Bird by Bird, Humanity, Creativity, and the Beauty of Now

Hello friend,

Welcome to your weekly dose of Thoughts Over Coffee where I share cool things I've stumbled upon, insights I'm pondering, the books I'm currently reading, and the documentaries I'm enjoying.

Quotes I'm Pondering

"I make a point to appreciate all the little things in my life, because I learned early that if you don't, you get disappointed a lot. If you do, you might be pleasantly surprised quite often.

I go out and smell the air after a good, hard rain. I re-read passages from my favorite books. I hold the little treasures that somebody special gave me. By keeping my eyes open for unexpected joys, I find the world gives back more than we sometimes think."

—Dolly Parton

"We are not alone. We do not exist alone and we cannot create alone. What this world needs is a humanistic awakening of the desire to raise one’s life condition to a place where our actions are rooted in altruism and compassion. You cannot hide behind a profession or instrument; you have to be human. Focus your energy on becoming the best human you can be. Focus on developing empathy and compassion. Through the process you’ll tap into a wealth of inspiration rooted in the complexity and curiosity of what it means to simply exist on this planet."

—Herbie Hancock

What I'm Currently Reading

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, It’s one of those books that feels like a quiet companion when you’re working on something big, whether it’s a creative project or just navigating the ups and downs of life. The title comes from a story about Anne Lamott’s brother, who was struggling with a school assignment on birds. Their father told him to take it “bird by bird,” reminding him to break down overwhelming tasks into manageable steps.

What strikes me about this book is how her reflections go beyond writing. It’s about how we approach anything that feels too big, how we need to let go of the pressure to get everything perfect, and instead just show up and keep moving forward, bit by bit. Her advice speaks to me, especially when life’s challenges feel like they’re piling up.

One of my favorite quotes from the book:

"Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come."

I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.

Weekend Wish

May your weekend be filled with peace and joy.

Enjoyed this week’s edition? Feel free to share it with a friend, or let me know your thoughts—I always love hearing from you.

Until next week,

Big Love,

Magdaline