The February Collection // Special Updates
Desert Fathers and Mothers, Shadowlands & New Exclusive Benefits
Hi! I’m going to be tinkering with STILL. Jump ahead if you just want to get right into the February Collection, but stay here if you want to hear how I’m reworking things.
Let me start out by saying: I’m so glad you’re here! Thank you subscribers and, especially, Paying and Founding subscribers. Your financial contributions really help and encourage me to keep writing here and beyond.
I started this newsletter 3 months ago. Yes, things are going slowly, but people keep jumping in (welcome!). I’m grateful to have this space to share stories, reflections, and experiences. It’s a good rhythm for me, and I hope you are finding this place beneficial.
…and I want to make it even more beneficial, both for you and my creative process, which is why I’m making the following adjustments:
NEW RHYTHM FOR ALL SUBSCRIBERS
I will continue with weekly Sunday morning (usually!) posts, so things will mostly stay the same, except for one small change. While these will generally be PASSAGES posts, the last post of the month will now be the a “Collection” post (see The January Collection), including updates and links to interesting things I’m up to and digging into. The weekly Sunday posts will continue to be available to ALL SUBSCRIBERS.
(By the way, we can just count this as the last post of February even though it’s March, right?)
NEW EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS FOR PAYING/FOUNDING SUBSCRIBERS
While I was working on and waiting for The Way Home last year, I started writing another thing... I think it is my next book. I’ve decided I want to experiment with building this potential book in public to work out my thoughts and to allow it to interact with your comments and feedback. Going forward, my (currently) small, but mighty Paying/Founding Subscribers will get exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to this writing project. I’ll share stories and sections and quotes that may eventually become a book 1-2 times a month—and you’ll be the first to get to read it!
Also, Founding Subscribers will continue to get a gift when you join—a really cool limited edition STILL notebook. Get after it!
OK, thanks for sticking with me here! Would love to hear any thoughts you have about this post or any post in the comments. Also, please share about STILL with any like-hearted friends who you think may be interested. Thank you.
And now for…
The February Collection
Where I’ve Been
See Week of the Way Home for the first round of podcasts, media appearances, and more from launch week for my book. Here are a few more.
My dear friend Danya’s “The Coaching Zine.” It’s for ANYONE and is a really cool delivery system for "wisdom, care, and smiles." It was fun to make a contribution to the inaugural edition.
“How to Get Back Home,” my contribution to the Reflection App, which is filled with great content to support your process of self-inquiry and personal growth.
I shared 5 Key Insights from The Way Home with the Next Big Idea Club. Read and/or listen here.
My conversation with Kristen Manieri about the “second half” of life and other matters on the 60 Mindful Minutes podcast.
Of course, there is also The Way Home: Discovering the Hero’s Journey to Wholeness at Midlife. Available now here.
What I’m Reading
The Way of the Heart: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers by Henri Nouwen
Revisiting this beautiful, simple book that “[interweaves] the solitude, silence, and prayer of the fifth-century Egyptian Desert Fathers and Mothers with our contemporary search for an authentic spirituality.” It includes gems like this line from Abba Poemen (please excuse the dude language):
“A man may seem to be silent, but if his heart is condemning others he is babbling ceaselessly. But there may be another who talks from morning till night and yet he is truly silent.”
What I’m Listening to
Shadowlands by S. Carey and John Raymond
My most listened to album of 2023, if Spotify is to be believed. This stunning album is a collaboration between S. Carey and jazz trumpet player John Raymond. If you’re wondering who the hell is S. Carey is then I have not done my job. Sean Carey is the main sidekick of Justin Vernon in the well-known band Bon Iver (check out the two of them covering Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” below). He is an incredibly talented musician, playing piano/keyboards, the drums, and harmonizing. I’ve seen him live in Bon Iver, jamming with a jazz trio, playing solo (with a backup band), and most recently performing with John Raymond on their Shadowlands tour. Every show has been amazing.
What I’m Watching
Giannis: The Marvelous Journey
I cried like 5 times watching this true story of one of our heroes here in Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Whether or not you are into sports, this is an incredible and inspiring story about family, immigration, drive, and more.
“Before winning back-to-back MVPs and an NBA title, Giannis Antetokounmpo was an outcast, a young immigrant living with his family on the margins of society in Greece. Then, inspired by the images of NBA stars he saw in an internet café, Giannis picked up a basketball. It was the first step of an epic, heartbreaking, triumphant, and ultimately marvelous journey.”
Learn to Meditate with Me
Have I mentioned that I help people reduce stress, boost energy and focus, and tune into their purpose as a meditation teacher?
My next 3-session live online course starts on Thursday, March 7.
Space is limited.
Details here.
One Last Thing
If you’ve read my book, could you be so kind as to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads.