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“It Feels Electric”
I just finished reading Sue Monk Kidd’s latest book, Writing Creativity and Soul for the first time. I say it’s the first time because I know this is a book I will turn to many times in the coming years as I continue to follow my own writer’s path, embarking on new projects, letting others go, and stretching myself in new directions. Kidd’s wisdom and warmth combine to offer readers practical tips for the writing life, as well as heartfelt encouragement.
Another writing book that Sean and I have been reading together is The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life by Suleika Jaouad. After reflecting on the importance of journaling in her life, Jaouad offers 100 short essays and journaling prompts by 100 different writers. For the past couple of months, at least once a week, Sean and I read a prompt together, set a timer to write for 20 minutes, and then share what we’ve written. Sometimes other things we are reading or watching influence our journaling. A fascinating audiobook I just listened to, Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women’s Words by Jenni Nuttall, a brilliant limited series “Death by Lightning” about the assassination of President Garfield, and Ken Burns’ new 6-part documentary “The American Revolution,” are all cases in point.
At a recent team meeting, Genealogist Liz Sonnenberg shared how she is immersing herself in learning more about the American Revolution as the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence approaches in 2026. “It feels electric,” she said, describing her engagement with that complex history today, when the same ideals and contradictions—and the writing of history itself—are no less top-of-mind.
I share Liz’s excitement about looking back on this history on the dawn of the American Semiquincentennial. If you feel the same, I hope you’re somehow recording your thoughts, feelings, and learning. Grab a journal, pick up a pen, or open up your computer, and write—for yourself, and maybe also for your descendants who will look back and wonder what you were doing and thinking and feeling and learning in this electric moment in time.
Megan St. Marie
President
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