I am so glad I stumbled across your sub stack. So many books capturing my attention, especially the LeGuin summaries, which I will have to revisit. Thank you for your thoughtful discussions on reading and life fellow veteran!
Luci, thanks for stopping by and taking a read. I am glad you found something of value and I look forward to future thoughtful discussions on shared literary adventures! Many thanks for your service as well.
Thank you for this reflection, Matthew. It echoes much of what has been on my mind lately. I also find it difficult not to read what comes in, and so regularly have to limit my subscriptions. If you feel called to cancel mine at anytime, feel free. I always try to think that when people walk away, it is because it is the right time to do so. Wishing you health and good wishes as we move into this new year 🙏
Matthew, I really enjoyed reading this. I guess I should say that I’m honored you are still subscribed to me! I would love to sit in the corner of a café and talk books with you. 💚😊
May 2026 be a year that lets you focus on the things that matter! I suspect the decision to get off social media will be liberating. For me, the constant flood of e-mail is a never-ending challenge, one I have not mastered. I used to pride myself on being quite good about keeping up with my e-mail, but over the past few years I've more or less abandoned hope. I'm very grateful for e-mail, which lets me be in contact with people in ways I couldn't have thirty years ago, but there is just so much of it now.
Looking forward to hearing more of what you're reading.
Peter, thanks for reading and sharing some thoughts. I can already feel the difference in my body and mind after detaching from social media. E-mail can be a challenge but I am trying to aggressively curate my inbox so that only what I want is there. I have unsubscribed from all kinds of advertising and other useless junk mail. I do wish that more people in my circle communicated via e-mail rather than social media because there are people I have lost track of. But that is something of a sacrifice I am willing to make for the peace of mind and the extra mental space that is created. Going to sit down this morning and give a listen to your post on The Republic.
Kim, so great to hear from you! I hope you are doing well and I am glad this resonated with you. I think there are many who are going through a similar crisis of the mind. Wishing you a blessed 2026.
tbh I am in a spot of contemplating retirement related to family issues— and appreciate your openness about how it’s been for you and yours. Blessed 2026!
Matthew, I am honored that you still read my stack after breaking up with so many others. This post radiates all the reasons I upgraded my subscription to yours: your honesty, your integrity, your generosity and your commitment to build that small, loyal community of readers while resisting the call of numbers and money. You are modeling the values I do my best to sustain.
Rona, thank you my friend for your support and encouragement. Yes, you are stuck with me I am afraid! I love your writing and am grateful we connected. Wishing you and yours a blessed year.
Matt, I had just highlighted and shared a quote from earlier in your (excellent) piece … reading on, I’m astonished, and touched, that you included my words and your response to them. I love the way you expanded on them. Most of all, I’m uplifted … let me explain; I’ve been musing about ‘encouragement’. Last year was the fourth year I’d offered Encouragement Sessions, those hour long free mentoring chats with folk that seemed to hit the spot. While JoJo and I were travelling, I was wondering how to approach this year, beating myself up every time I thought about dropping the Sessions, those moments of ‘active’ encouragement. Your response to my earlier thoughts nudged me to think differently, perhaps to acknowledge that there’s something positive to be offered through this form of more ‘passive’ encouragement (and the ‘celebrate others’ style I hope is reflected in our weekly ‘Field Notes’). I really needed to read this right now, even if I didn’t know until I read it. A thousand thanks, my friend.
Barrie, well, I am grateful that we could be there to encourage one another. I think that is one of the very important components of meaningful friendships. I personally enjoyed my Encouragement session with you (which we should definitely repeat at some point), but I can also understand how those would be taxing and time-consuming. I have felt that you and JoJo are so wonderful at encouraging others with your words. Maybe the sessions were a specific season of your life, like your cafe was. But there are so many ways you give of yourself, and I think your weekly Field Notes is a beautiful example of that. I attempt to do that, although less frequently, in my Commonplace articles. I believe that readers really value this sort of curation that celebrates life and beauty. Keep doing what you are doing. It has real impact.
