A linked list of February favorites
Mind Your Own Map | No. 4 🧠
Hello! It’s time for another volume of Mind Your Own Map!
Mind Your Own Map is a prompt to visualize and connect what we’re learning, thinking, and experiencing.
I was inspired to get this one published after seeing
’s new (and fantastic) post about mind maps for her newsletter:
My mind these days 🪲
The starting point for today’s map was beetle gallery, which I encountered last week out on a family walk. I noticed mazes imprinted in exposed tree bark and showed them to Aaron (my resident encyclopedia). He responded with a casual Oh! Those are made by beetles burrowing under the bark. Of course he knew that.
I did more reading today and learned these little beetle artists focus their attacks on unhealthy, weak trees. Rude! Their designs might mesmerize, but there’s a reason woodpeckers work to keep them away from trees.
After creating this map, I spotted other related ideas and themes then linked them together with red arrows. I liked this step because it helped me find connections that otherwise wouldn’t have been noticeable to me.
Hope you also get to learn something new today!
—E.T.
Explore my source notes 🔎
A profound poem to read and/or listen to: speaking of cognitive dissonance by
. The last few lines made me feel teary.
Current read: Becoming Wise by Krista Tippett. “I can disagree with your opinion, it turns out, but I can’t disagree with your experience. And once I have a sense of your experience, you and I are in relationship, acknowledging the complexity of each other’s position, listening less guardedly. The differences in our opinions will probably remain intact, but it no longer defines what is possible between us.” (How I want to learn this art! Not there yet…)
If you’re in the Atlanta area, I highly recommend seeing the Alliance Theatre’s new rendition of A Tale of Two Cities. Eight actors played over 50 roles and the whole show was thought-provoking, stunning (set and costume design—wow!), and fun. We got to attend the “pay what you can” show which is an offering I really appreciate from this theatre.
“What If” by Jess Ray is a comforting song to listen to when you feel anxious, discouraged, or the worry train just won’t quit. I discovered it the other week while making dinner and working through big emotions. “Be yourself and be at peace.”
Miracles for Sale is an older documentary by Derren Brown, a mentalist and illusionist. I recently watched it for the first time and was so upset by the underbelly of “faith healings” and the way spiritual leaders have scammed, manipulated, and hurt others in the name of God. It might be a difficult film to watch, especially if you are or once were an evangelical Christian. But if you’re curious, I think it’s an important one.
Julia Donaldson’s Writing Children’s Pictures Books course is delightful and practical. If you have any interest in writing books for kids, do look into this. The video lessons are self-paced, full of good info, and you can really sense Julia’s overflowing love for picture books. It’s contagious.
- writes one of my very favorite Substack newsletters, . I wanted to end this list on a lighthearted note, so please enjoy Lian’s marvelous post, Hourly Comics Day 2024!
Now I want to hear from you! 📻
What writing, film, or other form of art/media has recently meant something to you? And why?
If you made a mind map today, what might be on it?
I did a mind map for the first time after reading one of your earlier posts, too! I noticed Nic also said that below, so I had to chime in. I definitely want to do another one soon! It was a good way to dump some of my mind out onto the page.
Gosh…I haven’t done mind maps in a long time! I do love to visually make sense of lots of ideas…so my go to is a table. However, I think I would love to give mind maps ago!