First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

You Could Make This Place Beautiful

Poem by Maggie Smith

Car Fantasies

Angelenos spend a lot of time in cars. They’re like an extension of our homes. When it takes an hour to go a couple of miles, you want it to be comfortable. Lately, I’ve been having car envy, particularly for a couple of friends who own Teslas. What car are you dreaming about?

Volkswagon Beetle by Lego

The Upside of Powering Down

“The phone gives us a lot but it takes away three key elements of discovery: loneliness, uncertainty and boredom. Those have always been where creative ideas come from.” – Lynda Barry

Knitted phone by Jessica Dance

Remembering Orlando

“…And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love cannot be killed or swept aside.”
– from the sonnet by Lin-Manuel Miranda at the Tony Awards

Photo from outside the U.S. embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.

Give Yourself a Hug

Be generous with yourself. It pays off. (And if you’re questioning what you have to offer in the professional realm, check out my new career change blog post.)

Design by Adam J Kurtz

A Must Read

“My predominant feeling is one of gratitude. I have loved and been loved. I have been given much and I have given something in return. Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and adventure.”

—from Gratitude by Oliver Sacks

Jumping Out of Your Comfort Zone

Last month, I posted an image that was a declaration to those waiting to be ready to take action, to go for it now. In following up on that, I want to ask you to take a challenge this week. Do one thing that’s out of your comfort zone. And if you feel like it, share it here!

As for me, today, I assembled a side table that I recently bought at Crate & Barrel. This kind of thing is hard for me. I was glad there was no one watching for they would be rolling with laughter as I tried to make sense of the instructions and use a wrench. What would probably have taken someone else 15 minutes took me an hour and a half. But I did it. And the table is great!

Mural in Paris by Strøk

What a Day!

#imwithher

Spice it Up

I love salt. I have several varieties in my kitchen, and keep a salt grinder at the ready for use in salad and things. I’m not into overdoing it, but I find properly salted food makes me feel more satisfied and eat less. What’s your favorite spice?

Photo by Lucia Litman

Weekly Unplug

Letting go. Happy weekend!

Gif by Sasha Katz