Matthew, you've reached an understanding with yourself that takes some people their entire lifetimes, and for that you will be rewarded many-fold. Your commitment to yourself will ring true for many who come to this space.
When I moved away from Arlington, Va., outside D.C., my birthplace and "home" for many decades, I made myself a promise: that every day I would seek - and find- three things: peace, joy, and something of beauty. I've now moved again within Ohio and although that move was stressful, I'm finally, once again, observing the boundaries I've set in place and finding those three things. And for those I keep (literally) a gratitude jar.
Maureen, I am so very grateful for your presence here. Thank you for reading and sharing. I continue to learn from so many others I encounter here, including you. I love this idea of three things. It really establishes a tone of contentment in your being, which can then resonate into other aspects of your life. Blessings for an abundant year!
These are the kinds of articles that have drawn me to Substack in the first place. I love reading about People's lives, their hopes and desires, successes and disappointments. It shows you the depth and beauty of human nature. I love reading about books that normally wouldn't be in my wheelhouse but are now made interesting. Same goes with music, movies, etc. A sure fire sign that someone is well-read and articulate is the ability to get others to look at things and see them in ways they might not have originally. Thanks for the insights.
Ryan, I am grateful that this collection of things had an impact on you. I also value when others curate things of interest. I don't have the bandwidth to discover all the other great stuff out there so when a trusted voice takes the time to put together a list like this it helps me discover new things as well. This is a small way for me to give back, hopefully creating an environment of reciprocity in the arts.
Matthew, regarding your New Year meditation/reflection, although our circumstances are very different, you echo many of my thoughts, feelings, and attitudes. Regarding your reading list, I was thrilled to see the first two Earthsea books. I passionately love Ursula Penguin 🐧, as I affectionately call her, and have read many of her books. If you fell in love with Tenar and Ged, subsequent Earthsea books follow them into middle age and beyond. 💖📚
Rayna, yes, I thoroughly enjoyed the Earthsea book and intend to pick up the rest of the series at some point. The copy I was reading had the third book in it but was a library book I had to return. I do own a copy of The Lathe of Heaven and plan to read that soon to continue my exploration of Ursula's writing. Thanks for being here and have a blessed year.
Katy, you are welcome and thanks for your regular presence here. It means a lot to me to see the same friends returning time and again. Keep up the great work with your publication and have a blessed year.
Guess I'll have to read the McMurtry bio - I "met" him once in the sense that i visited his one time bookshop in DC's Georgetown neighborhood (he couldn't be anywhere else in DC in those days), and I still appreciate his contribution to rehabilitating the western genre.
I enjoyed the biography and was quite surprised by much of what I read. He didn't at all fit the mold of what I had in my mind. I wish I could have visited one of his book stores while he was still alive but that didn't happen. However, I do still have lots of his books to read so I am grateful for that.
What an honest reflection Mathew. I think social media creates the conditions for comparison and competitiveness and feeds into the human need for affirmation. It can get out of control and become overwhelming. For me its about enjoyment and shouldn't be about work. I spent enough of my working life in the competitive arena of academia that nearly destroyed my values. I think Barrie is spot on with his four point list.
Lucy, many thanks for taking the time to read and share your thoughts. I am already noticing a significant improvement in my mental health and stress levels since deleting my accounts. I am able to approach this online space with much more appreciation for what it offers since I am not distracted by all the noise from the other sources. Barrie is spot on and is quite wise. Glad to have him as a friend.
I am so glad I stumbled across your sub stack. So many books capturing my attention, especially the LeGuin summaries, which I will have to revisit. Thank you for your thoughtful discussions on reading and life fellow veteran!
Luci, thanks for stopping by and taking a read. I am glad you found something of value and I look forward to future thoughtful discussions on shared literary adventures! Many thanks for your service as well.
