Lucky to Be Alive
& how my daughter sees the world
Today’s newsletter is going to be short and sweet because I accidentally overbooked my life this month.😝
So with the little time and energy I have for this letter, I just wanted to share one tiny practice that’s been making my life better lately.
Whenever I’m in a hard moment—whether I’m feeling overwhelmed or stressed or angry—or just when I have a (rare) moment of silence, I’ve been repeating the phrase, “I’m lucky to be alive.”
(Actually, it started with spontaneously singing a similar line from a Hamilton song—which I won’t quote here because the copyright laws are weird and it’s not worth getting sued😝—but listen to this song and you can guess what lyric I usually sing.)
This practice doesn’t solve any of my problems, but it does help me remember the miracle of being alive.
Right now, at this moment, we have breath in our lungs!
We are here, fully experiencing all the joy and pain!
What a privilege to be alive.
My daughter reminds me of this privilege every day. I wish I could see the world through her eyes, but I’m glad to at least get glimpses of it. Her perspective gives me hope.
Here’s a little photo essay of the way she sees the world. I hope it makes you smile and gives you a little hope today, too.
We’re lucky to be alive.
Book Progress
THANK YOU for your excitement and support around my book topic reveal last week (here it is, in case you missed it). I can’t believe it’s finally becoming so real!
With the first draft of the manuscript finished, I am diving headfirst into like 600 other tasks at once right now. My sanity is hanging on by a thread. I think I need to slow down. But I’m just too excited!
I’ve passed off the manuscript to a handful of editors who will start giving feedback. I’m also working on a marketing plan, which may or may not include some over-the-top photo and video content that I’m already gathering props and costumes for (if you know me, you know these are the projects I live for).
Also (to my utter dismay), I’m trying to nail down the subtitle—which is HARD. How do you describe a book well enough in one little phrase to get your target audience excited and wanting to buy it!? We’ll get there eventually (I hope).
I’m also continuing to work on design and formatting.
So many things! But so much fun!
Five Faves
As of a couple days ago at brunch, I’ve rediscovered my love for a good London Fog. It’s just the coziest drink ever. I just bought a box of Earl Grey tea, and I’m going to try and make some vanilla syrup tomorrow. Will report back.
Our new record player. I know, I’m ages late to the resurgence of the record player. But I’m glad we finally got one. We only have one record, but it’s a good one. Am I the only one who thinks record players are basically magic? Like, are these things from the past or the future??
John Mark Comer’s new book, Practicing the Way of Jesus. I’m about 25 minutes into listening to it on Audible, and I already feel healed in so many ways. I’m actually leading an online 8-week women’s small group (kinda like a little book club!) on it starting in March, and I’m excited. (If you’re interested in joining us, here’s the info!)
Chocolate Sea Salt RXBARs. I never usually buy these things because they’re pricey, but I got hooked a week or two ago and they’ve been my go-to snack.
- on Substack. His writing is hilarious, creative, and refreshing. I love this piece on remembering his love for drawing and doing things we love just for fun.
Talk to you on Instagram tomorrow. 😊
Feeling lucky to be alive!
Sarah
Thanks, Sarah! And thanks for the great reminder re: being lucky to be alive -- it’s an easy thing to take for granted!
I laughed when I saw your main photo for this piece, as I'm about to write a piece with a photo of me sat in my car but holding a McDonald's bag not a coffee. Love the reminder of being grateful for life, and good luck with the book title. I agonised over mine and then went for something very practical!