Hey 👋🏽

I had my first happy tear!

exclaimed 4.5yo, snuggled up in my left armpit. He reached over to wipe his tear on my face and squeezed me forcefully.

My happy tears came the night before, when we were reunited after 10 days apart.

I missed you like, sooo much in core in tine.

he said. I nodded and pulled him close.

In ~30 seconds of extended embrace, I felt the hope and good that’s on the other side of this thing. This thing that’s making all of us remember what matters.

Why do you get happy tears?

he asked, pulling me back to the present, not even an inch between his nose and mine.

Why do you think?

I responded, waiting.

When something is maybe bad, and then it’s over and good?

We rolled out of my bed and got dressed in pajamas. I put on lipstick for my first Zoom call. Time to get to work.

🧠learn better assorted, 26m

“Learning to learn is what experts call the “ultimate survival tool,” one of the most important talents of the modern era, the skill that precedes all other skills.” - Learn Better, Ulrich Boser

Craving focus in the midst of our shared chaos, I revisited the short list of things I’d like to learn more about this year (religion, writing, data analysis), chose one (writing) and made a lesson plan (with the help of a book and a course and the James Clear tips below). If you’re using found time to learn a new skill, I recommend revisiting how you learn first:

a simple tool to help you learn better Farnam Street, 1m
ultralearning (book summary) NJ Lifehacks, 10m
how to learn anything (book summary) Medium, 15m

❤️the science of wellbeing Yale University, 20h

Yale is offering it’s most popular class of all time for free on Coursera - and it’s all about how to be happy (thank you Mary Bowen!)

🚶🏽‍♀️change your habits James Clear, 5m

I knew our daily routines needed a makeover when my 4.5yo joined the 2nd consecutive work call with his harmonica. I remembered again when I missed my 8am EDT newsletter deadline.

James Clear offers actionable recommendations whether you’re looking to create new habits or ditch old ones.

I miss you, I love you, let me know how you’re doing,