Becoming interesting and goodness from the internet

a convergence of influences

Our society disdains age. We want anti-aging products. We feel complimented when people think we are younger than we are. We pretend to be perpetually 29. But growing old can be such a gift.¹ So many people across time have not gotten to grow old; they haven’t been able to keep learning and growing and experiencing. Personally, I find old women especially fascinating. I met someone’s grandmother the other day; they were clearly enraptured with her. They told highlights from her life, some of the things she had done and endured and experienced. I once again thought of future Lisa. What history am I writing for her? 

One of my mantras for a long time has been “be interested, not interesting.” It’s a small comment that reminds me to be interested in other people, to ask questions, be curious, avoid assumptions, instead of trying to get them to be interested in me (aka, talking about myself all the time). That philosophy has not steered me wrong. No one is interested in hearing me go on about myself. But that quote only guides my interactions. When it comes to growth, personal development, growing up, I want to be an interesting person. 

Being an interesting person at 80, or even at 40 is based on what I’m doing right now today.² Being an interesting person doesn’t mean doing remarkable, spectacular things (though I hope there are a few of those), but it does mean refusing to do things because everyone else is doing them or because you’re “expected” to do them. I want to have unexpected interests. To have spent years developing competencies. To have chosen gratitude and delight and humility in the midst of all that the world is. To have layers that it takes people time to discover.

This video (and it’s a house tour) reminded me that I want to be an interesting person.³  

Then listen to Batiste perform.

I wrote about parenting my oldest son.

The Art of Gathering is one of my favorite books of the year. You can sign up for author Priya Parker’s newsletter.

I went to the beach with two other women the last weekend in September. We talked most of the weekend but we also watched Fried Green Tomatoes. Have you seen it?

Shakespeare—there’s a reason we still read/watch him performed.

Summer Brennan shared this essay by Annie Dillard and then I realized it was in a book of essays by Dillard that was on my shelf. I adore a book of essays and this one is excellent.⁴

Nerd alert: Resisting a Pure Theology

Even bigger nerd alert

Looking for a new cookbook? I’d like to buy them all. (I won’t.)

Do you have a third space?

I’ve made this turkey the past two years and am making it again this week. It’s the best turkey I’ve ever had.

The evangelical bro code

Favorite Lynchburg places

1. I’m sure we can both think of cases where this isn’t true. But I think it can be for a lot of people.

2. I’ve been on a trek to 40 ever since I turned 35. It’s felt and continues to feel like an important five years.

3. So does Galatians 6:4-5 in The Message.

4. Other favorites? Ann Patchett’s These Precious Days and The Source of Self-Regard by Toni Morrison.