Have you ever heard of NaMoWriMo? It's a challenge to help you get a book written in November by writing a certain amount every day. We don't think most people want to write a book, but it reminds us that taking some time every day to get some thoughts down has been incredibly useful for us.

Another practice is one found in Julia Cameron's An Artist's Way — the book lays out a series of lessons to help you better access the artist in you. But, one of the very first suggestions is to get out a journal every morning and complete three pages of "morning pages." At first, it might just be three pages of "Why did I want to do this?" or "I have to run an errand and clean the house and I hope the weather is nice for the weekend." It doesn't have to be anything deep; it's just a way to get in touch with your inner artist.

You don't have to be an intentional, aspiring artist. There's something about it that helps us get clarity around things we didn't even know we needed clarity on! Also, even we thought that it can't possibly make that much of a difference, the process is really enhanced by getting pen to paper. Obviously, if you can't do that, it's better to tippy-type than not to do it at all. But, we'd be remiss if we didn't let you in on that part.

As the weather turns into a more obvious state of autumn, we encourage you to give daily journaling a try. We're going to set out to do NaMoWriMo... so wish us luck!

Because music is such a part of so many rituals, we continue our series "Ritual: Record," where we ask people what music is part of their ritual when it's time to relax. One of our customers, Tiff T., tells us about one of her ritual records.

You’ve picked this album for a reason – what about it lends itself to “sipping in the moment?”

This was one of my favorite Lumineers albums, and when I decided to purchase it, I was on vacation from work. One of the great things about being on vacation from the work that I do is I can drink as much coffee as I want and not have to worry about what time I drink it, and if it’s going to keep me up, especially if I need to get enough sleep for my long haul to work. So, of course, I spent the day listening and … drinking coffee.

When did you become familiar with it?

I became a fan of their first release "Ho Hey." I really became immersed in their sound, the echo and the pauses, and specifically Wesley Schultz' voice. From that point on, I began following, waiting for any new releases. Then they released the album "Cleopatra," and I knew after the first four songs that I loved it. Then they did a short film, "The Ballad of Cleopatra," and with the visuals, it just sealed it for me.

Are there any specific memories that you think of when you hear a song from this record?

Oh wow, it’s funny you ask, because whenever I listen to the track "Long Way from Home," I always think of summers when I was a kid. We would drive with a family member or close family friends to no particular destination, but we would always run into someone we knew. We would stop and talk, and us kids would run around and play, and when it was over, get back into the car and drive some more. We really didn’t go far from the neighborhood, but it seemed as if we went for a long journey.

What’s your favorite track?

"Angela" is definitely my favorite. I think it’s because of the pace of the song, the story, which was definitely influenced even more by the short film, and certainly Schultz' voice. But there are so many on the album that aren’t too far behind.

If you had three songs by this artist to send to a friend who was totally unfamiliar – what would they be?

"Cleopatra," "Angela," "My Eyes."

Where do you listen (room, atmosphere, what-have-you)?

I have a speaker in the corner near my dining room table which is right next to my patio door. So, every morning there’s this light that breaks through when I open the curtains that not only trickles into my kitchen onto my counter where I make my coffee but it’s just perfect for when I sit to drink my cup of coffee and write. It’s my work mornings, weekend mornings, and vacation mornings cafe spot.

Thanks so much to Tiff. Now, what inspires you? What song or album do you come back to again and again?

What is the perfect music to “Sip in the Moment?”

Send your responses to info@spirituscoffee.com, and you can find your favorite records showcased here.

One way to get in the moment is to put on a favorite record and let the rest of the world fade away. We asked our Marketing Director, Jocelyn, to tell us what album goes perfectly with a cup of Spiritus coffee. She reserves the right to change her answer/s at any time. (Also, if this is something you’d like to contribute to, email us at info@spirituscoffee.com!)

Album: Change Everything
Artist: Del Amitri
Year: 1992

Tell us a bit about Del Amitri:
They’re a band from Glasgow, Scotland. Like a few bands I adore, they are most known for a one-hit wonder (“Roll To Me”) that doesn’t come close to being their best song. But like the other bands (Semisonic, Fountains of Wayne), most people would jump at the chance to write a song that is as good as a song that isn’t even Del Amitri’s best.

You’ve picked this album for a reason – what about it lends itself to “sipping in the moment?”
This is an album that I can (and have, hundreds of times) listen to all the way through, start to finish, no skips, no breaks. It’s an album that has some up-tempo songs, but even those follow along the album’s themes of heartbreak and jealousy and romance gone wrong. You know, super positive music [laughter]. But, because I can just start it and let it go, I can take a moment to zone out or write in my journal or take a walk to it — all things that keep me in the present.

How did you come across it?
I worked at my college radio station from 1991-1993, so I was exposed to so many things I had never encountered before. WONC (89.1 FM out of Naperville) was known for the “Finest of the classics and the best of the new,” but this was when “Alternative” was just starting to make an appearance. We’d play the Grateful Dead and Neil Young along with Billy Joel and James Taylor — and quickly adding another wide variety with Nirvana and Indigo Girls and Teenage Fanclub and King Missile and … Del Amitri. I fell in love right away.

Are there any specific memories that you think of when you hear a song from this record?
I think of late nights at the station and situations in college that mirrored several of the songs on the record. I think of my own first heartbreak, and countless times at Double Door seeing the band live.

What’s your favorite track?
Woof. I think all of them are fantastic, but I’d say two are tied for first: “Be My Downfall” and “Always the Last to Know.”

If you had three songs by this artist from any album to send to a friend who was totally unfamiliar – what would they be?
Definitely “Be My Downfall” from Change Everything, “Kiss this Thing Goodbye” from Waking Hours, and “Tell Her This” from Twisted.

Where do you listen (room, atmosphere, what-have-you)?
Good question. Normally, in the house, but I think I’m going to listen in the car next time I take a drive.

Well, that’s Jocelyn’s (current) Ritual record. What inspires you? What song or album do you come back to again and again? What is the perfect music to “Sip in the Moment?”