Serials

Alexander McCall Smith’s first chapter of the second “book” of Corduroy Mansion begins today on the internet, and a new chapter will be published every weekday through early February. Reading the opening sentence, I am quickly reminded why AMS is one of my favorite authors:

William French wine merchant, Master of Wine (failed), somewhere in his early fifties (hardly noticeably, particularly in the right light), loyal subscriber to Rural Living (although he lived quite happily in central London), long-time supporter of several good causes (he was a kind man at heart, with a strong sense of fairness), widower, dog-owner, and much else besides; the same William French looked about his flat in Corduroy Mansions, as anybody might survey his or her flat in a moment of self-assessment, of stocktaking.

Two weeks ago I started writing Kata’s Cadence, which is essentially an extension of what I have been writing for our church the Sundays that I conduct the service. Each day I write a prayer, affirmation, blessing, or brief observation. Like the rhythm of my life, the tone can vary from day to day.

A Bookfilled Journey

Life presents us with all sorts of marvelous opportunities for journeys. In recent years I had become concerned that I was reading too many self-help books. I rarely read fiction. When my aunt went into assisted living I began to send her books, mostly novels, but I was somewhat concerned about what I was sending her. For good reason!! I didn’t know they could print some of this stuff without a warning on the cover!! One of the benefits of my reading books before I gave them to my aunt was finding the works of Alexander McCall Smith and other wonderful authors.

So, when I made my New Year’s resolutions for 2009, I decided that I would read at least 52 novels. In February I added to that resolution that I would also read at least one author for each letter of the alphabet. As I have finished each book, I have listed the title and the author in my small notebook. Not only have I been reading books this year. I have also been exploring the imaginations of over 26 authors.

Directed Change

Sometimes, when we don’t have the courage to change, everything changes around us to direct us to a new path. You cannot stop yourself from growing—evolution requires it.

The Secret Daily Teachings

Seasteading

A few months ago, I wrote that if people were really concerned about global warming causing Washington DC to be under water in the future, they should take out their pencils and start redesigning the Capital now. I found a website on Seasteading. It has some interesting ideas for ocean living. The pictures are fun to look at, but I’m not sure if any of them include the New White House.

Substitutes for Self-confidence

In The Ordeal of Change, Eric Hoffer talks about how to overcome that awkwardness that most of us feel when we begin something new.

Faith, enthusiasm, and passionate intensity in general are substitutes for the self-confidence born of experience and the possession of skills.

I sometimes imagine opening up my arms wide and just flinging myself with mindless abandon.

Learners and Change

In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.

Eric Hoffer

The Gift of Change

The greatest gift from God to man is a growing mind, one that expands from day to day as the light of truth breaks upon it. Were it otherwise, were our ideas fixed and changeless, life would be intolerable and existence a sterile waste.

Abel Leighton Allen