Recently, I received an email from a former student who had lovely things to say about her memories of my classroom, but who was also a few days away from her debut novel’s publication day—always exciting…and a bit surreal. I’m excited to introduce both the novel and the author to you. I’ve already read the […]
Wild Goose Festival 2011
Where do I begin? What a wonderful event! [Thanks to all the creators, organizers, speakers, and volunteers—it’s a job well done!] The Goose, modeled after the long-running Greenbelt Festival in the UK, was an attempt to gather people of all walks of life together, in one place, knowing not everyone would agree, but encouraging amicable […]
Shoveling Snow with Buddha
I’m away for the weekend, attending (and speaking at) the Wild Goose Festival in NC. I laugh every time I read this poem. It’s so delightfully simple in its storytelling, yet so profound. May we all live life so well! Here’s “Shoveling Snow with Buddha” by Billy Collins: Isn’t that great? I love what Collins […]
Someday
Starting today, I’m at the Wild Goose Festival at Shakori Hills in NC. I hope to see some of you there. For the rest of you, I’ll have a full report in next Tuesday’s post. In the meantime, I think this song (“Someday” by the Plain White T’s) represents the mission of the Goose…and mirrors […]
Loving without Caring
Sounds like an oxymoron, no? In Martha Beck’s O Magazine article this month (“I Don’t Care”), she talks about the need for “detached attachment,” which counteracts the fact that “caring—with its shades of sadness, fear, and insistence on specific outcomes—is not love.” Her eye-opening exercise? Think about it. Your loved one’s change would be icing […]