At its core, generosity is a gift.
A gift with it’s inception in the soul.
A soul with a status that is at ease.
Why settle with a tug of war?
Ashton.Gustafson
Pause by the orchid. Listen to the bluebird sing. Be love.
Monthly Archives: May 2014
Mid-Year Books and Summer Suggestions
If you’re looking for some reading this summer, here’s a few books I’ve read this year and would recommend. Enjoy.
On Looking
Alexandria Horowitz gives us all an elbowing nudge as a reminder of what we look over, look around, miss, and miss out on. You’ll see what I mean when you read her words.
Moonwalking With Einstein
You didn’t know there were such thing as mental athletes did you? This one takes some time and focus, but it’s a lovely peek into how our memory works (or how much we think we know at this time about the plumbing of the mind).
The Wisdom of Insecurity
Here’s the CliffsNotes: Anxiety is too much future in your presence and guilt and shame is too much past in your presence. Now > Then and There.
The Everything Store
A very interesting look behind the walls of a relentless company and relentless man, Jeff Bezos. They leave an empty seat in every corporate meeting as symbol of the customer being in the meeting and having a say. Love that.
Leonard da Vinci: Flights of the Mind
I left this book with two thoughts: 1) Genius is much more organic than we’ve been told and sold that it is. 2) Art is a three-way fight between man, mind, and soul.
The Innovator’s Dilemma
From here on out, here’s the winning business model: Where there’s peace, disturb it.
Memos from the Chairman
I’ll read this again and again. It’s hilarious and drills home the appreciation of the dollar, paper clips, and turning off the lights when you leave a room.
Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt Into Brilliance
This book has probably moved into my top 20 list and is the perfect read for anyone that is about to graduate from school, looking to start something, take a chance, or go after a dream.
The Fear of 1
We dream in surplus.
We often think and boast in numbers far north of 1.
We are society that high fives with thousands of ‘followers’, millions of dollars, and ‘billions and billions served.’
And yet we fear, neglect, oversee, and underestimate the simple number of one.
We fear the answer may be no, so we don’t ask once.
We don’t make time to write 20 notes, so we choose to not write one.
We don’t have time to read 10 books, so we decide to not open one.
You wouldn’t believe what one simple hello can do to one distraught soul.
One day can change a year.
One conversation can change a life.
One moment can change the world.
This is just one post that we probably need to read twice. But let us not get ahead of ourselves. This day, today, is the one we know we have.
Whatever number you’re seeking, you can’t get there without the help of or traveling through 1.
The Thing About Music Is…
…it gets shared.
…it gets talked about.
…it is enjoyed.
…it stands out from the noise.
…it sinks into your bones and makes them glow.
…it is your gift to the world.
…it is your fulfillment.
…it is your ‘it’ factor.
Does it get any better than that?
Where do the secrets of success hide?
Habits.
We’re looking for external clues when we need to be looking at our internal routines, rituals, and repetitions.
The waltz towards a big life is via small, mostly unnoticed steps.
Ashton.Gustafson 
