Bridie Clark

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Archives for July 2020

July 26, 2020 by bridieclark

Kids & civics.

A highlight of my career as a book editor was getting to work with Ralph Nader on The Good Fight. (We published that book in 2004, four years after Bush-Gore, in the midst of Nader running as an independent against Bush-Kerry.) I’ll never forget this brush with a true American hero. Ralph Nader is one of the most honest, relentless, civic-minded people to work in politics, and his activist work has made all of our lives better. He is also a kind man.

It feels good just to think about Ralph Nader these days.

That’s what I was doing the other day while driving the minivan with the kids in the back. I was thinking about the sacrifices our young kids have made — not being able to go to a school they love, play on sports teams, see friends, that kind of thing. For the most part, they have taken these sacrifices in stride. You could argue that it’s because they’ve had no choice. But personally, I believe they have grasped that following the rules is the right thing to do so that everybody can feel and be safe.

As parents we worry about the effects of this Covid period on our children. The anxiety and stress and isolation it has brought into their young lives.

Yes. But it has also taught them to think beyond themselves, and to see themselves as active parts of a solution each time they don a mask, wash their hands, or miss out on things they’d enjoy doing.

It seems the antidote to a lot of what’s not working in America right now is reclaiming a sense of civic responsibility, which Ralph writes about here and many places. Less finger pointing; more looking for ways to do more for others in our own lives. Forging ahead — doing something — even when the problems feel too overwhelming and complex to tackle.

I’m not there. I don’t do enough. But I’m watching the kids in the rearview mirror, and feeling like it’s time to start.

July 26, 2020 by bridieclark

A few good things.

Love this Instagram quote from @treehuggerdotcom

My friend Aliza Fogelson published this dreamy novel, a delight to read.

This recipe has hit our dinner table weekly since March, and nobody seems sick of it yet.

What a brilliant idea: The Masters at Work book series. It was launched fairly recently by S & S publisher Jonathan Karp to offer an entertaining but super informative look into how various people became great in their chosen field. So far I’ve read Becoming a Venture Capitalist, Becoming an Architect, and Becoming a Curator. There are currently 27 careers to read about (including becoming a hair stylist, real estate agent, and life coach) and the series seems to be growing fast. Each of the books I read was well-written and researched by a veteran journalist. Great gift for a college student or someone who has read Studs Turkel’s Working many times.

My friend Lauren Wilson is offering a lovely Yoga Nidra class on Tuesday nights at 7 pm over Zoom. It’s so relaxing and she is the perfect guide. It’s also a great practice to try with kids. Conks them out before bedtime! Contact laurenwilsonpractice@gmail.com if you’re interested.

Glop some of this magical elixir on before bed (glop is really the only verb that describes the action) and top with socks you don’t care about. New feet by dawn!

Easy does it.

My weekly email focuses on practical tips that simplify life, freeing time and energy for what matters most.

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