Welcome to Volume 7 of the Tao Out Loud newsletter where we’re finding everyday magic, every day! If you’ve come here by chance, or a friend passed this on, I hope you’ve come to stay. Sign up below so you don’t miss a thing.
It may be because I grew up on fairytales and fables, but I’m always looking for the moral of the story. Where one is absent, what I’ve consumed becomes less satisfying. It lacks the depth that accompanies a tale underpinned by a prevailing principle. Or perhaps that’s the mark of the seeker in me, always mining for treasure in seemingly barren places, expecting something valuable to turn up unannounced. Treasure won’t come to you, you have to go get it yourself, and these tools we’ve looked at over the past few months will help. Let’s look at them one last time.
M: Mindfulness — Be present in the moment
A: Action — Do something differently
G: Gratitude — Thank God in all things
I: Imagination — Let your mind wander
C: Curiosity — Let your mind wonder
Have you used these tools to uncover any unexpected gems?
Every hero has an origin story. It’s not a mess; it’s the process.
Dwayne Howard
There are five Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and the Christian. Most people will never read the first four.”
Gipsy Smith
An imagined conversation between Joy’s sons and Jack (C.S. Lewis).
Becoming Mrs Lewis: The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis
Stories are how we relate to others, learn, and remember. I believe that no matter what “plot” each of our stories may follow, deep down we all want one thing. We want our lives to matter…
John Maxwell
Still, I wonder if we shall ever be put into songs or tales. We're in one, of course, but I mean: put into words, you know, told by the fireside, or read out of a great big book with red and black letters, years and years afterwards. And people will say: “Let's hear about Frodo and the Ring!”
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers
The Magic of Supporting Characters
Shelly verbalized my thoughts as if she had composed them. After reading The Girl With The Louding Voice one thing had become clear. It was not merely the plot, efficient writing, and brilliant characterization that determined the novel’s success. It was the people. Painstakingly and lovingly listed in Daré’s multi-page acknowledgments, are the individuals whose influence or input helped usher this breakout novel to the bestsellers’ list. That’s why I seldom skip a book’s dedication or acknowledgments. The credit given to the real-life characters in an author’s story is a reminder of how little we can really achieve on our own.
The Magic of Knowing Someone’s Story
I was moved recently by a Hollywood producer’s account of her reluctant interview with the late Hugh Heffner. Karen Covell, a Christian, loathed participating in anything celebrating the man’s sordid “achievements”, but could not deny God’s hand in positioning her for the encounter. She soon realized the story was not about the empire he had built but what led him to build it in the first place. His candor surprised her as he recounted his loveless childhood and the bunny blanket he clung to, and how that one emblem of acceptance was torn away and he was left a broken little boy. “He was looking for a love he couldn’t find,” Karen said before sharing Hugh’s own words, “‘I’m still looking for the love songs whose words are true.’”
Knowing someone’s story can put a human face on a monster, such is the power of story to evoke sympathy and demolish dividing walls. There tends in life to exist an ‘us’ and a ‘them’ but six degrees of separation is much closer than we think. Karen puts it this way “It made me first of all realize, always find out people’s stories you never know who somebody is, and second of all we can’t get at mad at people—we can’t judge them—until we know how can we love them?!” Now there’s a moral worth mentioning.
Atomic Habits, Becoming Mrs. Lewis and The Girl With The Louding Voice killed it. You can check out my initial thoughts in Volume 6. Friends, are you interested in full book reviews from me, and are there any books you’re loving that I should check out?Meanwhile, I’m back with a few more goodies.
Summer Lightning (And Other Stories)
Any of my Caribbean readers remember this one from school? Well, I’ve been reintroduced to it recently and I can’t get over how compelling a storyteller Olive Senior is. Some of you are wondering the address of the rock I’ve been under, but I’m gaining a renewed appreciation for Caribbean writers and I don’t think it’s anomalous. Black writers are being spotlighted globally. This dialect laden collection of well-paced stories was written two years after I was born, but decades later it’s still familiar as the Caribbean Sea. Snag a 14 day look (or look back) here for free.
Letters to the Nation
An aggregate of letters written to and published by Barbados’ Nation Newspaper by thought leader, Corey Worrell. This debut work is chockful of provoking stories, personal insights, and challenges to lift the reader’s gaze to purpose, potential and possibility. Letters to the Nation is available online; from bookstores or the author if in Barbados. He’ll happily sign your copy.
Good Leaders Ask Great Questions
A master of storytelling to make a point, John Maxwell does not deviate from the norm in this book of useful questions for introspection, growth, and communication. It wasn’t what I expected—which was tips on interviewing—it was in fact more enlightening. I recommend it to anyone who wants to slow herself down, develop better ideas, navigate change, challenge and improve herself, lead well through connecting well or boost her team’s effectiveness.
The Vanishing Half
I’ve heard too many good things about this Brit Bennett novel to ignore it, so it’s about to be on my hit list. Here’s what Entertainment Weekly has to say about it:
“A story of absolute, universal timelessness …For any era, it's an accomplished, affecting novel. For this moment, it's piercing, subtly wending its way toward questions about who we are and who we want to be….”
Greenlights
Available right now for preorder, Matthew McConaughey’s memoir (and razor-stubbled mug) is also in my line of sight. The book has a hidden second cover beneath the dust jacket with an illustration showing—what else but—stoplights on green. It’s a gorgeous package, about a relatively interesting guy, which always helps with book sales. I hope it lives up to the fanfare. Matthew calls it
“A love letter. To life. It’s also a guide to catching more greenlights—and to realizing that the yellows and reds eventually turn green too.”
Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling. Now we all know how important stories are in our communication, these tips may come in handy.
This story of how my favourite colour was ‘discovered’. You know, other than what was already available in rainbows and flowers…
The Bible Project’s animated videos and commentaries - I honestly can’t recommend this resource enough. It’s like Cliff’s Notes for the Greatest Story Ever Told. Nothing beats reading the original manuscript but this sure helps with the harder to grasp parts. (Y es disponible en otras idiomas.)
Chimamanda Adichie’s riveting Ted Talk on the danger of a single narrative about anything. Well worth the watch.
These bookgrams worth checking out. Read responsibly.
Bookofcinz’ recommendations, reviews and pin-worthy pics.
My young friend, Ainara’s new IG channel that’s all about representation through stories.
This to-die-for reading nook, and EH Design blog that’s oh so swoon-worthy!
These story-laden podcasts—for a range of interests.
The Millar Mix - Millenial marriage, relationships, faith, and fun
Dream Big with Bob Goff - Taking action on life’s big ambitions
Phoebe Reads A Mystery - Phoebe reads a mystery novel chapter a day
Out of the Ordinary - Surprising ways cultivating ordinary life leads to extraordinary stories
Lead Stories - Tales of leadership and life to equip and empower
Nothing Much Happens - Bedtime stories for grown-ups
This mother crafting an intentional story of identity for her son.
This list of unforgettable Caribbean reads—Bocas Lit Fest’s 100 Books That Made Us—inspired by BBC’s 100 Novels That Shaped Our World. Not only are these savory lists for bookworms, but they also comprise a sweet gallery of cover art if you’re into that kind of thing.
This tale of persistence and payoff, calculated risk, and second chances.
Love Letters
Dear Sueann: Thank you for writing one of the most popular posts on my blog: Faith is Taking Me Places. Here’s to many more adventures!
Dear Readers: Thanks to all those who are still here 7 months in, and to those who have just come along for the ride! I appreciate you and would love to hear what’s on your mind and what you’re interested in reading about from me. Feel free to drop me a comment below.