Good day, readers. Today is June 15th, the 167th day of the year 2024, with 199 days remaining.
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.
Anaïs Nin
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1917, John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States and a Pulitzer Prize-winning author for his book Profiles in Courage, was born. His literary contributions, though overshadowed by his political career, provide insightful reflections on the qualities of courage and integrity in American leaders.
Notable Birthdays:
Edvard Grieg, born on June 15, 1843, though known primarily as a composer, greatly influenced the literary world through his musical settings of poems, most notably those of Henrik Ibsen. His compositions have inspired numerous literary interpretations and adaptations, linking the worlds of music and literature.
Today’s Readings:
From The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath: “I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On June 15th, 2003, the first book was sold on Amazon’s newly launched Kindle e-reader, marking a significant shift in how books are consumed and a new chapter in the evolution of digital publishing. This event has influenced not only reading habits but also the publishing industry at large.
Poem of the Day:
“Ode to a Nightingale” by John Keats:
My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains
My sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk,
Or emptied some dull opiate to the drains
One minute past, and Lethe-wards had sunk:
‘Tis not through envy of thy happy lot,
But being too happy in thine happiness,—
That thou, light-winged Dryad of the trees
In some melodious plot
Of beechen green, and shadows numberless,
Singest of summer in full-throated ease.
Keats’ poem is a rich exploration of the interplay between the transcendent, fleeting beauty of the nightingale’s song and the painful awareness of human mortality. It’s a profound meditation on the desire for escape from the harsh realities of life and the timeless allure of nature’s beauty.
Advice for Writers:
Drawing inspiration from Anaïs Nin’s perspective on life and courage, consider how you can explore the themes of personal bravery and the boundaries of human experience in your writing. How do characters expand their lives through acts of courage, and how do these actions redefine their worlds?
Have a courageous and expansive day, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your literary explorations enrich and enlarge your understanding of life.
I didn’t realize that Kindle had been around for so long!
It has been! I had the original Kindle!
That Anaïs Nin quote really resonates with me. It’s all about the bravery! With bravery, life expands and is abundant. Without that courage, life shrinks with each decision made.
Hi Caroline! Thank you for your comment.