Although I love books, because I travel so often and like to do so lightly, I tend not to carry many with me. So, I do a lot of my reading these days online. Every once in a while I come across a longer form article or essay that really invokes deeper consideration, exploration and imagination. In an effort to keep these pieces from getting lost in the daily shuffle, I’ll be continuously updating a list of articles, essays and thoughtful pieces that move me in a significant way.

The Disease of Being Busy: By OMID SAFI

This piece speaks to something I became poignantly aware of as we traveled across Patagonia on horseback, each time we would pass by an estancia (ranch) where folks would be working, obviously doing important things, they would stop and greet us, invite us inside for mate (a type of tea) and a meal. We would share stories and time and friendship with these people who had only a moment before been complete strangers. No one was ever “too busy” to take some time and simply be with us.

“When did we forget that we are human beings, not human doings?”
“What happened to a world in which we can sit with the people we love so much and have slow conversations about the state of our heart and soul, conversations that slowly unfold, conversations with pregnant pauses and silences that we are in no rush to fill?”
“’How is your heart doing at this very moment, at this breath?’ When I ask, ‘How are you?’ that is really what I want to know.”- Omid Safi

The Journey of Transformation: By Jim Marsden

It’s in my nature to constantly balance my need to produce with my need to receive. Over the years I’ve also developed an awareness that I’m nearly always in some stage of transition and transformation continuously, and that ultimately points of transformation are brief, beautiful, timely yet also fleeting- then I’m into another state and form of transition, at least on some level. My awareness of this helps me stay in a forward motion that is generally grounded in a positive, present perspective. I’m constantly reminded that there is no “ultimate” destination of transformation to be reached, and instead we constantly ebb and flow.

This piece illuminates this idea on many levels, and also gives a bit more structure to the process, that can be a helpful reminder when we’re somewhere in the “descent”-

“By standing close to our passion and a new sense for our place in the world, we strive to bring forth our own unique expression of voice, artistry and leadership. We’re coming forth in life as much as we’re on the road back to “home.” We are constantly learning by being and doing.”- Jim Marsden