Thank you for this reflection, Matthew. It echoes much of what has been on my mind lately. I also find it difficult not to read what comes in, and so regularly have to limit my subscriptions. If you feel called to cancel mine at anytime, feel free. I always try to think that when people walk away, it is because it is the right time to do so. Wishing you health and good wishes as we move into this new year 🙏
I won’t be canceling Kate any time soon. :) You are stuck with me I am afraid. Many blessings for you, Jon, and your kids.
😄 🌟
Matthew, I really enjoyed reading this. I guess I should say that I’m honored you are still subscribed to me! I would love to sit in the corner of a café and talk books with you. 💚😊
Don, you are stuck with me brother! One of these days we will have that cup of coffee and talk books and life.
May 2026 be a year that lets you focus on the things that matter! I suspect the decision to get off social media will be liberating. For me, the constant flood of e-mail is a never-ending challenge, one I have not mastered. I used to pride myself on being quite good about keeping up with my e-mail, but over the past few years I've more or less abandoned hope. I'm very grateful for e-mail, which lets me be in contact with people in ways I couldn't have thirty years ago, but there is just so much of it now.
Looking forward to hearing more of what you're reading.
Peter, thanks for reading and sharing some thoughts. I can already feel the difference in my body and mind after detaching from social media. E-mail can be a challenge but I am trying to aggressively curate my inbox so that only what I want is there. I have unsubscribed from all kinds of advertising and other useless junk mail. I do wish that more people in my circle communicated via e-mail rather than social media because there are people I have lost track of. But that is something of a sacrifice I am willing to make for the peace of mind and the extra mental space that is created. Going to sit down this morning and give a listen to your post on The Republic.
Matthew, I so needed this. Many thanks.
Kim, so great to hear from you! I hope you are doing well and I am glad this resonated with you. I think there are many who are going through a similar crisis of the mind. Wishing you a blessed 2026.
tbh I am in a spot of contemplating retirement related to family issues— and appreciate your openness about how it’s been for you and yours. Blessed 2026!
Matthew, I am honored that you still read my stack after breaking up with so many others. This post radiates all the reasons I upgraded my subscription to yours: your honesty, your integrity, your generosity and your commitment to build that small, loyal community of readers while resisting the call of numbers and money. You are modeling the values I do my best to sustain.
Rona, thank you my friend for your support and encouragement. Yes, you are stuck with me I am afraid! I love your writing and am grateful we connected. Wishing you and yours a blessed year.
Matt, I had just highlighted and shared a quote from earlier in your (excellent) piece … reading on, I’m astonished, and touched, that you included my words and your response to them. I love the way you expanded on them. Most of all, I’m uplifted … let me explain; I’ve been musing about ‘encouragement’. Last year was the fourth year I’d offered Encouragement Sessions, those hour long free mentoring chats with folk that seemed to hit the spot. While JoJo and I were travelling, I was wondering how to approach this year, beating myself up every time I thought about dropping the Sessions, those moments of ‘active’ encouragement. Your response to my earlier thoughts nudged me to think differently, perhaps to acknowledge that there’s something positive to be offered through this form of more ‘passive’ encouragement (and the ‘celebrate others’ style I hope is reflected in our weekly ‘Field Notes’). I really needed to read this right now, even if I didn’t know until I read it. A thousand thanks, my friend.
Barrie, well, I am grateful that we could be there to encourage one another. I think that is one of the very important components of meaningful friendships. I personally enjoyed my Encouragement session with you (which we should definitely repeat at some point), but I can also understand how those would be taxing and time-consuming. I have felt that you and JoJo are so wonderful at encouraging others with your words. Maybe the sessions were a specific season of your life, like your cafe was. But there are so many ways you give of yourself, and I think your weekly Field Notes is a beautiful example of that. I attempt to do that, although less frequently, in my Commonplace articles. I believe that readers really value this sort of curation that celebrates life and beauty. Keep doing what you are doing. It has real impact.
Matthew, you've reached an understanding with yourself that takes some people their entire lifetimes, and for that you will be rewarded many-fold. Your commitment to yourself will ring true for many who come to this space.
