The BLUGH: January 22, 2025
“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.”
I don’t know a lot about the 34th president of the USA, but I do know that Conan had a mug of his face on his desk for years, solidifying Eisenhower as an important world leader in my view. One thing I DO know is that “I like Ike” is a fantastic campaign slogan, far superior to those of his election opponents. Robert A. Taft’s 1952 slogan, “I swab for Bob,”* and Adlai Stevenson II’s 1956 atrocity, “I’d lay with Adlai,”** simply do not make for good pins.
When I feel shaken or stirred by the events of late or the events of ever (ain’t it always something?), something that helps me is taking stock of my values. Without a firm grasp about what I find important, the uncertainty of life is very hard to navigate. Values are the sails to my ship! Oh and pro tip: values can develop and change and that is ok.
*fictional, made up by me.
**also fictional. Sorry.
PRODUCT RECOMMENDATION
No purchase necessary! I came across Stephanie Harrison on Instagram a few years ago and was a big fan straight away because she is a visual queen and creates simple but effective artwork to convey her philosophy on happiness. She has tons of great resources including a newsletter, a book, and tools like her values wheel. Worth a look if you ask me!
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COMBINED FEATURE: BOOK RECOMMENDATION + TO WATCH
If you’ve been here, you’ve already know that the book, A New Earth is very dear to me. It’s very dear to Oprah too! She values this book so much that she has picked it for her book club AGAIN and is syndicating new episodes. First episode here! The book club is SPONSORED BY STARBUCKS AND DON’T YOU FORGET IT. It’s funny how they work the coffee cameos in but hey, if it helps spread the Eckhart of it Tolle, then I am fine with it.
WARNING: if you watch if you are likely to feel an immediate sense of peace!
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October 2024
Dahlias! NAME A MORE BEAUTIFUL FLOWER!
Last fall, I had a stereotypically perfect upstate weekend with our friends, Lisa and Matt, which included apple picking. At the orchard there were some people selling dahlias which are the perfect flower imho.