Lisa notes

8 Books I Recommend – February 2025

By LisaNotes February 4, 2025 Books I Recommend 16 Comments

“I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Here are 6 nonfiction books, 1 novel, and 1 children’s book that I recommend from my recent reads. 

[See previously recommended books here]

NONFICTION

1. Advice for Future Corpses (And Those Who Love Them)
A Practical Perspective on Death and Dying
by Sallie Tisdale

Advice for Future Corpses

I hope this doesn’t sound creepy, but this book about death and dying was fascinating to me. Tisdale’s experience as a nurse in palliative care brought a wise perspective on what to say and not to say to a dying person; how the last few weeks of life can look; what options are available for the body after death; and how to grieve for the death of a loved one or your own future death. Death is a given for each of us, so why not be better informed about it. Highly recommend!

2. Tranquility by Tuesday
9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters
by Laura Vanderkam

Tranquility by Tuesday

Another winner from Vanderkam! She offers nine strategies you can implement in your daily life, giving you a better perspective about time. I’ve already been implementing some of her suggestions and thus feel like I have more time to do the things I want to (even though the hours in a week haven’t changed). This is not a traditional time management book though. It’s about becoming more intentional about what you want out of life.

3. Stand Your Ground
A Black Feminist Reckoning with America’s Gun Problem
by Roxane Gay

Stand Your Ground

My online book club discussed this thoughtful essay from Roxane Gay—a Black feminist who has “no fondness for guns”—yet who nonetheless decided to purchase one after receiving death threats. She writes about the questions she had to ask herself (such as, “Would I actually be able to pull the trigger on a flesh and blood person?”) and the lessons she learned along the way. I appreciate her honesty and vulnerability as she explored the complexity of gun ownership.

4. Fail, Fail Again, Fail Better
by Pema Chödrön

Fail Fail Again Fail Better

I always learn truth from the wisdom of Pema Chödrön. This book is from a commencement speech she gave when her niece graduated from her university. Pema’s advice is to embrace failure as a path to growth and self-discovery instead of shame and hopelessness. It’s a small book but a powerful read for navigating uncertainty among our missteps.

5. The Heart of Nonviolent Communication
25 Keys to Shift From Separation to Connection
by Kristin K. Collier

The Heart of Nonviolent Communication

I’ve taken a deep dive into learning more about Marshall Rosenberg’s transformative approach to honest, compassionate communication. This book gives lots of real-life examples and practical insights about 25 distinctions to reframe how we communicate and view situations and relationships. I read this one slow and steady to allow it to really sink in. It was definitely worth the time. 

6. Fierce Love
A Bold Path to Ferocious Courage and Rule-Breaking Kindness That Can Heal the World
by Jacqui Lewis

Fierce Love

I heard Jacqui Lewis speak a few times last month, and could feel her sincerity and energy that she writes about in this book. She is on a mission to unite people from all walks of life to create a more loving world for everyone. This book shares her personal stories and encourages us to love more fiercely ourselves.

FICTION

7. Rez Ball
by Byron Graves

Rez Ball

This is an engaging young adult novel about Tre Brun, a teenage basketball player on the Red Lake Reservation. The plot centers on Tre and his teammates working to make it to the state championship game, but along the way you learn what reservation life can be like for young Indigenous people.

CHILDREN’S BOOK

8. I Am the Spirit of Justice
by Jemar Tisby

I Am the Spirit of Justice

This is an encouraging children’s book to show that the better nature of humans is to find equality for all. And that this better nature has been present throughout the history of the United States if we know where to look for it. This age-appropriate telling of a hard history is embedded with the arc that bends toward justice.

[Read my review here of I Am the Spirit of Justice]

WHAT I’M READING NOW

  • The Guest List
    by Lucy Foley
  • Too Much and Not Enough
    Sacred Thoughts Said Out Loud
    by Karen Shock
  • Nexus
    A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI
    by Yuval Noah Harari
  • How to End Christian Nationalism
    by Amanda Tyler
  • The Nocebo Effect
    When Words Make You Sick
    by Michael Bernstein

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What good book have you read lately? Please share in the comments.

sharing at these linkups


On the Blog – January 2025

By LisaNotes January 31, 2025 Archives No Comments

Here are brief summaries and links to posts on the blog, Lisa notes, from January 2025.

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See previous months’ archives here

Find the Courage for One Small Thing

By LisaNotes January 31, 2025 Encouragement, Ripple: One Word 2025 29 Comments

The world has felt particularly overwhelming again the past few weeks.

I’m glad I have this memory to remind me of what to do about it. . . . .

It’s been a few months now, but I remember it clearly. My uncle was in the hospital again on a dreary day.

