Hello, my friends… and Happy Friday!

A couple days ago the weather was in the 60s, and today we’re freezing. I feel taunted by Mr. Spring. Such is life in the Midwest.

I pray you’re all well regardless of the weather and making some great art with your life. Here are seven things I paid attention to this week:

1. If you have any interest in art, faith, and mystery, please consider a subscription to Image Journal. I’m impressed every quarter with the quality of work in each issue. And, with the lenten season upon us, I picked up this collection of essays, poems, and art.

2. The hardest part of making anything, living a decent life, or making a change… is starting. I found this short film inspiring from a Kenyan actor, Michael Jilbrin.

3. Along these same lines, if you ever wonder what you’re making is any good, Ethan Hawke provides some helpful wisdom. And, if you haven’t picked up Rick Rubin’s book, he deals with many of these same topics. Steven Pressfield in The War of Art is also a helpful text.

4. Playlist: a friend reinvigorated my love for John Prine. Angel of Montgomery is worth a spin. You’ll might also like one of his best duet partners, Iris DeMent. This is one of their songs.

5. Podcasts: if you missed the last weeks interview, you might like my chat with prolific author Ramona Lee. I also stumbled upon a new podcast, Plain English. If you're a curious soul, this is for you.

6. A small contingent care about Russell Westbrook being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, but I do. I love the Clips, and he debuts tonight. Here’s a great article from a few years back on Westbrook, and another on fouling in basketball by Brian Doyle.

7. In the spirit of Lent and Ash Wednesday, a London paper once asked, “What is wrong with the world?” GK Chesterton wrote in saying:

“Dear sirs,

I am.

Yours,

GK Chesterton.”

Grace + Peace,

Ryan

7 Things I Paid Attention to This Week #008