Exploring one of life's most valuable gifts
As one of the best-known classical musicians in the world, Yo-Yo Ma has been delighting audiences with his masterful cello performances since he began playing publicly as a child prodigy at five years old. At 70, he is still performing but he has elevated his mission to create shared connection for his audiences beyond a... Continue Reading →
Earlier this week, I was talking with a friend who has been actively involved for years with the Washington DC-based music non-profit Sitar Arts Center, which provides otherwise unavailable access to quality music education and fosters community. My friend was simply gushing about how enriching the experience of working with this organization has been for... Continue Reading →
Celebrating a fabulous birthday weekend in Chicago last week came with the added bonus of downtime on the plane to watch a few movies, including the new Stevie Van Zandt documentary that touches on one of the greatest friendships in rock history. A seriously talented musician in his own right, Van Zandt might be best... Continue Reading →
Fall is a magical season of vibrant colors, crisp air, and plenty of opportunities to create lasting memories with friends. As much as I love fall, between the back-to-school madness and a shift into high gear at work when summer ends, Labor Day can sometimes feel like stepping on a gas pedal that won't let... Continue Reading →
When friends come together for creative collaboration, the results can produce art that would never be possible as a solo pursuit. Sara recently wrote about one of our favorite famous friendship pairs, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Another pair I’ve admired for even longer is Emily Saliers and Amy Ray, more popularly recognized as the... Continue Reading →
Have you ever been inspired by a friend to try something new? I'm not talking about the kind of peer pressure your younger self may have experienced back in high school that led to bad decision-making. I'm talking about being inspired by someone you care about to broaden your horizons in a positive way. Last... Continue Reading →
Summer can feel like a gift, but also a bit like a tease. Once it's finally and reliably warm enough by July 4 to plan a beach outing in the Chicago area, we have to face the fact that summer is nearly half over. Still, summer is easily our favorite time of year here at... Continue Reading →
Last weekend I flew from Chicago to Washington, DC, for a 36-hour visit with family. Some might find quick trips like this one to be stressful, but it felt restorative for me. I spent time with my mom and younger siblings, and I returned to a place that still feels like home. Although my family... Continue Reading →
Any time of year is a perfect time of year to savor friendships, but the holiday season offers a wealth of opportunities to create memories together with friends. Recognizing that schedules can be challenging to coordinate as the holidays approach, this week we share a variety of ideas for honoring friendships this season. Â 1.... Continue Reading →
I love music. All kinds of music. To the point that I am sometimes teased for how inconsistent my musical tastes are. I’m happy to listen to many genres, as they are meaningful in different ways. I’ll listen to the Oppenheimer soundtrack in the car with my older son, then arrive home to hear my... Continue Reading →
Language of Friendship 