Four Thoughts In Five Minutes

And a signed Brianna Wiest book giveaway!

Happy Friday! Welcome to my new segment called ‘Four Thoughts in Five Minutes.’ This segment consists of a few streamlined thoughts that you can read in-or-under five minutes and meditate on throughout your day. I’ve learned that sometimes a bite-size thought is more effective than one at novel length. At the end of the email today, there is a giveaway happening for a signed copy of Brianna Wiest’s new novel called The Pivot Year. I hope you choose to enter. Happy reading!

1. What Are You Willing To Struggle For?

The question “What are you willing to struggle for?” is asked by Mark Manson in his book ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck.’ He argues that a truly satisfied person is not always looking toward the next house, the next vacation, or even the next paycheck. The happiest people in the world have sat down with themselves and created parameters around their lives for what they’re willing to struggle for. For example: let’s say I’m willing to struggle for three things: my loved ones, my career, and my overall healthy wellbeing. Everything else I should attempt to detach my ‘struggle’ from. It’s not an easy skill to master. But, think about how much better life could be when you’re not “struggling” for the friend whose making your life worse or you’re not losing your mind because someone got your order wrong? You just say, hey that’s shitty, but I’m not really willing to struggle for this. So I’ve simply just decided: I don’t care. Problem over. Energy protected. No dwelling necessary. A plane delay happens. A fair-weather friend falls off the wagon. You’re not entitled to the perfect life, so there’s no reason to exhaust yourself in the fight for everything that doesn’t go your way. Pick the relationships, the people, the aspirations that you are willing to struggle for and do just that. Work hard for the promotion, take your relationship seriously, save money for that big investment. Stop wasting your time, money, energy, and life on every bad experience. When you become more selective, your problems will be welcomed because they’ll be inside the parameters of what you’ve decided is worth it to overcome. Everything else is just passing by.

We must understand that we will never be creatures that can fully shield ourselves from bearing pain. Rather, we must learn how and when to carry it. So I ask again: “What are you willing to struggle for?”

2. The Creative Art of Attention

Below is a practice borrowed from the book ‘The Listening Path’ by Julia Cameron:

“Ask a friend what they most desire and let them speak. Do you notice that you make assumptions about they will want? Do you think you know what they will say - and are you surprised by what they do share? Listening to our friend’s innermost desires allows us to connect to them with an often-surprising level of intimacy.”

3. Snail Mail Is Back In

I, Lindsey Lamar, have decided that snail mail is back in. Who doesn’t want to get fun mail every now and then? I’m going to try to send some fun “book mail” to my readers when “Book #2” comes out. If you feel comfortable, feel free to reply to this email with your mailing address. I’ll write it in my address book and send you something special when the next book is announced and I’ll enter your name for a drawing for the signed Brianna Wiest book giveaway, if you’re subscribed to LWB. (See next section) I pinky promise not to sell your address to the AI bots!

4. A Quote From The Pivot Year (+ Brianna Wiest Giveaway)

My favorite author came to Austin, Texas! I had so much fun meeting Brianna Wiest at her book signing for The Pivot Year. As you know, her work has supported me through so much life change. It was an odd experience to have, meeting the person with the hands that have written profound words that have changed your whole life. Then just casually talking about the weather and California and Taylor Swift. As a writer, it was down to Earth and inspiring. Here’s some pics from the event:

Me and Brianna in my fangirl moment.

“Sustained expansion outward requires consistent nourishment inward. Remember this when you feel you need more rest and reassurance than ever. It is most likely because you are also growing and expanding in unprecedented ways.”

The Pivot Year

I’ve now got three copies of The Pivot Year and have decided to give a signed copy away! Brianna’s work has truly helped me on my journey and I think you’ll get something out of her words as well. All you have to do to enter is reply to this email (or email: lindseysbookclub@gmail.com) your address! You must be subscribed to my newsletter to win. By doing so, you also give me consent to mail you when my novel comes out with a fun little invite and announcement. :)

I’ll do a real life drawing and announce the winner of the signed book next Friday by email and on my IG account. Who wouldn’t want to win some book mail?

Patio weather in Texas, finally!

I’m Currently:

Reading: The Atlas Six and my friend’s cool new Substack:

bri borrego

Writing: 70,332 words later “Book #2” just finished it’s last draft yesterday! Never in my life did I think I would rewrite that book four times, but it’s finally in final form. Name announcement coming soon. *Happy tears*

Watching: The Great British Baking Show. It’s grown on me like an obsession. Also saw A Haunting in Venice in theatres recently. Fun whodunnit that didn’t jeopardize the iconic Agatha Christie novel. Great use of a Friday night.

Making: Business cards! Let me know if you want one to add to your card drawer. Everyone has one of those right?

Learning: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck and how to be impeccable with my word :) Also, randomly learning a lot about the names of cheeses thanks to Colin lol. Gouda, Filata, Cracker Cut, Vermont Sharp. Who knew about all this diversity?

That’s all for today! Have the best of weekends.

-linds