Do you inhale?
Oh, hi friends!
I was feeling antsy and unproductive. Literally, ten minutes ago. Then I thought: How can I change my environment?
So I made a giant, strong-as-ox cup of coffee.
That didn’t do it.
So I played “Non-Stop” from Hamilton.
That didn’t do it.
Finally, I noticed my window was closed. So I opened it.
That did it.
Focus.
Sometimes all you need is a little air. And to remember to breathe, breathe, breathe.
“Once a creation has been put into the world, you have only one responsibility to its creator: be supportive. Support is not about showing how clever you are, how observant of some flaw, how incisive in your criticism. There are other people whose job it is to guide the creation, to make it work, to make it live; either they did their job or they didn’t. But that is not your problem.”
A very black-and-white take on supporting your friends’ work. From Jason Robert Brown’s story about insulting Stephen Sondheim (h/t Alex Parrish). As a young twentysomething theater artist, he saw a Sondheim musical that wasn’t great, then completely avoided talking about it during their dinner together. Sondheim (Sondheim!) was hurt and later gave him this advice on being supportive.
It's a funny balance. As you see and participate in putting more creative work into the world, it’s easy to want to play the critic. I certainly put on that hat at times. But sometimes you also just need to tell your friends: “Amazing job. I loved it.”
A Star Is Born trailer with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. I am so unexpectedly here for this. C'mon October.
Mister Rogers taught us how to radically be ourselves (by me!).
Plus, 19 other lessons the man in the iconic sweater taught us about self-care (also by me!). Most important: Always feed the fish.
No, but seriously, Won’t You Be My Neighbor? is one of the best films of the year. If this Mister Rogers documentary is playing near you—go!
How to defeat the alarm every morning. (I love Mel Robbins!)
The 25 best American plays since Angels in America.
This beautiful email exchange between Andrew Garfield and Stephen Spinella gives great insight into working on Broadway and the generosity between performers.
Mary Kathryn Nagle is a full-time lawyer and full-time playwright. Blown away. Especially love this: “I know the me from five years ago was really close to quitting.” (She is very glad she didn't.)
Sooo, what’s up with intermittent fasting? (I’ve done it! For an entire week. It’s kinda fun.) A great primer by my friend Jennifer Bradley Franklin.
Why break-ups hurt like hell. Medium is publishing fascinating work these days, including this great piece on moving on by Lesley Alderman.
Finally, this tool on testing your email subject lines is pure magic. (h/t Andrew Bui)
Do you like these daily emails? Please share with a friend!
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara