10 Comments
Feb 6, 2023Liked by Charlie Becker

“I could feel a tug between the feeling that “I’m not doing enough,” and “I’m not doing things right.”” - this sums up perfectly how I feel EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

Loved the topic this week and the new name is killer.

Expand full comment

Love your experiences shared here, especially related to Anhingas! I recently spent a few months in Florida living in a 55+ community on a golf course and lots of these beautiful Anhingas who sat by the edges of the ponds to dry their wings all day long in the sun. Such a peaceful sight while I was working from home. I used to watch and think ‘it must be nice to have time just to sit there and prepare for your next flight.’ Thanks for helping me see a new perspective in our encounters with nature.

I’ll be sticking around for more castles in the sky!

Expand full comment

Grateful to have been included in your reader response list, thanks Charlie 😁

And with this piece, you found a way to hit each of my abc’s:

* Affect. I had to sit with how much humanity can be found in “One candle loses nothing by lighting another candle”.

* Behaviour. I’m feeling very motivated to play with my own glossary of sticky ideas. So fun!

* Cognition. Anhinga and the imagery of vulnerability in the face of danger really has me questioning if I’ve been courageous enough in my life lately.

I love a piece that gets me introspecting!

Expand full comment

“But the bird didn’t have a choice: without standing there and presenting itself to the Sun, it wouldn’t be able to fly” what a metaphor! Need to channel my inner Anhinga in those moments where I want to fly but am too afraid to be vulnerable. Great essay Charlie!

Expand full comment

Love the name change, feels like a natural evolution that matches your writing.

Also this hook is great:

"A few weeks ago, I was planning a work trip to Tallahassee, Florida and thinking about death."

Expand full comment

I imagine the banana arcing back to look up at the castle in the sky and feeling that’s it’s lit a candle.

Expand full comment

Blown away by your friend's email. May we all live to light another's candle. I will remember him forever.

And Castles in the Sky, beautifully expansive.

Expand full comment

Love the name change!

Expand full comment

I gather you've read 4000 Weeks... :)

Expand full comment