A student raised his hand during an MBA guest lecture some years ago and said to me, “Thanks for telling us about the barriers you overcame to succeed, but could you tell us how you overcame them?”

Editor's comments: A beautiful song about waking up to the realization that nothing in life is perfect, and that the pursuit of perfection is exhausting, endless and unobtainable. It's a commentary on finding the beauty and joy in what we may already have to feel whole.

Favorite lyric:

There's no fortune at the end of the road that has no end.
There's no returning to the spoils
Once you've spoiled the thought of them.
There's no falling back asleep
Once you've wakened from the dream
Now I'm rested and I'm ready,
I'm rested and I'm ready to begin.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/20/magazine/neil-young-streaming-music.html

Editor’s comments: It’s no secret to readers that I enjoy Erik Larson’s work. His unique blend of great research and near-fictional personalities creates a look at one year in England’s history while under siege from the German Luftwaffe.  Actual facts from 45,000 civilian deaths (5,500 children) during the blitz year are embroidered not just by Churchill’s fame but also his and his eccentric family’s peccadillos. 

We hear voices in solitude
we never hear in the hurry and turmoil of life;
we receive counsels and comforts
we get under no other condition. 

- Amelia E. Barr