Two Minutes Du Jour

During my recent visit to Panama, I gave myself the gift of time—time away from scrolling social media, breaking news updates, and a mountain of emails.

Instead, I immersed myself in conversations with my sister and brother-in-law, who hosted me, and my niece, who traveled from France to join us. There were nature walks, shared meals with their friends and neighbors, and quiet moments of reflection. I brought a notebook along, and to my delight, it filled itself with ideas—websites to check out, blogs and podcasts to explore, gifts to give, headlines for client projects, and even thoughts on things I want to learn 2025.

One source of inspiration came from a podcast episode by Marie Forleo, where she discussed four books that spark creativity. Two of the books were familiar to me, but I was especially thrilled to see one of my childhood favorites on the list: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend it—and if you have, it’s worth a reread.

The story follows Claudia and her younger brother, Jamie, as they run away from their suburban home to live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Their adventures include sneaking past guards, sleeping in historic beds, and bathing in a museum fountain—all while unraveling the mystery of a statue’s origin. The book is a delightful reminder of how curiosity and creativity can transform the mundane into the extraordinary.

Marie Forleo’s podcast reignited my appreciation for how books, like travel, can fuel creativity. Her episode reminded me that the stories we consume, whether through pages, podcasts, or shared experiences, are the kindling for our own creative fires.

Panama proved to be the perfect backdrop for this creative spark. Slowing down allowed me to listen more—to others and to myself. I rediscovered the value of exploring new ideas without an agenda, and the joy of letting creativity take the lead. If you’re looking for your next read or a way to reignite your own creativity, start with Marie’s podcast or dust off a childhood favorite. Sometimes, the inspiration you need is just a story away.

Two Links Du Jour:

Four Books to Read Over the Holidays That Will Unlock Your Creative Genius – Marie Forleo podcast

“From the Mixed-Up File of Mrs. Basel E. Frankwhiler” 50 Years Later – The New Yorker (2017)