How to Improve Weddings, Why People Hate the New Gerber Baby, and Why a Meaningful Life Is Better than a Happy One
Highlights From Our June (Plus Our Favorite Readers Comments)
Welcome to Best of the Month, our wrap-up of all our most popular posts and favorite comments from readers like you. We love hearing your feedback—here on Bulletin, or on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Your feedback helps us learn what you like and build community.
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Here at the Nonlinear Life we just completed our first year with our biggest month ever of new subscribers. Thank you for joining our community—and conversation! For those of you who are new, at the end of every month we send out a roundup of our most-talked about pieces, with comments from readers. We hope you enjoy and are excited by some of the plans we have for the rest of the summer.
Oof, did this piece—and this topic—get a big reaction. This year’s winner of the perennial contest, Isa Slish, an eight-month-old from Oklahoma, was announced last month. Chosen from 225,000 entries, she, at least, received $25,000. But there was plenty of pushback from the online mob. You can read the fascinating history of Gerber baby—the original also died in recent weeks—and learn about what happened. Some of you were outraged.
I think it’s just awful that people would write such terrible comments about a little baby. Even if the baby doesn’t have a big smile on there face, they certainly look happy to me. As far as race, there has been a Black baby as the Gerber baby before. It was a little boy, he was very cute, but how do you think his parents would have felt, if they were to have read all the hateful messages that have been posted on the Gerber websites page? I just don’t understand, why all the hate being poured out towards a little baby girl because she won a contest, or is it because she’s disabled? People should be ashamed of themselves for acting this way. It’s time to grow the hell up and act like the adults your all so pose to be. - Brenda Kelley
This baby is beautiful, being disabled has nothing to do with it. All babies, black or white, disabled or healthy are all precious and should be treated as such. How would you feel if someone was taking about your child the way you are talking about this beautiful baby? You wouldn't like it now would ya? I hope your child never has to face judgement like the way you are judging this beautiful baby. - Stephanie Eberhart
2. Don’t Be Happy: Why a Meaningful Life Is More Important Than a Happy One
When we think about fulfillment, we usually thing about happiness. But what if the real key to contentment is living a meaningful life? We loved to hear your thoughts and opinions in the comments:
I love this, Bruce!! Thank you for sharing. - Beth Loyd
Yes. Meaning is more important than Happiness. You can be happy 100% of the time, but you can always find meaning or authenticity in each moment. - Jessica Newton
3. A Letter to My Dad on My First Fatherless Father’s Day
I struggled for weeks with the question of how I should mark my first fatherless Father's Day. Then I had an idea. I should do the one thing I know how to do: Write a letter to my dad. Thank you for your heartfelt reaction—and for all the stories you shared.
I too lost my dad 8 months ago and I’m struggling with the thought of “celebrating “ my first Father’s Day without him. Your story brought tears. I‘m recalling the many times walking past the bathroom (shared by nine family members!) and seeing my dad standing in front of the mirror with that foamy white shave cream all over his cheeks and chin. It’s how he started his day and it was his time of preparation and reflection. I wonder what he was thinking during all those shaving moments. I think it was his pep talk to start the new day. I can’t share the shaving ritual to honor my dad but I will take time in my daily routine to prepare and reflect to face the world with renewed strength, purpose and love, just like my dad did! Happy Father’s Day Dad! - Shelly Hess
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your words made me cry. I lost my father in 2014 (earlier, really due to dementia). It’s still painful but we were lucky to have such amazing dads. - Susan Galeando Burton
4. Americans Are Sick Of Weddings: Here's How You Can Help
Love is in the air. Too much love! Turns out Americans are sick of weddings. I shared some thoughts on what you can't do—complain in public!—and what you can do—improve your toast! A clink of the glass for all your comments:
Apparently it’s not just me. Elope. - Emily Elizabeth
As someone who has been tapped to give a MOH speech in September, I'll definitely be using these tips! - Lauren Bittrich
I have a special July 4th piece posting this weekend. Until then, use sunscreen! And if you missed it, check out my piece on graduation speeches or the story of my new TED Talk.
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Thanks for reading The Nonlinear Life. Please help us grow the community by subscribing, sharing, and commenting below. Also, you can learn more about me, read my introductory post, or scroll through my other posts.
Or these books: Life Is in the Transitions, The Secrets of Happy Families, Council of Dads.
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