What if the secret to happiness isn’t more self-care… it’s more togetherness?
From family traditions to company outings, yoga retreats to support groups, the happiest people don’t just text—they gather.
As longtime readers of The Nonlinear Life know, I’ve spent the last three years traveling the world, attending the most spectacular collection of gatherings imaginable—weddings, funerals, block parties, grief circles, cold plunges, divorce celebrations, cancerversaries, as well as inspiring, spontaneous rituals of all kinds, from birthdays to graduations, the end of a difficult transition to the start of a new chapter.
My goal was to gather in one place hundreds of proven ideas to make your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors tighter, kinder, and happier.
My new book, A TIME TO GATHER, comes out in three weeks. I put together a short video explaining the story behind the book—and what I hope you take away.
I’ve been working around the clock on a bunch of exciting plans around the release of the book. In the coming weeks, I’ll share details of media appearances, book tour locations where we can gather in person, and some special surprises.
Also, I’m excited to share what I learned from leading two standing-room-only rituals of connection at TED2026 in Vancouver last week — only right now, I’m heading out to go lead a similar ritual at LinkedIn.
So for now, here are three opportunities to make this a Year of Connection:
Watch me on CNN this week with Anderson Cooper discussing the standoff between the American president and the American pope and hear why the only thing strong enough to defeat hate is love.
For the first time ever—and for a limited time only!—preorder a signed, personalized copy of A TIME TO GATHER for yourself, a friend, a colleague, or a loved one and support a great independent bookstore in the process. Great for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day!
This month marks the 25th anniversary of the book that changed my life, spent a year-and-a-half on the New York Times bestseller list, and inspired a PBS miniseries and more book clubs than I can count.
WALKING THE BIBLE describes my 10,000-mile journey across three continents and four war zones, visiting biblical sites and reading the stories along the way. Also for a limited time, we’re offering a bundle of WALKING THE BIBLE and A TIME TO GATHER at 25% off, with proceeds benefiting the Open Soul Foundation.
Thank you for all your support during this process, along with your likes, comments, tweets, and preorders. You remind me that we’re not just going to sit back and let the algorithms of hate divide us; we are going to prove that the algorithms of togetherness are older, stronger, and more powerful.
Let’s do this!
🌞
Thank you for reading The Nonlinear Life. This is a reader-supported newsletter. You can support my work by pre-ordering a copy of A Time to Gather or any of my other books. Click on the photo below to learn more.
Order from Your Favorite Bookseller
Meanwhile, help us grow our community by subscribing, sharing, and commenting below. And you might enjoy reading these posts:
How Rituals Can Save Your Family — and the First Review of A TIME TO GATHER!
The Stories That Bind Us: My Most Popular Piece Ever
A Sudden Loss, A Missed Goodbye, A Lesson on How to Gather in Crisis
Or, you can contact me directly.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.