Letter Update…
Dear Friend, Letters are now being posted on Substack. You can find the latest posts here: https://laurasnyder.substack.com
Blog
There Is No Such Thing as Self Made
Dear Friend, Several years ago I was trying to build a business. After a particularly rough day, I laid down on my couch, let out a big groany sigh and thought to myself, “is this really worth it?!” The mountain I was climbing felt like it had no top. I could see nothing but more climbing and that had me feeling like a deflated balloon. Eventually after feeling sorry for myself for a bit, I got myself off the couch…
Learn Our Truth and then Be Our Truth
Dear friend, Our job in life: learn our Truth and then be our Truth. (with a capital T) Our Truth is who we are at our essence: the person we are before the world told us who we are supposed to be.Our Truth is what we truly believe, value.What we stand for and against. Who we love.How we spend our time and earn our living.How we dress.How we find fulfillment, joy, calling.And on and on… Our Truth will tell us all…
Are Comfort Zones All That Comfortable?
Dear friend, I used to try really hard to fit in, go along with the crowd, do what I thought was “normal”. While some people pride themselves on being different, I wanted so so badly to blend in. I didn’t want any sort of judgment coming my way on how I looked, what I did for a living, or how I thought. To me, if I disappeared into normal-ness, it’d make for a comfortable life. When I reached my early…
Nature as a Teacher for Life
Dear friend, I take a daily walk in my neighborhood and lately I’ve been so fascinated with the flowers blooming. Everything feels so vibrant right now in southern CA which inspired this poem.. Springtime hope On my mind New life emerging Blooms everywhere. Nature saying hello Reminding us to wake up Look around. Breathe in life. Breathe in life. Breathe in life. Every flower so different Every blossom intricately designed It’s very own version of beautiful. Breathe in life. Breathe…
Embracing What You Can’t Control
Dear friend, A few years ago I was at a crossroads and it all came to a head on one particular day. It started with a notice on my door that rent would be going up by $100. That same day I received an email saying the adjustable rate mortgage on my Chicago condo would be going up by several hundred dollars. After that, the day was a fog. At the time I was trying to live off my business…
Unlearn Your Way Forward
Dear friend, Have you ever followed someone’s advice only to discover what worked for them most definitely did not work for you? I’ve done this many times over in my life. Even when it comes to following a dream or “forging your own path”, as I like to call it, there are many, many “formulas” and fancy 7-Step Processes that promise success. I’ve invested a lot of money on these kinds of things only to discover these formulas were not…
Two Paths Toward the Same Destination
Dear friend, This may sound cliche but please hear me out… I think some of the best life lessons come from our failures. We grow the most by not getting what we want or not having things work out in our favor all the time. This seems counter to what it should be but I’m beginning to believe that going after a dream is not actually about achieving the dream in a nice, easy, buttoned up way. The purpose of…
It’s Never Too Late
Dear friend, Recently I noticed a pattern in myself… Most nights I enjoy some Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime. Inevitably I’ll look up whatever show I’m watching to learn more about the actors. Without even realizing it the first thing I always check out is their age. This felt so harmless at first but then I realized this uncomfortable thing going on in me. No matter what the actor’s age, it created this feeling of being behind in my own…
The Simple Question that Changed My Life
Dear friend, Have you seen the 90s movie Sliding Doors? It’s one of my favorites. The movie alternates between two versions of the main character’s life, depending on whether or not she catches a train. I think what’s so appealing about it (and also a bit terrifying) is that the story shows how such a minor moment can impact a person’s life. Have you ever had your own Sliding Doors moment? Maybe something so small changed your life forever or…