May 31, 2023·edited May 31, 2023Liked by James Bailey
James this was even more moving the second time I read it. I have been thinking a lot about leading with values and how, even through the most simple actions, I can act through my values. The action of buttering toast could not be a better example. Love, compassion, acceptance, gratitude and learning were the values I narrowed down to my top 5 - this essay is an important reminder to me to butter the toast with everything I do by spreading love evenly to the edges of my life.
I love the phrase: "unconditional love in action". What an incredible thing to aspire to every day.
Haley - thank you! Your values are amazing. I suspect practicing them ongoingly is the way to incorporate them into our "being" so that they don't feel like "doing." I think one of the specific points in your feedback sparked the "unconditional love in action" addition - so that you for that.
Thank you James. I remember listening to Ron tell that story twenty years ago - just as captured by the image and his telling as you. Looking back, what has stuck with me all these years is knowing how the "small" acts of love can amplify over the years and generations. Thank you for bringing Ron back into this day.
Thank you Deepa. That’s what I thought when i heard the story the very first time. I had no idea I would be retelling it someday. That’s the way life is, huh?
I love this - "what is the toast that you can butter with your love today?" - such a profound question. And which wolf will you feed? I have been in those moments with my kids and others and struggled with the same frustrations. What a great reminder of the choice we always have, to choose good rather than evil inside of us.
Serena, thank you for taking the time to read and comment. 🙏. This was one of my first pieces on Substack and still one of my favorites. I’m still buttering their toast at age 14 and am reminded of love each time.
What a beautiful article! Aly and Bella are so fortunate to have this type of love in their lives. I always need to remember that good wolf I need to feed in my life. I will never spread butter on toast again without remembering this story and hopefully always looking for new toast to butter. Thank you for this!
Thank you Steven. The feeling is mutual. I remember you telling me in cohort 9 that it would be hard for me to write with frequency if I was writing 1,500 words! I get it now, and that’s my next frontier. I hope N ID is treating you well.
Loved it. The entirety of team Fascilla opened our Saturday morning with it, followed by a productive group discussion that devolved into inane, but hilarious, banter. In other words, it started great, and it ended great. Thanks for getting our weekend out of the blocks in good form.
Joe, so great to hear. I would have loved to have been in on the inane part of the discussion. Would love to connect again soon. BTW, the story with you in it is not far off 😁
James this was even more moving the second time I read it. I have been thinking a lot about leading with values and how, even through the most simple actions, I can act through my values. The action of buttering toast could not be a better example. Love, compassion, acceptance, gratitude and learning were the values I narrowed down to my top 5 - this essay is an important reminder to me to butter the toast with everything I do by spreading love evenly to the edges of my life.
I love the phrase: "unconditional love in action". What an incredible thing to aspire to every day.
Cheers to this beautiful piece and you!
Haley - thank you! Your values are amazing. I suspect practicing them ongoingly is the way to incorporate them into our "being" so that they don't feel like "doing." I think one of the specific points in your feedback sparked the "unconditional love in action" addition - so that you for that.
Thank you James. I remember listening to Ron tell that story twenty years ago - just as captured by the image and his telling as you. Looking back, what has stuck with me all these years is knowing how the "small" acts of love can amplify over the years and generations. Thank you for bringing Ron back into this day.
“The "small" acts of love can amplify over the years and generations.” Such a true statement Rich. I love you pal.
So moving and get so simple, beautiful
Metaphor of buttering the toast
Thank you Deepa. That’s what I thought when i heard the story the very first time. I had no idea I would be retelling it someday. That’s the way life is, huh?
I love this - "what is the toast that you can butter with your love today?" - such a profound question. And which wolf will you feed? I have been in those moments with my kids and others and struggled with the same frustrations. What a great reminder of the choice we always have, to choose good rather than evil inside of us.
Serena, thank you for taking the time to read and comment. 🙏. This was one of my first pieces on Substack and still one of my favorites. I’m still buttering their toast at age 14 and am reminded of love each time.
What a beautiful article! Aly and Bella are so fortunate to have this type of love in their lives. I always need to remember that good wolf I need to feed in my life. I will never spread butter on toast again without remembering this story and hopefully always looking for new toast to butter. Thank you for this!
Always love reading your letters James. A masterful weaving of vibrant allegory and personal story telling.
Thank you Steven. The feeling is mutual. I remember you telling me in cohort 9 that it would be hard for me to write with frequency if I was writing 1,500 words! I get it now, and that’s my next frontier. I hope N ID is treating you well.
Loved it. The entirety of team Fascilla opened our Saturday morning with it, followed by a productive group discussion that devolved into inane, but hilarious, banter. In other words, it started great, and it ended great. Thanks for getting our weekend out of the blocks in good form.
Joe, so great to hear. I would have loved to have been in on the inane part of the discussion. Would love to connect again soon. BTW, the story with you in it is not far off 😁
The toast metaphor is wonderful and the format of a letter to your daughters in moving. I look forward to the next in the series.
Thank you Drake. I appreciate you. Have a wonderful weekend.
Kirk if you’re up for reading a few more I’m going to send you two others :).
What a beautiful piece. I’ve always said my life is over when I have no one to make tea for. For Ron’s grandmother it was buttered toast. I get it.
You've just earned another subscriber. Buttered toast, delicious words, and sage wisdom.