Hey 👋

Why do people go to the ballet?

I wondered to myself while being head butted at The Nutcracker. Oliver climbed into my lap to get back in my good graces after holding a wind up toy to my ear. “I’m trying to relax you,” he shout whispered as he thumped his head into mine, pausing to lean over and shh his friend splayed out over the two seats next to us.

Why though?

Then the snowflakes began to waltz. Both 4.5 year olds sat up at attention to ahh and ohh, hands over mouth, doe eyes directed at the leaping, spinning, swaying dancers as fake snow sprinkled the stage.

For a moment, we were all still and attentive, watching, wondering, marveling.

Then the curtain came down. “I’m hungry,” one or both of them said.

The magic only lasted a moment, but it was there. Some more magic for you, this week:

🧠Think: Joy by Zadie Smith The New York Review of Books, 10m

In this essay, Zadie examines the difference between pleasure and joy. A great read during a season likely filled with both.

If you’re in the car for awhile this holiday week, I highly recommend Ben Horowitz’s recent episode of the a16z podcast: The Stories and Code of Culture Change 1h

❤️Feel: like the end of your favorite Christmas movie

A 5-7m collection of holiday joy (or pleasure?)

The Tree, a 2006 Christmas classic Youtube, 1m
A reminder of what kids actually need on Christmas Twitter, 1m
Subway strangers singing the Mariah classic Instagram, 1m
Leah Lamarr + Boz II Menorah wishing you a Happy Hannukah Instagram, 3m
This subtweet about Netflix throwing shade at Hallmark Christmas movies via my coworker Katie Parrot, Twitter, 1m

🚶🏽‍♀️Do: get some rest

If you’re hesitating to slow down for a minute at the end of the year, remember: Darwin was a slacker, and you should be too. Nautilus, 20m

“Even in today’s 24/7, always-on world, we can blend work and rest together in ways that make us smarter, more creative, and happier.”

I see you, I love you, let’s have a magical week.

P.S. on my blog this week: checking the mail.

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