Vol. 8: The Magic of Effort
Welcome to Volume 8 of the Tao Out Loud newsletter where we’re finding everyday magic, every day! It’s around a 15 min read, why not set some time aside for it as you would with a letter from someone you love! 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.
Small Moments, Big Magic
[2 min read]
The Magic of Changing Seasons
Autumn waits patiently on our doorstep in a freshly knit sweater. In her hands are an umbrella and a cup of something toasty.
This is Florida. The trees overhanging our street make no sudden wardrobe changes, but I am grateful for the new breeze caressing our shoulders and faces. Agreeable afternoons give way to temperate twilights. Golden minutes cast light here and over there. The nights arrive earlier too, tucking the sun into bed before it can have a meltdown or burn itself out completely. It’s been a long year for all of us, hasn’t it?
In a month the temperatures will be dancing intermittently downward, sometimes reaching back upward at will, because that’s just how it works here. The best part for me though is the showers...weeks of rain are the best gift for a writer who’s a bit of a romantic. It’s like being transported across the seas to other kingdoms, where Summer seems to Fall neatly into Winter, then Spring forth again in vibrant bloom.
The changes are subtle, indistinct, and gradual, but hard to ignore if you’re paying attention. Florida’s Autumn is coy and curious; I can’t help falling for her charms.
The Magic of Consistency
In September I took up a secret hundred-squat-a-day challenge. (Whatever possessed me does not come out by prayer and fasting.) I am squarely of the belief that I would not have continued past the first week, had my husband not looked at me on Day Two and said, “Have you been exercising?”
The Lord surely works in mysterious ways.
The challenge was supposed to be just a month. It’s almost November and I’m still going. I don’t know how much it’s done for my legs, but it has had an interesting effect on my mind. I find it hard to go to bed now without getting my squats in. 100 squats a day has become second nature. I find ways to do it even when my knee hurts, and times to get them in when my schedule is off-kilter.
I kinda like that…and this is what it boils down to. There’s a transference that happens, when you cross over the threshold between ‘this is what you promised to do’ and ‘this is the lifestyle you live.’ Now I’m not perfect. There’ve been a few times (especially after midnight) when I’ve told those squats to take a hike, and I love cookies, so of course, there’s that. But having to talk myself into breaking a habit feels times better than talking myself into making it, whether its squats, flossing, writing or consistent prayer time.
Overheard
[1 min read]
Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.
—Oswald Chambers
Our ability to feel is one of the marks of our divine origin. We need not be ashamed of either tears or laughter.
—A.W. Tozer
Nelson Mandela once said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” He was so right. When you make the effort to speak someone else’s language, even if it’s just basic phrases here and there, you are saying to them, “I understand that you have a culture and identity that exists beyond me. I see you as a human being.”
—Trevor Noah, Born a Crime
We lay aside letters never to read them again, and at last we destroy them out of discretion, and so disappears the most beautiful, the most immediate breath of life, irrevocable for ourselves and for others.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Parcel Post
[2 min read]
Letter writing and receiving has always brought me immense joy. That’s how my husband and I would correspond for years when we were courting. We’d throw in some perfume, poems, photos, or dried flowers with the words—the stuff of young romance and no social media.
But snail mailing…when did this become a thing again? I’ve discovered recently that folks on the internet (mostly Pinterest and IG) are doing the absolute most under hashtags like #outgoinghappymail #incomingmail #snailmail and #penpals: a whole subculture of letter writing rebels. Think stickers and sprigs and washi tape and raffia—like stationery and scrapbooking’s love child. Be still my fluttering paper heart.
People these days are decorating the envelopes with calligraphy and cuttings and wax seals, throwing in that good stuff we did, but also on occasion all kinds of other unusual things: hand crafts, extra stationery, packets of tea and soup, a face mask, washi samples, a sand dollar, sketches, a guitar pick, notecards, games, old book pages. I have dreams of being able to send actual mailouts to my readers each quarter with fun little gifts and treats (maybe if I ever make this is a subscription newsletter). Anybody else game for that too?
