Two Minutes Du Jour

After three long-weekend trips over the past month, I’ve enjoyed being home and returning to routine. This week, Two Minutes Du Jour explored many topics: family rituals, friendships, creating joy lists, how to know a person, and the history of some of our favorite beverages. I also shared the findings from the Two Minutes Du Jour Survey and will host a focus group to further define content interests.

Monday: Monday Night Noodle Night – Rituals Start the Week Off Right

Mondays are better when there’s a weekly ritual at the end of the day—especially one that includes favorite foods for both young and old. Let me know if you want any of the recipes!

5 questions for Anne Fishel, a family therapist who helped launch The Family Dinner Project. The Family Dinner Project – This nonprofit organization helps parents serve up robust conversation and connection during regular family meals.

Tuesday: The Best Ships of All Are Friendships

Long-distance friendships are among the best relationships, and my husband and I enjoyed spending a long weekend with college friends in Davenport, Florida. The years fly by, so reconnecting in person is well worth the effort.

4 Tips to Stay Connected When Your Friends Live Far Away – NPR’s Life Kit

Reconnecting With Old Friends – Prepare to be Surprised – LKN Magazine (Lake Norman, N.C.)

Bonus Links — Restaurants We Enjoyed in Florida:

The Boathouse at Disney Springs – A respite from the crowds with outstanding food, including fresh seafood and Chicago’s famed steaks from Gibsons.

JB’s Fish Camp in New Smyrna – The last time the McKinney family dined here was in 2000; the place is as kitschy as ever, and the food is outstanding.

Waffle House in Davenport, Fla. – What can I say? It’s not a trip to the South without breakfast at the Waffle House; I love the grits! Perfect for Mother’s Day with friends.

Wednesday: Cultivating Joy: The Power of Joy Lists

What is your idea of heaven on earth? Maybe it’s ice cream for dinner or a DIY project at home. Whatever it is, creating a joy list serves as a reminder of what brings you joy … and will boost your mood in the process.

3 Simple Ways to Cultivate Joy Every Day – Mindful – Healthy Mind, Healthy Life

FindingJoy.net – a website dedicated to intentional living and seeking joy in life, specifically in motherhood and empowerment for women – Rachel Marie Martin, author of The Brace Art of Motherhood.

Thursday: Survey Says: Two Minutes Du Jour Offers Content to Enrich Your Life

Participating in the Two Minutes Du Jour survey provided insights into your needs and interests. I can’t wait to create content that enriches your life through daily discoveries—all in two minutes with two links to explore.

• 83% want content about joy, meaning and purpose
• 75% report going through significant changes in their lives, with 100 percent expecting more change head
• 75% are motivated by personal growth, greater happiness and life satisfaction

Friday: How to Know a Person: Choosing to Illuminate for Meaningful Connections

David Brooks’ latest book, “How to Know a Person,” caught my interest a few months ago and I couldn’t wait to read it. He asks: Do you want to know a person? What kind of attention should you cast on them? What kind of conversations should you have? What parts of a person’s story should you pay attention to?

Interview with author David Brooks – PBS

How to Know a Person, The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks, author of The Road to Character – Penguin Random House

Saturday: Weekend Sips – A Brief History of Six Beverages that Shaped Our World

This post is a toast to our favorite beverages and their historical significance. I hope you had a fabulous Saturday!

A History of the World in Six Glasses by Tom Standage – and now a Fox Nation series with Dan Akroyd

The Coca-Cola Company History — Since its birth at a soda fountain in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, in 1886, Coca-Cola has been a catalyst for social interaction and inspired innovation.

Explore, Discover and Grow in the Week Ahead:

Thank you for reading Two Minutes Du Jour this week. May the stories and links lead you to a discovery that will enrich your life. Here’s to a week filled with new knowledge and inspiration! I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

Rose

Note: The website has a cumulative list of links. Would you like to share a two-minute discovery along with two links? Send me a brief note, and I’ll add it to the consideration list for future posts.