raise the common denominator

Happy (belated) birthday Jim Harrison

Happy Birthday to one of my favorite writers, Jim Harrison, born December 11, 1937. 

• Read Harrison's poem, "Searching" from yesterday's edition of the Writer's Almanac.
  
• Read Harrison's poem, "Before the Trip" from the Writer's Almanac. 
  
• Doug Moe: Harrison, an American literary master, does it again. Columnist explores Harrison's writing and his latest collection of novellas, The Farmer's Daughter (Wisconsin State Journal)
• Jim Harrison's Grove Atlantic author's page. 
• Publishers Weekly review of The Farmer's Daughter, published on the Ottumwa Public Library Web site.

Read this book, catch more fish

As I posted on my Zaadz blog, I just started reading Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity by David Lynch.

An "aha" with every chapter? Maybe not. But Lynch's first-hand accounts of the power and value of a regular mediation practice to fuel the creative spirit and enrich life are engaging, if not in some cases flat-out inspiring.

I'm hoping it continues to move me to just sit still and move deeper into myself on the path to catching "bigger fish" -- those big creative ideas.

The simplest paths are often the most powerful and among the hardest to follow.

Live a reading life

One way to raise the common denominator in your world is by taking every opportunity to read more and to share your a passion for reading with others. In essence, try to live a reading life. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Create easy access to books. Wouldn't it be great to have bookshelves in every  room of your home, filled with books you can't wait to read? What if there were always a stack of interesting books near your bedside of next to your favorite, most comfortable chair?
2. Take your books on the road. If you travel with a book, you'll never find yourself bored. And don't just take books with you on your vacation. Bring a book to your doctor's appointment, supermarket or any place where you might have to wait.
3. Declare "TV free" nights each week and fill those nights with reading.
4. Also, declare one day each week as "library day" so you can stock up on books for the next week.
5. Read aloud -- to your child, your spouse, your dog, your angel fish.
6. No plans at noon? Take a book to lunch. You'll never dine alone.
7. Ask friends, family members and coworkers what they're reading.
8. Go on a reading date. Take your sweetheart to the library or a bookstore, or spend the evening at home together each with your favorite book. Experience the intimacy of reading together.
9. Read a couple of pages to start and end each day.
10. Keep a book in your backpack, brief case or purse. You never know when the opportunity to read will present itself.
11. Make a reading appointment in your day planner.
12. Keep a reading journal. What are your reading? What do you hope to read next?

These are just a few simple ways to start living a reading life. What are your ideas?