Library Haul
[1 min read]
A book I’ve been reading this month is Simon Garfield’s To the Letter, “a celebration of the intrinsic integrity of letters, which is lacking from other forms of written communication…” It explores in fascinating prose the historic ways we’ve written to each other over the centuries, and the power of letters to “grant us larger life.” See alternate covers for the book below with some of his other titles (for the eye candy).
Letter writing is an art form for curating life on paper. It’s the thought and attention put into it that make it so delicious. E-communication is so often about getting our own point across, while this snail mail phenomenon embraces happy exchange—listening, and learning and giving. Pen partnerships thrive on each doing his part. Half hearted effort won’t do. Both sender and receiver must be poured into the envelope—the sender’s intent to please, with thought to what will be happily received. I want the same for this mailer—for you to feel like I’ve poured not just myself in, but you too. That’s what makes it all worth it.
Bite-sized Bible
[1 min read but take a few more]
This one’s for the harried and the hurried. The one who’s lost their way and the one with too many ways to go. It is ok for you to slow down and it is all right for you to change, and it’s even better to go where God leads.
He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.
Psalms 23:2 NIV
Lord, these moments with You feel stolen but really they’re snatched. I am being intentional about following you; lead me to what my soul most needs. I am wont to satisfy my soul with what is easily available, with what feeds the immediate need...but this turns out to be a temporary fix.
Lead me to the refreshment that goes down to the bones; that refills the wellspring of life you’ve dug down deep within me. There restore my soul. I’ve had more than I can tolerate of temporary pleasures. I’ve found them by experience the emptiest of treasures. Lead me please to all that I don’t even know I’ve needed.
Soon to Come
[< 1 min read]
Speaking of bite-sized bible, I’ve been working hard on a project I just can’t wait to get into your hands—a 24 day advent devotional called A Holy Invitation: Reflections on Home, Hope and Hospitality. It’s based on the Instagram Advent series I wrote last Christmas but I’ve expanded it to include focus questions and reflections. Advent starts on Nov 29 this year so you’ll be hearing more about how we will be distributing it soon, and maybe get a peek inside. Stay tuned!
I’m Crushing On
This vibe from DOE giving me life and brightness:
Real fruit jewellery by Slices of Citrus. These looked so fun, I couldn’t resist showing you!
These pretty @papier notebooks, some relationship goals and a tropical oasis.
These really good chats on communication. Dr. Anita and Michael Phillips chat on communication in parenting, dating, knowing if that person is "the one", and getting up after you fall. On his podcast Dr. Dharius sits down with entrepreneur Delatorro McNeal to chat about the weight of our words. Really well worth the listen!
Decor hacks like this one. I know one chick who does most of hers with items from the dollar store. Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll send some more.
These wearable reminders by Inspire Me Bracelets:
I know the plans I have for you Jer. 29:11
Seen on this rose gold, beaded bracelet I received two Decembers ago.
Believe in yourself as much as I do
Seen on the lookalike I just had to get for my sister’s birthday.
Christmas is coming everyone. This is another great one for the list. Feel free to use my code TAOHOWARD (read: homegirl has a code ya’ll) to get 20% off. I’ll get a little something back if you do, so if you purchase let me know so I can thank you.
Love Letters
Dear Newcomers: So great to have you here! The natives are friendly and the water is fine.
Dear Readers of my latest blog about anxiety traps. I hope that big lesson from my little friend has helped you to slow down a little.
Dear Early-Bird Gifties: I am now available for commissions for digital art (you print yourself) and watercolour cards, bookmarks and small paintings for Christmas (or anything else really). Shipping is a lot slower right now so if you were thinking of having something done, please let me know early.
See you all again next month. Feel free to share your thoughts, or this newsletter with a few friends you think may like to receive it.
When body and soul are at war how can the spirit find its rest?