A pleasant new habit I have embraced thanks to Austin Kleon I’m writing one good line from something I heard or read each day (‘stole’ his idea). I’m now writing down lines that pique my interest, into a lovely hard-bound notebook so I can read through them in a tangible form. Even the act of writing these things with a favourite, chubby pen makes me makes me more thoughtful of them, so the words sink in and resonate.

I also find that by opening the notebook each day, I can’t help but re-read some of the recent lines. The process is similar to how we make notes when at a lecture or workshop. The physical act of writing them down as well as seeing them again and re-reading them, albeit briefly, is like hearing the lyrics of a song that become familiar over time.

Occasionally when writing some of my letters I’ll include a quote or sometimes scratch one onto the back of the envelope. Now that I have this little notebook of ‘good lines’ I may end up adding these to my letters with much more frequency.

Here’s a few that I entered in January:

  • I think we all need a little more cake these days. {Julie Rosenthal}
  • I love someone who is overdressed. {Alex Dimitrov}
  • When I left social media I got my time back. {David DuChemin}
  • I don’t need positive affirmation from people I don’t know. {Dan Milnor}
  • The genetically modified heart of a pig has been transplanted into a human for the first time. {CBC News}
  • I realize that part of what I’m sewing is a map of those last moments. {Theresa Kishkan}
  • Show your children who you are. {Austin Kleon}
  • What in the hell are we here for if not to help each other? {Matthew Burnside}

Some are a wake-up call, some are thought-provoking, some are humorous, some are poignant, and most are bold truths.

If you enjoyed this why not share it with a friend or post about it on social media. Thank you for reading and sharing your time with me. — Diane

5 thoughts on “one Good Line”

  1. a good collection. i like the idea of writing them in a book. i have files of quotes on my computer that nobody would probably ever find, but a book? that’s a really good idea.

  3. I love your notebook and I too love ‘chubby’ pens. They used to give them (i.e. fat pens) out for free at events and I would scoop up a couple. No more events now! I often write down meaningful lines as well, sometimes I just type them quickly into a note in my phone. Written down by hand in a separate book intended just for this is a great idea!

  4. A good practice that I think puts positive thoughts in people’s minds when reflected upon and positive words in people’s mouths when speaking to others. The notebook has a beautiful, ornate cover.

  5. Diane – I absolutely LOVE this practice! I also love your notebook. I’m such a sucker for notebooks but stopped buying them because I never used them – this could be the impetus for me to start writing regularly (by hand) again. Thank you for sharing!

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