When I moved away from Arlington, Va., outside D.C., my birthplace and "home" for many decades, I made myself a promise: that every day I would seek - and find- three things: peace, joy, and something of beauty. I've now moved again within Ohio and although that move was stressful, I'm finally, once again, observing the boundaries I've set in place and finding those three things. And for those I keep (literally) a gratitude jar.
May peace be always with you.
Maureen, I am so very grateful for your presence here. Thank you for reading and sharing. I continue to learn from so many others I encounter here, including you. I love this idea of three things. It really establishes a tone of contentment in your being, which can then resonate into other aspects of your life. Blessings for an abundant year!
Matthew, I feel the same, and very much appreciate your presence on Substack (thank you to Jay) and fine writing.
Matt, I love this. And thank you so much my friend for letting me know the part that blueprint has played in your life.
And you know where to find some other blueprint practitioners when you need us, brother. Anytime.
-Jenks
Thanks Jenks! Much respect and blessings for a great year.
These are the kinds of articles that have drawn me to Substack in the first place. I love reading about People's lives, their hopes and desires, successes and disappointments. It shows you the depth and beauty of human nature. I love reading about books that normally wouldn't be in my wheelhouse but are now made interesting. Same goes with music, movies, etc. A sure fire sign that someone is well-read and articulate is the ability to get others to look at things and see them in ways they might not have originally. Thanks for the insights.
Ryan, I am grateful that this collection of things had an impact on you. I also value when others curate things of interest. I don't have the bandwidth to discover all the other great stuff out there so when a trusted voice takes the time to put together a list like this it helps me discover new things as well. This is a small way for me to give back, hopefully creating an environment of reciprocity in the arts.
Matthew, regarding your New Year meditation/reflection, although our circumstances are very different, you echo many of my thoughts, feelings, and attitudes. Regarding your reading list, I was thrilled to see the first two Earthsea books. I passionately love Ursula Penguin 🐧, as I affectionately call her, and have read many of her books. If you fell in love with Tenar and Ged, subsequent Earthsea books follow them into middle age and beyond. 💖📚
Rayna, yes, I thoroughly enjoyed the Earthsea book and intend to pick up the rest of the series at some point. The copy I was reading had the third book in it but was a library book I had to return. I do own a copy of The Lathe of Heaven and plan to read that soon to continue my exploration of Ursula's writing. Thanks for being here and have a blessed year.
There is much wisdom here, Matthew. In fact, you have affirmed my own decision to make some simple changes to my own newsletter. Thank you!
Katy, you are welcome and thanks for your regular presence here. It means a lot to me to see the same friends returning time and again. Keep up the great work with your publication and have a blessed year.
A fantastic prompt to reflect on today. Thank you 🙏
Thanks for reading Tyler and I hope you have a blessed year!
Guess I'll have to read the McMurtry bio - I "met" him once in the sense that i visited his one time bookshop in DC's Georgetown neighborhood (he couldn't be anywhere else in DC in those days), and I still appreciate his contribution to rehabilitating the western genre.
I enjoyed the biography and was quite surprised by much of what I read. He didn't at all fit the mold of what I had in my mind. I wish I could have visited one of his book stores while he was still alive but that didn't happen. However, I do still have lots of his books to read so I am grateful for that.
Love the photo! 😍
Good advice here. Some reminders and some new framing.
Thanks Kate! I hope you are well and have a blessed year.
What an honest reflection Mathew. I think social media creates the conditions for comparison and competitiveness and feeds into the human need for affirmation. It can get out of control and become overwhelming. For me its about enjoyment and shouldn't be about work. I spent enough of my working life in the competitive arena of academia that nearly destroyed my values. I think Barrie is spot on with his four point list.
🙏
Lucy, many thanks for taking the time to read and share your thoughts. I am already noticing a significant improvement in my mental health and stress levels since deleting my accounts. I am able to approach this online space with much more appreciation for what it offers since I am not distracted by all the noise from the other sources. Barrie is spot on and is quite wise. Glad to have him as a friend.