History Gives Us Hope
Weekend Reads v. 1.3.2026
Welcome to another week where the news is bleak and tensions run high! People are on edge. Traffic is perilous, what with drivers acting out their frustrations with the world via harrowing episodes of road rage at 7:48 a.m. Text messages are fraught with dramatic proclamations like, “I hate this,” or “They are completely stupid.” Even my cat is acting out by jumping on the counter, a place she knows not to venture.
We all need a snack and a nap. But world events won’t slow for our juice box and 30-minute snooze, so what are we to do? We can control what we can control, and leave the rest to someone else.
Ha. Easier said than done in a world that revolves around a 24/7 news cycle built on keeping us afraid and suspicious. Nevermind, though, we shall press on.
Here’s what we’ll do to catch our breath: get a bit of perspective, take a look outside ourselves, and choose the tangible over the virtual.
First up, perspective. I’ve found a powerful perspective by learning about the history of ancient civilizations. On Monday evenings, I attend an intensive course on the Old Testament that is packed with history lessons. I realize now that when I read history books as a young student, I looked down on the people of the past. I mistakenly concluded they were not as wise or sophisticated. How wrong I was. When someone one day is able to read about my life as a whole, they will surely find me lacking.
Learning about the great kings and kingdoms that have risen and fallen over time has shown me there is no such thing as a greatest chapter of history or a greatest generation. History is a great equalizer. They are like me, and I am like them.
Take the mighty Babylonian Empire. This empire was ruled by the powerful Nebuchadnezzar and built the largest city in the world – now a UNESCO site in Iraq. It was King Nebuchadnezzar who commissioned the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to be built for his homesick wife. This was a powerful and modern empire that conquered other nations. The Babylonian people celebrated culture and food in many of the same ways we do – perhaps enjoying a musical performance in an outdoor garden before tucking into a delicious meal with friends and family on a warm summer evening. They had libraries and medical advancements. The city was majestic, and the streets were brimming with people and merchants.
And then one October day in 539 B.C. the city fell to King Cyrus of Persia. Cyrus the Great is now known for his “hands-off approach to social and religious affairs, allowing Persia’s diverse citizenry to continue practicing their own ways of life.” Originating in modern-day Iran, the Persian Empire grew (a.k.a. conquered other nations and people) to become one of the largest empires in history. As great as Babylon had been, it seems the Persian Empire was far greater, for Persia was the “world’s first super power.” They took one look at Babylon’s beautiful cities and culture and said, “hold my beer,” as they raised the bar on technology, science and art. Multiple religions flourished, and the culture blossomed as a result. Just as the Babylonians had done before them, the Persians had good reason to believe they were the greatest culture to walk the earth, but then you can guess where this story leads.
Enter Alexander the Great. In November 333 B.C., Alexander of Macedon confronted King Darius III on the banks of the Pinarus River near modern-day Turkey. While that particular Macedonian victory at Issus did not end the war, it set in motion the final three years of campaigning that would bring the Achaemenid Persian Empire to its collapse. Subsequent rulers never could quite return to Persia to the status she enjoyed during her glorious Iron Age dynasty.
Why do I bring up the rise and fall of these once-great empires? Perspective. Specifically, to illustrate the fact that history tells us people have always desired the same things: peace, belonging, beauty, and the freedom to live out their values. Throughout time, people kept pursuing these things in the face of uncertainty and adversity, and we can do the same.
We take this newfound perspective and thrive in spite of adversity and anxiety by looking outside ourselves and by living in the tangible. We can lift ourselves out of the gloom and despair a 24/7 news cycle inflicts on us by practicing random acts of kindness. We find refuge from anxiety by turning away from the virtual and embracing the tactile. Writing a card to a loved one. Touching grass with our bare feet under the warm sun. Getting lost in the pages of a real book. Soaking up the tenor and tone of the voice of a person dear to you.
No surprise that C.S. Lewis articulated what matters most far better than I could ever dare:
“To be happy at home is the end of all human endeavor. The sun looks down on nothing half so good as a household laughing together over a meal, or two friends talking over a pint of beer, or a person alone reading a book that interests them; and all economics, politics, laws, armies, and institutions, are only valuable in so far as they prolong and multiply such scenes.”
Source: The Weight of Glory where Lewis expands on Samuel Johnson’s quote (edited lightly for clarity)
The corporate jargon we hate the most.
As if you needed another reason to visit Florence, Italy, here’s an article about what makes Florence so spectacular in the winter. Spoiler alert, it’s the food.
Do you agree with James Clear that facts don’t change our minds but friendship does?
Intrigued by the idea of a miso margarita.
Loving these embroidered bandanas.
Wow. The photos of this terra-cotta home in Vietnam are incredible.
Though no one asked me, I believe it is not too early to start prepping for Easter baskets. Malley’s Chocolates is a relatively new-to-me company, and they seem to hit it out of the park with everything they do. Since their opening in 1935, they remain a family-owned business and factory based in Cleveland. Their solid line-up of Easter chocolates might be a good option for those trying to shop small and choosing real ingredients. See’s Candies is another place to source Easter goodies. Their chocolate eggs are gorgeous. Case in point.
The Met appears to have uncovered the original emoji-filled chain texts!
For those women with thick hair, these new hair ties might be worth trying. They promise to hold your hair without breaking it. And they look attractive on your wrist. As for me and my thin hair, we’re sticking with these Japanese hair ties that are in the running for the title of GOAT.
Condé Nast and I agree: Palm Springs has still got it.
Speaking of SoCal, this historic home in Pasadena is designed around the premise that more is more, and it makes me realize I am not a maximalist.
Is it better to book reservations directly with hotels and airlines?
I am here for the silk scarf trend.
This video unpacks the ingenious design of the aluminum can.
Look at all these vintage illustrated advertisements! So many are so clever.
Reader, I am about to wax poetic about a weather app. So there was this weather app called Dark Sky that came to be my second-favorite app of all time (after my music app, obvs). It wasn’t free, but oh was it glorious. It was so eerily accurate at telling me precisely how many minutes I should seek the cover of a NYC coffee shop while rain pounded outside. The makers of Dark Sky sold something or other to a large tech company, and my beloved weather guru was no more. Well, the geniuses behind Dark Sky are back with a new app called Acme Weather. Acme promises to deliver the features I really enjoyed with Dark Sky – lotsa maps and community reporting – plus new fun features like rainbow reporting. (I tell ya, you just never know what you’re gonna learn in this newsletter!)
Take it easy on yourself this week. Sending love and hope to you!