KIMBERLY CHARLES
Photo Courtesy of The Mercury News
My "must read" is from: The New York Times
Article: Mary Tyler Moore's Guide to Leaning In
Author: Anna Clark
Why is this a must read?: I grew up in an ostensibly female household. My father was a submarine captain and was off fighting the good fight with the Cold War in the 60s and 70s. My mother took care of 4 girls and as we grew older, was able to resume her teaching career.
As latch key kids we relied heavily on television to babysit us and I know I'm going to sound old here, but the programming back then, albeit with fewer options, actually had lots of great writing and messages. Many of we kids of the 60s were shaped by our television heroes and heroines. Mary Tyler Moore was a major inspiration for me. At first I loved her warmth, sparkle and killer wardrobe. As I matured along with the show, its deeper messages of independence, self-assurance, forthrightness and dealing with sexual politics were working their subtle magic on me. I realize that she was a virtual mentor for me. My younger sister Nicole and I would play apartment girls as pre-teens. The notion of having your own place and space was really alluring vs. frightening, reflecting the cultural revolution going on at the time. Today, as we commemorate Women's History Month and review where we are as women and where we want to go in a global sense, Mary's trailblazing is all the more daring. She has inspired the leaders of today along with an entire generation of women. Brava!
ALEX FONDREN
Photo Courtesy of Julianna Brion (The New York Times)
My "must read" is from: The New York Times
Article: The Pope of Panhandling: Give Without Worry
Author: NYT Editorial Board
Why is this a must read?: In spite of its title, this is actually a rather agnostic article that applies to most of us who encounter panhandlers, buskers and homeless people on our daily commutes and lunch breaks. I too am guilty of walking by most people begging for money without so much as a glance, but what makes it worse is that I secretly tend to think about that person long after I've feigned indifference. So why keep secret an acknowledgment of someone's humanity, when they are literally begging for exactly that? There of course exist a cultural fusillade of justifications for not stopping and giving, including moral judgement regarding how the money will be spent. This article flips those justifications on their head, and reminds me of the privilege I have in making them at all: "You don’t know what that guy will do with your dollar. Maybe you’d disapprove of what he does. Maybe compassion is the right call." For some, the season of Lent represents a spiritual check-in, manifested in the way of some level of deprivation (meat, alcohol, cursing etc). This article is a reminder that perhaps giving up 'justified' indifference might go a bit further in turning one's own sacrifice into a less fortunate person's gain. A dollar - worth so little to those of us with a daily Peet's Coffee habit - initiates the eye-contact and human touch that is possibly more desperately needed than the cash.
HOLLY REYNOLDS
Photo Courtesy of Aaron Huey
My "must read" is from: NPR
Article: How Does A Nepalese Porter Carry So Much Weight
Author: Emily Sohn
Why is this a must read?: The sherpas who guide trekkers in the Himalayas are remarkably integral to any expedition’s success, and they are often overlooked when acknowledging remarkable feats like scaling Mt. Everest. This article recognizes their significance and questions how they are able to continuously carry loads often heavier than their bodies on their backs. These feats of strength and endurance are both interesting to ponder, and important to acknowledge, as Westerners often focus solely on the travelers who visit the Himalayas and not the local people who make their journeys possible.
ANTHONY SALAZAR
Photo Courtesy of Jed Fedirizzi
My "must read" is from: SF Chronicle
Article: All Consuming: What I Love About Eating in San Francisco
Author: Chris Ying
Why is this a must read?: It has been almost 3 years since my big move from New York to the amazing city that is San Francisco. I have been enjoying every bit of this city, from its long list of parks, to its approachable and friendly people and to its constantly evolving food scene. Shortly after my first move, I would find myself rolling my eyes to those who said that they would prefer to dine here than in New York. However, after finishing school, I decided to eat my way through San Francisco. I discovered a lot of interesting restaurant concepts, delicious dishes and hole-in-the wall cafes and restaurants. The restaurants and specific items that Chris pointed put in this article are spot on. I am very luck to have tasted most of those dishes he mentioned. This article showed that our city has started something promising in the restaurant industry that can go head-to-head with New York and Los Angeles.
AMANDA GERALDO
Photo Courtesy of David Mansaray
My "must read" is from: David Mansaray's Personal Blog
Article: The Importance of Travel for Personal Development
Author: David Mansaray
Why is this a must read?: About five years ago I got the travel bug when I left the country for the first time and ever since then I can't get enough. David's blog post about traveling truly spoke to my experiences of visiting and living abroad. Every time I am exposed to a new culture I feel as though I widen my own understanding of self. I have met the most beautiful people and heard incredible stories that have shaped my life more than I could have ever imagined. I am grateful for the experiences I have had and I hope I never lose sight of my passion to travel the world.
All the Swirl is a collection of thoughts and opinions assembled by the staff and industry friends of Charles Communications Associates, a marketing communications firm with its headquarters in San Francisco, California. We invite you to explore more about our company and clients by visiting www.charlescomm.com.