All my best books have been written by other people.
For example: The Blue Zones, that I could have sworn I’ve told you about but, if not, no matter: I’m telling you about it now.
I listened to it on Audible and then bought a dozen copies for others, one of whom just texted me out of the blue (so to speak):
“Thank you for giving me this book — it has changed my life.”
“Really?? Tell!!”
“I’ve lost weight, have more energy, and feel so much more positive about the future.”
This got me kind of excited. I asked if he’d share with us exactly what changes he’d made to produce these results, thinking he would tell me he’s started eating more beans (as I have).
Instead:
The Blue Zones was simply life-changing. It started with a first read and being struck by the power of positive change.
Step 1: having the courage to go back to the “personal blue zone” section and TAKE THAT FIRST STEP. It took me three months to do that but I came out of the election season and on Nov. 8th woke up and realized that I was stressed and fearful. I (and so many millions) had worked so hard but I didn’t feel like it had helped — we had a very difficult Election Day in North Carolina.
Step 2: I started to walk. I walk everywhere. It clears my head, it provides a welcome and open way to interact with a friend, and has helped me to lose 12 pounds and counting.
Step 3: I keep going back to the section on the power of loving as detailed in the Sardinian Blue Zone.
Thanks for this remarkable read…..I am enormously appreciative.
Walking, for sure. I love to think this book helped.
Or maybe he just feels so much better because the tweets have stopped. Competence and integrity have been restored to our government.
To keep feeling positive about the future we need to abolish, or at least modify, the filibuster: Democrats’ Only Chance to Stop the GOP Assault on Voting Rights. (Must read; thanks, Steve!)
Certainly for things that enjoy 70% popular approval, why should a minority of senators — representing an even smaller minority of people (Idaho has as many senators as California) — be able to thwart the popular will?
Without so much as taking to the floor to actually filibuster?
Is a compromise forged in 1789 to accommodate differing views on slavery still the right balance today, when most people agree slavery is an abomination?
It’s not realistic to change the Constitution’s allocation of two senators per state. But could Washington, DC, which has more residents than Wyoming, have two, too?
And could we make America a little less of a minority-rule country by curtailing the filibuster? And end-running the Electoral College?
Expect to hear a lot more about the filibuster in the months to come.
