#pico iyer

[dk-thrive]

We cannot count on anything other than a mind that is prepared to live calmly with all that it cannot control.

— Pico Iyer, Aflame: Learning from Silence (Riverhead Books, January 14, 2025)

[jacobwren]

“Whenever someone stood up – this happened after almost every large public lecture – and asked him what to do after you’ve been disappointed in some dream (to bring peace to the Middle East, to reverse climate change, to protect some seeming idyll), the Dali Lama looked over at the questioner with great warmth and said, “Wrong dream!” You have to analyze, research real causes and conditions and take the long view, he always stressed, before coming up with any plan. Pursuing an unrealistic dream was an insult to reality, as well as to dreamer and dream.” – Pico Iyer, The Half Known Life

[withnailrules]

What more could one ask of a companion? To be forever new and yet forever steady. To be strange and familiar all at once, with enough change to quicken my mind, enough steadiness to give sanctuary to my heart. The books on my shelf never asked to come together, and they would not trust or want to listen to one another; but each is a piece of a stained-glass whole without which I couldn’t make sense to myself, or to the world outside.

—Pico Iyer

[stonefoxkneesocks]

Autumn poses the question we all have to live with: How to hold on to the things we love even though we know that we and they are dying. How to see the world as it is, yet find light within that truth.

Pico Iyer

[markhamandwest]

[writerly-ramblings]

Books Read in June:

1). Postcards from Surfers (Helen Garner)

2). Dedications (Iran Sanadzadeh)

3). The Lagoon and Other Stories (Janet Frame)

4). Every Day Is for the Thief (Teju Cole)

5). The Questions That Matter Most: Reading, Writing, and the Exercise of Freedom (Jane Smiley)

6). The Dutch House (Ann Patchett)

7). Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (Patrick Süskind)

8). How Fiction Works (James Wood)

9). The Half Known Life: In Search of Paradise (Pico Iyer)

10). Best of Friends (Kamila Shamsie)

11). Adventures in Pen Land: One Writer’s Journey from Inklings to Ink (Marianne Gingher)

12). Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim (David Sedaris)

[librarybag]

[impulsi-udobnosti]

Stoga je u doba ubrzavanja najuzbudljivije ići sporo. U doba odvlačenja pažnje najveći je luksuz obraćati pažnju. A u doba stalnoga kretanja od najveće je važnosti sjediti mirno.

― Pico Iyer

[jrich103]

In an age of speed, I began to think, nothing could be more invigorating than going slow. In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention. – Pico Iyer

[dk-thrive]

I arrive at the bookstore, exhilarated. In a world of commotion I need more than ever to be reminded of what endures.

— Pico Iyer, Aflame: Learning from Silence (Riverhead Books, January 14, 2025)

[jacobwren]

“I began to wonder whether real faith might have less to do with a conviction that everything will turn out all right than with the simple confidence that something makes sense, even when everything goes wrong.” – Pico Iyer, The Half Known Life

[the-archivists-corner]

Why is this man so racist😭

[theambitiouswoman]

hiya, please can we also have ted talk recommendations like your book recs post? :) for the categories you mentioned ♡ thank you

Here you go angel ♡

Business:

The Single Biggest Reason Why Startups Succeed - Bill Gross

The Surprising Habits of Original Thinkers - Adam Grant

The Art of Stress-Free Productivity - David Allen

How to Pitch to a VC - David S. Rose

The Future of Money - Neha Narula

Personal Development:

The Art of Being Yourself - Caroline McHugh

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance - Angela Lee Duckworth

The Power of Believing That You Can Improve - Carol Dweck

How to Stop Screwing Yourself Over - Mel Robbins

Try Something New for 30 Days - Matt Cutts

Mental Health:

The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage - Susan David

Why We All Need to Practice Emotional First Aid - Guy Winch

Depression, the Secret We Share - Andrew Solomon

All it Takes is 10 Mindful Minutes - Andy Puddicombe

The Art of Stillness - Pico Iyer

Relationships:

The Secret to Desire in a Long-Term Relationship - Esther Perel

The Power of Vulnerability in Relationships - Tracy McMillan

Rethinking Infidelity... a Talk for Anyone Who Has Ever Loved - Esther Perel

The Mathematics of Love - Hannah Fry

The Hidden Influence of Social Networks - Nicholas Christakis

Success:

The Happy Secret to Better Work - Shawn Achor

Embrace the Near Win - Sarah Lewis

Why We Do What We Do - Tony Robbins

Keep Your Goals to Yourself - Derek Sivers

Why You Will Fail to Have a Great Career - Larry Smith

Goals:

The Power of Setting Goals - John Doerr

The Puzzle of Motivation - Dan Pink

Smash Fear, Learn Anything - Tim Ferriss

Why We Do What We Do - Tony Robbins

The Skill of Self-Confidence - Dr. Ivan Joseph

Self Love:

The Art of Being Yourself - Caroline McHugh

The Power of Vulnerability - Brené Brown

Your Elusive Creative Genius - Elizabeth Gilbert

The Psychology of Your Future Self - Dan Gilbert

The Surprising Science of Happiness - Dan Gilbert

Confidence:

Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are - Amy Cuddy

The Art of Self-Confidence - Dr. Ivan Joseph

Dare to Lead - Brené Brown

The Hidden Influence of Social Networks - Nicholas Christakis

The Confidence Gap - Katty Kay and Claire Shipman

Health & Wellness:

The Brain-Changing Benefits of Exercise - Wendy Suzuki

How to Make Stress Your Friend - Kelly McGonigal

The Science of Cells That Never Get Old - Elizabeth Blackburn

Why Dieting Doesn't Usually Work - Sandra Aamodt

The Art of Stillness - Pico Iyer

[reality-detective]

“In an age of acceleration, nothing can be more exhilarating than going slow.

In an age of distraction, nothing is so luxurious as paying attention.

And in an age of constant movement, nothing is as urgent as sitting still.”

~Pico Iyer

Going against the current these days is the greatest act of rebellion. At a time when we are being pushed from every direction to be fearful, anxious, stressed, confused and exhausted, let’s make sure to defiantly, do the opposite.

Let’s take time for family and friends, let’s take long walks in nature, let’s read books, let’s sing in the shower, let’s dance with the kids, let’s cook for our loved ones, let’s gaze at the stars, let’s sit in silence, let’s be still for a while. 🤔

[piastriprincess]

hi!! i'm a big fan of your work and was wondering if we could get snippets of what you've got in store for us. no pressure though !!

omg wait getting another one of these... i'm actually giggling and kicking my feet !!! the idea that anyone is excited to see what i have up next is unbelievably exciting to me like i am so so SO grateful for you all . full disclosure i just submitted a HUGELY important scholarship app so i've mostly been working on that for the past week </3 but below the read more i've cut some random snippets from each of my wips !! fair warning some of these are not coming out for a WHILE i think... let me know what you're most excited for though and i'll try to prioritize !!

slow motion (i'm watching our love) - lewis hamilton x reader . past relationship , second chance romance ??

His recorded self looks directly into the lens. "Honestly? I think it's a cop-out." "What's that supposed to mean?" "You always pull back when things get too perfect. Like you have to prove a point instead of letting yourself enjoy a happy ending." There's a long pause. The camera stays focused on his face as he returns to his book. "Maybe," you say from behind the camera, so quietly Lewis has to turn up the volume on his laptop. "Or maybe I just know happy endings don't always last."

naked in manhattan! - lando norris x reader . established relationship , smut , the most self-indulgent thing i've ever written <3

You drop to your knees in between his legs, the hotel carpet scratching at your bare skin. He watches as your fingers dance gently up the inner seam of those pretty navy blue pants, hissing when you press your mouth to the crease — not quite where he wants you, but close. "Fuck, baby," he breathes, head tilting back, pupils blown wide. "If you're gonna act like this every time, I'll wear a suit more often."

sue me (i wanna be wanted) - isack hadjar x reader . toxic relationship , evil!reader , exes to ???

The lights in the club flash, painting everything they touch in vivid blues and violets. The bass is pounding so loud in your ears you can barely think, shaking the floor of the club. But it’s not the volume that makes your glass tremble in your hands at this moment. It’s the sight of your ex-boyfriend, standing across the dance floor looking like someone who’s just seen a ghost.

i like the way you turn me (inside and out) - charles leclerc x reader . enemies to friends to lovers , smau + written .

Charles doesn’t move, chest rising and falling unevenly as he stares down at you. But you step back. Take a deep breath. You don’t need to win this argument. You’ve already won what matters today.  “See you on track tomorrow, Leclerc,” you say tightly, letting Lewis guide you away. But you’re not perfect. You can’t resist one last dig over your shoulder:  “In my mirrors.”

anyone else but you - lando norris x reader . pen pals , childhood friends , mistaken identity .

My favrite thing to do is karting. Do you know what that is?? Its like a tiny race car and you go realy fast around a track. Last week I beat all the other kids in my race and got a trophy. Its small but I put it on my desk in my room. I want to be a racecar driver when I grow up. Do you want to be a writer?? I bet your stories are realy good. Maybe I can read one somday! I think were going to be really good friends :) Write back soon!!!From, L. PS: You should write a story about a racecar driver next, he can travel all over and win all his races and have a friend who cheers him on too : )

strange you never knew - oscar piastri x reader . inspired by before sunrise (1995) . strangers to lovers , maybe ever after .

"Hold on, that makes me think of this quote I like," you say, flipping through the pages of your notebook, and for a moment Oscar just drinks you in. You look like that painting from the museum earlier, the setting sun painting your skin a brilliant gold. "Here it is," you grin, your finger tracing over the page. "Pico Iyer. 'We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next, to find ourselves.' What do you think? What stage are you in?" Oscar hums, considering. He wouldn't admit it anywhere else, but there's something about this moment. Something about you. "I think I've been lost for a while. Maybe I'm ready to start the finding part."

