Serendipity. That you downloaded the exact book you needed to read. And you get to share it with us! I love recommendation #2 about poking holes in our alternate lives. I’m going see if my library has the book. Sounds like a must read.
Ahhhh! The Midnight Library changed my life too!!! It will forever be one of the greatest books ever. I'm so glad to see it out in the wild like this, changing lives 🤩🤩🤩🤩
Chris, this might be my favorite post of yours yet! I really needed to read this today. I had forgotten about that quote from Cormac McCarthy 👏 All very good reminders to appreciate the life we have been given.
I'm reading this book right now! So many of the alternate lives you contemplate are similar to the ones I do, too. I actually did travel after college and still ended up burned out from following my dream. Sorry to hear about your health condition. Glad you're using it for good. <3
Yes, so true! Currently struggling with the opposing advantages and disadvantages of a life full of travel (full of travel, but no roots) versus a more homely life (friends & family around, but no adventure). Everything has its good and bad sides!
Thanks Jane! One thing I've come around to is that there are seasons in life. What we think is either/or can be both/and. For example, there may be a season for travel and a season for staying close to home. This has helped free me from fear of missing out on certain things. (Although I still fall into that trap often!)
Absolutely love this Chris - especially the steps you lay out. I've heard a lot about the midnight library but always feel a resistance to reading it... maybe because I'm afraid of how it will challenge my mind's preconceived notions? I've also heard it's quite sad??
Hi Zan! I'd say that it's not an easy, light read. Parts of it are definitely sad, but - and I don't want to give away the end - it's not soul-crushing either. Everything ties together eventually.
One of the things I love about your newsletter is that I keep having to say “This is my new favorite piece of yours!” so often that it starts to lose meaning. But in all seriousness, this is. There’s so much richness here. 💫
Such an amazing book! The Comfort Book by Matt Haig helped me get through a very dark period a few years ago. Love how you incorporated The Midnight Library into this wonderful post about appreciation. Think I need to reread it myself too.
Love this, Chris. And will have to add this to my TBR. Us 90s girls had Gwyneth and "Sliding Doors" to give us the What If/Which Choice Is Best conundrum. My question is, Why don't we make the most of what we have instead of thinking we somehow missed out? You remain a sage, my friend. xo
Thanks for this lovely post. The Midnight Library is a delightful book. I’m so glad it found you at just the right time. Thanks for sharing your reflections on it - wise and thought-provoking.
Chris, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for this post. It's exactly what I needed to read - as indeed is The Midnight Library. Thank you so much. 😊
Love this post Chris! (And love The Midnight Library!). All those perfect futures we imagine having that are NOT the life we are currently living are just that - acts of imagination. Living in our one wild and precious life is all we have - and you are always an inspiration in making the most of it! ❤️
Serendipity. That you downloaded the exact book you needed to read. And you get to share it with us! I love recommendation #2 about poking holes in our alternate lives. I’m going see if my library has the book. Sounds like a must read.
Thanks Kim! I hope your library has it.
Ahhhh! The Midnight Library changed my life too!!! It will forever be one of the greatest books ever. I'm so glad to see it out in the wild like this, changing lives 🤩🤩🤩🤩
Thanks Mesa! I haven't read it since last year, but now I want to again!
I feel like it's a good once a year book! Just to keep perspective 😍😍😍
Especially since i know how long it will take to read now 😊. I really have no excuse.
I love this idea of the book choosing the reader.
Thanks Steve! And to think I could have accidentally downloaded a cookbook or Curious George or something.
Chris, this might be my favorite post of yours yet! I really needed to read this today. I had forgotten about that quote from Cormac McCarthy 👏 All very good reminders to appreciate the life we have been given.
Thanks Annie! That means so much. Yes - that quote is great! I was trying to find it in my notes and found it at the last minute.
I absolutely love your take on one of my favourite books.
You've actually decoded the essence of the book so well.
Reading your post is probably going to be the best thing I'll read on the internet today, if not the entire week.
I'm so glad you found my post on Threads, and I'm grateful you chose to reply and share this link with me.
Keep Going Keep Growing 🚀
Thank you so much Manish! 🙏 This means a lot.
I'm reading this book right now! So many of the alternate lives you contemplate are similar to the ones I do, too. I actually did travel after college and still ended up burned out from following my dream. Sorry to hear about your health condition. Glad you're using it for good. <3
Thanks Suzanne!
Yes, so true! Currently struggling with the opposing advantages and disadvantages of a life full of travel (full of travel, but no roots) versus a more homely life (friends & family around, but no adventure). Everything has its good and bad sides!
Thanks Jane! One thing I've come around to is that there are seasons in life. What we think is either/or can be both/and. For example, there may be a season for travel and a season for staying close to home. This has helped free me from fear of missing out on certain things. (Although I still fall into that trap often!)
What a great way to see how beautiful your life really is!
Thank you!
Absolutely love this Chris - especially the steps you lay out. I've heard a lot about the midnight library but always feel a resistance to reading it... maybe because I'm afraid of how it will challenge my mind's preconceived notions? I've also heard it's quite sad??
I think I'm gonna give it a go now though
Hi Zan! I'd say that it's not an easy, light read. Parts of it are definitely sad, but - and I don't want to give away the end - it's not soul-crushing either. Everything ties together eventually.
Thanks for that! I think It will be next on my list - currently devouring some Jed McKenna (which I did not think I would enjoy as much as I am)
Thanks for your writing and thanks for this book recommendation ! Wishing you many enriching experiences in your life !
Thanks Prashant!
One of the things I love about your newsletter is that I keep having to say “This is my new favorite piece of yours!” so often that it starts to lose meaning. But in all seriousness, this is. There’s so much richness here. 💫
Thanks Maddie! 🙏
Such an amazing book! The Comfort Book by Matt Haig helped me get through a very dark period a few years ago. Love how you incorporated The Midnight Library into this wonderful post about appreciation. Think I need to reread it myself too.
Thanks Jackie! I'll take a look at that other book.
Love this, Chris. And will have to add this to my TBR. Us 90s girls had Gwyneth and "Sliding Doors" to give us the What If/Which Choice Is Best conundrum. My question is, Why don't we make the most of what we have instead of thinking we somehow missed out? You remain a sage, my friend. xo
I just had to look up what Sliding Doors was. Had never heard of that movie before. Then again I'm not a 90s girl. 😂
Thanks for this lovely post. The Midnight Library is a delightful book. I’m so glad it found you at just the right time. Thanks for sharing your reflections on it - wise and thought-provoking.
Thanks Jackie!
Chris, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for this post. It's exactly what I needed to read - as indeed is The Midnight Library. Thank you so much. 😊
Aw, thanks Rebecca! I really appreciate it. 😊
Love this post Chris! (And love The Midnight Library!). All those perfect futures we imagine having that are NOT the life we are currently living are just that - acts of imagination. Living in our one wild and precious life is all we have - and you are always an inspiration in making the most of it! ❤️
Thanks Sue! I'm almost certain that if I traveled the world on my own, I would get lost somewhere.