Letter no. 3

This week on On Creative Work, I shared my conversation with Topher Stephens. Topher is a good friend who has extensive experience working with experiential, international, environmental, and mindfulness education organizations. We chatted about his journey and what motivated him to return to western North Carolina, where he grew up, and focus on building community there. We also discussed his recently launched nature and mindfulness education organization Wild Remembering.

For this week’s reflection, I wrote about Tom Montgomery Fate— a wonderful nonfiction writer (and one of my teachers during my first semester of college). This week, I read his memoir Cabin Fever, a beautiful book inspired by the writing of Henry David Thoreau and stories from Fate’s own life. The book explores many of the same topics as On Creative Work (themes like slowness, simplicity, nature, balance, and creativity)— which inspired me to also write about the power of teachers and role models.

Finally, for this week’s Creative Gratitude, I recommend watching the Ku Ha'aheo e Ku'u Hawai'i music video. I first saw this video a few years ago when facilitating groups in Hawai'i, and I return to it often. The video features more than three dozen accomplished Hawaiian recording artists who came together to record a stunning anthem in support of protectors blocking new development on Maunakea.

Thanks for reading, much love!

Peter