Until a bright light entered the room. . . in the form of the hospital housekeeper. As she entered the room, she bowed to my uncle. She turned and bowed to me.

Then, as she emptied the trash cans and swept the floor, she talked with my uncle, asking how he was doing.

She said she had come from Thailand. Another friend from Thailand who worked at the hospital had helped her get this job. She was very excited to have it.

Her accent was thick; my uncle’s hearing was poor. But they continued trying to talk with each other, brightening the room more and more with each miscommunication and ring of laughter.

Even when her work was finished, she stayed a little longer and chatted.

After she left the room, the day was a lot less gloomy.

Maybe it was a small thing she did, chatting to a sick man in a hospital bed while she cleaned up his garbage.

Or maybe it was the biggest dose of medicine that he got that day.

Alice Walker wrote about it beautifully in The Color Purple:

“Helped are those who find the courage to do at least one small thing each day to help the existence of another—plant, animal, river, or human being. They shall be joined by a multitude of the timid.”

When the world feels overwhelming, I want to remember to take Walker’s advice, and be helped by being like the hospital housekeeper from Thailand.

It doesn’t take a lot to ripple kindness into the world, to improve the existence of one other thing on the planet each day. But it can help a lot.

I wonder what your one thing will be today.

I wonder what mine will be, too.

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How can you one small act of kindness ripple into the world this week? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Share 4 Somethings – January 2025

By LisaNotes January 28, 2025 Life updates 14 Comments

I love how Jennifer tweaks our prompts each year for “Share 4 Somethings.” Write your own post and link up with Jennifer here for January.

The prompts for 2025 are:

  1. Some things we loved
  2. Some things we learned
  3. Some things that went well
  4. Some things we let go of

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Some things I loved

  • TIME WITH MY SIBLINGS 

My siblings and I had another working lunch this month to talk about selling our uncle’s estate. Although the circumstances are sad, I’ve loved being in closer relationship again with my siblings throughout this process.

  • ZOOM GROUP

I had two inspiring Zoom sessions this month with an online group I’m in. We talked about and made plans for our One Words. It really helped me get more specific with my goals for Ripple this year. (And also helped me realize I need to narrow down my goals; I have too many.)

  • BABY’S 30TH BIRTHDAY

I loved celebrating my baby girl Jenna turning 30 years old on Sunday with a family dinner. She’s a fantastic human being and it’s a joy to watch how she lives out her values in this world.

 ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Some things I learned

  • TOO SHORT HAIRCUT

I learned this month I need to be more specific with my hair stylist about how I want my hair cut. She always does a great job, but this time I must have been too vague about what I wanted. Next time I’ll be more clear. But in the meantime, at least my hair will keep growing.

  • HELPERS FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Jenna and I attended a domestic violence coalition this month in our area. I was amazed at how many different groups were represented among the helpers. It made me sad that there is such a need for this, but also grateful for so many people with kind hearts, willing hands, and expert skills to help those who are in abusive situations.

  • NEW MUSIC

I learned of some new (to me) musical artists when we were on St. Simon’s Island, GA. Their thoughtful lyrics really spoke to me. For example, they sung “knowing that small things matter is no small thing.” True!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Some things that went well

  • A CLEAN COMFORTER

I finally took my bed comforter to the dry cleaners. It’s one of those things I kept putting off. But I did it, on what happened to be one of our coldest weeks, and picked it up the day before we got trapped in with snow. I’m thankful to check this task off my list.

  • SOUTHERN LIGHTS

My husband Jeff and I attended the Southern Lights gathering again this year, spending a weekend listening to great speakers/authors and having rich conversations with new and old friends. I came away renewed to stay committed to creating a more loving and compassionate world, regardless of what’s going on around us.

  • STORYWORTH WRAPUP

My year of writing personal stories for the Storyworth book that Jenna gifted us last year is almost finished. Thankfully, Storyworth gives you a few bonus months to review the stories and photos you want in your book. I hope to finalize 3 more stories, and then I’ll start the reviewing process. I’m amazed that Jeff and I actually wrote 52 stories each. It’s definitely an accomplishment for us, and proof that slow and steady does pay off.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Some things I let go of

  • BYE-BYE, NEW FRIDGE?

I’m ready to let go of my new refrigerator. Our old one died last year, so we replaced it in March with a new one. But our new fridge is very noisy and too cold, despite the repairman’s visits. They’re coming again this Friday—thankfully it’s still under warranty! But if they can’t fix it, I’m ready to start shopping for yet a different one (and I hate shopping).

  • PARTING WAYS

I’ve been sad to say goodbye to a longtime friendship this month. For a few years I’ve been asking for a conversation about a deep hurt I felt from our relationship. But she consistently refused to address it or stop the behavior. It’s painful to finally let go, but it had become more painful to stay.

