Mindful Matter
The plane, and the train, and the road.
“Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home.” ― Anna Quindlen One of my favorite things to do during the summer is dive into a good book — a doorway to a new world, an adventure in time, a mirror to my own mind. Last year I shared my summer reading list, and in response I got some incredible recommendations from all of you. Here are some of the books I read over the past year that really stood out: Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria RilkePoetic wisdom and encouragement. I found myself re-reading passages to let the words fully blossom. (Thank you Ruth for the recommendation.) Invisible Man: A Novel by Ralph EllisonEllison’s writing has rhythm that transported me. It shines a light on personal identity, politics and the conscious and unconscious biases that contribute to systemic racism — issues that are as relevant today as when the book was written in 1952. If you haven’t read this classic yet, bump it up in your queue. The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany HaddishAfter reading this book, only one name comes to mind for the word Resilience: Tiffany Haddish. This book is raw. Hilarious. Inappropriate. Wild. Inspiring. Sad. Encouraging. And above all, unapologetically human. I recommend listening to the audiobook to really appreciate Tiffany’s comedic delivery, which is itself an incredible art. (Thanks for the recommendation Jess.) Brave New World by Aldous HuxleyTurns out I love sci-fi. This classic dystopian science fiction novel explores race, genetic modification, the purpose of life, religion, relationships, governance, capitalism, and so much in between. I couldn’t put it down. It’s also mind-blowing to me that this book was written in the 1930s! Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living by Krista TippettKrista Tippett is like that wise, calm friend that you can always count on for a compassionate conversation over a warm cup of tea. Becoming Wise explores what it means to live well through interviews that remind us of the beauty, strength, passion, and resilience we have as humans. (Thanks again Ruth :-) The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. SingerListening to this book was a journey inward. In it, Singer shares thoughts and ideas that I have always felt but could never quite put to words. This book unlocked something inside me. (Thanks Tina for the recommendation.) Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah HarariThis book ambitiously covers history from the perspective of humans and all their creations — religion, currency, wars, commerce, slavery, environmental impact, and the future of the species. It was mind-blowing to see how each chapter related to the others. It's also a book I'd like to revisit — there was too much thought-provoking content to capture in a single read. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik BackmanI just finished this book last night. For nearly half of it, I was choked up with a ball of tears stuck in my throat. For the other half, I couldn't hold back a smile or laugh. This is a beautiful story of love, loss, aging, and unlikely friendships. It’s also a perfect reminder of the unexpected impact we can have through the seemingly small roles we play in each others' lives. (Thanks Claudia and Carol for this recommendation — so glad I finally read this!) Have you read any of these books? Are there others you would recommend? Share what books you are reading and loving with the Holstee Community — join the conversation here. And if you’re not yet, help contribute to our work and get access to monthly guides, art, and the private community by becoming a supporting Holstee Member: Holstee.com/membership See you on the inside! Dave RadparvarCo-Founder, Holstee
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A Season of Adventure: 5 Learnings From This Month’s Guide
Jennifer Lioy, Creative and Community Lead at Holstee
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The proof is in the poems.
Last weekend, I got in some great family time. A particularly powerful moment was when my grandmother Mammanjoon (MJ for short) held Mala, our new daughter, in her arms for the first time. Immediately, she recited a poem she had written for Mala in her native Farsi. It's said that the people of Shiraz, Iran — where our family’s lineage dates back several hundred years — cherish creativity, curiosity, and celebration. MJ’s actions remind us of this legacy each day. She wrote poems for each of her nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and she can easily recite any number of Rumi and Hafez poems she’s committed to memory over the 92 years of her life. She pulls late nights with the family playing logic games like Rummikub and Hokm, a Persian card game. She regularly practices new crochet patterns, tries new recipes, and is curious about new technologies. When I look back, it seems there’s no challenge MJ’s been afraid to take on. And despite her age, her memory is as sharp as mine — on my best days. When I asked MJ the number one thing that keeps her mind so sharp, she told me that it’s doing things that engage and challenge her. Her response almost perfectly echoes the latest research into neurodegeneration, highlighted in this month’s Adventure Guide: “People who have led more cognitively stimulating lives — through formal education, complex paid occupations, and/or cognitively engaging hobbies — have a reduced risk of developing dementia ... Cognitive engagement provides cognitive reserve that delays the onset of cognitive impairment.”– CCNA Researchers Nicole D. Anderson, PhD, Angela K. Troyer, PhD, and Kelly Murphy, PhD Whether it’s memorizing poems or learning a new stitch — by living a ‘cognitively stimulating’ life, it would appear that Mammanjoon has built up a ‘cognitive reserve’ — basically a bank of neurons that can be drawn on for years to come. By building our cognitive reserve, researchers suggest that we can actually delay symptoms of old age. And on a personal level, it might be the reason why Mammanjoon continues to school Dave in Rummikub and delight her new great-granddaughter with poetry. To life, love, and learning, Mike RadparvarCo-Founder, Holstee P.S. Fun fact: MJ created many of the first prototypes for our first product, the Holstee t-shirt (holster pocket + t-shirt = Holstee). In many ways, she is the reason Holstee exists today! Speaking of new products... if you haven’t heard yet, we are preparing for a Kickstarter launch later this summer! Learn more about our newest product, Holstee Reflection Cards →
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