During my lunch hour today, I was enjoying my rather hearty salad and reading an article I found on The Seattle Times titled, “‘Old Friend’ offers help with writing a memoir.” Since it is my dream to someday turn these 20-something ramblings—or perhaps what my life has to bring—into a memoir, I jumped at the chance to read advice on writing one. The author of the book, Natalie Goldberg, is a writer who considers herself an expert in the topic of memoirs. Her Q&A with The Times’ reporter contained some great advice that I’ll file away in the ole’ memory bank. When I reached the end of the interview, Goldberg said this:

“I don’t have to write, but I have to live as a writer. Receiving the world. Noticing some things. Having some time for dreaming. Caring about detail. Because writing isn’t just writing. It’s a whole way of life. It’s a way of seeing and caring. A desire to have intimacy for your life and for the world.”

That. That is me.