Be the river, be the woods
RWL #419
Greetings from The University of New Hampshire! Was there an election or something? I’m writing this on Tuesday afternoon, so I don’t know the outcome, and I suspect as this is delivered on Wednesday in the wee hours, we probably still don’t know. Let me reiterate, tolerance is called for. If you’re mad, take it up with your party for running substandard candidates (they were both terrible) and tell them to pick someone better next time.
But you know who doesn’t care either way about the outcome? The river. It’s going to be just as beautiful regardless of who is in the Whitehouse come January. I was able to grab this shot a few days ago when TLW and I were out for a morning walk. I wish my soul could be as placid as the river is in this picture every day. I’m actually pretty angry right now about this election (disgusted, really, and sad), even though I’m trying to laugh it off. Of the two, I think there is a worse potential outcome, but they are both bad. We shouldn’t have to be served up “the lesser of two evils” repeatedly.
I’ll be wrapping my kayaks for the winter this weekend. I wish I could get out and paddle. Being on the water is my best meditation. I always come back a little more centered. TLW and I will still be walking this winter, and winter walks are lovely because of the angle of the light, especially in the morning, and especially on new fallen snow. The woods don’t care who is president, either. I wish I could be more like the woods.
As usual, willing good for all of you!
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Read
What: Minnesota Star Tribune, ‘Wrongful conception’ lawsuit weighs joy of unplanned child vs. liability from failed vasectomy
Why: This is funny, frustrating, and fits in the “why we can’t have nice things” subcategory of living in a litigious society.
A nurse at Minnesota Urology misread a man’s semen sample after a vasectomy. Four years later, the man’s wife got pregnant. The couple is suing for damages, including the cost of raising the child.
HT to my good friend KH-L.
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Watch
What: Big Think, The lost art of accomplishment without burnout | Cal Newport (7 min)
Why: Newport is a productivity guru. In this short video he proposes three ways to improve your productivity and satisfaction:
Do fewer things
Work at a natural pace
Obsess over quality
I’ve been thinking about my productivity a lot lately, as it has been trending down. I’m not sure why, but I’m thinking I want to try #1, which, by the way, is probably not what you think. Invest in yourself and watch the video!
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Listen
What: HBR Ideacast, Unifying Leadership in a Divided Time (30 min)
Why: An appropriately themed podcast for a day of division. How can you, as a leader, stay focused on mission instead of all the distractions outside of your influence or control? I like that he references Stoicism. That is the right attitude for this moment. Stoicism relies heavily on tolerance.