Howdy Family,

I've been brimming with vigor and enthusiasm this past fortnight. In large part thanks to Getting Things Done (by David Allen, recommended by voice teacher extraordinaire Michael Maresca). Working toward productivity and organization, what I often thought of as business-y, non-artistic endeavors, is by proxy making me more creative. I haven't felt so alive and ARTISTIC in months.

The book helped me empty the tar pit in my head holding all the muck about what I was doing, what I wasn't doing, and what I "should" be doing. It taught me how to put that tar in some jars so I could see everything I wanted to do clearly marked on the shelf. Once organized it didn't matter how I wasn't spending my time, I was free to focus on how I was.

I'll put a muzzle on the preacher, but if any of you ever feel the itch like you could be doing "more," read this book! 

Pausing for a couple of conscious reminders: How's your posture? Are you breathing? Are you second guessing a risk you want to take? Will it cause harm to anyone? If not, do it as soon as possible. It'll take a big weight off your shoulders.

Enough about you. Back to me. This is my newsletter after all. A platform! Finally! A platform for me to address the masses! Validate my words, my existence. MUAHHAHAAHAAHAHHAHAHA. Ha! Um. Hmm, I don't know what else to talk about. I guess if you haven't visited the Tepper Saffren Library yet, go now and see if you want to "check out" a book on the list!

I'll leave you with a quote from this week. "When you plant a seed, don't pull it up to see if it's growing. You'll kill it." — MI

Your loving son and brother, 

tell me what you're up to too: teppersaffren@gmail.com

Journal Thoughts

Date tenderly scooped by Elena Cauthen. Maybe you'll be next!

7/20/2015
"It seems while I'm well liked and well respected, I'm no 'go to.' I have friends and I have close friends and I have best friends, but I'm not often sought for advice. Maybe that's a good thing. Less distractions. More time to focus. I'm taking it as a shot to my ego. Yes. I want to help. I wish more people came to me so I could help more people. I'm seeing it like a gauge for my value. If no one asks my advice, is it even worth anything? Yes. The rest of the noise is irrational. Save the perspective for those who ask for it."

Tepper's Two-Cents

1¢ — Find yourself conflicted with fate versus free will? Look at it logically! Everything up to this present moment has buried in it some lesson you are "meant" to learn. It happened for a reason to be deciphered. Everything after this present moment is totally free will and must be sought after and earned through dedication, work, and want. This will keep you reflective of your past, and commanding of your future.

2¢ — Call it instinct, following your heart, trusting your gut, whatever. You've got a compass inside of you pointing to the right direction for you. See it. Listen to it. Follow it. Trust it.