Protect your peace

Slowing down, living intentionally, and figuring out how to have a moment of goddamned peace and quiet. Plus: the best book launch day idea I've ever had.

There’s a great scene from What About Bob, a movie I barely remember except for this one bit in which a stressed-out dad (played by Richard Dreyfuss) yells “I want some PEACE and QUIET” at a raucous Bill Murray and child (I just lost 5 minutes of my life googling the child actor and guess what he’s a lawyer now! Not the point but good for him). Bill Murray says, “I’ll be quiet.” The child says, “I’ll be peace,” flashing a peace sign, and they both crack up, to the dad’s great irritation.

Unfortunately or maybe fortunately, I think of this every time I hear the phrase “peace and quiet,” which either says something about the hilarity of the scene or the noisiness of my brain, or hey why not both.

I share all this because I’ve been lusting, lately, for a sense of peace and quiet. Look, I’m not complaining about all the hubbub that has surrounded my b…