  • THE LIFE I HAD PLANNED

I continue to wrestle in general and in specifics with letting go of life as I want it to be without certain losses. I committed several months ago to memorizing this quote to help me remember to accept the life I do have; it has helped.

“We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the life that is waiting for us.”
– Joseph Campbell

What are some things you are loving, things you are learning, things that have gone well, or things you’ve had to let go of this month?

Share your thoughts in the comments.

I’m linking at these blog parties

Let’s Kickstart Your One Word Journey for 2025
{One Word 2025 January Linkup}

By LisaNotes January 25, 2025 One Word Community, Ripple: One Word 2025 24 Comments

I’m excited to begin our One Word journeys together for 2025! 

Take a closer look at your One Word this month. Here are a few questions to get you started. Leave a comment below, have a conversation with a friend, or link a blog post below about anything related to your One Word.

1. WHAT DOES YOUR WORD LOOK LIKE?

Think creatively—can you photograph, draw, or design something that represents your word? Consider creating a vision board or even a vision bowl with objects that symbolize your word.

I created a vision jar, putting objects related to my word in a ripply-looking cookie jar. I’ll write a separate blog post about each item soon. It was so fun and meaningful to put this together!

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2. WHERE IS YOUR WORD?

Where can you place your word so it stays on your radar? Where have you already noticed your word showing up in your life?

I created a logo for my word Ripple to use on my blog all year. I also printed it out and taped it to my bedroom mirror, underneath my 2024 word Curiosity, which I still want to remember.

Ripple One Word 2025

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3. WHY THIS WORD?

Why did you choose this word? What challenges do you anticipate, and how might you navigate them? Write out your answers now, then save them to revisit in December. Bonus: share your reflections with at least one other person—it can spark great conversations and extra ideas!

I’m choosing Ripple as my guiding word because it represents two key ideas: taking intentional action (dropping a pebble into the water) and embracing a sense of surrender (accepting that I can’t control how the ripples spread). Both are essential for me right now.

My challenges? Fear or hopelessness sometimes hold me back from taking action, while my desire for control makes it difficult to release my grip. I’m still working on a plan to navigate these challenges.

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Today’s linkup will remain open for two weeks from Saturday, January 25, through Saturday, February 8.

Our February linkup begins on Tuesday, February 25. We’ll have new challenges and a linkup on the 25th of each month throughout 2025—mark your calendars.  

Have you chosen One Word for 2025? Why this word? Please leave a comment here.

If you’d like to receive our monthly One Word emails and ideas, join here any time of the year.

Link Up About Your One Word!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Love His Famous Quotes But Read Less Popular Ones Too – The Voice of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

By LisaNotes January 20, 2025 Book quotes, Discrimination 10 Comments

Hatred and bitterness can never cure the disease of fear; only love can do that.

Most of us have heard this famous quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

It’s a beautiful truth.

Dr. King’s words are as powerful in our decade as they were in the 1960s.

Yet King said many more things than the few famous quotes we hear the third Monday of every January. I pass along a challenge to you that was given to me some years ago: read more of King’s original works.

One of my favorites is a collection of his sermons in Strength to Love. Many of the quotes below are from that book.

You can find King’s words online and in print quite easily. If you want to further the cause of equality and love in our country, read some of these inspired words.

And then use what you read by loving those around you.

  • Whoever they are.
  • Whatever they look like.
  • Whatever they believe.

We’re all in this together.

“We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope. Only in this way shall we live without the fatigue of bitterness and the drain of resentment.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love

And if you need to hear Dr. King’s voice again, listen here.

[If you can’t see the video, watch here]

Quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“We must learn that passively to accept an unjust system is to cooperate with that system, and thereby to become a participant in its evil.”

~ * ~

“It should now be apparent that sincerity and conscientiousness in themselves are not enough. History has proven that these noble virtues may degenerate into tragic vices. Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”

~ * ~

“Our most fruitful course is to stand firm with courageous determination, move forward nonviolently amid obstacles and setbacks, accept disappointments, and cling to hope.”

~ * ~

“Courage, therefore, is the power of the mind to overcome fear. Unlike anxiety, fear has a definite object which may be faced, analyzed, attacked, and, if need be, endured.”

~ * ~

“We say that war is a consequence of hate, but close scrutiny reveals this sequence: first fear, then hate, then war, and finally deeper hatred.”

~ * ~

“Is there a cure for these annoying fears that pervert our personal lives? Yes, a deep and abiding commitment to the way of love.”

~ * ~

“Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.”

~ * ~

“We need leaders not in love with money but in love with justice. Not in love with publicity but in love with humanity.”

* * *

Have you read any of Dr. King’s writings? His “I have a dream” speech? Please share in the comments.

revised from the archives

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