Beautiful Things #1
We sure need them now...first in a series
For the next few newsletters, I am taking a stand against the ugliness in the world right now. There are so many beautiful things (happy and sad), that one edition of the newsletter just can’t cover them all. This week, I’m sharing some favorite art, music that moves me, short films with a lot to say, and a Mike Birbiglia and Tom Papa conversation about finding humor in really tough situations too…
SHORT FILMS THAT SPEAK TO THE BEST OF US
These big little movies directly address the problem of pain in this life. How do we treat each other when our hearts are breaking?
ALWAYS A JOY
In this sweet video, two strangers meet on a park bench. A wise and lovely older woman offers words of comfort to a troubled young man. Who is she? And are they really strangers?
ALL THE EMPTY ROOMS
CBS correspondent Steve Hartman is beloved for his uplifting “On the Road” TV segments (several of which I’ve shared in this newsletter over the years.) Here, he helps us to bear witness to the young victims of school shootings, and the families who keep their memories alive.
THE PHONE CALL
20 minutes I will never forget. Brilliant script and performances by two remarkable British actors. It’s the story of one phone call to a suicide hotline, but it’s really a story of love, our yearning for connection, and the special strangers in places like this, who gently hold our hands in our hardest moments…
DEEPLY MOVING MUSIC…
Brahms’ Symphony #2 is one of my top two favorite symphonies (Mahler #2 is the other); this first movement gives me so much joy (and you can hear strains of his famous “Lullaby” in it too)
I love Gungor’s music, this song especially. Always brings back memories of our little Sunday Schoolers singing it in church too…
I’ve recently started listening to contemporary classical composer Arvo Part. What a gorgeous work this is!
I discovered this just the other day, and it has haunted me. Creating such beauty in the midst of war is an act of courage and defiance…
ART THAT TRANSPORTS ME
I was searching for some of my favorite art from the past 150 years (I know, way to narrow it down, right?), because artists have always held a key to my heart (especially one particular watercolorist who happens to be my sister Carolyn). I have such happy memories of wandering museums in London, Paris, Vienna, Florence…and New York and Philly too. Well, what did I find? This amazing article, describing some of my very favorites (and introducing me to some new ones too!) Here is a tiny sampling, but I invite you to see, and read about, all the amazing art and artists who transport us…
MY SISTER CAROLYN MAJEWSKI, ARTIST
Best in Show (Golden Callus Award ) in the Hawai’i Watercolor Society’s 2026 Members’ Show. “The Secret”
COMEDY: THE POWER OF ONE JOKE
I am a huge fan of both these comedians. Enjoy this thoughtful discussion of the power of humor during times of crisis…
BLOG PREVIEW: WHY I CAN’T RELAX
In which I answer the age-old question…”why can’t you just relax??”
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
This flies in the face of the world’s standard of “beauty,” but it’s one of the best definitions of true beauty I’ve ever read…have a beautiful week, my friends (even if it’s another tough one)!