Letters to Aaron Sorkin

Last year I wrote more letters to you than to my Gran. Don't think you'll mind if I use today to start getting caught up.

Best,

Laura

Image by Playingwithbrushes via Flickr, used under a Creative Commons license

I've been thinking about the idea of service lately, and this excerpt from a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speech gave me a new context for it. King talks about service as the great equalizer; anyone can serve. Anyone. I don't have to change what line of work I'm in or who I spend time with. I can look for opportunities in my community where service is needed, but I can also go throughout my day with service in mind and show up in that spirit. I believe that if people even made that small mental shift, the world would be a better place.

King's words written on the page are powerful, but nothing is like hearing him speak them. Hope you enjoy listening.

Happy New Year from a New Year's baby!  

Yes, my birthday is on New Year's Day, which always makes celebrating it a little weird. It's so close to the holidays and I'm usually traveling and people are spent from New Year's Eve. 

But I love that each year when I have a birthday, the whole world is celebrating a fresh start. They're staying up with late with Dick Clark (in America, at least) and friends and champagne and celebrating the transition from one year to the next. It's a global rebirth. In this hemisphere, it breaks up the winter and gives people a sense of energy and purpose. Can you imagine winter without our cultural reset button?

So I stayed up with Dick Clark and a dear friend and champagne. And I am hoping to remember that day, that rebirthday, later in the year if I feel stuck or that I'm losing my way. 

Do you have a favorite about the new year?

May this year bring as many fresh starts as you desire. 

Best, 

Laura