Profound insight disguised in simple reflection: "because it seems to me like our lives are mostly built of small, ordinary, seemingly inconsequential things". You perfectly capture the relevance and hidden magnitude of small daily decisions. It is easy to think that large decisions or even political movements are needed to effect change, yet it all starts with mustard seeds. My recent post on "How to Make a Home for Humans" echoes your theme of how our surroundings build us. I was also struck by Sister Prejean's quote - I am in the middle of reading Dead Man Walking....
Aug 29, 2023·edited Aug 29, 2023Liked by Tsh Oxenreider
Thanks so much for that generous compliment Tsh! We certainly seem to have some resonance in our themes, and I am actually sifting through that particular piece to see if I could work it down to 2000 words so that I could submit to your Common Place Quarterly. If there is any of my writing that you think might be a good fit for your publication let me know :)
This looks lovely! I’m such an external processor (while also being an introvert) that journaling is a non negotiable part of being a person for me. Almost anytime I’m out of sorts, physically, emotionally, spiritually it’s because the small “bricks” have been neglected (journal, protein, sleep, outside etc…). It’s so easy to want to fix it with a big system that feels important, when almost always I need to go back to small and more basic.
Yay! I'm excited for my copy to arrive tomorrow! Thank you for this one. Excited for the new habit of reflection it will spark. Thanks for sharing your work with us.
A lovely reflection, and needed reminders! I'm reminded of Annie Dillard's lovely and oh-so-convicting line: "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." Brick by brick, bird by bird, day by day.
Just enjoyed this post…. it was like sipping a mug of coffee in an early morning calm of the day. I am not a journaler (too many failed attempts), but I am tempted to try your version.
(Also, love your longer, wavy hair. It frames your face beautifully.)
It is so beautiful and is helping me build an evening routine of reflection. I have been writing three things I am thankful for in the mornings since you mentioned it on the podcast a long time ago but have failed to get into a habit of evening journaling and reflection. This journal has helped me create the habit because I have something to fill in before moving on to the next day. And I love the morning and evening questions. Thank you!
Yes. Thank you.
So beautiful. Thank you, Tsh.
What a lovely journal! Also, I love your handwriting. :o)
Thanks!
I call myself a writer (most days), but I've never been good at journaling. I'm going to give your journal a try!
I kinda wanted to call it, "the journal for people who wish they were better at journaling." 😉
I think that's what you accomplished with it in part, Tsh! It is a journal that asks little of you but does much for you.
A much better way to put it, Dixie! Thank you.
Great post. Well-written. I feel like you injected religion into the book Atomic Habits, and I like it.
Ha! I like that. "Atomic Habits, but religious."
Profound insight disguised in simple reflection: "because it seems to me like our lives are mostly built of small, ordinary, seemingly inconsequential things". You perfectly capture the relevance and hidden magnitude of small daily decisions. It is easy to think that large decisions or even political movements are needed to effect change, yet it all starts with mustard seeds. My recent post on "How to Make a Home for Humans" echoes your theme of how our surroundings build us. I was also struck by Sister Prejean's quote - I am in the middle of reading Dead Man Walking....
...And I'm going to post a link here, since your writing has been SO GOOD lately! If people like The Commonplace here, I think they'd also like your Substack: https://schooloftheunconformed.substack.com/p/beyond-digital-detox-how-to-make
Thanks so much for that generous compliment Tsh! We certainly seem to have some resonance in our themes, and I am actually sifting through that particular piece to see if I could work it down to 2000 words so that I could submit to your Common Place Quarterly. If there is any of my writing that you think might be a good fit for your publication let me know :)
I most definitely will!
Thank you! I'm looking forward to this!
This looks lovely! I’m such an external processor (while also being an introvert) that journaling is a non negotiable part of being a person for me. Almost anytime I’m out of sorts, physically, emotionally, spiritually it’s because the small “bricks” have been neglected (journal, protein, sleep, outside etc…). It’s so easy to want to fix it with a big system that feels important, when almost always I need to go back to small and more basic.
Yes! I know exactly what you mean. In fact, I've got an essay percolating with these exact thoughts...
Yay! I'm excited for my copy to arrive tomorrow! Thank you for this one. Excited for the new habit of reflection it will spark. Thanks for sharing your work with us.
You're so welcome, Aimee!
A lovely reflection, and needed reminders! I'm reminded of Annie Dillard's lovely and oh-so-convicting line: "How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." Brick by brick, bird by bird, day by day.
Amen and amen.
I too “want to build a life comprised of wonder, marvel, gratitude, and grace.”
My copy of your journal arrived today and I’m about to read the introduction and prepare to start it on the first of September!
I'm so glad to hear!
Just enjoyed this post…. it was like sipping a mug of coffee in an early morning calm of the day. I am not a journaler (too many failed attempts), but I am tempted to try your version.
(Also, love your longer, wavy hair. It frames your face beautifully.)
Thank you!
It is so beautiful and is helping me build an evening routine of reflection. I have been writing three things I am thankful for in the mornings since you mentioned it on the podcast a long time ago but have failed to get into a habit of evening journaling and reflection. This journal has helped me create the habit because I have something to fill in before moving on to the next day. And I love the morning and evening questions. Thank you!
I started writing in my copy this week! I love everything about it. Thank you for this treasure of reflection.