a removal of the supply chain from your life? Probably not. Not even the Occupy protestors could do it without donations of things like canned food and propane canisters.
. I'd actually read this before, but with taking Rufus on a road trip, we decided to audiobook it. On the eve of the millennium, Biff – who traveled with Jesus on all his journeys – is risen from the dead to write the only truthful gospel. You know, the one that includes all those years the Bible doesn't talk about. Warning: Not for those without a sense of humor about religion.
. I just started reading this fluff fiction story. It's hysterical. The end.
What are you reading?
I recommend The War of Art to all my clients. It’s an easy read that makes you think. The type of book you can open to any page and walk away with a golden nugget.
Pressfield, the author, writes this book with the writer in mind. Then again, any profession can benefit from the thoughts of Pressfield.
He also writes a great blog.
“Lamb” is perhaps my favorite Chris Moore book. I devoured it for the first time while on a no-so-busy night float rotation during residency. I think it only took me 3 nights to finish it. And the resident that lent it to me to read? Jewish.