[sgiandubh]

Waypoints, Take 1: POV Complete Outsider

A little something, before we begin. In the history of this fandom, S's book was a critical juncture point. To explain my speculations and findings, it felt appropriate and fun to split it in two parts: the first, written from the POV of a complete outsider who happens to stumble upon Waypoints. The second would be a shipper's view, simply because this is who I am. Under no circumstances should it be understood that I recently took a flight to Bangkok, as I will immediately tell you (I wish I had!). Last time I used this rhetorical trick it went in flames, and I had to explain myself at length: you have been warned. Here goes and I apologize already - this is going to be LONG:

Hi, I am Sgian-Dubh and I have just boarded the LHR-BKK twelve -hour flight, after four years of forced COVID abstinence. I am brimming with anticipation for five o'clock tea at the Mandarin Oriental's Author Lounge, the speedboat transfers on the Chao Phraya and the first real Thai mango sticky rice.

Lo and behold, somebody has forgotten a book in the pocket in front of my seat, undetected by the cleaning ladies. It is written by a certain Sam Heughan. I have no idea who that guy is, but I am quickly informed about its topic: My Scottish Journey.

Ok. A travel book. Favorite genre. This guy is no Pico Iyer. No Robert Byron. And certainly no Freya Stark. But I've got roughly ten hours to kill: where's the harm?

The cover intrigues me. Not my type, but a very good-looking gentleman, with a rather determined, almost stern attitude and a dram of whisky in his left hand. Is he a unicorn entrepreneur? An inventor? The next UK astronaut? Impossible to tell. But hey, never judge a book by its cover.

It quickly becomes apparent that Heughan is the male lead in that lengthy Outlander series of already cult-ish reputation, that my mother watches with gusto ("call me in half an hour, I am watching The Wedding": might I add, for the 455th time in documented history) and The Guardian TV critic calls raunchy.

Six hours later, roughly by the second round of refreshments, I have questions.

The beginning is peculiar. This guy has a busy-busy-busy life and lives in a large country house all by himself, with a hissing coffee machine he just bought. There is something havishamesque about this premise, clashing with the self-assured, conqueror pose on the cover:

But there is hope: a decision is made on the spur of the moment to skedaddle and walk the 96 mile West Highland Way, rather than brood in front of the telly with Chinese delivery food and more alcohol, Bridget Jones style. Fair enough. Adequate equipment is immediately acquired in a frenzy and outside it is nasty raining. The new tent is mounted and dismounted in the living-room (who does this? who eats scrambled eggs with ketchup?).

Pitter-patter. And more pitter-patter. Damp, but heartwarming overnight stops in cozy hotels along the way and short conversations in Halloween-themed bars, surrounded by Highland zombies and banshees. Parritch and grit. The harsh encounter with homelessness along the way prompts the Good Samaritan reflex:

More pitter-patter. Entwined with the self-reliant feat, we start to follow a parallel trail to the narrator's past, by far the most interesting part of the book. Challenging beginnings, in a single parent family surrounded by love and dignified penury. A real shyness due to truly heartbreaking, unfairly absurd, almost debilitating circumstances:

Details like the above quickly grab the reader's attention, and how could they not? There is a lot of sensibility in there, rather aptly balanced with a whiff of Dickensian morality (stay true to your self) and of course, with one of the favorite Victorian refrains: play up, play up and play the game. Obstacles are patiently conquered with uncommon resilience and a true stubbornness, but for a very long time, life is a haphazard succession of opportunities and rebukes.

For such a good-looking man, women are sparse and far between. Ae fond kiss and then we sever at 10. Stage partners. A stage production assistant. The one who didn't last more than one week once moved in together. No explanation is provided and we sense this is an uneasy topic. I wouldn't insist, as a casual reader, but my curiosity is piqued.

At this point in time, breakfast is served. I have long lost track of the zip-a-dee-doo-dah trekking part of the book, involving a sulking, but nice bearded guy and his wife, chance brief encounters and mushrooms. But the Underdog Tale surely got my attention, even if we spend an extravagant amount of time between the London neo-slums and the glitter of Tinseltown: skipping to the essential, it eventually paid off.

With instant fame comes exposure and the lottery winner syndrome. What to do. How to cope. Women multiply as by magic, but only one is singled out and discussed in a strange, contrived, almost lackadaisical manner:

If this made me, the assumed Complete Outsider, stop in my tracks and scratch my head, I can only imagine what would happen to these people's fans. Why address folklore and conflated nonsense, at all? Why give space to hearsay? Why "it", when it should logically be "them"? Why the ambiguity? Why the uneasiness, spinning like floating wood in a sea of positivity? Why worry about that, when you drum the march of success and explain your bachelorhood by an unsolved Oedipus complex, thwarting any potential pairing?

I sip the horrible airline drip coffee and I ask:

Who is Caitriona to you, Mister Heughan?

You wrote a +150 pages long book beating around this bush. There are no such things. You are either life-long friends and this is a non-existent topic, or you are lying to yourself, lying to your readers and hiding in plain sight.

Time to disembark. I am keeping the book. I am not buying the whisky (naïve product placement on top). But hell I am going to watch that series on Netflix!